Fun Mother's Day May 11, 2014

Mother's Day is such a bittersweet day for me.  I love being a mommy and having hubby and the kiddos love on me for the day, however it is a day when my mom's death is very much on my mind.  Most other days I'm so busy it's a passing thought,  but Mother's Day is much harder to let the thought pass.  I should be calling her, sending her cards and little coloring pages from the kids, but she's not here.

This year, just like last year, after church we headed up to Table Rock State Park for a day together.  We don't get these kind of days very often, and I must say I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE them.

We had so much fun! The kiddos enjoyed sliding down the rocks in the stream.  I took some videos and will try to upload one or two of them.

 It is a joy being a mommy to these 6 blessings. I used to say little blessings, but some of them are not so little anymore :-(

Mother's Day was a blast!!  This is our new family tradition for Mother's Day!!  I loved it.  One of these days,  maybe I will get into better shape and join in the fun of sliding down the rocks.

Easter 2014

What a great Easter Sunday.  We spent the day together as a family, which is something we don't get to do often enough.  

Of course, everyone was excited about their Easter baskets (which I put together that morning):

Surprisingly, we got everyone ready early enough for some family pictures.  Sadly,  getting them ready for the picture was easier than getting a good picture.  

 Note the face on the youngest girl, it doesn't get much better.

 We even moved to where the sun was behind them. Still, no cooperation from little one (she wouldn't even stand in this one).

Finally one with all the kids,  but asking for open eyes was just too much!!!

We then enjoyed a wonderful church service and lunch at home. We had hoped to go on a picnic lunch and hike, but the weather said it would be too windy.  After lunch, we decided to go for the hike anyway.  We got the kitchen cleaned up and headed over to Paris Mountain State Park.  We even took Bella with us. 

 Checking out the lake

 Baby Samuel had a great time being toted around.

 Posing for a picture, while everyone else walks on

 I'm lagging behind - my excuse - I was taking pics

 Moving right along

 The walkway in front of the falls

A little closer on the rocks, but where's Baby Samuel? 

 Oh, there he is!!

 Handsome Mr Gamer

 Bella (better known as puppers)

Bella, "Can I come in the water, please???"

Oh how I wish I had video taped this.  She just jumped off that little wall, right into the water.  Note the girls faces,  they got quite wet when she jumped in.

It was a great day with family.  However,  we could never forget the reason for our celebration - He's alive!!  So thankful Christ willingly laid down his life for me!!  What a thought!  Even better though is that He conquered death and the grave, and on the third day ROSE AGAIN!!!  What a gift.  Our church choir performed a great cantata, which ended with one of my favorite songs, THIS BLOOD.  Enjoy!!

Disney 2014 Pics

I shared a few pics from our vacation off my phone here on my Menu Plan Monday last week.  I have more though.  Keep in mind, these are just some of the MANY pictures I take.  Hubby gets a little frustrated.  Even though it wasn't our first time at Disney, I still stopped to get kids pics with characters, as well as many of the same pics of parades, rides, and surroundings.  Buy hey,  the last time we went, we didn't have Baby Samuel!  That means all of these things were new to him and he just LOVED it ALL!!! Well, not the haunted mansion (yes, we took him on there), but everything else :-)

So, without further adieu:

 My absolute favorite picture!!  

Can you tell we had a lot of fun?  If only we could do this two or three times a year. Still very thankful for the times we are blessed enough to get away with our little family.  God has truly blessed us!!  So thankful!!!