Easter Pictures (Finally)

I've been trying to round up the cameras to make sure I have all the pictures. Here are some pictures from our neighborhood Easter egg hunt and Easter itself.

Our Nation's Motto

Andy started a 2-part series this weekend titled God & Country.

Did you know on July 30, 1956 President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed a law officially declaring "In God We Trust" to be the nation's motto?

According to Wikipedia, it was placed on all currency in the previous year as a reminder of the self-evident truth that as long as this country trusts in God, it will prevail!

What a week!

Not only did Maddie sleep in her big-girl bed for the first time this week, she went on her big-girl potty! Thanks to Madame Blueberry (VeggieTales), she's one step closer to losing the diaper.

Em and Maddie were at Mi-mi's (Em's mom) house. Maddie wanted to watch Madame Blueberry. Mi-mi doesn't have Madame Blueberry. While Maddie was carrying on, they happened to be discussing potty training. Em mentioned to Maddie, "If you use your big-girl potty, you can watch Madame Blueberry." Maddie immediately went to Mi-mi's door to leave. Once home, she went straight upstairs, took off her pants, sat on her big-girl potty and -- after some pretzels and water -- went!

She likes Madame Blueberry SO much, she went twice more. Thank you, Madame Blueberry, for your everlasting contribution to potty training. Who knew?

Preparing the way...

We officially began preparing the way for Micah last night. Maddie slept in her big-girl bed for the first time. According to Emily -- and I say "According to Emily" because I slept through it -- Maddie fell out of the bed twice: once THROUGH the railings and once off the end of the bed. We were so proud of her we let her eat carrot cake for breakfast. Hopefully she'll get the hang of it!

A Contemplation & Celebration

To be in the same venue that will host the likes of Dave Matthews Band and Kenny Chesney for the purpose of amplifying -- and I mean AMPLIFYING -- the name of Jesus Christ was amazing. Louie also took time to reflect on the cross, sharing that because of the cross, we can be Alive. Clean. Embraced. Healed. Free.

For "God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God."

Happy Easter!

Symbol of Hope

Andy's sermon on Sunday -- The Final Hours -- set the tone for Easter by recounting the final hours of Jesus' life. While the cross had been a symbol of shame, ONE crucifixion has made it a symbol of hope. "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him" -- that is, whoever places their trust in Him, makes Him the Lord of their life, etc. -- "shall not perish, but have eternal life" (John 3:16).

Thank you Jesus, for not only choosing death, but death on a cross, so that I may enjoy the freedom that is found in You.

Duck! Bread!

I mentioned Maddie's love for ducks in an earlier post and realized I hadn't shared the love. Feeding the ducks has become part of Maddie's daily routine. As soon as she arrives, she reminds them it's "Ma-na" (i.e. Maddie). They might not need reminding when she starts yelling "DUCK! BREAD!" She's such a motherly figure, I'm surprised they haven't followed her home. Speaking of home, "DUCK! BREAD!" are regularly interjected into mealtime prayers. They've GOT to be the most blessed ducks ever!


But it's not always fun and games. Things took a turn for the worst when Em managed to land a cracker on the back of one. Maddie was NOT happy. Somehow I managed to avoid a dip in the "pond" -- as Em calls it. Enjoy the rest of the pictures!