Easter 2010

OK, so I'm a little late, but Happy Easter!

Matthew 28:6 (Whole Chapter) He is not here, for he has risen, [Matthew 27:63] as he said. Come, see the place where he [Some manuscripts the Lord] lay.

Easter is a powerful time for Christians because it is the fullfilment of prophecy and the amazing, humbling fact that God sent his only Son to die for our sins and that Jesus did in fact, rise again. We are able to get to heaven because of this completely selfless act. I am always humbled by this.

Because everything we have is a gift from God...here are my greatest gifts!

Easter 2010

Yes, Emily is quite the fashion plate these days. When I tell her, this doesn't match, she says, "I don't care." OK, whatever! I only argue if it's not weather appropriate and this was OK, b/c she could take off the pants if she got hot. Noah was just happy to be showing off for his teachers. He didn't get into the egg hunt, he just got a couple of eggs and then wanted to stop and eat the candy and he kept saying, all done. Let's go. I think he figured since we were there, it was time to go home.

For my birthday, Mike took the kids to visit our friend Gwen's horse...and to collect some free manure for the garden :) and I decided to go along to see how excited the kids would be to see all the horses.

We had a good time and all of us were able to ride Bella. Emily and Noah got a special treat and were able to ride another horse that is boarded at the stables named King. Emily got her first official riding lesson! She held the rains by herself and steered the horse and actually made him stop and back up! It was quite impressive. Noah was able to ride by himself - with me right next to the horse, walking, holding onto him. Since I was holding him, I had the camara, and we have no pictures of this, but here are some from our ride.

Emily "riding" Bella

Mike with Noah "riding Bella"

Me...nice shot, huh? I didn't take a picture of Mike riding the horse by himself, but he did get a few chances when Noah wasn't screaming, "I ride horse, my TURN."

Finally, here is Emily riding King!

Next on the agenda is T-Ball for Emily and just keeping up with Noah. Mike has started the garden and oh yeah....the chickens are back! We currently have 9 pullets. We will get down to 6 once they start laying. Just waiting to see how many actually make it. We have already lost 1 - I'm pretty sure Elsie was the culprit but I have no doubts that Nikki helped.

But, we are slowly settling into the new house and loving every minute of it! Even the sleepless nights while the kids "adjust" to their new rooms. One day, my kids will actually sleep! If I keep saying that, it might come true...Does anyone have any Ruby Red slippers I can borrow?

We hope that God continues to bless all of you as He has us. I can't tell you how humbled we have been to see Him work in our lives with this house and with all of us individually. I have been humbled.

Happy Easter!

Gretchen, Mike, Emily, Noah, Nikki, Elsie