True Meaning of Easter

     There have been many, many things that I have realized since becoming a parent.  I took my mom and dad for granted growing up, never really bucking the system or fighting them on rules, but also never really understanding the importance of some of the things they did with us growing up.  We always had family devotions together every morning before school.  Whether we liked it or not, we were to set our own alarm clocks, get up and get ready for school, and be downstairs at 7:00.  We would all get our own breakfast, sit down at the table and eat as a family, and then my dad always did devotions with us.  During the time leading up to Christmas morning we would learn a particular song each year as a family and sing it every night after dinner.  We would memorize verses in the Bible and recite them together... verses that to this day I can still recite from memory.  We would focus on the story of Christmas and do our advent calendar together as our morning devotions.  Our focus was always on the true meaning of Christmas rather than writing Santa a letter or making our own lists of what we wanted that year.  Same went with Easter... the true meaning of what happened so long ago, the death and resurrection of our Savior, were the focus.  We prayed and read scripture as a family.  Every event that we went through, whether it was good or bad, resulted in a conversation that revolved around our faith and our Lord.  Growing up, I never disliked any of these things and I know I am who I am today mostly because of them and what they did with us growing up, but I took it all for granted, thinking those were all things that many families did.
     Now as a parent myself, I am realizing that the deepest desires of my heart when it comes to my children are all stemming from what my parents did with me.  This past Christmas Chase really wanted to know the story behind what we were getting ready to celebrate.  It came naturally to me to start memorizing verses with him.  I was amazed at how quickly a two year old could memorize two verses out of the Bible.  He was a sponge, wanting not just to hear the story of our Savior's birth but truly understand it.  Now that Easter is quickly approaching, we have been focusing on the stories in Chase's Bible that focus on the events leading up to Easter.  Easter seems to be a little more difficult to explain on a 3 year old's level, with more events happening, but he is really starting to understand.  Today I was able to stop by the Christian book store and I found a cute little book that went through the true meaning of Easter.  Chase was so excited when I showed it to him.  A little later we were in the car and we were talking about why Jesus died on the cross.  I explained to him that Jesus died on the cross for our sins, that on the third day he rose from the dead and that now He lives in Heaven with His father. I told him that because Jesus died on the cross, His blood covers all of our sins (all of our bad choices) and that when we become of his children we ask Jesus to come live in our hearts and forgive our sins.  Then one day we'll also go to Heaven and live with Jesus.  Chase sat there quietly for a few seconds and I could tell he was processing what I just told him.  He looked up at me and said, "Mommy, I want to live in Heaven."  I told Chase that his Daddy and I pray every day for the moment that he will ask Jesus to come live in his heart and we pray that from that point on he will live his life for Him, walking with him every day, reading his Word, and never taking for granted what God did so long ago in sending His son to this earth, to live a perfect life, be crucified, rise from the dead, and live in Heaven forever.  Before the conversation was over I started to tell him of all the people he knows who will go to Heaven one day... his Nana & Pop-Pop, his Ginga & Jupe, his Mommy & Daddy, all of his aunts and uncles (Matt and Sarah, Becky and Jason, Danny and Ashley, Brian and Brook, and Anna) and I started to tear up realizing just how blessed we are to have so many in our family who not only love the Lord, but pray daily for my children.  I was overwhelmed with God's love for us and how incredibly blessed we are. 
     More and more I am realizing how much my parents did for me by focusing on what is really important and instilling in me the desire to know Him and and keep my focus on Him regardless of what is going on, whether it is the busyness of the holidays or the excitement of Easter egg hunts.  I hope that as our children get older, our focus can remain on what is really important, instead of getting wrapped up in gifts, baskets, and candy. 

Fun Cowboy Party

We had Jacob's birthday party this past Saturday and what fun it was!  I decided a few weeks ago to keep it as low key as possible and that is just what I did.  We had all of our family over for pizza at noon and the cousins had a great time playing, while the adults were able to sit around chatting and watching the kiddos play.  At 1 we had just a few friends come over for cake and ice cream.  Jacob is a pro at blowing out candles... you would think he does it all the time!  After filling up on lots of sugar, Jacob tore into his presents.  Again, he knew exactly what to do and he went through them so fast I could barely keep up with who the present was from and what was in it before he was on to the next one. :)   After all the presents were opened we were able to take all the kids outside and they played their little hearts out!  That was huge for us because neither Chase or Jacob had napped and it was a great distraction.  Around 3:30 we let the boys crash for about an hour before waking them up.  It was such a great day, remembering how precious our time is with our kids and how quickly it goes by.  I have a feeling that I am going to blink and it will be time for his 3rd birthday!!

Enjoying BoBerry biscuits for his birthday breakfast!!

Three cousins ready to go out and play!!

Cake time... blowing out his candles after we all sang "Happy Birthday"

Digging into those presents :)

All the kids enjoying the nice weather!!

Thank you to all our friends and family who were there to help celebrate our little boy's 2nd birthday. It's crazy to me that I can now officially say I have a 3 year old and a 2 year old with one on the way! :)  We are so blessed!!!!

Happy 2nd Birthday, Jacob Michael!

I can't believe that 2 years ago today our Jacob was born.  We met our 2nd son at 11:30 am on that very exciting day.  We couldn't believe we were already adding another little one to our family, Chase was only 14 months old.  But we were so thankful for this 2nd little gift the Lord had decided to give us.  Charles and my mom were both allowed into the OR that day (thanks to one of the greatest OB doctors ever!) and it was so special to be able to share that with my mom.  She was the official videographer that day while Charles took the pictures to document that special time.  The videos are such an amazing thing to have to look back on and remember that day... although my Mom is about all you can hear on the videos :)  Charles had the same reaction to seeing his 2nd son as he did when Chase was born... love at first sight and we were both overcome with emotion.  Jacob came into this world looking much like his brother did and showing off what great lungs he had!  We were so thankful that the Lord had given us another perfectly healthy little boy. Greenville Memorial was swamped that day so we were stuck in recovery for what seemed like 12 hours but finally around 2:00 that afternoon I was put into a room and finally able to hold my baby boy.  I can't believe all that happened two full years ago!

 Dr. Moore showing you off just seconds after you were born.  There is nothing sweeter than hearing your baby's first cry.  It was love at first sight!!

Grandma put your first little outfit on you when you were just hours old.  Mommy still could not move due to the very powerful spinal she was given right before having you.

 Chase meeting you for the first time.  He loved you from the beginning!  (Notice the onesie Chase is wearing... my mom tried to find a "I'm the Big Brother" shirt for him but they did not make one in his size... I guess the industry doesn't think that big brothers come as young as Chase was. :)

Looking back over this past year in pictures, I am amazed at how much he has changed, grown up, and developed into a strong, loving yet very opinionated little boy.  We have challenges ahead but I know the good times with Jacob will be so much more!  Praying for the year ahead to be a great year, a healthy year, a year with no broken bones :), and a year where he will learn more and more about our Lord and how much He loves us!  

This picture was taken a year ago on Jacob's first birthday!

This is our big 2 year old!  I can't get over how much he has changed in just one year's time!!

Dear Jacob Michael,

  What an amazing two years this has been!  You keep us on our toes, you are constantly making us laugh, and you never stop trying to be just like your big brother!  You remind everyone so much of your Mom... not only are you the spitting image but you have one speed, fast!  There isn't much that will slow you down... except for a broken leg.  :)  You were 3 months shy of your 2nd birthday when you broke your leg while at church... Mommy and Daddy just thought you needed to "walk it off".  The next day you were at the orthopedist office getting a cast.  Once it started to heal you were off again and nothing was going to stop you!  You watch your brother all the time and repeat most of what he says.  Chase is so excited to start sharing a room with you soon... you are now in a big boy bed, although it has been more of a battle than we thought it would be!  We know you'll catch on soon and you'll know just what is expected.  You are so excited about becoming a big brother in August... we can't wait to see you fit into that role.  You eat anything and everything... you eat like you have never eaten before and like there is no tomorrow.  Mommy loves that she can put whatever she wants in front of you and there is no question whether you will eat it or not.  You are still a thumb sucker, which Mommy loves.  There is nothing better then going into your room at night to tuck you in and see you snuggled with your Bear-bear sucking away on that thumb.  You don't suck your thumb unless you are in your bed which is a good thing!   One day we'll tackle breaking that habit but for now it reminds me that you are still my little boy!  We pray for you every day.  We pray for you to truly understand what your Lord has done for you and one day give your life to Him.  We can't wait to see what He has in store for your life!  Above everything, we want you to learn to love Him with all of your heart and to put Him first. We can't wait to see how He is going to use you to impact the Kingdom!  You bring so much joy into our lives... what an amazing two years we have had and we look forward to many more years ahead!

We love you, Jacob!!