Sometimes, the Easter Bunny needs to shake things up a little. We were reminded of that today when instead of candy in the eggs hidden at Grandma and Grandpa Poland’s house, the girls found money (quarters, dimes and nickels) and small toys.
Although Anna was old enough to notice a difference, “Hey, where are the jelly beans?!”, Erica was none the wiser, and was just happy to roam in the yard at her will. All the kids had a complete blast, despite the lack of sugary morsels stuffed inside of the hidden orbs.
As a parent, I was so grateful that the Easter Bunny took a stand against the traditional candy-infested holiday, and instead opted for a healthy, practical alternative. After my toddler insisted on eating jelly beans on top of her pancakes for breakfast this morning, …
“Mommy, I won’t be shy. I’ll talk to the bunny, and smile, and take my picture,” Anna assured me as we drove to the local park for the annual Easter egg hunt and photo opp with the Easter bunny. Anna has been working on coming out of her shell (all on her own) and is proud of her new-found ability to greet new people. (To be honest, I’m perfectly fine with her shyness, which often comes out as rude behavior. She once told a strange man in Orscheln’s, “Get away from me scary guy!” That’s my girl. 🙂
We stood in line for around half an hour, and she was an absolute doll. She waited patiently, swinging her basket with pastel plastic eggs inside, and admonishing me for encouraging her to eat a piece of candy. …
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zCsZiFYVhqc
This song sends chills down my spine every time. I’ve often wondered where God was during dark times in my life. On this Good Friday, we remember where he was, on the cross, giving his life for us.
Today, the girls and I were blessed to spend our time with an amazing woman, my Aunt Betty. She has been both my rock and my soft place to land for as long as I can remember. When things get all topsy-turvy, she’s always there with a spare bed, hot coffee, and the world’s best chicken soup.
We’re so close, in fact, that Anna shares her middle name, Lou. My father has always told me that I come from a long line of strong women, and I’m honored to pass this legacy on to my daughters. It’s funny, though, that I never fully appreciated all she’s been through until this season in my life.
She’s never really had what you’d call a traditional career. She’s never climbed any corporate ladders, or won …
It’s hard to believe it’s been two years since I gave this testimonial, originally written in May of 2010. (I didn’t really know that’s what I was doing until my sister made the suggestion.) Especially during this special week, I wanted to share these thoughts again, as a reminder of why I’m on this path.
Today was a magical day. The kind of day you savor long after it’s over, like licking greasy barbecue sauce off your fingers after nibbling a juicy rib down to the bone.
I was up at five, started a pot of coffee and scrambled up a batch of our very own free-range chicken eggs. I delighted in the sounds of Gungor on Spotify, and sat at the kitchen table with my husband, sipping coffee and enjoying adult conversation.
I had about another half hour to myself after he left for work, and both Anna and Erica were in fabulous moods when they woke up. Turns out the beginning of my post from yesterday wasn’t just a pipe dream after all.
We spent several hours in the morning working in our garden at my parent’s. The weather …