A few Easter pics

You've got to love Drewdie's precious green smile and Devlans huge cheese!

Today 2000 years ago

So today is a crazy day for me. Being a tax accountant, we are pushing everything that is due on April 15th out the door today so that everyone can enjoy their Easter weekend (instead of working all weekend.) But, this morning, on my way to work I spent some time talking outloud to the Lord as I often do. (In this age of hands-free I get less crazy looks than I used to.) I couldn't get over the magnitude of what was happening this day over 2000 years ago. Instead of my normal listing of please give me and provide for me and forgive me fors, I just asked Jesus over and over was he thinking of me when he was scourged, beaten, spit upon, mocked, nailed to the cross, crowned with thorns and as he felt the weight of my sin as His Father turned his back. His resounding response to me was YES! He loved ME that much. That sounds very diferent that "For God so loved the world", what God was saying through John was "For God so loved Nicole". WOW! He would have done it just for me or you had we been the only ones on the planet. This is a love I hope I never get over and I'm sure I will never understand. Jesus suffered all of this WILLINGLY. Yes, he was nailed to the cross, but he laid down on that cross of his own will. He could have called a legion of angels to free him, but instead he hung there, in agony, thinking of me. Loving me so much, even in my wickedness, and knowing I would never be able to earn forgiveness, so He paid my debt for me. So today I am going to spend the day just thinking of Him and thanking Him for this amazing thing that He's done for me.


Isaiah 53:3b-6, "We turned our backs on Him and looked the other way. He was despised, and we did not care. Yet it was our weaknesses He carried; it was our sorrows that weighed Him down...But He was pierced for our rebellion, crushed for our sins! He was beaten so we could be whole. He was whipped so we could be healed. All of us, like sheep have strayed away. We have left God's paths to follow our own. Yet the Lord laid on Him the sins of us all." (NLT)

Drewdie's Test Results and Resurrection Day Plans

BJ and I went to meet with Director of the pre-k program that identifies and helps children with all sorts of learning issues. In the end, Drew was tested by a psychologist, speech therapist, and occupational therapist. He was also observed at his preschool. Donna (the director) obviously had fallen in love with Drew at the observation, and really, I know he's mine, but he IS the most beautiful child EVER!! The bottom line of all the results are that our child is brilliant like his Daddy and wild and figety like his Mommy. His constant movement is attributed to a "sensory input problem" that requires him to experience and process the world through movement. This also means that Drew has a very difficult time ignoring and blocking out ambient noise and excess visual stimuli. Because Drew is above where he should be intellectually, he is not able to get the occupational therapy he needs for free. So we are waiting to see what our pediatrician can find out about getting him into a private therapist. I know that God will provide whatever we need financially to get Drew the help he needs. Apparently things like weighted vests and massage can help Drew stay focused. The good news is that even though he is constantly moving, and it often appears that he isn't paying attention, he is! He is still learning everything he needs to and I guess we should become really concerned if he ever slows down. :)

This coming Sunday is my favorite holiday! Christmas is great, with all the gift giving and holiday spirit, and certainly had Christ never been born we couldn't have saved me from my sins, but there is nothing like celebrating God's power and love through the empty tomb!!!! We have lots of family out of town on Sunday so our normal Easter Sunday lunch is out. So instead we are choosing to do something special for the kids. Jay-May will bring over KK (since her hubby has to earn a living) and we will have a real live picnic. We will have NO adult food, but rather have all of the kids favorite things like mandarin oranges, grapes, cookies, pig-in-the-blankets, and chicken nuggets. We will all pile in the hammock and swing and sing and play. I am VERY excited. I want my children to remember this and what it is all about. I will constantly remind them that this day and all the candy and eggs is just how we celebrate that yes, Jesus died on the cross for me (and for you), but he didn't stay dead. HE IS ALIVE AND LIVING IN ME!!!! HAPPY RESURRECTION DAY EVERYBODY!!!

A funny moment from the Brantley dinner table

BJ and I are making our grand RE-entrance into youth ministry. We have both missed it horribly and through our awesome student pastor, Chris, we are going to participate in a D-now event at the end of April. BJ and I were discussing how awesome these events are (overnight discipleship events) and how we always make memories with the friends that are also participating. I made the mistake of saying, "no children and lots of fun". Of course, nosy britches (a.k.a Devlan) was listening intently the whole time. He raised his hand (sometimes he forgets that he's not at school and knows better than to just interrupt) and said "So are you saying that you don't like us mommy?" I started laughing and then realized that he was semi-serious. So then Bj tried to dig me out by asking Delvan, "Who would you rather play your DS with, Caleb or me?" Devlan had caught on at this point and said "You Daddy". We happened to know that this wasn't true and the smile on his face was a dead giveaway.
Note to self: Not only will they repeat anything they hear but also analyze it.....SCARY!