Sailing the High Seas

Ever since we moved here, the creek right behind our house has been a huge temptation to…no, not my kids…Matt. He’s been itching to get a canoe from the moment he laid eyes on the water back there. So, for Christmas this past year, that was my gift to him. But who knew how many different types of canoes there were?!? So, I took the easy way out, wrapped up a toy canoe and told him to find one he wanted. After much research, he finally decided on one and we bought it. Unfortunately it’s just been too chilly to actually take it out on the water. He finally got his chance a couple weeks ago. The weather has warmed up and it’s been beautiful here lately. Instead of hitting the creek though, he thought it might be better to test it out in the big pond that’s in the middle of our neighborhood.It only has two actual seats in it, but there’s plenty of room for the kids to sit on the floor in front of each seat. They loved it! (Matt and all 3 kids.) Being able to row around the pond, checking out all the wildlife on the water (mostly ducks), and just enjoying the outdoors. I foresee many more outings with the canoe in our future.

Celebrating Our Risen Savior

Wow. I’m sitting here trying to think of a clever way to start this blog. One that captures the utter awesomeness of Easter. But I know that I’ll never, ever be able to do it. Because there are no words for how magnificent our Savior is, or how amazing His love for us is, or what a miracle Easter is. So I’ll just start off by saying, “Thank you, Jesus! Thank you for dying on the cross, for bearing my sins, for defeating death and rising on the third day. Thank you for loving me so very much that I cannot even comprehend.” Awesome. It’s just awesome.

We were very blessed to get to spend Easter with our family in Missouri this year. We normally don’t make it home during this time of the year. However, this year Matt will be deployed over the summer. So this was his only chance to make it back and see all of the family for awhile. Thankfully, Mikaela’s Spring Break coincided with Easter, so we took the week and headed to the Show-Me State. It’s always crazy, and busy, and loud (at the Crawford house anyway) but we love every bit of it!

Matt and I are very lucky that our parents only live a few miles away from each other. So we never have to decide which family we are going to see. We get to make one trip and see everyone. It makes it so much easier. And we’re even luckier that both of our families are great about sharing us. While we do our absolute best about dividing our time up, it is a true blessing not to have to stress about upsetting anyone. They are all very understanding and just love on us as much as the can, whenever they can.

We started off our Easter celebration by coloring eggs at Grandma Crawford’s house. The kids had a blast, and surprisingly made very little mess.

On Saturday, we got together with the Howard side of our family and the kids enjoyed the first of many egg hunts. Pops & Gigi with their grandbabiesEaster morning the kids were very excited to see what the Easter Bunny had brought them and then hunted for the eggs that he had hidden. Then it was time to head to church, where the real celebration on Easter took place. Again, how awesome is our Savior!!

After church, we headed to my parents’ house to celebrate with the Crawford side of our family. These are the Crawford grandbabies, ages 21 to 2.

I don’t think when my parents fell in love that they ever imagined this…Now you can imagine what I was talking about earlier when I said it was usually loud. You get that many people together and there’s bound to be some noise. It probably doesn’t help though that we all are a bit mouthy. :O) Anyway, the kids had a blast with yet another TWO egg hunts, some fun Easter games, and just enjoying the day with everyone. I have so many great pictures, and I’d love to share them all. I’ll just add a few though so this won’t turn into my very own 100 page picture book.

What a great way to celebrate Easter!

Playing Catch Up

Yes, I know. I’m a terrible blogger. I set out on the journey called blogging so that I could do little snips here and there and not feel like I have to sit down one night and write a book about what’s going on with us. Well, that’s worked real well for me, hasn’t it? I can’t believe I’ve gone a month without writing anything. I mean, we have a great, wonderful, interesting life! So it’s not for lack of content. I’ve just been lax and that’s all there is to it. So starting tonight, I’m planning on catching this site up. And beginning a whole new blogger identity. One that actually blogs. That way, when I have a great little story to tell, I’ll be able to share. Like how Trinity has started giving me huge hugs and says “You’re MY mommy!” which fills my heart to such lengths I can’t explain. Because what a true blessing it is to be her mommy. What a shame I haven’t shared that with you. Because while I know it doesn’t mean nearly as much to you, I know that you will understand and celebrate in these joys with me. So, I’m off. Here’s to catching up.