WHAT A WEEK!!!!!!

Of course the post from yesterday was shallow and not at all what we've been experiencing the last couple of days.  It was pre-scheduled.  

 The week did, however, start out in a celebratory fashion. Brooke hosted a Birthday Brunch for Sommer on Monday.  More on that later  This sweet, beautiful girl (woman) is 27 today!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, SOMMER

 And this beautiful couple (inside and out) celebrated their 5th anniversary yesterday.  An example of beauty inside and out:  They were supposed to leave for a 5th anniversary cruise that Jon had been planning for months yesterday, but they opted to stay in Tuscaloosa and help the tornado victims.  Jon went to neighborhoods and cut trees. Sommer and I went to First Wesleyan to see what needed to be done

 This guy was 18 months yesterday.  I asked him how he got to be so cute and so smart in 18 months!

 Brooke and Grant went around Tuscaloosa Wednesday night helping people.  Grant and Scott went to the streets, and Brooke came to the hospital.  There were rooms where people were going who were discharged, but had no home to go to.  Brooke went down to take them snacks, milk, etc.  She was gone for a long time, so I got worried and this is where I found her.

MY VERSION OF KATE SPADE

I love, love, love this Hello Sunshine hat.  CHECK it out on this  KATE SPADE link.

Only problem is: It's $95!!

So I made my version for $15

Bought the hat at Target and added paint and ribbon. May not last as long, but I'll enjoy it while I can.  ETA to beach: 5/22!!

DINNER AND AN EGG HUNT WITH FLASHLIGHTS

 Our little Bunny Princess

 Who would have ever thought I'd be making such masculine Easter Eggs?!  The things you'll do for grandsons!

 Sweet Bentley with great grandmother

 Cupcakes with Etsy toppers.  Loved em!

 Dinner outside - Perfect night for it

 Grant used to always find the prize egg, but not this year.  Maybe because he's given into the adult peer pressure of helping the kids instead of looking for eggs himself.  He's such a giver!

Lastly, we were blessed with some Easter music by Brooke & Grant.  Click here

SATURDAY, IN THE PARK

Remember this engagement party pic?  Well, the happy couple united this Saturday - IN THE PARK!

 It was a breezy day, and the bridesmaids carried pinwheels.  Very cute

 Brooke helped with some of the decor

There was a dessert bar, and the day ended with a nice game of croquet

EASTER WEEKEND: WHAT FUN!!

 The weekend started with EasterFest - one of my FAVORITE events of the year

 Made even sweeter because my sweet family came

 This is a huge outreach of First Wesleyan, where everything is FREE!  There was an estimated 2300 people in attendance, and the people could not believe that everything was free, even the food.  The barbeque sandwich bags were prepared with scriptures on the bag.  A few people thanked Tony, he was a greeter, and expressed how the appreciated having an event to take the kids to that was free, since gas is almost $4 a gallon now.

 There was a petting zoo, inflatibles, a train, and over 14,000 eggs were hidden

 Great live music in the park!

Josiah was NOT crazy about the huge man-bunny!

CHILDHOOD MEMORY

As I was walking along the River walk yesterday, I came across these little wildflowers.  I don't know if they have a name, but I've seen them around for years.  All of a sudden, I was a little girl again, as I sat down in the grass and started picking a few.

We used to spend hours making bracelets out of these by tying them together.

It's funny how your childhood sneaks up on you and jumps in your face when you least expect it.  At a small group meeting this week a question was asked that had me telling about a memory I still hold so dear when I was about 5 years old.  While playing outside, I was suddenly overcome with a feeling of being COMPLETELY loved, and such a PEACE in knowing that my heavenly Father was with me, and in control of my life.  Forty something years later, I can honestly say that He has never left me.  I haven't always followed as closely or listened to his guidance like I should have , but He has always been faithful, and kept me safe from so many things.  And even when I've made BIG mistakes, he has worked it for my good just like he promised in Rom. 8:28.

More than ever, I'm looking forward to celebrating this Easter season.

HAPPY EASTER, EVERYONE!!

ENJOY YOUR FAMILY!