LTC awards...

Tonight, we had LTC awards since everything wrapped up this weekend!  Madison got a bronze award for individual and for team at Bible Bowl.  She was excited.

She also got a gold award for the Service Challenge.  And yep, we missed the memo that everyone would be wearing their LTC shirts!

Next year, we might add another category and see how that goes...she enjoyed this year.  I'm proud of her!

Easter...

We actually had to wake the kids up today, because we had a lot to do before church!  We started with making resurrection rolls (they love doing these, AND eating them)!  We talk about what the ingredients symbolize in the death and resurrection of Jesus.

They went through their Easter baskets, and then had a quick egg hunt inside with eggs the Easter Bunny hid for them!

We went outside for a quick picture...it was freezing!  But at least it wasn't raining, which it normally does on Easter!

After church, we headed over to have lunch with Gaga and Doo.  Snapped a couple quick family pictures, and luckily it had warmed up a little bit!

We ate lunch, had an egg hunt, opened Easter baskets, and finished off reading our resurrection eggs!

Even though it was super busy, we had a good Easter!

Pre-Easter...

Today, the kids painted crosses for Easter...it's become our yearly tradition!  It's funny because Nathan is done in about 5 minutes, and Madison takes MUCH longer.  She's a lot more detailed than him...he just wants to get up and go play!

We went over to Nana and Papa's and had dinner, dyed some eggs (thanks to Nana...I never do that!), opened Easter baskets, and had an egg hunt outside.

More egg hunts to come tomorrow!

Easter Bunny....

The kids decided they didn't want to get their picture taken with the Easter Bunny this year, because he's awkward and creepy.  I really don't blame them.  I'm trying hard to change my "it's-always-been-done-this-way-and-I-can't-change-anything-or-skip-anything-that-I've-done-before" attitude, so I went with it.  Sadly, I won't have a complete set of pictures with the Easter Bunny, but does it really matter?

Today, Nathan was at Gaga's, I was shopping, and Madison went to the grocery store with daddy.  The Easter Bunny was at the store!  She avoided him, and apparently they tracked her down and asked if she would take a picture with him so they could send to the home office.  She was a little traumatized, but lived through it!  So now, it's all uneven, but I have a picture of Madison with the creepy Easter Bunny....so funny!

Bible Bowl...

Tonight, we headed to the Anatole for LTC (Leadership Training for Christ) - Bible Bowl!  This year's theme was "refuge", and it was over Joshua, Judges and Ruth.  Hard stuff, and they ask the most detailed questions.  She got 52 out of 100 right...a lot better than I could've done!  She's hoping for a bronze award!  I'm really proud of her for putting so much time into this.  Regardless of her award, she had a good time and learned a lot, which is all that matters.  And we're excited because next year, Nathan will be old enough to participate too!

Outtakes...

I only had a few silly pictures of Madison this time around, which tells me she's growing up!  No crying pictures, no irritated faces....I think she is finally enjoying our days of taking yearly pictures.

She had to get our traditional picture of the trash can - crazy girl!

Madison's 12 year pictures...

I was finally able to take Madison's 12 year pictures today, and I can't believe how grown up she looks in these.  My baby is getting older...I just love this girl.

Celebrate the Arts...

Madison was chosen to play in the band performance for Celebrate the Arts this weekend.  She was in the front row because she was top in her class, and she was really excited about that!  She did great, and we are so proud of her.

Madison's birthday...

Every single year since Madison started school, she's had her birthday over spring break.  For some odd reason, they changed it up this year to the week before her birthday.  She was a little bummed about having to go to school on her actual birthday, but to her surprise, she actually had a good day!

She woke up to balloons in her room this morning.  It was pretty funny last night because her floor fan was blowing them everywhere (even on top of her), but they apparently never bothered her!

She had her favorite breakfast...egg and potato burrito!

Mommy and Daddy brought Chick-fil-A to school and had lunch with her.  Her friends said that we were "cool".  That was nice to hear...I hope her friends always think we're that cool!

We picked her up after school and went to Orange Leaf for yogurt.

Then we went home for presents.  She loved the TY stuffed owl (also a phone holder) that Nathan got her.  Such a sweet moment!

Lacey and Cody sent her the Pie Face game, which apparently is what both kids have been wanting since summer!  They were beyond excited when she opened the gift!

They had so much fun playing this game (well, mostly because they got to eat cool whip)!  It was the highlight of the afternoon.

For dinner, she chose Panda Express.  Then we came home and watched our family show (When Calls the Heart).  She had a great birthday, and received lots of phone calls, birthday wishes and love!

12 years old...

It's so precious to look back on old pictures of my kids, but it also brings a little sadness to see just how much they've grown.  I remember how my heart would just melt seeing Madison sign "I love you" back when she couldn't talk much!

But I've come to realize that each age is precious, and a true gift.  Each year I tell myself that I want to freeze time, so it must mean that every age has its joys!

Right now, Madison is very passionate about band and playing her clarinet.  She loves it and has gotten really good at it!  She loves gymnastics, and has finally mastered how to do a back flip on her own.  She is into clothes, Vera Bradley, friends, music, making music videos, fixing her hair, and having time alone (all signs she's growing up)!  If she could spend her time doing anything, it would be jumping on the trampoline doing gymnastics!  She loves Nathan, and even though they fight a lot of the time, I still catch moments where I see their love for each other!

12 years old.  Last year before being an official "teenager".  I've always had such fears about those years, but when I stop and look at this sweet girl, I know she'll still bring us joy even then!  Madison loves God, the Bible, church, Christian music, devotionals, and even making up her own devotionals!  I know she's got a great foundation that will carry her through these years, and I'm so thankful.  She has a gentle spirit, and a caring heart.  She cares about others and their feelings, and is always trying to help you out.  Madison has always been my quiet one, but she'll let you know what's on her heart by the sweetest notes.  She is very emotional, and that can be a good thing, especially when she uses that for others.

Madison, I'm so thankful to have you as a daughter!  You have brought joy into our lives since day one, and I don't know what we'd do without you.  You make me laugh, and you make me so proud.  Your love for God makes me so happy, and I'm proud of how far you've come.  You are turning into such a sweet young lady, and I couldn't ask for a better daughter!  I pray that this next year brings you a ton of happiness.  I love you bunches!