Gratitude...

Tonight, our church had a 5th Sunday community service project, and it was great!  Some people went and sang for the shut-ins, some visited police stations, and some visited fire stations.  We organized gift baskets together and headed to a fire station near church.  We dropped off three HUGE bags of snacks (for three shifts), a case of water, 4 gallons of tea, and a huge bag of popcorn!  We included invitations to next Sunday's worship service, along with a special invitation for our first responder luncheon we're hosting.  We visited with the firemen, toured the fire station, and had a prayer together.  We went back to the church building and had a dinner together!  It was a great night, and I love doing things like this to show gratitude and help the community.

Friends...

Madison and I went and had Boba Lush tea with some friends from our old church today.  It's been awhile since we've seen them, so it was really nice catching up!  The girls had a great time together.  They had the sweetest birthday gift for Madison (since we had to cancel her birthday party last month).  They made her a photo album with pictures of them together throughout the years.  Very sweet!

Last elementary Watch Dog day!

Today was the last Watch Dog day with Nathan in elementary school.  I can't even believe I'm writing that!  There is a Watch Dog program in 5th and 6th, but it's a little different.

Trying to get a picture without someone photo bombing is pretty hard at lunch!

Nathan was excited and loved having his daddy with him today!

Blue belt!

Nathan is moving up fast!  He was excited to get his blue belt tonight!

Easter...

While we had a good Easter this year, it just wasn't the same.  Nathan asked us Saturday night if there really was an Easter Bunny.  We said we wouldn't lie if he ever asked us outright, so we told him.  He said he still believed in Santa though, because "mommy and daddy wouldn't buy a Nintendo Switch"!  No more than 20 minutes later, he asks us if Santa is real since the Easter Bunny isn't real.  So, we told him, along with the Tooth Fairy.  And after all that, he was shocked that Clover wasn't real!  It is bittersweet....it'll be easier now, but it won't be the same.  Another phase of their lives is over.  He seems fine about it, as long as he still gets candy and gifts though!  And when he realized we bought him the Switch, he said, "Wow, I would've shown you guys SO much love if I would've known it was you!"  My boy is getting big.  A teeny bit depressing to end my 40th birthday out with this!

Easter morning....

Ready for church!

Nana, Papa and Chance came to church with us.  The boys matched, except Nathan didn't have a tie (he refused).  I still think they all looked super cute!

We had lunch at Nana and Papa's house, then came home to read our resurrection eggs and do an egg hunt.  We only had about an hour and a half before having to head back up to church for the LTC award banquet!  I couldn't get any pictures of the awards because of where we were sitting, but I did happen to snap this cute picture of Nathan and his new friends!

Madison received a gold in Service Challenge, a gold in Art (painting), a gold in Individual Bible Bowl, and a bronze for her team in Bible Bowl.

Her painting description:

Theme - King of My Heart

I painted a Bible with its pages folded into a heart shape.  I felt this was a good one to paint because it captures the idea that God is the REAL king.  The Bible is where your relationship with God starts, and without that relationship, life is pointless.  Even when we sin, God remains our King and He still desires to reign in every heart.  "For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."

The judges comments:

--Great job tying painting to scripture and expressing your thoughts.  Creative.  Love the Bible and concept.    You'll get better every year!

--Great job being creative!  Your attention to detail is amazing!  Beautiful!

Nathan received a gold in Service Challenge, a gold in Art (painting), a silver in Individual Bible Bowl, and a gold for his team in Bible Bowl.

His painting description:

1 Samuel 24:1-22 - David Spares Saul's Life

I felt like I had to paint this one because I really like the picture about how David actually spared Saul's life.  In my painting, David is in a cave and cuts off part of Saul's robe.  That would've been really hard for David, because he had a chance to kill his enemy but instead left it up to God.  He obeyed God and I would really like to do that in my life.

The judges comments:

--I liked your explanation as well as use of color.  Keep on painting!

--I loved what you wrote and how you explained your painting.

I'm proud of these two...they worked so hard and did so well!