Easter Cookies

This is a fun & yummy way to recount the story of Jesus' death & the wonder of Easter with kids!  We make these every year & my kids love this activity!  Each step of the way allows a chance to discuss the contributions Jesus made.

Things you will need:  1 cup of whole pecans, 1 tsp of vinegar, 3 egg whites, a pinch of salt, 1 c of sugar, zip lock bags, wooden spoon, electric mixer, cookie sheets, wax paper, & Bible

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

Place the pecans into zip lock baggies & have kids break them into pieces with a wooden spoon.  Explain how Jesus was beaten by the Roman soldiers after He was arrested, & read John 19:1-3.

Next, add the vinegar to the mixing bowl & tell the children that Jesus was given vinegar to drink while he was on the cross.  Read John 19:28-30.  Have each child taste vinegar.  Add the egg whites to the bowl, explaining that eggs represent life & how Jesus gave His life to us by reading John 10:10-11.

Now add a pinch of salt to the bowl to represent the tears shed by Jesus' disciples & followers after His death.  Have each child also taste the salt to remind them of the bitterness of sin.  Read Luke 23:27.

The next step is to add the sugar while telling the kids how the sweetest part of Jesus' story is that He died because He loves us.  Let them also taste the sugar.  Read Psalm 34:8 or John 3:16.

Beat the mixture with the mixer on high speed for 15-20 minutes.  Have the children take turns beating the mixture until stiff peaks form.  Next, fold in the pecans & drop by teaspoons onto cookie sheets covered with wax paper.  Read Matthew 27:57-60 to explain how each cookie represents the tomb where Jesus' body was laid to rest.

Put the cookies in the oven & close the door.  TURN OFF THE OVEN.  You may seal it with tape to represent the way His tomb was sealed.  Read Matthew 27:65-66.

While waiting for cookies to make for about 10-15 minutes, read John 16:20 & 22 to learn about how the disciples & followers were saddened by the sealing of the tomb.

Remove cookies from the oven & allow them to cool.  Finally, distribute & break open the cookies which are hollow inside which serves to represent the empty tomb after Jesus rose!!!  Enjoy!  :)

Marianna's 1st Turkey

     Marianna has been SO excited about turkey hunting this year.  She delights in going!  She has even cried on several mornings when they couldn't go.  Nathan says she's a great hunter, quiet & still.  Her Papa Craig & her Daddy called this bird up!  She has shot at 2 others but this one she brought home!  We ate him last night for supper!  Great job Marianna!

Tough to Swallow

     Ever dealt with something that was tough to swallow?  Words spoken ringing like bells in your ears or even actions speaking louder than those words?  Ever just felt crushed again & again by the same circumstances?  Ever picked yourself up after being hurt over & over only to find yourself right back with the same muck thrown on you?  Ever been sick of dealing with a situation you didn't create, much less ask for?
     I've been reading through the book of Job, studying it, & searching for a peace in a trial that seems to never have an end.  I cannot possibly wrap my mind around Job's circumstances that surrounded him.  What sticks out to me thus far that I can identify with is that it was no fault of his own.  It was just kinda like being dealt a bad hand & it getting worse until it encompasses & effected his entire life.
     Job was beaten down by this situation & even seems to get angry with his "comforters".  It amazes me how he retained his integrity with God.  Job 20:25-26 says "For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth:  And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God."  Also, Job 23:10 states "But he knoweth the way that I take:  when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold."
     When others fail us, God is still there.  He will see us through!  He is in control.  He sees the end.  He knows best.  Readers, you have been so good to comment, email, call, text, whatever...Please help me pray that God will continue to send His grace as I fight this battle, cover me with His wings, & send that peace & joy in the midst of me facing this that I don't understand.  Love you all!

Happy 1st Birthday Clay!

     Our little boy has now turned 1!  What better way to celebrate than with a farm party? 

     EE really outdid herself making the cakes!  She made a triple chocolate barn cake, 2 regular birthday cakes (it was cousin Sydney's 2nd birthday too), farm animal cupcakes, caramel cake pops, & strawberry "E,I,E,I,O" cupcakes!  It was all so delicious that we ate every bit of it by the next day!!!

Clay loves to eat-especially cake!  :)

 

 

Too

many

gifts

but

he

loved

them

  ALL!

 

 

 

     & of course Meme thought we had to have the biggest slide ever!  It was a wonderful 1st birthday filled with fun, crafts, sliding, eating, fishing, & playing!!!  The kids & Clay had a blast!

Happy 6th Birthday Marianna!

    
     Anyone that knows Marianna, knows she LOVES dolphins!  Her heart's desire is to swim with them one day!  There are 3 places not too far from here that offer that for older children.  Maybe her dream will soon come true!  She also wants to visit Winter in Clearwater, FL.  As for now, she says she had the BEST birthday ever!  She spent the night with Meme 2 nights in a row.  They went out to eat, shopped, & played!  She picked out her own bicycle, clothes, shoes, party decorations, & of course several toys, too!  Meme also surprised us all by renting a slide for the grand kids to play on together.  They had the best time!  We ordered her a dolphin cake, let Kaley pick a gift out from the kids, & from us would follow a trip to the Atlanta Aquarium.

       Excited was an understatement!!!  We spent the day there seeing all sorts of ocean species.  They really enjoyed the hands on stations where they got to touch many different types of sea life & kid's park with slides & tunnels!

     Of course the highlight of the trip was the new dolphin show!  It was wonderful!  We've been to Sea World several times, & this was maybe even better than their dolphin show!  It lasted about an hour & the dolphins did all sorts of tricks!

     We stayed within walking distance at the Hilton right downtown.  Thanks Priceline excepting our bid for the $55 stay!

      While there we also took the girls to the Toys R Us in Buckhead.  It amazes them at how large it is.  They all had some spending money.  We also ate at several of our favorite restaurants including Fire of Brazil, The Cheesecake Factory, & Buckhead Diner.  On the way home we shopped at Bass Pro & Tanger Outlets.  It was a blast!  Thanks to all who gave her birthday money to help out with the trip!  

Glad you had a special birthday! 

We love you!

BLESSED!

     We are SO encouraged and SO BLESSED!

Picking out & planting flowers today!

Planning & planting our garden today!

Loving our new church!

Had a wonderful revival!

Excited about another baby!

Celebrating Marianna's birthday with a trip to Atlanta!

Clay's first birthday next weekend!

Had fun with friends yesterday!

Nathan will be off for the next several days!

Tomorrow is Sunday!

     What more could we ask for?  Who really cares if the laundry isn't finished?  So what if the house needs some TLC?  We are blessed beyond measure!  We are enjoying life.  The kids and I spent quality time together this morning.  We woke up late and laid around in my bed talking.  Now we are going to town to eat lunch & pick out plants with Meme.  God is so good to us!  :) 

Number 5!

     New things have surely been happening this year!  Child #5 is well on its way!  We've known that since January.  God has a plan for our lives and our family.  The song The Simpson Family sings comes to mind, "...Well hold on to the promise for God's word is true.  Jesus said written in red He will always see you through!  Just tie a knot at the end of the rope & never, ever let go.  God will always see you through.  And never give up on your dreams, no matter how bad it seems.  He knows just when to move.  God will always see you through!  Are the clouds of doubt surrounding you, whispering defeat?  Does the mounatin your climbing seem so steep?  But when your world stops spinning, there's hope to hold onto to!  Against the odds, trust in God.  He will always see you through!"  We are excited (and a little overwhelmed).  We know God is in control.  He never lets us down!  He knows best!  :)