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I told you there is something about little girls in Easter dresses that always makes me miss Cora, but I love dressing up my little boys too. They are just as sweet. And they look so cute in their little collared shirts and khakis. 🙂

Griffin was super excited grouchy about taking pictures. His brother tried to cheer him up and it didn’t work out too well. These pictures are so typical of my everyday. Levi hugs or jumps or tackles or mauls his brother in some way…Griffin thinks it is fun for about five seconds and then gets really irritated that someone is touching him…screaming usually follows until an adult intervenes. Boys. I love them so much!

We tried a few attempts at a family picture. Getting everyone to look at the camera seems about impossible these days.

Just look at Griffin’s face…his expression says it all. 🙂

We spent the afternoon at my parents house with all of my siblings and their kids. This is my parents with the six grandkids. Poor Ellie is getting outnumbered.

The kids had an egg hunt too. Griffin was much more into egg hunting than he was into getting his picture taken.

He is all about filling things up and dumping them out. Repeat…over and over.

Collecting eggs was his fave.

Levi was running so fast I could hardly get his picture. He was keeping up with the big kids this year.

Except when he needed a little help climbing trees. Aunties are the best.

They both were so excited about all their eggs.

And then Griffin figured out there was candy inside.

Best day ever.

We spent the evening at Joel’s parents house with his siblings. The weather was so beautiful and the cousins played outside all evening. I can’t believe I didn’t even take one picture. You will just have to imagine. 🙂

Every year the sweet little girls twirling around in their Easter dresses get to me.

There is something about those precious girls that makes my heart ache.

Something that makes me long to see a little five year old girl twirling around my house on Easter morning.

I am so thankful for the HOPE of Easter.

It is so much more than little girls in pretty dresses.

So much more.

It changes everything.

Because He lives I can face tomorrow.

Because He lives all fear is gone.

Because I know He holds the future.

And life is worth the living just because

HE LIVES.

I heard this song several times as I listened to Pandora last week. The words stuck with me. And then I heard it again at church on Sunday.

I am getting ready to go on a little trip with the boys to visit a college friend. We get to hang out with her sweet family for a few days and then I am sharing my story with her MOPS group. Preparing again to share the things God has taught me through losing Cora has been so good. I needed to be reminded of so many things because, quite frankly, my heart has been pretty yucky lately. Four years after losing Cora life is wonderfully busy with my two boys and somewhat normal even. But with that “normal-ness” I am finding myself more and more in a struggle with busyness and distractions. I could list them out, but you probably know what I mean. I hate to admit it but so often I am choosing other things over Jesus. I am not always ordering my day around Jesus. And I am letting my time with Him get crowded out or interrupted by less important things. Not necessarily bad things, but definitely less important things that are keeping me from listening to God and deepening my relationship with Him.

So, it turns out that while I am praying that the Lord speaks through me on Wednesday, He actually needed to speak to me first. I have a little reordering to do.

I desperately needed Jesus when I had to face losing my Cora.

I desperately need Jesus today as I seek to be a wife and mama who points my husband and boys to the Lord.

I desperately need Jesus as I share His story at work in my life.

I desperately need Jesus everyday…in every way.

Lord, I Need You :: Matt Maher

Lord, I come, I confess
Bowing here I find my rest
Without You I fall apart
You’re the One that guides my heart

Lord, I need You, oh, I need You
Every hour I need You
My one defense, my righteousness
Oh God, how I need You

Where sin runs deep Your grace is more
Where grace is found is where You are
And where You are, Lord, I am free
Holiness is Christ in me

Teach my song to rise to You
When temptation comes my way
And when I cannot stand I’ll fall on You
Jesus, you’re my hope and stay

This week as we prepare for Easter, amidst the busyness and distractions, may we remember that we need Jesus.

Jesus, you’re my hope and stay.

1. I am almost finished contacting all the winners from The Joyful Life Library book drive.  Thank you so much for being patient with me. 🙂

2. My little brother’s wedding was so fun! We have had some busy weeks of celebrating. Levi did a great job as ring bearer. He rang a bell with his cousin as they walked down the aisle. You should have seen him in his little suit!! I thought he was the cutest ring bearer ever…but I might be a little biased. Hopefully there will be more pictures to come soon!

3. I have no idea what happened with my comments on the DaySpring giveaway post. I thought about redoing the giveaway but with Easter coming up I wanted to be able to select the winner. I am so sorry if you tried entering the giveaway and couldn’t leave a comment. The problem should be solved now and I promise I will do another DaySpring giveaway in the future!

4. The winner of the DaySpring giveaway is: Jen Mc – they have tons I lovelove that 12 day holiday countdown and really like the mr & mrs mugs too! Congratulations, Jen! Send me an email and I will get you hooked up with your gift certificate!

5. Don’t forget that DaySpring is offering my readers 25% off the entire Easter Gifts for Kids section. Use coupon code Easter25 through March 31, 2013. That makes for some really great deals!

6. We opened our first Resurrection Egg today. The boys thought it was great except that they were fighting over who got to hold the egg. 🙂 We are using the 12 Day Countdown Calendar too. I am not sure how they will work together because not all the symbols are the same but we are going to give it a try. I can’t believe Easter is coming up so fast! I want to be really intentional with the boys over these last 12 days leading to Easter.

7. I am speaking at my friend’s MOPS group next week. I still have some preparing to do and would love if you would pray for me. Pray that I would listen to God and speak all and only the words that He would want me to speak. And pray for my nerves too. 🙂