Say Cheese

Just a couple pics of the girls. . .

They like to pose for the camera. :)

Adley likes to be silly.

While I was get ready this morning, Jaylyn said she wanted to take a picture of Adley. I heard Adley say, "No!" and this is the picture I came across this evening that she apparently took. Nice.

Heater and Walls

Bathroom Update:
My dad was able to successfully change our radiator over to the baseboard heat. Yippee! I know he had lots of fun with that project. Right, Dad? :)

Oh, and notice the new window is in!

Our great friend, Tim, who has been helping recommended a friend to help us finish off our walls. He worked a couple hours one evening and a couple more the next night and voila, all done! Hooray! On to the floor and paint. . .

Prayers

I just wanted you all to lift up a couple families that have just lost a new baby in the last few days. There have been an awful lot of preterm deliveries of people we know lately. It is such a scary thing, I'm sure!

One family I do not know. They are actually recent refugees from Burma through a refugee camp in Thailand. They are being ministered to by a church plant that we worked with last summer with our church family mission trip. The father, mother and older child just became followers of Christ in November after arriving in the states last April. Their baby was born prematurely and has had a lot of issues. Most recently, they discovered that his windpipe was very very thin and undeveloped and there is nothing they could do to fix it. He just passed away this evening. Please pray for this new believing family that they will experience God's love as never before. The father stated at his baptism that he will follow Christ until death - no matter what. Pray that this tragedy will only strengthen their faith in Him.

Secondly, another college classmate has been on bedrest FOREVER with expecting twins. Her due date was within a week of mine, I believe. They have been holding these babies off for a while now, but a couple days ago, needed to go ahead and deliver them. The little boy made it and is doing well, but their little girl's lungs just weren't developed enough and their was nothing medically they could do to help her and has since passed away. This couple is also believers and know that God will help them through this time. Please lift them up also.

Another couple from our church that was due a week after me had to deliver their baby prematurely. Baby Omari has been doing great, but just today has taken a bad turn. Possible blood infection/meningitis issue. I have not heard an update yet. We pray for God's quick healing for him.

I also know our youth pastor's daughter is at 25 weeks and on bed rest. She had gone into early labor also that they were able to stop. Please lift her up and their baby that she will stay in there until she is healthy enough to come out!

Thanks for your prayers and as I remember these families, I will have to remember to not complain about my little pregnancy discomforts. :)

How to Play Mini-golf

We enjoyed the nice Friday evening playing miniature golf. So, if you are 5 or 2, here is how to play. . .

• You don't hold the club properly whatsoever.
• You squeal with delight EVERY time you hit the ball.
• When it is your turn, you yell, "Me! Me! Me!".
• If you are 2, you hit it the first time with mommy, then pick it up and carry it to the hole, where you hit it in and squeal some more!
• You cheer for everyone.
• If you are 2, you also follow your sister very closely and stand right by her ball every time she hits it.
• When you get it in the hole, you always yell, "I did it!"
• You love it when the ball disappears and comes out a different hole.
• Did I mention squealing and screaming a lot??
• You are sad when it is all over and ask to do it again.
  

AND congratulations to Jaylyn who was the ONLY one to get a HOLE IN ONE!

She really did do it!

Happy Easter! He is Risen!

Here are some Easter activities we have been up to. . .

Easter Eggs

Lots of eggs and lots of fun dying and decorating

Adley wanted "another one!"

Jaylyn had a blast

Resurrection Rolls

We also made resurrection rolls where each ingredient represents something about
Jesus buried and rising again. Adley preferred just eating the marshmallows.

Dip marshmallows (Jesus) in butter (oils) and cinnamon/sugar (spices) for burial.

TJ read the scripture verses as the girls wrapped their marshmallows.

Wrap the marshmallow in a crescent roll or biscuit (cloth around his body.) Place them in the oven (the tomb). When they are finished, the marshmallows have melted and are not there! Just as Jesus was no longer in the tomb. (Thanks Jenny for printing it in the newsletter so I didn't have to look for my copy!)

Resurrection Eggs

These are always fun to hide and see what items are inside once they find them all.

I was excited that Jaylyn knew what most of the items represented about the Easter message. Although, it is kind of sad to see her growing up so fast!

Church Easter Egg Hunt

Well, unfortunately Adley and I missed the big egg hunt. She had thrown up the day before and we were waiting 24 hours to make sure all was well. Thankfully she isn't quite old enough to realize what she was missing and she was really feeling fine. So, all was well with us at home. But, it sounds like Jaylyn enjoyed her morning at the egg hunt!

Eggs everywhere!

She is a true girl and wanted to find the prettiest ones. :)

Easter Morning

The girls enjoyed looking through their Easter baskets

Adley wanted to eat all the candy right away.

The girls in their dresses before church. I actually finished them and hair bows too. Woohoo!

Easter at the Laxtons

We alternate family sides each year. This was our year at TJ's side. 12 kids excited to do their egg hunt after lunch and before the rain came.

More eggs!

Adley finally got to join in for real!

Jaylyn holding part of her loot. It is crazy what these girls brought home!

Adley of course, wanting more candy! Even after I took all her baskets away, she found someone to give her someone else's candy!

I think I posted these lyrics last year, but here they are again...
(from "In Christ Alone" by Keith Getty and Stuart Townsend)


There in the ground His body lay,
Light of the world by darkness slain;
Then bursting forth in glorious day,
Up from the grave He rose again!
And as He stands in victory,
Sin's curse has lost its grip on me;
For I am His and He is mine—
Bought with the precious blood of Christ.

Thank You Jesus for this hope of Easter!

Fun Outside

The girls enjoyed the weather today. Finally, not so cold!

Swing!

A little Basketball

Here is Adley with a dried bloody nose and muddy hands from the ball - "Yuck." :)

T-Ball time is here

Power hit

Working on her swing

Adley didn't want to miss out on the fun

Hit it!

Jaylyn is in egg hunt mode.

one over there!

And over here!

Preschool Easter Egg Hunt

Jaylyn and her friends enjoyed their egg hunt at preschool. It was a little chilly, but they quickly found the eggs and headed back inside.

Finding those eggs

On the run!

Found one!

There's one

I see some!

The class with their eggs

Checking out their eggs

Jaylyn was so sweet to give Adley her own egg hunt when we got home!

Jaylyn hid eggs for her over and over again!