...is Hannah Rae

"Change your life. Turn to God and be baptized, each of you, in the name of Jesus Christ, so your sins are forgiven. Receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise is targeted to you and your children..." Acts 2:38 (The Message)

I had the honor to mentor my niece, Hannah, as she journeyed through the confirmation process over the past four months. Hannah has so many great attributes but one is that she is a very insightful and intelligent girl. She doesn't just accept something because I say it or she's grown up hearing it. She wants to truly understand for herself what God's Word means for her. It was amazing how she would grapple with a concept until she made sense out of it. Then, she would put it in context and bam, it would be integrated in her life. 

Like when she made a decision to follow Christ and give Him her life. She did not do this lightly or because she 'had to'. She spent weeks wrestling with this. She knew it meant giving some things up, but she also knew it meant receiving so much more. She asked tough questions; the kind that made me think about my own beliefs. When she made her decision, it was firm. Then, she expressed her internal decision through baptism.  

I can't even put into words what this experience was like for me and I can only imagine what it was like for her. What I do know is that God has His Hand on our family and His redemption is available to us all. I am amazed and humbled that God allowed me to be a part of Hannah's life and share in one of her most monumental life experiences. I love this sweet girl. 

...April was full of Fun- Part 2

Easter week was a special time for us this year. Steve and Debby gave us Resurrection Eggs and each morning, the girls and I would open a couple and experience the Easter story as it unfolded. It's very moving when your children begin to grasp truth.

Easter morning the girls awoke before the sun even threatened to crack through the sky, and ran out to find Pillow-Pets waiting for their loving embrace. It's the only thing they asked the Easter Bunny for and the Easter Bunny almost couldn't deliver, but the Easter Bunny persevered until the Easter Bunny came through. The Easter Bunny must know it was well worth it. Look at those sweet faces.

My sweet girls are all frilly in chiffon, curls, and accessories. I should have added gloves and a patten 'hand-bag'. Then they'd be the picture of Easter Marketing.

We spent the afternoon with some of our favorite people at the Annual Herndon Easter Bash and later at my sister's house. It's days like this that remind us of God's redeeming love. I can be confident that my little troupe will thrive in life because we are surrounded by such wonderful families. 

Families: Bridges, Holts, Rickers, Robersons, Lees, Jacksons, Herndons, Davis, Thompsons, Ramirez, Witherows, Akins, and Carters

Look at how 'lady-like' Lily Kate and Kendall are sitting!

Hunting Easter Eggs!

Kendall is fanning Bebe.

Coloring eggs with cousins, an Easter tradition carried on.

Kendall also had her first field day experience. The day started off perfect for Kendall, cloudy with a light breeze, because she doesn't like to sweat. Half way through the darker clouds started rolling in and field day was called off. She got a little activity in but never even broke a sweat. So, all in all, I'd say her field day was up to parr for what my girl would want. 

This is Kendall's concentration face.

Katie and Kendall

...April was full of fun-Part 1

We kicked April off with a visit to Atlanta for Cousin Sloane's 2nd Birthday hosted at Gigi's. 

Isn't she adorable?

It was the beginning of Spring Break so the girls got to stay 4 days with Gigi, all by their big girl selves. They love going to 'Camp Gigi's' where they make cookies, plant flowers, have play dates with cousin Jack, go shopping at 'Gigi's Mall' (aka: Northpoint Mall), and play with a plethora of vintage toys (one's their dad used to play with!) 

This is a picture of the euphoria the girls have when they are at Gigi's.

After the girls got back, our sweet friend Bunny came to spend a few days with us, going to the beach, the Market Place, and enjoying various other activities. Jordan also participated in the annual Montessori Trike-A-Thon to help sponsor St. Jude's Children's Hospital. She has watched her sister ride for the past two years and finally it was her turn. 

She also finished her 6 game soccer season with The Jetsons. I loved watching Jordan play. She surprised me. I thought she'd be feisty and play hard but she leisurely trotted around after her team. However, when it came time to kick, girlfriend turned on the heat!

The Jetson's: Noah, Cora, Walker, Coach Brian, Jordan, and Reed

The girls had a special play date with Michael and Ally, making a yummy treat.

TO BE CONTINUED...