Easter and Grasshopper Days

Grassshopper Days

For today, Monday, April 21, 2014.

Outside my window...  cool, but not raining :D  We'll be able to see snow in the hills for weeks yet, but spring is trying mightily to break through.  The one (and only) tulip the deer haven't eaten is blooming over by the garage.

Forsythia

Hearing...  Tate coughing.  He's fighting off a cold.  I told him the good news is it surely will have run its course before surgery.

Pondering...  what a lovely, lovely weekend we had.

Praying...  the usual... work for Kerry (he has some, just praying it keeps coming!), encouragement and comfort and healing for our friend from church, looking ahead to Tate's surgery and recovery, and to finish the school year strong.

Thankful...  so thankful for my family!  What a blessing to have a family that enjoys being together!   (Yes, we drive each other nuts sometimes, but we love each other.)  And for my church family.  The Maundy Thursday service may be my favorite of the year.  (With the possible exception of the children's Christmas program, because who can resist tinsel angels and bath-robed shepherds?)

On Maundy Thursday we gather for a soup and bread potluck - so simple, and so delicious - and a time of fellowship.  We sing a few songs.  Pastor Bert speaks for a few minutes.  And we have communion - like the first communion at the last supper.

And we sang this song - Oh How Good It Is, which just summed things up perfectly.

Oh, how good it is when the family of God

Dwells together in spirit, in faith, and unity.

Where the bonds of peace, of acceptance and love

Are the fruits of His presence here among us.

 - Chorus -

So with one voice we'll sing to the Lord;

And with one heart we'll live out His Word.

Till the whole earth sees the Redeemer has come

For He dwells in the presence of His people.

Oh, how good it is on this journey we share,

To rejoice with the happy and weep with those who mourn.

For the weak find strength, the afflicted find grace,

When we offer the blessing of belonging.

 - Chorus -

Oh, how good it is to embrace His command

To prefer one another, forgive as He forgives.

When we live as one, we all share in the love

Of the Son with the Father and the Spirit.

Wearing... jeans, t-shirt, blue sweater, blue crocs (slippers).  Ooo!  Faaancy.

Creating...  a lesson plan.  I have to teach a lesson tomorrow night to "audition" for potentially teaching a science class next year.

Reading...  still working my way through Age of Opportunity but not having much free time!

Learning...  I'm about to have less free time - we'll be watching Naomi for a few days over the weekend.

Looking forward to...  spending calm time with her.  Our family Easter gathering was a great time, but "calm" does not describe it.

In the kitchen...  ummm... maybe sloppy joes.

Around the house...  time to take a look at things through toddler eyes... I'm thinking a few things need to head for higher ground.

The Mother Load...  about to be put completely on hold.

Something fun to share...  Gunnar is loving CAP, but has been "on hold" for promoting, the obstacle being the PT test.  He just could NOT pass the running portion.  And last week he did it!  We're so happy for him!  He'll have no trouble with the written exams, and should be able to pass the drill test soon.  Woo-hoo!

A favorite quote for today...  the song lyrics above :D

One of my favorite things...  walks with Gunnar.

A few plans for the rest of the week...  homeschooling, CAP, Gunnar's baby-sitting job, and preparing for Naomi.  She's old enough (almost two) that I'm not moving/child-proofing everything.  But I don't want to have too many "no's" to tempt her.  We want to have fun :D

A peek into my world...  Naomi's first Easter egg hunt.

The eggs weren't so much hidden as scattered.

She was quite concerned about the dirt stuck to the first egg and wanted to clean it off before proceeding with the hunt.

Gunnar shows Naomi the little M&M's inside the eggs.  Aha!

Naomi was intrigued by the bubbles Grandma was blowing.

Cindy-Lou-Who, anyone