Egg Heads

Well, it's Easter 2012.  I looked for little plastic eggs much too early, ate candy for breakfast and tried not to need blood pressure medicine while getting myself and 4 girls ready for church.  Actually it has been a fabulous day to celebrate our Risen Lord. 

Jesus did what He said He would do.  He died on the cross and rose three days later. One day every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that He is Lord.  Oh the anticipation. Just call me preacher...

My day started too early with little whispers of 7 year olds by my bed.  Almost inaudibly Brynn says to Anna, "Go get the babies up, then they can wake mom and dad up."  Smart girl.  I would have told them to go back to bed and wait for the babies to wake up.  If you think I am waking a slumbering 2 and 3 year old you've got something else coming.  But I let the twins wake them up because after all it's Easter... right?  And I was in awe of the ingenuity, frankly.

So bright and early we were acting surprised at all the crazy places Peter Cotton Tail left all the eggs or in this case Mrs. Cotton Tail.

Baskets included new water bottles and some jammies and too much candy.  I went to Wal Mart hungry, and by myself, big mistake.

I am including these pictures of our Easter morning before church even though most of them should be in a horror magazine.  They are pretty scary.  Egg heads.  Crazy when you take so many pictures and they are all pretty much awful.  Love the bed head and sugar high faces.....

I don't usually put on two pairs of jammies...just trying on the new ones over the old ones... In case you were wondering.

After our candy high wore off a bit we proceeded to get ready for church.  Honestly, no matter how prepared I am...and I have to admit I am pretty good now, I feel stressed and rushed every Sunday.  Daddy made the good call of fixing every ones hair and letting them run around in their panties until right before we left.  That turned out to be a good call because inevitably Brynn gave Aubrey a red marker...temporary moment of insanity, and she wrote all over her arm and hands.  Luckily she didn't have her Easter dress on...that would have pushed Mommy over the edge.  I tried getting it off with wet wipes, soap and water and nail polish remover   No dice so I just chalked it up to enhanced beauty.

Before church photo shoot:

We got to church early...yes I said early and Ben was with us...it's a Christmas miracle...I mean Easter miracle.  Everyone that knows me, knows, that as much as I love my hubby he is slower than molasses and it tends to lead to marital discord at times... No marital discord this morning he was early...I just needed to hear that again.  Seriously.

We finished our celebration with lunch at Mojo's.  Chicken nachos anyone?  Yum! Nothing says Easter like chicken nachos... okay maybe not, but they sure were good.  We left the restaurant and Ben says to me, "We're getting there, that wasn't too bad."  Eating out is always a gamble but sometimes much worth the risk.

I realized this week I have some work to do with my kiddos in the scripture department.  They are starting to get the Easter Bunny story and Jesus rising from the dead all entangled.  Some homework for the summer.

Loved looking at all the Easter Family pics on Facebook today.  Spring has sprung and Jesus is alive what a great day.

And if you need me this week I will be hiding in my walk in closet eating the kids Easter candy.  Feel free to join me...I might share. 

Interesting...

We went to the Clay County fair this week and I have to admit I was a little disturbed.  I had to wonder where the people who were there came from.  Now, I'm not just picking on Clay County mind you, I have been to other fairs in other states and it's the same.  So please don't send hate mail.  Fairs just seem to draw the most interesting people.

Insert soapbox... are you ready?  I'm on it right now, our society as a whole is going down hill quickly and it was very evident.  I literally had heart palpitations at the sight of the teenagers there.  Especially the girls, wearing questionable clothing, and I don't consider myself a prude.  The thought of raising four girls in the current times brings me to my knees.  Which I guess is where I should be anyways.  Alright, I'm hopping down off the soapbox.

We did end up having a good time with some sweet friends. The Eason's minus Lindsey met us there.  We were totally outnumbered 3 adults and 7 children. Moments are better when experienced with friends.

On our way to the fair....

We saw animals, rode rides, ate funnel cake and cotton candy climbed on tractors, and laughed alot. Aubrey screamed the entire time because she wanted out of the stroller.  Luckily the music was so loud we couldn't hear her. 

Aubs is always all about the concessions.  A girl after my own heart...

Ben tried to dunk the clown by throwing baseballs.  The clown was so mean to him screaming things about his height and a receding hairline.  I could barely watch.  The girls and I were a little traumatized.  The clown was good at his job...Ben was laughing so hard he couldn't hit the target.  Caroline even asked me this morning why the clown was being so mean to daddy. Chad and Ben vowed to practice all year and come back next year to try again.

Lillie didn't like the clown either...

You know it's funny, I could go and spend mucho money on Disney World but truly my girls are just as happy at the Clay County Fair.  A great lesson for me.

My kids were so dirty when they got home that even though it was late I had to give them all a scrub a dub dub in the tub. No fair dirt on our sheets.

I guess it takes all kinds to make the world go round. A fun time was had by all!

Mad face...

 Happy face...

 Scary Face...

Spring.

One comment I hear over and over about living in Florida is, "I would miss the seasons."  I guess that is true for some but not me.  We have all the good seasons (at least in my book).  We just skip the dead of winter, snow and ice.  Of course I live in north Florida so we get to wear the occasional sweatshirt or jacket.  We have fall, spring and summer all the "preferred" seasons just in a mixed up order.

Rambling a bit.  Maybe.  However, because it is proper I will say it is spring even though technically here it is summer.  I have spring fever.  I rip open the curtains every morning in anticipation of the views beyond, beautiful flowers, sunshine and trees in bloom. My hubby has been referring to himself as the landscaper at La Casa de Kneisley.  He really has worked tirelessly and made our yard look great.  Spring makes me want to rearrange my furniture, clean out my closets and change out everything that seems wintry to me...like the brown curtains in my bedroom.  Changed.  Now my window is sportin white and yellow stripes...much better.  My bed called for some yellow shams to match my curtains and a lighter weight crisp white comforter.  Last night I changed my wreath on the front door and sat and stared at it in satisfaction.  I am the first on to admit I am a little wreath crazy but seriously, it's like putting a bow on a nicely wrapped package.  The finishing touch that makes all the difference.

My kids have a short week of school and no homework...gasp.  Yes I said no homework.  We had so much time to play and porch sit yesterday evening I didn't know what to do with myself.  I was all ready for the week with a brand spankin new pencil sharpener and 2 packs of brand new pencils (It's the small things ya know...).  Last week we suffered major trauma over not being able to find any pencils or something to sharpen them.  I was not going to relive that scenario again.  This Mama was prepared...but I guess our newly sharpened writing instruments will have to wait until next week.  I digress.  The point I was really trying to make is that we savored our extra time last night and enjoyed spring.

We ate dinner on the back porch and the mama duck that lives in our back pond came to greet us with her baby ducklings.  Does anything scream spring like baby ducks?  I think not.  Needless to say we had a hard time focusing, nobody really ate and we all ended up by the pond feeding the ducks.  The ducklings even let us pet them.  My girls were in heaven as was this picture taking Mama.

We finished our evening with a family walk around the neighborhood.  I had 3 children riding their bikes and one roller blading.  Brynn really is going to be the most fabulous Sonic waitress one day;)

My colorful little Easter eggs....

Oh and I got to end my day cheering on the Kentucky Wildcats to victory. Go Big Blue!  National Champions Baby!

Happy spring y'all.  Don't forget.....bloom where you're planted.

Beach

We always make the trek to the beach when we have company in town and this week was no exception. Every time my toes feel the sand smoosh in between I instantly think, why don't we come here more?

We tried a Jacksonville institution this week, The Metro Diner. How have I lived here so long without going to this restaurant? We saw an episode of Diner's Drive Ins and Dives on the Food Network and knew we had to go. We were not disappointed. May I recommend, chicken and waffles, eggs benedict or french toast pound cake. Yes, my mouth is watering as I type. I must go back soon.

As I sat at breakfast at Metro Diner with our closest friends anticipating the beach afterwards, I looked at my husband and said, "I love living here. I never want to leave." Thank you Jesus that this is my hometown and for letting me share and enjoy it with the ones I love.

The beach.  Why is it that the moment I set foot on the beach I feel every muscle in my body release and tensions leave?  Why is it when I inhale the sweet, salty air that I feel so alive and relaxed at the same time?  It's true.  There is no place like it and fortunately I live close, so I can go often.  May I never take it for granted.

This week I saw it through the eyes of my sweet Aubrey girl.  I was holding her hand walking up the board walk and she stopped dead in her tracks as soon as her gaze met the vast ocean presented in front of her.  She gasped and said excitedly, "Ohhhhhhh."  She was feeling it.  The same thing I feel when I see it still, after thirty five years.  Awe.

I am never more in awe of God's creations than staring at the restless, blue waves as they crash violently on the sand over and over.  It's mesmerizing.  I always find myself deep in thought. Thoughts about life, relationships and faith.  Let's face it one reason I can have those moments on the beach is because my kiddos are always so entertained and I can breathe and think. Can I get an amen to that?  I sit and watch them pile sand into brightly colored buckets, collect shells and work tirelessly to transport water back to where we sit.  Content as can be.  I love feeling the warmth of the sun on my body and my children's laughter in my ears. I always leave feeling, thankful and blessed.

The beach is a perfect piece of God's creation and it speaks to me.  For some people it may be a mountain top for me it is a windswept beach and that is where I find my restoration.  I feel close to God there.  I had not been there since Caroline's illness and I felt a total connection with God. Humbled to the core and amazed at His holiness and mercy.  I could not stop thanking him for my family.  I kept repeating in my mind.  Use me Lord, I will go where you have me go. I will do what you have me do.  I give you my life wholly.

A big exhale before we left.  I know how quickly things can change.  Life is good today.  Life is good.