Meet Spider-man

Connor's new obsession? Spider-man. Do not fear, he still loves his cars, but Spider-man has definitely stepped up a few notches. I am not sure what started this, but it keeps growing bigger and bigger.

He has had a Spider-man mask since his last birthday (nearly a year ago) and would play with it occasionally - like any other non-car toy. Now, in the past couple weeks, he has taken it off occasionally. I am not kidding.

He has also changed his name. If he meets someone new (mask or not) and they ask his name... "Spider-man" he replies. He is serious. If I or someone else calls, "Connor!" "I am Spider-man", he says. Every time.

So the other night, Shawn was working late and my kids were in bed (but not yet sleeping) when a friend called. She needed prayer. I was in my bedroom talking quietly because my kids are well known for taking advantage of me while on the phone. As I prayed for her, I heard pitter patters across the floor. I peeked out...did you guess it? Spider-man.

He was trying (key word: trying) to tip toe quietly and oh, so slowly across the living room...into the kitchen. I tried to ignore him and focus on my friend. I hear the cabinet in the kitchen open and a rustling bag. He comes back - mask in place - tiptoeing (or whatever that is) back to his room, with a bag of Doritos in his hand.

Yea, that's going to work.

Before I can say anything to him, he sees me. With the biggest, big boy voice a three year old can muster through a Spider-man mask, he says, "It's OK. I will be careful with these."

Oh, great. I feel so much better now.

At that point my conversation had to be put on hold. "Connor put the chips back and go to bed."

Shocked, "But...me...Spider-man?!?"

Through gritted teeth, "Spider-man, put the chips back and go to bed."

At least my friend got a good laugh out of it...thought maybe you all would too. :)

Happy Easter!

Yesterday was the first day of spring. It was also the beginning of my favorite weekend...sweet, blessed Easter. How sad a year would be without this precious time.

We celebrated the Lord’s Supper at church last night. We remembered His body broken…His blood poured for us. I love these services. The quiet, dark sanctuary filled with song, filled with tears. “Jesus paid it all…all to Him I owe.” “Oh, the wonderful cross…” I sat with friends…the body of Christ; we came to the Lord’s Table together. All at once my heart broke for the pain my Savior endured for me, it rejoiced that He did and it longed, longed for Him to share – physically share – in this with me.

My servant King, my humble Master, stooped to the lowest of the low – crucified with criminals to rescue me. Oh, how I love Him. I love Him even more because the story doesn’t end there. Come Sunday morning and the dark, bruised Friday sky is replaced with a fresh, brilliant new light. Light like the world has never seen.

He died to make ALL things new. Isn’t it just so timely that spring comes and then we celebrate the resurrection? Grass grows where snow once lay. Empty trees fill up with leaves once again. Flowers bloom, babies are born, the whole world bubbles with life. Winter is gone and spring is here! Death has been conquered and our Savior lives!

The seasons are such a beautifully accurate description of what God can do. They are the salvation message embedded in nature. Every year the story is told. What was dead is now alive. The mighty Creator of the seasons can make -will make - the whole earth new. Resurrection, restoration, renew, reborn…all some of God’s favorite things. How He loves to take death and replace it with life!

It is for this we celebrate. For what He has done already and for what He is yet to do. In great anticipation I await the Lord’s coming. I can’t wait to dine with Him at His table. My body longs to wash His nail scarred feet with my tears. My heart can not contain the thought of celebrating with Him that He is alive…the battle won and eternity ours.

I pray the hope that comes with spring brings life – eternal life – to your heart. There is no greater promise than spring is coming! No greater love than what our Lord did on this day.

Happy spring and happy Easter!

"I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in Me, even if he dies, will live." John 11"25

Philippians 1:20-21

"My eager expectation and hope is that I will not be ashamed about anything but that now as always, with all boldness, Christ will be highly honored in my body, whether by life or death. For me, living is Christ and dying is gain."

She Did It!

A couple weeks ago, my biggest girl (who is not very big) had a dream come true. For years, (at least two) she has talked about her desire to win a trophy. She has asked questions on what she needs to do to get one. Tears have streamed down her checks because she was convinced she would never accomplish any of it. Well, my friends, she did...

On her last cheerleading game for the season, we brought home one happy girl and a trophy as big as her! I can not tell you how much this meant to her. After she was presented with it and came back to us, she held it to her sweet, little heart and said, "I have waited my whole life for this." As hilarious as that is from the mouth of a five-year old...it is nearly true. She is so happy.

Yet, as I placed the trophy on her bedroom shelf, it pulled at some "mommy heart-strings". It is surrounded by baby girl things...precious treasures given to us at her birth, baby pictures, stuffed animals that hold sentiment...and a trophy. So big girl.

Here she is in her pride and glory...

Sisters

Mommy Cow

Connor is at it again. Here is a conversation we had this morning.

Connor: Mommy, Chloe is eating my food!

Mommy: Chloe, you already had breakfast...you little piggy.

Connor: (giggling) Chloe is a piggy! Me a piggy too!

Mommy: Yes, you are a piggy too. (Both these kids LOVE their food! Summer and Connor fight over toys...Chloe and Connor fight over food - I am not kidding.)

Connor: (still giggling) Mommy is a piggy too!

Mommy: Mommy is not a piggy!

Connor: (now he is serious) OK, Mommy not a piggy...Mommy is a cow!

Gee...thanks, Connor.

This isn't the first time I have heard this statement from one of my PRECIOUS children.

When Summer was 3 she wanted to be Dora for Halloween. Since Connor was too little to pick his costume we had him go as Boots. Summer thought this was great and said, "Daddy can be Swiper and Mommy you can...umm....you can be...THE COW!"

I have always dreamed of being a cow...now according to Connor I am...I don't even need a costume.