Resurrection Sunday

Easter Sunday is a historical celebration.  It's the one day that is the pinnacle of proof for the Christian faith--Christ was crucified, buried, and raised from the dead--Halleluiah! Which, of course, is cause for much joy, rejoicing, and fun festivities.  In our house, that includes a church service, great food, friends, movies (like Risen or the Passion of Christ), and games.  

Church was a great time of worship and it was fun to see everyone all dressed up (our church is a relaxed environment but we dress up occasionally).  After church we enjoyed a charcuterie spread and stuffed eggs before our first friend arrived.  

A good charcuterie board is worth having any day!  

Levi joined us for Resurrection eggs (a dozen eggs that each holds an item that together tell the story of Jesus' sacrifice and glorious return to life).  

The conversations that these eggs bring to the table is excellent--especially these days when the children are not so little and increasingly know their bible history, and Jozsef is in seminary bringing us new looks on "old" information--what a joy!

Confetti eggs followed.  We began with a simple egg toss and then livened up the scene with an all out egg war--kind of like a water balloon fight, but with confetti eggs. 

These eggs are super favorites in our family!

Levi had never done this with us before, but was eager to jump in--and he played hard just like the rest of us.  It was great fun!  

Our eggstravaganza was slowed down by a movie and then topped off by a fish dinner accompanied by another guest, our friend Denver.  Once dinner was complete, the children headed back out to enjoy the setting sun and a couple of rounds of corn hole.  It was a beautiful day!  Sadly, I didn't get pictures of the evening festivities, but I did capture the Hummingbird cake that we had for the first time.  By all accounts it was very good--we'll have it again.  Maybe it'll even become an Easter tradition.  :-) 

Denver had to go home after corn hole, but Levi stayed to watch Risen with us (an account of the Resurrection as told by one of the Roman soldiers--a great movie) before we all called it a night.  

What a wonderful day to spend with family and friends!  He is Risen!  He is Risen Indeed!  Halleluiah! 

Equine Education

 A friend of ours has horses and a passion for teaching people about them.  She invited us out to the barn for a field trip on the basics of horse care and riding.  The excitement was high as we drove out to visit on a beautiful spring day.  Our friend, AnnMarie, is an excellent and patient teacher.  She introduced the horses, Sunshine and Steel, to us and then brought out grooming supplies and treats (for the horses). 

Everyone got their hands dirty in the good work of grooming the horses while we learned about horse ownership in general and the individual characteristics and personalities of each horse.  

Connor enjoyed exploring the barn and being a go-fer of sorts :-) 

When grooming was complete, the saddling lesson commenced as each horse was geared up and the rides began.  Sonja was, not surprisingly, the first to jump on.  :-)  The girl was a confident natural and I bet she could've ridden all day but she was good to trade out with Riley.  

Connor and then Hannah followed.  Hannah wasn't absolutely ready to be completely on her own, but Sunshine is an easy ride and just having AnnMarie close was enough for Hannah to enjoy her time. 

When the horses were all tired out, cleaned up, fed, and set out to pasture, the children enjoyed trampoline jumping while I chatted with the ladies (AnnMarie's sister, Aliana also joined us).  It was a wonderful first experience for the children and was a huge blessing for us all.  AnnMarie invited us back--the children are already counting down the days.  Thank you so much AnnMarie! 

  

We Had a Birthday

 I remember being pregnant with Nikolas and my birthday arriving--very closely to when he was due.  Back then, I wasn't so fond of having a baby on my birthday--for so many reasons.  It's nice to have a day that you can call your own, even if thousands across the world also call it their day, when the focus shifts just a little.  I like to be able to celebrate my children individually, and even though Jozsef really prayed for Hannah to be born on his birthday, I think they both appreciate their days being set apart but not too far from each other (one week, exactly).  

When Nikolas was about 12, he decided that with our birthdays being close (five days apart) that it would be fun for us, just the two of us, to do something celebratory together--and thus a very special tradition was born.  Every year, somewhere between my birthday and his, we set time apart for just the two of us to spend together.  Usually it involves food, but whatever it entails, it's always special and every year it's more treasured.  

This year, he chose a sushi restaurant that neither of us had previously been to as our lunch destination.  The place was small, clean, had friendly staff, and really good food.  Neither of us was disappointed.  After lunch we went and did a little shopping and picked up coffee at our favorite java spot.  We were home in time for a family dinner (prepared by John), cake of Nikolas' choice (this year it was sloe gin), and gifts.  What a wonderful way to usher in Nikolas' 19th year!  

The lighting wasn't the best for photos but the environment was enjoyable, the conversation was great, and the food was quality

Oh yeah!  My birthday came first.  :-)  I enjoyed a bit of sip and shop at one of my favorite local shops, John prepared dinner (charcuterie boards--yumm!), and Sonja had made a cake for us all to enjoy.  It was a good day.  

We enjoyed an artfully assembled array of tasty foods on charcuterie boards for dinner and it was so good that Nikolas chose it for his birthday dinner as well.  Thank you John!

Happy birthday to me--and Nikolas--whom I'm blessed to do life (and birthdays) with. <3

Gala Glam

 John's company is associated with a foundation called Captain Planet which is a charity organization working to engage and empower young people to be problem solvers for the planet.  Annually the foundation holds a fundraising gala that we have been invited to but unable to attend for the last three years,  However, this year, things worked out for John and Nikolas to go, represent, and enjoy.  Nikolas was able to reconnect with one of Kellogg's family members, Kathy, who took a liking to him when she  first met him about eight years ago while Nikolas was assisting John at a company convention activity.  I believe it was called Compost Con.  :-)  There Nikolas lovingly received the nickname of Mister Master Nikolas Sir.  It's a great story and joke now, and Kathy still addresses him as such.  It was wonderful that they were able to see each other again.  They've kept up correspondence over the years.  He's kind of a mentee of sorts and that evening, she introduced him to her networks as her pen pal. :-)  Kathy is rather connected so Nikolas met many people, some of whom are rather influential.  It was a great social event with notable guests in attendance, speakers, a live auction, dancing, and the food was fabulous (so I was told),  I would say the event opened his eyes to another space in life that we simply do not regularly occupy, but absolutely exists here in America.  We are so blessed!  I'm so glad the guys were able to share such an experience. 

Closing the Gap

 After graduation, Nikolas decided to take a gap year while he worked and took the time to make an educational/career path he could be excited about and committed to.  Working at Chick Fil A has been a great experience for Nikolas.  He has learned, as well as grown, much during his time there.  Nikolas had been blessed with an exceptional team to work with and be mentored by at this Chick Fil A--he will miss them greatly but is happy to have spent the time with them.  It is time to move on.  

Nikolas has chosen to pursue an apprenticeship in plumbing.  God has led him to a company in our area (thanks to networking through church/Chick Fil A--the world is smaller than we'd like to think and circles often overlap).  The company is Christian owned and growing.  They have offered Nikolas an opportunity to partake in a paid apprenticeship that includes on the job training, after which he will be given his own truck to manage.  Nikolas was offered the position after a three part interview and  a meet and greet with the team.  He starts tomorrow and is very excited--as he should be!  This is a wonderful opportunity for him and we are excited with him.  Congratulations Nikolas!  

Twos Day

This year a special day was built into the calendar--twos day!  It's  a bit of a phenomenon and totally fun!  The local Chick Fil A was marking Twos Day with $2 shakes so we made an outing of it.  

Later that night, John and the two oldest boys went out to see a movie which due to coupons and gift certificates cost them less than $2!  Side note--Nikolas's favorite number is 22 so this was a perfect day!  

Valentine's Day

 

This year, on the day nationally recognized as the day to go out of your way to show your love to those near and dear to you, I took the children out on a field trip.  But first we had heart shaped pancakes--just a fun treat.  :-) 

Later we went up the highway a bit and had lunch at a novelty of a restaurant--The Burger Bus.  The food was good--the company was better.  :-) 

The dining area is actually inside of the bus

For the remainder of the afternoon we sat at one of our favorite coffee shops enjoying drinks of various types but I especially liked the I Love You A Latte.  :-)  

We read books, studied for school, and played a few rounds of the card game hearts--of course!  

We completed the day with a family dinner prepared by John.  It was a good day.  :-)