Jer n' Jenn

Marriage is a great thing. It's awesome to know that you have someone who is committed to you and will be by your side to help you through whatever life brings. I am sooooo blessed to be married to Jeremy. Unfortunately, it is so easy to become caught up in raising kids, cleaning and cooking and all the busyness that is our lives and before we know it, our focus has shifted and our spouse is no longer at the top of the list. Seriously, I don't have to worry about dressing him each day, he can fend for himself if I don't feed him, and.... well, he is potty trained... let's just say he is pretty self sufficient! I find myself constantly fighting against the notion that he doesn't need me as much as my kids and striving to keep my relationship with Jeremy a top priority. (Neither of us really remembers what marriage was like without kids. Kyle was born just a month and a half after our first anniversary.) This past weekend was a great opportunity to spend time together and focus on each other. Belleview held their Jr./Sr. banquet on Friday night and we got to enjoy an evening out together... all dressed up. (Just for the record, I love to dress up!)

On Saturday night, we headed downtown for the Rockies game. It wasn't the best evening for a game, being only 45 degrees it sprinkled during the sixth inning, but we made the best of it and had a great evening. Here we are before the game started and the Dodgers scored four runs in the first inning!

Thanks for two fun evenings in one weekend, Jer! I can't wait until our next night out together!

Crayon Fun!

Craft time doesn't happen often around our house. I always thought that I would be a mom that would be so into doing crafts with my kids.... um, yeah, no. I still have hopes for the future, but for now I only bring out the crayons when Kyle specifically asks for them. Ususally, if he asks to color I get out colored pencils... they are so much less messy and the boys don't try to eat them! On Saturday, Kyle asked if he and his bear could color with crayons so I sat them down and brought out the crayons. Can you see the excitement on Kyle's face? For some reason he just can't smile with his eyes open anymore.
Then Bryce noticed his big brother was doing something that he may want to try out. Here he is heading over to check out the scene.

Kyle wasn't too excited that his bear had to give up a seat to his little brother.... but eventually, Mommy won that argument.

And... this is why we don't bring out the crayons.......

Kyle's excitement lasted all of 10 minutes. At least it was good time to get a few pics of my boys playing PEACEFULLY together!! :)

Easter Blessings!

I have mentioned to several friends that I had really felt as though Satan was attacking my family recently with all we've been enduring. Then Easter came. It was such a refreshing reminder of God's plan, not only for me and my family, but for all people ... and He has had in place since the beginning of time. Yes, my family (especially me) has been really struggling in the last few months, but in compared to what Christ experienced during the week before His crucifixion... my struggles do not compare and are very temporal in the grand scheme of eternity. Yes, the Lord is molding us (me) and lessons are being learned, but.... The battle is won... and He won it for us! Praise the Lord!!!

Jeremy and I were able to attend a Seder dinner on the first day of Passover and it was so fabulous to look back through history and see God's plan for Israel and how we were included in that plan. Jeremy and I have casually talked about celebrating parts of Passover with our kids as they get older because it is a great way to teach the next generation (hence, the Jews reason for the tradition). Unfortunately, I didn't bring my camera, but it was a great time and tons of fun!

We spent Good Friday looking at a few houses and are praying about one in particular. On Easter, we headed to church and then over to the in-laws for a family meal. Someone asked if we were having a big, family dinner. I laughed and replied, whenever we get together it is a big, family dinner! It is such a blessing to live close to family and I love it when we can get together. Sarah and Kensey (Jer's cousin, Warren's, daughters) put together an Easter egg hunt for the boys to do and they had a blast! Here is a pic of them after all the excitement. I'm pretty sure Collin and Kyle both had candy in their mouths!

Here, Kyle is proudly saying cheese after showing his goodies to Daddy.

Tara is too little to get involved in all the action, but she seemed to be enjoying herself anyway.

Here are our adorable boys in their matching outfits.

I hope that each one of you were refreshed this past Easter weekend with the knowledge that we have a Savior that LIVES, who cares about us, and desires for us to have a relationship with Him not just now, but for all eternity. Praise God for his grace, mercy, and love!