Quotes: Uncle Carrie

Molly really loved hanging out with her Tante Carrie when we were in Florida.  I think Tante Carrie especially liked having a girl to fuss over.  A few days ago, Molly asked the following question.

"Is Uncle Carrie your dad?"

Hilarious, but unfortunately wrong on so many levels.

He is Risen!

We had a wonderful time at church last night.  Celebrating Easter on Saturday was a little different but He in fact has been risen for over two thousand years.  The sanctuary was almost full which is a change for a normal Saturday night.  The abundance of people definitely added to the celebratory nature.  Today is going to be more celebrating, starting with DeRouchie cinnamon rolls and then ham with the Nagel crew later.

The above picture is for MJD.  She has been wanting us to change to a picture that includes Lucy.  Happy Easter to all.  May the you experience the resurrection power today and throughout the year.

Celebrate!

Last night we attended our church's Maundy Thursday service.  It was the beginning to our celebration of the most important holiday of our year.  Amanda and I have been talking about how we can make this (in deed) the most important holiday of the year.  We have debated about doing anything that is not centered on Christ.  Last night's service was a great way to get us centered and to begin our thanksgiving for Christ. I sat at church last night just beaming. Beaming over so many things. I was so thankful for my savior and all that he has done for me and continues to do. I was thankful for my church, that holds both the terribleness and wonderfulness of this season in tension.   (Ben couldn't get over the fact that the service was in the dark and that we were going to exit in silence.)

I was thankful for my friends. To have Tom sitting next to me and Jason preach to me was wonderful. God spoke through him to my heart and led me to a deeper level of thankfulness for who Jesus was/is. Praise God from whom all blessings flow!

I look so forward to Sunday and celebrating Christ's giving up of himself to absorb the wrath of the father that I deserved, the victory that he had over sin and death and to look forward to his second coming when he will consummate his kingdom.  Thank you God for making this season amazing.  Help our family to stay amazed.

Caleb's watch

In the comments of my last post, Shube referenced Caleb's watch and my mom wanted more information.  A few years ago, we bought Benjamin a watch when he was learning to tell time.  He wasn't that into it.  He stopped wearing it.  For some reason, Caleb felt differently.  He nabbed it and it has become an ever present accessory since.  Caleb is a person of routine and detail.  He is the first to wake up every morning.  He loves wearing his Twins shirt.  He's a artist and sees the world in a different way.  As our friend PhiltheCarl would say, "He's not anal, just particular."  He comes by this personality trait by very naturally.  Whenever we're with Uncle Joe, the resemblance in mannerisms and personality is uncanny.

The watch has become a part of his routine.  When a long sleeve shirt goes on, the watch is slid off, set aside and then slid back on.  When it's time to get dirty, the watch is slid off, set aside and then slid back on after the dirt.  When it's time to wash up, the watch is slid off, set aside and then slid back on after the wash.  We love Caleb and all the things that make him him.

My best friends

Don't you just love these guys?

Thank God for Spring

While we know that this is probably just a teaser and we will have at least one or two more snow storms, we are all very thankful to God for the gift of spring weather that He's given us this week.  Upper to mid-70's!  Eat your hearts out Florida and California!

Read Alouds--Strawberry Girl

We just finished another great read aloud entitled, Strawberry Girl by Lois Lenski.  It is the story of two feuding families in the pioneering days of Florida.  This was a great book to read while we were in Florida on vacation.  It is filled with a lot southern dialect which was a real treat for me to read each night.  I found myself going up stairs after reading and still talking like that.  It was a quick read but both the boys and I really liked it and would recommend it.