Easter Sunday in Photos

Friday & Saturday

Friday I took a half day off work and only went in for the morning. Surprisingly there weren't that many kids absent. I think it is INSANE that they are now making us work on "Good Friday" yet we have MLK day off and don't get me wrong I love having MLK day off because its right by my birthday so I always get a long weekend but working the day my Savior was killed is NOT okay with me. So I met in the middle and took half a day. When I got off I went home and Mom & Dad arrived shortly after and we were on our way to Plano to have Easter weekend with my sister. Unfortunately, J is working this weekend so I had to pretend my hubby was with us.

Once we arrived in Plano we relaxed for a few minutes before heading to dinner at Razoos (Cajun cafe) and go see Hop. It was really cute. It made me miss my little puppy dog. (Call me what you will- but Pip is my first born- human or dog it doesn't matter). After Hop we came home and before long headed to bed. What is it about driving that makes you tired? All we did was sit in the car for 4 hours and we were all ready to pass out- add Cajun food to the mix and we for sure were ready for bed! 


Saturday morning we got up and all had to shower before heading to Patrizo's for Jessica's graduation luncheon. I am so proud of my sissy. Her company has been wonderful to pay for Jessicas MBA and she has worked harder than I have ever seen her work to complete it and to complete it with grace and endurance. Though the nights of writing papers were long and her weekends were spent doing homework instead of going on the boat with her husband and siblings she did it and has excellent grades to show for it. We had a beautiful luncheon honoring her with our whole family as well as Roy's (her hubby) family as well. 

The Whole Gang- minus me the photographer : )

Jess & Roy

Sisters

After lunch we all headed back to the house where we had cookie cake to celebrate Jessica's upcoming birthday. A good time was had by all. 

Jess with her cake

And of course we had to take family photos (minus my hubby)

Congratulations to my "little mommy", "big sister", & "role model"!!

I love you Jessica!! I am so proud!

Saturdays Song

Yesterday was super busy so I didn't ever sit down and upload my Easter song for Saturday. I have a long list of songs that fit this week so perfectly but one of my favorites is...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tpCaNBhK4S0

(The embedded is disabled- but this video is worth the click to the link.) I can remember when this song came out and we would be in the car and Mom would turn it on so loud and we would sing at the top of our lungs...MY REDEEMER LIVES!!!

The Old Rugged Cross

In Christ Alone

Today is one of my favorites. I have been waiting since I posted yesterdays song to post today's song. I just love it.




I also started my "Psalms Journal" Psalms is by far one of my favorite books of the bible and our pastor has been going through Psalms for quite some time now. Verse by verse, chapter by chapter. I love it. So last night I started over with his sermons online and took all my notes in a journal. I thought it would be neat to be able to flip through this journal and see the background and sermon on EVERY psalm. I love when I get hungry for the Lord's word. Amazing what he can do!! You can find his sermons here.

This Week

I have decided in anticipation of Easter I would post a video each day of a Easter hymn/song. Easter is such a beautiful time to remember what our savior did for us. I know I personally get wrapped up in life and everything else and don't really sit down daily and remember him dying on the cross however, this week I have tried to focus on it and read the story repeatedly to see what God will show me each time. Anyways, for a recap

Monday: Why Nicole Nordeman

Tuesday: Beautiful Terrible Cross Selah

and today is Were You There? Selah

Let us always remember the day 

when our savior died for us 

and even more when 

he rose from the grave.

Cookies & Bible Verses

I posted these last year but had to link to it again. My family and I are going to do it this weekend (even though we are all grown).

EASTER COOKIES

Also, this afternoon I am going to make the "Peanut Butter Surprise Cookies" I saw here.   LOVE IT! 

The only thing that would make this upcoming Easter weekend complete would be if hubby wasn't going to be working away. Boo


Some of my recent FAVORITE bible verses:

"Likewise, teach the older women to be reverent in the way they live, not to be slanderers or addicted to much wine, but to teach what is good. Then they can urge the younger women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands, so that no one will malign the word of God" Titus 2:3-5

People with understanding control their anger; a hot temper shows great foolishness. Proverbs 14:29

Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.  Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you. Philippians 4:4-9

And lastly we had a great sermon on this chapter of Psalms on Sunday.

Psalms 52 (The Message)

Why do you brag of evil, "Big Man"?
      God's mercy carries the day.
   You scheme catastrophe;
      your tongue cuts razor-sharp,
      artisan in lies.
   You love evil more than good,
      you call black white.
   You love malicious gossip,
      you foul-mouth.

 ⁵ God will tear you limb from limb,
      sweep you up and throw you out,
   Pull you up by the roots
      from the land of life.

 ^6-7 Good people will watch and
      worship. They'll laugh in relief:
   "Big Man bet on the wrong horse,
      trusted in big money,
      made his living from catastrophe."

 ⁸ And I'm an olive tree,
      growing green in God's house.
   I trusted in the generous mercy
      of God then and now.

 ⁹ I thank you always
      that you went into action.
   And I'll stay right here,
      your good name my hope,
      in company with your faithful friends.

 

Beautiful Terrible Cross

This song & video speaks for itself.

The Beautiful....Terrible...Cross.

Why?

Seeing that yesterday was Palm Sunday and we are in the week leading up to my Savior's death it was only timely that out of 1700 songs on my ipod this would come on. I love this song. I used to sing it in my room and dream of one day singing it in church (don't worry, I have a not good voice and NEVER sang it anywhere other than my bedroom). 

Why By Nicole Nordeman

Sad

I was looking through old pictures and came across this photo from my Junior year of high school. OMG! I need to work out and tan ASAP!!! That girl doesn't even look like me!!!

My Bubby is 29!!!

Today is a very special day. My husbands birthday. The day he graced the world with his presence. He is ACTUALLY home- which we didn't think was going to happen so a pleasant surprise for both of us. He is impossible to buy for so we are going to go get him whatever he wants this weekend (I'm thinking we will hit up Best Buy- never fails to find something in there). So today, I decorated our house for him to come home too. I hung up balloons and posters. Some posters were plain that just said "Happy Birthday Justin" or "29!" or "I love you" or "You're my best friend" but then I did some fun ones. They are as follows:



This is Justin & our nephew Zachary- Zachary's speech bubble says, "I am so glad my uncle is a "liver" and not a "puppet" and then says "Happy Birthday Uncle Justin" - the whole "liver" and "puppet" is a joke from Spring Break- had to be there. : )




This one is good ole Pippy poo- saying "Ruff Ruff Ruff- Happy Birthday Daddy" and his star says he is the best daddy a dog could ask for. Then I drew a picture of a bone and signed Pip's name to it along with "This is all I have to give"




This is one of our other nephews when he was younger. His speech bubble says, "WHAT! When did Uncle Justin get so old?" Happy Birthday Uncle Justin!



This is a photo of J holding one of our nieces when she was younger and she is crying and thinking, "WAAH! Only one more year till the big 3-0!!"

This one is our wedding and Justin is thinking, "I hope she knows she's marrying an old man"

I took another one that was Edward Norton and hung it on the mirror like he was looking at himself and it said, "Happy Birthday Twin! Wish I was still only 29...Hope you have a good one" (everyone always says he looks like him) and then I did one of himself that said, "Dang I look good to be almost 30" It was a lot of fun and I think he was pleasantly surprised when he came home this afternoon to balloons on the mailbox and all over the house and the posters everywhere (I even put one of the toilet seat lid)! Oh and how could I forget this one...



The middle one is Justin and his best friend, Daniel. Daniel is saying, "Now that you're almost 30 can we still play battlefield?" and Justin is responding "There is no age limit to battlefield"

 I took a picture of Justin in front of his banner but he told me I wasn't allowed to post it anywhere, so instead here is the mantel without him in it.

After we both were home this afternoon, we watched some tv and then headed to Rosas for dinner. We met up with Justin's sister and her family and had a fun relaxing dinner. I love living in the same town as them. It so nice to be able to call up and say, hey what are you doing for dinner tonight?! Love it!

Once we got home I made Justin take a photo with me before he began doing this...


Battlefield with his dad & brother and of course his trusty side-kick, Pip.

Whatever makes him happy...its his birthday. We are about to eat brownies and sing Happy Birthday!


Happy Birthday Bubby!! I love you!!
Here's to 29 more...



Weekend in Review

I have been so bleh when it comes to blogging. I apologize. However, this weekend I had some fun. Friday after school I packed up and headed to Kingwood to spend the weekend with my parentals. Mom had knee surgery and I had yet to go home to take care of her. : ) Jessica, my sister, has gone twice- it was my daughterly duty to go take care.

Friday night Mom and I made sopapilla cheesecake. Before baking this rich dessert we watched Tangled. I LOVED IT! SO good! I'm such a sucker for Pixar & Disney movies.

Saturday morning Mom & I got up and went shopping for Jessica's graduation invitations. Jessica is graduating with her MBA and so for Easter we are having a celebratory luncheon on Saturday and Easter on Sunday. I found a PERFECT invitation for Jessica. It screams her. The photo is an example. I printed them in a pretty deep blue with the time and location.

After finding the invitations we went to a good friend of ours clothing botquie. Mom got some new Brighton sunglasses and I got a pair of Steve Madden pumps for $20!! They had been discounted TWICE! And a beautiful pair of TOMS! SO excited! I have been wanting a pair of TOMS for quite some time and mom so generously got them for me. Thanks Momma Bear!

When we got home, Dad grilled us burgers for lunch and we chowed down.

After lunch I went to see Elissa & Sam and visit their lot. They are building a house and it is so exciting! Here they are posing on their lot.

After we looked at their lot we went around all the open houses in the section where the houses start at 300,000. We walked in five HUGE houses. The cheapest one we walked through was 439,000 and the most expensive 899,000!! Of course the most expensive one was all three of ours favorites. I took some photos on my phone. I'll try to upload them tomorrow.

We hung out for a while then I headed home for dinner with mom and dad. We went to Johnny Carinos. YUM! We came home and watched She's The Man. Today we got up and went to church where we had a great semon on Forgiveness. I'll link to it when its on the website. Once home, mom made pork loin with potatoes for lunch and a strawberry swirled poundcake.

After lunch, Dad & I went for a walk. Before long I was ready to get on the road. Mom sent me home with half of everything! YUM! And not good for my biggest loser challenge. Since home Pip & Izzy have played in the backyard, I have unpacked, done some laundry and have been working on this blog for quite some time. So now I will get ready for bed and ready for my week. Only 6 weeks left of school!!! : )

and just because I cant leave this little baby out...

he loves being spoiled at Grandma & Grandpa's!!!!

Adventure

So I was determined to get started on my spring cleaning this weekend. I had finished our bedroom and bathroom other than the tub. We have a jet tub and they say to clean out the jets occasionally. I figured I had already gone all out cleaning the rest of the bathroom might as well clean the jets also. Well I filled the tub with water and cleaner and turned the jets on. Well the jets didn't turn on- the engine just made a hummmmmmm. So I pressed the button to turn it off- no such luck. The engine kept humming. I pressed and pressed till it stopped. HMPH! Very upsetting considering I love taking a good jet fueled bath. Well I left the bathroom to go change my towels into the dryer when I hear a TERRIBLE NOISE OF WATER SPLASHING EVERYWHERE!! The jets decided to turn on and malfunction. Water was spraying everywhere! The jets were spraying with a force that caused the water to start spraying all over the wall and the floor (which I had just cleaned). I was panicking! J is on a job so I called my dad and was freaking out! I just kept pushing the button over and over and I was getting soaking wet. FINALLY after 10 minutes the jets shut off. OMG! I have a fan going in the bathroom now! UGH! 

I also got an email from J this morning about "a friend" that joined them on site early this morning...

one of the guys holding the snake after they killed it

Between a 6 foot rattle snake and a flooding bathroom- J and I have had our full of adventure today.

*Update* I needed some fun after that so I made strawberry chocolate chip cupcakes! They are delish!!