Happy Easter!

Emma's First Easter Egg Hunt

Emma went to her first Easter Egg hunt yesterday. We had lots of fun. After a lunch of hotdogs, cheese puffs, fruit punch Kool-Aid, and cookies (which, I'm pretty sure, is what made me so sick today) we colored a picture of Jesus and got to go hunt eggs.

Emma didn't quite understand at first, so she missed out on getting a ton of eggs in her basket. She ended up with five...not bad for her first time! And of course EVERY egg was filled with chocolate--warm, melting chocolate that somehow stayed off of her brand new white shirt!

All in all, it was a good day!

Baby Dude is here!

I just wanted to dedicate a post to my pal Lindsay and her wonderful family (the Page family). They welcomed a PRECIOUS baby boy into the world yesterday! Jude Michael Page (or Dude, as his brother Roman calls him) was born last night weighing in at 7lb 6oz and 19 inches. I am so thrilled for them! I'll post a good picture of him later.

Yay God!

The B-word

These days, you can't be too sure of what the B-word is in our house. Emma is having some difficulty saying "sandwich"...any guesses which b-word comes out?

But I am actually talking about the "budget" word. It is a word from which I have run most of my life, but something that I am finding to be a necessity now. I have realized that, for me at least, I do a lot of pride-swallowing to be on a budget. No more than $50/week on groceries. The lowest cell phone plan available--and I talk on the phone a lot. No cable (as of the end of this week). No Starbucks. Ouch.

I have realized, though, that this is a sacrifice that I love making because of what I get in return. I get to stay at home and take care of Dan and Emma. And I LOVE it.

And as my husband pointed out tonight, it is something that has become a game for me. Who is going to have the best deal on meat this week? Where can I find the least expensive, best quality clothes for my money (Emma has outgrown all of her 2T stuff, and I am growing into my non-existent maternity wardrobe)? Where are the best places to go in Charleston for free? And, on the occasion that we eat out, which restaurant is having "Kids Eat Free" night? It's like a treasure hunt!

So I'm not expert...yet. But I am slowly learning how to make my family's money go as far as I can.

My Little Cinder-lala and her Prince Charming

There are certain days when you are more proud than others to be a wife and mom. Not those days when you lose your patience with your two-year-old or get angry with your husband because he hung your clothes in the wrong place again. I am talking about those days when you see a glimpse of God doing something amazing, and you realize that He allowed you to see it.

The one thing I desire most for my daughter (apart from a strong relationship with Christ) is the knowledge and understanding that she is a lady. That means that she looks like a lady and acts like a lady. And what I desire most from my husband in his role as a father is to teach our daughter that she is a princess and should be treated as such by any man. Well Emma DEFINITELY wants to dress and act like a lady, and my husband (with a reminder every once in a while that burping and farting are not acceptable around girls) tries his hardest to show Emma what a Daddy's love really is. These are two areas that I pray about and encourage both Emma and Dan in.

And yesterday, I got to see the most beautiful sight. I saw my precious daughter get dressed up in her princess clothes and say to me, "I wonderful, Momma." Yes you are, my sweet girl.
And then I saw she and her Daddy walk to the living room, hand in hand, and share a special dance. No music, no lights, and for no particular reason other than that her Daddy shares many special dances with his little princess. I wish I had a camera, because it was such a beautiful moment. I saw a glimpse of my Father's love. Not just my earthly Daddy, because he makes sure to know that I'm still his little girl. I am talking about my Father God who loves me, holds my hand, and shares special moments with His princess.

What a precious sight.