Easterz

Easterz – if I’ve heard it once in the past month, I’ve heard it a million times.

But Easter Sunday was beautiful and full of family and food!

First was a wake up call from the sun streaming through the windows in my bedroom with a silent house. Which is rare. And wonderful.

Then was church at Calvary Chapel with Mark’s family. The music selections were impeccable – we sang some of my favorites. The sermon was different from a typical Easter service and it was a much welcomed changed. I knew it wouldn’t be an expected sermon and I learned a lot.

Next was brunch at my house with our family of seven – quiche, crepes, fruit, desserts, desserts, and more desserts. And a very intense Easter basket hunt – with Dad helping us via hot & cold, ahem.

Finally, Mark and I headed down to his house for Easter dinner with his family. Which resulted in a lot of sleepy and stuffed people. And yummy pudding, strawberries, and cool whip.

The sun was shining and it was close to 70 degrees – so perfect.

It was our first holiday in our new house and it was exciting. The house looks so pretty in the daylight. We miss it when we’re all at work/school during the day, so it was nice to enjoy it together.
Things are in bloom and our annual Easter pictures turned out all right…

Such a wonderful day – celebrating the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ.

It’s already April!?

April is going to fly by – how do I know this? It’s already April. That’s how. And I’m pretty sure Christmas was last week. And I’m having a hard time remembering to write 4 for April whenever I write the date at work because I just finally got the hang of writing 3 for March. But that’s all besides the point. April is jam packed with fun weekends!!

I’m looking forward to Easter this weekend. Brunch here. Dinner at Mark’s. And polka dots.
I’m excited to attend Easter services at Mark’s church because it’ll be neat to see how another church celebrates the day after spending it with my family every year. I’m also excited for Easter baskets from my mom because she is the best when it comes to gifts – she’s so thoughtful.

Speaking of that woman – her birthday is right around the corner. Which means a surprise dinner out with the family to celebrate. And this year Dad is really stepping it up a notch :)

And then towards the end of the month I’m attending the Women’s Conference at church with Mark’s mom and grandmother. It’ll be a lot of sitting in the sanctuary for two straight days but I can’t wait to learn and journal, journal, journal and sing! The acoustics are so good in that room and you can hear everyone singing. A room full of singing women will sound so beautiful.

I’m also prepping myself to start beginning to attempt getting excited about going to the gym again. But just like that sentence, it’s taking some effort. Maybe a new work out buddy will help. And by work out buddy I mean a bicycle. I guess it all depends on Target’s ability to stock anything other than hot pink bikes.

And then before we all know it, it’ll be May. Which is a tie for my 2nd favorite month of the year. So many birthdays and holidays. And perfect weather. But for now, I’m excited for April.

I leave you with pictures of my favorite cat in the whole world.
 

He looks a little angry but he’s quite charming. You’re welcome.

I love…

Hanging out in Lansdale.
But more importantly spending time with friends.

Fun birthday decorations for an 18 year old.
And the most beautiful lemon & raspberry cake I ever saw.

Big hair.
And Duke blue.

Deer. And ticks. In the front yard.

The Hunger Games art.
And the movie. And THIS tumblr. And her blog.

Elementary Wind Ensemble concerts & my sisters.

Privilege

This week at work I had the privilege of speaking to a woman on her 100th birthday and sitting in a room with a couple during the week of their 75th Wedding Anniversary.

The 100 year old asked me to clarify whether she had already told me her plans for supper, because things “are a bit foggy these days, and I tend to forget” but she walked around the lobby with only the help of her walker. And was wearing a bright pink dress to mark the occasion.

The couple that just celebrated their 75th Wedding Anniversary amaze me. He can’t sit still for more than an hour and is always running around. He takes care of the  groceries and the bills and clearly takes care of her. Which is probably the opposite of how things were when he was on the farm.

 

Both of these moment struck me as completely surreal.
And I stared at the residents during both occurrences with complete amazement.

How many 100 year olds are there? How many of them are able to dress themselves and walk around having normal conversation with others? She seemed to be 80, instead of 100.

How many couples celebrate 75 years of marriage? Most people nowadays are lucky if they make to 10 or 15 years. And most couples who believe in the sanctity of marriage and intend to honor their vows until death do them part, have to endure just that – the loss of their spouse.

Both circumstances are incredibly rare.
And I felt so privileged to have witnessed these moments and have met these people.

Spring has Sprung

Flowers. Frogs. Forsythia.
And a backwards March – in like a lamb, out like a lion.

Three Things

1. the grass is green

2. it’s seventy degrees outside

3. there are things bloomin’ all over the place

 

I spent three days in a row with Mark this weekend. Which never ever happens. But it did. And it was amazing wonderful fabulous perfect. He’s the best. Times three.

 

 

(Music videos are the worst. I strongly encourage you to just listen to the first two and not watch. But #3 is definitely worth watching.)

Weekend Wonderful

A day off.

A three hour nap.

An amazing meal made by Mark.

A one day room renovation.

A Blendini from Rita’s – first of the season.

A breakfast date with a friend from far away.

And waking up on your own, with no alarm.

 

This, my friends, is the recipe for a wonderful weekend.