Easter 2014

For our family, Easter is not about bunnies and candy and egg hunts. I don't think there's anything wrong with that stuff, per se, but, for us, Easter is about Christ. About His sacrifice for our sin. About how He was brutally beaten and then crucified in order to redeem us--to keep us from the eternal punishment we deserve. And, the true miracle, the real story, is that He was raised to life again, on a Sunday morning in spring. His resurrection means He lives, and because of that, we live. And, that's what we focus on each Easter season.

The Scriptures that we study during the Lent season (the time preparing us to celebrate His resurrection) are:

Isaiah 53
Matthew 27 and 28
Mark 14:43 - Mark 16
Luke 22:39 - 24:8
John 18-20

It is our joy to share these verses with you; the hope that awaits you once you call on His Name. Jesus. Our Savior. Our Sacrificial Lamb. It is our prayer that you will one day claim Him as yours as well.

Since we were traveling during the week before Easter, and since Peter had to work that weekend, we decided to stay local for the holiday. We celebrated with a service at our church in the morning and then had our "big" meal (just the four of us) at 2pm. I put together baskets for the kids with practical things in them: toothbrushes, toothpaste, lip balm, gum, a Reese's egg, earrings for Alayna, origami paper for Jeremiah, and stationary for both of them. Peter hid about 30 plastic eggs with pennies, nickels, and dimes in them for the kids to find. No matter how old they get, they love hide and seek. They continue to hide the (empty) plastic eggs from each other for several weeks after Easter.

We ended the day by spending a few hours at Avila beach before heading home for showers and a light supper. It was a quiet family day that I wouldn't have traded for anything. Here are some photos from our day:

A very tasty "Linner"

Their Baywatch moment

It was an Easter miracle that they played well together most of the day.

Frisbee time

After 3 hours, things were winding down...

Hope your Easter was blessed and filled with His joy and grace!

Spring Break Getaway

For Peter's birthday, I got him tickets to see Penn and Teller in Vegas. Since he generously offered to take me (*wink*), we left the kids with Grandma and Grandpa F in the Bay area. We decided to make an overnight stop in Santa Cruz to see Peter's brother and his girlfriend, Anne. We had fun family time. And, Peter and I were lucky to get 36 hours of kid-free time to ourselves. It was a great Spring vacation!

(As usual, I took way too many photos--over 100--so I picked about 20 to share here and will upload the rest on Facebook.)

Up first, lunch at Taqueria Vallarta, followed by ice cream from Mission Creamery

Next, touring the Alma Mater

Peter pointing out his on-campus apartment

 It was a really beautiful place to go to school

My old dorms were getting a makeover; they were nowhere near this snazzy when I lived there!

Of course, sunset at Natural Bridges

The boardwalk

Went to watch the surfers at Pleasure Point with Uncle Eric

Peter, Baby J, and I lived in an apartment about a 15-minute walk from this spot.

 Vegas Baby!

(View from our hotel room)

Ready for Penn and Teller

With Penn

Teller takes selfless with the fans!

A little time at the pool before heading home.

Agape League

I told you Jeremiah had caught the performing arts bug.

As evidenced by him playing one of the leads in our church's Spring Musical, which was held over the weekend. Both kids had parts, but Alayna (contrary to what some might think) is a little shy when it comes to performing in front of a crowd, so she did not audition for a large part. She was a part of the chorus. The musical was awesome. We're so thankful for a church that invests so much into the children. A lot of folks worked hard over the past 3.5 months to make this musical happen. And it was fantastic! Here are some photos and a short video montage.

His character was "Shadow"

Little Chorus Girl

The Cast

Agape League UNITE!

Fruits of the Spirit

 Looks like he's ready to give a sermon

Praise and worship

No, seriously, he looks like he's preaching.

Speak it!

A few snippets we caught on video.

What a fun event!