Matthias' 2nd Birthday Celebrations

It's hard to believe that our little man Matthias is 2 years old.  Unfortunately Mark was on the Youth Mission Trip during his actual birthday so we celebrated twice, once with me and the boys (Mickey Mouse Theme) and then we had a party with family (Little Man Mustache Theme).

Happy Birthday America! July 4th 2013

Summer Time with the Boys

During the Summer rainy days in South Florida we have fun inside either baking dinosaur cupcakes, going fishing, using our imagination to build our own indoor pool, running on bubble wrap, play hide and seek...

 
During the sunny days in South Florida we enjoy going to the beach, playing out back on the patio, swimming at the pool, going to parks...

Graduations and Weddings 2013

The Spring of 2013 Kristin's sister Jessica graduated from New World School of the Arts in Miami and Mark's brother-in-law Jason, graduated from West Virginia University Law School.  Also during these months Kristin's cousin Jennifer Sanford got married to Jason Granger in Orlando. Mark's cousin Chris Durham got married to Rebecca Davidson in eastern Virginia.  In the month of May Mark had the wonderful opportunity of officiating the marriage of one of the now grown up youth from New Life, Emily Rodriguez to Kirk Tasson.  What a wonderful spring 2013 we have had celebrating with family and friends!  Here are a few pictures from that time.  Unfortunately we were not able to attend the out of state celebrations.

Father's Day 2013

     We had a great time celebrating Father's Day!  Jonathan, Luke and Matthias made Nutella cupcakes for Daddy and gave him fun Father's Day cards.  We also surprised Daddy by giving him the Settlers of Catan Game and inviting some friends over to play. Later, we enjoyed talking with Papa on the phone and visiting with Opa at his house.
     How thankful to God we are for our Fathers!  What strong, wise, loving, hard working, encouraging, providing, protecting, devoted, patient, inspiring...and the list could go on about their significant role in our lives.  We love you Daddy! Papa! Opa!

The righteous who walks in his integrity, blessed are his children after him!     

-Proverbs 20:7

Jesus is Alive!

What an exciting time it was this year to celebrate Easter with our boys.  They enjoyed celebrating with us the Truth in that Jesus died for our sins and then rose again.  Oh how big their smiles were and how joyously loud they shouted..."Jesus is alive!" on Easter Sunday. We start the week leading up to Easter by lighting a set up candles.  Each night we read a portion of the Easter Story and then blew out a candle.  By Friday all the candles would be blown out, symbolizing the death of Jesus.  And then on Easter Sunday all the candles are lit, displaying that Jesus is alive.  The boys also enjoyed making various crafts over the week leading up to Easter.

It's become a tradition for us to have the boys search for rocks to put in their Easter baskets on Good Friday.  We share with them the weightiness (illustrated in the weight of their baskets they are carrying) of sin that Jesus bore on the cross for our sins. We then cover the baskets with a red cloth symbolizing Jesus' death.  On Easter morning the boys wake up to find their baskets no longer covered in red but in purple (symbolizing Jesus' victory over death).  And the baskets are no longer filled with rocks but with fun snacks and toys, which illustrates God's goodness in sending Jesus to die for our sins making a way for us to know God.

 Easter Sunday

On Sunday we went to church in the morning and then got together with Kristin's family for dinner.  What a great celebration, not only on Easter Sunday but every day for a Christian. Jesus is Alive!