Resurrection Sunday - Part 2

So, after we had a HUGE lunch of ham, brisket, potatoes, mac and cheese, rolls, salad, TONS of desserts and YUMMY ice tea - it was time for the Easter Egg Hunt.  Malachi was too young last year, so this year was particularly fun for us for the first time.  I'm still not convinced that he understood it all and by the time we got around to hunting, it was WAY past his naptime.  So, he hunted a little and then went out for the count.  We still had a wonderful time, though!!!

Here is Malachi's Easter Bucket.  I got the idea online, but decided the buckets I saw were WAY too expensive to buy.  I could TOTALLY make that!!  And, it turns out, I was right!!!  I had tons of fun with Aunt Danielle and Aunt Kelly making these buckets with our kids.  I'm thinking we started a new tradition!! 

Here's all the kids' buckets lined up outside and ready to go!!  Robert's was dinosaur, Kadi Jo's was, of course, Princess, Karter had Pirates and Malachi had Monkeys!!!  I'm telling you, these were SO easy to make and SO MUCH FUN!!!  And, they're personalized. Malachi is now using his as a crayon/coloring book holder!!  However, I STILL don't think he likes to touch the handle with all the ribbons on it...He would NOT carry it while hunting for his eggs!!

All the kiddos getting ready. 

Our baby boy's first time hunting (well, okay, picking up) Easter Eggs!!  I remember last year how LITTLE he was.  Just crawling!!!  Man, how time flies!  I'm so glad we're enjoying every little moment with him.  I know I'll blink and he'll be graduating!

Mali - LOOK!

Got it Dad!

He was SO proud of his eggs!!  This is approximately 1.2 seconds before he smashed them together and egg went EVERYWHERE!!!

After naptime it was time for the traditional chocolate bunny! 

Don't even THINK about taking it away from me this year!

How incredibly blessed we are to have such a beautiful little boy!  He is SO happy.  (Most of the time, anyway!)  And, did you notice?  UNDIES!!  I am happy to report that we are completely potty trained except for naptime/nighttime.  He's been waking up dry the last couple weeks in the morning (with a few exceptions) and as far as I know, he's waking up dry at naptime.  So, we'll be transitioning to underwear at naptime and then slowly get to nighttime.  We'll be DONE by the time he's 2!!!!!  I'm SO proud of him! 

In just 1 short month he'll turn 2 and I've already spent 2 whole Saturdays on party prep!  Thanks to Lolli for helping me shop this past weekend and thanks to Lolli AND Brittany (my baby brother has a girlfriend...tear)for helping me put together his banner.  Here's a sneak peek of the party theme...

Finally, here's my baby boy eating his second chocolate bunny...another tradition!!  He had JUST woken up from nap, so he was still a little whiny!!

In which I rant

Okay - so I've been thinking of posting this for quite some time.  As most of you know, I have a big mouth.  Over the years I have (somewhat) learned to guard my words and "think before I speak..." - Sometimes, however, it's okay to rant.  I did during the last presidential elections and it felt good...however, this is NOT going to be a political rant.  Well, at least I don't think it is.  Rarely do I NOT edit myself when I'm typing, but this is going to be one of those times.  I'm hacked off and I don't care who knows it.

Since when did it become okay for children to back-talk their parents?  Since when did it become okay for children to sass and get ugly and throw fits and throw toys and not mind and disrespect?  Since when did it become acceptable for parents to sit by and watch their children have screaming-mimi hissy fits and subject all of us to their tantrums?  Since when did it become okay to allow children to run society?  (Or at the very least, their parents' homes?)  Since when did it become okay for children to hit and kick and scream at their parents, or other children and NOT face consequences?  Since FREAKING WHEN? 

I have a two year old.  This weekend I was actually given condolences when a couple next to me in Hobby Lobby noted Thomas and I picking out stuff for Malachi's birthday party and they asked how old he was.  (He wasn't with us, he was with my parents a few aisles over and NO I didn't know that because he was screaming...I knew that because my parents were helping us look for stuff for his party and I could hear him giggling!)  CONDOLENCES when I said he is fixing to be two.  Why does that make me so angry?  BECAUSE, MY NAME IS JAMIE ALLEN AND EVEN THOUGH I HAVE A TWO YEAR OLD, IT DOES NOT MEAN HE'S TERRIBLE!!!!  Why, you ask?  BECAUSE I DISCIPLINE HIS LITTLE BACKSIDE AND TEACH HIM THAT THERE ARE CONSEQUENCES TO EVERY SINGLE ACTION HE TAKES!  He has learned this from the time that he could comprehend the word no.  He got a spanking this weekend because he wouldn't pick up his toys when he was told to do so. 

I am so completely over seeing children ALL AROUND ME who misbehave.  And NO this is NOT directed at any one person in particular.  So, if you're reading this thinking that I'm talking about you, I'm not.  UNLESS IT APPLIES TO YOU!!!  Children are NOT supposed to get away with murder, or, more close to home, with stabbing each other in junior high. 

Unless you start to raise your children properly from the GET GO, then be prepared to visit them in juvenile hall because they decided to take a knife to school and stab a classmate who made them mad!!!  It's okay for your children to hear the word NO.  It's okay for them to see disappointment on your face.  It's okay for them to see ANGER in your face because they are disrespecting/disobeying you.  It's okay for them to know that you're mad.  (Don't read that it's okay for you to beat them...that's NOT what I'm saying)  BUT, it IS okay for them to be disciplined BECAUSE you are angry at an action they took!!!  I would NEVER EVER EVER HURT Malachi.  But, boy, let me tell you, I have swatted his backside because he disobeyed me.  And, you know what...because of that, I get compliments CONSTANTLY on how well behaved he is.  He's not SCARED of me, but he does RESPECT my husband and I and he KNOWS there are boundaries. 

He's not allowed to run all over the church just because he wants to and the pastor isn't preaching.  He's taught to respect it, ESPECIALLY the sanctuary.  He's not allowed to climb on the table at home or jump on the couch or throw his toys.  WHY?  Because he's being taught to take CARE of his toys and OUR couch and OUR table.  He's not a little beast because we are raising him in the FEAR AND ADMONITION OF THE LORD!  The Lord chastises and punishes us when we sin against Him...why should we teach our children ANY DIFFERENTLY?  The only thing that I see that accomplishing is giving them a sense of entitlement...not to mention confusing them.  On one hand our biggest goal in life is to raise our children for the Lord, teaching them to respect, revere and YES FEAR Him.  But, on the other hand, we give them everything they want, cower to their EVERY whim only to hope that when they're adults they respect God?  How can we expect them to respect the Lord and Fear Him if they don't even FEAR US!  We can't dish out even 1/2 of what the Lord can (and has and will) - Man parents, I don't know about you, but that strikes a chord with me. 

DO THE HARD WORK WHEN YOUR CHILDREN ARE LITTLE THAT WAY YOU AREN'T HAVING TO FIGHT HUGE BATTLES WHEN THEY'RE OLDER!!!  AND QUIT GIVING THEM A SENSE OF ENTITLEMENT AND ALLOWING THEM TO DISRESPECT YOU AND ME.  FROM NOW ON, MARK MY WORDS, IF YOU SEE ME AND YOU SEE CHILDREN BEING DISRESPECTFUL OF ME, MY FAMILY OR THE SURROUNDINGS I'M IN, I WILL SAY SOMETHING IF YOU DON'T!!!

Resurrection Sunday (Part 1)

And what a GLORIOUS day it was!!  The last two years Easter Resurrection Sunday has been either too cold or too windy to do anything outside.  Last year we were out there for about 6 minutes total with Malachi before we headed back in...BRRRR!!  But, this year, the Lord saw fit to give us a BEAUTIFUL day.  No wind (unlike the last 2 weeks), beautiful sun and gorgeous temperatures soaring close to 80 degrees!  Per.Fec.Tion! 

Sunday was FULL of activities for our family.  We woke up early to get ready for the day and I immediately got to work on finishing my desserts and getting ready for dying eggs.  We were supposed to do that on Saturday, but my grandfather was in the hospital with heart problems and Malachi refused to take a nap, so by 7:00p.m. he was OUT.  Needless to say, we didn't feel right about dying eggs without him! 

Look at how well he's holding that Crayon!!

Still a Little Sleepy!

Daddy's Turn!

LOVE those little FAT toes!

After about 10 minutes though, he was done and just wanted to go play.  So, we finished getting ready and headed out for church.  We had a short devotional with our AWESOME pastor and 400 of our closest church friends and then ate an INCREDIBLE breakfast they served!!  After breakfast, we all piled into the sanctuary for a wonderful Easter Cantata sung by our choir and a very clearly stated salvation message!  We were surrounded by our dear friends and wonderful family and that made the day THAT much more special!!

Skeeter (Robert), Malachi and Karter Man!

Carson (looks thrilled doesn't he?), Skeeter, Malachi, Kadi Jo and Karter (I don't know if he was afraid she was going to fall or what, but he did that in TONS of the pictures!)  hahaha

SEE, I told you!

Is her hat not PRECIOUS?  I think this is the best one we got of these four kiddos!

I have to tell you, this couple is absolutely PRECIOUS!  Their names are Clarence and Maydell Pope and you can ask ANY couple in our church - they are the CUTEST, SWEETEST and MOST INSPIRATIONAL couple I've met!  They make it their mission to minister to young couples that are just starting out and they have touched our lives beyond belief!  We LOVE Brother and Mrs. Pope and PRAY that one day we'll be 1/2 the example to others as they have been to us!!  Hmmm...Maydell Allen, what do you think?  Seriously, I can't think of many better women to name a daughter after!!!

Except maybe this one!  Love you mom and dad!

More to follow later!

These are a couple of my favorite "things."

As I prepare my Easter Resurrection Sunday post, I want to post something I found a long time ago.  It combines two of my favorite things, right now anyway.  They're not really things, they're people.  Both are living.  It's how ONE of those people influenced the other and made him into the man he is today.

Enjoy.  (and pics are coming soon, I promise!)

Resurrection Sunday

Mark 16:6 "And he saith unto them, Be not affrighted: Ye seek Jesus of Nazareth, which was crucified: he is risen; he is not here: behold the place where they laid him."

I pray that the Lord will bless each and every one of you that reads this blog today and that He shows Himself to you in a special way!  I am so blessed to be able to call on God as a child of His Almighty Power and I pray that if ANY of you do not know Him as your personal savior, that you will come to know Jesus and ask Him to come into your hearts and save you from your sins!  I promise you, life will NEVER be the same if you do! 

The Lord is risen!  Let us praise His name!!!

Have a WONDERFUL Resurrection Sunday!