Sunday, April 12, 2009

Four Easters

Having twins born in early April makes Easter even more special than it already is in our family. Here are our boys on Easter Sunday for the past four years.

Easter 2006




Easter 2007



Easter 2008

Easter 2009

What a difference a year makes!

For most of my life, I was fortunate enough to get to hear by Dad sing "He's Alive" on Easter Sunday. I haven't been able to hear him sing it for a while and for some reason, I really missed hearing it this year. If you haven't heard it, here are the lyrics. It's worth the search to find someone sing it if you can't hear my Dad.

"He's Alive!"
(the resurrection from Peter's perspective)

The gates and doors were barred
And all the windows fastened down
I spent the night in sleeplessness
And rose at every sound
Half in hope of sorrow
And half in fear the day
Would find the soldiers breakin' through
To drag us all away

And just before the sunrise
I heard something at the wall
The gate began to rattle
And a voice began to call
I hurried to the window
Looked down into the street
Expecting swords and torches
And the sound of soldiers' feet

But there was no one there but Mary
So I went down to let her in
John stood there beside me
As she told me where she'd been
She said they've moved Him in the night
And none of us know where
The stone's been rolled away
And now His body isn't there

We both ran towards the garden
Then John ran on ahead
We found the stone and empty tomb
Just the way that Mary said
But the winding sheet they wrapped Him in
Was just an empty shell
And how or where they'd taken Him
Was more than I could tell

Oh something strange had happened there
Just what I did not know
John believed a miracle
But I just turned to go
Circumstance and speculation
Couldn't lift me very high
'Cause I'd seen them crucify Him
Then I saw Him die

Back inside the house again
The guilt and anguish came
Everything I'd promised Him
Just added to my shame
When at last it came to choices
I denied I knew His name
And even if He was alive
It wouldn't be the same

But suddenly the air was filled
With a strange and sweet perfume
Light that came from everywhere
Drove shadows from the room
And Jesus stood before me
With His arms held open wide
And I fell down on my knees
And I just clung to Him and cried

Then He raised me to my feet
And as I looked into His eyes
The love was shining out from Him
Like sunlight from the skies
Guilt in my confusion
Disappeared in sweet release
And every fear I ever had
Just melted into peace

He's alive yes He's alive
Yes He's alive and I'm forgiven
Heaven's gates are open wide
He's alive yes He's alive
Oh He's alive and I'm forgiven
Heaven's gates are open wide
He's alive He's alive
Hallelujah He's alive
He's alive and I'm forgiven
Heaven's gates are open wide
He's alive He's alive He's alive
I believe it He's alive
Sweet Jesus


Friday, April 10, 2009

Birthday boys!

My big boys are three! And this picture doesn't make that any easier to handle!

Don't they look 15!



We had a great day playing outside while Jesse grilled a wonderful dinner. Jesse's parents and the Puckett's were here to help us celebrate (unfortunately I don't have any pictures of them)!


Yes, we had a cake that was pink. We like strawberry cakes in these parts and unfortunately for 3 year old boys, strawberry cakes are pink. So, we paid more attention to the manly brown cake but loved both cakes.



Happy Birthday sweet boys!

Wednesday, April 1, 2009