Happy Easter!

Here are a few pictures from church last night. Kenney was busy ushering, and Sydney was practicing to be a socialite like her dad, so you won't see either of them...

As I was posting these this morning, Kiley walked in with her dress on from yesterday. She's such a little girl...I think she put it on the moment I got home with it yesterday. She probably would have slept in it if I would have let her - don't tell her this, but I would have let her if she asked!

That leads me to my thoughts on this Easter morning. Life is too short to worry about wrinkling a new dress. I have learned through homeschooling that I am definitely a visual learner - I have to see things for them to truly sink in. That is why the Easter service is so powerful for me because we see images of Jesus in his physical brokenness. During service last night, we also saw images of those around us who are hurting - physically, spiritually, emotionally. It really put my daily "concerns" into perspective. Today I am thankful for my two year old carpet that looks like it is ten years old - that means it sees a lot of traffic in a day. I am thankful for all of the hand marks and other assorted things on my unpainted walls. They are reminders that I have a house full of little (and big) people. I could go on...the handprints, mouthprints (from Moriah) on the doors and windows. Even the dog slobber on the windows. These are the every day things that I could complain about and want to fix (and I know there will be days when I do complain), but today I am thankful for them and the blessings they reveal in my life.

Count your blessings today! Our Lord is risen!