Christ is Risen Indeed!

In my Bible study tonight, we were talking about (among other things in the gospel of Mark) knowing the power of God -- as I was organizing my thoughts about our Easter weekend, I am struck that God is powerful indeed.
While Anthony was giving a talk at Ohio State (go Buckeyes!) The boys and I went to the Franklin Park Conservatory. Micah was thrilled by getting his passport stamped in lots of different countries and the birds. I was amazed at the miniature replicas that were created from plant material and the beauty of the plants and butterflies. God is powerful. Paul excitedly pointed at the miniature trains going over our heads and the waterfalls. I hope we get to go see the real Great Wall of China someday . . . Can you say "sabbatical," Paul?

I am glad to have captured Paul's "I really want to touch something that I was told not to touch" face. Paul has been listening and obeying very well the last week! God is powerful.
We had a sweet morning with the Pierce family. Here is Julie reading to their youngest daughter, Hannah. I read somewhere the other day that 18 month olds tend to point a lot. Paul is following right along with the developmental textbooks!
We also had a great time visiting with Michael and Becky Rempe (sorry, no photos -- you'll have to refer back to the San Diego pictures with Michael) and our SB2w friend Stratton Alt. God is powerful in their lives, too.What a wonderful time we had with Aunt Elaine and Doug!! I think Micah got to have more books read to him than he has since Paul started walking.
It was also great to have a tea party with the Mathurs.

Paul's really big smile breaks out with Grandma Jo, who is being hugged by all three grandsons at once!
Jack is becoming a little boy, with great crawling form. I was surprised by how much he and Paul look alike! When we were together with the McConnell family, people often had to pause to check and see which boy they were addressing.
Happy Easter, Aunt Karla; thank you for the books!

Paul's newest song is "Alive, alive . . . sing Hallelujah," which must be sung at the top of his lungs. Yes, God is powerful; Jesus is alive!
Along with the celebration of Jesus' resurrection, we had birthday cake for Micah with the McConnells. Jordan and Jacob were so sweet with Micah.
This memory is one that I don't want to forget. Micah is excited, nervous, grown-up, childlike, confident and shy all bundled up into a blissfully happy almost 4 year-old boy looking all the way down a 12-person table at his mom. Ahhh. God is powerful.

Even though I don't have a picture for this story, I have got to tell it. You see, there are often funny things that happen in my strange life in preschooldom/toddlerdom and I forget them before I write them down. Micah sometimes comes home from school and tells me that he married one of the girls -- I've actually gotten used to it. However, yesterday one of the mom's of Micah's many preschool wives told me yesterday that her daughter stopped what she was playing at home one day and told her mom that she had to go and get coffee with her mother-in-law. "Mom, I can't remember her name. Can you please look it up for me? It is Micah's mommy."

Modeling and Remodeling

The newest D.I.Y. host says, "Look, if I just hang with all of my body from a strip of wallpaper, it actually comes off!" ("Actually" is one of Micah's favorite words.)
Thanks to Grandma Jo and Grandpa Doug babysitting, Anthony and I had four days alone! I think it was a great time, because it felt to me like a vacation or retreat, since I had silence and solitude, BUT I also accomplished something I had been wanting to do for awhile; I painted our living room (modeled below). Anthony also had extra time to do his mathematical modeling. The other fun part of being apart was that I got so many of my chores done while they were gone, that I was able to play with them for a few days when we reunited without having to say, "Mom needs to get some work done before I read that book to you/help with that puzzle/play outside with you."
As you can see, Paul is in the midst of language explosion. He says a new word nearly everyday, which might have something to do with the fact that the ENT said his hearing had been seriously hindered by ear infections over the last two months. No, Paul's little intestines have not healed yet... we keep praying for precious Paul's physical health (which seems to be doing its own thing) and his metaphorical heart (which seems to be doing its own thing).
Remember our trip to San Diego? This was a Micah modeling shot Grandma Jo took.
Our boys continue to make each other laugh, even without the Pacific sunset behind them.
Back to the present, Micah can climb our cherry tree without help -- I'm proud of him!
Anthony and Micah got to fly a kite together for the first time on Monday. Paul was really enamored with the kite, as were the kids playing at the kid's castle. Anthony had great success as a kite-master (no surprise, huh?)Just in time for spring, Paul is modeling this season's line of bugs!