Presenting...

... Emmy Xiang's new favorite song:
Song of the South by Alabama

(I think she just likes it because she can say "shut my mouth," something she usually can't, when she sings it)

Holy Week

One of our family's favorite holidays is Easter, the day dedicated by Christians to celebrate Christ's resurrection and our hope of salvation because of it. Slowly our family has established traditions to commemorate all that Christ accomplished in that momentous week called Holy Week.

Readers might remember the debut our Easter banner made two years ago. This year we pulled it out again, and it served as a constant reminder of the grace we've received. Along with the Easter banner, we followed our beloved friends' lead and gathered symbolic items to grace our mantle.

Additionally, on Saturday night of this year, we hosted our very first Passover meal within our home! For our first meal (with fourteen guests!), it flowed wonderfully and proved to be a beneficial event!

Mama spent countless hours preparing a personalized Haggadah (the Passover "script"), gathering all the various supplies, and planning the extensive menu. All her work payed off, for it was such a joyful and thought-provoking experience filled with food, song, and fellowship.

And Sunday morning, Resurrection Sunday, we enjoyed the marvelous blessing of rejoicing with our church family for the blessing of salvation. What a great, merciful, mighty God we serve!

Here's to traditions, new and old. Here's to fellowship with family and friends. And here's to the gospel, that beloved story. May we remember to celebrate it everyday with our every word and deed!

Soli Deo Gloria!

Suprise Party!

For Katie's thirteenth birthday party, the family collaborated to hold a surprise party. 

Everything was planned: Bee, Katrina, Mariah and Chloe were all planning on coming over Friday afternoon.

We were watching Anne of Green Gables Friday night and shopping for room decorations Saturday morning. 

Then, Katie decided to plan a party for herself: a slumber party for the very next weekend! Suffice it to say, she was a little confused when all the girls showed up a week early! :)

We had a lovely night, enjoying a cool walk and the lovely wit of Anne Shirley. Of course, Katie had to photograph the whole time!

The next morning, we headed out to locate some fun accessories to decorate our newly made over room.

What a fun birthday to share with such great friends!

Where did the time go?

Once again, I've allowed the busy-ness of life to take root. I've managed to surrender to the tyranny of the urgent, while neglecting the important: I've not publically acknowledged our dear daughter's birthday...

So, better late than never:

Happy Birthday, dear Katie Lou. For the record.

Practically perfect in every way...Love your favorite mom, who unfortunately is not so nearly santified as she'd like to be.

Homemade Bubbles!

Joe was wanting bubbles and we couldn't find hers! Sooooo, Mamma, being the genius she is, searched the web to find how to make bubbles. So, here is the recipe for them, with pictures. 
 1/2 cup water 
1 Tablespoon light corn syrup 
2 Tablespoons dish washing liquid 
Mix and enjoy!

Of course there is one problem. HOW TO BLOW THEM! Easy! Take two pipe clearners and twist. Dip and enjoy!

Whew!

Emmy Xiang finished reading her first complete book:

Go, JOE, Go! 

Now let's read some more....

31 Days to a Better Grocery Budget

I'm taking note....