Erin, the aunt, comes to visit.

I don't know about you all, but my aunt is pretty cool. I am sorry that I didn't get to really know that until later in life. When my sister moved to Central Arkansas, she took her in like a second daughter and treated her as her own. As my sister and I are trying to spend more time together, I am so excited when she comes for a visit. For me, it is refreshing to have someone here that loves Jesus and encourages my heart. Someone who knows me so well, and still loves being with my family. Benjamin loves her so much and Samuel is much closer (to loving her) than he was at the beginning of the week. On Wednesday morning, Benjamin and I went to bible study and Erin and Samuel stayed home. I found them like this when we came back. You see, when Benjamin was born, Erin made him and all future siblings a promise. "If you want to stay in your jammies ALL day when your with Aunt Erin, then you can." Nonetheless, I left Samuel in one set of jammies and came home to him in another. They were sleeping peacefully together, in the most convenient place around, the floor. What fun. We love Aunt Erin.

Easter fun in Kansas City cold

Though it is not snowing here, it was definitely cold. And if I could find my camera adapter thingy, I would show you really cute pictures of my kids hunting eggs in winter coats. Oh well, we had a great day anyway. The highlight for me? We went to church this morning and I got to watch my eldest child dance to his hearts content and come home singing, "hale-hallelujah, hale-hallelujah" like we had been singing at church. I got to make homestyle lunch for those who don't have families here in town and we sat down together (at a big long table) to rejoice in the Risen King. Sadly, I sort of watched Arkansas get devoured at basketball, but fortunately I'm not a big enough fam to let it get me down. But most of all, as I was singing an old hymn in church today I was moved to tears by the Holy Spirit. No matter how tall the mountain or how low the valley, there's power in the blood of Jesus. The resurrection is real ladies and gentlemen, and if you can't believe it, then the coming resurrection of ALL the saints of time will really blow your socks off. I can't wait to see it! He's Alive and AMEN to that!

Easter Fun

Well, I know, two posts in two days. It's a bit much, but I couldn't help but posting about the two easter egg hunts in two days. It has been so much fun, but has gotten me thinking as well. You see, growing up we always had easter egg hunts at church. Everyone would put on their pretty, new easter dresses (our family usually matched at some level, and if digital pictures had been around longer, I would show you one of my faves). Inevitably there would be a hunt at the church. There still is one at Central, though it might be changing as well, but I went to a good old church hunt today and it was fun. I was reminded of the value of tradition. I know that sometimes it can be totally devoid of any meaning, but sometimes traditions can push us to seek out the meaning. To find it and see why for generations people have done it. I go to a church that is wonderful, but oftentimes lacking in tradition. We do new things really well, and I love it. However, we don't sing many hymns, recite many group prayers, or hold to just about anything traditional. We sure don't have easter egg hunts. So, in a strange way, today was refreshing. It was a reminder that though the traditions may not make all that much sense and while they may seem trivial, they push us to find meaning, to seek out what may not be so obvious, and beneath it all, to see a Saviour who loves us and is longing to show us the power of a resurrected God. Thanks be to God!

Fun with our friend Anna Grace

Well, we have made the trek and are spending the weekend in beautiful Shreveport, LA. What fun! We love it here because our friends the Chaney's are here, and every time we get together, Benjamin and Anna Grace have all the fun. Of course Zeke and Samuel are coming into their fun, but haven't yet made it to the levels of their older siblings. We got here last night, just in time to have some wonderful Jack Chaney burgers. And this morning arrived with a concert by Miss Patty Cake, an Easter egg hunt, lunch and play at Chick-Fil-A, a birthday party at a gymnastic place, followed by cake and ice cream, and finally fun times at home. I'm not sure it gets any better when you're three. Thank you Lord for fun times with the Chaneys.

By the way, we (both families) got sick again before getting together, but as we speak, all are well and happy. The Lord is good and he is the healer. Thank you!

We are mobile!

Well, for better or worse, we are a house full of people who walk to two feet. As we have been saying for almost a week, he just had to figure out that it was quicker. Yesterday when I was at the bank, he walked from a table to me and I think all the sudden it clicked that he didn't have to sit down and stand back up again. It was easier to just stay up. Isn't Benjamin the best big brother? He loves to help Samuel walk and rejoices just as loudly when he does it. Thank you Lord for these two you have given us for the time. May we parent them in your wisdom and your love.

Happy Birthday Samuel!

Well, though the day is actually tomorrow, we had a fantastic birthday party this past weekend. It was the first day since last fall that it was warm enough to be outside for extended times. What fun! We had lunch on the back porch, all the kids played, we had cake, opened a few presents, and then blew bubbles. What more could one want?

Thank you Lord for this precious life. You brought him forth and you have predestined him for great things. We only hope to be a part of what you are already doing!

P.S. Thanks NaeNae for the great pictures!

GiGi comes for a visit!

We went to Arkansas last weekend and brought my grandmother home with us! GiGi, as we call her now, came to stay for a week, and we laughed, played, shopped, made curtains, cooked, cleaned, and generally had a wonderful time. Nonetheless, here was the highlight (besides Samuel's birthday, which will be coming up soon for you to see). Enjoy! And thank you Lord for families-- :)

To eat or not to eat. . .

Well, ladies and gentlemen, it seems the breastfeeding adventure is over for the Harrigan family. Tonight, after a few tears, Samuel had his last experience. As sad as Iam, I can rest assured that he is getting everything he needs from the food he is eating. He's not getting any nutrition from me, as I tend to quit making very much milk by now. Samuel lasted longer than his brother, but either way, it was time. As I was sitting in his room, holding him in the rocking chair, admittedly crying for times lostm my heart began to pray. I was ever so grateful for the Lord's direction and plans over our lives. I was moved by his protection and his healing touch on Samuel. I was touched by the simple fact that he loves Samuel even more that I ever could. The he made him and formed him, and that the Lord will always take better care of him that I can. I don't know how that works, but since I trust the heart of the Father, I can trust my child to him. Thank you Lord for your goodness, even when it doesn't seem obvious. You held my/your child in your hands and you healed him. Thank you-

Gardening anyone?

Well, tonight is the night. I sat down with our neighbor Katrina (the gardener) and ordered and planned the spring and summer gardens. What fun! Though it is still very cold it was exciting to talk about it. We ordered all kinds of fun stuff, blueberries and raspberries, beans and squash, and pumpkins and corn. I am ready to plant! Mind you, we haven't even tilled the yard yet, nor have we run a water line up there. Either way, we are ready to go. We hope to see you all! I have also gotten to thinking about how the world will be after Jesus comes back. It says in the Word that the earth will be completely restored and we will eat foods that have not been touched by the curse. What will that taste like? When Jesus created food (untouched by the curse) and fed the five thousand, it says they were "satisfied." What did it taste like? Well, my garden will be fun, but nothing like Jesus'. I can't wait!

My worship leader. . .

So, I am sure that you have heard the mother's version of Benjamin's name. Well, in case I haven't told you, way back when, before we even wanted to get pregnant, I was doing a bible study in Deuteronomy 33. The Lord spoke very clearly that "my first chidl would be named Benjamin, because he would know my love." Well, when we did get pregnant, I told John about this and, fortunately he trusted me enough to have very little say in our son's name. Nonetheless, the longer I am around worshippers I am convinced that true worshippers know the heart of the Father. If not, they have nothing to sing about. For we can know all kinds of other things about the Lord, but if we don't know his heart then we don't know him. All that to say, when Benjamin sings, my heart melts. When he plays drums, I can hear his rhythm (though still learning). And when I saw this the John filmed, my heart when straight to the word of the Lord.

"About Benjamin he (Moses) said, "Let the beloved of the Lord rest secure in him, for he shields him all day long, and the one the Lord loves rests between his shoulders."" Deut. 33:12

This one's for you Anna Grace. . .and all your songs. :)