Easter Sunday!

What a beautiful day to celebrate Jesus' resurrection! Evidence of new life surrounded us from our new baby boy celebrating his first Easter to the Spring flowers blooming in our yard. I hope that you had a blessed Easter.

Our first photo together as a family of five


My First Easter!
We have photos of all of our babies next to these Spring flowers.


My precious girls!


Happy Easter!

Blessings from our family!

Jen

Good Friday through a Child's Eyes

"Today's not a very good day, Mommy."

"Why do you say that, hon?"

"Well, Jesus died today."


I explained to my 7 year old that even though it is sad that Jesus died today, there is hope in his sacrifice. That because of this, our sins are wiped away so that we can be with God. And that there is hope because he rose again.

How do you talk about Jesus' death and resurrection with your children?

Even though it was Good Friday and it is difficult to think of what Jesus endured, we had a wonderful day together as a family. Beautiful weather- new life all around us- baby bunnies, robins, and spring flowers. May you experience the hope of Easter with your children!

Happy Easter!
Jen

Wordless Wednesday: My Irish Baby Boy

My new little man is getting so big! Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Irish Blessings,

Jen

Church- Almost!

With a newborn, getting to church on time or at all has been a little more difficult than usual. I can't wait to get back into a regular routine and attend church weekly. This past Sunday we missed church- I was up a lot throughout the evening before with the baby, so we decided to do church at home. I know that one of the main reasons why church is important is to fellowship and support other Christians in their walk and have discussed this with my children. If we weren't going to be there, I still wanted to be in God's word with them. They were so cute.

"We need to sing the worship songs first, Mom."

We didn't have our praise band to accompany us, but we still were able to praise God with our singing in our living room. After praying together, we enjoyed reading the bible. We are starting the Easter story. Then I had them do a devotional and an activity. Definately not the same as church, but glad to have this time together to focus on God and his word.

Blessings and enjoy your Monday!

Jen

Raising Children in a Christian Home

We have good intentions as parents, but sometimes we let the business of life or our emotions/problems get in the way of teaching our children our Christian faith. I am guilty of it myself. I'll buy devotionals for them and start on a routine and then lose them or read the bible every evening and then somehow get away from this important task of sharing God's word with my children. As I go through personal trials with my own faith, I tend to set my teaching aside.

Well, just how important is it to provide Christian teaching to our children? Research shows that children raised in Christian homes are more likely to turn back to it if they rebel. Having God's word written on their hearts stays with them into adulthood. Children need to ultimately decide for themselves, but giving them the right foundation and room to find their own faith will guide them in this most important life decision.

Recently, I came across two excellent articles relating to this topic. What are you doing to teach your child about Jesus? And if you aren't teaching your children, why not start today.

Survey: Childhood religious involvement often sparks adult

Why Christian Kids Rebel

Train a child in the way he should go,and when he is old he will not turn from it. Proverbs 22:6



Blessings,
Jen

Rest In Peace, Sweet Baby

My little cousin, Aidan Joseph, born on December 23, 2009- passed away recently. I can't even imagine how a parent deals with such a loss. I've been asking why? With hundreds of prayers, why wasn't he healed? I know that God's will isn't always within our understanding, but it still doesn't make it any easier. I am questioning God and feeling angry that this sweet baby isn't with his family.

Please pray for Aidan's parents and siblings as they deal with this loss. I know that they are cherishing the time they had with him even though it was short. My heart just goes out to them.

Jen