Easter weekend

^ Easter weekend started off with a surprise Easter egg hunt in our front yard by our best friends. Paige was literally jumping up and down with excitement!

The girls had a blast finding all the eggs and opening them to see what goodies were inside. 

So many squeals. 

^ Our friends also dropped off some yummy cookies for us!

Then we made some of our own sugar cookies to decorate.

EASTER DAY!

^ We did an indoor Easter egg hunt. 

^ The girls got into some of their Easter basket goodies while we made breakfast. 

^ We are going to make this an Easter morning tradition...bunny cinnamon rolls! 

The girls definitely approved. And having fun Easter/Spring paper plates was a highlight as well to make it a little more fun. Side note: We used some leftover green cookie frosting, because there wasn't enough in the cinnamon roll package, according to us ; )

Next, online church at home. 

^ I had spotted this shirt last year, and I decided to get them for the girls this year. I love it so much! 

Egg dying. 

It was Paige's first time and it took a little too much patience to get the colors darker, but they still turned out cute and the girls enjoyed doing it. 

^ We were able to Zoom with all of Steven's immediate family in the early evening. It had been a really long time since all of us were together. Granted it was over the computer, but it was still really nice to be able to see them. 

^ This Easter looked different then we had imagined it. We weren't able to get together with friends or family in any traditional sense due to the Coronavirus. Ellie knew we had been planning to celebrate with friends, which we were all looking forward to. At dinner though, on Easter day she said, "This is the best Easter ever!" She has said the most heartwarming things on some of my hardest days through this quarantine. And something I've heard lots of people say and I agree with, is that these moments we are spending with those in our home, are treasured, sweet moments. Sometimes we feel like we need jam-pack days or do many big things, but some of the most special memories are these simple things we're doing. Focus on the good and realize the joy in these simple days makes life even better. I'm thankful for the joy Easter brings and reminds us of. I'm grateful for Jesus and the hope we have because of Him. 

• John 11:25-26: "Jesus said to her, 'I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?'"
• 1 Peter 1:3: "Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead."

March photo favorites

^ Paige is always sneaking into Ellie's room. 

She usually wants the books in her room and to put Ellie's shoes on, i.e. photo above.

^ Top 3 photos are pictures by Ellie. 

One above is herself wearing a "half-up top knot" according to her. 

^ Ellie had her Kindergarten Registration and she was so brave and honest. 

Some stand out moments were: The greeter lady was super over the top and asked Ellie to chant "GO PANTHERS!"(their mascot) three times and Ellie was clearly blushing and uncomfortable, but she did it! And whenever someone asked her if she was excited for Kindergarten her reply would be "no". She's sad about the fact none of her friends from preschool will be going to the same school as her, but people were very kind, understanding and tried to make her feel better about it. 

^ Fun with friends. 

^ "You look cute" - Paige

^ Steven went on a short 2 day, one night trip to Portland with a friend and us girls loved the Facetime calls from daddy!

First trip to the zoo this year. It's always a fun time and they never want to leave!

^ We have tried to take advantage of the nice days by getting out for a hike or walk. 

^ Paige just reached over to hold my hand and I had to take a photo of this sweetness. 

^ "Homeschooling" began with the virus getting more serious and schools, therefore, being closed. We've been so grateful for Ellie's teacher who has sent an email and projects every day of the week, minus weekends. One project was to make leprechaun hats in lieu of St. Patricks Day. And of course Paige wanted to join in on the fun.  

^ One thing her teacher suggested Ellie could do was to draw a picture of her with her teacher. Ellie asked me to write 'SCHOOL TIME' on Mrs. Doane's shirt because she always wears a shirt that says something. 

^ We got caught in a rainstorm and had to take cover while dad got the car. 

^ Walks, walks  and more walks around the neighborhood and to Ellie's future school. There's access to it from our neighborhood and Ellie LOVES having races in between the soccer posts (photo below). 

^ More sweetness from Paige. She just reached over and was cuddling up against my arm. This girl can be so heart-melting and also so sassy.

^ Another school "project" - build a tower as tall as herself. She did it all by herself!

^ They wanted to take turns holding each other and wanted me to take a picture. 

^ Paige's first drawing of a person! 

^ First lesson on how to tie shoes...it's still a work in progress.

^ First time Ellie held a worm. I was really surprised she did it! Paige on the other hand definitely did not want to hold the worm...though she was very intrigued.

^ This is church these days, online in our living room. We're usually still in our pjs and the girls "sing" along with us during worship. We miss going to church, worshipping together and being with friends, but these are some special moments we'll remember. 

^ I got us girls a bead kit to make ourselves and some friends bracelets. One I decided to make myself was 'CHOOSE JOY'. This is a very interesting and hard time with the Coronavirus and it can be easy to think and dwell upon all the sad, negative, hard things and things I can't do. But focusing my mind on all the good, true, joyful and special things are so important. I love Philippians 4:6-8; "Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable - if anything is excellent or praiseworthy - think about such things." These verses have been such a light in my life and whenever I turn to them, it's amazing the peace that overcomes my heart and mind. And I love having this reminder on my arm to choose and focus my mind on what's truly joyful.