Make a Joyful Noise...

On Easter I recorded the kids singing some of their favorite songs...

Joshua's is one of our favorite songs...

Olivia's is a new favorite worship song...

Lucas' is an Easter song he learned in Sunday School.

I wish I a video of Alex singing, but no such video exists. He is not the maker of joyful noises that his little sibs are. He however, is quite the bible scholar (in a 12 yr old sort of way). Alex is participating in Bible Drill at church. He completed the church drill on Wednesday with enough points to move on to the Associational drill next week. I am so proud of him! I don't think I could memorize the material that he has memorized. I am sure I couldn't stand in front of a packed hall and remember all the verses and passages. Way to go Alex!

Easter Sunday

What a great day it has been! It was a little rocky in the beginning...5:30 am...but a glorious Easter it turned out to be.

Olivia has been begging for High School Musical 3 for months. Everytime we see saw an ad for it or a product with Troy and Gabriella on it, she would scream and beg for the movie. A few days ago, she was tired of asking and said "Oh, I give up, I don't even want it any more. It's not like I am ever going to get it." I was secretly laughing, knowing her basket was waiting for her.

*** note... turn off the music (on the right side of the blog under feedjit) before you start the video.


It was a rough morning getting everyone ready. David left at 6:35 am. By 6:45 everyone was up and we were already running late. I was short patiented and the kids were beyond whiny. As my frustration grew, their crying grew. The scene was ugly and getting uglier. I tried to get a picture...

I gave up and herded everyone into the van. David met me in the parking lot at church, parked the van, fixed the kids a plate for breakfast and checked them into Sunday School. I ran into the sanctuary in time to find a seat and take a deep breath before the service started. It was a great service filled with music, worship and a salvation message. We are so blessed to be a part of this church family!

After the first service, I went to the preschool wing and apologized to my kids for being short tempered and impatient.

The second service was as powerful as the first. I was overwhelmed with God's goodness and blessings. After this service I grabbed a chance to get a pic of our family...

Then the kids and I headed home to get ready for our guests. The Henrys came over last night and helped set up tables and decorate.

Our church staff family (with the exception of a few who were very much missed) came to our house for Easter dinner. There was a lot of yummy food, stories of God's goodness in today's services and yes, some lame jokes. The 30+ people who blessed our home made this a special day indeed.
After lunch, David and Pastor Joey took charge of the egg hunt. They hid well over 200 eggs in our yard and the field behind our house. At the sound of "go" the big kids headed to the field and little kids headed for the yard. Lots of kids and lots of candy filled eggs...happiness!

After everyone left, I asked Olivia to tell me about Easter. This was the first take...






Take 2 with the boys in another room...



Happy Easter from our blessed home to yours!

Easter eggs and Resurrection buns

As a child I remember coloring easter eggs with my grandma. Sometimes I had cousins there and sometimes it was just Grandma and me. Though they might deny it, my uncles got in on the fun many times. I loved coloring eggs with them! Egg coloring was a big production. We colored dozens and dozens of eggs. We had to have a lot of eggs because the next day, Easter Sunday, there was to be a HUGE egg hunt.
After a large Easter dinner for what seemed like hundreds of Stouts, the hiding began. The older kids and the adults hid eggs while the younger kids stayed inside where they couldn't see the hiding places. The best hunts were when the eggs were hidden in fields of my grandmothers farm. It was acres of colored eggs peeking out of grass mounds and well, other "mounds" of farm-stuff (I think the older kids just like to see who would actually "dig" around for an egg). There was always a prize egg. The prize egg was hidden very well and had money in it. As I recall, I never found the prize egg.
My Stout family still has an Easter Sunday egg hunt. My cousin has already stuffed 500+ eggs. I so wish my kids could be there for all of the fun. But being in ministry, our Easter Sundays are spent with our church family.
So, I made up my mind several years ago that my kids would have great Easter memories and egg hunts. We colored eggs last night. I am sure that my grandmother had an easier time of coloring eggs with just me. The sheer amount of little hands and egg dye on our kitchen table was a little nerve racking. But we managed to color the eggs with lots of "oo"s and "ah"s as each egg came out of the dye.


Today we made resurrection buns. It is a great way to tell the story of Jesus' resurrection with children.
You need cresent rolls, marshmallows, melted butter and cinnamon sugar.
First, I talk about Jesus and how he was killed by people who didn't believe he was the Son of God. We talk about the cross and how sad his followers must have been. Then I introduce the marshmallow as our Jesus. I let each child roll their marshmallow in the butter and then the cinnamon sugar. We talk about the oils and spices they would have used on Jesus' body. Then "Jesus" is wrapped in a blanket (the cresent roll). We make sure the marshmallow is completely tucked into the crecent and sealed. Next we put "Jesus" in the oven (the tomb). We set the timer for 3 days (12 minutes). After a couple of minutes of cooling, we go look for Jesus, just like Mary Magdalene. But when we look into the blankets, Jesus is gone...


The marshmallow completely disolves, leaving an empty shell.
My kids loved seeing the empty shell of a bun. We talked about how Jesus did not stay in the tomb and how he lives in Heaven with God, his father. A great time with my blessings and a time that made me even more thankful to my Savior.

As a side note...Olivia loved this! She was so into every step of the story. She was the first to open the tomb and shouted "He is risen"!!!
Lucas made me open his tomb because it was too sticky for his fingers.
Joshua open his and then cried because he could never eat Jesus' towel and he "weawy missed my mushmell Jesus".

I pray you all have a wonderful Easter filled with family memories and happy times. But more than anything, I hope you will be in church and worshipping the living Savior. This Son of God became man and died a horrible death just for you. He rose again and sits on the right hand of God waiting for you to ask Him into your heart. Make this Easter the most blessed ever, accept Him, worship Him.

Mule Day and the Sweetest Picture

I grew up on a farm. I had an uncle who was very proud of his team of mules. I even accompanied him on a wagon train or two. Then I grew up and wanted nothing to do with farming or mules or anything of the sort.
Today, I, well, I stepped back in time... Today was Mule Day. The day began with David and the twins running in the Mule Day Kick (a 5K race). Yes, running is relative. David did the running, the boys rode in the double jogging stroller. As a "treat" for getting up at 6am, David gave them squirt guns to use during the race. I think they would have done most anything for those guns.

David wasn't thrilled with his running time...his comment was "that 60 extra pounds I was pushing really made a difference" He didn't win the "stroller" catagory but since he was the only double entry, I think he should have been given the "bronze mule" for effort :)

After the race we met up with most of the other staff members and their families for the annual Mule Day parade. The parade route was packed 1 1/2 hours before the parade even started. We all set up camp (so to speak) with camping chairs and blankets (side note...for those who know how much I love my neat sheet...it once again made an appearance). There were balloons and hotdogs and french fries and funnel cakes, everything you need for a southern festival.

Now, having grown up with the annual Jonesborough Days Parade and lived for years in Pleasant View, which has more than it's share of parades, I know about parades in small towns... lots of candy, lots of high school bands and lots of clowns. None of the above made an appearance today. Today was solely about the "True hybrid, the American Mule". No candy...the mules might eat it. No bands, the horns might scare the mules. No clowns, I don't why there were no clowns...maybe the mules eat those as well. For nearly 2 hours we watched mule and mule after wagon after wagon. There were a few highlights...

Phil Fulmer was the grand marshall. I took the opportunity to yell to him... "not all Tennesseeans are fickle, you are still loved". I think already knew that as applause sprang up as his wagon was pulled along the route.

The sheep being herded down the street by a dog.

The State Trooper VW bug. Is it a treat or a punishment to drive this "official vehicle"? I thought it was too cute, but then again that is probably not what a law enforcement officer wants said about their car.

It was really neat to sit and be a part of this event. I don't ever desire to own a mule but there are people who love these animals and value the way of life that once was the backbone of our country. I am sure they were thrilled to have this day and the opportunity to show off.

Yes, before you ask there is a Mule Day Queen.

No, I don't plan on Olivia competing for that title.

After the parade we all went back to Mrs. Debbie's house for a yummy meal. There were lots of people there but I had to post this pic. This is John David and Rachel. Just to show how God knits our lives into His plan... John David was one was of our ring bearers in our wedding. I still tease him about the little white shorts and socks we made him wear. David was honored to perform the ceremony when JD married beautiful Rachel. Last year we received a call from them saying they were in town. You may have guessed...they moved here and in January, JD joined our church staff as media director. Our God works in amazing ways!

The kids were exhausted and after baths went to bed with no fuss. I heard a cough that sounded, well, like it was accompanying something else. When we went to check on the boys, this is what we found...

Is this not the sweetest thing ever!!! Everyday I try to get my mind around the fact that they were once the same human being and God saw fit to make them two. Tonight I find them holding hands as they sleep. Thank you God for letting me be their mommy!

Tornado Warning

Now let's be clear on something from the get go... When the local weather men and women make a severe weather prediction, I listen. When the local weather men and women make a severe weather prediction, David blows it off. It doesn't matter whether it is snow or tornadoes, he doesn't listen. I, on the other hand, panic. Snow, tornadoes, ice, whatever...I believe them and start to worry about our lack of a basement. We live in tornado alley and have been in too many warnings to be calm about it.

That was the scenario today... 2 rounds of severe weather were headed our way. The first round was a bust, just a little rain and 2 claps of thunder. This afternoon was another story. I was at Publix when the store went dark and the rain that pounded the roof sounded like a freight train. The cashier's were screaming and the buggy boys were staring out the front door. I called David to tell him what was going on. He said "oh well there is a tornado warning for us." "WHAT, ARE YOU KIDDING ME" (Yes, I know all caps means yelling...I was yelling) I was sure he meant "watch" but no he assured me it was an actual warning. He may as well have told me that there are dandelions in our yard. No emotion, just fact. I asked him to care for our children if I was sucked up into an F5 vortex and found in Kentucky. He laughed at me and said he'd see me soon.

The storm did pass over and no tornadoes hit near us. However, on the way home all of the radio stations were carrying the voices of the TV weather teams as they were giving the play by play on the "super cell" activity that was still terrorizing this part of the state. As I drove, I called Becky to let her know we were OK is case their news carried stories of tornado warnings in our area. I thanked God for His protection in the storm. Then I stopped to think about His magnificence in the storm. How great and mighty is He! The winds obey, the thunders cease, all of creation is held in His hand.

As I pulled into my neighborhood, the sky was bright blue with giant white marshmallow clouds (yes, I know that is a scientific name for them but I like marshmallow). It was beautiful. All of the colors seemed brighter and richer. After the storm, the wonder of His creation shines more brilliantly than before the clouds and storms roll in. Don't we do the same thing? After God brings us through a storm, we shine with His grace and mercy fresh on our faces.

I was still thinking about of this "nature" wonderment when I got an email from my neighbor. She noticed a rainbow above our house and sent me the picture. Even more evidence of how great, how awesome is He!!

Our Sunday

It has been an exhausting few days. The consignment sale was a great success. Thanks to all Tater Heads!

Olivia loves to sing and her favorites songs right now are what she calls "Mrs. Mel" songs. In other words...songs that Mel leads during our worship time at church. Picture this beautiful little girl swinging sky high on the swing set, curls flapping in the wind, feet pumping back and forth, back arched as if she could fold in half and all along singing to the top of her voice...

Savior, He can move the mountains,

My God is mighty to save

He is mighty to save.

Forever, Author of salvation,

He rose and conquered the grave,

Jesus conquered the grave...

Shine your light and let the whole world see,

We're singing for the glory of the risen King,

Jesus

No one in our neighborhood can say they never heard the Word. They hear it every pretty day coming from our backyard.

Today, we are singing that song at church. I was so excited about Olivia being able to sing it at church. She came in for rehearsals on Wednesday night and was jumping up and down when she heard Mel introduce it.

I couldn't wait for today....then, well, you know, life with 4 kids...we woke up to well, you know, "tummy problems". Lucas is sick. So he and I are here watching movies and keeping the plastic trash can close at hand.

Olivia and Joshua went to church with Mrs. Mindy. I am sure Olivia loved singing praises this morning.

Alex was already at church. This was his first big overnight youth event. This weekend was DNOW. I can't believe my baby is this old, but he is (yes Jeff, I did cry :). I am so proud of him. He is a great kid and loves being in the youth ministry.

Well, that is our Sunday for now...1 sick, 1 singing her favorite song, 1 in Sunday School for the first time without his twin (wow, that is a post all it's own) and 1 one full fledged "youth".

If you think my hands are full...you should see my heart !

Come One, Come All

This weekend is the Spring P.O.T.A.T.O. Sale (no I have not taking up organic farming). This consignment sale is a great event for any parent. You do not have to have muliples to shop. You will find great bargains on name brand items!

P.O.T.A.T.O.’s

Children’s Clothing & Equipment Sale:

(Preemie clothing-size 10, toys, equipment, strollers, high chairs, cribs, maternity clothes & much more!)


Members Only
Friday, March 13th
7:30 P.M. – 9:00 P.M.



OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

Saturday, March 14th
8:00 - 11:30am
&
1/2 PRICE HOURS
12:00 - 2:00pm



Two Rivers Middle School
2991 McGavock Pike



Brought to you by:
Parents of Twins and Triplets Organization
Visit www.nashpotato.org for club information