The Holy Week in the eyes of a 2 year old

To make the Holy Week more real for all of us really, I have tried to talk to Ceilidh about the chronological events of the weeks. So we started talking about the Passover Feast and the betrayal tonight since tomorrow is kind of jam-packed with events! ha She always wants to know what happened next when you are telling any story. At lunch today, I was explaining one of the purposes of praying before we eat, and that it goes back to the last supper when Jesus said "Remember Me" when you break break and drink of the cup. She then asks, "What happened after the first dinner, Momma?" HA!! Last Supper/First Dinner.... whatever, I knew what she meant! ha

At nap/quiet time, she asked me to lay in bed with her and read the story from my bible. When I got the bible, she very seriously asked me, "Why doesn't your bible have pictures?" HA She then decided she wanted to hear it from my bible, and look at the pictures in hers. She would get so excited and say, "Here it is! Here is (whatever part I was reading)." It was a few very sweet moments. She told me the other day that she "didn't want Jesus to die, but I know he is waiting for me (in heaven)!" I think her favorite part of the whole story is when the stone is rolled away, and the angels are telling the women he is alive. She usually starts jumping around and clapping.

I love seeing Christ and the Gospel through the innocence of my child.

Just a few fun photos from a lunch date with Daddy the other day:










She is a little obsessed with my Nalgene! ha

Palm Sunday

The Holy week has always been really intriguing/special to me. It has been exciting to talk with Ceilidh about this week and the implications of Easter. This morning, she went to "mommy and daddy's church" (ha), and waved palm fronds during worship. I was really getting emotional watching her, and I kept thinking, "Come on Cyndy... get a grip!" ha It was really neat though to see how excited she was to be participating, and know how much God was enjoying her praises as well. We will be doing a few things this week to commemorate the events of the Holy week, and then will finish of the festivities with a celebration at Pops and ZZ's with the traditional egg dyeing and Easter egg hunt. I can't wait for some cute photo opportunities this weekend!

On a completely different note: Graeme ate his first bite of solid food tonight. We mashed up some bananas and he went to town! ha He grabbed the spoon and wanted to chew on the spoon more than eat the bananas. Ceilidh of course wanted to get in on the action and help feed him. It was really sweet.




















His first time down the slide!

Spring!!! (Its long)

I LOVE the spring! I love the weather, I love the flowers, I love Easter, and this year I love all the little babies being born! As I write, I have a friend laboring! I can't wait to meet Baby Girl Cox!

In just a few weeks or less, we will be celebrating with Paul, Lydia, and Zion on the arrival of Phoenix! We got together as a family this weekend to celebrate the Collin's family and Phoenix's impending arrival. Of course Ceilidh was in heaven, Zion was there. ha Continue to pray for Lydia as she will take on the adventure of labor, as well as the entire family as they transition from one child to two children. I'm a little biased but I think we have some pretty adorable children. I can't wait to see little Phoenix this side of the womb!














Ceilidh, Graeme, and I have been taking walks around campus the last couple of weeks. The weather has been beautiful, Graeme sleeps (woohoo!), and it is good exercise for me. Have you ever pushed a double stroller around Chapel HILL?! It does have that name for a reason! ha We decided to take a picnic yesterday and enjoyed Polk Place for an hour or so. I hope Ceilidh remembers living here. Though it has its difficulties, it can be a pretty magical place as well. We have 24/7 access to friends for playdates, easy access to bus system, access to one of the most beautiful college campus' in the U.S., etc. She loves to "ride" to campus, and then run around once we get away from the larger roads. She literally squeals with delight everytime she hears the bell tower ring. ha It is really cute. She chases robins and squirrels through the quads, and asks REALLY loud questions about the students walking RIGHT next to us! ha Hopefully she will remember a little from these "good days."





























And just to make this post a little longer (ha), I got a few pictures of Graeme sitting up today! He is doing so well. He will sit up for about 20 seconds and then slowly begin to lean and eventually fall to the side. ha He is rolling from stomach to back as well as back to stomach. It takes him a little longer to go from back to stomach; but Ceilidh and I have both witnessed it! wink He LOVES his exersaucer. It gives him freedom to play by himself, as well as strengthen his leg muscles. He has been putting his entire weight on his legs for a while now. Every once in a while, I will see him inch his knees to his side while on his stomach like an army crawl. Though he isn't crawling just yet, he is at least experimenting with the body placement! ha

Ceilidh has such a sweet spirit that she is always "helping momma!" She is so compassionate. This is something I specifically prayed for while I was pregnant with her. I am so glad God honored that request. She loves him so much. I am glad to be settling into our "new normal." I feel like I am starting to relax a bit and really enjoy the two of them as they learn to interact more and more each day. Andrew would tell you I have a long way to go in relaxing completely; but I'm getting there! ha

Jasper Augustus Thomas ("Jack") is here!

So excited to introduce to you my newest nephew! Jack was born on Sunday evening weighing in at 9lbs 12ozs. WOW, right?! ha I am so proud of Lauren and Randy. Word from her doula is that she was amazing during her labor! Jack is beautiful and I can't wait to see him again. Its also the new mommy's birthday, so HAPPY BIRTHDAY Lauren! What a way to bring in your 30's!!! Hope to have post clean-up pics soon!

Blog laziness

I have been a bit tired at night this week. I think I have fallen asleep every night around 9pm this week! We have had an excellent week as we got to see family last weekend, FINALLY meet Jack, and learned some other fabulous family news that will have to wait until another post. No worries, no one is pregnant! ha

Ceilidh, Graeme, and I went to Gastonia to see mom and dad last Friday. We had so much fun playing outside in the beautiful weather! I think Grappy was definitely excited to see Holly, Mikayla, and Aiden show up after she had been chasing Ceilidh for 40 minutes or so! ha Thanks guys for playing with her. She loves you so much!