I have been SO busy lately and have not posted about some rather momentous things going on in our lives.

1.  My precious #4 child had his 12th birthday.  He is such a joy to me.  My cuddler and close friend, he loves to just share whatever I'm doing.  Therefore, he cooks with me, cleans with me and generally hangs around me.  This is so cool.  He has loved to hug and love since the day he was born.  He sure is going to make someone a terrific husband!

2.  We have been practicing and practicing for our Easter program and now it is over.  A lot of work but all so very worth it.  I am so proud of my creative, visionary husband who pours out his heart and soul to produce, write and direct  this monumental (for our small church with VERY limited resources) endeavor.  His heart really comes out in this and his heart is to honor and glorify the Lord Jesus Christ.  Man, I am so thankful for him.  And for my Lord!

3.  My baby daughter passed the driving portion of her driving test today!  Yeah!  This mama is so proud.  How can it be that another of my tadpoles is driving?  Be still, my already weak heart.

4.  Our van sank in the mud on Easter Sunday and could not be gotten out.  I am so thankful for men in our church who worked in the cold rain on Sunday afternoon while we were out of town to restore it to our driveway.  I went today to wash off all that grime and mud and I thanked God for people who are so helpful and caring.

5.  My father-in-law is so pitiful.  It is so sad to come to the end of life and be so very weakened.  It hurts my heart and I wish it were not so.  I am so looking forward to that ultimate healing that heaven will bring for him.

6.  We are drawing near the end of our school year and the end of the 20th century.  Man, we live in depressing times.  I am reading Amusing Ourselves to Death by Neil Postman (the kids will start it next week).  It is illuminating.  God help our culture.

7.  I heard a great quote today from the Christian rock band, Superchick:  "Everyone will die but not everyone will live."  Lord, I want to live for you!

8.  Another great quote right from our refrigerator:  "God has no problems, only plans."  That's from Corrie ten Boom, one of my most favorite writers.

9.  I forgot, for the first time since I had children, to take an Easter picture.  I feel like such a bad mom.  We went to the sunrise service, then breakfast at the Bartmiers', then got stuck and barely made it to church for Sunday School and then the morning service.  Directly after church, we rushed to Granny and Pa's for Easter dinner, then barely made it home in time to go to the Easter program's last performance.  I came home and fairly crashed.  What can I say?  No pictures!  Yikes!

10.  I got to substitute teach for my daughter-in-law today so she could do a pre-baby appointment at the health department with her midwife.  I so love to be needed!  I didn't do a thing that mattered, but I do love to be needed!