Busy, Busy, Busy!

I feel like I have been so busy over the last couple of weeks. I'm not really sure why. The last two weeks were both four day weeks, which were nice, because they were, you know, four day weeks. But I feel like I have to get just as much accomplished in a four day week as I do a five day week, so it seems a lot busier. Plus, Matthew's started baseball, so we have one game during the week and one on Saturday. Nathan's playing too, but his games are just on Saturdays. Needless to say, that makes our Saturdays really busy. I have been lucky, though. Jeremy has had the last two weekends off. This weekend, he has Saturday off, and he has to work on Sunday. I think that's why my weeks have seemed busier as well. When he has the weekend off, obviously, he works all five weekdays. So I can't get as much accomplished after school since I have all three with me all of the time.

Awana is over for the year. Nathan's award ceremony is Sunday, and Matthew's is next Wednesday. While I have loved helping out in Awana, it will be nice to have our Wednesday nights back again. Plus, I'll enjoy not eating supper in the car every Wednesday. Since Andrew arrived, there is no time to even make mac & cheese on Wednesdays, so we go through the drive thru at either Wendy's or McDonald's and eat in the car. AND, I won't miss driving on Five Forks at rush hour. For those of you not familiar with the lovely county I live in, Five Forks is one of the major arteries that runs through southern Gwinnett County. Unfortunately, it's only a two lane road. Plus, it's gotten a lot busier in the last month as the state starts a MAJOR widening project to US 78 which has sent a lot of traffic over to Five Forks. It is a major pain, and I avoid it during rush hour (which lasts from 3:30 until 7:30 around here) at all costs.

I'll get pictures posted soon of Matthew's birthday and of Easter. I loaded them up on my laptop at school, but didn't bring my card reader home to put them on the computer here.

Easter Cookies

I got this off of a mom's site I belong to. I can't wait to try it!

EASTER STORY COOKIES: Make the evening before Easter...
1c. Whole Pecans
1 tsp. Vinegar
1c. Sugar
Zipper Baggie
3 Egg Whites
Tape
Wooden Spoon
Pinch Salt
Bible

1. Preheat oven to 300° (This is important-- Do it now!)
2. Place pecans in zipper baggie and let children beat them with the wooden spoon to break into small pieces. Explain that after Jesus was arrested He was beaten by the Roman soldiers. (John 19:1-3.)
3. Let each child smell the vinegar. Put 1 tsp. vinegar into mixing bowl. Explain that when Jesus was thirsty on the cross he was given vinegar to drink. (John 19:28-30.)
4. Add egg whites to vinegar. Eggs represent life. Explain that Jesus gave His life to give us life. (John 10:10-11.)
5. Sprinkle a little salt into each child's hand. Let them taste it and brush the rest into the bowl. Explain that this represents the salty tears shed by Jesus' followers, and the bitterness of our own sin. (Luke 23:27.)
6. So far the ingredients are not appetizing. Add 1c. sugar. Explain that the sweetest part of the story is that Jesus died because He loves us. He wants us to know and belong to Him. (Ps. 34:8 and John 3:16.)
7. Beat with a mixer for 12-15 minutes until stiff peaks are formed. Explain that the white represents the purity in God's eyes of those whose sins have been cleansed by Jesus. (Isa. 1:18 and John 3:1-3.)
8. Fold in broken nuts. Drop by teaspoons onto wax paper covered cookie sheet. Explain that each mound represents the rocky tomb where Jesus' body was laid. (Matt. 27:57-60.)
9. Put the cookie sheet in the oven, close the door and turn the oven OFF. Give each child a piece of tape and seal the oven door. Explain that Jesus' tomb was sealed. (Matt. 27:65-66.)
10. GO TO BED! Explain that they may feel sad to leave the cookies in the oven overnight. Jesus' followers were in despair when the tomb was sealed. (John 16:20 and 22.)
11. On Easter morning, open the oven and give everyone a cookie. Notice the cracked surface and take a bite. The cookies are hollow! On the first Easter Jesus' followers were amazed to find the tomb open and empty. (Matt. 28:1-9.)