ahhhh spring.

Tomorrow I will probably regret writing this. I will wonder why on earth I claim to love this area so much when the gray and dreary rainy days come back. But for now I am going to just enjoy the days we have had with beautiful, sunny(ish), warm days. ahhhhhh spring.

We took the kids to the New York state Zoo at Thompson Park on Saturday. We adore Thompson Park. not only is it over a century old, its still so beautiful. The kids love playing on the giant wooden playground and getting to enjoy a picnic lunch with the family is always a plus. Biggest bonus: it ALWAYS wears the kids out and they fall asleep on the way home!!!! ;-)

J with one of the snakes. He LOVES those things

can you see the crazy horn on this goat!!!!?? its INSANE!

meet the newest "catamount"!! My husbands previous unit (known as the Catamounts) sponsors this exhibit!

J in the eagles nest. seriously kid stop growing!!!

B didnt quite get the whole put your arms out thing.

Yesterday we had another awesome service at Life Church. Me and my bff were both in tears at different points of the service. I got to be reminded (again) that God is in control, He wants to help me, wants to see me bring glory to Him, and will be faithful to us no matter what. I just have to trsut Him 100%. Man is that hard. I am so thankful that I have some amazing friends here though that can help see me through my darkest days. We spent lunch out with my bff and her hubby and kids. We had a great time and got to laugh a lot. Thankfully our kids do so well together that it isnt even that stressful to have a table of 9 where the kids outnumber the adults!

 But the best part of all about yesterday was that JACKSON LOST HIS FIRST TOOTH! AT TARGET! Thankfully our Target has the most AMAZING pharmacist who was able to give me a baggie to put it in. She also gave J a lollipop for being so awesome (B got one too cause she has Miss Barbara wrapped around her little finger!) He is so excited! Tooth Fairy came and went last night and left $5!!!! LUCKY!

Today B and I are rocking out at home. I have some usual stuff like laundry and dishes to do as well as about a zillion phone calls to make! J and I are overdue for dental cleanings (and he needs x-rays), and I hate hate hate going to the dentist. Also need to make lots of March for Babies fundraising calls. We are not even close to meeting our goal yet and I am bound and determined to get there! Wanna help?! Visit www.marchforbabies.org. Ok Time to put on my big girl panties and work on the house and phone calls. Wish me luck!!!

STOP IT!!!!!!!

Kind of a crazy title I know. Just hang with me for a minute. Our church us going through the book of Psalms this year....in the order they were written. What a task!! But thanks to the amazing talent God has given Pastor Chad and the other pastors at Life Church, we are learning a LOT!

So yesterday we landed on Psalm 69.

Not exactly the Easter story. Not exactly the call to worship a risen king.

But some where in there is that exact call.

In Psalm 69 David is crying out. He is lost, feels totally down, like every enemy is against him. And he asks God to strike them down, to punish his enemies. Then the Psalm takes a turn.  David remembers that though

 "I am in pain and distress; may your salvation, O God, protect me.

The Lord hears the needy and does not despise his captive people,

Let heaven and earth praise him, the seas and all hat move in them,

for God will save Zion and rebuild the cities of Judah." (Psalm 69:29, 33-35 NIV)

That salvation came when Christ died on the cross and rose again. It was the perfect sacrifice so that our sins (all the stuff that makes us feel worthless, unlovable, undone) are forgiven. So we were challenged to STOP IT!

Stop making excuses about our walk with Christ.

Stop making excuses why we can't be a living, breathing, walking testimony to the love of God.

Just Stop It.

This rang so true for me. The demons I feel like I have been battling have been strong (stupid depression), but you know what, God is stronger. He is love. He is alive. He is RISEN.

After church we spent the afternoon exploring one of the trails and a park by the pond on post.

 I loved getting to watch my children just run and play in the sun.

See how He is renewing the earth and growing new life.

I got to see once again how God is MOVING through our family. 

Not everyday is gonna be great or perfect or even good. (ie: the major tantrum J threw downstairs because he was tired and had WAY too much sugar yesterday.)

But through it all, I know that its going to be ok. My purpose on this Earth is not to feel sorry for myself, not to hate those who persecute me, not to be down, or discouraged or anything remotely even close. My purpose on this Earth is to love and serve God, worshipping Christ my savior and bringing Him glory by sharing the gospel. It is what I intend to do from this day on.

Am I a perfect Christian, NO WAY!!!! Never could be. I know though that God will bring me through the darkest days, He will use my pain to bring healing and I have to trust him 100%.

Thank you Jesus for taking my sins on the cross and giving me the chance to worship you now and forever.

Easter Eggs

Well trying to make the best of this very Good Friday here at the Simon house. Ran to Wmart to get dye so we could (finally) do eggs. They were seriously OUT! Ok so thanks to the fabulous Pinterest I was saved. KOOL-AID! My house doesn't reak of vinegar (although I may do that kind tomorrow) and the kids had a blast helping me set it all up.

Best of all, THIS is what we ended up with!!!!

Here is the original tutorial I used from Hey! Jen Renee.

It was so easy!!!!!!!!

  It smelled like summer!               I love having lots of craft supplies         He was way too excited

             







    Some of the coloring came out A.MAZ.ING!

I love how they turned out. Well onto my next adventure of the day. Braving the Commissary for milk. Remind me why I forgot to get it at Wmart? Have a very blessed weekend!!!!!!!