Easter/Seder/Birthday celebrations (Part 2)

We had a great time gearing up to Easter (read blog here) and enjoyed the actually day even more!

Uncle Aaron got some cute pictures!

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Then we had our first run of a family Messianic Seder celebration.

Danielle was amazing in getting everything ready and used Ann Voskamp guide.

Each food item has great significance of the celebration of the Passover and fulfilled risen Christ.

We took turns reading...

and sampling the corresponding food item.

The one that got the most attention was the bitter herbs (horseradish sauce) that represented sin.

Zoe was the first to try it and the tears were soon falling from her burning eyes (she must have had a big bite).

Shiloh was consoling and after a quick break and drink...

we were able to continue.  However, none of the other kids wanted to try that item!  Perhaps more warning the next time we do this.  I do think it is such a great representation of sin!

Zoe was a good sport though and joined back in the process (tears still running down her face and all).

So thankful for Jesus and taking in His grace through His cup.  What a great way to celebrate Him and remember our heritage.  Hoping to be able to do this each year and that understanding of it will deepen more each time (for all of us).

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We, also, did a little Easter Egg hunt....because....fun!

The 3-year-olds got a head start!

The Russells were awesome in filling the eggs with non-candy items that were fun to discover!

Ezra was determined and proud to open his eggs by himself!

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Lastly, after a great meal, we celebrated Poppy's birthday with Strawberry shortcake...

and presents...

with handmade cards of course!

You are greatly LOVED and celebrated Dad!

Whew, it was a full amazing day!  With good spirits, family and sharing in remembrance of our Savior, a day to be cherished for sure!

Zoe's Birthday (fever)

My poor precious little one came down with a high fever the night before her birthday.  Waking up the next day was not much different and she was pretty out of it.  Being a Saturday, I had planned a few fun things for us, but this little nugget was not able to go and instead did a lot of resting.

At one point, Grandma attempted to cheer her up and gave her her birthday present.  Poor thing, when I attempted to take a picture of her with it, she couldn't even keep her eyes open.  (In seeing these pictures later she told me to DELETE....but, thus, is life right now.)

However, that night she was up to opening the few little gifts for her.

Sister was excited to give her the presents she had for her: some wrapped change...

and a little lamp.

Zoe, also, loved getting her own mug (along with a few dresses)!

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On our big family meal day everyone was back to normal!

The aunt's gave Ezra his gifts (since they were not there before).

Car themes and a sweet picture!  Which he loved them all!

Then it was Zoe's turn to open her own gifts...

and she got her own picture.

It was great to see she was back to her animated self!

She was beyond excited to get a lamp, which she asked for!

Strawberry cake time did not disappoint!

So thankful for Grammy for making things extra special!

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One more memory making celebration, a later birthday date with her aunt Lauren!  

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Although, not what I had planned, my sweet little seven-year-old did not complain one time of being sick on her birthday.  I am beyond grateful that I get to be her momma!

My 7-year-old Zoe

Seven years ago my world was rocked by the blessing of your new life, Zoe.  

You continue to be my little mini me in countless of ways.
  I'm so thankful for your compassionate heart that when hears a need, becomes broken, searching out for answers and ways to help.

I know this sensitivity can be difficult at times and you feel things so deeply, but God can use this in your life in mighty ways!

Your heart also has a strong desire to get things right!  The sense of justice runs strong.  A perfectionist to the core, you hate to hear of anything that you may not being doing well.

We have had a lot of fun new first, like loosing some teeth!

 You think it is the best thing to surprise me and make me breakfast (just like a do for you), such a thoughtful thing!

I have loved seeing how you have returned to dance this year and are thriving in it.  

You are graceful and use those long legs to perform in our home often, or anywhere that may be a stage (like a park stump).  I think it is so fun that you still stick your tongue out when your concentrating!

While most of my workouts are when your in school, the times when you are home, are so fun when you join in...wanting to keep up with me, weights and all.  Despite your size, your a strong little (Plank slides in pic). 

With some long legs!

 Your animated and purely joyful spirit brings light to a room...

 Or outside.

How you are an awesome big sister.  Sure, there are the normal sibling rivalry, most of the time you are so caring and seem to genuinely enjoy playing with your brother and sister!  You look out for them and want them to have the same joys you experience.

You, also, adore the rest of your family and give the best big hugs!  Your size and strength make it easy to still scoop you up in a big hug.  

I'm so thankful that you LOVE school and your teacher.  You are thriving there and I don't know many first graders that love math as much as you....always thinking things through, wanting to know the time, and learning multiplication and division.

While you currently still want to be a cashier when you grow up, you also want to be a doctor.  There are a lot of questions you have about health, and it is exciting how you will make a difference in our broken needy systems, whatever that may look like in the future.

How I enjoy still holding you!  You like extra snuggles when your not feeling well.

Your animated self is a clear indicator of when your not feeling well.....as normally your bright smile is contagiousness full of emotion.

You have incredible self-discipline.  You want to be healthy and make amazingly wise choices to maintain your health.  I didn't understand a lot of this myself while in pregnancy and your first year and a half, and I know it has affected you.  I'm so thankful that we are learning together and your wanting to do all that you can to be well!

I sure don't know how I lucked out and got to be a mommy of such an amazing little girl!  So very thankful for my precious little that melts my heart!  You are so loved Zoe Noel Loveland!