Christ is Risen!

Happy Easter to all of our family and friends!  Easter is such an exciting time with spring in full bloom and summer right around the corner.  The traditions of Easter egg hunts and Easter dresses with hats are wonderful and fun, but every time I hear the hymn "Christ he Lord is Risen Today," my heart jumps with joy.  Here is one verse of that hymn that, as I sang it in church this morning, really resonated in my heart.

"Love's redeeming work is done, Alleluia!
Fought the fight, the battle won, Alleluia!
Death in vain forbids him rise, Alleluia!
Christ has opened paradise, Alleluia! "

Because Christ died, we don't fear death, and even though we're not perfect, we can live with the hope that someday we too will be a part of that paradise.  With a message like that in my heart, it had to be a great day.  If that wasn't enough, I also got to see Audrey play in her Easter dress, hunt for eggs, and discover the hidden chocolate inside of them.  Here is one of my favorite shots of her, but there are many more on the Picasa website where we post our photos. 

Audrey Like Zoo

Audrey has learned to express her interest in her surroundings by using phrases like, " I see," "Audrey like," and "I want." Yesterday, we went to the zoo, where she had an opportunity to put these sentances to good use. Audrey saw elephants, monkeys, and bears. Audrey liked the lions, zebras, and peacock. Audrey wanted to walk as much as we would let her, which usually turned out to be more of a run. These are a few pictures showing her at the start of our trip, as we were leaving the zoo, and when we were walking to the elevator from the car at home.

Audrey is 2

It is difficult to believe, but 2 years ago today we were welcoming family and friends to the hospital to meet Audrey for the first time. Audrey celebrated being two a day early on Saturday with chocolate cake, a purple sequin purse (courtesy of the Mosses), a ride in her Barbie jeep and a boat ride. She has grown into quite an independent little girl with personality to spare. Thinking back through these two years, I am overwhelmed by God's grace and presence in our lives because of her. I thank God for giving us the opportunity to be parents and entrusting us to raise this amazing child. I also thank him for everything that we are learning about life, ourselves, and each other because of her.