Tradition!!!!

Last Resurrection Day and weekend, we had so much going on. LTC (Leadership Training for Christ), my parents were in town, I was leading worship at our church. I figured with my kids almost 13 and 16 at the time; they were no longer interested in our traditional resurrection morning breakfast, so I made a breakfast casserole instead. BIG MOM FAIL. I was in so much trouble with my kids for not continuing a tradition I started with them when they were both super young. You see, we would make Resurrection Rolls every Easter morning. Each ingredient represents a part of the resurrection story. We talk about each ingredient as we make the rolls.  

When my children protested last year, I was reminded of a similar situation that my Dad tried to break one Christmas. Each Christmas probably since I was born, he read the "Christmas Story" (Luke's account) from a book. One Christmas, when I was in college, my Dad started passing out presents without reading the Christmas Story. I immediately protested and said, "We can't open presents until you read the Christmas story to us!!" He looked a little shocked and said, "Well, OK." so he read it to us.

In both circumstances, there was a tradition that had a significant meaning. While sure, the presents are fun, the Easter Egg basket is exciting, there is a more substantial part of the picture. JESUS. Some traditions do not make sense to us and possibly need to be discontinued, while some need to continue because they remind us of what is important and how it applies to our lives as Christ-followers. My children reminded me of this last Resurrection Day. I made sure this year I had everything I needed to make resurrection rolls two weeks in advance.

Marshmallows represent Jesus

Butter is the embalming oil/spices and the cinnamon sugar is our sin He took on himself. The croissant dough is the tomb.

Bake 10 minutes at 350 degrees

The tomb is open!

He is risen!

2017 Review

I really do enjoy writing my blog, not that I think anybody is reading it except my husband and a few friends from church, but just as an outlet and a collections of memories for my children to read whenever they want.

I really need to stop more often and post like I use to.  Andrew is just 3 1/2 years from graduating high school.  The time is not slowing down no matter how much I ask it to.  It seems to speed up more.

In early June we took a trip to Memphis TN to see my parents.  My Mom said they would keep the kids a couple of days if Alan and I wanted to go some where to celebrate our 20th Anniversary.  We decided to go to Nashville.  Now, Alan and I are NOT country music fans, however, as a musician I do find the musical history of the Nashville fascinating and we both love history and Nashville certainly has no shortage of history.



We got up early Sunday morning and drove to Otter Creek church of Christ in Brentwood for church then we ate lunch and went down to Franklin for the rest of the day.  We visited some historical sights such as the Lotz House, The Battle of Franklin and ate BBQ at Pucketts.

  The next morning we went to Grand Ole Opry for a tour and we got to stand on the "Circle"

We then went downtown to the Musicians Hall of Fame.  It was nice but I was a little disappointed here.

Roy Orbison's Guitar

It rained the entire time we were in Nashville.  We had to do outdoor activities in between storms.

We went to Cooter's Place.  I arranged this for Alan since he is a Duke's of Hazzard fan. He got to sit in all the different cars (for a small price of course).

On our way out of Nashville, it was actually sunny so we went to Fort Negley for a little while.  There was a beautiful view of downtown Nashville.  We headed back west to Memphis stopping at a cute diner on the way and then I discovered Casey Jones Village in Jackson TN.  It was a museum and more history!  We got a snack and drink at the soda fountain in their general store and headed on into Memphis.

The Casey Jones song that I have taught my elementary music students years ago.

We stayed in Memphis a couple of more days and headed to my Brother's family's house in Dothan AL.

Their backyard.  I am not sure why I have no pictures of all the kids together.  It had been six years since we had been back to Dothan.

A quick stop on the way home at Duck Commander

Yea!!! We are closer to home!

The nice thing about being back in Weatherford is, we are so much closer to my Grandparents in Lubbock.  We went up for a day and spent the night so we could go to church with them. My Granddad loves to play 42.  At 97 he can still play and beat us.

Andrew and Anna killing time before leaving to go to Quaker Ave church of Christ.

Anna loves to make things and do a lot of different crafts.  The two of us made a couple of table runners and she was quite proud of them.

Before the end of summer, we made one last get a way to Possum Kingdom lake for two nights

Andrew went on Road Rules with his youth group at church.  This is where the kids do not have any idea where they are going the entire time until they arrive.  Anna can't wait to go with him next Summer.

Decorating the new Praise and Worship room at church!

Meanwhile, Andrew on Road Rules doing a service project.

A surprise frozen cherry limeade after getting home from Road Rules.

A fun day at Splash Kingdom

Anna's turn for Pine Springs Church Camp

I surprised her with a new comforter set and a clean room.

She is back from Pine Springs!

First day of school.  Andrew a freshmen and Anna a 6th grader.

First Day of School, after school treat!

Chick-fil-A mother son date at Splash Kingdom.

My new choir room!!!

Anna's first game as a cheerleader!

Grandparents 75th Wedding Anniversary was August 25

Anna's volleyball team

Cross Country

Anna as team captain

Anna as a flyer! Yikes!

On September 30 our some of our Praise Team members went to sing with Andrew Greer and Wayne Watson at Ash Creek Baptist Church in Azle in their concert.  So much fun!  Anna sang with us too!  Great experience!

We will just say that Andrew did not eat a good breakfast the day of the WCS Unity Retreat and ended up in a ambulance/emergency room.  It was a very scary day for two parents and his principal and teachers.

He was pretty banged up!

Anna made a homecoming Mum for her friend and He gave her this really pretty one below.

Andrew's basketball team won first place in one of their tournaments.

Ginger Bread challenge

Andrew reading us the Christmas Story on Christmas Day

The end of 2017!  What a year!

Psalm 90:17 ¹⁷May the favor of the LORD our God rest on us; establish the work of our hands for us- yes, establish the work of our hands.  May God continue bless each of you!