Birthdays and Easter Eggs

With all this talk about India, I neglected to share a pretty important event in the Swords household. Since I didn't have my computer last week to download these pics, I missed posting on Bradley's birthday. But my firstborn turned nine last weekend. Unbelievable.
I'm sure the picture doesn't do it justice, but this is his very first self-made birthday cake, thanks to Bailey's Easy-Bake Oven. I think it's supposed to be an oreo cream cake. He was so proud of his efforts. I'm not sure even he ever got brave enough to taste it, though.

We were supposed to go on a camping trip with the Abbotts, but the weather didn't cooperate with us. If it had just been cold, we still would have gone. But the weather was really stormy on Saturday, so we decided to postpone it for a couple of weeks. All was well, though, once we decided on new plans. First we went to see "Horton Hears a Who" and then it was off to Chuck E. Cheese, the perfect consolation prize for any disappointment in life.

From there we went to Maggie Moo's for dessert. Bradley hates cake, so this is a much better option for him than the traditional route anyway.

Last Sunday it was our neighborhood's annual Easter egg hunt. Even though Brad was running a fever and had the beginnings of strep throat, his enthusiasm was undeterred. How hilarious to see these kids running for plastic eggs as if they were made of gold. Or video games.

Today is Easter. Since it was 35 degrees when we left the house, I decided to punt on Bailey's sleeveless dress and sandals. I figure in a few weeks we'll dress up and take pictures and pretend they were taken on Easter. Why not, right?

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This year for the first time we got the kids up at 5:45 a.m. and all made it to church for the 7 a.m. service. Jeff and I sang again at 9, and then hung out until the service was over so the kids could leave with Mom and Dad and go on to their house. We sang again at 11 and then headed out. It was exhausting, but so worth it. The music was completely exhilarating and emotionally draining. I love singing about the resurrection, because without it my faith is meaningless. I have no doubt in my mind that Christ is alive and well, and that there are some great things in store for us to do.

At Mom's house there was another Easter egg hunt after lunch. Bryant was sleeping, but my nephew Cooper, Brad and Bailey had a ball finding the eggs Granddaddy had put out for them. I think I was passed out on the couch at this particular moment, but Jeff got a few pictures for me.

This year Mom did something really fun with the eggs that I've never seen before. Instead of filling them with candy (yeah!) she had typed up little messages. As they opened the eggs, they would read things like, "Give Granddaddy Reid a hug and kiss," or "Build something with Legos and see if we can guess what it is." It was so creative and the kids had a blast with it. What I especially loved was when they were supposed to ask my grandparents about favorite Easter memories of when they were kids. I loved hearing my 93-year-old granddad tell about dying hen eggs and hunting for them.

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Here they are doing the bunny hop, a very graceful endeavor, I assure you.

March 23rd also happens to be Bryant's birthday. So my baby turned two today amid all of the craziness of Easter. Peggy made him the most adorable cake, as usual. Oh, to be so talented and creative! If you can't see it well, it says, "Hoppy Birthday Bryant." So clever. :)

Although he slept through the dinner and egg hunt, he did wake up in time for some cake. He'd been talking about it since yesterday when he saw it. It's so fun to hear him communicate more and more each day, even if he does get a little overly adamant about what he wants.

Aunt Krenan scored a hit with the Sesame Street garage. There's an elevator and everything. Hours of entertainment in one little box.

I can't believe how fast another year has flown. It stuns me to think that Bradley is now halfway to eighteen. Knowing how fast he arrived at nine, that doesn't seem all that melodramatic to say. I'm trying to slow down and enjoy the moments with them, as they pass by at such a breakneck pace. I know that if I don't make time to listen to him now, he won't make time to talk to me in a few years, and that thought terrifies me.

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As for Bryant, he is just a fantastic kid. He makes me laugh constantly, sometimes simultaneously with making me want to string him up by his fingernails. How much more fun could life be?

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I pray that you all had a joyous Easter, and had at least a little time to reflect on what it means to serve a God who is alive and actively pursuing relationship with us. What an undeserved and amazing gift. I'm awed by Him.

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Today we sang a song with the following lyrics. I can't think of a more perfect way to end the day than to reflect on these words.

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More than a baby in a manger,

To whom nobles would humbly bow their knee.

Or the young Man who heaven knew as Savior,

He is alive in me.

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More than the Man who walked on water,

Or the One who caused blinded eyes to see.

Greater than all the signs and wonders,

He is alive in me.

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More than the Man who heard "Hosanna!"

From the same who cried, "Crucify the King!"

Freely He gave as they demanded.

Still He's alive in me.
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More than the man, mankind rejected

With nails in His hands and through His feet.

But the end told much more then they expected,

For everyone knows, in three days he rose

With power forever to redeem you and me.

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He Lives. He Lives.

Conquered the grave, covered our sin.

He Lives. He Lives.

Death could not hold the promise within.

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He lives.