Jesus Lives and So Shall I!

Jesus lives and so shall I! Death thy sting is gone forever!
He who deigned for me to die, lives, the bands of death to sever.
He shall raise me from the dust. Jesus is my hope and trust.
He alone, my joy, my prize! Jesus lives and so shall I!
Jesus lives and so shall I!

Christ is Risen! He is Risen, Indeed!

Please note that Amity's face with her corresponding photo companions has been true of her opinions this weekend. Slight scowl when with Mom and Dad...sheer joy when with GDaddy and KK!

Feelin' Blue, Part 2

In my quest for the perfect bluebonnet picture, we revisited our previous location this evening with Dad, GDaddy, and KK along for smiling encouragement and bluebonnet-eating prevention. We had also just finished a delicious dinner at On The Border and bluebonnet pictures just seemed like a logical way to follow up finishing off two bowls of chips and salsa.

A Good Friday

Last night, after Amity's birthday party, we attended our church's annual Maundy Thursday service at the Arboretum. The service always begins by participating in the Lord's Supper, then walking into the garden for prayer and scripture meditation, and ends with the scattering of the disciples in silence as we return to our homes. I love the symbolism and I love that the meanings behind the symbols are connected with relevance to our everyday lives.

Good Friday used to confuse me when I was younger. Jesus was crucified! Shouldn't we spend the day in mourning? Now, I believe there is a time for pondering the significance of his death but there is also great cause to ponder the life and resurrection we share because of what began on Good Friday.

So, since God provided a sunny day on Good Friday, we had to take advantage of it and return to the Arboretum with GDaddy and KK. Besides, Eddie Coker was going to be there in concert and we didn't want to miss it!

As you can see, Amity enjoyed her first concert experience...

and so did her daddy and GDaddy!

Amity tried on her new Wayland hat from Lolly and PopPop. She thought it was more fun to chew on than wear but, hopefully, that will change by the time the summer sun arrives in Texas.

Amity met the Easter Bunny for the first time. She gave him/her a wave and then we moved on. I think her mom is kind of creeped out by these costumed characters. It weirds me out when I can't make eye contact! Even though she had a perfectly comfortable stroller, Amity preferred being carried by her GDaddy...

because he showed her the pretty flowers...

and even let her practice a little walking.

Thankful for a very Good Friday and eagerly awaiting Resurrection Sunday!

Feelin' Blue

Being a true Texas girl, I have been on a search for a good bluebonnet-picture-taking place for the past week and was afraid that, due to weather and illness, we were going to miss bluebonnet season. On our way home from the sitter yesterday, we passed by some beautiful fields of bluebonnets on the service road of I-635 between the Cartwright and Military Pkwy exits. Several other cars were pulled over so I decided to follow the crowd. Of course, this was a completely unplanned photo session...if I had planned it there would be a bow in this little girl's hair and she would probably have on a different outfit. BUT that's not really that important, right? Amity was very fascinated by the flowers and happy to sit in the middle of them even with some bugs hopping around her. I was able to get a few pictures taken before she bit off a piece of flower. Oops!

Celebrate Good Times...Come On!

There is more to come on this post but we wanted to share the videos with grandparents as soon as possible. Enjoy!

Amity is 1 year old!

One year ago, at 11:01 pm, we got to meet this little girl for the very first time.
We had no idea the joy and fun that was in store! Thank you, Miss Amity, for...

• your infectious laughter that you invest in the small things
• loving to snuggle on our shoulders
• learning to be a good sleeper from a very young age (you've spoiled us!)
• loving to eat pretty much anything we feed you
• being content to be alone in your room and still...
• scrambling to stand up and greet us with a smile as soon as we come through your door
• loving to read books
• sharing your joy by smiling and waving at strangers at the grocery store
• "talking" about everything you do...we can't wait to understand what you're saying!

Since I am named after my great-grandmother, we almost gave Amity the name "Pixie" after her great-grandmother. Obviously, we ended up deciding on a different name but I think she still inherited some attributes from her great-grandmother. I remember people describing my Oma as a woman who did everything with vigor. If you have seen Amity play or eat, you know that those words could also apply to her. My Oma was also quite the prankster and loved having fun. The picture of Amity above was taken yesterday and it is a perfect representation of who she is...a little girl that already likes to have fun! However, the thing about my Oma that most people remember is her love for the Lord and her passion for other people to know Him. Of all the attributes, this is the one I most pray that Amity will inherit.

Amity, on the day that you turn one year old, we pray that God uses your strength and passion for His glory: To this end [when the Lord comes to be glorified by his saints and to be marveled at on that day among all who have believed], we always pray for you, asking that our God will make you worthy of his call and will fulfill by his power every good resolve and work of faith, so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ." 2 Thessalonians 1:11-12

We look forward to this next year of getting to know you even more! Happy Birthday!

That's Amore!

Our busy Saturday began with the three Grovers going in different directions. Dennis left to serve as the substitute administrator for Saturday School, I went to work the bilingual table at the Mesquite Job Fair, and Amity went to play with her cousins Eli and Eiley at her Aunt Becky and Uncle Dylan's house.
The afternoon found us back at home with naps for Amity and me and lawnmowing for Dennis (he says that is relaxing for him!). Later, Amity and I made our first trip to Newflower Farmers Market and we loved it! We found blackberries for 79 cents and lots and lots of other great deals.
While our dinner was warming in the oven, we took advantage of the beautiful sunshine and freshly mowed lawn.

This dinner, Chicken Tetrazzini, was a first for me to make but it scored big with Amity. As you can see, she likes those noodles (note the one she is wearing on her eyelid and the one on her belly...so much for that bath!). She also liked the blackberries and broccoli and green peas. As her KK says, she just likes!