Videos

Lots has been happening in the Cruz home! I know i have neglected this blog, i am so sorry! I just posted a few videos that show how much our little ones are growing. Tristan and Rylie are memorizing scripture and it brings such joy to our hearts! Tristan is 5 and will start Kindergarten in the fall! Hard to believe! Rylie will be 4 in June and wears the same size clothes as her brother. We get asked all the time if they are twins.. they are the same weight and height and really look more alike than Corban and Kinsley! Corban and Kinsley are doing great. Just under a month away from their 1 year birthday! It has been a great year. We feel so blessed to have added them to our family. They are sleeping 13-15 hours STRAIGHT through the night, which is amazing. Kinsley is walking and Corban just started standing on his own. They are eating all table foods now, no more baby food around here! Kinsley will give you a kiss (or smooch) on demand and they are just so fun to be around. Life is good. Enjoy the videos.. i will promise to at least try to most more!!!

Kinsley walking

Ry verses A to E

Tristan A to E verses

So Proud!

Corban laughs

Kinsley walking and talking

Carrie Underwood w/ Vince Gill How Great thou Art - Standing Ovation!

Amazing. Not sure how you don't shed a tear at this. Carrie's voice is amazing and the song is just so powerful!

Resurrection Cookies

I always love to do fun things with my kids to show something important. The Easter Story is one where i really want them to understand what is going on. I found this cookie recipe and cannot wait to do it with the kids on Saturday night. What a great way to help them understand what Easter is really about.

Resurrection Cookies

To be made the evening before Easter with your kids

1 c. pecans

1 ts. vinegar

3 egg whites

pinch salt

1 c. sugar

ziplock bag

wooden spoon or rolling pin

tape

Bible

Preheat oven to 300 degrees (this is important-don't wait until you're half done with the recipe)

Place pecans in ziplock bag and let your children beat them with a wooden spoon or rolling pin to break the pecans into small pieces
~Explain that after Jesus was arrested He was beaten by Roman soldiers.

Read John 19:1-3.

Let each child smell the vinegar. Put 1 ts. into a mixing bowl.
~Explain that when Jesus was thirsty on the cross He was given vinegar to drink.

Read John 19:28-30.

Add egg whites to vinegar. The eggs represent life.~Explain that Jesus gave His life to give us life.

Read John 10:10-11.

Sprinkle a little salt into each child's hand. Let them taste it and brush the rest of it into the bowl.
~Explain that this represents the salty tears shed by Jesus' followers and the bitterness of our own sin.

Read Luke 23:27.

So far, the ingredients are not very appetizing. Add 1 cup sugar.
~Explain that the sweetest part of the story is that Jesus died because He loves us. He wants us to know that we belong to Him.

Read Psalms 34:8 and John 3:16.

Beat with a mixer on high speed for 12-15 minutes until stiff peaks are formed.
~Explain the white color represents-in God's eyes-the purity of those whose sins have been cleansed by Jesus.

Read Isaiah 1:18.

Fold in the broken nuts. Drop by teaspoons onto a wax paper covered cookie sheet.
~Explain that each mound represents the rocky tomb where Jesus' body was laid.

Read Matthew 27:57-60.

Put the cookie sheet in the oven and turn the oven OFF. Give each child a piece of tape to seal the oven door.
~Explain that Jesus' tomb was sealed.

Read Matt. 27:65-66.

Go to bed!
~Explain that they may feel sad to leave the cookies in the oven overnight. Jesus' followers were in despair when the tomb was sealed.

Read John 16:20, 22.

On Easter morning, open the oven door and give everyone a cookie. Notice the cracked surface and take a bite. The cookies are hollow!! On the first Easter, Jesus' followers were amazed to find the tomb open and empty.

Read Matt. 28:1-9

Enjoy!

Happy Easter!