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!

Finally!

16 years ago my Dad started dating Muriel Smith. No one ever thought they would get married after such a long time. But, to my surprise (and great joy) i watched my Dad get on one knee and propose to Muriel while we were visiting Long Beach for Christmas. It was safe to say there was not a dry eye in the room that night! They announced they would be getting married on January 15th, just 3 weeks from that proposal night! Talk about planning a wedding quick! Jay and i talked about it and he offered for me to go to So Cal for the weekend of the wedding by myself while he stayed home to watch the kids. What a man! The wedding was incredible. No one would have guessed they put it together in just 3 weeks. It was intimate, and special. The first time my dad and all of his siblings and mother and all of his kids were together in probably 20 years or more. In the process i also gained another brother, Brian. Muriel looked stunning in a beautiful wedding dress and my dad was so handsome waiting for his bride. They did it. After 16 years they are married. I have another Mom and my kids have an "official" Grandma. So happy, really! Ed and Muriel Wilcox.. i love it! Here are a few pictures my brother took of the wedding. My friend Joey Colombo was the official photographer but we are waiting to see those pictures in a few days or so!

Twins are 8 months old!

Corban and Kinsley are 8 months old now! Kinsley just started crawling today and she can get to a sitting position from her tummy. Corban is behind her in this, which is typical for boys. He can get onto all 4s and rock, but hasn't started to move at all yet. They are both eating solid food and LOVE banana puffs. Their new favorite food is pumpkin and banana puree from Plum Organics. They love it. No teeth yet, and they are still waking at least 2 times each at night to eat. (Can you say tired Mama!) They are gaining such incredible personalities.. i love it!

Family Portraits

These are our family pictures shot December 2010.
Tristan is 4.5 years old, Rylie is 3 years old, and the twins are 7 months!