Easter Babies

Such sweet innocence.

Couldn't keep Judah's attention - the sunshine and birds were far more entertaining.

And Sister's necklace so tantalizing.

Poor Bub (as Belle calls him), still peeked and not so much his smiley self.

This morning as I was dressing Judah, he fussed quite a bit. Belle jumped on the bed, grabbed his hand and kept repeating in such a soothing voice, "Bub, I am here. I am right here. I will never leave you. Don't be afraid. Its okay, I am right here."

I nearly burst out into tears...such simple, devoted love.

Isabelle isn't sure about the Easter Bunny. She told me on the way to church this morning there were only 3 things that scare her: "Big monsters, alligators, crocodiles, snakes, giant huge bunny rabbits with big, furry hands, and spiders."

Love my Easter Babies. Can't wait to see pictures of yours.

ejk

Easter Shenanigans

Thursday, April 1

The kids (and their mommy & daddy too) were just ecstatic to get Easter love in the mail from Grandpa & Grandma Kirk & Grandpa & Grandma Gardner.

I have to confess, Isabelle used the candy as toys for the first day. She immediately dumped the packing peanuts and formed a 'nest'. she then took the two oversized eggs that were full of candy & roosted. Perched atop them, she explained, "I am a mama bird, and these are my eggs. I'm hatching them." Once her hatchlings arrived (jelly beans & chocolate), she made beds for each of them and fed them pieces of chocolate bunny.

Once she discovered the coconut filled white chocolate eggs, all games were over. This is her mid-sentence, "These are DELICIOUS, mommy!"

Belle loved her card from Grandma & Grandpa Gardner. She will love it even more when she discovers that piece of paper inside gets her toys at Target!

Judah just loved the envelope. Mom, I bet Dad is saying, "I told you to just sent a card. He doesn't need a check to be fair at his age!" He's probably right, but we do appreciate it. And he is needing a little crib toy to keep him company at night so he will stay in his own bed!

Saturday, April 3

Aron will be leaving the house by 5:30 am on Sunday, so we decided to let Isabelle open her basket Saturday morning.

This is her telling me not to take any pictures of her because it "makes me very sad when you take pictures". As Judah smiles obliviously.

I may be paying for therapy later in life. But I snapped on anyways.


She had to wanted to taste everything...at 7:45 am. Peeps are disgusting at this time of morning. Peeps are disgusting at anytime of day, really. I'm not sure why I bought them because as it turns out, none of us like them.

Belle has developed quite a generous spirit. She is readily sharing these days. She wanted to pass out peeps & jelly beans & chocolate from her basket for everyone.

A ball and bat - (for Grandma Jean)

We headed over to the Easter Carnival at church. Judah is still feeling under the weather. Go away FEVER!

Belle loved her daddy helping her win candy at each game.

Judah waited patiently.

And had some 'candy' of his own.

p.s...(for family back home) his hair is coming in LIGHT; the front looks strawberry blond, but the crown of his hair looks white.

We revisted Jesus' walk through Jerusalem. And had a last supper picnic of our own.

And by the end of the day, we were all tuckered out.

Hope you are enjoying your Easter celebrations.

ejk

little brother blues

It's a sticky job being the little brother.

I have to bite my tongue when sister "decorates" me in the backseat of the Mounty.

Or when she dresses me up in cowboy hats & butterfly wings.

But I giggle & squeal at even the smallest dose of attention she gives me.

I'm kinda like this Easter Bunny she's been favoring lately. She works up contraptions just for us. This one she dragged into the bathroom during our bath so the bunny could watch our fun.

It may be a tough job, but it is one suited just for me. God made to fit like a glove into this crazy KirkHaven crew.

ejk

our getaway

Spontaneous trips are always a blast. And we definitely needed the quality time.

I don't think I took but a picture or two while we were gone, but luckily others did, so I do have a few captured moments. I think now that my arms are full (of 16lbs of handsomeness), I tend to miss moments I normally would catch. Such is the season. At least I have really buff biceps

(*not Barby K. buff, but buff for me:)).

Isabelle had a blast playing with cousins: Samuel, Chloe, Grace, Eli, Luke & Isaiah.

She & Samuel must have run up this hill 100 times that night. Josh & Daddy made the trek up the hill to have a picnic with the kids. Grandma Jackie did the same the next day with Belle & Chloe.

Grandpas & Golf balls. Good times.

And cute faces young and old.

Aron & Josh are 4 months apart. Now they have sons 4 months apart.

Aron's cousin Chanda & his Aunt Martha Kay opened a cafe on the Ohio River. Such a delightful little restaurant filled with charm, delicious home cookin', & Grandma Kirk's sewing masterpieces. One of the highlights of our trip was a leisurely Thursday afternoon lunch followed by a stroll along the river.


Josh & Kim have frequented RiverBreeze Corner Cafe a few times since its opening, but each time Chanda's famous peanut butter pie has been sold out. We are told by Kara & Brian that this pie is better than Fireside's.

So in perfect Kirk fashion, we ordered dessert first so as to ensure we got our peanut butter pie. And every last crumb lived up to the 'hype'. Next time family visits Michigan and asks if we need anything from home...now we know what to say!

Isabelle shopped the store & chose a topsy turvy doll handmade by Grandma to take home as her treasure.

We spent Thursday evening visiting at Aron's parents where most of his siblings were able to drop in for supper, but we missed the few we didn't get to see.

Friday we grilled steaks at my parents with my sister & the Bunn's as the girls played and Aron & I threw a football in the yard. Quiet, simple, joyous.

Saturday we Pancake Saturday'd with Aron's parents & even enjoyed farm fresh eggs from Uncle Ray & Aunt Pam's chickens. Great pancakes, even better conversations.

Then on our way out of town we were so excited to get to have lunch with a bunch of the Kirk cousins who happened to available on the spur of the moment decision.

Quick moments, but precious ones.

Moments ordained & blessed by God,

Held close to our hearts.

ejk

After 9 hours in the car yesterday, we made it back to Michi about midnight. We decided to take a few days vacation & visit family in Ohio since we wouldn't make it home for Easter. We really needed a few days away & so enjoyed our time. The weather was perfect!

I'm hoping to get some pictures up soon! As soon as I find my camera cord that is.

much love

ejk

shout out from judah

Judah has caught "mommyitis". He used to be so content playing on the floor or riding in his swing. Now, if I'm within eyesight, he wants to be held, and if I don't pick him up, he works himself into an absolute panic.
Here is a little shot of him today on my lap as I worked on the computer. He's learned to shake his head no...he does it for a few seconds on here, but you have to watch to see it. Usually he does it in a really exaggerated way.

Untitled from Aron Kirk on Vimeo.

springing forward and other random reflections...

A few random reflections on this rainy Saturday evening:

• How a 3-year-old can create 'art' that happens to make a huge mess while both parents are in the room but remain completely oblivious is a mystery to me.

• Molasses Cookies - the whole package - didn't make it 24 hours in our house. Gone, baby.
• God's love is relentless, gracious, & sufficient. It traverses the caverns of the heart of man searching out recesses yet to be filled with its quenching Living Water. This I am learning. (erica)
• Judah cut his second bottom tooth today. Finally the drooling has slowed down.
  
  
• We didn't know what to do with ourselves this rainy Saturday, so we decided to go to Kensington's Saturday evening worship. We are so glad we did. Being in ministry, its very rare to be able to sit back & totally be ministered to with no pressure, no responsibility. Such a nourishing evening for us all. BONUS: We saw Jeff and Andrea Kmeic there and sat with them during the service! The Kmeic's attend Kensington but are in our small group at MCC.
• Did you know today is march 13... That means in 17 days, 1 hour it will be April 1st. Can you guess what that means? It starts with an "Er" & ends with a "ma's". Sweet, creamy custard... we are waiting for you to greet us with your weekly feature flavors again.
• "Who are you calling a Cootie Queen you Lent Licker?" yeah, we say that about 100 times a day at our house... it's a random inside joke we'll throw in about any conversation. What? You haven't seen that 'Orbit' gum commercial? "What the French, Toast?" You need to. Its hilarious. YouTube it.
• 3 years olds will inevitably pick the worst time to say above cootie queen remark. Like to the dermatologist. [Mental note: must begin to speak more preschool appropriate. Save inside jokes for "grown-up time"]

• new "Awakening" worship album from Passion is definitely worth your investment. Fav song right now is Chris Tomlin's "Our God". Also enjoying "Rise & Sing" by Fee; "Like a Lion" and "How He Loves" by David Crowder Band.

• Belle has been watching the original "Inspector Gadget" cartoons online the past few days. She says it "Inspector Gagic". It's pretty awesome to hear her sing the theme song "do do do do doot Inspector Gagic" and then shout "Go go gagic arms". I think she thinks "gagic" is another word for "magic"!
• lovin' my new white high top Chuck Taylor All-Stars (Aron). They're just now starting to get that broken-in, dingy feel and look. Ah, finally, a shoe that is both timeless and functional.

• Happy Daylight Saving Time! Don't forget to "Spring Forward" before you go to bed. Losing and hour of sleep tonight!

APK & ejk