Desperate Update

How did we get so backed up on the blog? May is such a busy month that we have had no time to do anything here. I know we have made promises of lots of pictures and posts, but we just haven't had time to do any of them. I can't remember all of what we were going to post and even if I could the post would be so long everyone would fall asleep before they finished reading it. Instead, I'll just pick up as if none of those things happened and I'll post pictures and an update of J&N's b-day in just a minute. If there is something that you would like to see a post or a picture of than you can post a comment asking for it and we'll be sure to do a quick post or picture as soon as possible. Here is how you post a comment: At the bottom of this post -- not the blog, this post -- is a button that says '0 comments' (it might not say '0', it could say any number). If you click on that button it will take you to a page that lists all the comments made on this post. On the left of that screen is a blank space were you can type your comment (please be sure to tell who you are). Once you type the comment than you can push the orange button that says 'Publish Your Comment' below the comment you typed. There is also a section called 'Choose an Identity', but as long as you tell who you are in the comment you don't need to worry about that. Once you have pressed the orange button your comment has been posted! You can do this on any post on the blog.

Selfish Post

I promised in the last post that Abigail would post pictures of Easter (which was about a month ago I believe) and I asked her to do so recently, but it hasn't happened yet. It will happen soon.

That is not what this post is about, however. This is a selfish post for me (Jesse) to brag. I just had to share this. The NBA playoffs are going on right now (Our Chicago Bulls swept the Miami Heat and play Detroit in the next round!), and one of the first round series was the #1 seeded Dallas Mavericks against the #8 seeded Golden State Warriors. Everyone who knew anything about the NBA would say the Mavericks would easily sweep the Warriors in 4 games. However, I said if Golden State can just win one game - the first one - it all goes to them. Last night the Golden State Warriors finished off the Mavericks in 6 after winning game 1 last week. If anyone is a Warriors fan: thank me. Oh, and I also will take cash offers to pick Golden State in round 2. Thank you.

Update

How about that for a boring post title. It's been a while since there's been a post posted, so here you are... We have had quite a busy month and yet May is looking to make it pale in comparison. Sam and I (Jesse) had a piano competition two Saturdays ago (14th). It was the divisional round of AMTA (Alabama Music Teachers Association). The goal is to get a high enough score to advance to the state level. In the competition, we play three pieces, memorized, and assorted piano theory (scales, cords, etc...). Both Sam and I passed and will play our pieces at the state level in mid-May to try and become winners!!

Also, a big deal for our family, is that the Chicago Bulls are in the NBA playoffs. Right now they have a 1-0 series lead over Miami in the best-of-7 first round! Be sure to tune in tomorrow night to see Game 2!

Well, there is plenty more to say, and plenty more coming but I'm out of time right now. Abigail will post more later along with the long awaited Easter pics!!

New Sod pics

Well, it took me long enough. Finally here are the pictures of the 'laying-of-the-sod' event. The Easter pictures are still on the camera along with pictures of the what the sod looks like now. I'll post those later...

Happy Easter!

We hope everyone has had a very happy Easter!!

"He has Risen!"
Mark 16:6

Good Friday

It is Good Friday, the day the Jesus died so that we don't have to. Today I (Jesse) was looking at some of the hymns about the cross and Good Friday. I came across 'O Sacred Head, Now Wounded'. The words are a poem that is ascribed to Bernard of Clairvaux, a Medieval writer who wrote other hymns as well.

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O sacred Head, now wounded, With grief and shame weighed down,
Now scornfully surrounded, With thorns Thine only crown:
How pale Thou art with anguish, With sore abuse and scorn,
How does the visage languish, Which once was bright as morn!

What Thou, my Lord, hast suffered Was all for sinners' gain;
Mine, mine was the transgression, But Thine the deadly pain.
Lo, here I fall, my Savior; 'Tis I deserve Thy place;
Look on me with Thy favor, Assist me with Thy grace.

What language shall I borrow To thank thee, dearest Friend,
For this, Thy dying sorrow, Thy pity without end?
O make me Thine forever, And should I fainting be,
Lord let me never, never outlive my love for Thee.
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As the the first line of the last verse reminds us: this is not a day of mourning; it is a day of astonished thanks to God for a gift that is undeserved, the greatest gift possible: the gift of life!
It is Good Friday!

Stay tuned...

Just a quick update to tell you that we did finish sodding the front yard, and a longer, in-depth report is coming with pictures. Stay tuned....