Happy Easter!

What a busy week we had last week.  Last Wednesday we dyed Easter eggs.  Well, mommy and daddy did because we didn't want it to get everywhere.

 Stella still had a great time!

Saturday, we headed to Columbia to spend time w/ Grandma and Papa Stroman.  We went to a local egg hunt/carnival that several churches in the area put on (my mom's church included) and Stella enjoyed it so much.  She loved picking the dandelions when we arrived (as she does in our own yard!) but this time she wanted to give it to Papa.  Sweet girl!!

 Grandma and Stella went to find a balloon animal.

 They had a cute little puppet show as well as singing, bounce houses and other fun activities for the children.

 Stella had a BLAST!  This is one of my favorite things she does..."HURRY!" as she likes to say, all while her right arm is going back and forth faster than her little legs will carry her.

 Stella, Daddy and Papa enjoyed hot dogs and snow cones.

 Then it was time to find the Easter eggs.  The egg hunt didn't start for another hour and a half so the nice ladies let Stella sneak in and pick up a couple since we were about to leave. 

 Sunday morning we came downstairs to see what the Easter Bunny had brought us.  WOW - the D's must have all been good girls and boys or either the Easter Bunny sure does love us!

 After enjoying Papa's yummy breakfast, we all got dressed for church.  Stella got to wear the bracelet Grandma and Papa gave her for the first time.  And she got to carry the Easter purse Aunt Lynn gave her.  She was definitely a beautiful princess.

 After church, we posed for a few family pics.  This is my cousin's little girl, Reese.  Stella adores her and they have a fun time together.

 We are so blessed to have my Granny and Granddaddy in our lives.  What an inspiration they are to others.

 All the grandchildren and great-grandchildren with Granny & Granddaddy.

 The whole Stroman clan.

 The D's

 The Salonich's and The D's

 After lunch in Columbia with the fam, we headed back home and had dinner with Kyle's fam.  His Aunt Lynn was in town from Texas so it was nice to be able to visit with her while she was here.

 Stella went on an egg hunt when we arrived and ended up with lots of goodies in her eggs.  About $10 and a few goldfish. :) Lucky girl!

We had such a great weekend and are so blessed to be surrounded by our loving families.  We missed those we couldn't be with, but hope we can see everyone soon.

Easter is a wonderful time of year.  While we enjoyed dying Easter eggs, wearing pretty dresses and getting excited to see what the Easter Bunny brought us, we can't forget the real reason we celebrate Easter.  Easter is a time to celebrate the birth, life, death and resurrection of our Savior, Jesus Christ.  "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only son, that whoever believes in Him will have eternal life." ~ John 3:16 What an amazing sacrifice Jesus made for us.  He gave his life so that we may live forever in Heaven with Him.  I'm truly grateful to serve such an amazing God and I pray that as Stella grows older she will understand the true meaning of Easter.

Come See Me

Our town has a festival every year called Come See Me.  The festival ended last weekend but once again I'm just now getting around to posting on the blog.  Anywho, we were able to enjoy some of the festivities during the week-long festival.

We "Shopped til we Dropped" at the Junior Welfare League Spring Market.  But not before taking a cute photo op with the festival's mascot's Glen and Glenda the frogs.

 Stella had fun drawing at "Chalk on Main".   

 "Chalk on Main" happened to be the same day as Grandma D's birthday so we celebrated with dinner afterwards at McHales.

 Posing with Glenda at the Beach Bash.  Stella loved the frogs and said "froggies" all week long!

 We all enjoyed listening to beach music at the Beach Bash.  And what Beach Bash is complete without beach balls?!

 Grandma and Pop Pop D joined Stella and Daddy for the parade.

 There were tons of exciting floats, bands and groups in the parade but I think Stella's favorite was definitely the float with Elmo and Dora.

 Grandma and Pop Pop got Stella this cool Come See Me tshirt.  What a cutie!

What a fun festival!  We love Come See Me and look forward to it each year!

My Heart is Full

I've been feeling this way a lot lately so I just wanted to share my feelings.  My heart is so full and these are just a few reasons why...

• I serve an amazing God.
• He blessed me with the most amazing family and I grew up around so much love and fun that I want to be able to provide the same for my family.
• I have friends that are all unique and awesome in their on special way.
• I met and fell in love w/ the perfect guy for me.  Honestly, I don't think anyone out there could love me (and put up w/ me!! ;)) the way he does.  He's the best husband and father in the whole wide world.  
• I have the best in-laws and parents who do so much for us and we are forever grateful.
• Our first "child" is the sweetest, cutest, sometimes bad (when she gets things she's not supposed to have), biggest yorkie ever.
• Our neighbors are wonderful and we are so lucky to be surrounded by such special people
• I have the cutest, sweetest, most precious 18 1/2 month old little girl.  She lights up our lives with everything she does.  And when I say everything, I mean everything - when she sleeps my heart melts, when she eats she giggles and makes faces when she doesn't like the taste of something, when she plays and doesn't know we're watching, the list goes on...

A lot of times in life we get too busy to "stop to smell the roses" so I'm trying to be more aware of that and really soak in how wonderful my life really is.  Martina McBride's song, Blessed, truly makes me realize that wow, I really AM blessed!!

I get kissed by the sun each morning
Put my feet on a hardwood floor
I get to hear my children laughin'
Down the hall through the bedroom door
Sometimes I sit on my front porch swing
Just soakin' up the day
I think to myself, I think to myself
This world is a beautiful place

I have been blessed
And I feel like I've found my way
I thank God for all I've been given
At the end of every day
I have been blessed
With so much more than I deserve
To be here with the ones that love me
To love them so much it hurts
I have been blessed

Across a crowded room
I know you know what I'm thinkin'
By the way I look at you
And when we're lying in the quiet
And no words have to be said
I think to myself, I think to myself
This love is a beautiful gift

I have been blessed
And I feel like I've found my way
I thank God for all I've been given
At the end of every day
I have been blessed
With so much more than I deserve
To be here with the ones that love me
To love them so much it hurts
I have been blessed

When I, When I'm singing my kids to sleep
When I feel you holding me
I know

I am so blessed
And I feel like I've found my way
I thank God for all I've been given
At the end of every day
I have been blessed
With so much more than I deserve
To be here with the ones that love me
To love them so much it hurts
I have been blessed oh yes
i have been blessed, oh yeah yeah
(i have been blessed, i have been blessed
i have been blessed i have been blessed)