Susan Boyle AMAZING

http://www.susan-boyle.com/

Go to the top video from you tube and watch the video of her appearance on Great Britains "Got Talent" or scroll further down and listen to her song, released in 1999 on a charity CD.

I so want this woman to be an instant sensation so that those who dont feel pretty or perfect enough realize that ANYTHING is possible. Our culture is too hung up on 'perfect presentations' and I hope she helps BLOW THAT OUT OF THE WATER.

I dont want her to be endeared despite her appearance I want her to be applauded and endeared because of her status and appearance. She deserves to be endeared based on her singing alone but we all know in our culture today they are pressuring the 'total package' not just the singing.

Forever N Ever N Always

Whether its the adoption stories, the spiritual side of things or the great photography this blog I recently discovered is really capturing my interest, mind, and heart so I thought I would share.

http://forevernevernalways1.blogspot.com/

Easter

Of course last year Lillian discovered jelly beans and painted eggs as you can see here: http://jnhfamilyblog.blogspot.com/2008/04/easter.html. Has she ever grown since last year? Amazing I tell you.

We really had fun painting eggs today, daddy even painted a couple. Lillian went down to see 'grandma Gene' who is the 99 year old down the road. She took her easter purse she got from Grandma Becky and hid the egg in there and gave it to Gene who was thrilled. Lillian told her all the colors that were in the egg.

Church service was very nice today. They didn't do plays or special singing they really gave a good message about the resurection of Jesus Christ and what it means to our faith and how it sets Christianity apart. I was happy to see that. Dont get me wrong, I like the plays, and the kids and the singing I have partaken in at other churches but we have so much of that on a regular basis I was happy to have a solid message today. Lillian really enjoys going to church and tonight was the first time they had the new kids rooms open now, I have to get some pictures of these rooms they are so wonderful. They dont teach in the 2 year old room so I cant wait until next year when she learns a bit more.
Why church on saturday you may ask? Well they had already added a saturday service to cater to those who need a sunday alternative but they have now for easter weekend added a second saturday service because they are normally bursting at the seems and are afraid they will be standing room only on sunday. They asked anyone who could to attend saturday I was a bit down on the idea at first being its not easter but with easter dinner and a cousin egg hunt at our house it works out fine. I am going to find an age appropriate easter story on the internet and talk with her tomorrow since we went to church tonight and then she has an easter packet and coloring pages from the church.

This is my favorite picture from the weekend of Lillian being 'attacked' by the baskets we were collecting for the easter egg hunt.

This year she is 'getting it' a bit more and talking about the easter bunny, she even drew him a picture complete with stickers. Lillian left the 'rabbit' some carrots and the picture tonight before bed.

Easter morning Lillian let us sleep in which was nice, no doubt on account of all the fun the day before and the late bedtime. Jared slept in and Lillian was actually very patient about waiting to find her basket, I am sure its just because she didnt 'get' it. We all took showers and got dressed before she 'found' her basket that I had put a blanket over just so she wouldnt see it on her way down the stairs. She was happy that the 'rabbit' ate all her carrots.

Here is a picture of her basket. She immediately went to the 'flip flops' her little friend at daycares brings dress up clothes for them and Lillian LOVES the little fake shoes so I couldnt resist when I found them at the dollar store. She also got some headbands and a john deere tractor. We went to TSC a few days ago and she just loves tractors so I let her ride the lawnmower of her choice and then she looks over at the big john deere tractors and asks to ride them. Since they sell the miniature ones I figured she would like it. She also got to see baby bunnies and 'chick-chicks' she liked looking at the chicks and using a finger to pet their back but wanted nothing to do with them hopping around or their feet.

We had a nice small dinner for just the three of us, we still had a small ham left from the 1/2hog we had bought in the summer. I tried not to go overboard this year since it was just the three of us. All in all it was a very nice relaxing Easter and with my recent baptism I was happy that it had a deeper meaning for me this year.