Happy Easter!

Happy Easter, everyone! It's been a great Easter weekend for our household. On Friday evening, our church community, The Well, gathered together for a time to remember and think upon the tremendous sacrifice Jesus made for us. It was a great way to start the Easter weekend. On Saturday moring we once again got together to serve our local community at a food pantry and home for women. Jesus' death was the ultimate act of loving servanthood to all of mankind, we wanted to follow this example of loving servanthood by serving our local community. We plan to make serving on Easter Saturday an annual tradition. Then on Sunday morning we celebrated Easter with a huge breakfast and worship service. Later we spent time with our family (immediate and extended) which was a great way to end the weekend, although we are exhausted!

Jake and Emily looked prettty spiffy today. Thanks to Gam and Papaw and to cousin Lauren for the clothes! I remember how excited I got about my Easter dress as a little girl. It was so fun to dress Emily up for her first Easter.

By the time we got to the big lunch with the family, Emily had missed her morning nap and was pretty tired.

She perked up pretty fast when she saw this dog that barks "Mary had a Little Lamb"

Here is a pic of Jake and Emily their cousins, Lauren and Jillian. Emily is wearing Lauren's Easter dress from last year. The girls are growing up fast.

It was the moment Jake had been waiting for...the egg hunt. He had a ball running around finding eggs. This picture is funny because for every child hunting eggs, there was at least one adult with a camera or video camera following them around.
Looks like Jake did a pretty good job on the hunt. When we opened all the eggs there were quite a few hair barrets and plastic rings. I guess that might have something to do with the ratio of girls to boys in this family. Poor Jake, one boy among a sea of girls. He didn't seem to care. He said that little sister could have the girly stuff.
Happy Easter everyone!

Thank you, Jesus, for such an act of loving servanthood! May we strive to show your love by serving others before ourselves, just as You did.

Birthday Party!

Jake had a fun birthday party on Friday. He was so excited all morning. I'm glad the party was at 1:00, I don't think he could have waited any longer.

Jake had fun decorating his own birthday cake with some dinosaurs that Gam and Papaw got him.

After lunch a few friends arrived for cake and presents. I guess it was the day for striped rugbies. All the boys looked like they had coordinated their outfits!

Opening gifts was a group effort. (Except for Ella, who sat back and watched.)Jake got a fun game for his birthday called Ellafun. It's an elephant that shoots butterflies out of it's trunk and the kids try to catch them with nets.
After cake and ice cream we headed over to Bounce Zone in Noblesville. The kids had a blast at the indoor inflatable playground.

Jake had been here once before. He went right for the BIG slide. I was surprised how brave he was on the big slides! I guess being 4 makes you pretty courageous!
Even Ella was hitting the slides in the toddler room.

The fun isn't just for kids. Parents can join in. This is Blake's dad, Shawn. I think Shawn told me he was heading to the chiropractor after this.Thank you to everyone who made it to the party. Jake had a great birthday and lots of fun!

Happy Birthdays!

Four (very short) years ago when I woke up on my birthday I wasn't thinking, "Yipee! Today'sgoing to be all about me!" I awoke at 4am to a pain I had never experienced before....contractions, real labor contractions. I was in labor a day before I was scheduled to be induced. Our son was ready to make his debut in the world...6 days late....on MY birthday! I know it sounds like I'm bitter, which I'm not. I love sharing this I day with Jake...it's OUR day now and it's so much more special this way.

My 25th birthday started out in a very exciting way. Soon we were going to meet our baby. Any moment now he'll be here. I'm sure it won't be long now......19 (very long) hours later they had to go in and get him. I suppose he decided he wanted to be born and then changed his mind and decided to stay. At any rate, Jake was born just a few hours shy of missing my birthday all together, but I'm glad he made it in the nick of time. (I wouldn't have wanted to be in labor a minute longer anyway!)

The past 4 years have gone so fast. It's hard to believe, as most parents would agree, how fast kids grow. Jake has been a complete joy to us and we've cherished every moment. Now he's 4. In some ways it kind of breaks your heart to think that he's growing so fast. You look back on the memories and are sad that they are behind you, but each new stage of life brings great new memories. Like right now he says the funniest things, and it all makes sense! And he's so helpful and loves to be the helper. He's also very loving right now. It the best thing in the world when your child gives you a kiss and hug, voluntarily, just because he wants to show that he loves you. It's priceless.


I'm looking forward to new stages and new memories, but it's fun to reflect on the past ones too. Here's a visual timeline of Jake's 4 years. From day to day you don't realize how they change, but looking back it's crazy how much they do! Going through all these pictures was so sweet.

First Birthday!!!
(Didn't eat the cake.)

This is one of my favs. Love my boys!

Look at these curls! I miss these curls!

(I guess the fish is cool too.)

2nd Birthday!

Happy Birthday, Jake Poe. You were my best birthday present ever!

Why do kids look so cute in hats?

Not much news to report in our little family. We are just ready for spring, like everyone else. Jake and I are looking forward to our birthdays next Friday the 14th. Otherwise, it's just life as usual. Not much to blog about.

Whatever it takes!

Okay, so I'm sure it's no surprise that we are sick! Who isn't sick? Is anyone well out there???But no mom can go without her baby! I didn't hold Emily for more than 2 full days! I missed her so much :( Ryan found me this mask in the garage. It looks pretty silly although Emily was fascinated by it. Coincidentally, the mask doesn't block odors as I found out changing my first poopie in days. P.U. But I got to hold my girl and that's the best kind of medicine for me!

One last thing...I have a great husband who's a great father. He's being single handedly playing Mr. Mom since Friday and taking care of me too, so thanks honey. I love you!

February 6, 2008

Not much news to report in the Poe household, but here are a few recent pictures.

Jake and Emily chill out and watch a TV together.

Since she's 4 months old now, Emily has started playing in her Exersaucer. She does really well in it, although her face doesn't suggest it's her favorite past time.

This is Emily's new friend, Eva. They have the same PJ's! Eva's a little older than Emily, but that won't matter in a few months when they are crawling and walking and playing together!