Happy Easter (& Other Things)

I start this blog by saying that I hope each and everyone of you had a blessed Easter. Holidays are such a fun time to spend with family and friends. I hope, however, that you also found time to remember the reason that we celebrate Easter. I hope that you remembered that the holiday is about hope and resurrection. I hope that you invited Jesus to share the holiday with you as I did.

I fear that I am never going to post an official blog about Mommy and Bailey's road trip so I will briefly write about it here before getting to our Easter festivities and other topics.

My friend Renee invited Bailey and I to a picnic honoring organ recipients and donors the last weekend in March. She has been very involved with this organization since her husband (and one of my best friends) died unexpectedly almost four years ago. I was so touched to be invited and really excited to go. The one dread I had was the three and a half hour road trip. Yes, that's Bailey in a car seat while I drive for three and a half hours. I planned it perfectly praying that God would keep her content the entire ride. She was wonderful. The Friday we were to leave I sent her to school for a couple hours and then we went to a Gymboree class all in hopes she would sleep a good bit of the ride. She slept all the way to the Beaumont (still two hours away). She did fine watching DVDs and playing until about 45 minutes from Renee's. I then had to improvise by signing and playing "look at x (cows, planes, etc)". But we made it and she had a wonderful time with Taylor. He was so good with her.

The picnic was on Saturday at Alligator Bayou and was so wonderful. It was joyful and humbling all at the same time. Knowing so many people had to lose someone to bring life to others is a very moving experience. I told Renee how touched I was to have been invited and kept hinting I wanted to go back next year (I hope she got that hint - ha!). Sunday we went to an Easter egg hunt at Renee's church. Bailey loved it. Once she got the hang of it, she took off to get as many eggs as she could. Then came Sunday afternoon and the ride home. Would I be as lucky? Yes, I was. The amazing part of that ride is that Bailey did not sleep at all. She stayed awake the entire ride and just watched DVDs and played with books and toys. We again sang and played the "look at x" game but this time I knew we would be fine. Thanks again, Renee. It was a wonderful experience.

Our Easter was wonderful. Friday Bailey and I kicked it off by having her picture taken with the Easter Bunny (doesn't she look excited?). She wasn't really thrilled about it but still managed to feed herself a cookie during the photo shoot. Isn't that what they call comfort food? The Easter Bunny brought Bailey a new pool and pool toys as well as a Minnie Mouse bathing suit, coverall, and hat. She also got $20 and a Sit and Spin from her Grandma & Grandpa. Of course, she got a little candy as well. We invited Christian, Khrissy, Jason (Griffin), and Hunter over for Chicken Spaghetti and Banana Pudding. We were going to do an Easter Egg Hunt for Bailey and Hunter but it was cold here in Houston. It was about 50 degrees. I don't want any comments from our northern friends and family. 50 degrees in Houston in April is unheard of. I had to go unpack Bailey's winter clothes to have something appropriate for her to wear. Our last guest left at about 8:30. It was so fun having everyone there. Thanks to our Houston family for celebrating with us.

As for Bailey, she is doing well now. We went to the doctor for her 18 month check up this morning and she is 24.3 pounds and 32" long. The doctor is confident that she is over her virus (as are Khrissy and I) so she is back at school today and I'm back to work. I think that's good - although I'm not sure. Not that I want Bailey sick but I did enjoy the extended Mommy/Bailey time.


Have a blessed week and we'll talk very soon!