celebrating new life

 Trying to get a picture of these 2 girls on Easter morning did not go well! Typically Nyla has no desire to cooperate with what we want her to do, and Easter was no exception. ;)

Telling secrets about the Easter bunny?

Spring is a perfect time to celebrate Easter - the change in weather, flowers blooming, new life appearing all around us - a great time to celebrate the new and everlasting life God has given us. 

This new little life was born 2 weeks ago at the exceptionally small size of 25-30 pounds (most newborn baby calves weigh 80-90 pounds). Nyla named this special baby calf, Strawberry. 

Strawberry is bottle fed due to the fact that he couldn't reach to nurse and and was not strong enough to suck effectively. His spine curves in multiple directions, but he doesn't know the difference. 

The weekend included lots of family fun and outdoor activities...

 Flying Uncle Josh's remote control airplane

 Easter egg hunt at my parent's church

 I never particularly liked the huge headband attachments, but I'm more used to them now after the big ole helmet.

Kite flying

More egg hunting in the front yard

 About to get goosed

Grandpa Dick

 I think Strawberry might be getting a lecture about getting too close to the Easter baskets.

 Fun with Daddy

 Grandma Earlene and her sister, Shirley - Hopefully someday Hazel and Nyla will get to be this age together, and get to sit and chat like this.

Plenty of 4-wheeler rides

One other weekend activity involved hunting, and eating, morel mushrooms. I will blog about that in a separate posting. :) 

It's hard to believe that one year ago at this time, I was on in-hospital bed rest 3 1/2 hours from home, pregnant with Hazel and unsure of what was in store for her life.  But thanks to Jesus's resurrection, we could claim victory then - and always - in whatever hardships we are facing, whatever the outcome.

And thanks to God's mercy, here she is, safe and sound... As I've said before - a perfect picture of God's grace.