What does Good Friday mean to you?

Does God really love us? I say look to the crucified Jesus. Look to the old rugged cross. By every thorn that punctured His brow. By every mark of the back lacerating scourge. By every hair of his beard plucked from his cheeks by cruel fingers. By every bruise which heavy fists made upon His head. God said, "I love you!" By all the spit that landed on his face. By every drop of sinless blood that fell to the ground. By every breath of pain which Jesus drew upon the cross. By every beat of His loving heart. God said, I love you.

-Billy Lobbs

On this Good Friday I remember His sacrifice and celebrate what is coming on Sunday!

Star Wars Birthday Party

IT HAPPENED! The boys have talked about having a Star Wars birthday party FOREVER! Easy enough for me to do one theme for the three of them. When they were younger I picked the theme since they really didn't care. Last year and this year I lucked out that they wanted the same theme! I am prepared that in the future I may not get so lucky...

As I already blogged, all the Star Wars party prep was completed. The weather forecast went from 78 degrees, to thunder storms, to sunny, to 50 degrees... you get the picture. We ended up mid 50's and cloudy. Which means we were able to use the boys birthday presents of Dan's hard work over spring break - their outside play area! Just add friends and hoodies!

I had to narrow down the pictures. A special thanks to my friend Beth who took over some of the photography - which means I actually made it into some of the pictures! I have not had the chance to edit or crop any of the photos... so please bear with them.

I tried to narrow it down, but then I also wanted you to get the fun spirit of the actual party. I'm guessing only the grandparents will make it through all 40 photos....

soooo ENJOY OUR STAR WARS 5th BIRTHDAY PARTY!!!

Not too cold for these kiddos!

Climbing machines!

Dan pushing the littlest ones

My parents were in town from MI and Papa had fun with the littlest ones on the trampoline

jumping/chasing time!

the chatting moms!

Beth, Kim, Edie (not sure where Mel is?)

Cake time!

I cheated. Sam's club cake! It was YUMMY whipped icing!

Yes, it's crustless peanut butter or pb&j sandwiches for the kids

Drink center

notice the decor Quinton added to the food section??

So Cute!

Kim & Edie

However the blue icing does THIS...

The pinata all set up and ready to go! Looks a little creepy doesn't it?

Easton broke it!

Dan playing with the kids on the trampoline

He made up a game we call "popcorn". The kids LOVE it!

Love Joshua mid air here!

So funny!

Present time!

Showing off their first gifts

Storm Troopers!

McDonald's gift cards!

Hey, I spotted a little storm trooper walking around...

Mary Mckenzie chewing on the wrong end of her lightsaber

Storm Trooper nerf guns!

Our own folding chairs!

As the boys went outside to fly their new kites, I found everything lined up. I think it was a cross between the boys making sure they had ownership of their stuff and my mom lining it all up...

Their chairs with their guns in the cup holders, and bags filled with everything else.

It was a FUN time! Thanks to all our friends that made it out to the party!!!

The Cover???!!!

Gearing up for a Mother's day issue, a local magazine asked for some Moms of Multiples to take photos of their kids. Needless to say I was shocked to go to the website and see we made the cover of the Tennessee Women's Journal April/May 2o11 issue!

On page 17 there was a blurb about us. You can either click on the photo to see it larger, or click HERE to download the pages and read page 17.

Reminds me of a multiples article three years ago when we lived in Northwest Arkansas. In Peekaboo magazine they asked us some funny stories to share. The boys had this photoshoot for that article - still one of my favorites!

Fun memories :)

Star Wars Party Preparation

A few months ago the boys decided they wanted to do a Star Wars Birthday Party! They have been so excited for it to arrive! I started keeping my eye out for some deals.

Birthday Invitations = Free with code from Shutterfly

I edited it in PSE and downloaded the free Star Wars fonts

Party Favors!

$1 pool noodle from Dollar Tree (cut into two)

$6 black and chrome duct tape

Marked, cut in half, cover the cut end with duct tape and let your creativity lead you for the handles!

(yes folks, that is my friend Beth the self proclaimed "least craftiest person" helping out)

We ordered this fun Darth Vader Pinata.

Since last year the boys have begged for one, so this year I gave in!

Water and Capri Sun labels I made in PSE in lime green and blue to match the cake

Thanks to Grammy for putting all the labels on!

Star Wars Wall decals = FREE!

normally $9.97 on Amazon plus $10 off code from Parenting Magazine

Happy Birthday sign and coordinating reusable vinyl table cloth from Old Navy

my "planets" for the kids to hit around with their Lightsabers

$1 each beach ball, $.96 each spray paint

{worked well, but when it was warmer outside the outsides became tacky to the touch}

the completed Lightsabers! Each kid got 2 each.

They turned out super cute and are VERY sturdy!

Stay tuned for pictures from the party!!!