empty tomb.

We spent Easter weekend this year in Duluth with my family. Unfortunately, Brooks woke up with a fever Friday morning and it has been downhill from there. The doctor confirmed on Monday that he has croup and a virus in the Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease family. Our poor baby is quite pitiful and I don't blame him one bit. The problem is, I leave to go to Savannah tomorrow with a few of my girlfriends for the weekend and it is ripping my heart into pieces thinking about leaving Brooks. Hopefully he will be feeling better tomorrow and snap out of this "I want mama all day every day" state of mind. If he doesn't, it's safe to say I will be in tears the majority of the drive east. 

Back to the weekend...

Despite not feeling well, Brooks still had a great time at Nanie and Pop Pops. I should say, we all had a great time at Nanie and Pop Pops. Home-cooked meals, rest and relaxation; I couldn't ask for more! I sure wish the weather had been nicer on Saturday because the neighborhood where my parents live hosted the Greater Gwinnett Championship golf tournament again this year and I would have loved to walk around with John again. But, it was cold, wet, and windy so I decided to stay back with Brooks. John braved the harsh elements and followed a few of the pros around late Saturday afternoon. 

On Sunday we went to church with the entire fam jam. It was really nice to spend time with Gram, my brothers, sister-in-law, nieces, and nephew. Afterwards we went to brunch at a local restaurant since the country club was closed due to the tournament. And then we came back home for a quick little Easter egg hunt before we had to head home. It was a beautiful Sunday spent praising our Risen King! 

"Man of Sorrows" 

Man of sorrows Lamb of God

By His own betrayed

The sin of man and wrath of God

Has been on Jesus laid

Silent as He stood accused

Beaten mocked and scorned

Bowing to the Father's will

He took a crown of thorns

Oh that rugged cross

My salvation

Where Your love poured out over me

Now my soul cries out

Hallelujah

Praise and honour unto Thee

Sent of heaven God's own Son

To purchase and redeem

And reconcile the very ones

Who nailed Him to that tree

Now my debt is paid

It is paid in full

By the precious blood

That my Jesus spilled

Now the curse of sin

Has no hold on me

Whom the Son sets free

Oh is free indeed

See the stone is rolled away

Behold the empty tomb

Hallelujah God be praised

He's risen from the grave

boys will be boys.

Sunday, late afternoon, John decided to build Brooks a sandbox. The boy loves to "deh" (dig) and loves sand, so it was a no-brainer.

Now, if I had only thought of the mess it would make ahead of time, I might have reconsidered. We had to strip Brooks down, diaper and all, and hose him off in the laundry room sink afterwards. And there's no telling how much sand made it into his mouth. Yummy.

I just have to remind myself to let him be little, that dirt (and sand) washes off, and that boys will be boys...

dedicated.

Yesterday we dedicated our beautiful baby boy to the Lord. 

A child is a gift, a gift that is a responsibility and a challenge that calls for our dependence upon God day in and day out. By dedicating John Brooks to the Lord, John and I acknowledge our need for God's wisdom, guidance, strength, and grace in parenting. We also recognize that we need the accountability and outpouring of prayers from our family and friends in Christ, who love our Brooks and have the same desires as we do in raising him to intimately know and love Jesus all the days of his life. We are committed to submitting Brooks to God's will and raising him according to God's Word and righteous ways. 

After the service we continued the celebration of our commitment by having our family over for lunch. We could not have been blessed by a more beautiful day. 

We are so thankful for our families that celebrated this joyous occasion with us. It meant the world to us to have our parents in attendance. 

Brooks sure is one really loved baby boy! 

The Child continued to grow and become strong, increasing in wisdom; and the grace of God was upon Him.

Luke 2:40