I have got to admit that waking up to a sloshy wet world and gray skies outside did not make me reflect on Easter this morning. Where I come from, Easter is truly a wellspring of sunshine and new life. Little girls buy summery yellow dresses and everything about bunnies hopping around and outdoors and outdoor Easter egg hunts is totally appropriate. I remember when I was a kid waking up before dawn to go downtown to watch the sunrise on the ocean. Hundreds of people came from everywhere and I remember the songs being sung about Christ being risen as I watched the sun rise over the ocean and cascade its brilliant colors everywhere. Even as a young child I could not stop myself from rejoicing. It was a big deal to me, and I loved Easter. How do you feel like that when the world outside does not reflect anything of newness of life? Even when you look at the blossoming trees and flowers they are muted by the depressing grey skies.

Well, here is my answer. Think about yesterday, literally. Yesterday truly did feel like Easter. Yesterday, we woke up to birds chirping. To a warm breeze. To  SUNSHINE!  Jedidiah looked with wonder at this strange glowing warm phenomenon called the sun.  We were truly graced and we used the opportunity to visit (in my opinion) one of the most beautiful places there is in the Eugene, Oregon area:  Mt Pisgah. 

I am not one to document beautiful nature scenery because I know full and well that when I arrive at home and look at the picture later the magic is lost, at least enough to not make the effort to take pictures too often.  Besides, I only have a big fat camera now because Jedidiah decided to take our point and shoot and stir a glass of water with it.  We intend on using our point and shoot for days such as these. Not having a small pocket point and shoot makes it difficult to take loads of photos of all of your surroundings.

But I DID take some photos of my beautiful family.  I know that I feel sorry for myself for having to suffer through the slop and drear of the northwest winter, but I praise God for the glimpses of hope that he gives us in this world, through sunny, beautiful days such as these and beautiful  places to visit.

Anyway, here are some photos of our Family.  I don't have beautiful pictures of me, mainly because my hair was frizzy and embarrassing so I left myself out of the equasion.  I want everyone to know, though that Isaiah is not a single Father.  He just happens to have a wife who loves to take photographs.  So usually I am behind the camera, and I am okay with my presence being there most of the time.

So,  Maybe I am not watching the sun rise over the ocean, but I am watching something else beautiful.

Good times.

We recently went to visit some dear friends of ours in Portland. This year they bought a very scary weird house and completely remolded it so it does not look scary and weird, but looks beautiful and warm and welcoming. I was interested in capturing the essence of the new house, and wanted to take more pictures of it but unfortunately/fortunately my camera battery died. (Fortunately because I am convinced that my friends think I am pretty weird for wanting to go and take pictures of their pots and pans and cabinets and their children's toys, and I was able to avoid the awkwardness of doing so. Although, they have been very good friends to us for over four years so hopefully they are able to look past my weirdness by now, and see me for who I really am inside.) I do have a few more photos I would have shared but there were people making unflattering faces in them, and I figure its best not to even go there. Anyway, It was unfortunate I did not get more, but I hope you can enjoy at least these few of the children. And the one of the pot.

Like his mama and his daddy.

Jack and "Dilly