Celebrating Purim

My brother-in-law, Ryan states it best, "This holiday commemorates God's deliverance of the Jewish people from the evil plans of Haman as recorded in the book of Esther. The book of Esther instructs the Jewish people to make this holiday "days of feasting and rejoicing and sending portions of food to one another and gifts to the poor" (Esther 9:22). The book of Esther also encourages non-Jews "who allied themselves with them [the Jews]" to celebrate this feast (Esther 9:27). Therefore, this is a feast for both Jews and Gentiles who have a love for the Jewish people. Purim is a special time to recall the mercy and salvation of God as recorded in this story. Traditionally, the entire story of Esther is read on this day."

Matt and I have wanted to celebrate some of the Jewish Feasts in our home. Last year we had so much fun celebrating Passover and this year we had our first Purim celebration. We began the evening with dressing up as different characters out of the book of Esther. After we ate dinner, Matt read the whole book. Every time he mentioned Mordecai's name we would all cheer. It was so neat to see Madeline and Samuel's face light up as we celebrated. And finally, we celebrated God's victory over evil by eating the traditional Purim cookie, Hamentaschens. The night was so refreshing to be reminded of God's character and provision along with lots of laughter and fellowship. Just look at the pictures...you will laugh!

Praise the Lord that God had provision for the Jews and he also has provision for all His children! We loved celebrating this feast!

Madeline cheering for Mordecai

Notice Queen Vashti was dethroned and Esther has recieved the crown!=)

King Xerxes enjoys a hamentaschen cookie!

Matt is such a wonderful leader! I love you, babe!

Queen Esther and Hadassah

Little Mordecai (who never wore his costume) and Queen Vashti
Just look at their expression, hilarious and very similar!

Mama, I know you will love me for this one!

Enjoying their turkey burgers!

Hey, I know that's not typical in Jewish culture but at least they were kosher!

** If you are interested in learning more about Jewish Holidays, go to JBIJ.com. This is the ministry my brother-in-law, Ryan Lambert serves under.

AHHHH! Spring Cleaning!!!!

On Wednesday, March 19 my Mom and Dad brought Madeline, Samuel and I back to K-town! And it felt like as soon as my feet landed we began working. Mama and Daddy are always so ready to help us work on anything that we need done. Of course with the weather getting warmer my hands were ready to get spring cleaning done so we could do more playing outside on those beautiful spring days.

For three full days Mama and Daddy helped us clean windows, baseboards, cabinets, and bathrooms. We managed to clean out a large pile of random items and drop them off at charity. Then Mama took me and the kids spring shopping. Madeline's highlight was getting her summer flipflops Nana had promised her! We also went to an herb farm and Lowe's to get things for our garden and home. While Daddy served us by doing some yard work for us, helping matt with the shed, and taking care of Samuel. Whew!

WHAT A BLESSING!!! Thank you Mama and Daddy! It means the world to us. It's so much fun to do things like that together. I love making memories with you guys. We love you!

Matt and Daddy working on the shed doors.

Daddy cleaning our gross blinds. Thank you, Daddy!


Mama teaching Madeline and Samuel how to clean cabinets! Of course,
Madeline and Samuel wanted to be right in the middle of it! They were great!

Down on the Farm at Nana and Papa's House

We were so excited to get away to my mom and dad's house for a long weekend. Matt needed a break from work and I needed some time with my parents. Matt had to leave on Sunday after catching the Clemson basketball game while the kids and I got to stay a couple more days to have some fun.

It was really a blessing to be with my family and my extended family for a brief time. My grandparents, aunts, and uncle held a welcome home party for my parents which we got to attend. (For those of you who don't know, my parents just built a home on the land my mom grew up on in Galivants Ferry, SC...also known as AYNOR!) They invited both sides of families, old high school friends, church and family friends. It was fun to see them love on my parents.

And during our time there got to do all the fun things on the farm- feed the cows, put the new fish in the pond, ride the gator, play outside for half the day at least, explore the garden, go to my Uncle's petting farm (it felt like one but actually he raises a lot of animals and sells them), make cookies with MaMa, and spend some time at my grandmother's house.

Thanks Mama and Daddy for all the fun! We really enjoyed are time at your house!

Picture of my mom's family at the party.

Some of my dad's family at the party.

Nana, Madeline, and Samuel trying out our Purim cookies!

Telling MaMa about the Resurrection Eggs.

Papa was reading the book before the kids would go to bed.

They loved it!

Playing with Nana!

Visiting Grandma Martin (my dad's mom)


Samuel loved playing in Papa's shower!

Madeline LOVES bubbles in Nana's tub!


Just like when were at the lake...the kids love the car!

We discovered they don't just have the same name but they walk the same!

Samuel "Asa" and Popie

Madeline picking flowers with MaMa for the party!

Cole and Madeline exploring on my Uncle's farm!

Nana and Samuel looking at the bunnies.

Samuel, Cole and Madeline trying to feed some chickens!

Look at Samuel being brave holding out his hands. He was so brave with all the animals.

They had beagal puppies! They were precious!

Petting one of the 100 bunnies that were there!

Madeline and Maggie enjoying some yummy suckers!

Enjoying a gator ride!

The FARM GIRL feeding the cows!

The CITY GIRL trying to be a farm girl!

Papa and Samuel having fun on my sister's old tricycle!

Jill's 2007 Thanksgiving Project

Yes, I intended to get this banner done the month before Thanksgiving 2007 in order to hang in our dining room. But it didn't happen! So it was put off for a couple of months after Madeline and I began sewing in October. Madeline has loved every step of it! It's been worth every minute just to watch her face light up as we have "special time" during Samuel's nap to finish the banner. My prayer is that as this banner hangs through the Novembers to come it will facilitate discussion and remind us of God's goodness to us each year.

Matt thinks this picture is a great advertisement! Ha Ha!

The banner is supposed to read "Giving Thanks." A great idea I saw in Pottery Barn but too pricey to buy!

Old McDonald's Piggies

Azi's Fish

The day we got home from our trip we discovered a new guest at our house...Azi's fish! Madeline and Samuel were so excited to sit and watch the fish! I wish you could have heard our conversation about the fish, the balls in the bowl, the colors, and feeding the fish! Madeline had many questions and Samuel expressed many sounds as we talked and looked at the fish! It was precious to see their big eyes and expressions on the other side of the bowl! I love being able to experience life with them!

Fun at Ash's House

This past week Susan (friend from Clemson)and her daughter, Bella came to Knoxville to see us and journey together to Louisville, KY for a few days! We went to see our sweet friend, Ashley Wireman (friend from Clemson)and her family!

It was so much fun to see Ashley's world! We got to get a sweet taste of community while playing with our kids, having the zoo to ourselves, trying to figure out how to get a bird out of the chimney, exchanging recipes, having tea and cookie breaks at night, laughing ALOT, and talking ALOT!

Thank you Ash and Su for being such precious friends! I enjoy being apart of your lives and watching the Lord work in and through you!

And thanks to our husbands for letting us go and being excited that we got to have this time together!

Su and Ash- Can't wait until our next adventure together!

Eliza, where's Madeline?

Any one got a napkin?

Our sweet hosts...what a pair!

Madeline adored Bella!

I promise there is a gorilla sitting behind the glass!

We got a picture of us three!!! And the elephants were even in it!

Cold day at the Louisville Zoo...but oohh so fun!

Just look the kids can't even move much less see! Ha!

Help on the Shed

Thank You Caleb Duncan, Seth Hunt; John, Jonathan, and Jared Carlton! I enjoyed being with each of you this week, and truly appreciate your help! I look foward to more time this next week!

Barn Raising

Matt and his dad finalize a plan for the foundation.

Setting the foundation

Madeline and Grandma enjoy an ice cream cone.

Madeline and Azi getting their game on.

Two sweet girls.

Grandma and the kids enjoy a picnic lunch while the guys work.

Madeline spent a LOT of time helping Grandpa and Daddy, precious memories.

Momma and the kids enjoying a moment

Setting the homemade trusses.

The end of the day Sunday.

Thank you Dad, Mom, Teg, Mikkel, Azi and Jet for all of your hard work this weekend!

We really enjoyed the time working together.