Easter Day

We had a wonderful Easter, beginning with a little Egg hunt through the house for the boys, a moving church service, lunch with dear friends, and the arrival of Mom and Dad Jackson in the late afternoon. We hope that your Easter brought renewed hope in our Risen Savior!

We're Walking!

Sweet Addison took to the road on her own two feet about a week and half ago. She is an adorable little toddler. We delight in every cautious and swaying step!

Eggs!

I love dying Easter Eggs with the kids. We had a beautiful day for it and ended up with a colorful collection of eggs and dyed fingers!

35!

Todd getting ready to blow out all 35 candles in a single breath!

Todd with Buddy Neil

Dawn and Lisa 

Todd turned 35 on March 21st! To celebrate, I threw him a birthday party complete with his 3 favorite cakes and all his favorite party food. The house and back patio was full of dear friends who came to celebrate Todd. We had an abundant variety of beer and a "make your own" margarita bar. I love my husband so much. What a joy it was to celebrate him and a gift to live life with him! Special thanks to Dawn and Lisa (in the photos above) who took the boys for several hours so I could get everything ready for the party -- couldn't have done it without y'all!

True That

Caleb received this Valentine from a classmate, Meg. I like his smartness, too. 

Putt-Putt

We had a family golfing outing on a balmy President's Day! Hoping for more of that as the weather warms....

Livin' the Life in South Beach

Todd received an unbelievably high honor from Bank of America - the Award of Excellence. Only the top 1% of Bank employees are granted this distinction.  I am so proud of him. Todd has really worked hard on some difficult and trail-blazing projects. It is wonderful to see the Bank recognize his contribution and integrity. More importantly, Todd has struck an admirable work-home-life balance. He is so present with the kids and I, not to mention all the ways he serves his friends and church. It's an even greater honor for him to receive this honor through hard work that was NOT at the expense of his family. Thank you, Todd for all that you do for our family. 

As a reward, award winners and their guests (that means me!) were flown down to South Beach Miami for 4 days, 3 nights of wining and dining at the posh Loew's Hotel. All expenses were paid and the Bank really pulled out the stops -- wonderful events, gifts showing up in our room several times per day, luxury excursions and a ton of pampering. We were thoroughly spoiled and enjoyed every minute! Jeff and Jessica happened to be in Miami for a get away the same weekend. We had a blast lounging at our hotel with them and checking out some of the sites. A highlight for Jess and I was drinks at the other wordly Delano Hotel.  I always love my time with Jess -- it was great having loads of time to chat. 

 Thank you to Mom and Dad for once again watching the kiddos so we could enjoy this trip!!

Valentine Tradition

For the past four years, we have hosted several of our dear girl friends who are single to a lavish dinner party. Through out the year, we are blessed by the friendship, wisdom, encouragement, counsel and love. We so enjoy "doing life" with these women and they are each very much a part of our family. This dinner is a fun way for us to honor and thank them -- plus I love a party! Lisa was kind enough to offer her services as sous chef this year and Jeremy joined Todd behind the scenes prepping, serving and cleaning up. Here's this year's menu...

Valentine’s Day Menu

Libation

Pomegranate Champagne Cocktail

San Pellegrino with Lime

Hors d’oeuvres

Baked Brie with cranberry chutney and toasted savory pecans

Served with ginger crisps and water crackers

Salad

Field Greens with grilled anjou pears, sugared walnuts, and goat cheese

Intermezzo

Raspberry Sorbetto

Entrée

Pork Tournedos with Blackberry Gastrique and Mango Salsa

Roasted Fingerling Potatoes with Fresh Rosemary

Broccolini in Balsamic Glaze

Dessert

Mixed Berry Pavlova

Dark Chocolate Crème Brulee

Sweet Day

Valentine's started out very sweet with our little cupids enjoying heart-shaped donuts and chocolate candies. The boys love a "special treat" as does their mommy! After school, they came off their Valentine Party sugar-high by delighting in each Valentine from their friends and cajoling a few more pieces of candy. So much joy in these 2 little ones!

Do It Again!

Sunset in Costa Rica is a cherished time. It's really the only firm  plan Todd and I have all day -- watching the sunset from "our" hammock. We never tire of the celestial light show and find ourselves with countless sunset photos that underscore our enthusiasm for each twilight's unique display. While there this time, I thought often of this quote from GK Chesterton on divine monotony. May you see His delight with His Creation in a new way today.

"Now, to put the matter in a popular phrase, it might be true that the sun rises regularly because he never gets tired of rising. His routine might be due, not to a lifelessness, but to a rush of life. The thing I mean can be seen, for instance, in children, when they find some game, or joke that they specially enjoy. … Because children have abounding vitality, because they are in spirit fierce and free, therefore they want things repeated and unchanged. They always say, 'Do it again'; and the grown-up person does it again until he is nearly dead. For grown-up people are not strong enough to exult in monotony. It is possible that God says every morning, 'Do it again' to the sun; and every evening, 'Do it again' to the moon. It may not be automatic necessity that makes all daisies alike; it may be that God makes every daisy separately, but has never got tired of making them. It may be that God has the eternal appetite of infancy; for we have sinned and grown old, and our Father is younger than we. The repetition in Nature may not be a mere recurrence; it may be a theatrical encore."

More From Paradise

I'm having a hard time getting pictures on the last post. So here are a few more from Costa Rica...

Pina Coladas after a long, hard game of cribbage.

Dinner at our favorite restaurant, well, in the world! A restaurant owned by an Italian couple -- they have the most incredible food and serve only a few tables per week in their home. It's a magical experience...

Todd and Jeremy after a pick-up soccer game with some local guys.

Rested and relaxed....