Baby Bird

Just over a week ago, we had a nesting bird hatch four baby birds on front porch in a very convenient location for us to watch the whole thing unfold.

It was very exciting and much anticipated. 

On Sunday, the baby birds were chirping super loud and the kids wanted to "take a peek" so we lifted them up to look inside the nest. The birds were so small and so cute.

We gave a stern warning about no touching and headed inside to get ready for the day.

That lasted approximately 30 minutes. 

While I was getting ready, Asher grabbed one his little chairs and headed onto the front porch for further investigation. 

He comes back inside with a big, triumphant smile on his face and declares, "I just touched the birds!"

The looks on our faces must have conveyed how displeased we were because immediately he started crying, followed by leading us to the scene of the crime. 

We had no idea what would happen to them. But had a pretty good idea. 

We left for a couple of hours only to return and find three featherless, baby birds gasping for breath on our front porch and sidewalk.

Awesome. 

Teachable moment #4056 of Asher's life.

I googled what to do and google said, put the birds back and leave the nest well alone. 

We all complied.

And have been nervously watching over the nest ever since and the Momma bird just resumed feeding the birds as if she hadn't given them the boot just hours before. 

And she feeds them all day every day ever since. I love watching it. 

So now, all day long-I hear the birds chirping, calling for their momma to come and feed them. Totally dependent on her for everything and it reminds me. 

It calls me.

It has set within me the reminder that this is how I am with God. I am dependent on him for my everything. Every bit wisdom. Every bit of depth, gentleness, goodness, self-control. Anything good or worthy has been hand-delivered to my soul by him. Through him. Through Jesus. On the cross. 

And he watches over me.

When I throw myself out of the nest, he lovingly puts me back.

And watches over me as I feed again.

As if nothing ever happened.

And get nourished.

And grow.

What a picture of grace. 

Easter Recap

The kids woke up to a beautiful Easter morning and we did a quick Easter Egg hunt outside.

Then we got all gussied up for a photo shoot. Look how well they cooperated!

Then we went to the Knauer's for a family feast time and Easter Egg Hunt. At the end of the day, Asher ate so much that he threw up and it was time to leave.
Throwing up ALWAYS means it's time to leave.

Happy Easter from the Sloan's!

We have had an incredible Spring season of knowing and feeling the Lord's presence.

We know that the stone has been rolled away and our soul's have been set free according to his great mercy.

Asher has been unable to escape the story of the cross and crucifixion and daily asks questions about it. We have been reading the Bible to him and Lucy and he just can't get enough. The other night, we were on the Good Friday story and he begged to finish...to hear the Good News.

All he could say at the end was "Thank You Jesus."

I couldn't ask for more.

I hope for that same response to be as natural within my own heart on a daily basis.

My friend Mike Sweeney lost his battle with cancer this week. I have been so sad and yet so glad for him to experience the sweetness of battle being over. His wife Cabell, has been left behind to grieve and has written the most incredible reflection in light of Easter and her husband's death this week. Please read it if you need to go a little deeper today: Caring Bridge

My heart needed to read what she wrote this morning. Maybe yours does too.

Everybody Praise Now

We went to an Easter Egg Hunt at a church in North Asheville that was amazing on Saturday. They had three bounce houses, a climbing wall, puppet shows, a carnival for the kids, mini-golf, firetruck, free lunch AND cotton candy.

Needless to say it was a hit.

Lucy has an alter-ego. When she is being naughty, she says she is being a "tiger". Which thrills us because of the whole Carolina-Clemson thing. But now...she actually likes tiger things. *Sigh*

Classic "I'm being a 'TIGER' face"

Lucy got to experience some cotton candy. Look at the PURE JOY on her face.

And back for more please.

This was Asher before he picked up only ONE egg and then got freaked out.
Had a crying fit and had to be put in the car for a little bit.
Oh it is so fun to be a parent.

So that meant that Lucy and Bennett got to keep all the eggs to themselves.
Yes, this was Easter Egg Hunt #2 for the Knauer-Sloans.


BTW: the title of this post and the previous one is a nod to the music that was playing the entire time at this easter festival. It was Christian music that was to tune of previously recorded secular music. Such as Huey Lewis and the News "The Power of Love" and C&C Music Factory "Everybody Dance Now". It was something special to hear them changed to pretty unremarkable Christian music.

You don't need no Credit Card to Praise His Name

Yesterday we celebrated Easter with the Knauers, the Williams and Amy Noll. Natalie and I are in a race to see who can most cook like the Pioneer Woman...since I take the pictures and have a blog; I think I am winning. But Natalie sure can cook.
And she loves ham. And she says it like "Hay-um" so maybe she is winning. I don't know.
Tie?
It was our third Easter egg hunt with the Knauers this week, so our kids were pros by the time Easter day actually came around on Sunday.

Natalie made roasted vegetables.

I made Basil Lime Fruit Salad with mangos, pineapple, kiwi and strawberries.

Kathie Odom's Green Beans.
It's not a holiday if one her recipes doesn't make an appearance.

And of course, the "HAY-UM"

Natalie toasted coconut to make coconut cake and then added peeps.
Lucy of course stuffed the whole peep in her mouth at once.
That's my girl.

Can't you just feel the excitement at the Easter Egg Hunt?

Sweet Anna Lewis made an appearance.
We all got to hold her. And then give her back.

Lucy was talking with her hand just like her Mama.

AND HAS JUST AS MUCH ATTITUDE.