Life is a test. We are not present on earth to just exist; we are here to learn. Life is a lesson. Love one another unconditionally. Love thyself unconditionally. We spend our whole lives learning to do this. Some succeed and some never have a clue. I'm trying. Love my fellow man. Don't react and don't always have to be right. This is one I'll have to work on for the rest of my life. Appreciate each day and recognize positive and negative as a part of life's experiences. Look around me and see life at it's best. The joys of living come as you strive to achieve your dreams. Its the quality of each day that is important, not the distant dream once achieved. Teach and nurture my children. You can never give them too much love. -Randa Jex 1/1/94

Friday, April 9

APRIL 4: Easter Weekend

a little Easter pail I painted for a friend's baby girl, Ali!


Easter weekend was wonderful and so relaxing. Zach and I started off the weekend with a complete patio overhaul. We cleaned the courtyard, trimmed back plants, planted flowers, and purchased a cute little patio set! We were so proud of the transformation that just a few hours of work did for our poor patio turned outdoor living space!

Then we spent the majority of Saturday outside. I had an awesome morning jog and then painted the rocking chairs we just purchaed and Zach broke in his smoker for the first time. He basted ribs hourly and the delicious smell radiated from the backyard all over the block- I know our neighbors were dying to pop over for a taste. I could smell waves of yummy hickory as I worked in the front yard. Then we had our favorite little family, the Jexes, over to partake in the feast. We dined with Kellen, Becky, and Julia Claire outside in the awesome spring weather. The meal: smoked spare ribs, Zach's amazing grilled chicken, basil-parmesan grilled corn cobs, baked beans, spinach-pecan citrus salad, and a sweet ending with Becky's made-from-scratch cupcakes! (my mouth is watering just typing this) We were stuffed pigs!! It was so much fun seeing Jules interact with the puppies...she is getting so big and so darn cute! She loved Sydney and the feeling was mutual..I think Emma is a little timid and unsure what to think about having a little rascal besides herself around the house.


Easter Sunday was another gorgeous day and after a wonderful church service we went strolling by the river with the Jex crew complete with 5 adults, 5 dogs, and 1 baby!

Although we could not be with all of our family this Easter, we felt so blessed to be around some of our family! Can't wait for the day they are back here for good we can make the backyard bar-b-q's and playing with babies a weekly event!