Vivid Details for Carter and Ammon's memories with a reenactment of Jesus' Palm Sunday: donkey, palms, actors

At Christ Methodist, Sunday school as well as the worship service today revolved around Palm Sunday. We then reenacted Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem with palm branches and an actor portraying Jesus himself.

The church then had an Easter egg hunt and children’s activities: petting zoo, balloon animals, and face painting. Carter and Ammon had a great day. We are looking forward to an educational week of studying Holy Week and Easter these next 7 days! Enjoy the pictures!

Warm Palm Sunday: 82 degrees!

If you're having trouble seeing, Ammon & Carter are holding baby bunnies!

The donkey's name is Jerusalem

Ammon's turn!

Carter requested to be a lion! grrrrrrrr!

Kitty cat, Ammon (Oh, yes, Carter took this!)

Matthew 21:1-11, Mark 11: 1-11, Luke 19:29-42, & John 12: 12-19

Jesus was a human who experienced times of elation just like us. How many times have we had the thought, “It can’t get any better than this?” buuuuuuuuuuuut, we know it is fleeting and cannot always be this way. Our lives are not this way.

It is important to first mention that all four of the Gospels write of this event.  Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem must have been quite a sight to behold. The clamor, the hubbub about the Messiah/Hosanna, and the spiritual excitement of the King of Jews entering Jerusalem to “reign forever” must have been a glorious moment. It was a fulfillment of prophets from Zechariah (9:9): Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion. Shout aloud, O daughter of Jerusalem. Lo, your king comes to you; triumphant and victorious is he, and riding on an ass and upon a colt the foal of an ass. The people even lay palm branches on the street like a red carpet for their king.  What deserved pomp and circumstance for Jesus yet what physical and mournful tragedy awaited our Lord!

As I got ready for church this morning, I imagined all the Gospels from their beginnings to this point like a roller coaster that chugs up a hill: Palm Sunday is the top/pinnacle of the hill. For Jesus, his physical life creeks over the top, then begins to plummet. In five days, Jesus the future Christ would be humiliated, beaten, and killed on a cross a criminal…to the world a crash at the bottom of the hill. However, it wasn’t the end, but the beginning of our assuredness of eternal life though Jesus Christ.

Enjoy Palm Sunday and get ready to walk Holy Week with Jesus anew.

On March 18, 2011 I had no idea I could make it to 10,000 views. Thanks to you all we did it. During the past year, I’ve received many comments: The overwhelming majority have been 100% positive with much encouragement. However, there have been a few negatives. Someone near and dear to me said several times, “I don’t understand who would want to read your blog.”, or “How did you get 50 views today?” . I’ve always enjoyed criticism because it makes either me or what I am working on better. It’s nice to say that this particular person does compliment me more now and encourages me to follow my “writing dreams” . LOL

In conjunction with my blog writing, I was receiving some wonderful feedback from Parents magazine (2 million subscribers) regarding an article where Carter and Ammon engage in learning activities as we travel. God has not blessed me with a published article with Parents , and the two assistant editors I was corresponding with BOTH left the magazine for new opportunities in their careers. I am planning one more round of “help” from a Parents editor then I am moving on. After reading through the magazine several times, I’m not sure if this is the conduit by which God wants share my work with millions of people. As I have asked a handful of you all, now I am asking all of you to please pray that the Holy Spirit guide me where I need to be in writing articles.

The novel I mentioned to you all back in June of 2011 is still “brewing”. The way I see it I need a fan base to help me sell the book, and as I just mentioned, I don’t have enough exposure to help me sell it. The publishing and advertising fees cost a lot of money, and I don’t think I could recoup my investment money nor make a profit without a fan base.

However, I love writing about my life with Ammon and Carter, and I will continue to do so in this blog. Carter and Ammon are such blessings, and I am honored that you all want to read and share such blessings with me. Take care and God’s blessings on you. Haven

We are coming out of 3 weeks of household ailments. Over 3 weeks ago, Carter had a viral infection that simply had to run its course. Last week, Ammon got an ear infection coupled with a horrible cough (not croup or whooping cough but horribly congested cough) that kept her/us up during 5 straight consecutive nights!  Praise the Lord (once again) for medicines: cough expectorants, suppressants, steroid cough medicines, antibiotics! Oh, well, so is the life of a 3 year-old. We’re just about all well now.

As I've mentioned before, we've started a 5th Generation of dog lovers!

While Ammon was catching up on some sleep Monday with a nap ( a VERY RARE occurrence these days but after nights without sleep), Carter and I were out on the patio. I had decided to grill Carter and Ammon’s hamburgers outside this afternoon, so I was flipping burgers while Carter played with his cars. Katie, Ferd, and Sissy (the coon hound family) had been out on the mountain, returned, and were milling around the house, and Sissy had been watching me clean the grill and begin flipping burgers. As I was finishing a round of flips, I noticed Carter coming from the garage with a 22 oz. cup of dog food. He then proceeded to moisten the kibble with the water spigot from near our back door. After preparing the food, he placed in front of Sissy’s nose!  She ate it.  I was surprised and proud that Carter could help feed the dogs. I took some pictures then decided to let Carter take some pictures as well. Once again, he is a great, 3 year old photographer.

Taken by Carter Caylor-Brown: 3-26-2012
"Sissy eating dogfood"

Have a Blessed Tuesday Everyone.

He was the best behaved 2 year old they've ever had when he started! Carter is excellent when getting his hair cut.

Carter had just turned 2 when we first went to Hixson to get his hair cut at the Classic Barber. They have always been AMAZED  at what a great client he is. He has never flinched once, and he is so kind, respectful, and courteous.

Carter’s latest, spring haircut went great on Wednesday. After our trip to the barber, we went to Logan’s Roadhouse where Carter and Ammon chose corn dogs for lunch.

First Mow of 2012

Wow, totally different from last year’s 1^st mow (https://havensideals.wordpress.com/2011/03/25/mowing-time-already/) ! On Thursday, I wore shorts, kept a hat on, and had a t-shirt on. It was a good and warm day to cut the grass with a whapping 78 degrees. I also have a praise report that the lawn mower did great.

Our only, small cherry tree is so beautiful right now. We also have the red bud trees brightly budding as well. The coon hounds, Katie, Ferd, & Sissy had a great day Thursday out of their barn as well. They stayed on the mountain for about 4 hours then spent the afternoon lounging around outside the house.

Carter and I just got over some infections: Carter’s was viral, and I had a sinus coupled with a bladder infection. It’s hard to ask a 3 year old to explain how he feels, but I felt AWFUL  for about 4 days!  We could not believe that Carter did not “share” his virus with Ammon. It was a small miracle because it was a first for them.

I hope everyone is blessed with a great Friday.

The little girl was tired by this time. She had been in her skis for over an hour, and that’s a long time for a 3 year old.

Ammon’s longest and best run:

Carter had been bored, taken off his skis, and chilled out for a while as we watched Ammon. I knew he needed the challenge because Carter was WAY OVER the little, tee-tiny, kiddie practice area. When he saw Ammon having having fun, he put his skis back on, listened to Instructor Jenny, and skied down the slope!

Carter’s longest and best run:

Ammon and Carter did great, and they are ready to snow ski again this coming fall.

The place is Dercum Mountain, 11,640 ft. above sea level in Keystone,  Colorado. There is a Snow Fort, and we all enjoyed it!

No one in our immediate family skis!

I wanted the family (Sean, Carter,Ammon, and me) to begin some winter activities that we could enjoy and share together for years to come.

Sean and I had tried to ski in 2005 with a group lesson in Breckenridge, Colorado. It didn’t work. However, I knew I wanted to try to ski again with a private instructor. It was fantastic.

Our instructor was a 23 year old professional skier named Jenny Lucas. She loves children, and it showed. Carter and Ammon skied a lot for her on Monday. Jenny said Carter’s best attribute was his sense of balance, and that Ammon’s best attribute was her willingness as a “go getter”. They both skied and skied in their learning area. At the end of the day, we felt that they would do better and better as the week went on.