Easter Sunday

The moon was still up when I went out to decorate our apple trees.  I found the sweetest little Easter ornaments at the DI a few years ago and was determined to hang them this year.  But more than that,  I just didn't want to miss the morning.       

I wanted to see the sun rise.  

I wanted the quiet, and the solitude, and all the reassurances that come in those kind of moments.   

It was beautiful.

And then my two bunnies woke up and Easter began in earnest.  

Our traditions differ a little every year.  Sometimes we make "Resurrection rolls," sometimes we go on an "Easter walk,"  sometimes we use eggs to tell the biblical story of Easter.  This year we used Becky's beautiful Easter basket.

L and S loved hunting for the eggs and discussing the treasures inside.  I'm excited to see how this tradition evolves for us over the years.  I have lots of ideas about it.  

The rest of our day included some happy Easter Bunny rounds,

a beautiful picnic at the cemetery, and such a fun visit with the Crippens (of which visit I have no photos?!! Bah).  

It was such a wonderful day!

 

Hopeful, and happy.  And full of the love, and sweetness, and gratitude that linger whenever we take time to truly reflect on the Savior's reality.  Whenever we discuss and share and cherish the stories of Jesus.  

Remember that Elder Anderson talk?  It's just really one of my most favorites of all time. 

"Are the life and teachings of Jesus Christ embedded in the minds and souls of our children? ... Do our children know about His perfect life,  His selfless ministry, His betrayal and cruel Crucifixion?  Have we testified to them of the certainty of His Resurrection,  of His visit to the Nephites in the Americas,  of His appearance to the Prophet Joseph Smith in the Sacred Grove?"

Do they anticipate His majestic return, when all will be made right and every knee will bow and every tongue confess that [He] is the Christ? ³²

Do our children say, 'Tell me the stories of Jesus I love to hear'?"

"[We must] speak more frequently about Jesus Christ. In His holy name is great spiritual power. 'There [is] no other name given nor any other way … whereby salvation can come unto the children of men, only in and through the name of Christ.'^34'"

Before heading to the kitchen for baskets and breakfast on Easter morning, we curled up on Lucy's bed and watched the "Because of Him" video that is easily my favorite film clip to date and was such a beautiful, unifying part of this Easter's celebration.  Spencer couldn't read all of the text, but he watched with initial intrigue ("Hey! The Wright brothers! I know about those guys! ) that turned into quite reverence and curiosity as he saw the tears that appeared in Lucy's eyes and mine as we silently read and as we watched the powerful images progress.

He lives.  

And I am so grateful.  

Easter Eve

A busy, beautiful day...

beginning with a birthday celebration for one of our favorites, and continuing with some much needed spring cleaning.  

(he loves to dust the plants)

Then...

eggs.

I had other Easter-ish plans post egg coloring, but when my little rabbits headed outside and spontaneously began to weed the garden, I bit my lip.  Other plans could wait.  We worked so happily together through that warm, beautiful evening.  

I don't expect their enthusiasm for yard work to endure through the summer.  But a mother can hope!!  

"It's so fun to be in the lamplight!"  Lucy said enthusiastically as dusk settled in.

I loved watching her do absolutely fluid somersaults around the perimeter of the lawn.  Later she moved to cartwheels and, finding that skill a little rusty since last summer, declared (sounding so much like her dad that it made my heart swell), "I'm going to do ten cartwheels every day."  And, of course, she's been true to her word, barring the periodic rain.

When it got really dark, the kids taught me how to play "ding dong" on the play ground.  I'm not sure if it was my laughter or my breathlessness that inspired Lucy to ask me fervently (after about twenty rounds of the fast, up-the-slide-down-the-slide-through-the-swings, process), "Mom, don't you just need this?!"

Yes.
I did.
And I do.
I'm so grateful to have these two.

Grandma's Egg Hunt

Sure love this tradition! 

Sure love my family.