Ahh, holidays...

Well, another holiday is over, and, frankly, I'm exhausted. It was a lovely day, though, really nice. And it was all worth the planning, cleaning, spending, stressing, rushing, bickering, cleaning, perfecting, collapsing, etc. that inevitably leads up to absolutely every big holiday we have. Gladly, I successfully left all of that behind today and really enjoyed the day.

We went to church this morning. Sadly, these days we've turned into the Christmas/Easter people. Partially this is to blame on the fact that I have a newborn and a toddler, and I really dislike having to deal with convincing the latter to allow the blood to return to my fingers as I wrestle her hand from mine and drop her into her classroom each Sunday and then trudging off to the tiny dungeon/ closet they call a "nursing room" to feed and care for the former for the rest of the service. It is a decidedly uncomfortable hour and a half for me, so I admit to being less likely to push the family into that van come Sunday morning.

This is only part of the reason we aren't going to church lately, though. The rest of the reason has to do with a disconnected feeling we have had for months now, starting probably when the music ministry went, pardon the expression, to hell. Besides the dark feeling I have towards the music at this point, I also find that the entire service feels cold, lacking in Spirit and emotion. I don't even enjoy the preaching anymore, which is something that I really used to find powerful. I had hoped that this would get better as time passed, but it has not. Today, for example, at what should have been a wonderful, joyous occasion, I felt like I was wading in a pool of dead fish. I know we're supposed to focus on God and not those around us, but, seriously, have you ever tried to praise Him while standing in a pool of decaying flounder? Have you?? I didn't think so! So stop judging me! -sigh- Time to start seeking a new place of worship, I guess.

Anyway, after church, the kiddos found their Easter baskets (hehe, we hid Jacob's in a hamper underneath some clothes! It took him a while to find it. Heh Heh Heh) and played with the various goodies inside while Jer went to pick up Great Grandma Ella. It was sooooo nice having her over! What a blessing that my children get to spend time with their ninety year old great grandmother, and that she is so spry and healthy and fun! What's really neat is that they really enjoy talking to her and spending time with her, too. I remember being kind of creeped out by my father's parents because they seemed so old to me, and they were just my grandparents! My kiddos have a completely different reaction to Great Grandma. They just love her!

We had an inside easter egg hunt, since it was rather chilly out today (beautifully sunny though!) and a nice Easter feast of ham, ziti, apple pudding, and salad. Jeremy gets the credit for the feast (he made the most amazing ham glaze I have ever tasted. Mmmmm, yummy!) and for being willing to drive out and get Grandma and bring her back again. Thanks honey!!! You're the best!!!

So, it was a wonderful Easter day for us. I hope yours was blessed and enjoyable too! I posted photos in my side photo area, so don't forget to check it out. I do declare, my sweet chillins clean up right nice!

Happy Easter everyone!!!

To all of my loved ones who are so very far away, I would like to wish you a happy and blessed Easter. Wish you were all here!! I love you all!!!

Refocus- the real story of Easter

Let me tell you, it isn't always easy to get your kids to focus on what easter is really about. Sure, they know, and they can answer all the questions perfectly, but how to get them really focused on the amazing event that the resurrection truly was? Well, I gave it a try with a writing assignment. My boys had to write a story about the resurrection from the perspective of someone unusual. I was pretty impressed with what they turned out. Not bad for a single day's work! Check their blogs for the stories.

The more interesting thing.

One of my personal resolutions for this year is, when presented with a choice, to choose the more interesting one. I have done ok with this so far. Sometimes this amounts to a large decision, such as when I was presented with a birthday date night with my mother and chose to get my hair butchered rather than see a movie. Other times it is rather less dramatic. Today, for example, I could have stayed inside and watched my boys play in the snow, keeping my daughter and myself snug and warm and dry. But, I chose the more interesting thing, suited up in my husband's snow gear, and headed out for some old fashioned sledding and snowman fashioning fun. Julia got to try out her new snow suit (pink! pink! pink!!!) and I got to prove that playing in the snow just doesn't get old, even if I do.