Happy Easter

I love Easter.  I love Spring.  And I love the renewal of hope that both of them bring.  I've always struggled with exactly how to celebrate Easter.  I've never been into the Easter bunny, and I don't see any need for a Springtime version of Christmas.  Yet, I want my children to know that we very much celebrate Easter.  We celebrate the Resurrection of Jesus Chrst and the hope that it brings to all the world, which is symbolized by all the other Easter things- new life in the bunnies, chicks and eggs, renewal in the Springtime flowers, hope through new life, brightness with all the colors.  And so, some of the traditions I do keep are getting (and sometimes making, but not this year) my kids new clothes to wear for Easter.   Does that really have anything to do with the Resurrection?  I don't think so, but I do it to help them recognize the day as a special occasion.  We do usually have an Easter egg hunt with candy as well.  A little sweetness goes a long way in helping young children recognize that the day is special.  This year we also put strips of paper with scripture references in some of the plastic eggs.  At the end of the hunt, along with dividing the spoils, we looked up and read the scriptures, which were all about the Resurrection.  I liked that, and I think we'll do it again.  All in all, it was a beautiful Easter Sunday.  The rainy skies took a break for the day and let ol' Mr. Sun shine through just for the special day, which was a treat very much appreciated by me.

Here are the pictures of the kids:

Dallin- once my little boy, now my young man.

Dailie- and who said she could turn into a woman?

Sweet Audri, who can't wait to get back outside and climbing trees.

Eliza, who is also growing up entirely too fast.  I just asked her this morning if she could please stay a little girl, since she was my last one.  Alas, she informed me it is not possible.

And, Daniel.  He was SO excited to wear his new suit to Church today and match Daddy and Dallin.

I hope you all had a very Happy Easter!!

Looking at the Bright Side of Things

Spring has not been good to me this year.  We got a little taste of it a few weeks ago, and then it was back to the cold and the rain.  It's like the Energizer Bunny, that cold and rain- still going.  So, the other day as I found myself feeling sad once again, knowing that the weather had something to do with it, I thought of a positive to this delayed Spring.  I LOVE forsythia bushes.  Yellow is my favorite color, and I love seeing them shout out that SPIRNG has arrived.  On a normal year, the beautiful yellow bushes bloom, and if you're not paying attention you'll miss them, because they very quickly turn to green.  BUT, this year, thanks to the on going cold weather (did I really just say thanks for it?) they have stayed yellow for a much longer time!! 

So you see, there really is always a bright side to look on.

His Sacred Name - An Easter Declaration