Easter

So, before I even start posting, let me say I am very frustrated with myself. I forgot to take pics of us as a family when we were all dressed up and celebrating the resurrection of Jesus Christ. We all looked very nice yesterday but in typical "mom-ness" I only thought to take pics of Hannah. It wasn't until I was putting her to bed and we were both in our pjs that I realized we had taken no family pics. I'm still upset today about it. We had a very busy day and it just escaped my mind. (I will be sure to do better for Mother's day when we will all be dressed up again!)

We got up early to get all dolled up for the 9am easter service. Then we came home and got ready to have 14 people to our house for Easter lunch. Then we had company from about 1 till 8:30. We had a wonderful day! And, we came out ahead because once people had left we discovered a bounty of treasures-wonderful mashed potatoes made from a super secret recipe from JJ, delicious chocolate covered strawberries and pavlova dessert from Beth, a sippy cup left by Holden, yummy peach tea brought by the Wrights, strawberries from Tim, and spiral sliced ham from the Hunters!

Saturday we dyed Easter eggs with Hannah. In my mind I envisioned a fun, glee-filled experience as a family. Thats not exactly what I got. I should mention Hannah has 4 giant lumps on all her back gums and two have recently sprouted sharp points. She has been extra cranky, fussy and clingy the last few days. We started with Hannah standing on a kitchen chair pushed up to the island. I was right there with my arm around her. Well, she slipped off the edge of the chair and I caught her before she hit the ground but she was very startled and wouldn't calm down. I tried to distract her with the stickers for the eggs-lesson learned, Hannah is afraid of stickers! yes! She did not like them at all! She didn't want them on her hands or on her shirt. She wasn't too sure of them being on me or Jesse either. So she just kept crying. This was my wonderful egg dying experience! Fortunately she did like the finished product!

I walked around the living room "hiding" the eggs and she followed behind me picking them all up and putting them in a basket! I couldn't believe she got the concept. It was so cute. We hid and found the eggs about 3 times. She loved it. She also loved clapping the eggs together, which makes me thankful they were hard boiled!

So, enough talking, now for the pictures you've all been waiting for (especially Ashley :) )

Jesse and I both really enjoyed our pastor's Easter sermon. For the last couple months we've been doing a series on pain and he wrapped that up yesterday. We've been learning how God uses pain for many reasons-to remind us of our need for him, to teach us something, to bring us back to Him, to empathize/minister with others in the same position. There were many more reasons, but these hit home for me. Yesterday was a message of hope. He said "Raise your hand if you are a member of the human race." So of course, thats everyone in the room. Then he said, if you are a human, you will have pain in your life. Some will be kindergarten level pain, some will be graduate school level pain. Some will be physical, some emotional, some mental. But there will be pain. We have hope. The pain ends if you have trusted in Jesus as your savior and Lord. We have the hope of eternity in Heaven with Him, pain free. Our pastor told about his sister who had struggled with extreme depression her whole life and died because of untreated breast cancer-she had lived a very painful life. But when she passed away, having believed in Christ for her salvation, she passed into eternity pain free and what a joy that is. We finished the service by singing the song "I Will Rise" by Chris Tomlin and it really hit home. I am so thankful for the hope of my future eternity with Him. Please read the lyrics (emphasis is mine)...

There's a peace I've come to know
Though my heart and flesh may fail
There's an anchor for my soul
I can say, It is well
Jesus has overcome

and the grave is overwhelmed
The victory is won
He is risen from the dead

And I will rise
When He calls my name
No more sorrow, no more pain
I will rise, on eagle's wings
Before my God
fall on my knees,
and rise...
I will rise

There's a day that's drawing near
when this darkness breaks to light
and the shadows disappear
and my faith shall be my eyes

Jesus has overcome
and the grave is overwhelmed
The victory is won
He is risen from the dead

And I hear the voice of many angels sing
Worthy is the Lamb!
And I hear the cry of every longing heart
Worthy is the Lamb!

I will rise
when He calls my name
No more sorrow, no more pain
I will rise, on eagle's wings
Before my God
fall on my knees,
and rise...
I will rise....
I will rise....