Happy Easter 2010

"Everyone smile!!"

We have spent the last several days doing things in preparation for our Easter celebration tomorrow. Jonah had his egg hunt at school on Tuesday and he found one more than the limit of eggs alloted for each student. He graciously gave his "extra" egg up, and then received a special egg from the Easter bunny who was visiting!

John Owen's Easter festivities at school took place on Wednesday. When I asked him about how he did at the egg hunt, he replied, "Good, but the eggs weren't hidden, Mom. They were just spread out everywhere!" Guess he was looking for more of a challenge. ?

We spent Good Friday (and our day off from school and work) shopping for new shoes in Memphis and visiting my grandmother and aunt in Somerville. We stopped along the way to buy grandmother some of her favorites...red geraniums! Some people on the side of the road were selling some of the most beautiful geraniums I have ever seen. My mom just went on and on about them. (She loves geraniums, too!) :-)
I was glad my mom was with us. She always makes the trip (shopping trip and ride in the car) better! Thanks, Mom!
It was a beautiful day! When we got home we made our Easter cupcakes! Then I spent the night pressing and steaming our clothes for tomorrow's service and for the upcoming work week. (Hmm...not sure everyone reading this will consider that an eventful Friday night, but hey, this is the story of my life now!) :-)

I awoke a couple of times to the loud crashing of thunder early this morning. Truthfully, I don't have a clue what time it woke me for I was too exhausted to turn over to see the clock. The result of the storm was that the Easter egg hunt planned at our church's Easter celebration had to be moved inside. Nevertheless, all 3 of my kiddos enjoyed it!

Mary Claire working on her "Jesus is Alive" coloring page!

Jonah listening intently(notice the look) to the story of the colored bracelet he was making.

John Owen having fun making a colorful cross!

Don't you love the grace and style exhibited in this picture?

I was quite impressed at her skills at such a young age. :-)

She even shook it!

And I think once she realized these were just eggs, she decided maybe she'd move on to something else!

We have had great fun this week, but my prayer is that my children will know or come to know the REAL reason we celebrate Easter. A reason that should not be lost amongst all the excitement of bunnies, eggs, candy, etc. I leave you with some meaningful words from a song sung at our Easter musical last Sunday...

"I think about the day He died, the way that He was crucified and how He came to set the sinner free.
I know the story inside out and I can tell you all about the path that led Him up to Calvary.
But ask me why He loves me, and I don't know what to say...
But I'll never be the same because He changed my life when He became everything to me!"
(Everything to Me, Nicole Mullen)

I hope Jesus is everything to you, too! He lives!
Happy Easter!