Easter 2014

Having church a little later in the morning makes Easter Sunday a nice, relaxed pace and I enjoy that (particularly when we had an Easter concert the night before and we all got to bed a tad later than normal). We kicked the morning off with the kiddos crawling into our bed and watching videos about the resurrected Savior. There is something so sweet about getting to squish under the covers to enjoy time together. And I certainly don't mind some extra time to get to stay in pyjamas, either. 

Then it was on to our resurrection egg hunt. I had hoped to do this last year, but despite trying to order with plenty of shipping time, the eggs didn't make it to Germany until over a month after Easter. Just as well, though, as the kids loved them and I am sure that we will get some more Easters out of them yet. 

I think I need to hide some eggs more difficultly next year as Atticus had spotted a good majority just on his morning bathroom trip. He'll get more a challenge next year :)

This smile + Bed head = a perfect picture. Love this girl!

For those who aren't sure what resurrection eggs are, they are plastic eggs that each have one symbol of the life, death or resurrection of Christ in them. There is a scripture verse that accompanies each egg along with some further information (there are lots of tutorials online to make your own set, I liked the idea of buying a set as they are pretty durable and it just seemed simpler to me). The kids loved finding out what was in each one and the definitely learned a thing or two and even Jason and I learned some new things that we hadn't known before! 

The kids were so genuinely interested and I think having the objects to go with the scripture verse helped solidify some of the concepts a little bit better for them. 

And the final egg was empty - intentionally - to signify the empty tomb. Can you see the concern about that in her eyes? She cheered up a bit when she realized that it was intended to be that way.

Then the kids got to go get a peek into their easter baskets. I know families have so many different opinions on the best way to handle easter baskets; some families opt to do them on a different day but we've preferred to keep them a little bit simpler (instead of overwhelming) and keep them on Sunday. It adds to the excitement and considering we try to pick appropriately themed items mixed in with a few goodies, I have never felt like it has detracted at all from our Easter Sunday; it has possibly even added to the day. 

We do however seem to have a problem in buying chemical laden easter candy; I can't do it - even if it is just one day. We definitely want our children to know that it's okay to have sweets, but we still want them to know that not all sweets are quality items we should actually eat. When Atticus remarked about how smooth his chocolate tasted, I feel like we are helping that cause along little by little. The kids got a few small toys, some chocolate and fruit bars and new books. I found some more ideas for Easter themed basket fillers that I am excited to put into motion in the coming years (I had most of the Easter items already at Christmas), but the baskets worked out really well this year. And, of course, they each got some new church outfits. Atticus has his first real tie and has been dutifully working on learning to tie it himself. And Milayla got a new spring dress. 

Here is a better look at the dress. I made it this year and it comes with secret pockets which made the dress an instant favorite. Milayla loves pockets. 

The kids dove into their chocolates right away. Big surprise... Well, actually, I think Milayla ate a fruit bar first at least :). Can't say that we were any better ;). 

Jason headed up the breakfast pancakes in the kitchen. Despite my awesome pancakes on his birthday, I think he still takes the pancake (haha...) on this one.

Pancakes, scrambled eggs, fresh fruit, whipped cream, orange juice, and everyone still in their pyjamas - Love it. 

We finally did manage to get ourselves ready for church and even made it there on time. Actually, we are typically on time, but this particular day was probably the closest that we have been to late which felt too much like being late to me... BUT we were there and Jason and I sang in our little number that we had organized for the Easter concert for our church services as well. I'm really pleased with how the number came together. Everyone in the group did a great job and we felt pretty blessed to have each of them fit rehearsals into their busy schedule. I kept meaning to grab a picture of our group but it was never in the forefront of my mind when we got together! There were a lot of visitors at church which made me even more excited to sing. I am probably pretty biased, but I think bearing testimony of our Saviour through song is incredibly powerful. I felt pretty blessed that we got to sing on Easter and the kids were pretty excited that they got to hear the song another time (which is particularly sweet, considering that they heard it over and over again at each of the rehearsals!).

The kids looked pretty awesome in their new Easter wear, too! The love between these two kiddos is so palpable. Yes, they do get in squabbles but they are typically pretty quick to mend them so we have been using this time to help build up those qualities in hopes of having some kind and good communication in our home throughout all their stages of learning and growing (even after they leave home :) ). My heart just spills over with love for each of them and their unique personalities.

After church, Atticus wanted another picture of his new tie so that his eyes could be open in the photo. I certainly can't turn down an offer for pictures!

Then, the kids and I snuggled up to read their new books. Milayla managed to find and snatch my phone, along with take some screen shots, while I was reading Atticus his book.

Then, while dinner cooked away on it's own (I had premade nearly all the elements and they just needed to be popped in the oven/slowcooker) the kids built temples out of blocks.

Then we sat down to dinner together. For the life of me, I cannot remember what all we had. I know we had quiche as the kids helped me make that earlier in the week. Food was clearly not the focus around here. We had lots of talks throughout the day about our Saviour and bringing the purpose of the day more clearly into focus for the kids was our main goal and I think we did a pretty good job of it. That night, as I listened to the kids saying their evening prayers, they both independently expressed their love for Jesus. It's something they do often, but I would like to think that that evening it was possibly just a little more heartfelt. They have such pure hearts.

Oh, and I cannot forget the crowning end of our dinner - Lemon Meringue Pie. Jason's picture-worthy pie was just as delicious as it always is. He really has this meringue business down pat. I love lemon desserts, a perfect welcome for spring and new life!

Oh, how I love Easter. This Easter felt to be bathed in such a different light than past Easters. I think that was, in part, due to the roller coaster ride it feels like we have been on since we arrived. I have never been so grateful for my Saviour and a sense of humour. As things seem to go awry so often I can feel the truly good things become more boldly highlighted in my life, letting me to see the things that truly matter that much clearer. I have a family that I love beyond words that fills my days and my purpose. That's pretty spectacular.

And as I think back on both the Christmas' and Easters that have recently passed I feel an overwhelming need to ensure that I exemplify a love and devotion to my Saviour that fills every day of my years. I want so much for these children of mine to know that following the Saviour is so much more than commemorating his birth, death and resurrection on specific dates. It is so, so much more. He, Our Saviour, is so much more but we must first let Him into our hearts. I truly do love my Saviour and love that I get to share that love with this little family of mine along with the knowledge that He is risen.