Easter

Happy Easter!  What a beautiful Sunday this turned out to be.  It was quite cold yesterday and Friday.  We even got about 6 inches of heavy, wet snow.  Saturday egg hunts were all done in the snow, but it made finding the brightly colored eggs even easier.

This has been quite the week.   Monday night we did our special Easter family home evening about the Savior’s last days and the reason we celebrate the holiday.  We made resurrection rolls, which were so much fun.  We baked jumbo marshmallows dipped in butter and cinnamon sugar inside biscuits.  The marshmallow melted and left the little ‘tombs’ empty.  The kids had a lot of fun making them.  We got a laugh when we found some of the unmelted marshmallow inside a couple and Lydia said, “We melted Jesus!”  I also bought some white carnations and put them in water with red food coloring.  I read the kids a scripture in the Book of Mormon, Alma 7:11, that says, “And he shall go forth, suffering pains and afflictions and temptations of every kind; and this that the word might be fulfilled which saith he will take upon him the pains and the sicknesses of his people.”  Then we talked about how the Jesus Christ took all our sins, our suffering and pains on Him so that we could receive mercy and exaltation to be with our Heavenly Father and him again.  Fiona has really enjoyed watching the flowers turn from pure white to a pinkish color from the food coloring.  It was a really simple and fun lesson that I think we’ll start as a new tradition each year.

Wednesday I went with Wesley and his 2^nd grade class to Harward Farms on a field trip.  We learned about all sorts of farming from vegetables, minks, even bees.  We saw them shear a sheep.  I am always amazed how the sheep just lays there complacently while the farmer tosses her to and fro to get off all the wool.  We saw a lot of baby animals: a calf, several lambs, a kid and two piglets.  Wesley kept talking about the piglets and the tractors.  I think those were his favorite.

Thursday was the 2^nd grade school program.  So Wes was able to perform with his class lots of the songs they have been learning all year.  He did so much better than in past years.  It’s so hard for him to pay attention and stay on task.  This year he got his part right on and only spaced out on the songs once or twice.  He’s really maturing and he got to sit next to his cousin Emmalee, who really helps him a lot. 

Friday we were hit by the snow storm that took us all by surprise.  Fiona barely got to preschool, because we don’t have 4 wheel drive.  She had a fun Easter party with her little class and her teachers gave her a cute bucket and shovel.  They do so much for those children.  I also had another doctor’s appointment that morning to check on little Everett.  He’s seems to be growing well (today in church one of the older sisters told me I look ‘really’ pregnant.  I feel really pregnant right now.)  The projected day for the c-section will be around the 20^th of June, unless there are unforeseen obstacles.

Yesterday we took the children to the city egg hunt and an egg hunt at one of our neighbor’s farm.  They were both really fun and fortunately, we remembered to bundle every one up.  The kids came home with plenty of candy and small toys.  After the egg hunts I spent the rest of the afternoon at the church helping with a funeral.  A dear brother had passed away last Sunday.  He was almost 90 and really ready to go.  He has battled cancer twice.  The great sadness was that his dear wife was left alone until she can join him.  Their family all came in town and since I’m in the Relief Society presidency I helped set up, serve and clean up the luncheon.  The funeral ran long, but it wasn’t a surprise.  This brother was known for his stories and love for visiting and he passed that on to his children.  His one son spoke for a little over an hour during the funeral.  The Stake president and Bishop both spoke, but they kept their remarks short and sweet.  They spoke about the plan of salvation and that this life is truly not the end.  I am so grateful for the knowledge and testimony that I have of our Savior, his Atonement and his Resurrection.  I know that we can be with our families forever, that this life is only just a small part of eternity.

This morning we had a little grumpiness from Wesley because the Easter Bunny hadn’t come while they were asleep.  We explained that the Easter Bunny likes to surprise them and this year he decided to come during quiet time later in the afternoon.  He was still quite grumpy about it, but we told him that his attitude will affect what the Easter Bunny will bring just like at Christmas.  It’s amazing how that affected his attitude.  We had some wonderful lessons in church today about the immortality of the soul and being a disciple of Jesus.  I felt like I really learned so much, the spirit was truly speaking to me during the lessons. 

enjoying lunch at the kidman's annual easter egg hunt, katie and mick were able to make it, too.  so good to see them!

i love new easter clothes