Easter 2011

I think this has been my most favorite Easter EVER! The Spirit was in our home (mostly) more than ever. Part of that was that I had been asked to speak in Sacrament Meeting on Easter and I spent the week praying, pondering, reading, studying. The effect was real in our home. I don't realize how my actions, or more commonly, inactions can affect my family.

Last week we strayed from our usual scripture reading and, each day of the week leading up to Sunday, we read from the Bible what happened in Christ's life on that day. We got our idea from the Friend and the kids were able to see what Christ was doing on the Tuesday, or Thursday leading up to Easter.

Now let the party begin...

Saturday afternoon:

All the Platt's (that were not in Safford) came to our house for our annual Easter egg coloring, hunt and bbq. The weather was perfect. The kids had a great time playing with cousins.

Sunday morning:

The Easter Bunny found our house as he (or is it she?) does every year. The EB brought swimming suits, as is tradition, and some candy. The kids hunted for eggs and then put on their suits, only to be taken off for church (they begged me to let me wear them to church under their dresses, but I have my limits).

Sunday Afternoon:

At church, as I mentioned earlier, I was asked to speak. My heart was a-pounding and I was nervous. I boobed the whole way through. I got to speak on Christ and how he gives me hope. I won't bore you with the whole text of my talk, but I will say this: I have hope (optimism, enthusiasm, confidence, patient endurance) because of Christ. We will all have our trials, and hardships and life will undoubtedly stink at times, but we also have Christ on our side. He is my Savior and Redeemer. He took upon himself all of my sins, sadness and hurt. He felt it all. I can't begin to fathom how it must have felt to feel that for me - one person, let alone EVERYONE, ever. Then He overcame death. I have hope that I can do a little better each day and even when I screw up, I can repent and try to do better. Christ gives me hope and I am thankful to Him for that. He lives! He lives and I can live with him again someday too.

Sunday Evening:

Off to Grandma and Grandpa Goodman's house. Good food, great company and a lot of laughs. The kids had a great time hunting for eggs, playing whiffle ball, playing and racing and I had a blast with my family. They are a fun bunch and they all make me smile.

the 3 little girls (we missed Lucille) before the race. Kate won and was so intense. Annie and Keelie were so happy and smiley the whole way. It was hysterical. Of course, Ryan cheated and gave Kate a push off, which was why she won, (even though she won by 10 yards) so she was disqualified and suspended for 2 future races

the ladies at the party - Julie, Kristin, Mom, Dyan, Karrie, Cassie

The egg hunters - Jack, Jake, Ty, Wyatt, Jay, Kimball, Abby, Hannah, Kate, Ella, Annie, Keelie and Johnny in front

After a day of full on sugar highs, the kids crashed and so did I. It was a great holiday!