Easter 2009

Years ago Adam and I decided that we would celebrate Easter without the Easter Bunny. At first it was a hard decision for me because growing up Easter was akin to Christmas; it was almost just as exciting. Over the years we have developed our own holiday traditions. This year we were invited to a neighborhood brunch and egg hunt. The weather was a little rainy but the kids still had a lot of fun. Saturday was also "Harris Day" This is usually a day set aside to spend the day with all of Adam's brother's and sister's and their families. We usually do something really fun and have a great time spending time together. This year didn't really feel like Harris Day because so many people chose to not come. Even *I* took off to do my grocery shopping in the middle of it! I think it was because we met at the legacy center for swimming and then went to Shannon's for lunch. This is something we do quite often as a family so it wasn't all that exciting...and with so many people missing...it just wasn't the same. That night Adam and Matthais went to a REAL game and so we weren't able to color our eggs until the next morning.

On Sunday, we started with the morning with our Resurrection rolls for breakfast. My kids think this is really great and they love eating them. Here is the recipe and the story if you're interested:

Ingredients & Symbolism

Large Marshmallows - body of Jesus
Melted Butter - oils of embalming
Cinnamon & Sugar Mix- spices used to anoint the body.
Crescent Roll - the wrapping of Jesus’ body or the tomb.
Oven – the tomb
Cavity in bun – the empty tomb or the empty cloths
Directions:

Take a marshmallow. This represents Jesus.
Dip the marshmallow in melted butter. This represents the oils of embalming.
Now dip the buttered marshmallow in the cinnamon and sugar which represents the spices used to anoint the body.
Then wrap up the coated marshmallow tightly in the crescent roll (not like a typical crescent roll up but bring the sides up and seal the marshmallow inside.) This can either represent the wrapping of Jesus’ body after death or the Tomb. Matt. 27:57–61; John 19:38–42
Place in a 350 degree oven for 10-12 minutes or as directed on the package of the crescent rolls. (The oven can represent the tomb if the roll is representing the wrapping—pretend like it was three days!) Take the role of the guards at Jesus’ tomb. Stand guard at the oven.
Let the rolls cool slightly. Open your crescent rolls and discover that Jesus is no longer there, HE IS RISEN!!!! (The marshmallow melts and the crescent roll is puffed up, but empty.)
Jesus is Risen! Now read Matthew 28:5-8; Mark 16:4-8; Luke 24:1-6; John 20:1-18; Isaiah 25:8

After breakfast we colored our eggs and got ready for church. We don't do Easter baskets but I always get the kids something new for church. They all looked so nice in there new clothes and when I told Owen he looked handsome he said "I know, I have a cool tie!"

After church we headed over to my mom's house for Easter dinner and an egg hunt. Ian was off the whole afternoon and just before we were ready to leave he came in and said he needed to throw up. I grabbed the garbage can and he threw up some mucousy stuff. I called Adam in to help him while I washed my hands and when I looked back I could tell he was having a seizure. Adam took him in and layed him down and I checked the clock. It was 6:08. He continued to seize and threw up again. He improved a bit but never fully snapped out of it and I didn't have is medication so we headed for home. By time we got home, gave him the medicine and the seizure stopped it was 6:37, 29 minutes. We are not suppose to let him seize for more than 5 minutes and I was feeling major guilt. It's been so long since he's had a major seizure that I've become relaxed in carrying his medicine. Won't do that again! I have yet to speak to the neurologist but the psychiatrist said that the new medication he's on for his behavior can cause his seizure medication to metabolize different so we'll need to adjust it until we figure it all out.

Despite that, Easter was really good this year. I am so grateful for the Savior and I have been learning a lot about the Atonement and how it applies to my life lately. He paid such an enormous price for us! I know that every sin, every heartache can be redeemed by the atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ! I know that he died that we may live again! I am so grateful of my knowledge of this these eternal principles this Easter season.

Happy Easter

"Easter is the celebration of the free gift of immortality given to all men, restoring life and healing all wounds. Though all will die as part of the eternal plan of growth and development, nevertheless we can all find comfort in the Psalmist’s statement, “Weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.” (Ps. 30:5.)."

--Howard W. Hunter, "An Apostle’s Witness of the Resurrection", Ensign, May 1986, 15

Easter Egg hunt

When the oldest boys were little we always attended a community Easter Egg hunt. Those things are fierce and I decided a long time ago that I would never go back! Since it is the only Easter Bunny-ish thing we do for Easter, the last few years I've held my own. Last year was really low key with just one of my friends but this year I invited over 50 people! We ended up with about 30 kids and and about 15 adults. My camera came up missing that mornigng, (later found in the washing machine, UGH!) I had to use a disposible and the pictures aren't very good. Making bunny ears before the hunt

Coloring pictures while the eggs are hidden

Gettting ready to go

We had a ton of eggs

And lots of yummy treats!
Thanks to everyone for their help! I think everyone had fun and I plan on doing it again next year.

Picky Eaters

Every family has them right? Those kids who will only eat certain foods and would rather die than eat others. I have two. Well, three if you count me. Maybe that is why I'm so sympathetic to my picky eaters; because I am one myself. Today I get a call from a sobbing Emilia. There is not one thing she'll eat for lunch at she needs me to bring her a lunch. What time is lunch? I ask. RIGHT NOW! Well, that's not gonna work for me so I try to explain why I can't bring her a lunch right now and she cries even harder and louder. So I cave in. I pack a lunch and make arrangements to bring it too her. I found her in the lunch room with a whole pack of lunch ladies around her trying to find something for her to eat. She's sobbing and I'm trying my hard to put on my "I really am a good mom" face and trying not to laugh about the fact that she caused such a stir. Poor girl! Next time she'll be better about checking the lunch menu for sure!

Choosing Happiness

I have to admit I've been feeling a little "under the weather" lately. I've been choosing for the most part to wallow in self-pity and grief. It hit me today that in fact the reason I have been feeling so lousy is that I have been CHOOSING to feel lousy. Why?!?! Life is good!!! I really am leading the life I've always dreamed of. No, it's not perfect but it's not so un-perfect either. I really do have it all. So why is it so hard to just be happy? For one thing, you can't just decided to be happy and fulfilled and then live happily ever after. Happiness doesn't work that way...it's something that needs to be recaptured everyday. And it's completely up to me...no one else can make me happy! As President Harold B. Lee once said: “Happiness does not depend on what happens outside of you but on what happens inside of you. It is measured by the spirit with which you meet the problems of life.”

So today I am deciding to be happy, with what I am and what I have and yes, even with what is yet to come.

Mc Donald's has the best bathrooms

I don't think any of my kids have had me wrapped around their little finger as much as Owen. Ok, maybe they all did but there is just something about my baby that makes my heart melt.

Today as I was leaving the store he loudly exclaimed he needed to potty. I didn't want to drive back so I asked if he could wait and we'd go to grandpa's store to potty. He looked at me very seriously and said, "no, I can only go peepee at McDonalds". And of course, we had to have lunch while we were there! I can't say no to that kid!

Happy Autism Awareness Day