Easter Recap

Apparently, I forgot to blog about Easter this year.  The condensed version for you:

• Trip to the cemetery to visit Clarissa's grave.
• Walked around the temple grounds to remind us that families can be together forever.
• Had a big Easter dinner with our good friends and then did some fun activities with the kids with marshmallows and dried spaghetti.
• Had some "Peeps Wars," but were unable to enjoy them because our microwave has such a good "screen" on the door.

Cemetery:

Jackson HAD to have a windmill for his flower garden, and we decided to pick one out for Clarissa, too.  Jackson asked many questions about her.  "Can she talk to me?  Can she come to my house?"  Then, of course, the conversation turned to, "Mom, I want my baby Emily. . ."  If you don't know, that's the name Jackson has picked out for a future baby sister.

Temple:

Apparently it was "Missionary Sunday."  It was packed with Elders (and a few Sisters) taking the classic "I'm-a-goofball-doing-goofy-shots-with-my-district" photos; and there were a few families taking Easter Sunday photos.  Apparently, we missed the memo.  We were the only family with the parents in Sunday best with a child (who had stayed home from church because of a cold) who was dressed in his basketball gear.  Yeah, I didn't feel out of place at all.

Dinner and Friends:
I wish I had taken pictures of the spaghetti and marshmallow challenges, but only Dave did that.  We sure had fun, even though the dads were sure to be on a team against everyone else.  Nothing like stacking a team to make sure you win.

Day of Hope

A very good friend asked if I would share my testimony of Jesus Christ as it relates to Easter and Clarissa in a few sentences for her children's music lesson in church.  I want to share it here today because my heart is full as it always is on this Day of Hope.

Easter has become my favorite holiday because of its meaning.  Over five years ago, I had a baby girl who was born too small to live for more than a few minutes because she was born so early.  She was one pound and the size of a small baby doll.  She was the most precious thing I ever held.  When she was born, I knew she wouldn't live for very long, and that broke my heart.  After she died, I was the saddest I had ever been.  Only one truth gave me comfort.  That truth is the resurrection. 

Over 2000 years ago another baby was born.  He grew to be a man, and he suffered for our sins, our pains and our sorrows, and then he died for us.  Three days after he died, he conquered death by being resurrected.  This gift is given to all of us.  I know that one day my little girl will be resurrected and that she, too, will conquer death because Jesus Christ did.  One day my little girl will live again, and she will be able to be reunited with her body again.  I will get to hold her and be her mommy again if I keep my covenants.  Easter means hope.  Easter reminds me that we will live again and be reunited with those we love.  I know that Jesus Christ is our Savior, that he loves us, and that he lived and died for all of us.  I bear my testimony of him that He lives again.  In the name of Jesus Christ.  Amen.

Easter 2010

Easter this year was pretty low-key for us. On Saturday afternoon, we colored eggs,

and then after the snow finally melted (by about 4 p.m.), we did an Easter egg hunt for Jackson in our backyard. I don't worry about what I put inside the eggs because he's more excited to find them and to count them. We actually told him how many there were (15) so he could keep track. With a little help and a few hints, he found all of the eggs that Daddy hid.Ken, Aimee, and Annie came for dinner that evening. Ken and Matt went to the Priesthood Session of General Conference, and Aimee and I visited. You know, the best thing about having so many brothers is that I get to meet and enjoy six wonderful, amazing women that put up with my brothers, and that are some of my greatest friends. I sure love them all!

On Easter morning, Jackson found the basket (yes, you read that right - we get a family Easter basket) that the Easter bunny left. Jackson was sad the bunny didn't stick around for breakfast; but he didn't complain what was left behind (candy, a bubble blower, and a new set of scriptures for him).
After our traditional ham dinner after we watched all the sessions of General Conference, we visited the cemetery, sang a primary song for Clarissa, and thanked the Lord for the gift of Resurrection. I do not fear death. I only fear the pain that comes from the loss of death, but I do not fear Death - especially when I have a special girl that will be waiting for me to go home.

Happy Easter from the Muppets

Families Can Be Together Forever

This is our Easter tradition.This is Jackson's tradition: seeing how far he can run in the cemetery. I like to think that the "occupants" love having a child enjoy their resting places. At least, I hope so.

Late Easter Post

I've been in the "Twilight" zone (my nose stuck in Stephanie Meyer's books) the last few days, and so everything else has been on the back burner. Here are our Easter highlights.

Jackson excited to eat the candy out of his Easter basket
Finding the dyed-eggs the Easter Bunny hid around the living room
After trying one of the eggs, this is Jackson's reaction. I love the disgusted look on his face!!
This year we placed tulips on Clarissa's grave. We sang some primary songs, and the event set the mood for Sacrament Meeting which we went to following our visit to the cemetery.