Our Week Leading Up to Easter

Our Easter Extravaganza really began at the beginning of the week. Our family devotion time each night, beginning with Monday, was spent looking to scripture to see what was happening in the Life of Christ each day, during the week of the crucifixion and resurrection. We really enjoyed this time each night thinking about what was happening in the life of Christ. We also spent time learning some names for God like: Alpha and Omega, Lamb of God, Mighty God and the Good Shepherd.

On Thursday night we had our Sedar meal, Passover meal, together as a family. This is something we began doing last year. It is one of my favorite things because everything we do reminds us of God's provision in Christ. It is a beautiful way to focus before Good Friday.
Friday morning began with EGGS! I was all set up, eggs equally divided among the kids, thoughtful organized stations were strategically placed around the kitchen providing optimal egg decorating enjoyment. WE were ready because my children
love, love, love EGG DECORATING.

Look at all those colors! There is some major egg decorating about to happen.

We had quite an assembly line going.

After decorating eggs for about 2 hours, Alora came running into the living room, "My last egg broke!" She was very sad. I went to investigate only to find this broken egg on the table. Peculiar. That egg is not boiled! Joey just began to laugh at me (with that stupid man laugh that only means-"You big dummy.") and then I began to laugh with that same laugh not believing that I had given the raw eggs to the kids to color and, yep, the boiled ones were in the fridge! Well, more coloring for us! Coloring eggs became an all morning affair.

Hmmm...Which ones are the boiled eggs and which ones are RAW? Turns out there is a trick! Just spin the eggs on their ends. If it spins-its boiled. If it just falls over-its raw. Worked like a charm.
Thanks, Frances!


On Friday afternoon we were headed to our local church for a time of remembrance at our Good Friday service. It was an amazing time to spend thinking about the sacrifice made upon that cross. Each room was a different station where we read scripture and reflected on Christ. At the end we were able to take the Lord's Supper as a family and spend time teaching our kids about what the Lord's Supper is and how one day we hope to take it all together as a family. It is a beautiful time together each year. That night we had a fabulous dinner with friends, the Cherrys and the Useltons.

A couple of years ago we began having baskets of goodies on Saturday instead of Sunday. We enjoy this so much more than what we used to do. Sunday would be so packed and there were many distractions that I felt were keeping us from savoring Jesus all Resurrection day. So Saturday morning the kids woke up and found arrows outside their doors leading down the hall, into the classroom and finally ending in the kitchen. They loved following the arrows to their baskets.

Have you ever seen a kid more excited about receiving Star Wars Legos in his basket?

Ahhh... PEEPS! We love us some sugary goodness!
Alora also loved her new, sweet, little lamb, affectionately named Sheepers. We have been talking about Jesus being the Lamb of God and The Good Shepherd and I just could not resist this little cutie. The rest of Saturday was a busy one: praise team practice, dinner with friends, the Jenkins, and some errand running.

Easter morning, I woke the kids up with, "He is Risen!" They were so excited to get up and make our traditional "Empty Tomb Rolls". We love this delicious and thoughtful treat. After they are all cooked up, we are reminded the Jesus has risen from the grave conquering sin and death. He is now seated at the right hand of God making intercession on our behalf! What exciting news! We then left to worship with our local church. The music was worshipful and the sermon was Christ-centered and powerful. The rest of our day was spent resting, eating ribs, potato salad, french bread and cake, and visiting with David and Nicole.

Happy Easter!