Easter

Like everything else we've done for the past few months (except Addie's birthday!), Easter was pretty low key for our family! We didn't make a huge deal about the Easter Bunny, but Addie sure was excited to see her Easter basket when she woke up Sunday morning!

My mom and I had been working on her dress for only about 2 weeks. Between the two of us, we seem to be able to crank these bishop dresses and day gowns (for the baby girls) out faster and faster! She cuts them out and pleats them, I smock them, and then she puts them together. I'm pretty sure I'm getting the good end of the deal, but I think she might disagree! :) No matter what, we have both really enjoyed getting to work together making things for Addie and the little girls!

We all headed to church for a beautiful service, reminding us of the only reason that we celebrate Easter! It is awesome to be able to praise our God for the priceless sacrifice He made for us and celebrate the empty tomb! Addie understands about baby Jesus (and sings Jesus Loves Me sweeter than anything I've ever heard!), but I cannot wait for the day that she can begin to grasp the grace of our awesome God!

It was then home to get some pictures and eat a yummy lunch! I really failed to get any good pictures of Addie by the time we got home from church though. She was really cranky and tired and hungry. Her bow was already out, and she just kept pulling it out! She was barefoot and hated the way the mulch in our neighbors flowerbed felt on her feet. But at least you can see her dress!

This right here was total proof of how the rest of our morning went!

So I tried to get a few with her Easter basket on our front porch.

She has a mouth full of candy (which she rarely ever gets to eat, so she was way excited!). It's literally dripping out of her mouth! :)

Her favorite things in her Easter basket were the pinwheel and slinky (oh, and the Easter eggs with candy in them!).

We came in and tried to get her to change clothes only for her to have one of the worst (and longest) meltdowns she's had in a while. Sugar induced or 2 year old induced? Who knows! It took both Paul and me to get her dressed! But snuggling with her Daddy and eating some deviled eggs (the kid loves my mom's deviled eggs as much as I do!!!) made things better.

We had a delicious lunch with my mom and Nana complete with ham, potato salad, deviled eggs (I will never admit how many I ate!), cold bean salad, and some of the best lemon pie I've had in a long time (thank you Nana!). Addie just loves her Nana! (I tried to get a good picture with them, but it was after the meltdown and before lunch!).  Thank you both for making our Easter lunch so special!

...and then it was off to a much needed nap for Addie!

Below is one of my favorite songs that we sing in church. It's paints such a beautiful picture in words! We hope and pray that your Easter was blessed and Christ filled!

In Christ I Stand

In Christ alone my hope is found,

He is my light, my strength, my song;

this Cornerstone, this solid Ground,

firm through the fiercest drought and storm.

What heights of love, what depths of peace,

when fears are stilled, when strivings cease!

My Comforter, my All in All,

here in the love of Christ I stand.

In Christ alone! who took on flesh

Fullness of God in helpless babe!

This gift of love and righteousness

Scorned by the ones he came to save:

Till on that cross as Jesus died,

The wrath of God was satisfied -

For every sin on Him was laid;

Here in the death of Christ I live.

There in the ground His body lay

Light of the world by darkness slain:

Then bursting forth in glorious Day

Up from the grave he rose again!

And as He stands in victory

Sin's curse has lost its grip on me,

For I am His and He is mine -

Bought with the precious blood of Christ.

No guilt in life, no fear in death,

This is the power of Christ in me;

From life's first cry to final breath.

Jesus commands my destiny.

No power of hell, no scheme of man,

Can ever pluck me from His hand;

Till He returns or calls me home,

Here in the power of Christ I'll stand.