Happy Easter

Easter Sundays

1986- Jeffrey- West Palm Beach

1974 Independence, Missouri

Me with my little sister at The Independence Missouri Visitors Center

I can remember that finding an Easter Dress for this particular year was challenging. Something that was not SHORT, SHORT and something that was not made for a little girl, yet I did not fit in to Adult sizes....oh my. Finally this dress did the trick and then.....the first time it was washed, all the flocked strawberries washed off and NO MORE DRESS that actually fit and was not SHORT SHORT SHORT. Oh and those shoes...they were some of my very favorite.

Easter 1983, Jeffrey was 3 weeks old

West Palm Beach, Carandis Chapel

At My Parent's House in Atlanta with New Jersey family

Easter 1988

Ashley was on the way....Happy Easter to all. Amid the candy, Egg Hunts, New Clothes, Dinner with friends and family, I know that Jesus Christ lives and that through His Atonement, I will live.

Going Back...

For Phase 2 of Surgery....

My computer, that is.

Surgery had to be interrupted while my computer was needed to complete Megan's (read MY) 3rd Grade Science Fair Project. If there is a 3rd Grader who does this without the help of a parent....I am shocked! Just reading the requirements was mind boggling and somewhat intimidating!!!! Anyhow...wherever you are...listen closely....you may hear my sigh of RELIEF...the project is COMPLETE.

My presence in the Blog world will be light to non-existent for a few days. On top of no computer, I will be OUT OF TOWN for Easter Weekend.

We are going to Orlando for Saturday and Sunday. A Trip to The Orlando Temple is on the agenda.

Friday...No School..Hooray! We will hit the Beach and then try the recently re-opened Binks Forest Country Club Friday Night Family Buffet. It is so close we may walk. Daniel and Erika..I will think of you while I am there! Your Wedding was the most beautiful event I have attended at Binks Forest CC. I am wondering how large the crowd will be on Good Friday and Passover week. The Buffet included Fish for those who participate in Lent and there is a Kosher section for Passover.

Other random thoughts floating through my head.....

Alison (my awesome daughter in law) had her Birthday yesterday....I am excited to see her in person this weekend and give her a Birthday Hug!

Every one's Easter outfits are ready...the first year of No "Matchy-Matchy" for the girls. We have the eggs filled, and I am almost done reading The Book of Mormon!!! Easter Sunday, I will finish! This has been the BEST Book of Mormon Reading experience EVER in my 48 years on this planet. The BEST. There are times I say...was that always there? Wow!

Riley's babysitter is ready for him. They love him and he loves them...what more can I ask for? Happy dog...Happy life (yeah right)

Katherine's Braces are supposed to come off tomorrow!!!! Sweet!

Oh...and I almost forgot....I got a MAJOR HAIRCUT today! Shorter than I planned, however...I Love it!!!!! I have a photo...maybe I can get it up before I disconnect! I feel like a new woman!!!!

Oh and yes.... I forgot to post an updated photo of the ginormous Easter Eggs in my front yard...stay tuned.

And yes....there a million other posts I want to make...but surgery calls. I will see what I get done before this posts!

What are your plans for Easter Weekend?

Even In South Florida...

March Can Come In Like A Lion...

(As it did yesterday and today-43 degrees this am!))

However, unlike every other place, it is certain that March will leave like a Lamb. March looks to be an exciting month with Birthdays in my family, signs of spring everywhere, College Basketball March Madness, and Time Out For Women in less than 3 weeks. Then Spring Break...Hit The Beach!
It is time to put out my Ginormous Yard Easter Eggs and welcome every pleasure of spring. In South Florida, Spring is usually bullied by the swift arrival of summer. When summer arrives...it refuses to leave and always over stays her welcome!

One wish I have at this moment...more time to write and post about the in depth things that are happening in my life....hopefully.. soon, but the days are quite packed at this point.

How did March arrive in your corner of the world? What do you enjoy about spring?

Oh, that photo of my Easter Eggs...

I'll have to update it now that the house is painted.... Stay tuned.

What It Means For Me...

Ash Wednesday and
The Book Of Mormon...
My Catholic Friends are commemorating Ash Wednesday today. This is the beginning of 40 Days of Lent (Ash Wednesday through Easter). As a Mormon, I don't officially participate in Ash Wednesday or Lent, however I have always liked the concept of giving something up for Lent, repentance, renewal, etc. A few years, I have even given up something for Lent along with my many Catholic friends.

Today, I learned something new about Lent. You can read more here. It was a huge relief for me to learn that Lent is actually 46 days, NOT 40 days. Why would this be a relief for me? Because the Church Leaders in my area have asked every one to read The Book of Mormon starting on Christmas Day 2008 and complete our reading on Easter 2009 (the end of Lent).
All of the sudden, I looked at Ash Wednesday on my calendar and thought, Oh No, I am a week behind on my reading. Then I learned that Sundays are not counted in the 40 days of Lent, hence I have 46 Days until Easter! Whew...Thank Goodness for those 6 extra days!

Not only am I completing my personal reading, my family is aiming to complete The Book of Mormon by Easter, also.

Reading The Book of Mormon daily brings peace and clarity to my life and to my home!

If you Do/Did participate in Lent....

What would you give up?

What are you giving up?

Easter Thoughts

Easter Sunday

Often, I am asked, "How does it feel to leave one of your sons at the MTC (Missionary Training Center)" The most perfect description is.... PAINFUL JOY. It is a time when I am bursting with happiness, joy, and gratitude, yet the tears and sobs I experience as I say goodbye for 2 years come close to some of the deepest physical and emotional pain I have ever experienced.

Yesterday, Easter Sunday, I was thinking of this term, Painful Joy, and realized it applies to Easter, The Resurrection, and The Atonement of Christ. My human brain and emotions cannot fully comprehend the pain and suffering that Jesus Christ suffered for my sins, yet I am humbled and filled with joy to think of this sacrifice for me. Understanding The Atonement and The Resurrection make Easter, indeed, a Happy Easter.

We spent Easter in Orlando with my parents. They were guest speakers in another Sacrament Meeting, so we went to Church with them and enjoyed their marvelous Easter Messages.

It is so great to have Andrew with us! I have to get used to focusing the camera so as to include all of him, it is easy to cut his head off.

Below

Before we left for Church, we were outside taking Easter photos. Megan was not in a smiling mood. Her foot was still wrapped in a brace and she was not in a"smile for the camera mood". Katherine placed her lips in a "smile" position and I told Andrew to snap this one.

Every picture tells a story....

Like Mother-Like Daughter....

All weekend, I was saying, Katherine never stops talking....can she just be quiet for one waking moment? Then I saw this photo she took of me....

I know, I know, I never stop talking, either.....

We walked in to Church at a Ward my parents were visiting at as speakers and look who we saw as soon as we walked in....

Yep, its Rachel... with a baby on the way this fall! Whoa, I am old. It was great too see Rachel and feel of her bubbly spirit again!

The world truly is small in the Church. I rarely walk into a Chapel in any area in the United States and not know someone or know someone who I know, etc......

Sometimes, I just forget that Andrew really is this tall.

Then I see a photo and his height is a reality.

We have to work with him on the length of his ties....

After Sacrament Meeting, we were headed home. Time to capture some Easter memories.

My mom says that every time we have a photo taken together, she is wearing this jacket. It is lovely and looks great on her. At least I know I need to wear something to coordinate! You know what you can give mom for Mother's Day guys!!!!!

Shauna, Ron, and Andrew

Ready to head home.

Shauna and Andrew Easter Morning at Grandpa and Grandmas!

It is so great to have him here!

Megan, Andrew, and Katherine

at

Grandpa and Grandmas for Easter

Andrew with Grandma and Grandpa prior to Sacrament Meeting. After speaking and thinking in Spanish for so long, sitting in an English Speaking Sacrament Meeting was confusing for Andrew. Singing hymns in English did not come easily, either. Slowly, he will adjust. Hopefully by the time he speaks in Sacrament Meeting ,the English will come easier.

For the next two photos, keep in mind that Megan is on the injured list.

Here, Katherine is helping her walk outside for Easter morning photos.
This is how Megan got from the car to the Chapel for Easter Sacrament meeting. Grandpa placed an ankle brace on her sore foot for support and Katherine became her "crutches" I offered a cane to help her walk and she said... canes are for old people, I just need crutches. I am sure John Klemas can help her out.

Happy Easter!

Happy Easter

Happy Easter!

Christ is Risen!

Alleluia! Alleluia!

Easter-Wheat Grass

Easter is Early.... So.....

Plant your Wheat Grass soon!!!!

One thing I love about the blogging world is that we are all great friends sharing ideas, encouraging and lifting each other, as well as reminding each other of so many great ideas. Thank you DESIGN MOM for the reminder to plant my Wheat Grass soon. I have been planning to do this since last Easter and it would have slipped away without your awesome reminder.

My little girls are going to love putting their eggs in this real tall grass. We are visiting my parents for Easter and this should travel to Orlando well.

Easter is going to be here before most of us can blink twice. This actually relieves me as I am so tempted by all the Easter Candy around and I am in the final countdown of my 90 day weight loss challenge.

HOW TO GROW WHEAT GRASS

A Favorite Easter Memory

Easter 1983... Curt wearing his Easter suit made by...me... yes... me...the non-seamstress.

This was the project I worked on the week before Jeffrey was born. Thank goodess I completed this little red and white striped outfit as there was no way to know that Jeffrey would arrive very early and my sewing days would be seriously limited. Life as I knew it would be forever changed.

Through the years, each of my three sons wore this outfit for Easter.

Sometimes it seems like last week I was at my little house in Greenacres, FL, sewing away while my 20 month old son was peacefully napping. During that nap, I am sure there was a phone cord stretched to wherever I was in the house, as I was also the 22 year old Relief Society President. That was my first go in that calling. I always say I was so young and new, I did not even know what to be overwhelmed about, I just dived in and hoped everyone was cared for!