Wow, you look so pretty mom!

On Sunday when I came out for church Hallee said, "wow, you look so pretty mom."

The kids all looked cute for church on Sunday.  We went to Audrey's ward for Kyle's baby blessing so we were all ready early and had some time to take pictures before we went to our ward for the last two hours.

The kids are great sports about all of the pictures that I take.

I might have bribed them with marshmallows!

I was hoping to set up the tripod and get a family shot, but the kids were done with pictures by then.

I think Keith was ready to be done too!

Sometimes the candid shots are the best ones.

I'm excited for Easter this week.  We made Resurrection Eggs for activity days.  I made some extra ones so we could use them for family night this week.

There are twelve eggs and they take you through Christ's last week.  I love focusing on Christ and what he did for us. 

Caitlyn and Jonah seemed really interested as we walked them through Christ's last few days. 

I will never forget Easter two years ago.  It was on March 31st and Jen died 4 days later on April 4th.  Her death was unexpected to us, but Heavenly Father knew what would happen that week.  On Easter that year we were having an Easter lesson with our children and I had a peace and an added witness that because Christ was resurrected, we all would be.  I didn't know it at the time, but it was a tender mercy from a loving Heavenly Father. 

 

I read something about Easter this week that really struck me.  When Christ was atoning for our sins, pains and our suffering, it was dark.  It was so painful and dark for him that he asked if it were possible "let this cup pass from me."  He knew He had to do this to save us all so he said, "nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt."  There are times when I feel like I am in the dark.  Life becomes overwhelming or my plans don't match up with His plans.  Feeling like you are in a dark place is a scary thing because usually when you are in a dark place you have lost your hope and without hope nothing seems worth it.

This is where Christ comes in.  Light always comes after the darkness.  Sometimes we have to be patient while we wait for the light, but it will come.  Christ gave us that hope, He knows what it is like to be in darkness while we are trying to hang on to hope that the light will come.  Because He lives I know that the light will come.  I know it will come because it has come to me over and over again.  I love my Savior for being willing to get through the darkness so that we can all experience His light! That is why I love Easter.  It represents Hope and Light.  Christ is always there and He understands when we don't want to deal with the "darkness" anymore.  He has been there and He can help us find the peace that only He can offer.