Happy Easter!

He is RISEN! Hallelujah, what a Savior! Christmas is a very special holiday, but it wouldn't have any meaning if it weren't for Easter. We had a wonderful day today celebrating the resurrection and also enjoying time with Paul's family. The kids and I were out the door at 8:10 for church, and we got home about 12:45. Nadia and Ian went to Sunday School during the first service, and they sat with Paul's parents during the second service. Paul's brother and sister-in-law also attended the second service. It was their first time visiting our new church. Paul's parents have been there quite a few times over the past eight months. The sanctuary (which is actually a gymnasium) seats a little over 1,100 people. There were less than 10 empty seats during the first service, and some people were standing in the back. The second service was very full but there were some empty seats. I would estimate between the two services there were over 2,000 people in the sanctuary this morning, and about 250 people attended the Saturday evening service (which was identical to the two this morning except a different pastor gave the sermon). Last Sunday (Palm Sunday) there were a little over 1,600 in attendance during the two Sunday morning services, and that's a little above average but today there were far more than last week. I am curious what the official count was. The choir was on and off the platform three times during the service as we sang "O Happy Day" at the very end of the service (from memory). At one point everyone in the choir was wearing white robes when a person playing the part of Jesus was acting out the resurrection. From my vantage point in the choir I couldn't see the drama involving the Jesus on the cross (who was played by the man who teaches the kids' gym class on Fridays), and the choir wasn't in the sanctuary during the quartet by four of the pastors of "Arise My Love." It was special having Paul's family with us at church this morning. They had left over goodies in my Sunday School class this morning, and the woman who brought in the treats today asked if I wanted to take some home to my children so I brought them each one chocolate peanut butter egg and one chocolate covered peep.

Since Paul went to church last night, he stayed home this morning to do some work and put the au gratin potatoes and ham in the oven. When we got home I cooked some vegetables and reheated the baked beans and pineapple stuffing that Paul's mom had brought. Oliver scarfed down the baked beans and ham. Ian liked the ham and with the promise of many yummy goodies finally ate a little bit of potatoes and some carrots. Nadia enjoyed the ham and carrots and with the aid of some strawberries that Millie had brought she finally ate a little bit of baked beans. At least they all like ham. Naturally they all loved the desserts Millie brought. She owns a bakery, and she brought an amazing assortment of tasty treats - chocolate eclairs, cream puffs, apple crumb pie, cherry crumb pie, yellow cake, chocolate covered pretzels, etc. My favorite was the apple crumb pie. Yum! Uncle Al's birthday is in three days so we had him blow out a candle on the cake and sang happy birthday to him.

Oliver didn't take a nap on Tuesday, Wednesday, or Friday. He had one almost every day prior to that, and he did take one on Thursday (2 hours long). There really wasn't time for a nap on Saturday because of going to see the Peking Acrobat show at 2pm, but I put him down at 12:00 (an hour earlier than usual), and wouldn't you know but he fell asleep around 12:15. It pained me to do so, but I had to wake him up at 1:20. I put him down today after he finished eating (Sunday naps always start later than usual because we don't eat until 1pm), but he couldn't fall asleep with eight family members downstairs while he was in his bedroom. Once Paul's family left several hours later, he fell asleep on my lap. I let him sleep for about 30-40 minutes and then woke him up. I was so torn between not letting him nap at that late hour (it was 6pm) or letting him sleep as long as he wanted, and I compromised by letting him take a short nap. He was NOT happy when I woke him up. I am hoping and praying that this week he gets back on track with his naps. I do not believe he's old enough to give up his nap yet, and when he doesn't take a nap he is rather fragile emotionally in the afternoon and evening. At least he does far better with having a one hour quiet time in his bedroom than Ian did.

I saw the upper elementary children director's family walk past us this morning, and wow did they look sharp. The whole family (of 5) was color coordinated (mint green). The dad had that color tie, a son had on that color dress shirt, the mom  had one that color dress, etc. Some day I'd like to do that. The only thing I bought as far as Easter clothing was a new suit for Ian. On Wednesday I was at the mall and had a $10 off coupon for JCP, and I used it to get Ian a suit (tie, vest, shirt, and pants) for $10. He didn't *need* another suit, but he didn't have any spring color dress shirts, and he spotted the suit (purple shirt) and asked me for it, and I also thought it was really sharp. So I splurged. I toyed with also buying Oliver a matching one in his size, but he won't be wearing size 2T much longer (the dress shirts are actually a bit short on his arms now), and he doesn't have a brother to pass it down to. I justified Ian's purchase knowing Oliver could wear it in three years. This morning I discovered Oliver did have a purple stripe tie (was Ian's in the past) so the two boys were color coordinated.

Nadia could have worn a dress she's never worn before (she has plenty of dresses thanks to yard sales), but she opted to wear a really pretty one she's worn for two years. I think today was the last time she'll wear it though. The length is fine even thought it's a size 5 (and she's mostly wearing size 7 dresses), but the top was a bit tight on her. Usually I am told what color to wear each Sunday (the choir is color coordinated). Last week was a big challenge for me because the color was yellow, which is NOT a color I usually wear. This week we were allowed to wear whatever we wanted, so I opted to wear a dress that features colors that never seem to be picked. I was wishing the weather was a bit warmer and that the outside was a bit prettier (meaning green grass and such) for outside pics, but spring weather IS coming. I just need to be patient. I greatly prefer using my camera outdoors, but I am learning how to use it indoors.

Paul's parents also brought the kids a wide assortment of goodies today - a bag of goldfish crackers, some string cheese, two puzzles, Swedish fish, tootsie rolls, chocolate, etc. The kids ate far more sweets today than I usually allow them to have, but it's a special day!