FINALLY TELLING YOU ABOUT OUR EASTER

Good morning. Yes, it is raining and dark and gloomy and one of those days that makes you say "I believe I will lie here another hour and then get up". However, Houston does not share my laziness and he is ready for his toast. It was called to my attention by my sweet sister-in-law, Rosemary (is Rosemary one word or two? I have never decided) that I omitted a blog about Easter. I apologize to each of you that enjoy my family stories and will tell you that our Easter this year was "different". By that I mean that we did not have the entire family, nor the big yard for egg hunting and game playing that we had for the last 20 years at Freda Villa. The Maddux family went to Jackson, MS to have Easter with Chris, Ashley and the children. They had a wonderful time and Chris made the week-end fun filled and happy for all of them. The rest of us went to our respective churches for Easter Services and then met at Kim's house for our celebration. Each family came dressed in their Easter Finery and kept dressed in it until all the pictures had been made. (The men and children love this part). Then, and only then, were the children allowed to put on their play clothes. Kim had decorated her home so beautifully and also had tables set up on the deck covered with green and orchid colored cloths. She used those two colors in the plates, cups, napkins and serving dishes. The day, which had been predicted to rain was warm, semi-cloudy but enough sun peeking through those clouds to make for a happy scene. Everyone enjoyed being on the deck and watching a big barge go up the river. The children were fascinated. After a feast of delicious food prepared by all of us we adjourned to the front yard for the "Big Hunt". The children had been patiently playing ball in the back yard, safely out of sight of Corinne and Cassie (the egg hiders) and when they were called to the front yard with their cute baskets they were told to sit down for instructions. Big groans went up from those five little people because they wanted to get on with the hunt. When they were turned loose they screamed, laughed, knocked each other over as they would dive for the same egg and we loved the sight of those happy children running in all directions. Then came the time to count the eggs - who had the most, who had the golden egg and how much money or candy get they collect from their eggs. Of course there were tears because "he got more than me" or "I found that egg and she took it away from me" and, well, you know all the wails and gripes that accompany a group of cousins in competition. After the hunt and the games, and the prizes had been awarded everybody began to gather up their dishes, their clothes, their tired, sleepy children and just as everybody left the rain that we had worried about came in abundance. What a wonderful day. We had started the day with a celebration of the risen Savior with hymns, prayers and praise and then spent the rest of the day celebrating with our family and friends with laughter, good food, fun and so much love. Just makes you know with all your heart that God is good - all the time.