Easter 2013

I finally got around to uploading our photos from Easter. We really had a wonderful weekend. One of the best trips home I can remember in a long time. Now that Crosbi is a bit older, our trips back are so much more enjoyable. I think she's finally understanding who everyone is and these days we don't have to be so rigid with our routine. We just need some snacks and a sippy cup and we're good to go.

The only tricky part about visiting Missouri is balancing old traditions with new. We make the trip back for nearly every major holiday. I assume that won't change anytime soon. However, that means that Todd and I have to share all of our experiences with our family members. From Christmas morning to Easter services, we are with extended family. I have no problem with that. It's our choice to do that, but it also means we have to get a bit creative. Initially I felt sad thinking Crosbi would have to divide holidays (early celebrations as a family of three, then big celebrations on the actual holiday), but instead I've chosen to look at it as extending our celebrations. And really, this gives us the chance to focus on the true meaning of each holiday. During the Easter season, I plan to observe Lent in some way as Crosbi grows. I want us to really spend time as a family discussing what Resurrection Sunday means for us. I want to have communion and times of prayer as we enter the Holy Week. Then, when we leave to visit family, it won't be rush rush rush, hurry and pack, get in the car, dinner here, coffee there, go go go, a couple of Easter egg hunts, back in the car, and all of a sudden the holiday is over and we've barely blinked and the holy moments have passed us by. If we're intentional, we can really immerse ourselves in the holiday seasons.

Easter weekend was beautiful. Amazing weather, lots of quality time with the people we love, and Crosbi's first Easter egg hunts. She loved every minute of it.

The pictures below haven't been edited much and some are blurry (the downside of using my iPhone), but they capture the moment so well and that's all I need.