Easter

Easter -- a time of tradition.

How and when the tradition of dying Easter eggs came to be I don't know...and haven't cared enough to look it up....suffice it to say that each year, we hold to that tradition.  I never plan on coloring eggs, but Jon always does, and Sunny loves it too.  So this year we dyed 12 eggs, and Jon "blew-out" 5 so we could color them and add to our Easter egg tree. 

This year, we also bought an egg coloring kit that said, "Candy Apple" shine.  In reality, it was a cross between a paint and a shelac....very beautiful.  Unfortunately they never did dry, and the paint came off on your fingers, and ran, but never did truly stick....we do not suggest this particular product.

Kyle would not participate -- Jon and Sunny did most of the work, although we did save some for Scott to color when he got home from work.....he dumped them in the cups and said, "There, I'm done." 

 Sunny getting everything ready.

 Jon painting some "Candy Apple" on an egg.

Jon and Sunny trying to "shrink wrap" some decoration on an egg.....it didn't work....but the effort was valiant.

Scott doing his part.

We also made a trip to the mall (picture me shuddering here) to purchase cupcakes from Pinkabella, which is the cupcake shop where Sunny works.  They have a new location in a local mall, and while we were looking for the shop, Kyle spied, none other than THE EASTER BUNNY, sitting in a chair, in a decorated kiosk, much like Santa.  He began to wave, and since there was no line, suckers that we are, we let him go have his moment, and we even bought a picture.....wow....are we crazy or what?

 Cute picture anyway....but, if he got his photo, he had to wear the "Ears" -- and he wasn't thrilled when I snapped a photo of him in the "Ears"....but hey, fair is fair....and circus is circus -- but that's a different subject.

We did finally find the cupcake shop -- made our purchase and left! 

We had a great Easter celebration -- the best part, of course, was not in the decorating of eggs, or greeting a bunny, the best part was remembering the sacrifice of our Savior, Jesus Christ.  Who, through His atonement, made it possible for us to overcome physical and spiritual death.  He paid the ultimate price for each of us, and because of His atonement, none of us have to face life alone.  There is always One who understands, cares, loves, weeps and rejoices with us.  Even, Jesus Christ, the Son of God. 

And the beauty of Easter is that He LIVES.  

Because of the agony of Gethsemane where He paid the price for our sins, and shortcomings, we can repent, change and become, even as He is.  Because He broke the bands of death, we will all be resurrected.  What a priceless possession this knowledge is. 

After the darkness of His death, came Easter morning with the good news, "He is not here:  for he is risen, as he said." (Matthew 28:6)  And therein lies the joy of Easter!