A More Meaningful Easter

 In the past month, we've had several friends and associates pass away. It has been a time of real mourning for a family and a new look at the lives we live. Death can take us at anytime, and are we prepared to meet God?
  Each Easter seems to have had it's own emphasis in the Atonement and Resurrection of Jesus Chirst. This year, Easter is the reality of resurrection. The mourning and sorrow will all be turned to joy, as we greet Christ and our loved ones again. They will live again, as will we, just as Christ rose from the dead on the 3rd day, Easter morning.
 So, what are we doing to celebrate this year? I made a plastic egg Easter lesson that we've used in past years. This year I found another, similar plastic egg Easter lesson here. I think I'm going to try it this year because the scriptures are much shorter, for my young children.
 I also love the simplicity of this Easter lesson, from the Nursery Manual. I wish we had done it for family night, but I'd still like to do it, perhaps Easter evening.
 In general this year, we made Easter MORE about gifts, and Christmas LESS extravagant. We're trying to spread the love out a little more. We've really loved the thought: something you want, something you need, something to wear, and something to read. They are still very simple gifts and the kids need new clothes at this time of year anyway. I want them to understand the reason we gift - in remembrance of the greatest gift we have been given, the gift of Jesus Christ.
 I really enjoyed watching this video about the Savior's Atonement. They have so many more touching videos I plan to watch as well in the coming week with the boys.

Love is In the Air

My mind keeps coming back to Valentine's Day - funny because I don't usually give it a forethought until a day or two prior. It's just not a big holiday around this house. Well, maybe this year it will be. We've decided to cut back even more and my mind is spinning with crafty ideas to show my family and friends how much I care. Here's what's in the idea bank, just so I don't litter my bookmarks (we know they are trashed enough right now....)

For Adults
Homemade Fudge
Chocolate Peanut Butter Delights
DIY Bags, Boxes, & Candy Wrappers
Love You More Bags
Pie Boxes

For the Kiddos and Family
Heart Shaped Pancakes (these are just pink, but I'm considering making them into heart on my own. Amy has a TON of good ideas for mixing up different pancakes and healthifying them!
Scratch-N-Sniff Bags (Do I want to attempt this with toddlers?)
Valentine's Crafts for Kids

In the Spirit of Thanksgiving

I was just writing in my journal how thankful I am for my family. This is exactly why I feel to write in a journal. As I do, I have a chance to review each day and count my many blessings. Check out this video: In the Spirit of Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving!

Halloween Grinch

I have affectionately named myself the "Halloween Grinch". Here are all small things that bug me about this "holiday":

1. I don't want to spend money on a costume my child will wear once.
2. I'm not very creative or even comfortable dressing up (nor can I make a costume creatively for cheap...I've tried).
3. I REALLY don't want my child eating a whole bunch of candy and getting sick with all of the other trick-or-treaters (who put halloween at the beginning of flu season anyway..or is that what STARTS flu season...?).
4. I don't like being scared, scary movies, being afraid, etc.
5. Honestly, what are we "celebrating" anyway? Nothing! Though it's not longer really considered a "pagan" holiday, it still has it's origins in one (which is why some religions don't celebrate it at all).
6. It's a really UNSAFE holiday. Ever since I was small I always feel scared on Halloween night, even if I'm not going outside. Who knows what crazy person will show up at your door, or even at your church party (seriously...I've heard stories).

That being said, I somehow feel "sad" I'm missing out on all the excitement of this time of year. Who's not getting a pumpkin and picking a cute costume, right? Yet, "missing out" is not a real reason for me to want to "celebrate" Halloween (just like the excitement of the first day of school with all of the pictures and cute new outfits alone can't justify me sending my children to public school).

While I still decide what to do here are some ideas I've recently read/heard (please comment with any ideas you may have):

Without Easter There Would Be No Christmas

I was thinking a lot this year about the Easter holiday. We do all of these special things during Christmas to bring the Spirit of Christ into our lives. But what about Easter? For our family, it's never been "as big" or as anticipated as Christmas. So, I spent last Christmas trying to make it less commercial and this Easter trying to make it "more important". For without Christ's resurrection and glorious victory over death, we would not be celebrating Christmas either.
On my brother's mission, he had a companion whose mom sent them a package. In the package was, due to their family tradition, 8 easter eggs. Inside each egg was a symbol of Easter, along with a scripture. Though my brother could not remember all of the symbols and all of the scriptures, I thought this would be a fun way to combine something in the spring that represents new life (easter eggs) with the symbols of Christ. I came up with some of my own symbols/scriptures that I felt were important to remember. We open one each day, the last one always being opened on Easter Sunday. Here they are in order.