Easter

 Easter has always been my favorite Holiday.

As a child, I loved Easter...and it confused me why I was drawn so intensely to this holiday, even over Christmas, because quite honestly, the thought of an Easter Bunny scared the crud outta me!

As I grew older, I associated the seasons changing with the beautiful spring holiday and thought, well maybe that's what I like so much.

Then I grasped the gospel tightly and realized...there are reasons for all those things we are naturally drawn to and adore.

I always knew Easter was about the Savior and his crucifixion with subsequent resurrection after three days of death.  However, I never knew that I would lose a child only days before Easter, I would bury him on Good Friday and wake Easter morning with tears streaming down my cheeks because I wanted his rising to be that day, as The Savior promised and allowed it to one day be through His gift of eternal life.

This Easter we celebrated the passing of our dear Shane's journey from mortality to eternal life.  He passed away March 31st, 2007.

I hardly slept the night leading into Easter.  Thoughts of March 30th, 2007 plagued my mind.  The sleepless night I endured back then, the tears, the scripture reading and gifts of peace that the Lord spoke to me, the countless moments I dropped to my knees, the wandering from one empty room to the next (our other 2 boys stayed the night with their Grandma and Grandpa Fultz that night), laying in bed...and then rising again because sleep was a fight I didn't want to even face.  Then, after a long night of suffering, I remember wandering to the living room chair and watching the sun peek it's way into the windows, the rays falling upon the floor, the touch of my husbands hand and the look on his tear stricken face as he said he couldn't bear to see he was alone when he opened his eyes and I wasn't beside him in bed.  The swaddling blanket Baby Shane passed away in was my companion all night long...his smell and the thought of his skin touching it's surface was my only hope in his life again.

So on March 30, 2013, I layed awake most of the night...remembering.

I dozed off in the wee hours of the morning, probably around 4:30am.  I dreamt my Angel Aiden had walked out of his room and I had just exited my room as well.  In my dream, he stated, "It's Easter Mommy!"

Moments later, as I lay in bed, my Angel Aiden rapidly tapped my cheek ever so gently.  Even before my eyes opened, I knew it was him...I know his rapid tap that begs for attention.  I looked at him as he whispered, with joy and thrill in his quiet voice, "It's Easter Mommy!"  I smiled, reached my arm up to his strawberry brown hair, rubbed it's short locks with an endearing touch, and said, "Sweet Aiden!"  I quickly followed it with, "Don't open anything out there until we are all together...let's get everyone up!"

I said a silent prayer to thank Father in Heaven for reminding me that my motherly intuition is still a treasured gift which He has given me.  He gives me that sweet instinct and foresight to remind me that He is in control and knows the beginning from the end, and will always be a guiding force for me.  How I love my Father and His Son!

The Easter Bunny did a grand job hiding the eggs...the chandelier and quilt rack eggs were the last to be found! 

We spent the day with my Momma and Papa, and the rest of the family.  I asked my husband to allow us to have a long relaxing evening there...and we certainly did!  My Mom actually said that she woke up Easter morning with that same excitement you have as a child....I did too!  This was a beautiful Easter for us all! My Mom and I, pictured below, have the same hair cut and color....and we both are our own personal stylists; I simply LOVE her, and her style!

My hubby and me! 

Mimi had to convince Lydia to turn around and smile for the picture with all the cousins by getting in the picture herself!  There are 4 women who can calm Lydia...Me, Mimi, Aunt Sunny, and Grandma Fultz.  Otherwise, beware...if she is upset you will hear a shrilling scream which causes everyone in the near vicinity to quickly take both hands and place them on the sides of their heads in the fastest motion that is humanly possible...Miss Lydia is much like her Momma, anxiety prone!  (note: Lydia's Momma has learned that screaming doesn't relieve the anxiety...well, for the most part that lesson has been learned!) 

We enjoyed feeling the newest grand baby wiggle around.  With only 2 weeks remaining, this baby is highly anticipated and welcome any day now!  Sophia jumped when I placed my hands on Santana's belly...I think she's found and auntie attachment already! 

Yep...that's the little sister I'm referring to...she's the cutest pregnant woman ever! 

And that his her hubby, Gabe, and her little firecracker, Chloe!  I listened to Santana talk about their church experience this morning.  A woman had stood to bear her testimony in our sacrament meeting and started to cry, Chloe quickly announced to her Daddy that the sad woman needed a hug...and then attempted to leave Daddy's lap that instant to give the woman a hug.  As I listened I learned a little bit more about Chloe.

So, upon seeing her little feet prance into the kitchen where we were talking, I asked Chloe for a hug, and I was instantly told, "No!"  I asked again, and then even tried for a kiss...but was told no! I waited a few minutes and then bent down and pretended to cry.  I asked again for a hug...Chloe's nurturing instinct kicked in and she hugged me so tight!  Yes, it was manipulative, but as the evening continued, I ended up with flowers in my hands in a lucky trio that included her Mommy and Daddy as well...all from the hands of Chloe!  I love my nieces and nephews...a whole lot!

Did I mention how much I love my nieces and nephews?  Well, I think they might like me...just a little!  Christian, my sweet little nephew born 20 months ago without his left hand, has a very precise and beautifully molded place in my heart.  Not only have I taught him to LOVE blondes...(he seeks them out at restaurants and church activities...keys in on them...and flirts like never before!) but HE has taught me that love is truly unconditional and sometimes purely innate.  You see, this bond I have with him has been here since...well, time began.  My heart melts when I see him, and his mouth starts mumbling sweet somethings while his tiny legs patter to my feet when he sees me.  We are a match, the two of us.  His parents have determined I will be at their house the day he brings home his first date; my approval of this gorgeous blonde will be needed!  It's pretty neat how perfection simply needs another hand to be whole!

He loved on me for a LOOOONG time as I sang "Jesus Loves Me", "I Am A Child Of God", and "I Love to See the Temple" over and over again!  I got hugs and kisses...and then he even went over to uncle Steve for some love and fun!

The kiddos spent some down time in the hot tub...Lydia and Emma turned into raisins!  They are "best friends"...thought you should know...I hear it from Lydia's mouth daily!

And Aiden followed Uncle Gabe's footsteps.  After tons of Easter food, they sat down at days end and had a root beer float!  Uncle Gabe looked on in pure happiness...that's called a male bonding experience!

Of course, Mimi made the Easter treats very festive!  

And according to tradition, the children hopped around like little bunnies, eager to find the 90 hidden eggs!

The first four to step foot outside with a one minute advantage were 

1. Christian

2. Chloe

3. Maya

and 4. Hallie

We're thinking that next year we will judge by age and not size because our petite "Hallie Bug" took first place with a whopping 18 eggs, I believe!  That was with her sweet gestures of "Maya, I found a purple egg!"  Purple is Maya's favorite color, and Hallie would wait patiently for Maya to trot over to the egg and admire its hue of purple!  She earned $10, to which her Momma said in shock, "She doesn't even know what money is!" as Aunt Sunny thought more about the big kids (Connor and Aidens) disappointment over not getting the grand prize! But everyone ended up earning a buck...or ten!

This Easter was so very fun!  Family makes it so!  I am truly blessed to come from an energetic and loving line!