Thankful that Easter comes anyway!

We have been anticipating Easter Sunday at our house for several weeks and for several reasons. As Christians, Easter represents the whole crux of what we believe, Jesus defeated death and rose again! David has been hard at work preparing the Easter sermon God laid on his heart months ago. At school, Carter and Summer have been learning about Jesus' death and resurrection. On Maundy Thursday, we also had an awesome worship service for the elementary and junior high. It was powerful. At home, we have been talking about the risen Lord, dying Easter eggs, looking for said eggs, spending time with sweet friends, and planning our Easter outfits thanks to two sets of sweet grandparents who make sure our children are dressed in style. We even laid out everything the night before to make sure we were ready for this special day including putting out Easter baskets and charging the camera. And then came the actual day, and it did not go anything like I thought it would. Life is like that sometimes, more than sometimes, often! I awakened early to make sure I was dressed and ready to be able to help with the children. I had lofty hopes of pretty children in pretty clothes and maybe one good family picture. The family picture didn't happen, but several of pretty girls in pretty dresses did thanks to a rock star daddy.

I love this picture of Tilly. As you will see, Summer was not interested in taking pictures for daddy!

She has this new fake smile thing going on! Tilly thinks it's pretty funny too!

Pretty girls on Easter Sunday. Thank you, Papa and Gigi, for our pretty dresses! Thank you, T and Hart, for our pretty purses; no girl is too young for Vera, right?

Summer cheesin' for the camera!

And then there's Carter. . .he and I did not make it to church this Easter Sunday. Early Saturday morning, he fell out of his bed. We watched him closely all day yesterday. He favored his neck and shoulder some, but he did not seem to be in a great deal of distress, so we did not take him to the doctor. However, this morning as we were getting ready for church, we noticed his shoulder was badly swollen. Being 8 months pregnant, I could not take him to be x-rayed, so we stayed home until Daddy could finish preaching, and they headed to Scottish Rite. Carter did in fact break his clavicle, pretty badly according to the x-ray. He has to wear his sling and bandage for two weeks, and then we will consult with Dr. G. to find out what we need to do next! Little boys sure are WAY different than girls I am learning. I never broke any bone until I was in high school, and then it was just a fractured ankle during a softball game. I never had stitches until college. We are in for some ride with this little fella if we are already breaking bones at age 3! Daddy said he was a real champ at the ER and throughout the whole ordeal. Apparently the nurses were quite charmed, I can't imagine why! Is the baby blue eyes, the curly hair, or the infectious smile? Since he has been home, he has been wired, must be the pain medicine :)

Easter really isn't about any of this anyway though, is it? It's not about the eggs or the pretty clothes - though they sure are fun and nice. You know, our plans didn't happen this Easter day like we hoped, but His plans never go awry. Despite broken bones and cars, sickness and disease, unmet expectations, dashed hopes, and disappointment Jesus still defeated death and He is ALIVE. What more could you ask for than to celebrate the risen Lord on this special day? I am so glad Easter comes anyway without any help or plans from me. I am so glad He is in fact alive and is seated at the right hand of God the Father waiting to come back and rescue us again. That's definitely worth celebrating. Happy Easter!