Our First Easter!

Holidays with new babies are so much fun. We spent a lot of time getting ready for Cara's first Easter. I searched for weeks for the perfect Easter basket, we took a while to decide on her Easter dress, etc. At 7 months old, it's too early for her to know about the real meaning of Easter, but we did tell her how much Jesus loved her and all of us.

We were off for Good Friday, so we went to Irving to visit Mimi & Buck through Saturday. We rested, played with Cara, played with Harleigh, watched Les Mis (!!!!!!) and enjoyed having time together. I brought Cara's monogrammed onesie and our favorite tutu to have a photo shoot in the backyard. I think we caught some great moments with our baby doll.

On Easter Sunday, we got up extra early so we could go to the morning service, Sunday School and straight to Cari & Ricky's. It takes a lot of planning to coordinate everyone getting ready and out the door early and looking very nice. Growing up, we always took pictures outside on Easter Sunday, and I remember looking at my baby pictures from my first few Easters. It was really sweet to think that Cara will look at these pictures of herself with us one day. I think she looked beautiful, if I do say so!

After church, we went to the Edison's for brunch. We took lots of pictures with the cousins, Nanny and our family. We missed Cindy so much today especially, and we even sang a hymn in church that was played at her funeral. It is hard to not have her with us when we celebrate holidays and just day-to-day things, but we were reminded that Cindy had a front-row seat to praise our risen Savior in heaven. She got to experience joy and celebration in a way we can't imagine, and one day we will all be reunited.

In the end, it wasn't about a pretty dress, a cute hairbow, the perfect Easter basket or a schedule. Several times this weekend, I really took time to think about the marvelous mystery of sacrifice Jesus made for us. Having a child teaches you to sacrifice, but it is NOTHING compared the the one He willingly gave so that we can know His salvation and have hope for our future. We serve a risen Savior who died to show His love for us. What greater blessing is there?