Living, loving and learning: Easter Time

HE HAS RISEN!!! Something I never really thought about until the last year or so was what to tell my kids when it comes to holidays. You know, Santa Claus vs. Jesus' birth, or Easter Bunny vs. Jesus' resurection. I've really been trying to teach Reese the real meaning behind holidays, but it's been a pretty tough task to accomplish when we also celebrate with the commercialized aspects of holidays as well. Reese is totally and completely freaked out by Santa. I mean she enters a screaming, crying, absolutely paranoid state of mind if she thinks she has to sit on his lap. Him coming down the chimney makes her sleep with one eye open. I ended up telling her that Santa was only pretend and she didn't need to be scared. That put her at ease, but pissed some people off. People thought I had ruined it for her, but honestly I just don't really care. She obviously doesn't like the guy, so why try and force her to believe in him when I know it scares the crap out of her?? With the Easter Bunny this year it wasn't quite as bad, though I think if there would have been an Easter Bunny at the mall to take pictures with, she probably would have done the normal freak out. I just find it hard to do both.....I told her the whole story about Jesus' death, and rolling away the rock and him being alive again, and then the next minute I find myself telling her the Easter Bunny brought her a basket of candy and hid eggs all over the yard for her. It must be so confusing. There is no corellelation between the two. Anyone have any advice?? I don't remember what my parents told me growing up. I know all the bible stories were always a big part of it, but I don't remember what they said about the "fake" stuff. Anways, I'll listen to any advice you can give :)

All in all though, we had a great Easter! It was jam-packed, like every holilday is with the kids. We always end up at five different places, I guess that's what happens when they have more than one family to be shared with. It's like a fight for time with my kids, and I HATE that. I repeat, I HATE THAT. My kids are not toys, they aren't to be fought over or used for entertainment purposes....ugh. I'm just gonna stop. This topic could have it's own blog I could write so much about it. Back to what I was saying...Easter was great. Reese spent the first half of her day with her dads family. Since I was running late (surprise surprise) Kyler and I decided to try out the new church in Sudden Valley. I have been seeing signs for 'Sudden Valley Community Church' for about a year now, and I've been wanting to try it out. So I did. And I enjoyed it, very much. It is vastly different from Christ the King where I have been attending for the last four years. It was small, held in the dance barns (where I have attended multiple weddings) and....small. Very small. I think there was probably 20 of us. But it was very good. Turns out, the Pastor there is one of the founders of Trinty Western University in B.C. Everyone was very welcoming, they stopped me after service (I must have stood out as the obvious new-comer, actually, I think it was my son's adorably handsome suit he was wearing.) Either way, we were welcomed and that was a good feeling.

Next, Kyler got to meet his other Grandpa, Grandpa Don Thomas, for the first time. Jade's father is a bit estranged from the family, he didn't even know that Jade had another son. So, we decided it would be good for him to meet Ky, at least before he turned a year old. We met him (Grandpa Don) for lunch, and I'm not gonna lie, it wasn't the best lunch date I've had, but it was decent. Decent enough. After correcting him from calling him "Tyler" and letting my ears adjust to all the "f-bombs", we settled in, ate our food and said our goodbyes. And that was that. It was weird, but Kyler is such a little blessing, I couldn't help but think that Don walked away feeling blessed. At least I hope he did. He really is a nice man, it's too bad his relationships with his family are, well, no longer. After lunch I picked up Reese from her Grandparents house and drove the three of us over to my Aunt and Uncles house for our usual big family gathering. It's always fun to spend time with the cousins, aunts, uncles, grandparents, I think there'e about 30 of us now! We had a great big, yummy dinner and enjoyed lots of laughs. I took off early to drop Kyler off with his dad and when we got to his house there was an egg hunt set up for Reese. I should have known he would do this. She got her 4th Easter basket of the day, and thoroughly enjoying searching for hidden eggs. Ky and I lucked out too, we also got Easter baskets! Yummy!! After about an hour it was starting to get dark out. So I packed up the kids and went home and tucked them into bed!! After brushing their teeth for 10 minutes each! And THAT was our Easter!! Here are some pics from our eventful day!