{pretty, happy, funny, real} Easter edition

(more here)

For all you dear readers who imagine we live in a world where the women are all strong, the men are good looking, and the children are above average, please read all the way to the 'real' part.  This isn't Woebegone <g>  (But I think the man here is still good looking ; )) 

pretty:

The rainbow cake Alannah made. We have wanted to try it since we saw pictures of a similar cake online.  Very cheerful!

 

Also pretty:

The family picture taken that day with the self timer.  Not too shabby and you can hardly tell Dad just raced back from the tripod in time.  Hardly. ; ) 

happy:

Husband and I on our Easter/Birthday trip to the Netherlands.  I was SO happy.  So. 

funny:

The out takes are always more fun than the 'good' shots

real:

I hope you read this far because y'all, let's be REALLY real.  Life isn't picture perfect.  Some days the pictures are all that comes out close to perfect.  Easter was like that here.  I honestly can't remember everything that led up to the wknd but I know there was a lot.   The bigger people sat around the table Saturday night, after Easter outfits were selected but not yet ironed, and little people were mostly in bed.  Mostly.  Allen asked, shouldn't we dye the eggs?  Yawn.  Probably we should.

We opened our PAAS package ('cause girlfriends, you didn't really think I was going to whip out my wax stylus and vegetable dye vats now didja? come now ; ))  I had picked up said packet at the thrift store.  It didn't appear to be opened however there were no dye tablets inside.  None.  That was also real.  Real annoying.  Luckily we had more artificial colors in the cabinet.  (we are being real, right? that cake didn't become what it was by beet juice lol) 

The bigger kids dyed the eggs in a food color and vinegar concoction.  We went to bed.  Sunday morning we had ham and eggs to break our lenten fast which was exciting.  We keep a traditional fast and let me tell you, you get hungry.  We decided no special place settings etc.  Just eat simply and quickly and start church prep.  We all got out the door and began the long trip to our little chapel whereupon we discovered.... we had read the bulletin wrong and had missed the last mass entirely.  In the real world - our world - these things happen. 

You have two options at that pt.  You can fume and beat yourself up or you can resolve to do better... and go buy ice cream.  We did the latter.  I spent the trip back to town making new lists on my iphone and plotting to tighten up the schedule.  We grilled hotdogs and ate Easter candy. 

The long and the short of it is that some things worked well this lenten season.  The fast sort of absorbed my attention.  We had Monica here for a few weeks.  Asher left for boot camp.  Half of us went to Rome.  Surely the Vatican must count?  Flipside, there was nary a craft done, nor theme lesson to be seen. We are just people, not superheros and that is the best I could do.  The most thematic thing that happened this weekend was....

We met the bunny at the Keukenhof Gardens the next day for their Easter Monday celebration.  Even though 'the bunny' is certainly not the be all of Easter, it was a nice surprise and after being disappointed in myself for all I didn't do for Easter it was almost a little vote of confidence from God.  

This isn't all on my shoulders and He is perfectly capable of making up for my lack. Perfectly.  

Comments

[Holly@ThreeSidedWheel]

What lovely pictures!

[Barbara]

Thanks for the "real." ;-)

[Wendy in VA]

*Love* the rainbow cake! I've always wanted to make one of those. :o) The family pictures are great, and the picture of you and your dh is so sweet. And the post is excellent. I'd like to say thank you for keeping it real without sounding so cliche, but apparently pregnancy at 43 soaks up more than its fair share of brain cells -- so I've got nothing else. LOL

[Annette Fordyce]

Your family is beautiful! I love your real story, and especially your response to missing Mass! And the reminder that he is capable of picking up my lack? Just what I needed to hear this morning.

[JenLetts]

Wow! That cake is amazing and you and hubby do look SO happy!

[Marla]

Leading up to Easter Sunday I was also feeling very aware of the shortcomings in my preparations, and trying not to let my attitude be affected. I have been reading the "Jesus Storybook Bible" to the littlest ones every day at naptime, and on the Monday before Easter I suddenly realized that we were "coincidentally" reading about the passion week DURING the passion week. What a happy thought, that God only requires my best effort and dependence on Him and He will supply my lack!

Thanks for being "real", it is such an encouragement to hear of other moms who are simply leaning on Him instead of trying to do it all.

[annita]

Great pictures... great post! Beautiful family! +JMJ+

[Amy]

Beautiful post. Thanks for sharing.

[Sue]

Wonderful! All of it. All of you!

[kimberlee]

Blessed Eastertide to all of you! What's life, if it isn't Real? Fabulous pictures, all.

[Theresa]

Oh my gosh, Kim we did the exact same thing! Arrived at the church just as Mass was ending. Apparently Easter is the ONLY day of the year they have mass an hour early. sigh. Here's to keeping it real!

[Debbie]

Yes life is so very real. Sometimes that's hard. But, (if kept in perspective) always it just develops our sense of humor and our confidence in God. Thanks for sharing your real. I can relate!

Your family is just beautiful, and I'm just keeping it real...

Blessings, Debbie

[Lisa]

:) If everything worked out exactly as scripted, there would never be stories to tell!~ Years from now this will be the Easter in Germany when you missed Mass but ran into the Easter Bunny. I can't help but think Heaven smiles at the effort and snickers sometimes at the peccadillos... Thank goodness it's the love and smiles that count and not how much our lives look like Better Homes and Gardens -- or I'm in big trouble. You guys are awesome, Kim!

[Lisa]

Oh, what a story you wrote. So sorry you didn't get to mass. Sometimes that happens. Even when you are married to a deacon. Circumstances don't allow it. I agree with you the intention has to count somewhere.

[Leandra Loewen]

Thanks for the gorgeous pics...and the real story! Of course those of us with slightly larger-sized families (we have 7) can definitely relate! You look stunning by the way!!

[Marnie]

I really enjoy reading your blog. I wonder if you would share what "list" app you like for your iphone?

[mel]

Yep. I've done that. More than one year we've done that when the time changes, lol. We too have years that I manage to pull off great feats of crafts and cooking, and years where we do next to nothing...