We finished off our Easter Weekend with the Lapp Family!
Monday morning, we woke up to snow on the ground!!! About 4 inches of it. We were still at the cabin but after breakfast we packed up and headed home because we had one more Easter gathering we were looking forward to!!!
It's another "first holiday" without Dad Lapp being with us in person but he sure was in our minds, hearts, thoughts and conversations!!! Mom still took the courage to invite the whole family over for a dinner and Easter Basket hunt. Even though this was a hard day for mom without dad being with her and helping her prepare for the family to come over, she didn't give in or give up! She had our cooked food hot and ready to eat when we arrived at 5! She decorated the table in greens and yellows and had a Easter bag/basket filled with goodies for the kiddoes!!!
When we sat down at the dinner table, Mom took time to thank and say a few words to us children before praying for the meal. She also showed us a newspaper clipping that was found of Dad Lapp playing a guitar that he made in school. Dad was only 13 years old and the picture was so interesting to look at and compare with who looks like who!!! She also had a few other pictures. Memories of Dad are still fresh, sometimes raw, but always good to reflect about!!! We could have all sat there pinching ourselves and reminding ourselves that Dad really isn't here on earth anymore. It's just still hard at times to let that sink in even after it being months now since he was buried. Some days it just seems like he should show up and we would have everything complete again. We try to stay positive and I always remind myself of my blessings and to love those that are still with us even more!!!
After dinner, the Easter baskets were hid outside and the children went running to find their very own gift!!! Austin found his my the sand box. Ashlyn found hers by Mom's garden. Matthew and Hadassah have officially graduated from the egg hunts. :)))
They couldn't wait to look in their bags and see what was inside!!!
Mom put a flashlight in each basket! And stickers, a Beiler's Easter donut, candy, stickers, etc.. The kids LOVED it all!!!
Ashlyn went running to find her bag and was thrilled to also look inside and see what was for her!
Cousins make this gathering so much fun!!! They gathered up on the driveway and dumped out their goodies and smiled and squealed as they looked at their peeps and jelly beans and stickers and flashlights. :)
The boys were so impressed with their lights!!!
We grabbed all the cousins that were around and took a few quick photo's. Keep these children in your care Jesus!!! May they never depart from You and thank you for these blessings!!!
When it got dark, we all went back inside and the men played a game of Acquire. Mike was in his glory showing the guys how to play this game. Ervin ended up winning but they really had a great time together!!! The ladies sat together and chatted.
Easter is a celebration of the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ!!! I never, ever want to go through these spiritual holidays without putting the most enfaces on the true meaning of all the gatherings and special gifts.
Thank you Jesus for rising out of that grave so that one day we can reunite with Dad in heaven!!! You died so that we can live forever!!! Thank you!!!
