Easter

"Don't be alarmed," he said. You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified. He has risen! He is not here." (Mark 16:6)


I can't help but wake up on Easter morning filled with great joy. Death did not hold our Savior. He lives!
Easter is a big deal in the Van Wart household, and we (as I think a lot us do) try to emphasis the true celebration of Easter while allowing for fun traditions at the same time. Bella loves loves loves any story that you are willing to tell her. As I type this, I hear Mark telling her a story in her room right now. She doesn't care if it's real or not, she just loves to hear stories. So, needless to say, she has enjoyed hearing the story of Jesus's death, burial, and resurrection. She listens to stories with great intensity, and every time I told her the Easter story her eyes would glisten with tears when I would get to the part where Jesus dies. About that time, she would interject, "But mom, Jesus died for those bad men too, didn't He?" It was so important to her to hold onto God's love, forgiveness, and grace for everyone, even the ones that hung him on the cross. That's something that makes Jesus special to her.
"I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it. And he took the children in his arms, put his hands on them and blessed them." (Mark 10:15-16)


So, we began our fun traditions on Saturday with great friends. We ate a yummy breakfast together, and the kids dyed and decorated eggs. So much fun.

Besties :)

Beautiful eggs

Can I eat this or what?

Easter morning, the kids found their Easter baskets waiting for them on the table when they woke up. There's nothing like chocolate bunnies and peeps for breakfast.

During breakfast, Mark read the Resurrection scriptures.

After our special morning, it was time to get pretty for church. Mark and I had woken up early to shower and get ready as much in advance as possible, since Sunday mornings can sometimes fall apart. And we were determined that that wouldn't happen on Easter! :-) All in all, it went pretty smooth, aside from Bella saying she didn't like her hair and Jack pulling his tie off.

Beautiful Bella

My handsome little man

 Later that afternoon, the Easter bunny laid eggs in the backyard, and Bella and Jack had a blast. Once Jack realized there was candy inside the eggs, he stopped hunting and plopped down to eat his jelly beans.

Scoping out the loot

We finished our day with loved ones and a scrumptious dinner of ribs and potatoes. Mmmmm! I hope your day was a blessed one!