With Easter coming up at the end of this month, I thought I would share something fun for you to make for your kids! This cute little Bunny Cake caught my eye! For the recipe and directions go here.
Happy Easter!
Joanna LaVan
Showing posts with label Easter. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Easter. Show all posts
Saturday, March 9, 2013
Friday, April 6, 2012
How We Celebrate Easter
Easter is kind of a work of transition around our house. Every year I try to make it a bit more meaningful for the kids while combining elements of traditions my husband and I grew up with. (Except for re-creating the Easter that I had chickenpox---not a great memory!)
Three Things We (Almost) Always Do
1. Color Easter Eggs.
This is not my favorite part of the holiday. There, I admitted it. Frankly, I would do without it altogether if not for my husband's insistence that it be included. I am usually a reluctant participant because I don't care for craft-type activities. Especially not messy ones.
I'm also not a big fan of food dyes. (Yeah, I'm that kind of mom!) Lest you think I am a total grinch (Oops! Wrong holiday!), I do buy the egg kits and eggs. This year I got white free-range eggs from Earth Fare for free, so I'm happy that at least our petroleum-drenched eggs are healthy ones! :-)
One year, my mother-in-law colored eggs with the kids and thought my quick grabbing of upsetting cups of dye was hilarious. Last year, we were in the middle of a big remodeling project and had to color eggs on a piece of cardboard on the newly laid floor of the living room since our furniture was all removed. That was especially nerve-wracking!
2. Get New Outfits.
I know this borders on materialism and is often dictated by peer pressure. However, there is something to be said for the celebration of Resurrection Sunday and the newness of life represented by new clothes. My mom often buys all of us coordinating outfits for Easter while she's out scouting for deals. (Bless her! Shopping is also one of my least favorite activities.) Usually my kids need spring dress shoes anyway, so I just make sure they are new for Resurrection Sunday.
3. Give Easter Baskets.
Another materialistic expression, right? Well, it doesn't have to be. We keep ours small and try to focus on a few small meaningful toys and yes, candy. (Refer to #1 for my thoughts on this!) My kids honestly don't think much about bunnies and no one in the family cares for Peeps. I've gotten them chocolate crosses instead of Easter bunnies and one year, we included Christian Easter music CDs and books.
Things We Have Done in the Past
1. Resurrection Rolls.
When I accidentally bought colored marshmallows so they looked a little funny. (And you know where that coloring comes from!)
2. Resurrection Eggs.
Which I tried to save for this year but found the carton crushed underneath our Christmas decorations in December. Oops!
3. Easter Egg Hunts.
Which proved to be too much of a temptation for not treating the other children as they would want to be treated and netted my youngest with about 2 eggs.
4. Visit the Easter Bunny at the Mall.
Yes, I know---the pagan icon which my children knew was just a dressed up mall employee 'cuz I told them. (Yep, they also know I'm the Tooth Fairy and Dad is Santa. We choose not to lie to them.) This resulted in my youngest (at the time) giving a terrified scream and a less-than-serene photo. We haven't done that for about 5 years since! Who really wants to sit on on the lap of an larger-than-life-sized mammal anyway?
What We're Going to Do This Year
I have really enjoyed this devotional by Ann Voskamp over the last few weeks to prepare my own heart for Easter. She generously offers it free on her site, and it is so meaningful!
Our church also has a special Communion service the Wednesday before Resurrection Sunday, so my husband and I take turns participating while the other watches the children. We feel that they should have an understanding of the sacrament and a relationship with Jesus before partaking themselves.
Since I have small children that are difficult to get up and dressed for regular Sunday morning worship, I haven't attended our church's early morning Sunrise Service for many years. I believe I might attend alone this year in order to prepare myself spiritually for the day without the welcomed but distracting presence of my children. We all attend the later services together, of course.
As far as celebrating with the children, I am planning on making a new set of Resurrection Eggs. I also thought these Easter Cookies might be a bit more meaningful to explain the Resurrection story to my kids.
I also downloaded these Easter Listening Pages to help my kids participate more in the services on Sunday.
What are your plans for celebrating the Resurrection with your family?
Three Things We (Almost) Always Do
1. Color Easter Eggs.
This is not my favorite part of the holiday. There, I admitted it. Frankly, I would do without it altogether if not for my husband's insistence that it be included. I am usually a reluctant participant because I don't care for craft-type activities. Especially not messy ones.
I'm also not a big fan of food dyes. (Yeah, I'm that kind of mom!) Lest you think I am a total grinch (Oops! Wrong holiday!), I do buy the egg kits and eggs. This year I got white free-range eggs from Earth Fare for free, so I'm happy that at least our petroleum-drenched eggs are healthy ones! :-)
One year, my mother-in-law colored eggs with the kids and thought my quick grabbing of upsetting cups of dye was hilarious. Last year, we were in the middle of a big remodeling project and had to color eggs on a piece of cardboard on the newly laid floor of the living room since our furniture was all removed. That was especially nerve-wracking!
2. Get New Outfits.
I know this borders on materialism and is often dictated by peer pressure. However, there is something to be said for the celebration of Resurrection Sunday and the newness of life represented by new clothes. My mom often buys all of us coordinating outfits for Easter while she's out scouting for deals. (Bless her! Shopping is also one of my least favorite activities.) Usually my kids need spring dress shoes anyway, so I just make sure they are new for Resurrection Sunday.
3. Give Easter Baskets.
Another materialistic expression, right? Well, it doesn't have to be. We keep ours small and try to focus on a few small meaningful toys and yes, candy. (Refer to #1 for my thoughts on this!) My kids honestly don't think much about bunnies and no one in the family cares for Peeps. I've gotten them chocolate crosses instead of Easter bunnies and one year, we included Christian Easter music CDs and books.
Things We Have Done in the Past
1. Resurrection Rolls.
When I accidentally bought colored marshmallows so they looked a little funny. (And you know where that coloring comes from!)
2. Resurrection Eggs.
Which I tried to save for this year but found the carton crushed underneath our Christmas decorations in December. Oops!
3. Easter Egg Hunts.
Which proved to be too much of a temptation for not treating the other children as they would want to be treated and netted my youngest with about 2 eggs.
4. Visit the Easter Bunny at the Mall.
Yes, I know---the pagan icon which my children knew was just a dressed up mall employee 'cuz I told them. (Yep, they also know I'm the Tooth Fairy and Dad is Santa. We choose not to lie to them.) This resulted in my youngest (at the time) giving a terrified scream and a less-than-serene photo. We haven't done that for about 5 years since! Who really wants to sit on on the lap of an larger-than-life-sized mammal anyway?
What We're Going to Do This Year
I have really enjoyed this devotional by Ann Voskamp over the last few weeks to prepare my own heart for Easter. She generously offers it free on her site, and it is so meaningful!
Our church also has a special Communion service the Wednesday before Resurrection Sunday, so my husband and I take turns participating while the other watches the children. We feel that they should have an understanding of the sacrament and a relationship with Jesus before partaking themselves.
Since I have small children that are difficult to get up and dressed for regular Sunday morning worship, I haven't attended our church's early morning Sunrise Service for many years. I believe I might attend alone this year in order to prepare myself spiritually for the day without the welcomed but distracting presence of my children. We all attend the later services together, of course.
As far as celebrating with the children, I am planning on making a new set of Resurrection Eggs. I also thought these Easter Cookies might be a bit more meaningful to explain the Resurrection story to my kids.
I also downloaded these Easter Listening Pages to help my kids participate more in the services on Sunday.
What are your plans for celebrating the Resurrection with your family?
Wednesday, April 4, 2012
Then Came The Morning
What did they think as they watched Him there, hanging on that cross? What did they feel?
The soldiers, the men who had laughed at Him, mocked Him, spat on Him, beaten Him, what did they feel as they watched Him die? Was there something deep inside them that told them He was Who He said He was? Did they somehow hope that what He said was true, and that He would save Himself? When the sky blackened and the earth shook, did they finally believe in Him then? Were they disappointed when He breathed His last? If they had any stirring of belief in Him at all, did it die when He did? Did any of them think that maybe, just maybe, this Jesus really would rise again, like He said?
The disciples, His friends and followers, the men who had worked closely with Him, and who had left all to follow Him; was any hope left in their hearts? That time between Jesus' death and resurrection must certainly have been the darkest hours they had known. Fear, defeat, dashed hopes, shattered faith and mental anguish must have weighed heavily on them all.
And Mary.... He was her Son! How much she had already suffered for Him. Now her heart was crushed and, I believe, even her faith must have been tested.
The One in Whom they had trusted and the One for Whom they had left everything was now lying dead in a cold, dark tomb and they had no idea what their future held.
But He had promised that He would arise from the dead, and even though every law of science said it wasn't possible, even though it was absolutely impossible, He kept His promise. Just like He always does. Because nothing is impossible with Him.
Everything was changed in that moment. Hopelessness was changed to happiness, despair was overtaken with joy, and fear was lost in a boldness they had never sensed before. I would imagine that things changed for some of those soldiers, too. The Resurrection changed everything.
I think, maybe, that I can relate in a very small measure to the emotions that were felt before that first Easter morning, the feelings of hopelessness, betrayal, loss, and confusion. I've felt that way many times. I've questioned Him, doubted Him, and begged Him to tell me why. I've wondered where He was, and why He had left me. But over and over, morning has come, and I've seen once again that He never left me; that He kept His promises to me.
Are things dark for you right now? Can you sympathize with the disciples, with Mary, or even with the soldiers? Do you feel like you're somewhere between Good Friday and Resurrection Sunday? He still keeps His promises! Your mourning can turn to joy! Your hope can be restored! You, too, can have your doubts erased! If you feel a stirring of faith inside, nurture it and let it grow! Believe in Him!
It may sound cliched, but it's true. Hold on! Don't lose hope! Your morning is coming! Have faith, even if it's only mustard-seed faith. (Matthew 17:20)
This Easter, remember what He suffered for you, remember what He promised, and remember how He has kept, and will always keep, His promises!
This song has been a favorite of mine since I was a little girl and captures the feelings of that first Easter better than any I've ever heard. I hope it encourages you and inspires you to wait, in hope, for morning, whether it's the end of some dark night of suffering or that eternal morning for which we all wait!
The soldiers, the men who had laughed at Him, mocked Him, spat on Him, beaten Him, what did they feel as they watched Him die? Was there something deep inside them that told them He was Who He said He was? Did they somehow hope that what He said was true, and that He would save Himself? When the sky blackened and the earth shook, did they finally believe in Him then? Were they disappointed when He breathed His last? If they had any stirring of belief in Him at all, did it die when He did? Did any of them think that maybe, just maybe, this Jesus really would rise again, like He said?
The disciples, His friends and followers, the men who had worked closely with Him, and who had left all to follow Him; was any hope left in their hearts? That time between Jesus' death and resurrection must certainly have been the darkest hours they had known. Fear, defeat, dashed hopes, shattered faith and mental anguish must have weighed heavily on them all.
And Mary.... He was her Son! How much she had already suffered for Him. Now her heart was crushed and, I believe, even her faith must have been tested.
The One in Whom they had trusted and the One for Whom they had left everything was now lying dead in a cold, dark tomb and they had no idea what their future held.
But He had promised that He would arise from the dead, and even though every law of science said it wasn't possible, even though it was absolutely impossible, He kept His promise. Just like He always does. Because nothing is impossible with Him.
Everything was changed in that moment. Hopelessness was changed to happiness, despair was overtaken with joy, and fear was lost in a boldness they had never sensed before. I would imagine that things changed for some of those soldiers, too. The Resurrection changed everything.
I think, maybe, that I can relate in a very small measure to the emotions that were felt before that first Easter morning, the feelings of hopelessness, betrayal, loss, and confusion. I've felt that way many times. I've questioned Him, doubted Him, and begged Him to tell me why. I've wondered where He was, and why He had left me. But over and over, morning has come, and I've seen once again that He never left me; that He kept His promises to me.
Are things dark for you right now? Can you sympathize with the disciples, with Mary, or even with the soldiers? Do you feel like you're somewhere between Good Friday and Resurrection Sunday? He still keeps His promises! Your mourning can turn to joy! Your hope can be restored! You, too, can have your doubts erased! If you feel a stirring of faith inside, nurture it and let it grow! Believe in Him!
It may sound cliched, but it's true. Hold on! Don't lose hope! Your morning is coming! Have faith, even if it's only mustard-seed faith. (Matthew 17:20)
This Easter, remember what He suffered for you, remember what He promised, and remember how He has kept, and will always keep, His promises!
This song has been a favorite of mine since I was a little girl and captures the feelings of that first Easter better than any I've ever heard. I hope it encourages you and inspires you to wait, in hope, for morning, whether it's the end of some dark night of suffering or that eternal morning for which we all wait!
Blessings,
Wednesday, March 28, 2012
Mercy There Was Great!
Titus 3:3-7
For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived,
serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and
hating one another. But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour
toward man appeared, Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but
according to his mercy he saved us, by washing of regeneration, and renewing of
the Holy Ghost; Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our
Saviour; That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according
to the hope of eternal life.
Easter is a soul-stirring holiday, at least, for me. Each
year at this time my mind reflects on how great is the scope of mercy. Consider
how Jesus knew that He was coming to earth to die for the sins of all mankind.
Yet, He was willing! In our finite minds we cannot grasp such mercy. Sure we
are willing to die for a family member or even those close to us. For those we don’t even know is another
concept or to extend our mercy to those who have treated us despicable is a
foreign thought.
Jesus extended mercy to one who treated Him in such like.
Consider the High Priest’s servant, Malchus, who was in the group that came to
arrest Jesus. He might not have been the one who yanked Jesus roughly. He might
not have been the one who tightly bound Jesus’ hands. YET, He was in that same
group. Peter, Jesus’ disciple, attempting to provide a show of protection to
Jesus drew a sword and sliced off Malchus’ ear. Oh my! How terrible! Or maybe…Good! That’s great! Responses could
have varied on that gloomy night. However, Jesus grasped that ear, gently placing
it back upon the side of Malchus’ head. Was it grabbed in anger and slammed
against his head? (That was the way they were treating him.) NO! Thousand
times, NO! Jesus did it out of love.
This past Sunday I was sharing some of these thoughts during
our Easter program practice. I
questioned the youth on what their reaction would have been….to show kindness
in the midst of being treated hatefully. One young man vehemently said, “No
way! I couldn’t have shown such kindness.” The human mind responds that way,
but with such mercy revealed to us that should cause us to reconsider. This
Easter let us consider how we can extend mercy to those who are not deserving.
For we are the same—not deserving of such mercy. YET,
Mercy there was great and grace was free;
Pardon there was multiplied to me;
There my burdened soul found liberty at Calvary.
Pardon there was multiplied to me;
There my burdened soul found liberty at Calvary.
William
R. Newell (1868-1956)
God’s grace extended to each soul who
needs forgiveness is found through the blood that Jesus shed on Calvary. What
mercy! What love! What grace! And to think, I am a recipient. How can I not
share it with others so they might benefit from this awe-inspiring grace?
-Tonya
Tuesday, March 27, 2012
Random Resources
I have some ideas for some posts, but I didn't feel like I had the time to do justice to them right now. So, you get some random resources! Yay! =) I do hope these links will be enjoyable, at least, and maybe even helpful.
For the Techie Kid
For the Techie Kid
If you have an iPad, iPod, iPhone, smartphone, etc., click on the link above to take you to a list of apps for your kiddos that should make waiting rooms, long lines, and car rides more bearable for them...and for you! Some of these apps are free. Most of them look pretty cool! (I'll take the free ones, thanks.)
For a Well-planned Summer of Fun Memories
Here's a great idea to keep your summer organized and filled with family fun. Instructions are given for how to print it out and tweak it to fit your needs.
Classics, for Free!
How about some free classic audio books? Yes, please! These books are from the public domain and downloadable in several formats. I'm thinking that my kids would enjoy listening to these while they do their chores!
I won't be posting next Tuesday, so here are a few ideas for the upcoming Easter holiday:
Whether your child is homeschooled or not they could benefit by this Unit Study on Easter. I haven't used the Unit Studies that I have purchased yet, but I've heard a lot of good things about them and parents say that their children really enjoy them. It really is what is says...Download 'N Go! You just need an internet connection and a printer. The price is very reasonable, too!
Adorable yumminess
Aren't they just too cute to eat? Almost? No? Yeah...I'd eat 'em too. These little bird's nests are great for a pretty Easter treat.
Lovely Easter Centerpieces
 |
| Unknown Source |
The bunny centerpiece is just beautiful and oh-so-"springy", but the cross and empty tomb is so full of meaning. I wish I could find the original post about the photo on the right. It doesn't look too difficult, though, so maybe by using some tips from the link at marthastewart.com I could figure it out.
So there you are! Go have some fun!
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