Easter 2026

He is risen!

For Easter this year, Mrs. Rita {our Children's Director at church} gave us an egg-dying kit {along with some other fun Easter goodies}, so on Saturday we got to test it out. I'm not sure if the kids were more excited to dye the eggs or eat the hard-boiled eggs haha. 

Sunday was a long, full day {especially for Mike}. This year, the church had the sunrise service and 3 Easter services, and Mike was preaching. We are still doing Easter baskets for the kids, and they were excited to run downstairs to find the goodies waiting for them. They each got a chocolate bunny, a craft/creative item, a new book {or coloring books in Maddie's case}, and new Yoto cards. They also got a LEGO-compatible Resurrection Set from Bible Bricks to share.

We loved getting to worship and celebrate with our church family. We had family worship {so no Sunday School this week}, and it was great to have all the kids and families in the service together with all of our visitors as well. 

A quick photo before church...because I never know if we will be able to get one AT church ;)

I sure love them...and they're growing too fast...

We were able to get a family photo after all!

The rest of the day was spent resting, playing board games, and crafting with their new kits :)

We are so thankful for Jesus, and for the hope we have because He walked out of the tomb. 

Because He lives,

I can face tomorrow!

Because He lives,

All fear is gone.

Because I know

He holds the future,

And life is worth the living,

Just because He lives!

Easter 2025

For Easter this year, we were able to attend our church's Good Friday service, which was a wonderful blend of prayer, singing, Scripture reading, communion, and reflection. Pastor John helped lead a dramatic reading of the passover to the cross, and it was a really sweet evening with our church family.

Easter mornings are split for us as a ministry family. Mike was already gone before the kids got up, as he was off to help with the Sunrise Service. I got to do Easter baskets with the kids {taking a video for Daddy}, so they didn't have to wait, and then we got ready for church.

This year, the kids each got new rain boots, a puzzle/sticker/joke book, a chocolate bunny, and new Yoto cards. We don't do gifts as big as Christmas, but we do want to make it a day of celebration and fun, since it is a day of celebration! The day to celebrate that Christ has risen!

Mike preached both services, and we got to celebrate baptisms, which is always special. We were excited to have our friends B & C join us for the service too. Since it was a busy work day for Mike {too much going on!}, we were not able to snag a full family photo this year, but I was able to grab one of the kiddos!

The rest of the day, we enjoyed time outside, grilling for dinner, and just spending time as a family. Which was a perfect way to wrap up a busy Easter weekend. We missed being with family, but we are so thankful for our church family and for the time to soak up the sweet days of childhood with our kiddos. 

We are thankful for the cross and for the empty tomb. He is risen!

{Easter 2024} :: He is Risen!

For Easter this year, we started with our Good Friday service. We took the kids this year, and I was able to meet my friend Beatrice there. Mike was teaching, and it was a sweet night, remembering the love and sacrifice that Christ made on our behalf.

Since Sunday is such a busy morning, we decided to make our resurrection rolls on Saturday morning. I decided to use crescent rolls this year, since they take less time {and because so many recipes call for them}, but somehow we ended up with only 1 "empty tomb." None of the other rolls melted the marshmallow...which kind of defeats the purpose of a resurrection roll haha! But despite the fail, the kids had fun making them and they still tasted great :)  {next year, we'll go back to the Rhodes rolls}

Eli drew pictures to create a book of the Easter Story, and he did such a great job!

1. Cover Page

2. Jesus Teaching the Crowds

3. Jesus at the Last Supper/Passover

4. Jesus Praying in the Garden {with sleeping disciples next to a fire and wind gusts}

5. Jesus on the Cross

6. Jesus Buried in the Tomb {with Roman guards and wind gusts}

7. Jesus Risen and the Empty Tomb {with angel who rolled away the stone}

8. Back Cover {Eli and Daddy}

On Sunday, Mike was gone early for the sunrise service, and the kids woke up to their Easter baskets. This year, they each got a Richard Scarry book, flip flops, Yoto cards, jelly beans, and Perler beads. 

I was able to convince the kids to snap a few photos before we left for church, but it was hard to get some serious pictures. So we definitely ended up with some pretty goofy ones in the process ;)

We enjoyed a sweet time of worship with our church family, and I loved having the kids with us in the service {we had a family service, so no kids Sunday School}. And they even cooperated for a family photo :)

The rest of the day was restful, which I am grateful for, since it had been such a long morning for Mike. The kids enjoyed their Easter baskets, rode their bikes, and it was just a good family day. We are thankful for our living hope in Jesus!

He is risen!

{iPhone Rewind} :: March

Reading to her brother

Super thankful for Val! Getting ready for our Spring wrap-up study :)

Visiting Daddy in his office apparently involves invading personal space haha

Eli helping Aiden with his addition equations

Spring flowers from Mike :)

Ignoring the fact that it's Spanish, the kids read "Papa makes my heart happy" and had to send a picture to their Papa :)

Maddie helping with equations too!

Kicking off our When You Pray study 

Teamwork makes the dream work! {the boys helping Daddy put out mulch}

We're soaking up the warmer weather and ready for it to stay!

Maddie and I went consignment sale shopping and then enjoyed lunch, and I got to hear ALL the things on her little heart. I'm thankful for the time with my girl :)

Mike has valiantly tried to fix Eli's free facebook find bike countless times, and it was finally time for a new bike. So we made the trek to Walmart and he was SO excited to walk out with a brand new bike, especially since he's now fully riding without training wheels!

Granny sent a new trash truck game, and we have been thoroughly enjoying it!

Sweet reading time before bed

Sweet "cheer up" flowers from Mike because I was battling a migraine

And then winter came back :(

Working on a puzzle with Daddy

Our little bike gang has grown up!

Excited about Easter fun from Grandma and Papa!

My little laundry helper! He always comes over to help me fold the laundry and it's just about the cutest thing ever :)

These kiddos are so excited to be a part of Uncle Michael and Soon-to-be-Aunt Vi's special day!