Mommy, Does the Easter Bunny Have GPS?

There are things I do as a mother to create little memories for my children.  Things like making cookies for Santa, turning graveyards into chocolate pudding and playing Easter Bunny once a year.  This year, the Easter Bunny isn't coming.  The girls will be somewhere else when they wake up Sunday morning.  To me, it feels like the secret hiding places in this house will be crying out for colorfully wrapped, sugary sweet happiness packaged in cellophane and the sound of children searching for another memory.  In reality, I'm having a harder time saying goodbye to the Easter Bunny than the girls are.  It has a lot to do with having to say goodbye to what I thought would never end.  I never thought there would come a day when I wouldn't have my children around.  Or a time when I couldn't be the one tying bows on their baskets, watching them giggle and awe at what I'd crafted for them with my love.
I could be selfish and give away hints that I'll miss them.  Manipulate them into staying so that I can watch them hunt for baskets.  Steal opportunities for them to grow.  Cheat them into loving me more.   This is sounding more and more ridiculous the more I think about it.  More than my mommyhood, what I really want is for my children to love.  Not just me, but themselves and everyone lucky enough to share their lives with them. 

 "Train up a child in the way that she should go, and when she is old, she will not depart from it." Proverbs 22:6

Aiden on a jellybean high 

  Hope and Nanny helping with the Easter Cupcakes

Easter Morning

 It says: Easter Bunny, will you come if I sleep in the living room? Sincerely, Sommer

 

First thing I heard this morning was Wayne whispering to a sad voice saying, "the Easter Bunny didn't come."  After assuring Sommer that he had surely been here the night before the happy search began. Peyton and Sommer went through the house eager to find baskets full of treats. That was my cue to get up and capture the memories. I know we will be doing this for a long time, even after the kids are all grown.  It's too early to think of it, but my heart leaps at the thought of playing Easter Bunny for grandchildren one day or watching as my own children carry on the tradition. Two out of four kids still wake up to look for hidden treasure.  When we get older we forget that the dawning of the day brings renewed hope.  But? What if we all woke up like Peyton and Sommer every day?  What if we all woke up in anticipation, with the promise of something new and beautiful? 

Jesus said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these."  ~Matthew 19:14

Happy Easter to you and yours

 

A new command I give you: Love one another.  As I have loved you, so you must love one another.  By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.

John 13:34

More Easter Photos

Happy Easter Everyone

Whether you're praying folk like us or just plain fans of candy and chocolate, here's to spending the day with loved ones! I would be at brunch with my husband and half of our kids right now, but I am sitting at home with the other half of our bunch waiting for my dad to bring us a goat. Yes, a goat. Some people get bunnies. We get goats. The goat is in the air as I type. It's coming from Tinian. Just one of the many reasons why we should one day be on The Jerry Springer Show.