Easter

This year I had an amazing Easter. We drove down to Washington D.C. and went to the temple early in the morning. Marc's brother, Ryan, took care of Madeleine at his bachelor pad in VA. Despite planning to leave very early, we ended up leaving more around 8:30 am, and so we didn't have as much time to be at the temple as we thought. Still, I had a wonderful time. The best, in fact, for months. I had the greatest personal revelation about how important the Resurrection is, how beautiful, gracious, merciful, and all-encompassing it is. The temple was the perfect place to re-understand that and to feel the gratitude and eye-opening comfort of what Our Savior, Jesus Christ did for us all. Anyways, that really got the Easter season off to a great start.

After that we drove to Ryan's, picked up our baby girl, and all had lunch at a Thai place. Yum! Then we drove out to Reston to meet up with Anne and Shamik, Madeleine's honorary Auntie and Uncle and my dear friends from college. We spent the afternoon lounging, Madeleine-adoring, and taking a walk to a park despite the damp weather. It was so wonderful to relax and to be with them! Madeleine also did a little Easter Egg 'hunting' or crawling around sometimes towards eggs, sometimes not. It was fun to see her scurry as just before the holiday she became really mobile.

Then we finally got back and started cooking a masterpiece Easter dinner. Anne fixed a scrumptious (huge!) ham, we had asparagus (a la spring) and rolls, a very delicious salad by bachelor Ryan, an amazing layered lemon cake, and appetites to fit it all. I'm so sad that I didn't get a picture of the meal. Purvi and Allen also joined us and Purvi treated us to some Indian appetizers (she always spoils me). The picture of us above is not my favorite of myself, but everyone else looks great. And that is the good company we keep (minus Ryan and Millie who had to leave early). Again, what a great Easter weekend!

I'm being judicious with all the pictures that I COULD have posted here. But I'm trying to pare it down to just 5 per post. (A tough job!) So, after that, cranky Madeleine was up and down and tired and hungry, and the adults got in touch with our inner child and we decorated Easter Eggs!! Yay! Some were very artistic. Figures, since Purvi is a restorative architect and chalk full of artistry. I'm glad we did it. Having a child (even though she was too tired, cranky, and young to really enjoy it) has awakened a more diligent sense to celebrate holidays with more flair.

Anne and Shamik let us crash at their place overnight and we drove home early in the morning. It was gorgeous weather, Madeleine slept the entire way, and Marc and I listened to Elder Holland's talk on the Atonement from the recent General Conference. It's astoundingly touching. I mean, I can't say enough about it. We listened to that talk driving back to Philadelphia, and also read the account of the Resurrection from the Bible as we drove. Again, what a good Easter.

We got back to Philly just in time to sing and accompany the ward choir in our Easter Program, which was so fun and awesome. And enjoyed a good Sabbath. Once we got home, Madeleine tried to eat the Easter Eggs and got dye all over her hands, mouth and dress. And that REALLY was a good Easter! I really think it was perfect. Thanks to all who shared the wonderful weekend with us!!!