Our First Easter

This Easter marked two things for us: 1) Our first Easter as a married couple, and 2) My first Easter away from my family. So while it was all fun to start new traditions together, I couldn't help but feel the ache of missing my family and all our crazy traditions. But what does one do other than press onward? Despite the distance, we made the day really sweet - even if there were video games going on throughout most of the day! 

I'll warn you, this may be a long post

In the 9 months we have been here in Virginia, we have visited a fair number of churches, yet we've been churchless - nothing has felt quite right for us. We have recently found one that has filled us with hope, and this past Sunday, it filled is with joy! One thing I have noted about this church is how joyful the congregation is. What a refreshing thing that is! The Easter service was such a blessing to us, from the hour-long worship service, to the flowering of the cross, we walked away filled with excitement over the glory of the Lord and our hopes that this church very well may be "the one."

Alright, let's get down to business. As I mentioned before, it was just the two of us for Easter. I can recall childhood memories of it just being me and my immediate family on every holiday (and all year long for that matter) and us all sitting on the sofa with a self-timed camera and tripod. Well, those memories became very real when it was once again, my new tiny family on the sofa with a self-timed camera. Only it was on the over sized chair, rather than a tripod. As the camera ticked and beeped off preparing for a sudden flash of continuous shooting, dear Miss Scarlett was intrigued and jumped up to investigate. We have the whole series of photos, yet this one speaks volumes: (Don't mind my extremely large open mouth...I obviously find my cat to be hilarious)

Yup. That really happened! Too bad she's completely out of focus! This happened three more times, but eventually, we got one that we settled for:

After our Sunday's Best were hung up, the food prep began. I suppose I am used to being in the kitchen all day when it comes to holidays. I have always been my mother's right arm in the kitchen, so I wasn't too surprised that I spent my whole day in the kitchen on my own. Although Strom was a help, I flew solo for the most part. My mom and I chatted the afternoon away to make it feel normal, but there was no hiding it: I missed being her right arm. 

No, I did not sneak that muffin. I cut the recipe in half and it made one muffin short of a dozen. They look awfully delicious, right? (Lemon Poppyseed Muffins). So, this is my first attempt at putting on an Easter dinner: 

It wasn't bad at all, if I do say so myself. The muffins killed the rest though - absolutely delish! We topped off the evening with some decadent chocolate mousse and decided we did pretty well for our first run! :)

"Surely He has borne our griefs
      And carried our sorrows;
      Yet we esteemed Him stricken,
      Smitten by God, and afflicted.
        But He was wounded for our transgressions,
      He was bruised for our iniquities;
      The chastisement for our peace was upon Him,
      And by His stripes we are healed."

-Isaiah 53:4-5

And for this very reason, we celebrate this day each and every day from now until forever!