Hallelujah---it's Easter!!!

Do not abandon yourselves to despair.

We are the Easter people

and Hallelujah is our song!

~St. Pope John Paul II~

Happy Easter everyone!  How was your Lent?  I learned that the word "Lent" literally translates to the English word "Spring," which surprised me and almost made me laugh :)  Here in Montana, Lent rarely looks like Springtime, but rather we are typically buried in snow and longing for any signs of Spring.  And perhaps that is what Lent is supposed to be about...a longing for something, a longing for Spring, warmth, joy, forgiveness, new life in Christ!  Lent makes us long for Easter!  And not just for the secular things of Easter like candy and egg-hunts and great food, but the deep spiritual things of Easter, like the hope of heaven and the joy that Jesus takes away our sins!  That's why as Catholic, Christians, we really never should have room for despair--no matter how crappy life gets!  We are an Easter people, and Hallelujah should always be our song! 

I certainly awoke Easter morning with a Hallelujah in my heart, but it was a gentle Hallelujah song :}  Our family had a quiet and slightly "quarantined" Easter celebration.  A few of our kids were sick, but especially Joseph, who had been battling a nasty virus for a week and then it turned into pneumonia and an ear infection.  But despite the coughing that could be heard every few minutes in our house, we had a joyful Easter.  Mass at the Cathedral is always my favorite part.  Dominic got to altar serve for the Easter Mass (he was our only altar server who wasn't sick!), and he was given the special job of ringing the consecration bells, which brought such joy to my heart.

We did not get to have an outdoor egg hunt this year due to rain, but the kids had fun finding eggs throughout the house when we returned from Mass, and they also were super happy about their Easter baskets that they found on the table when they awoke.  I went a little bit overboard with sodas and sweets this year, but ironically what they liked the most was a tiny packet of baseball cards that they each received.  The rest of the day was spent trading cards and pouring over all the stats on the back of each card!  :)  Nathanael was so crazy about the baseball cards that he traded all of his candy away for more cards!  I'll have to remember to do more baseball cards next year and less sweets!  Much better for their teeth!  :)  But without further ado, here are some photos of a few of our Easter moments:

Thank you, God, for these handsome boys!

Isaiah studying his new baseball cards :)

Paul studying his coffee :)

Sweet Isaiah after Mass at the Cathedral.

The little boys literally "weighing" their Easter booty :)

Cute cooks in their aprons. :)

Paul grilled delicious tri-tip steaks for Easter.

Maria made the usual side dishes:  

green bean casserole, parmesan baked potatoes, marshmallow-topped sweet potatoes

Sweet and simple.

God is good.

Happy Easter!!!

And keep that Hallelujah song in your hearts all year long!!!