Sunday Was A Glorious Day...Yesterday, Not So Much

Looks like I have some explaining to do, huh?  Well, as you all know, I've been stressed out a lot lately with our house STILL on the market. It's been a real roller coaster ride, to say the least.  That being said, I got a call around 1 PM yesterday afternoon from a realtor wanting to show our house in the evening between 5 and 6 PM.  It wasn't a good time (is it EVER?) because that's when we sit down for dinner, but I agreed to it, any way.

So, as you can imagine, I went into my "Mr. Clean" mode and cleaned the house from top to bottom! I was sweating bullets! It took me a good couple of hours to get everything looking GOOD.  I decided to go ahead and pop our dinner in the oven to cook around 5:15 PM because it had to cook for an hour. I started to get a little nervous when the time approached 5:50 PM and we still hadn't gotten a call from the realtor saying she was on her way. It couldn't have been a second later when the phone rang.  It was the realtor informing us that she was going to have to cancel the showing because her client got called back into his office. WONDERFUL. I was not a happy camper.  The one good thing that came from it is that our dinner didn't burn.  She said she'd call today for a showing this afternoon or this evening...and I've yet to hear anything.  So, looks like it will be another day of sitting on pins and needles wondering if that call ever comes. 

OK...now on to happier things!  We had a wonderful Easter Sunday!  The weather was absolutely PERFECT...not a single cloud in the sky and temps. in the mid. 80's.  Our service at church was packed...I don't think there was an open seat to be had. The music and sermon couldn't have been more touching.  When we got home, we, of course, had to take our annual Easter pictures. It felt strange not having Brittany be a part of it...she was deeply missed.

Once we finished, I ran inside and got a few things ready for our dinner.  I had promised Abby and Chris that I'd make deviled eggs...we'd all been talking about them for days!  Well, we sat down at the table to eat glazed ham, corn on the cob, mashed potatoes, rolls, and apple pie for dessert.  Chris and Abby looked at each other, then Chris said, "Um, April, where's the deviled eggs you made?"  Ever have one of those 'light bulb moments'?  That was definitely mine...I had completely forgotten to make them!  At least we had a good laugh about it!  Plus, I redeemrd myself because I made deviled eggs to go with our dinner last night. 

On a side note, please keep all of those in my home state of Arkansas who were affected by the storms and flooding that moved through the area yesterday close in your prayers.  There have been fatalities and lots of devastation. Those same storms are expected to move through here later tonight and into tomorrow.  I'm not looking forward to it.

I hope to pay each of you a visit soon...unless that realtor calls, again.  Oh, brother! 

Easter Memories...

This Easter will be the first time in 19 years that Brittany won't been home with us to celebrate the special day. It's a really strange feeling, too...and one that I can't deny makes me a little sad.  Easter has always been a big day at our house.  The girls get up on Easter Sunday morning to look for their Easter baskets hidden somewhere in the house.  It's a tradition that Chris's family used to have, so we decided to do the same with our girls.  I think that last year was the first time I had their baskets just sitting out in full view. After breakfast, of what often consists of chocolate bunnies and Skittles, the girls and I hustle upstairs to put on our Sunday's finest to attend church...and we always sit together for the sermon. Then, when church lets out, we rush home so that I can prepare a dinner of baked ham, mashed potatoes, green beans, and rolls.  It's our typical routine.  This year, however, there will be an empty spot next to us in the pews and an empty chair at the dining room table.


It's true that life brings with it many changes along the way.  That's just the way things happen when kids grow up and start their own lives.  However, I feel incredibly fortunate for all the memories we've made on Easter...and so many other occasions, as well. I came across these pictures yesterday of some Easters that have come and gone...and I can't help but smile when I look at them.  We always make a point to take a family photo on Easter.

This first picture is of Brittany and me when she was about 2 years old...and Abby hadn't arrived yet.  



These next pictures show how we've all changed through the years.







I love my family with all my heart and would give anything if we could all be together for Easter.  I did send Brittany a big box of her favorite Easter goodies, so maybe that will make the missing us part a little easier on her. Thank goodness, it won't be much longer before she'll be home for summer!

I hope each and every one of you has a BLESSED Easter with your family and those you love. Cherish the moments...and hold them close to your heart. HE IS RISEN! 

"Easter says you can put truth in a grave, but it won't stay there!"~Clarence W. Hall