4/12/09 Easter with the Littles

Easter morning Luke gets up at the crack of dawn to play three services at church.  I got up at a reasonable hour.  I had to take my own vitamins and make my own tea.  Ohhh.  Poor me.  Rain was already downstairs with her family.  She gave me a big compliment--that my legs are looking more toned from my  daily yoga practice.  That's a great Easter gift.  

Luke said,  and he was right,  that if we wanted up front seats so the kids would be entertained--we had to get to church early, which meant leaving the house by no later than 10:30.  At 10:15 Ry takes Rocky out for a walk,  Violetta is naked from the waist up,  and Xavier is in full concentration on a video game.  

I felt my shoulders rise to my ears.  Then I relaxed.  If He wants us in church on time,  we'll be there.  If not,  than not.  So I just finished my coffee and got myself ready.  V did not want to wear her Easter dress.  She never wants to get dressed up.  Her idol is her brother.  Rain said that you have to pick your battles.  V didn't wear the fancy tights,  but she did finally allow herself to be coaxed into the beautiful,  huge dress.  She's so tiny that the dress was bigger than she was.  Now came the battle of the fancy shoes.  She insisted on putting them on herself.  But she wasn't quite up to the job.  It was a shoe impasse.  Finallly working his father magic on V,  Ryan got the shoes on.  X put away his video game even though he hadn't gotten past the level he was on,  and we all got into the car.  Quess what?  We got to St Luke's at the perfect time.  Luke was there waiting for us.  We got our second row seats right next to the orchestra.  

Xavier was quiet for the full 1&1/2 hrs of the service.  The orchestra was wonderful.  Music inspired not only adults but kids as well.  V sat on Ry's lap and moved her feet in time to the music.  She also did some conducting.  Her eyes followed the instruments.  She got up and down a little but in appropriate doses.  She was soft.  Toward the end of Pastor's sermon she talked about chocolate (her fav) a little but softly and not too much.  

Pastor's sermon was inspiring as always.  He talked about butterflies.  Butterflies start as catterpillars.  They make hard cocoons,  and to get out and fly they have to fight hard.  And they have to keep fighting until they win.  Then they have the strong wings they need to fly.  And they are so beautiful.  

After church we had brunch at La Peep.  It wasn't too crowded.  I was surprized.  Good for us.  We had a delicious meal.  I might have eaten a bit too much.  But I did.  So on with it and back to sqare one.

The kids left shortly after brunch.  While they packed X and I played pet society.  So peaceful.  

We had dinner with Em and Bobby.  He grilled yummy salmon and gave us a whole weeks worth of food to take home.  Brian and Emily were there with the very adorable Noah.  We were relaxed and had fun.

I was so happy to see Evan,  tall,  tanned and handsome.  He is growing up so fast.  He'll be 14 soon.  Oh my.  While I was washing dishes,  he wanted to ask me a question.  He called me mom.  I know it was a slip,  but I liked it.  It let me know that he loves me.