I love Spring!  Everything around me seems to come to life.....and it just overall breathes a little life back into me as well.  I love seeing the kids get excited at the warmer temperatures.  I love the thought of getting to see all of God's creation "waking up" from a long winter slumber.  Last spring we had a pair of Robins nesting in our bush.  They had 4 eggs that hatched.  The Momma and Poppa were kind enough to let us observe them caring for the baby birds.  From the day they hatched to the day they flew away, our backyard was this little family's home.  When fall came, the birds flew away, and we talked about them from time to time, wondering if they had flown to Florida.....or Texas....or some other place.  The winter days and nights here were very cold, and again our thoughts turned to these birds.  Where were they, were they warm?  Were they safe?  Would we ever know what happened to them?  We received our answer this past Spring week, as we spotted 6 robins that are constantly in our yard.  We of course do not know for sure that they are the SAME birds.....but we like to think they are.  They do not seem to be afraid of us at all.  We walk around them and they simply hop a little further away, rather than flying away.  If they have a nest, we have not located it yet.....but we look forward to once again, sharing our yard with this little family.

Spring also means Spring Cleaning!  Though I have not done much of it, I am hoping to get some done soon.  I need to sort and organize the rest of my crafting supplies and scrap-supplies.  Spring means, Spring Break for the kids.   Which usually means a headache for me as they tend to argue more and more each day......but we are hoping they will soon tire of that pastime....   Spring also means that I will get to hear the teachings of our leaders and beloved Prophet during General Conference.  I am looking forward to what they have prepared for us to hear! 

And of course, Spring means EASTER!  Easter egg hunts, colored eggs, candy and fun!  But this year, Dave has to work most of the Holiday weekend.  It is very disappointing.....but we are doing our best to make it special just the same.  Yesterday, we held a special egg hunt with our kids.  We filled 20 eggs with scraps of papers with letters on some of them.  The kids then had to work together to find all of the eggs and then put together the letters in the correct order to spell out  "LOOK IN THE CAR!!!"    They ran to the car only to find it locked.  They then had to locate the keys to the car.  They opened the trunk to reveal their special gift of the Rock Band complete set for the Wii.  After a quick meal for dinner, the kids and Dave played while I went to the store with my mother to pick up a few needed items.  It was a nice day.  This morning we went to an egg hunt held at a friend's home.  They loved it.....and came home with loads of candy!  Of course this afternoon we are watching General Conference, but I also baked Easter Cookies!  Later we will color and decorate the eggs.  Tomorrow's lunch will be egg salad sandwiches (made fromt he colored eggs). 

Now....Easter means all of those special things to me.....but it has an even bigger meaning to me.

Easter is the time of year that I get to focus on my Savior, Jesus Christ.  I get to remember the stories of his faithful service to his Father, and the stories of the miracles that he performed.  I also get to remember the story of him praying the the Garden, where he took upon Himself, the world's sins. Where he felt the sorrow and pain of each of those sins, on our behalf.  Where the pain was so great that he sweat blood in agony.  And how he was denied by those that loved him, and tortured by those that despised him.  Hung up on a cross with nails piercing his hands and feet, bleeding from a wound in his side, and suffering the pain of a crown of thorns digging into the flesh on his head.  Oh, the sorrow that he carried in his heart that day, and yet, a heart full of love, tenderness, and mercy......  It makes me sad to wonder and even remember just how many times I caused him that agony, by my own actions/sins. 

But how blessed we are that our Brother loved each of us so much, that he was willing to provide such a huge act of service, compassion and love......allowing each of us to be forgiven for our sins, and have a way back to our Father in Heaven. 

The story of His resurrection gives me hope.  He rose from the dead.   He continued on His path of teaching and nurturing.  He continued to be an example.......an example of eternal life.  So as Spring arrives, I look forward to Easter......Not to dwell on His death, but rather to celebrate His life, for he lives!  What a blessed promise for us to have.  To know that because of His sacrifice......his example....his love.......we too can have life everlasting! 

I know that my redeemer lives!  He lives, he lives who once was dead.....I know, that my redeemer lives!

May all of you have a truly blessed Easter Holiday, full of love and happiness.

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