Easter Joys

Easter weekend was filled with sunlight and action. Laurie and Andy Bailey, together with their sons Asher and Rowan, drove up from Portland to spend the weekend with me. I gave a talk in church on Easter Sunday, and the Baileys, together with the Leafty family, came to support me in that endeavor. I felt greatly blessed by that support, as I raised my voice in testimony of the Savior, and my gratitude for his Atonement. I cannot think of any occasion on which I would rather bear my testimony, as Easter has long been my favorite holy-day. My love for the Passover which precedes it has only deepened my appreciation for all that Easter Sunday means.

The weekend started with a egg hunt on Saturday at Lisa and Jeff''s home. Lisa was doing her usual camera-shy routine, which I cannot begin to understand, and causes me sadness that I do not have pictures of her beautiful face to post here as a memory.

The children eagerly awaited the signal to begin the hunt, and all raced off to fill their baskets with candy-filled - or best yet - money-filled eggs. Jeff''s children, Alice and Toby, had already expressed their plan of attack: if they were to pool their money together, they would all be able to buy more legos to share together in one of their favorite activities. Faith and Austin scan for eggs below:

Although the adults shivered in the early-morning cold, Alice did not seem to notice, as she anticipated a sunny day at the lake-park, and romped about in her shorts and T-shirt:

Laurie assists Rowan and Asher as Andy films all:

Later, Laurie stopped to give Andy a private photo session. How good it is to see the love that shines between them!

Faith entertained Izzy and me with her wild rides on a family-owned motorcycle. Toby's helmet tells a story in and of itself:

Alice and Faith, new "sisters" are also very close friends. Austin and Toby also love playing together, and unfortunately, I missed taking pictures of them fighting "Star Wars" style; perhaps they were just too much of a blur for my iphone camera.

I enjoyed watching Alice perform her gymnastics, and there is no question that for me, the highlight was sitting out in the yard and playing with all of the children.

Isabeau experienced "bubbles" for the first time, and was convinced that all of the blowing was being done for her benefit alone. She eagerly joined the children in chasing and popping bubbles, and it was hard to discern her behavior as different from any other 3 year-old's.

After the egg hunt, delicious brunch and yard play, we all went to the nearby Luther Burbank Park, which is on Lake Washington.  The lake glistened in the beautifully sunlit day, and the children played happily on the playground equipment, and later, at the beach.  Izzy and Lisa's Sitka romped together at the dog park, and wandered happily in the waves that rolled along the shore. I think it was the first time Izzy had a "wave opportunity," and she took to it with delight. I stood for a long as I dared on the bluff at the point, looking out across the lake to Seattle. It was breathtakingly beautiful.  But, Austin and Toby, who had led me there, were tired, and eager to return to the group. As I walked along with these sweet boys at my side, I felt to count my blessings, and tried to engrave the details upon my memory, to be called up again and again for future delight and warmth.