Sun 15 Apr 2007
Last year, Easter weekend was fairly warm and busy with family time, a trip to the dentist, church, Easter lunch with friends and a trek across the state to the Immigration office. This year, Easter was cold cold cold and very low key. Andrej didn’t get Good Friday off this year or the Monday after (one difference in working for a Christian university and for a for-profit business), but we still managed to enjoy each other and time spent with friends just the same.
We kicked Easter weekend off with our house church and went bowling Friday night with all the kids in tow. I wasn’t too excited about the event because I wasn’t sure how we would keep Kaiya wrangled and interested in bowling, plus I myself hadn’t bowled in years. In fact, the last time I was even in a bowling alley, I was about 8 months pregnant with Kaiya and I didn’t bowl. However, I was looking forward to spending time with friends so bowling we went. Much to my surprise, we all had a blast. Kaiya actually
enjoyed pushing the ball and watching it slowly roll toward the pins. Even more she enjoyed the race car game that was just behind our bowling lanes. The game helped in the wrangling process as she enjoyed driving the car when she wasn’t bowling. It also helped to have so many other hands to entertain and restrain while Andrej and I bowled. I was really rusty at first, but after a very pointers from my friend Brenda, I actually got a few strikes.
Saturday was the first “family day” we’ve had in a long time. It seems as though our Saturdays have been extremely busy lately and it was nice to just be. We hung out in our jammies most of the morning playing and talking. After lunch and a nap (for Kaiya) we ran a few errands and ended up at a play place in one of our local malls. We chose the smallest (read deadest) malls in town because I knew the other two more popular mall play places would be over crowded with extremely hyper kids. It had been snowing on and off for the past couple of days and did I mention it was cold, cold, cold so no kids were playing outside. Much to my surprise, once again, this mall had a brand new play place that was perfect for toddlers. It wasn’t crowded and Kaiya had a blast running, climbing and sliding down the slide.
Also, just next to the play place, in a very strategic set-up, was the Easter bunny. Kaiya went crazy wanting to “See bunny, see bunny, see bunny!” We stood at the little white picket fence watching the other kids get their picture taken while Kaiya carried on a conversation with the Easter bunny, which included such phrases as, “Hi, Bunny! Hi, Kaiya! Ite (white) bunny, Pink eyes. Kiss Kaiya. Kaiya ohnt (want) big huggy. Hi, Bunny! Bye, Bunny! Bye, Kaiya!” Thankfully, the bunny would wave at her from time to time, which she understood as him telling her hi or bye. It was really cute. I can’t even imagine how star struck she would have been if we would have let her sit in his lap and get an actual hug.
Easter Sunday was a perfect day, even though the weather was far from perfect. We started the day bright and early by attending the first service at church, which I can’t even describe because it was an incredible experience. Our church observed the Lent season and on Good Friday we were encouraged to bring to church and leave behind whatever was hindering us from following Christ. Then on Sunday, when we got to church the enormous pile of stuff was gone. From TVs to computers to tightly sealed boxes (with who knows what inside) – all was gone, just as the tomb was empty roughly two thousand years ago setting us free. You can hear Rob’s Easter teaching (and the teachings leading up to Easter) here for the next couple of weeks (they only keep the last 12 teachings online). Another neat side note is that Kaiya stayed in the nursery the entire time. She didn’t exactly enjoy herself, but she didn’t cry the entire time either. When I went to get her she was being held by one of the workers. I asked how she did and received the response, “fine but quite cuddly.” It turns out she wanted to be held the entire time. Oh well, at least she didn’t scream like she did two weeks ago until I was summoned to come collect her.
Andrej and I were a little bummed about Easter lunch as we’ve spent the last two Easters with our dear friends the Ernsbergers, and this year they were out of town. We truly missed them and the yummy leg of lamb we’ve so enjoyed over the past two years. We however did not go without. I made pot roast and carrots and Andrej made delicious mashed potatoes. After lunch, both Andrej and I were able to talk to our families and wish them a happy Easter. We are reminded often, but especially around the holidays, how very far we are from the ones we love the most. Thankfully, my parents will be coming soon, followed by Andrej’s sister, and then our big trip across the ocean sometime in the fall. Knowing that and our phone calls helped make our families feel a little closer than they actually are. After Kaiya’s nap we headed over to join friends (that are as close as family) for dessert and conversation and then rushed off to our house church. Whew! It was a great day and one that I’m glad didn’t involve getting up early the next day for a trip to the Immigration office.
Another great Easter weekend full of time together as a family, time spent with friends, yummy food and above all else time to remember exactly what Christ did for us so that we may have life. Last but not least a few pictures of Kaiya in her Easter dress last year and in her Easter dress this year. Our little baby is sure growing up!
