Washing Old Pants and an Easter Treasure

Did you ever have a time when things turn out pretty great even though the path to get there is filled with a few rocks of frustration, pebbles of doubt and stones of hindrance?  That was Easter for me this year.  It’s not that I expected it to be perfect but this Holy day had the beginnings of a little crazy.

The 'Adult table'.  I went simple this year--thank goodness!

I thought the wonderful celebration of the Lord’s Resurrection would go as I planned it out in my head.  A happy family would go to early church, dressed appropriately in the sunshine.  This was my first expectation.  Then happy family would come home for a few great pictures and dash inside to prepare to host another family for lunch and the afternoon filled with food and laughter.  This was my second expectation.  I forgot to add the part about Mama being stress-free because I was so ultra-organized that I had the house perfectly cleaned and all food ready to go early.  That was not only my third expectation, but a stinking dream. 

The night before, I finally persuaded the oldest child, Honey Badger, to try on khaki pants I purchased days ago.  His current pants were too short by just a bit.  Three pairs were reluctantly addressed and none of them fit correctly. Somehow I picked up a ‘skinny fit’ pair or two but these looked too groovy on my teenager.  So then I was washing old pants at nine in the evening.

My Tween never tried on the tops I purchased for her but I announced to her she was just stuck with them.  So sorry.  I did come out strong with my youngest child.  My youngest chose a dress from the lot of the massive amounts of clothing I purchased two weeks prior.  Oh mercy me, the loads I brought home with hope these girls would try on and say, “Why yes, Mama, this is awesome!”  Needless to say, I have a few returns to make this week.

Easter morning came and I started my day off peaceful with quiet time and coffee.    It was so nice.  I thanked the Lord for this great day and gift.  I plugged in the iron and prepped for breakfast.  Then, I started the journey of the day’s events.

I woke the girls and they were glad to get up.  The idea of chocolate candy when the sun comes up will get them out of bed anytime.  The Easter Bunny always hides filled eggs around our house on Easter morning.  I began to iron Honey Badger’s pants and the girls were hunting eggs in pajamas with sleepy, squinty eyes.  As I iron, I am breaking up a few dozen arguments of the hunt.  One is bragging of her loot.  The other is racing around ahead of the first one.  What is a holiday tradition on a Holy morning without arguments?

The family manages to get up, get dressed and finally get in the car.  We were late to early church but we made it.  We park in the very far quadrant of the parking lot.  My husband noted how full the parking seemed for eight in the morning!  I shivered as I exited the car and we were all shocked by the chill in the air on that walk inside.  We walked very fast.

The Worship service was wonderful on Easter Sunday.  The message was clear and the presentation was a gift. Jesus came down.  He died and resurrected.  He is HERE.  It was all so beautiful and moving. The music was amazing.  My heart was full.

After church, we rushed home to take the traditional Easter pictures.  These are the absolute worst moments of the day for my children.  The sighs are growing louder as I usher the family to the most decent spot I have in the yard.  “No one cares”, Honey Badger said –like ten times.  He thinks if he does not care about Easter pictures that no one should.  Sorry again.  Mom and Dad trump that thought.

The thrill of family photos...

We take pictures.  It was cold and the ground was wet and the sky was overcast.  Honey Badger wore neon yellow socks that show just enough beneath his khaki pants.  He avoided the ironed, button-down shirt and went for last year’s polo shirt and a pullover.  Seriously?  A pullover?  The girls were dressed in their attire and making all sorts of faces.  In the end, I have pictures and they are my children.  They are still beautiful to me despite the chaotic morning and wardrobe malfunctions. 

Finally some happy faces!

I moved on to the kitchen and started my last-minute meal prep.  As pots and pans began to fly, I was thankful we all decided to make it simple this year.  As I try to resemble some strange version of Rachel Ray, I reviewed in my head how things seemed to be all out of sorts for me and Easter this year.  My schedule is different.  The weather was crappy.  We have had so many activities.  I came to a good conclusion for myself.  All I know is I usually have my Easter decorations out weeks in advance and my food is at least half-finished by Saturday.  Not the case for Easter 2015.  I was silently beating myself up while I beat the mashed potatoes.

The doorbell rang and the Steiner family arrived.  What a breath of fresh air.  We have known this family for about fifteen years and invited them to Easter lunch for the first time nine years ago.  Neither family has any extended family living in town.  Nine years ago, the Steiner’s had a newborn and two little girls near my girls’ ages.  We invited them so we all would have community and give them a little break on the cooking with so many little ones.  So the tradition stuck.  We have enjoyed the tradition and the kids enjoy it as well.  Honey Badger is a little bit indifferent, since there is no ‘boy’ Steiner but he goes along.

All of the girls after a fun day together.

We get the all five girls situated and bless the food in the kitchen.  The adults and Honey Badger head to the dining room for our meal.  We blessed our food and start.  Around the adult table, stories are told and we catch up on activities and family news.  We laugh until we cry.  The kids trickle in and out and beg for dessert.  Hours pass and we are still at the table talking and laughing.  It’s an Easter tradition and an Easter Treasure. 

I am sure I will have more Easters with rushed food and crazy clothing.  I am sure I will have more Easters with a house that is not as organized as I would like.   I reflect on Easter Sunday and think of the great moments.  We had a wonderful worship at church and I got my pictures.  We had a good lunch with sweet friends.  We were together.  This Easter turned out pretty great.  The path may have hurt my bare feet with the stones and rocks but when I reached the grass it was great.  My feet helped me remember to be grateful when I got there.

Until the next holiday filled with a few kid arguments and some extra helpings of gratefulness, go forth with Joy!

Not sure about this one...but seems to be a familiar scenario

Tracey

Count it all JOY:

“Don’t run from tests and hardships, brothers and sisters. As difficult as they are, you will ultimately find joy in them; if you embrace them, your faith will blossom under pressure and teach you true patience as you endure. And true patience brought on by endurance will equip you to complete the long journey and cross the finish line—mature, complete, and wanting nothing.” -James 1:2-4

What holiday hazards have you encountered that have turned out to be grateful moments?  Comment below!