Holy Week

Happy Easter to all! We have been really busy this week in preparation for Holy Week. Luckily, Scott's home and will finish installing the crown molding today. We're going to trim the inside of the ceiling after Easter but I think it looks great so far!

This year, we're going to try to fit all the tables in here, including the kids' table. Easier said than done when we have 30 plus people coming over and you want it to look pretty. I think we're going to have to move all the furniture out of this room and put it in the family room for extra seating.

Speaking of preparations, today I'm gathering all of the supplies needed for our Good Friday meal. I always make lamb burgers in pita with yogurt and feta cheese. My kids love it! This year, we'll have our dinner early and then go to a special service at church.

There are tons of recipes out there but here's the one I use:

• 2 1/2 lbs lean ground lamb
• 2/3 c fresh bread crumbs
• 2 eggs, beaten
• 1 c minced onions
• 1/2 t minced garlic
• 8 oz f feta cheese, crumbled
• 2 T fresh lemon juice
• 1/4 c fresh parsley or cilantro
• 2 1/2 t salt
• 1 t pepper

Combine all the ingredients, cover, and refrigerate for several hours or overnight. Form the meat into patties and grill. I serve them in warmed pitas with thinly sliced red onion and cucumbers, tomatoes, and topped with an herb yogurt. Delicious! I've never used a formal recipe for the yogurt but this is what use.

• 2 c plain yogurt
• 1 t ground garlic
• 1 T dried mint
• 1/2-1 t salt (to taste)
• a pinch or two of pepper to taste

Combine all the ingredients, cover, and refrigerate.

I also wanted to share the recipe and instructions for Resurrection Cookies. I've been doing this with the kids for years and they really look forward to it. This needs to be prepped Saturday night.

• 1 c whole pecans
• 1 t white vinegar
• 3 lg egg whites
• pinch of salt
• 1 c white sugar
• Bible
• Wax paper
• Plastic bag with zip closure
• Wooden spoon
• Masking tape

Preheat the oven to 300 degrees. Place the pecans in the plastic bag and read John 19:1-3. Let the kids take on the role of the Roman soldiers by using the wooden spoon to beat the bag of pecans, breaking them into very small pieces while shouting, "Hail, Jesus! King of the Jews!"

Next, read John 19:28-30. When Jesus was thirsty, He was given vinegar to drink. Have the kids smell the vinegar. Pour it in a large mixing bowl. Add the egg whites to the bowl. Eggs represent new life. Jesus willingly gave up His life to bring new life to us. Read John 10:10.

Read Luke 23:26-27. Give each child a tiny pinch of salt. Let them taste some and then brush the rest into the bowl. This represents the salty tears Jesus' followers shed.

The ingredients so far aren't very appealing. Egg whites are bland, vinegar is sour, and the salt isn't good by itself. Now comes the sweet part of the story! Jesus died because of His love for us! Dump in one cup of sugar as you read Psalm 34:8 and John 3:16.

Beat with a mixer on high speed for 15 minutes or until stiff peaks form. The whiteness represents the purity of those who have been cleansed from sin. Read Isaiah 1:18.

Gently fold in the pecans. Drop heaping teaspoons of the batter onto a cookie sheet lined with wax paper. Read Matthew 27:57-60. Each mound represents the rocky tomb where Jesus' body was laid.

Read Matthew 27:62-66. Jesus tomb was sealed tightly shut. Place the cookies into the oven, close the door, and turn it off. Give each child a piece of masking tape and have them help seal the oven shut.

Now it's bedtime. The kids may feel sad to leave the cookies in the oven overnight, just as Jesus' followers were sorrowful when the tomb was sealed shut. While tucking the kids in, read John 16:20-22.

On Easter morning, open the oven and remove the cookies. Notice the cracked surface. Take a bite. The cookies are hollow! On the first Easter morning, the disciples were amazed to find the tomb open and empty. Read Matthew 28:1-10. Finish with prayer, thanking God for His incredible plan of salvation.

This is a picture of the garden at Gethsemane. Take some time today to spend with the Lord. Praise Him for His faithfulness, protection, and mercy. Thank Him for all He has done. "Wash feet" by His example today and share the good news of the gospel. "Come with me by yourselves to some quiet place and rest" Mark 6:31.

Logan's Birthday Party

Happy Birthday Logan! He is such a sweetheart and he looked so cute with his Chuck E Cheese birthday hat. Here he is with his mama, my sweet sister-in-law, Jen. I love this picture of them.

Check out the cakes. Aren't they cute? My sister-in-laws completely outdid themselves. They've always made really cool cakes but this was my favorite. I loved Mr. and Mrs. Potato Head.

What kid doesn't love Chuck E. Cheese? Here the little ones are riding a car together with their other cousin, Eden.

They loved climbing through the tubes! They slept well that night.

Ethan had a hard time throwing the ball...in his own lane. He was great getting it into the other lanes though. Luckily, no one was playing on either side of him.

No time for smiles, Maddie was really concentrating.

Here's Brenndan getting shocked. How is that fun? Well, he liked it and that's all that matters. He kept trying to get me to touch the handle.

We all had such a great time. I love birthday parties and getting all of the kids together. Family is so important to us and our kids are so blessed to have so many cousins that live nearby. My oldest, Brenndan, was saying how nice it is that everyone gets together for parties and holidays. My family and my husband's family have completely intermingled. What a blessing! You can never have too many people that love you.