Easter Weekend

Oh, the sugar high is still going strong, as I somehow feel that it would be a good idea to eat all the sugar I come in contact with, since I spent the last 40 days avoiding it. Needless to say, it’s not the healthy way to be, but I’ll be healthy again tomorrow. My Vacuum is now full of plastic grass, some of the Easter stuff has been put away, and it’s time to write about the weekend before I forget.

Friday night and Saturday night I was involved with the Tabernacle Choir concert, and it was WONDERFUL. As I mentioned before, I had a tiny part in ONE song, so the Bells on Temple Square were not huge contributors, but we did add a certain something. You can read a review here. The coolest part was just being in the newly restored Tabernacle for the first time, wandering around backstage like we were supposed to be there. Here’s a picture that Ryan took.
I’m the blonde blob just to the left of the podium.

Our Saturday was very busy, with a soccer game, a test for Natalie at the school, an Easter egg hunt and watching my sister’s kids. But we had a LOT of fun. We also partially cleaned out the garage, so that my parents could take their tent trailer to it’s summer home (their house) and tried to get ready for Easter. Since Ryan was hauling things out of the garage, I guess he decided to fire up the old mini-gote and gave the kids rides all around the neighborhood. Would you like to see a few pictures? Of course you would.

That last one is my niece. She was quite fascinated by the birds.

Sunday, although at the end of an exhausting week, was not the end. The Tabernacle Choir and everyone involved with them was meeting Sunday after the weekly broadcast for a group picture in the Tabernacle with President Hinckley. So I got to go back up to Salt Lake again to be in this group picture. It was an amazing experience. The choir, Orchestra, Bells, Chorale, Stage Crew, and support people were all there arranged on the stage for a photo. At the center was our prophet. He spoke to us all for a few minutes about what a historic place we were in, and how pleased he was with all our work and service. I am not ashamed to admit that I had tears in my eyes. It was simply wonderful! The choir presented him with some gifts for an early birthday celebration, since they will be on tour in June, when he celebrates his 97th birthday. We all sang Happy Birthday to him. It was an experience I will never forget.

By the time I got home, it was lunch time and almost time to go to church. The house was a shambles and I had quite a few things to get done before dinner. I must admit my kids were not decked out in their finest Easter outfits, but they were clean. No hair was curled, and they were just wearing whatever they had picked out, although I did veto the blue striped socks with the black skirt and red blouse that Megan had on. I’m so glad Ryan was there taking care of everyone the whole weekend, and didn’t complain a bit that I was gone so much.

Church yesterday was also amazing. There were several beautiful musical numbers, and the lessons were all superb. Even though I was tired and would have rather be in bed, I was spiritually fed. The Easter messages were simply wonderful. After church we rushed to get things ready, then ran off to my parents’ house for an Easter dinner. Both my sisters were there with their families, as well as Mom and Dad and my Aunt Sandra and her husband, Walt. The dinner was great, as was the company. Between us we had 16 kids there to hunt for eggs and it was just fun to all be together.

So, although it was the busiest of weekends, it was wonderful. I feel far more blessed than I deserve!