(more here)

For all you dear readers who imagine we live in a world where the women are all strong, the men are good looking, and the children are above average, please read all the way to the 'real' part.  This isn't Woebegone <g>  (But I think the man here is still good looking ; )) 

pretty:

The rainbow cake Alannah made. We have wanted to try it since we saw pictures of a similar cake online.  Very cheerful!

Also pretty:

The family picture taken that day with the self timer.  Not too shabby and you can hardly tell Dad just raced back from the tripod in time.  Hardly. ; ) 

happy:

Husband and I on our Easter/Birthday trip to the Netherlands.  I was SO happy.  So. 

funny:

The out takes are always more fun than the 'good' shots

real:

I hope you read this far because y'all, let's be REALLY real.  Life isn't picture perfect.  Some days the pictures are all that comes out close to perfect.  Easter was like that here.  I honestly can't remember everything that led up to the wknd but I know there was a lot.   The bigger people sat around the table Saturday night, after Easter outfits were selected but not yet ironed, and little people were mostly in bed.  Mostly.  Allen asked, shouldn't we dye the eggs?  Yawn.  Probably we should.

We opened our PAAS package ('cause girlfriends, you didn't really think I was going to whip out my wax stylus and vegetable dye vats now didja? come now ; ))  I had picked up said packet at the thrift store.  It didn't appear to be opened however there were no dye tablets inside.  None.  That was also real.  Real annoying.  Luckily we had more artificial colors in the cabinet.  (we are being real, right? that cake didn't become what it was by beet juice lol) 

The bigger kids dyed the eggs in a food color and vinegar concoction.  We went to bed.  Sunday morning we had ham and eggs to break our lenten fast which was exciting.  We keep a traditional fast and let me tell you, you get hungry.  We decided no special place settings etc.  Just eat simply and quickly and start church prep.  We all got out the door and began the long trip to our little chapel whereupon we discovered…. we had read the bulletin wrong and had missed the last mass entirely.  In the real world – our world – these things happen. 

You have two options at that pt.  You can fume and beat yourself up or you can resolve to do better… and go buy ice cream.  We did the latter.  I spent the trip back to town making new lists on my iphone and plotting to tighten up the schedule.  We grilled hotdogs and ate Easter candy. 

The long and the short of it is that some things worked well this lenten season.  The fast sort of absorbed my attention.  We had Monica here for a few weeks.  Asher left for boot camp.  Half of us went to Rome.  Surely the Vatican must count?  Flipside, there was nary a craft done, nor theme lesson to be seen. We are just people, not superheros and that is the best I could do.  The most thematic thing that happened this weekend was….

We met the bunny at the Keukenhof Gardens the next day for their Easter Monday celebration.  Even though 'the bunny' is certainly not the be all of Easter, it was a nice surprise and after being disappointed in myself for all I didn't do for Easter it was almost a little vote of confidence from God.  

This isn't all on my shoulders and He is perfectly capable of making up for my lack. Perfectly.  

A few snaps from our afternoon at the Ombachsee last week.  I was dragging my feet all morning in anticipation since I haven't driven there before and wasn't sure where I was going.  It was well worth it however.  Several hours later I loaded up wet, happy children for the trip home. 

more black and white photography linked at The Long Road to China

{this moment} – A Friday ritual. A single photo – no words – capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.

more moments at Soulemama.com