Our Easter Sunday!!

To be honest...as I get older making cascarones has become tiresome even for the kids. I love making them but in all honesty I'm most likely going to start buying them. Maybe, depending on my mood I will make a few but now that the kids are older they would rather crack them on peoples heads than make them. LOL! It was so much easier and funner to make when they were little. Oh how I loved watching these two fill them up with confetti and then decorate them. Those were the days. Now, I think I'll just buy them. Glad I had quite a few heads to crack this year because we had the missionaries from our church over for easter dinner. They had never heard of cascarones and were a little nervous when I said that the kids had a "surprise" for them. 

Our Easter Weekend In 2020.

Easter weekend this year compared to other easters in the past 25 years with kids was extremely different. We had our own little church service at home, and a wonderful Sunday school lesson on The Savior taught by yours truly. We had our traditional egg hunt along with cascarones that we cracked on each others heads. The kids were high on sugar all weekend and we rested all day on Sunday. No matter what is going on in the world we carefully spent it alone and together secluded and close to home. Although different, it was a beautiful sunny weekend. One that I will remember always. 

Easter Sunday In Virginia.

I have to admit that some of my closest and dearest friends are those I've known for more than 20 years and live a faaaaarrrrrr distance from me. Sure I have met some great people here but overall time, contact, and genuine love are required for a true friendship to last. 

A Simple Little Egg Hunt!

This is the time of year where spring days are meant to be spent outside. With everything that was once brown having turned into pink blooming trees motivates us to spend time outdoors, and when you add clear blue skies, and sunshine to the mix calls for a little egg hunt.

Cascarones For Days!!!

Get ready because this post is going to be filled with nothing but confetti. Confetti as in photos of my small crew of three cracking cascarones (confetti eggs) on each others heads laughing, and smiling for days! It's a tradition that I grew up with, and never stopped doing. I started it with my family when the kids were little, and even with two kids left in the house the traditon continues. Now for some perfectly blurry photos...

An Egg Hunt & Confetti Cascarones In Central Park.

One thing I miss about living in Texas, and having my kids attend school were the traditions that the school district had for them. During the easter season they always set a time for the kids to go outside, and have a little fiesta whilst cracking confetti cascarones on their heads. I remember a year or two when my elementary school did it as well. This is a Mexican tradition that makes me proud to be a Latina, and grateful for teachers, including my mom who took the time to make a few when I was little.

Easter In San Antonio,Texas- Circa, 2003

Since Lexie is graduating from high school this year (she's the little one with the ear to ear grin on her face) I was looking through some of her scrapbooks, and organizing her photos by year on the computer, and look what I found! Easter photos with her big sis from the time we lived in San Antonio. And boy is there a short tale to tell....

Celebrating A Christ-Centered Easter.

I know I've written many posts in the past about how we celebrate easter, and as my kids slowly leave the nest, and grow older I still try to somehow keep those traditions going that way when the time comes to have their own families they can continue said traditions. 

Easter Sunday '17.

Easter this year like all our past years was simple, and fun! "Aunt" Maggie joined in on our celebration, and attending her little church branch in East Orange felt like home. Everyone was so warm, and as always it was so nice meeting more of our "brothers and sisters." 

A Few Photos From Our Easter Weekend!

Sometimes I surprise myself at all the things i pack into my days especially when it comes to holidays, and celebrations. The Easter season has made it to the top of the list as one of my favorite holidays, and because we tend for it to be more focused on Christ I don't go overboard with giving too much to the kids except my time, and a simple little Easter egg hunt.

And taking lots of pictures too!

And this little video I made from all my snapchats!  

This past Saturday we had ourselves a little Easter egg hunt right before women's conference, and I have to say it was a success! One thing I give myself a ton of pats on the back is for the fact that I'm pretty good at being organized, and to not rush something that is special for the kids. We drove to a nearby park, and I kept an eye on the kiddos while Jon and Lexie hid the eggs. We had 29 eggs and 11 of them had pieces of paper inside with the story of Christ. 

Here are a few photos of our little easter egg hunt...

// she found one! //

// so did he!  //

Having those extra 11 eggs with the pieces of paper of the Story of Christ inside is tradition and every year as the kids get older they become more interested and understanding in appreciating the Saviors sacrifice, and knowing more about who He is and why we are here. Noah had so many questions when we were done after putting all the pieces of paper in order to read the story of Christ. Jon was explaining to Noah how He healed the sick, and fed the poor, and that He had a perfect body after he was resurrected. Noah's response was, "I like Jesus." And asked questions such as, "Am I clean? I'm going to have a perfect body too!" I couldn't help, but to laugh at his little Noahisms, but you think about how children have such a vivid imagination, and a mind of their own. It's interesting to hear their own interpretation of why they are here, and the silly questions they may ask, but it's only because they are curious, and want to learn more. I love that Noah has such a big imagination, and that his mind has room for so many unanswered questions. He loves the fact that every video he's seen of Jesus is filled with light, and little kids, and how "clean" Jesus looks in every picture we show him. I love teaching our children about the Savior and the true meaning as to why we celebrate Easter.

 // assembling all the pieces of paper of the story of Christ in order. //

// along with his favorite candy...jellybeans! //

//Easter egg hunt accomplished! //

I also have to add in that I'm relieved that my kids never really believed in the Easter bunny. My two oldest realized that when they were about four years old. I'd take them to get their photos taken with the Easter bunny at the mall and when Sierra saw that there was a person inside the costume she knew it was fake, and that was fine with me! Saved me about 25 bucks every year for the next 17 years in taking pictures with a person wearing a bunny suit. 

I have to say that our Easter holiday is more beautiful and meaningful when we don't involve all the worldly stuff. Sure we have an egg hunt, confetti eggs, and candy in the making, but making it Christ centered brings more peace, less bickering when it comes to who got the most eggs, light, love, and smiles that last all spring long. 

Spending our Easter Sunday with dear friends was the icing on the cake. Since we don't have immediate family close by, having my dear friend Maggie whom I've known for almost 25 years, and her son over for dinner was very much needed! It sure was long overdue!!

Noah had so much fun having Nate over. "It's like having a big brother" said Noah, and the kids all had fun playing games. Just like they did when they were all younger! 

These two have been friends since birth. They are only six months apart. Can't believe how grown everyone looks int these photos, and of course there's Noah photo bombing the picture with his light saber. 

Kids also enjoyed making confetti eggs. This is also tradition, and no matter how tired I may get in remembering to save the egg shells six months before it's so worth it, and the outcome is fun as heck! We tricked Maggie and Nate about not making any this year, and were sneaky when we cracked them on their heads! It was so fun. Didn't capture any moments of that, but snapped a bunch of moments of it on my snapchat. If it's still there you can view it @ r_jorgensen

 // Noah's task was putting the confetti inside the egg shells. He broke one on accident while trying to decorate it, and would rather deal with the confetti. //

// Jon and Lexie were the ones who prepared Easter dinner, and I'm just so lucky to have these two who are always willing to help out, and contribute. Especially when it comes to cooking! /Then again...Jon always does the cooking! //

// and this sour cream chocolate chip cake that Maggie made! Mouth watering! //

// I apologize for the blurry photo of my dark eyed little boy, but had to share. The smile on his face with a look that says, "feeling accomplished" was so sweet to see. He could have had easter egg hunts all year long! //

I'm so grateful for the Savior, and for teaching my kids all about Him, and for them to know that there's so much more to learning, and appreciating the Lord's gospel than all the candy they get that's filled inside their easter eggs. 

And for a husband who is such a great role model for my boy, and girls in teaching them all about the Savior. 

Hope y'all had an amazing Easter weekend! 

The Holy Week: A Wonderful Book For Families During The Easter Season!

Oh the perks of having family in Utah is that they can gift you with things right before it hits our neck of the woods. 

My mother in law gifted us this book, and I am so inspired! I love everything about it. The art, the stories of Christ, the smorgasbord of ideas, scriptures, and spiritual activities in which we can engage our children in so that they can become more familiar with Christ's death, and remember Him. Easter is definitely a time to celebrate. Celebrate in the most humbling way possible. As much as we love to crack confetti eggs on each others heads, wear springy clothes, and have a wonderful easter feast, feasting on the words of Christ, and His resurrection is what we truly focus on. 

This book has so many moments of reflection that takes us all the way back to His mortality. Along with scriptures, there are depictions of photos which describe the purpose of that story. Just like the Christmas season there are many ways in which we can apply Christ into our lives, and not just lavish in the worldly part of the holiday. The easter season is the same way for me. I love celebrating, and learning at the same time. With the Easter holiday approaching this is a wonderful guide for families to bond, and be enlightened. For both the parent, and child to learn together, and become closer not only as a family, but to Christ as well. 

It implements ideas for family home evening, and in my opinion can be seriously used not just during the Easter season, but all year round as well. 

Our favorite idea in the book has been the Golden Egg Hunt. We have a similar tradition that we've been doing since the girls were little, and we call it "the empty tomb" in which requires finding the empty white egg. It's a cute story, and the kids love doing it. The Golden Egg Hunt described in the book is similar to ours except their egg is gold, and ours is white! I think we'll add making the "empty tomb rolls" afterwards since we can't get enough of carbs! 

I highly recommend this book to all families, and whether you are religious or not, the crafts, and activities the kids can make will keep them occupied, and help them learn more about the Savior. Such a beautiful book, and I'm so happy my mother in law sent us one! It's so hard to make it to a Deseret Book store when it's two and a half hours away, and I'm so lucky to have family who can buy it for me within 10 minutes, and ship it within two days! 

I love surprises from my momma-in-law especially when it comes to anything that deals with books, and the Savior! 

Thank you Sue, and happy weekend to everyone! 

Because He Lives.

"Many things are good, many things are important, but only a few are essential."

~Elder D. Todd Christofferson"

There is so much to be grateful in this world, and knowing that I have my family, great friends, and the Lord in my life makes my life easier to live. Attending general conference last weekend with some very dear friends made my life in Jersey complete. We don't have family close by so spending Easter Sunday while watching conference with them made it all the more wonderful. There were a few photos I neglected to post because I was so caught up in the moment of immediately sharing my thoughts the very next day after conference that all I cared about was jotting down my words more than photos, but am sharing a few more photos of the events that led up until conference began. 

Having just Noah and Chelsea (Lexie is in Utah spending spring break with Sierra) this year was bittersweet. I love them dearly, and seeing the two of them together talking like tiny adults overwhelms me. We had ourselves a little easter egg hunt on Sunday before conference, and  as simple as it was they were so happy. The way they waited patiently while Jon hid the eggs, not even peeking or rushing us telling us to hurry up tells me that I am doing something right. Amidst all the spats these two have they truly have fun with one another, and all I was waiting for was to capture moments of my kids in action hunting for eggs. 

^^^ They found all 27 of them, and were satisfied with the results. Cadbury eggs, jellybeans, these coupon printables that were also inside, and the most important gift of all...the white egg which represents the empty tomb. ^^^

^^^ Every year, since Sierra, and Lexie were toddlers I've always made cascarones (confetti eggs), and the kids look forward to this every year. Chelsea colored most of them. ^^^

Treats (with these quote printables I found on pinterest) were also given to those who could have used a "pick me up" on Easter Sunday. 

I'm always the first one to crack a confetti egg on one of my kids, and Chelsea was it. I have taught them to nonchalantly sneak up on each other when they least expect it, and crack some on each other.

 ^^^ Even when one has no hair! Noah always looks forward to cracking one on papa's head, and they both did it at the same time. I wish I would have recorded it! ^^^

The kids saved a few eggs to crack them on Maggie, and their friends in between sessions. They all gathered outside, and even though they knew they were going to get a cascarone cracked on their head they went with it, and didn't mind.

^^^ They all thought it was a pretty cool tradition to have, and they all had so much fun. ^^^ 

It amazes me how something so simple can put a huge smile on a child's face, and that is something I never want them to lose, or forget. Teaching our kids to interact with adults, and other kids kindly is so important. To be a good example to others, and to let our light shine no matter where we are. Listening to the conference talks last weekend were so inspiring, and so very true. With the way the world is becoming knowing that we have a living prophet to guide us, and comfort us with words of wisdom, and inspiration tells me that life can be better with the gospel. That with prayer we can become stronger. That with family time we can be united as one. All we have to do is seriously apply the gospel in our lives, make time for it, and to strive to live a good life that is pleasing to the Lord. To use the atonement in times of sorrow, and not be afraid. To make our homes as heavenly as possible so that our kids can have a place in this world to escape from the evil things that look good. To put our phones down, and unplug every once in a while so that we can be rejuvenated from technology. I have personally tried it, and I'll tell you it can be a refreshing feeling to just unplug for a day or two! 

I always want to find a "delight" on Sundays because that is the day the Lord has made for us to be with family, rest, and to reach out to those in need. No matter what kind of a week i had whether happy, sad, busy, or semi-stressed knowing that I have church to look forward to every Sunday does bring a "delight" to my well-being. I love attending my meetings, and observing the Sabbath with "delightful things" brings me joy.  

I'm so thankful to have the gospel in my life. As Robert D. Hales said, "It is never too late to turn to the Lord." I did 22 years ago, and it has been the best decision I've ever made. I'm so thankful to have the gospel in my life. I notice that when I truly live the gospel principles, and put the Lord first that any major concerns can easily be resolved.  That I can handle any drama, the ways of the world, and any sickness with a better attitude. Without the Lord, or the gospel I absolutely have no clue where I'd be today. Living of course, but how? And with who? And would my kids be raised with some foundation of God? I have no clue because the path I chose is the one I have today. I cannot even begin to imagine my life had I taken a different direction, and stayed on the course when I was 19. Absolutely cannot fathom it, nor do I want to. All I know is that my life is complete with God, and with the family I have today. 

Because He lives I know that I too, can live with the Savior again, and be with my family for eternity. 

**Once again...you can watch the general talks here, and the one that brought tears to my eyes was this talk  by Elder Jeffrey R. Holland. 

Happy Weekend! 

Our Easter Weekend.

Easter this year was somewhat bittersweet Easter for the mere fact that two of my oldest daughters weren't with us. They had the opportunity of attending two seasons of general conference. It's very rare where Easter falls on the same weekend as conference, but none the less it was a beautiful Sunday. All the talks focused on family, and looking towards the Savior and with that being said made me appreciate my girls even more! You think you already appreciate your family, and I do, but there comes that moment  in your life when we are tested. Tested to the point when your five year old won't let you rest, and your 10 year old is willing to help, but not entirely! That's when I really take in all my appreciation I have for my two oldest daughters who are away at the moment. My middle daughter who, because of her busy high school schedule is not always around to help, and when she is I feel she doesn't do enough, but after listening to the talks she truly does a lot! I just have to open my eyes, and recognize it more deeply. However, I am extremely grateful that Sierra, and Lexie are spending this time together out west, and knowing that they are surrounded by family, and great friends puts me at ease.

For the past few years our Easter holiday has become more focused on the Savior as opposed to the Easter Bunny. I haven't taken my two youngest children to see the Easter Bunny in 10 years, and I don't miss it. Our focus as a family has become more toward the Savior, and His atonement, and seriously applying it in our lives. And like Him, we will all live again, and be together forever in hopes that we will make it back home to live with Him. As overwhelming as it sounds knowing that there is no world without end is a blessing, and even though I sometimes can't fathom it, I know it will be glorious. Knowing that there is no end to my life, and that families are true and everlasting brings me so much comfort.

One thing I cannot take away from the kids is the mini Easter egg hunt we have before conference as well as our confetti egg making tradition (it's a Mexican thing!). The kids love cracking cascarones on everyones heads (including me), and it is the funnest tradition of our Easter. One thing I have done throughout the years is print up the story of Jesus, put different pieces of the puzzle of the story inside 12 Easter eggs, and the kid who ends up with the empty egg (which represents the empty tomb) gets a special treat. Usually cadbury eggs, or jelly beans! 

Conference continues to bring back gentle reminders. Reminders that if we live in a way that is pleasing to God we will be okay. In spite of living in a world where the culture is "temporary", having the gospel in our lives, and seriously applying it in our home, and our children's lives helps me to be the strongest mother of all. I can't even imagine how life will be for Noah, and Chelsea in five, or even ten years! But with daily praying & scripture study teaching them what is right in the home, as well as attending church to learn I have faith that they will be just fine.

Hope y'all had a beautiful Easter Sunday ;-)

**In case you want to know what General Conference is all about...you can watch all the talks here. Inspiring to the max!