Happy Easter!

Silsby kids -- Easter circa. 1998 -- Matching dresses, matching dolls, and a fresh bowl cut ;)

Happy Easter! Today was such a beautiful, sunny, joyful Easter day. The Silsby household was lucky enough to be four fifths present, I'm sorry... that's incorrect. The Silsby household was lucky enough to be five sixths present (it was Baxter's first Easter, can't forget the baby in the family count)! We missed Andrew terribly, but got to FaceTime with him and his adorable girlfriend, Lauren, today so it felt whole for a few minutes. 

This morning we went to the 8 AM church service. Listening to Pastor Anna is a breath of fresh air. Her message today, the day on which our Christ rose from the dead (!), was not only one of joy and celebration and pure happiness, but also a reminder that was comforting to hear. Easter is always a cheerful day. After all, the resurrection is a story that will always be one of hope and love. But just two days before in Jesus' time, grief -- overwhelmingly heavy grief -- filled the hearts of Jesus' followers. It consumed them, it weighed them down, it whispered in their ear that that was it -- Jesus was gone and they had much to fear. We too as Christians feel saddened on Good Friday and Holy Saturday. We know that thousands of years ago, Jesus died. That is heartbreaking. However, we, unlike the Disciples and those who loved Jesus, know that come Easter Sunday morning we will be able to rejoice because our Lord will rise from the dead for us, for our salvation -- committing the ultimate act of love. But what Pastor Anna called us to remember is that the Disciples had no idea Jesus' light that would shine just two days after what seemed like their darkest hour. And so, we too should remember that in our darkest times, our scary points of life where we think to ourselves that we better settle in on rock bottom because there's no hope -- there is a light right around the corner. Jesus died for that. He died for you and for me and for our salvation. A chance to be wiped clean of our foolish human sins and eventually someday live eternally with Him. Now that is a joyful thing! 

After church, we headed down to the shores of the lake to snap a few family photos. It was super sunny, a little windy, and we had some technically challenged photographers *cough, Dad, cough*. Therefore, the photo shoot could've gone a little smoother but hey! it worked out just fine. Once home, Mom made delicious mini Dutch-baby pancakes. They were so good with fresh fruit piled high!

Speaking of piling high, after breakfast we piled the car high with suitcases, food, and somehow us (Baxter included!) to head to my grandparents' house for Easter dinner. Then it was back to NYC for Em and me. Spring Break is over, school is tomorrow, and finals are around the corner. Ugh. But today was a good way to tie up Spring Break with a pretty little ribbon and charge on to the end of the semester!

How adorable are my parents? They too have a love so pure that I hope one day I can be an example for my children as they are to me. I could not be more blessed than I am. 

I hope you all had a happy, happy Easter with the ones you love! 

-- xoxo