My boys,

Easter celebrations were nothing short of jam packed and exciting for you two. Mommy thought it would be a good idea to host two bunnies in the studio for clients and after a few minutes squeezing you boys in  before shipping them back home, I gave up! One toddler, an infant, and two bunnies don’t equal success. Needless to say, Shep ran wild while River watched from the sidelines. We took a ride to the mall to have your photos taken with the Easter Bunny and sweet River, you tried breastfeeding off the giant rabbit while Shep, you screamed like you were caught on fire. Sweet Sheppard, you best start warming up to the adults in costume before your entire baby book is full of photos of you terrified in their lap year after year. You are giving us such a wild ride when it comes to these things.

Sheppard – Instead of creating a disaster by dyeing eggs, we decided to buy a decorating kit and you went nuts with the sparkly stickers and bedazzled the heck out of your eggs. Fifty sparkly stickers later and a few attempts at eating them, we finished and put them on display proudly where the Easter Bunny would be visiting that night. You were so proud of your eggs and I had such a beautiful time watching you at work and spending some alone moments with you. Your friendship is one of my favorites.

Easter morning you boys sat on the dining room table and got to dig into your baskets piece by piece. Sheppard, you got alphabet cards, an outdoor gardening set to help mommy and daddy this spring, two movies, and candy galore. River, you were set up with a few wooden shape sorters, bubble bath, and a new penguin soap dispenser. Someone hopped by and saw you both being pretty darn good so I guess he figured he would shower you boys with gifts despite the attempted nursing and screams. All must have been forgiven. We joined Dece and Shep at their church and after a few wardrobe malfunctions, Sheppard wore a mustard romper with his sweater knit by Mrs. Haley and River wore a bunny bubble with the sweater Mommy knit. That sweater was almost the death of me, but I managed to finish at 10pm on Easter Eve. Nothing like a last minute project on the checklist……

After church Shep fell asleep and Daddy help him in the nursery and snoozed while Mommy and River snuggled on the couch. We adore having our special one on one time with you two. There is nothing more magical than a few moments with one of you in our arms so that we can show you how special you are as individuals and not just brothers. You two make for the best naps and we are so grateful for that. I promise we don’t take it for granted. Matt, Lee, Banks, and Sheryl all came to Dece and Shep’s for dinner with you two and you even had a surprise visit from Jude and his mommy and daddy for dinner and an egg hunt. Sheppard, you really got into the hunt this year. It was so much fun watching you celebrate after every egg you found and proudly drop them in your basket making sure someone was watching the entire time. River, well as always you were just along for the ride. No matter who held you or who threw a ball at your precious face (ahem, Sheppard…) you just smiled and reminded us to always find the joy in the madness. We are so blessed by you two and couldn’t imagine celebrating such a special time any other way. Thank you both for making every day worth celebrating, not just the Holidays.

One last note…..Please always remember what today is truly about. Not the bunnies, or the baskets, or the eggs, but the sacrifice. Trust me, the love a parent has for their child is insurmountable. I would do anything to protect you and God did just that for you boys. He sent His only son to a cross to bare the sins of us all. He made that sacrifice and endured that pain so that you could live free and spend an eternity with Him. Nailed to that cross was our sins and three days later He rose! Jesus conquered the grave. IT IS FINISHED and you are FREE. Please always remember to thank Him for that, not just on Easter but each and every day.

I love you both so very much,

Mommy Xx