"Hale of a Hero": Easter in Dixie

Eric and I are finally home with my family for Easter. This is the first time that we have been able to celebrate with them since we met 6 years ago. Easter weekend started a little bit earlier for me than expected due to some unexpected events at school. Thursday morning at 9:30 I was headed back home from Mobile instead of staying at the hospital and I also had friday off of school. With all this extra time I know I should have utilized it wisely and got a lot of work done and instead I just enjoyed my long weekend off of school :) Oh well!

Saturday morning I went with my mom to her bootcamp workout class. Mind you I have not had an intense work out for quite some time due to my crazy school schedule and I must admit a lack of motivation on my part. The class was held in downtown Cathedral Square in Mobile. After a brutal hour of running and every lunge and squat you can think of, we made our way over to the Spot of Tea for breakfast. Yummy! I got the Monte Cristo and it was divine. Following this we went home showered and went to lunch with my mom's friend at the Olive Garden, followed by shopping for easter clothes and easter dinner. Then we made our way over to my brother's house and visited with them until dinner time. We all went to Champy's, a really good fried chicken joint here in Daphne. It was also very good. Eric finally got off work and tried to meet us there for dinner, but unfortunately he is still learning his way around, and I guess he misunderstood me when I told him the name of the restaurant, so he ended up eating his meal take out at home :(

Sunday morning was lovely. We all donned our Easter Sunday outfits and headed off to church for a beautiful 3 hour long service. Afterwards, we rushed home to take pictures, cook easter dinner, and hide 100 easter eggs in the yard for the grandkids. We had a blast enjoying a very yummy dinner, the egg hunt, and watching the Duke/Louisville basketball game. My sister-in-law's parents were in town and were over at out house for easter. They are from Kentucky and are huge Louisville fans. We were a little upset because in our household we are all huge KU (Kansas Jayhawk) fans and they lost in overtime this weekend. So even though we are bummed out our team was out of the tournament we enjoyed watching the other games this weekend.

Eric and I have enjoyed many Easters together over the years. Since Easter 2009 he has surprised me with Easter baskets, candy, flowers, jewelry boxes, love notes, even a Kindle, but this year we kept it simple. We exchanged easter baskets of course. He knows me well and included a few of my favorite candies…Godiva Dark chocolate truffles, Reese's, Starburst jellybeans, but my favorite of all gifts came in a little tin egg. Inside the egg he had written the most beautiful of all letters I have ever received. He handed me the letter before we left for church but I had no time to open it until I was sitting in church. When I read the letter, a stream of tears quickly began to flow and I was overcome with emotion. I love my husband so much and I am so blessed to be sealed to him in the temple for time and all eternity. He is my best friend, and the love of my life. We have been so blessed this Easter season and are so grateful for our Savior who gave everything, even his life, so that we could all return to our Heavenly Father someday. He suffered for me individually and knows my heartaches, my sorrows, my burdens, my pain, and can lift these from me though the power of the atonement. I am so very very blessed!

Here are a few Easter pictures we took yesterday. Enjoy and God bless!

After Church