A lovely holiday...

Have been reflecting on this Easter...

We colored eggs and made frosted sugar cookies during the week... enjoyed General Conference with our scrummy breakfast Easter morning... and among the laughter, baby giggling and noise of family, we listened to men of God, their humble testimonies of our Savior, His Atonement, and the promise that first Easter made. It was a sweet holiday with the people who are dear to me.

The kids have surprised me the past few years since we've been on our own with a basket just for me. I think Andrew started it, love! Among the sweets and thoughtful gifts, I have always found a treasure of sweet notes... one from each of them. I have saved them all, and keep them in my "joy" book (If you don't have one, I'd recommend making one, today).

I keep things in it that have given me joy... notes, letters, odd photos, stories... little things that through the years have given me happiness, and helped me remember what matters most in life. I look through it from time to time, especially when I feel I'm losing my grip on things, and it never fails to lift my heart or remind me what I love in life... my faith, my wonderful family, a lovely sky, a wee slice of angel cake with raspberries, talking about important things just in the moment with one of my kids, walking and breathing in the early morning, quiet times like this when I can pray and reflect and count my blessings.

Here they are about 6 years ago...

and here they are today...