easter week.

we had a really low key easter. trying to focus on the importance of the day. the sacrifice that was made. instead of the treats and presents. there were treats and presents, but not in the usual fashion. we talked a lot this week about the atonement and our savior. we talked about how his sacrifice made it possible for us to be an eternal family. about how thankful we are that mw and i were both raised in the church. that uncle ben served a mission and set a good example for mw. that mw served a worthy mission. that we both made it to byu. that we were worthy to be sealed in the temple. i realize now that the gift we gave our children on that day in chicago almost ten years ago, trumps any physical gift we could ever give them. we talked about how hard it must have been for our heavenly father to give his only son and how sad he must have been to see his lifeless body on the cross. we also talked about the sweet joy that he felt when his son came forth from the tomb. we talked about our responsibilities, as beneficiaries of that great sacrifice, to stay close to the spirit and one another. i think the spirit was a little stronger in our home. we posted john 13:34 on the pantry doors and read it whenever we could. i read it over and over again to bw and aw. we were a little more patient and a little more forgiving. because the savior would have us be kind and patient and compassionate and quiet and forgiving and gentle and honest and trustworthy. we tried a little harder to be all of these things last week. and we were blessed because of our efforts. we ended our week by trading easter treats and watching conference. i was grateful to hear the prophets counsel us to slow down, to enjoy our children and our spouses, to teach our children in our homes, to enjoy life and choose to be happy. i know that i have been blessed by following this counsel in the past. everyone has hard times, everyone feels overwhelmed at times and weighed down by burdens, whatever they may be. but we have been given agency. and i will use mine to choose happiness. above all else.