Happy Easter!

Are you ready for my usual spiel about being ridiculously behind in blogging??? Well, I'll save you all the effort and let you review some previous posts if you are interested. As it turns out, it seems that being behind is a new way of life for me. Late, late, late! This is both alarming and uncomfortable for me, as prior to Collin, I was always punctual, even EARLY sometimes. I met deadlines, tackled tasks and made appointments with minutes to spare...Oh, those days of long-ago...

So, you can probably guess how all this persistent lateness attributed to Easter. The Easter Bunny wasn't able to get his basket's together until, oh, say the day before, and I wasn't able to pack things for Milwaukee, until, oh, say, 2 hours before we had to leave, leaving me in the lurch....

But...it turns out fine anyhow, as it always does. We spent Easter in Milwaukee with Drew's family and our weekend was sprinkled with FANTASTIC events.

Collin's first Easter was adorable.

Collin was so cute and cuddly. I can barely stand how adorable he's been being lately with his hugs and kisses. He loved playing with his new bubbles and new ball.

Collin also spent time hanging out with Grandpa Hollman (and Grandma too),

Taking family photographs

AND!!!!

Getting excited about the upcoming wedding events! Both Susie and Chris Taylor and Chris and Amy got engaged within a few weeks of each other, and we are climbing out of our skin excited about the pending nuptials! Congrats to everyone and we are so glad both Amy and Chris (Taylor) will now be full-fledge, card-carrying, Sheepshead playing and liverwurst eating Hollman family!

Collin got another package from Grandma and Papa Wackerle, and, as usual, he was more interested in the box than the gift inside.

With Easter this year, we've welcomed spring- warm weather, sunshine and flowers, which is so very welcome. The warm weather takes me back to these warm months last year when we were imminently awaiting Collin's arrival. I remember spending days just rocking in the rocking chair in his room, anxiously awaiting Collin's arrival. We were so anxious and ready, floating along on bright thoughts and anticipation for our new baby. Now, a year later, its hard to believe that our lives have changed so dramatically, but in the same thought, its hard not to believe. I can't imagine what we would be doing today without Collin. He's such a blessing in our lives and we're so lucky to have him.

When I reflect on Easter, and its accompanying Bible story, I find myself sympathizing with the intense distress Jesus suffered under, and struggle to understand how nearly a whole city could be so determined to convict him. It seems as though if more moms had been in the community when Jesus was convicted, less convicting would have actually occurred. I wonder where the mothers of those placed on the cross had to hide their hearts as their children carried the cross. Easter is a new beginning though, so I've leaped into a renewed faith and I'm finding my way with new intention and purpose.
As a parent I've changed in a lot of ways- one of the most direct changes is on my perception of pain, right and wrong and good and evil. I sympathize more and criticize less. I can barely stand to watch tragedies that involve children on television and in movies- I find myself instinctively wanting to protect them in their innocence. At Easter I've been thinking a lot about reaching out in the same way through the Bible- toward the positives in the world and away from the negative-- connecting with those who have more intense needs than my own. Being Altruistic feels good. I hope to pass it on.

This year, we're very blessed, a healthy baby, healthy family, TWO upcoming weddings and generous and caring people all around us. If Easter really is about new beginnings, and we're already starting from such a great place, I can only image where we are headed will be even better. I'm looking forward to seeing what the next year brings to our lives.