Easter...He is Risen, indeed!

   Happy Easter...May God bless you all today and always.  Well this is the first Easter without my Mom. So, I attempted something that she ALWAYS made , for as long as I can remember, the Bunny Cake. It was pretty fun! I made it differently than Mom made it, but everyone liked it ...and it was simple and fun to make.

 
Hope that you all enjoyed celebrating Christ's Resurrection surrounded by your loved ones. I pray that you all come to the knowledge and acceptance of the saving grace of Our Lord through His One, Holy, Catholic & Apostolic Church. He is Risen, He is Risen, Indeed!

Branson Vacation

This family vacation was bittersweet. My mom was so excited that she and my brother were coming on vacation with us. And we were going to be meeting up with another brother and his wife and 5 children during our stay...vacationing with 3 of her 9 children and 8 of her 22 grandchildren. Spending time together at shows and restaurants and back at the condos. Mom passed away just TWO weeks ago today, and her funeral was only a week ago. We had been tempted to cancel the whole thing...but mom wouldn't have wanted that. So, here was our vacation in Branson, Missouri.

We've arrived...Hubby and Drama Queen playing a game before bed.

Max relaxes after a long drive.

Very nice accomodations...

Cousins

Yum

Saint Patrick's Day cake

Hail, Hail, the gangs all here!

Getting breakfast together

A game of Chess

The Winery tour

Very interesting

At the wine tasting...we prefer sweet wines.

Cheers!

The Titanic Museum...the were featuring an exhibit on "Children of the Titanic"

Two new teens!

Historic Civil War battle site

The old-fashioned refrigerator... the spring-house

Walking the Battleground

Catch!

Enjoying the Condo Pool

The hot tub cousins

The Guys play a game of Risk

Great show...but we missed seeing the Dutton Family...they weren't due back in Branson for 2 more weeks.

Enjoying the River-walk...

And the candy shoppe!

Before the "Joseph" show

This is the second show that we have seen at the Sight & Sound Theatre in Branson. Absolutely phenomonal!

Road trip back home after a great vacation...it turned out to be relaxing and took our mind off of the sorrow of losing mom...she would have been happy that we went, and happy that it helped us recoup after  such a loss. We miss you, Mom (Grammy) and we hope that we all gather together in Heaven someday!

Snow Day

                    In the Meadow, we can build a snowman...and pretend that he is Parson Brown...

 Perfect, sticky snow...most of the snow this winter has been dry...so we took advantage of a perfect day...

                                                 and rolled up big bases of snow.....

                                                      While angels kept watch...........

                                                    And big smiles beamed bright..........

                                      Big brothers came to pose with the finished product,

                            And cuddly kitties left paw-prints and watched the goings-on...

                                                        Happy snow day!

Until we meet again

Dear God, Thank you so much for the blessing of my Mother. It was such an honor and privilege having her live with us these past years. I will always be so thankful for these years, and I pray that others will come to know the blessings of having their parents with them at the end of their lives. Our parents gave us life...God surely knew what he was doing when he designed the family as a model for living. We are given the opportunity to refine our souls and serving our families in this life, perfecting virtue, and honoring our Heavenly Father in the model of the Holy Family, Jesus, Mary and Joseph. Mom...your joyful heart, persevering faith, and forgiving nature has been an inspiration...may I never forget the lessons you've passed on to me. My love and respect for you will never die! May we be joyfully reunited in the presence of our Savior, until then, I will hold you in my heart and in my prayers...

 

Eternal rest grant her O Lord, and may perpetual Light shine upon her. May her soul and all the souls of the faithful departed rest in peace. Amen.

 

Janet Erpelding  December 29th, 1934- March 1st, 2013