Frohe Ostern! (Happy Easter!)

Well, Easter here wasn't quite the same, but it is a very big deal here. First of all, most of the schools close down for at least 2 weeks, some even 3. All businesses (with the exception of a few restaurants and gas stations) close down not only Good Friday and Easter Sunday, but they also are closed on what they call Easter Monday. One can imagine the craziness at the markets and stores on Saturday in between. Many people choose to go out of town, on trips because there is really nothing to do except spend time with family. This of course made me really miss our families. Luckily we were able to spend some time with friends and then really relax and enjoy each other especially on Easter Sunday.

The girls were able to participate in a few egg hunts, the first of which was with all the kids from the Embassy. It was great fun for them to see lots of friends, and do a couple of games and crafts.

Easter Sunday brought many surprises and fun. First of all the visit from the Easter Bunny was very exciting, because they were a bit worried that he might not come to Germany. After all the excitement of checking out their treats, Daddy Craig informed them that on his way to take out the garbage he had noticed an egg outside that looked like one of the ones we had colored! He must have hidden our eggs! With much enthusiasm, they were off on another egg hunt. Later in the afternoon, we made our way to church (which meets at 2:30pm). I wish I could say we were in our beautiful Easter clothes, but it is STILL way to cold! It was a lovely service and afterward we stayed for a potluck dinner in the fellowship hall. Most of the church families are American, and are therefore away from home just as we are. Nice to have other people to lean on in times like this--very comforting! Of course the kids couldn't leave without going on one more Easter egg hunt--which in all actuality was a candy hunt. They had a ball! The only problem, is that everytime Brooke found a piece, she thought that meant that she could eat it. Needless to say, we had to cut her hunt a little short. We don't want to break her spirit! The rest of the evening we spent playing games and enjoying each other, making our calls back home to wish everyone well and with no stress about getting anyone in bed at a certain time because there was no work or school the next day. Overall a very peaceful holiday which is exactly the way Easter should be. Things we missed about being in the states at Easter: family, ham, family, mashed potatoes and gravy, family, pie, family, our mom's cooking, family, our aunts cooking, family, Grandma D's cooking....you see where I'm going with this.

Truly we did miss being with our family on such an important holiday, but we ourselves have been so blessed and are so thankful for our health and for having such wonderful families supporting this decision to be here. We love you guys!