Spring Time Lovin'

I love spring.  I never knew I loved it so much until I moved above the 40 degree latitude line where winter and it's nights are long, sunshine is sparse and the thermometer struggles to reach 0 degrees.  Do you actually know anyone who has ever become vitamin D deficient?  I didn't think it was possible.  Laying out in the sun to work on your tan.. yes.  Managing your sun exposure to keep your vitamin D levels high - get out of here!  And, I totally understand the Seasonal Affective Disorder.  It is legitimate.

So, that said, I love spring and I love sunshine and I love all that comes with both.  I also love Easter and Jesus and, recently, after a couple of phone calls to the States to make some appointments this summer.. I also really love to break free of communication prison and be able to speak freely and above the 3 year old vocab level and less like a cave man with no manners.  Free at last, free at last...

But, I digress...

I am not the first to make this analogy, I am sure of it... original thought isn't really my forté.  But I do love the analogy to Christ's death and resurrection that winter blooming into spring offers us.  This particular equinox is filled with rebirth and joy and hope and light... exactly what Christ's death and resurrection offer us.

Life is dark during the winter and cold and sometimes depressing.  But there is always the hope and truth that the light of spring is right around the corner and we can depend on its arrival year after year after year.  Similarly, our lives are dark and depressing without the truth of the hope that Christ's death and resurrection paid the penalty for our sin and offers us peace and joy, despite hardship here on earth, and life everlasting with God in heaven.

It is a beautiful thing.

"Think of all the beauty still left around you and be happy."  -  Anne Frank

Our Easter weekend was fabulous.  Freddie took off Friday and Monday so we had a long weekend with Daddy.  The children woke to french style Easter baskets filled with chocolate and small gifts and then we headed out to our yard ("garden", for the British readers) to hunt eggs.  Did I ever mention how much I LOVE having a yard?  Then, on Monday, we actually ventured out of our cozy haven and drove about 45 minutes away to one of the most beautiful places Freddie and I have ever seen.  The kids and I hiked there one time before but it was just as glorious and majestic the second time around - Lac Guery near Le Mont Dore, France.

Here are just a few pictures from our weekend for your viewing pleasure. :)