Happy Wednesday, friends! I’m so happy you hopped on over to see what we were up to today 🙂 .
I don’t think I’ve shared a dedicated Easter post in years, but this year, it just felt right.
Here are some pics from our big holiday…
Look at all of these kids! Where did they all come from?! Our family gatherings used to be so calm and peaceful…now…they’re a little rowdy. 😉
From left to right: Isaiah, Samuel, Madeley, Ashby, Paisley, Piven, Penley, Kensington, Mia, Cole, Smith, Jack and Ford.
We took many, many pictures to capture the best one…
…it was not an easy task…
…especially for the two oldest cousins. I’m so thankful that my brother and I are so super close to our two cousins. Growing up, it was always the four of us…somehow, four people have multiplied into 13 children. Do you spy Isaiah here?
Lovie looooooves having all of her peeps in one place. Attempt #1…
…attempt #492.
In our family, everyone goes to their own church on Easter morning and then we make the drive to this same country club in Mansfield, TX that we’ve been eating Easter lunch at for decades…like legit…since before I was born.
Love this guy.
After our Easter lunch, we always…
…meet up at my cousin’s house nearby to open Easter baskets (grandparents provide the Easter baskets in our family…don’t ask me why…I don’t exactly know…) and then hunt eggs.
My mom should really open a business where all she does is assemble holiday gifts for clients. From Christmas to Easter, my mom is a really good gift giver.
Never too old for the Easter bunny 🙂 .
Mades took her egg hunting seriously.
So much joy.
Here’s the deal, we are so blessed and so filled with the love of Jesus. We are all so very thankful. That being said, we didn’t just get together on Sunday, the afternoon before…just the day before Easter, we were all together as well for a funeral. One of my cousin’s lost their father-in-law way too early, and we were all there the day before for his service. My beautiful grandmother there in the middle? She’s really sick. It’s something unplanned, super serious and very hard…but there was joy. Despite some earthly things…there was joy. There was peace. No one knows what tomorrow will bring, so every day should be precious. This Easter though…man, this Easter was super special. xx
Mary says
Praying for your Grandmother.
Erika Slaughter says
Beautiful words, friend. Praying for sweet Darlene everyday. ❤️❤️
Debbie Hibbert says
Looks like a great day! I’m going to add your grandmother to my prayer list Shay.❤
Kim Harrigan says
Life is precious and you never know what the next day will hold, it’s so good to be able to get together with your larger family. I will add your sweet Grandma to my prayers.
Traci says
Beautiful family!! That verse is our theme during Reese’s treatment for our Team Reese shirts. She is our “overcomer” but only by the Grace of God and man have we felt him every step of the way. Praying for your grandmother and family!
Mix and Match Mama says
I was just praying for Reese yesterday morning!! Thinking of you guys so often. xx
Traci says
Oh you are so awesome. Thank you so much. They are felt more than you know. We are at treatment now!
Elspeth says
What a beautiful memory! Sending love to your grandmother!! ❤️
http://www.elspethsdaybyday.com
Sara Alexander says
I love that your extended family still gathers all together, I wish my family still did!
I also LOVE to hear different traditions people have, like your mom giving the Easter baskets! Not that Easter is about the treats or gifts but I would have to fight the urge to not also give Easter baskets as well, it’s a fun thing to shop for!
Nicole says
We walked through all of the past winter holidays knowing it would be my dad’s last, and right after his memorial service, his mother went to be with Jesus. And then we celebrated what would have been his 57th birthday. You have to still fight for joy, for the sweetness of life! Only with Jesus can you have hope and peace in the midst of loss and heartache. Praying for your family right now! xx
Sheaffer Sims says
Praying for your grandmother, and so thankful for the hope your whole family has in Jesus.
SS says
Shay,
I grew up close to my cousins, so our pix growing up looked like that lots of extra kiddos. It was the BEST. Sadly, 2 of those cousins have passed unexpectedly, so.our pix look a little different,.but those that are still here have my back and I have theirs!!!
I am sorry to hear your gma is sick. Those pix will be even more precious in yrs to come.
This was our first without my Dad and it felt weird not getting a call or seeing him.
Thanks for sharing!!!
Mix and Match Mama says
I wish I could give you a big hug. xx
Susan says
Beautiful family! Prayers for your sweet grandmother!
Elizabeth Stephens says
Life is precious and we should thank God for the peace that he alone can give. I will pray for your grandmother and family during this difficult time!
Corrine says
Love these beautiful pictures. Praying for your beautiful grandma. ?
Bev says
So sorry to hear of your grandmother’s illness. What a beautiful family gathering. Yes, there is always joy in Jesus! ?
Joanne says
There are 4 on my side of the family too (though I have 2 sisters and one brother) and we have multiplied to 12– with just 2 girls in the mix. Family gathering were nuts for so many years; now most of them are teens so it’s not too bad. It looks like you all had a wonderful day!
Dana P says
Aww…praying for your sweet grandmother and all of you, Shay! ?
Leslie S says
Adding your grandmother to my prayer list right now.
Alysa Bodolus says
Praying for your sweet grandmother as I just lost mine 2.5 weeks ago and I know how important and special grandmothers are ❤️
Jennifer Atmore says
I can’t believe you drive from McKinney to WCCC for lunch, wow! Your family is beautiful, and I’m sorry to hear about your grandmother. I don’t know her personally, but I have seen her around church for years. She has a heart of gold. One Sunday a few years ago, she was in the balcony as always but saw that someone was sitting alone and she moved down to sit with her. The lady was a friend of my mom’s who was battling cancer at the time. I assume they are friends, too (Virginia). The simple gesture was so kind and Christ-like. Praying for your family.
Mix and Match Mama says
Oh goodness, you’re going to make me cry. Thank you for sharing this. xx
Marla says
Shay , I’ll be praying for your grandmother every single day. Big hugs !
Rachel says
Prayers for your sweet grandmother. I am so glad you were able to enjoy a beautiful day with your family.
Carole says
I love all your “almost perfect” photo tries! I also absolutely love that verse, it’s so comforting. Prayers for your grandmother and family!
Carol says
Praying for your sweet Grandmother. Just as your Mimi was Mimi to a lot of us through your blog, it is also true with your Grandmother being Grandmother to a lot of us. Thank you for sharing these two Wonderful women with all of us.
Jan says
Thank you for sharing your Easter celebration with us. I just love how you focused on the JOY! Sending hugs and lots of prayers!❤️?
Lindsay D. says
Prayers for your Grandmother! ??❤️
Danna F says
Prayers for your grandmother. I am so sorry to read that you also lost a family member the day before. Thank you for sharing your Easter with us. I smiled the whole time seeing all the pictures of the littles. Your Easter reminds me of the many trips from Austin to the family farm in Burleson to see my husband’s grandparents almost every holiday! There was lots of food and family! At the time, I did not realize what a wonderful experience we were living! What a relief to know we will be rejoined together some day! Hugs to you Shay and your sweet family!
Erin says
Our Easter felt extra special as well. We just lost a family member to cancer (she was only 48) just a little over a month ago and I think it just felt so good to all be together and while everyone is still sad, we’re also greatful to spend time with her kids and her husband and just love each other. And the young kids are wild and crazy and that seems to just be a balm to everyone’s soul.
Love seeing your pictures. Sending good thoughts to your grandmother!
K.K. says
Shay, praying for your grandmother! That is so hard. Life just is, and I also SO appreciate your testimony of joy and peace that we can access as followers of Christ in the middle of hard times. I appreciate you sharing with all of us so authentically. Much love to all of you!
Amy says
What beautiful Easter memories. My Grannie started declining during Holy Week and while my whole extended family was together for Easter, she passed away. Our priest had blessed her and told her that when she sees Jesus’s hand, she should take it, and she did just that, on Resurrection Sunday. Praying oh praying for your grandmother and peace for your family. My Grannie was 98, and we are thankful she lived a long blessed life.
Allison says
John 16:33 is my favorite verse in the Bible. Beautiful family, beautiful message!
Sarah G says
Praying for your Grandmother as well as your family ? Your Easter weekend looks like it was full of love!
Kay says
Oh Shay, I’m so sorry to hear about your Grandmother. Of course I don’t know her personally, but I’ve always admired what a beautiful, classy southern lady she is. Prayers to her and you all.
Diane says
Praying for your grandmother ?? Oh did I need to read that Bible verse this morning. Hugs from Waco!
Kristina Ballasiotes says
Thoughts and prayers for your sweet grandmother and your family. Wonderful that the family had a beautiful day together creating memories.
kimberlee nelson says
Love all the Easter pics. Family is the best. Positive thoughts and prayers for your beautiful Grandma!
Kelly Franks says
Kensington looks so much like your mother in law in the first group photo of the kids!
Kathy says
What a touching post. I will keep your grandmother in my thoughts. How are your cousins related to you? Is one of their parents your mom’s sibling or your dad’s?
Mix and Match Mama says
These two cousins are on my mom’s side. My three cousins on my dad’s side are quite a bit older than me.
Amy Lafever says
Prayers going up for your grandmother. It’s so hard when our grandparents are sick and have been such a big part of our lives. Praying for you guys!
Kelly Johnson says
Beautiful post Shay. That last paragraph…. that sums up what Easter is all about. Joy in the midst of suffering because of this HOPE we have! It’s so real. And it makes me weep for those that go through this life without it. Several years ago I had one of the most difficult yet beautiful experiences.… my husband’s cousin lost her 5 year old son to cancer and his funeral was on Good Friday. While their hearts were crushed and ours were breaking for them, the message shared at his service was of HOPE. Yes that day felt very much like Friday but we knew that Sunday was coming! I’ll never forget the feeling of that Easter Sunday morning, it put it into perspective like never before and my heart was so full of gratitude for the hope we have to cling to. Your post doesn’t simply retell the story of Easter, it shows the power of Easter in action. Praying for your sweet grandmother, and your family! Take heart! He has overcome!
Karina Coffer says
I am so sorry to hear about your grandmother and cousins father in law. It is so hard to witness through sorrow, but I see your heart!!
Heather says
Shay-
Love seeing the beautiful extended Lowe family grow throughout the years!
Our Easter was not as joyful. A few days before at only 38 years old, I was diagnosed with breast cancer out of no where!!
If you could please add my family, doctors and myself to your prayer list- we would be forever grateful! Praying for your Grandmother as well.
Mix and Match Mama says
Oh Heather! I am so sorry. I am writing your name down right now in my prayer journal. I will be praying for you. Please, please, please keep me posted. xx
SS says
Heather
I will be praying for you as well!!!
Ann Thompson says
Joy because God has the final word!
Mary Dollar says
Your family is so loved!!! I pray for Darlene often, and want Gods very best for her! ♥️
Beth Knecht says
I’ve been thinking praying for your grandmother since you mentioned her being ill in an InstaStory! I hope things will improve!
Christy says
Praying for your grandmother. She seems like a very special lady.
Angie R says
The first thing I noticed in the full family picture was your grandparents holding hands. Praying for each of you in navigating difficult days individually and collectively.