Alleluia!  We can say it again.  Here’s the question though: is it relief that Lent is over, relief that the madness of another holiday has passed or do we truly rejoice in the resurrection?  In my house, I can honestly say it’s a bit of all three.

My Lent was okay at best.  No real spiritual gains, but no backtracking either.  I had minimal plans for our family this Lent.  Pray together, sacrifice, and give.

We made it to 37 bags.  And to be honest, I’m just going to cheat and say we made it to 40 bags since we have donated so much over the past six months.  The best part was going to each child on Thursday and asking them to hand over something to donate.  And each did so willingly without fussing.  They gave away good, gently used toys.

Sacrificing was harder…I’ve learned not to discuss what I have up, but I did okay.  The boys did great and each child was really tempted over the past several weeks.

The praying together part went okay.  The younger boys and I prayed the Stations of the Cross very regularly.  But we never managed to make it a big family thing like I wanted.  It really is wonderful to see the Baby Hulk recognizing each Station now.  Goose was completely jealous that we went to the outdoor Stations so Thursday after school, I took him and his brother.

And Thursday is when the holiday madness started.

The Easter Triduum…the most amazing time of the year in the church.  A time not to be missed.  (As I type this, I am remembering that I was supposed to take my friend Angela this year.  Next year!)   While some schools were out on Thursday, HISD wasn’t.  I had a parent teacher conference that day, Kite Day, an afternoon play date, Stations out on 290 after school, and Mass.  Plus, I had to get to Mass super early because Squirt was serving.

We made it to Mass and even sat up front, but the boys were not on their best behavior.  We got home late and frustrated.

Good Friday was another busy day.  A day that started with everyone in my room before 7.  We made it to the gym, home to get Squirt, Miller’s Outdoor for a play, Old Navy to get Squirt some shirts, home to pump, lunch with friends, then back to church.  Then Lance, Squirt and I all took turns standing in line for Confession.  Yes, we waited until the very last second to go to Confession.  And we weren’t the only ones.  The lines proved it.

The younger boys couldn’t have been more misbehaved on Friday.  Another frustrating day.

Saturday brought more business…but it was all important.  Chelsea came to see the boys and bring presents from her trip.  We were able to spend an hour before my dad came to take us to lunch and shopping.  By the time we got home, I was dead.  The boys continued to test and test.  And we were all failing.

At 7 pm I started making food for today and wanted to cancel my Mass plans.  Holy Saturday is a long Mass.  A beautiful mass, but so very long.  I called my dad, who said not to go.  My mom was already at my house willing to do whatever, but noted her vote was to go.

By the time we left, I was so mad, the boys had been relegated to their rooms, I was pissed at Lance and running so late.  But God was good, we made it, it was dark when we arrived, they were just lighting the Easter Candle.

As I sat in Mass, I stewed for a bit longer.  Finally, I started to release some of the tension of the past few days.  These are my days, not because my kids are overbooked, but because that is our life.  I talked about it with my dad at lunch, I don’t have answers, I just know the problem is that I go nonstop from 6:30 until about midnight.

Holy Saturday Mass is truly the most beautiful thing to witness.  It starts in darkness and slowly the lights come on until finally, the church is completely bright and we’re singing the Gloria.  When the lights go on, I almost tear up.  I don’t cry, but if I did, I would.  It is always at that moment that I feel God’s grace.  (Okay, I feel it more than once a year…)  That moment takes away all the anger and frustration in me.

I was moved beyond words, watching these people convert to a faith I feel blessed to have been born into.  Listening to a priest my whole family adores, I felt blessed.  Continuing the tradition of attending this Mass with my mom, I felt blessed.  Coming home and staying up past 2 am to finish food for today and fill baskets and make treats for my angels, I felt blessed.

And today, when I went back to Mass for the fourth day in a row and was so hot due to the crowds at Mass, I felt blessed.  When my kids were perfect in Mass today, I thanked God.  Then I went to spend the afternoon with my parents and brother’s family.  Truly I am blessed.  I sing Alleluia at the top of my lungs because Lent is over, the holiday get together was near perfect and Christ is risen!  Happy Easter!