Holy Week, Pascha, and Recovery

What a whirlwind of a week! Holy Week and Pascha (Orthodox Easter) have kept me more than busy! Here is a bit of our past week:

For the third year in a row, I planned our Paschal Luncheon. It is our church's tradition to eat together after the Easter liturgy and celebrate together. I LOVE planning this event. I LOVE actually cooking it and watching everyone enjoy themselves even more. If someone would pay me, I would do big events like this all the time. (anyone, anyone? :) )

This year, my menu was based on a Mexican/Latin American theme:

Carne Asada
Puerco Pibil (Nathan's specialty)
Chicken Verde
Black Bean and Corn salad
Mexican Caesar Salad
Mexican Wedding Cookies
Tres Leches ice cream

With all the fixings of course!

I went to the Bridegroom Matins service on Monday evening (Luke was already in bed). I enjoyed the freedom of worshipping by myself at one of my favorite services of the whole year. Nathan was extraordinarily busy the next couple of days so stayed around the house to help.

We all went to the Maundy Thursday service. I chanted a few hymns during the foot washing and stripping of the altar. I still remember how much this service meant to me the first time I experienced it. There is nothing like it. Luke enjoyed it quite thoroughly, though did not sleep at all. We got home at 10:00 and Luke was bouncing off the walls. Yes, he was punchy because we were out too late, and he got over-tired. Well, it is once a year.

Friday and Saturday, Nathan and I (and several wonderful helpers) worked all day to get everything prepped and ready. We wanted to stay at least for the Good Friday service, but Luke was in no mood for it. He had slept TERRIBLY the night before and was plain worn out. I knew that he had alread been pushed pretty hard, so we went home.

Yesterday was glorious. I was a bit stressed over the meal (the first meal after everyone has been fasting has to be good!), but with everyone's help, it turned out great.

Luke wore his first buttoned down shirt and looked very cute! Unfortunately, his Target diaper (I will NEVER buy them again) failed after the service and he peed all over himself and me. So, no family photo this year. :( Luckily I had brought a change of clothes for both of us, and we went on with our day.

We have a tradition of ringing bells during the "Gloria" section of the liturgy on Easter Sunday and this scared Luke silly. He cried and cried, but was over it quickly. Poor little guy. He does scare easily- I hold him sometimes to vaccuum.

On the way home, Luke slept (for the first time since he woke up- it was 4:30pm!!) and I ran into our nearest Golden Spoon frozen yogurt shop. Truly, I could go without meat for the rest of my life, but not frozen yogurt! Nathan let me get a whole quart to bring home for my Easter basket. :)

We finished out the day with a few Father Knows Best episodes and were all in bed before 9pm. Ah, sweet sleep. Luke is on his second nap of the day right now, and I am heading for my first.

Christ is risen! Truly He is risen!