"I'm not lucky, I'm just that good..."

So, Eric told me that the title of my "luck" post should have been, "I'm not lucky, I'm just that good." I really hope it didn't come off that way. If you were offended by that post, please forgive me! Honestly, one of the reasons I keep a blog is because I love to share information that has worked for me. Things that have made my life easier or better, and believe me, Babywise has saved me with my kids. It takes the guesswork out of knowing if your baby is crying because he's hungry or crying because he's tired or crying just for the sake of crying. But, I didn't want to come off sounding like my babies never cry and are good all the time because really, they aren't. Who's kids (especially unpredictable newborns) could be that perfect? Not mine, especially with an imperfect mother like me! So, please know that the post below had the best of intentions.

Easter Cookies

We made these Easter cookies last night to give me a chance to talk with my kids about the Atonement and Resurrection. It is always nice to have moments where I can teach my children and share my testimony. Here is the recipe if you want to try it next year:
You Need 1- cup whole pecans 1-teaspoon vinegar 3 egg whites pinch of salt 1-cup sugar zipper baggie wooden spoon tape Bible EASTER COOKIES

Preheat the oven to 300 (this is important-don't wait 'til you're half-done with the recipe)

1. Place the pecans in the baggie and let the kids beat them with the wooden spoon to break them into pieces. Explain that after Jesus was arrested, He was beaten by the Roman soldiers.

Read John 19:1-3

2. Put the vinegar into a mixing bowl. Let each child smell the vinegar. Explain that when Jesus was on the cross and He became thirsty, He was offered vinegar to drink.

Read John 19:28-30

3. Add the egg whites to the vinegar. The eggs represent life. Explain that Jesus gave His life so that we could have life.

Read John 10:10-11

4. Sprinkle a little salt into each child's hand and let them taste it. Put the rest into the bowl. Explain that this represents the salty tears shed by Jesus' followers, and the bitterness of our own sin.

Read Luke 23:27

5. So far the ingredients are not very appetizing. Add 1 cup of sugar. Explain that the sweetest part of the story is that Jesus died because He loves us. He wants us to know and belong to Him.

Read Psalm 34:8 and John 3:16

6. Beat the egg whites with a mixer on high speed for 12 to 15 minutes, until stiff peaks form. Explain that the color white represents the purity in God's eyes of those whose sins have been cleansed by Jesus.

Read Isa. 1:18 and John 3:1-3

7. Fold in the broken nuts. Drop by teaspoons onto a wax paper cookie sheet. Explain that each mound represents the rocky tomb where Jesus body was laid to rest.

Read Matt. 27:57-60

8. Put the cookie sheet in the oven, close the door and turn the oven off.

9. Give each child a piece of tape and seal the door. Explain that Jesus tomb was sealed.

Read Matt. 27:65-66

10. Go to bed. Explain that they may feel sad to leave the cookies in the oven overnight and that Jesus followers were in despair when the tomb was sealed.

Read John 16:20-22

11. On Easter morning, open the oven and give everyone a cookie. Notice the cracked surface and take a bite. the cookies are hollow! ON THE FIRST EASTER, Jesus' followers were amazed to find His tomb empty.

Read Matt. 28: 1-9

When I told Hayden that he'd have to wait until morning to have a cookie, you would have thought I was the meanest mom ever! He did not want to listen to another word I said after that. Luckily, I bought a treat at the store to entice him to listen to why we had to wait until morning. I anticipated the fight about waiting until morning. Who makes cookies with their kids and then makes them wait to eat them! Sheesh...