Goodness… anyone else feel like you woke up and suddenly it’s APRIL??!! It’s been a full year already and more travel than I normally have, but I’m embracing it! Since I’ve been absent and I’m restructuring life a bit so I can write more, here’s a snippet of life lately. Working in reverse order since I can remember this weekend better than a few months ago (and honestly, that’s just where my brain is these days).
Easter 2026
Yesterday, after all the festivities, I took a solid one-hour nap 😴. Not a cute little rest — a full “don’t talk to me unless something is on fire” kind of nap. I told my husband it felt like Christmas afternoon, and he very wisely reminded me that yes… Easter ends up being just as full as Christmas in its own way. Lots of similarities – family, hosting, gifts, meals, serving, both centered on Jesus too.
He wasn’t wrong.
I didn’t get many pictures, but I did get the adult kiddos lined up for the annual adult Easter egg hunt! Chilly but fun! And it’s never just a simple egg hunt — always layers and surprises (and probably rules I don’t fully understand)! Seeing your kids be kids again, running around looking for eggs but in adult bodies, is quite fun! Of course, the egg prizes are cash, not candy these days… because we’ve matured 💸.
I even made an Easter weekend invite so everyone knew the times and fun schedule! Look at me being organized and feeling organized!
Sunday morning was brunch after the egg hunt. Catered by Cracker Barrel — my husband made that call so I wouldn’t lose my mind with all the planning (he knows me well). I supplemented it by making a fruit tray and this cute little Resurrection Morning scene that will be a staple for all the Easters to come! Easy and CUTE… which speaks my love language!
I was inspired by my sister this year. She always has a holiday table, and Easter was no exception, so I decided to give it a whirl… was so happy with my little Easter-themed table — all sourced from Target, Amazon, and HomeGoods (because let’s be honest, they’re doing most of the work).
Saturday night was Easter service at church (no pictures), followed by dinner at home (no pictures), and then we did Easter baskets after dinner (you guessed it — also no pictures). I have no idea what was wrong with me and not getting pictures this year, other than being a bit under the weather the past week… so I’ll just go ahead and blame that and move on 🤧.
One more thing that deserves its own moment…
After dinner & the Easter baskets, we played a custom game… My husband really outdid himself this year and created an entire game with fake money — categories, levels, and even different dollar bills depending on the value like $5, $10, $20. All based on family memories.
Think “US Travel for $20,” and it’s a question about a trip we’ve taken. Get it right… you earn the cash.
Then… the auction. And they had NO idea what was inside the bags.
The prizes? Absolutely unhinged.
A Bluey coloring book.
A fingernail clipper set.
Pens.
Silly putty.
A tiny wind-up car.
All for grown adults. And somehow… it was the highlight of the entire weekend.
People were bidding like their dignity depended on it. I laughed so hard I cried. It was one of those moments you just want to bottle up and remember.
Normally after holidays, I like to write down a reflection — what worked well, what didn’t, what would I change. So here it goes for Harkins Easter 2026 Reflection!
What Worked Well
- Catering Easter dinner after church — again, protecting my peace.
- Catering Easter brunch — because apparently once you start outsourcing, you don’t go back.
- The Resurrection Morning scene — meaningful and cute is my favorite combo.
- My husband’s Easter Harkins Jeopardy Auction game – He has a gift!
- Having family in town — this is always something we don’t take for granted. My mother-in-law staying for a few weeks, my father-in-law and his wife coming in for the weekend… it’s a full house, but in the best way.
- Doing a Bible plan leading up to Easter — grounding, needed, and something I want to keep doing.
What Didn’t Work Well
- Going anywhere on Good Friday, but especially Target. So many people out everywhere. I’m just going to say it — this could make someone lose the love of Jesus. And one lady waiting for checkout almost did. I’m not fully convinced she ever had it to begin with, but that’s between her and the Lord.
- What did I do? Honestly, I prayed for her. Standing there listening to her complain to her husband, I just prayed peace over her. Clearly she needed it.
- When it was my turn at checkout, I was patient. When the young worker apologized to me for my wait, I reminded her that I was shopping, she was working, and if the worst part of my day is waiting in line, that is an incredibly good day! She smiled. So I guess all this is also a moment of what went well — praying and being kind.
- Not having Easter baskets and egg hunt cash done before Friday — rookie mistake.
- Being sick going into Easter — 0/10, do not recommend.
- Where we parked for Easter service — not the best location, BUT it was raining, and my hubs was thoughtful to let us out as close as he could to minimize the drenching we all got.
- Working a little on Good Friday — not ideal, but sometimes life doesn’t ask for your opinion.
What I’d Do Differently in 2027
- Murfreesboro has Monday through Friday church services at 12pm during Holy Week and has for years. They rotate the downtown churches each day, and I would love to attend one or all of these (writing this down so I actually do it).
- Getting palm branches for Palm Sunday (truth — this was on my list from 2025 to do for 2026… SIGH. Maybe 2027 will be my year).
- Create moments with family during the week leading up to Easter about Easter — maybe during family meals, sending texts in the group chat… I’m not sure, but being intentional about reminding our family WHY we celebrate Easter. Keep focus on Easter.
For me, not getting caught up in the busyness of things and to-dos. Resting in His presence and just letting go. It’s not about Easter being a production.
Remembering Jesus walked out of that grave for me. For you.
We have freedom because He Lives.
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