First Communion Day

 As promised, a brief look at our day yesterday, Jonah's First Communion Day.

I have so many pictures, but just tried to to pull some of them to share with you all here. The weather wasn't perfect, but at least nice enough that the big kids could play outside with their older cousins. Besides, the day wasn't really about the weather, was it?

Mass turned out beautifully and Jonah was so excited for his big day. He was a bit nervous trying to remember what he was suppose to do and when, but everything went perfectly. Thankfully, he was also surrounded by family who loved him and helped him celebrate his very special day.

Mr. Studly walking into Mass and trying to pretend everyone isn't staring at him. He does not like direct attention on him by numerous people.

Toward the end of Mass, we had May Crowning of Mary. It's been the first time in quite a while that our parish did this and First Communion Sunday is a great day to have the children crown Mary.

Again, Jonah was just a little bit nervous.

But he did a great job! We had practiced and he wanted to be sure to get the crown on Mary just right. He did just that, he nailed it! He even was sure to slide the ribbons around Mary's shoulder and down her back. It was precious.

Beaming after Mass.

Many family members joined us at Mass and then later on at our house for lunch. Here's Jonah with his Godparents and both sets of Grandparents.

And his buddy, aka our priest, Fr. Michael. Jonah has been eagerly awaiting celebrating his First Communion day with him since he was assigned here last summer. He didn't disappoint. A beautiful Mass filled with memorable moments to make it very special for Jonah and the other 

First Communicants.

Another great family photo, even if the little girls aren't smiling. Gianna is a tough one to crack for photos taken by anyone but mom and Miss Margaret was tired already.

My sweet peas, my babies, growing up so fast. Special days like these make me realize how very fast time is flying right before my very eyes.

Of course, there was cake! (Thank you, Walmart bakery)

Another significant and precious sacrament celebrated in our household. I'll say it again, we just can't get enough of them. So many graces, so much joy and so many still frames, moments in time,  instilled within the recesses of my motherly heart.

Congratulations Jonah! May you always be drawn closer to Jesus in the Eucharist and desire to receive Him as often as possible.

Sacramental Mushiness

See these smiles?

These are pre-Sacrament smiles getting ready for Jonah's big day on Sunday, his First Holy Communion. How we love our faith and how we love us some sacraments at our house!

Since we can't ever get enough of them, we celebrate their beauty and the anniversaries of those special days.

Just this week we remembered Jonah's Baptismal Day (May 1st) eight years ago and Lily's First Communion Day (also May 1st), just two years ago.

Our parish is even doing May Crowning at Mass this Sunday. While it's been done in the past here, it hasn't been in the eleven years I've been a member. My kids have never had the opportunity to be a part of a May Crowning, but this year the First Communicants will be.

Since our small parish just has one boy (aka Jonah) and two girls receiving their First Holy Communion, they will be the ones bringing flowers to Mary. 

Any guesses who's bring up the crown and crowning her?

(homemade crown made by yours truly, not professional, but it's an act of love if nothing else)

Cue handsome boy of mine who's just a wee-bit nervous about being extra cautious as to not topple over dear Mother Mary.

Our house will be a flurry of activity and celebration this weekend and I'll be sure to post photos next week. You know you want 'em, don't ya?

Could you do me a favor and send Mr. Jonah a prayer or two on his special day? He would appreciate your prayers from near and far.

When Winter Won't Budge

Why not take on a little sewing project when winter won't cooperate and move along?

That's what I did last week. Well, actually, I FINALLY did it last week. I had intended since after Christmas sometime to get some new valances sewn up for my kitchen and dining room windows. I promised myself I'd get to them eventually and set a deadline for Jonah's First Communion since we'd be having company.

Well, mission accomplished with only a little over a week to spare!

I wanted to brighten up the spaces a little and throw in a nice accent with my terra cotta colored walls. I found a valance on Pinterest that wasn't gathered or pleated and looked easy enough for my limited sewing talent. It also only took minimal fabric as it just folds up and under and hangs straight- double win. A flying trip to JoAnn's, a little perusing and I finally narrowed it down between two prints. A little consult with the very nice older(ish) lady at the cutting counter and I made my decision.


Please pardon the lack of good quality photos. I seemed to be having some lighting issues that day.

BEFORE:

AFTER:

Thanks to a coupon I had, the total project redo only cost around $17 and a small portion of the afternoon to whip them up. 

Not bad, huh?

And now, how about no more winter talk. It's almost May for crying out loud!

Spring And New Life

Someone FINALLY kicked winter in the pants and let spring arrive. Thank goodness! With temperatures in the sixties and near seventy, we are positively giddy with gladness.

When I took the kids outside on Friday and felt the sun, heard the birds singing and watched the kids play, I almost could have wept. It was like being given sight and hearing like never before.

Never were the sounds so welcome, the sun's radiant heat so glorious.

The kids, well, they were all like calves in springtime frolicking around. Who could blame them?

With spring lingering in the air, I figured I would finally post pictures of the springtime wreath I made.

I put it up at Easter time thinking spring was really around the corner, ha! That feels like forever ago now!

I gathered some PINspiration (inspiration from Pinterest...catchy, huh?) and found several ideas. I wanted springy and cheery, along with cheap and easy.

I went to my local JoAnn fabrics store and started gathering. Lily and I found this fat roll (I have no idea what they call it) of different shades of blue fabric strips. I then based the rest of the wreath off of those colors and what worked with it and complimented it.

I started by picking out which shades of the blue I was going to use from my roll and starting wrapping my wreath. I just used hot glue to fasten the beginning and end of each color before starting a new color. Super easy!

After that, it was just a matter of adding embellishments.

And, presto, spring wreath!!

Finally, since my post title indicated new life, I had to include that with spring came TWO new lives last week. I became great auntie for the 8th and 9th time! A little great nephew was added to the crew (boys are seriously behind!) on Monday and a little great niece on Tuesday.

Of course, I have to share photos of the great niece (aka. neighbor down the road) Natalie Marie, because she is just too sweet. What a peanut girl.

We are so blessed with more little ones in our family to enjoy and a little Natalie on this side of heaven to love.

Theme Thursday: SKY

 Jumping in on Theme Thursday for a second week in a row. I'm on a roll people!

I took this photo the other evening after another blast of snow in the afternoon. I walked past the window and caught the bright pink out of the corner of my eye. I gazed at it for a moment and then  happened to remember that this week's theme was SKY. I ran for my camera in a jiffy.

Hopefully, hopefully, this is the last snow I will be photographing this SPRING. 

Please, Lord, let it be so.

It's even supposed to be 65 degrees tomorrow! Woot!

See all the other beautiful SKY over at Cari's today. The photographic talent is far more superior to mine, so you definitely want to stop over there.

Pope Speak: JOY

In a world so troubled, so uncertain, it's easy to lose our peace and security.

It's easy to lose our joy.

But our shepherd reminds us that our Good Shepherd is always there to meet us and grow in relationship with us. What a poignant reminder.


'It is the joy of faith, the joy of having encountered Jesus, the joy that only Jesus gives us, the joy that gives peace: not what the world gives, but what Jesus gives. This is our faith. We ask the Lord to help us grow in this faith, this faith that makes us strong, that makes us joyful, this faith that always begins with our encounter with Jesus and always continues throughout our lives in our small daily encounters with Jesus.'

-Pope Francis

April 18, 2013

EIGHTastic!

Putting aside the nasty weather that kicked us in the gut, we still forged ahead on Saturday and pretended it was spring. We had a birthday to celebrate, after all.

Jonah had the idea several weeks ago that he was bound and determined to have a pinata this year.

I figured we'd do our best and see what we could do.

Going with an Angry Birds theme, I figured that would be easy and it really was.

Enter Pinterest and this great tutorial that helped us out.

It really became a fun project where everyone could help. It ended up being a good mother-son project for us last week.

And the pinata did not disappoint.

(Angry Birds templates helped with the face, thank goodness.)

As always, a small family birthday gathering with just enough kids to take a good whack at 

Red Bird.

We had a blast!

One day, many years back I made the mistake of setting the bar pretty high. I started the tradition of asking my kids what kind of cake they wanted and how they wanted it decorated. 

Well sure, I was going for Mom of the Year or back then I just had more time. While I do my best to please their tastes, it's not always easy, especially when they have pretty high expectations.

You know, because I'm a professional baker/cake decorator and all, I can just automatically do super-fantabulous cakes. 

Well, I try. Really hard.

Jonah chose to use pieces from an Angry Birds game he has as the decorations on top.

We then just made a marble cake and at the last minute I tried making the easiest Chocolate Buttercream frosting. It was a success! Y-U-M.

Yesterday, his birthday day, we kept things low key. Lily has been sick off and on for days and had a relapse on Saturday night, so it was a good thing most of the celebrating had already been done.

Jonah and his buddy, before Mass:

Seeing that everyone survived the night and seemed to be doing better, we went and hit up Cherry Berry. It was Birthday Boy's choice and of course the rest of us didn't complain.

In the end, the birthday weekend was a success, albeit in the midst of sickness. 

Jonah had a very good weekend celebrating and enjoyed every minute of being king 

(and the gifts too)!

Shortly after our arrival home from town, Gianna got sick. I pray we can kick this ickiness because  this mama and puke don't mix.

Hope you all had a great (and healthy) weekend!