So many beautiful things collided into one on this day, and I am so grateful.
First, today is my birthday. I was given this life, and I have been given the gift of a birthday every year for 27 years. Thank you, God, for this gift of life.
Normally I don't talk about what gifts I've received because it feels... tacky? But this is my blog and there are maybe four people who even know it exists, so why not.
From my husband, I received both a Keurig AND a Kindle Fire HD. Coffee and books? The man is good to me. The look on his face when he's doing poorly at Flappy Bird is pretty great, too.
Oh, and the flowers? My sweet, big brother picked them up for me from Pike Place Market! Here he is taking a nap because driving really far to see your sister is exhausting:
My parents also made it over from Idaho for the occasion and gave me some beautiful gifts. My mom knit me a pair of amazing socks, gave me some yarn, and then they gave me this vintage malt mixer!
Today, of course, is also Mother's Day. I have been a mother for eight years! There is no greater joy in my life. Sometimes I wonder, given my personality, if I wasn't meant for the life of a cloistered nun. I sometimes ask God, "Did I choose the wrong vocation? Was I really meant to be married and be a mother?" But deep down I know that I am. These kids, man. They are everything to me. I am lucky to be their mama. They give my life richer purpose and I am eternally grateful for the blessing of their little, loud, joyful lives.
And lastly, today is also the day that my oldest son received his first Holy Communion. That's kind of a big deal in our religion. We believe that Jesus is really, truly present -- not just symbolically -- within the Sacrament of the Eucharist. Today I watched my son receive Jesus for the first time! I am so thankful to be Catholic, to raise my babies Catholic, and to have this beautiful, beautiful gift of Jesus in the Eucharist!
I snapped a few pictures of Elijah outside before we left for the church. He looked so handsome in his suit.
The people at church are so wonderful. They made the ceremony very special for the kids (we only had two kids receiving communion.) They even gave him a Latin missal, a new rosary, and a brown scapular (and the blessing and investiture of the scapular.) They got them each their own cake, and the sweetest lady ever even made banners for the kids. So thoughtful!
After the party, Eli opened so many gifts! We got him his own holy water font for his bedroom, my parent's got him two statues (St. George and St. Florian), my brother (his Godfather) gave him a St. Christopher medal. But when we got home, the best part happened. My parents had another surprise gift for him: a cuckoo clock!
Yes, my seven-year-old has dreamed of owning a cuckoo clock for years, and this is his dream coming true. I have a very unique child, alright? :) Really though, I couldn't believe my parents actually bought him one! It's a train cuckoo clock (I call it the "choo choo clock" ... I'm funny, right?) Every hour, a train comes out of the tunnel, around the loop, and back in another tunnel, while a conductor pops out of the top instead of a bird.
I'm terrible at wrapping things up, but... it was a very lovely and beautiful day full of plenty of happiness. I could not be more grateful for all the joy we experienced today, together as a family. Really, there's just nothing but gratitude in my heart right now.
First, today is my birthday. I was given this life, and I have been given the gift of a birthday every year for 27 years. Thank you, God, for this gift of life.
Normally I don't talk about what gifts I've received because it feels... tacky? But this is my blog and there are maybe four people who even know it exists, so why not.
From my husband, I received both a Keurig AND a Kindle Fire HD. Coffee and books? The man is good to me. The look on his face when he's doing poorly at Flappy Bird is pretty great, too.
Oh, and the flowers? My sweet, big brother picked them up for me from Pike Place Market! Here he is taking a nap because driving really far to see your sister is exhausting:
My parents also made it over from Idaho for the occasion and gave me some beautiful gifts. My mom knit me a pair of amazing socks, gave me some yarn, and then they gave me this vintage malt mixer!
It's no secret that I love antiques, but I especially love them when they double as family heirlooms. This malt mixer belonged to my great grandpa Frank (on my mom's side.)
Oh my gosh, and then my little neighbors came over and gave me some homemade cards.
Such cuteness!
And lastly, today is also the day that my oldest son received his first Holy Communion. That's kind of a big deal in our religion. We believe that Jesus is really, truly present -- not just symbolically -- within the Sacrament of the Eucharist. Today I watched my son receive Jesus for the first time! I am so thankful to be Catholic, to raise my babies Catholic, and to have this beautiful, beautiful gift of Jesus in the Eucharist!
I snapped a few pictures of Elijah outside before we left for the church. He looked so handsome in his suit.
Oliver was all dressed up too, but he was rather insistent on wearing his rain boots with his suit. This kid: such character, much personality.
After the party, Eli opened so many gifts! We got him his own holy water font for his bedroom, my parent's got him two statues (St. George and St. Florian), my brother (his Godfather) gave him a St. Christopher medal. But when we got home, the best part happened. My parents had another surprise gift for him: a cuckoo clock!
Yes, my seven-year-old has dreamed of owning a cuckoo clock for years, and this is his dream coming true. I have a very unique child, alright? :) Really though, I couldn't believe my parents actually bought him one! It's a train cuckoo clock (I call it the "choo choo clock" ... I'm funny, right?) Every hour, a train comes out of the tunnel, around the loop, and back in another tunnel, while a conductor pops out of the top instead of a bird.
I'm terrible at wrapping things up, but... it was a very lovely and beautiful day full of plenty of happiness. I could not be more grateful for all the joy we experienced today, together as a family. Really, there's just nothing but gratitude in my heart right now.
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