Andrew's First Holy Communion

Well, since I am such a diligent blogger, I totally forgot to post photos from Andrew's First Holy Communion.  

We celebrated with a lovely Mass on Saturday, May 4th.  The Mass was wonderful and our new Pastor, Father Jim, did such a wonderful job with the homily.  Just wonderful.

Of course, I boo hooed all the way up to Communion as I walked behind him.  Thankfully, our other priest, who knows me pretty well, saw and I know he understood.  It is such an awesome amazing moment.  Tears are totally appropriate!

 What a handsome Communicant!  We love you Andrew!

 The whole family in front of our beautiful altar.

 Andrew and our pastor, Father Jim.

 Andrew outside the church.

 Jacob, Andrew, and Michael - handsome boys.  Jacob got to serve at the Mass.

 A little dessert reception after the Mass.

 Andrew's cake.

Each of the children receive a real grown up Bible and case for their First Holy Communion.  What a treasure.  At some point during the BBQ that followed we couldn't find Andrew.  He was inside reading his Bible and underlining passages.  Precious!

Braden turns three!!!!!!

Can you believe it?  I know I can't.  It is hard to believe my sweet baby is three years old.  It has been a joyous three years.  What a treasure he is!  He is such a funny, loving little boy.  He loves to play and imagine.  It is fun to watch him with Playmobil and cars.  He sure loves his big brothers and sister.  Today his big brothers went somewhere without him and he had such a sad face.  Poor baby.

His birthday was yesterday, but we had a wonderful, big family and friends party on Sunday to celebrate his birthday and Andrew's, who will celebrate a this next Monday!  Actually, it was a great excuse to get together with people we love!

Some serious eating and talking around the table.  And the cupcakes haven't been touched!

Some gathered around our new picnic table out in the back yard.

I think Braden ate his weight in chips.

Sweet friends playing AG dolls in Nicole's room.

And a very intense fame of fusbol(?)

A little basketball and spread in the driveway.  Fierce competitors.

Braden opened a few gifts, but his gifts from us were saved for hie "real" birthday.

When you give the boy a ball.......

I love how all the kids always hover when there are presents to be opened.  It was Andrew's turn for a few.

Here is Braden yesterday morning.  When he woke up I made homemade donuts for his birthday breakfast and then we opened presents.  He got some great "Gone Wanger" (Lone Ranger) items.

We had boxed mac and cheese for lunch (his pick) and then we ate dinner outside when it was cool and lovely.  We had sausage and pasta salad and beans and cheese.  And.......

Chocolate cake for desert.  And, of course, a little Blue Bell ice cream.  Mind you, that is not our entire selection on the table there.

Silly brothers.

And a happy family!

Next Monday we will be celebrating Andrew!  What a fun time family birthdays are.  I love how we have built our own traditions and how the kids look forward to them.  I pray they will be memories to treasure forever.

Finished Quilts

On to Andrew's birthday quilt!

On Mother's Day

Happy Mother's Day to all you precious mommies out there.

I have had a lovely day despite the fact that I have had a mild cold since Friday evening. Felt pretty bad during the night last night, but everybody let me get lots of sleep and rest today.

They made a really nice breakfast of sausage and eggs burritos. They reheated some for me when I FINALLY got up! We had a late lunch/early dinner of grilled fajitas and tamales and salad before heading to Sunday evening Mass at 5:30. What a blessing to have my Jacob serving at the Mass.

And here is my lovely Mother's Day gift!





My lovely new garden statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary! The one I had was plastic and seriously broken. I am so happy. Doesn't she look lovely in my flower bed? This week I hope to get out and get some pretty annuals to plant in from of her.

Blessings,

Celeste

Peace

Peace. Coveted peace. Peace of mind. Peace of soul. Peace in my heart. Where do I find peace?

This morning is filled with peace. Peace in our home (I use that term lightly) and peace within me reigns this new day. I am praising God that truly His mercies are new every morning. Yesterday was less than peaceful after a long, tiring weekend. We got a slow start. Some of the kids slept way too late. Our whole timing was off. School work took grumpy, tired children much longer to complete.

It is easy for me tell myself that the peace that has begun this day is a direct result of MY diligence in getting everyone out of bed much earlier (and an earlier bedtime last night), of MY ability to get things accomplished this morning before school begins, and of MY CHILDREN'S peaceful cooperation thus far. If I believe this then I am deceiving myself and allowing the "deceiver" to let me believe that peace is a direct result of something I have done.

So I stop right there. True peace is only found when I am putting myself in Jesus' presence all day long and trusting Him with every morsel of time. It is only by His grace and mercy and faithfulness that yesterday was labeled "less than peaceful" and NOT "disaster"! I know you know this truth deep down. So do I. But, oh, how easy it is to let those little lies slip into our minds and make a home.

Peace in Christ today!

As I was praying on this yesterday as well, I began to think of what robs my peace that Jesus offers so freely. More on that later.

So what robs you of peace?

Blessings,

Celeste