Happy To Serve

It seems like just yesterday when Joe and Tommy would insist on escorting Father Ed out of church after mass every Sunday. It started when Joe was only two years old. Father Ed was a good friend of ours and when he walked down the aisle past us on the way out of church Joe reached his arms out. Father grabbed him and carried him out. And a tradition was born. Every Sunday Joe would stretch his arms out and Father would carry Joe out of church. The congregation really got a kick out of it. The minute Tommy was old enough to reach out to Father he did. He saw big brother and Father and wanted to join in. Father would walk out carrying Tommy and holding Joey's hand. 

When we heard that Father was retiring we were very sad. He was a wonderful priest and a great friend. This picture is from his last mass at our church. Father had just baptized a baby and was holding the baby on the way out but that didn't deter my boys. Of course, Joe and Tommy had to escort him out of church one last time. 

Today Joe and Tommy served at mass for the very first time. As I glanced up at them I couldn't help but think of those two little boys who would escort our priest out of church. My how time flies.

The boys were happy to have their friend, and Joey's classmate, serve with them. Aiden is an old pro and was very helpful. Every time the boys did something right Aiden would give them a supportive head nod. Made me smile.

It was also a very memorable first time serving as a bat came out of hiding and flew freely about church. It caused quite a commotion but the boys did a good job staying focused.

Ben had a little bit of a hard time watching his brothers serve. He was super disappointed to learn he had to wait until 5th grade, not 4th grade as he thought, to be a server. One more year to go. Before you know it all three of my boys will be serving at mass together.  

I was very proud of these boys today. God bless you, Joe and Tommy!

Happy New Year!

Another year gone. Another year beginning. It is difficult to grasp. I feel like I was finally getting used to writing 2016 and now it is 2017.

I know that 2016 was a pretty crazy year for our world and our country but it was a pretty great year for our family. For me personally, I think it was one of my best years ever. I was able to do more traveling this year than I have done collectively over the last 5-10 years. As a family we took an RV 4000 miles through Vail, to The Grand Canyon, over to Las Vegas, and back home again. It was a trip of a lifetime. I was also able to go with my lady in laws to Mexico and we had a blast! Then I had yet another fabulous trip to Las Vegas for a few days with my bff. I was so lucky with all the traveling I was able to do this year.

I turned 40 this past year, which I didn't think would end up being on my "good" list but I'm loving 40. I feel like I am at a point where I am more accepting of myself and less concerned with what other people think of me. I finally got my nose pierced like I've always wanted because I stopped being worried about what people would think. I am also more able to accept others' differing opinions and let go of things I can't change. I just feel more peaceful, really.

This past year I had the pleasure of being in a musical with Joey and Tommy again. I went skiing and swimming and biking with the kids. We took multiple trips up north. We have had a very fun and active year. The kids played a ton of sports (baseball, basketball, dance, football) and it was fun watching them too.

This past year I finally updated my wedding ring. Todd has been wanting me to do this for 10 years but I am so sentimental I just couldn't bring myself to it. It wasn't a big change. We just changed the band from gold to white gold (I had been wanting to do that for a long time but I just didn't like the thought of changing my wedding ring) and added very thin anniversary bands. It looks amazing. I was VERY nervous about the whole thing but it really turned out lovely.

I know this seems silly but I started getting my nails done this past year. It may not sound like a big deal but it has been for me. For the past two years my nails had been awful. I don't know what happened but they were always cracked and peeling. Not only does it look awful but it was painful as well. I finally decided to have fiberglass put over my nail bed and have them done every month. I can't tell you what a difference that has made. I had tried everything to get my nails healthy (vitamins, oils, lotions, nail strengtheners, etc) but they never got any better. Getting my nails done has taken so much time away from me trying to fix them myself. And it has been fun too! I am never one to indulge myself in unnecessary expenses (the woman I go to is crazy inexpensive and she is fantastic!) but this one has been well worth it. 

Again, I know this sounds like a silly thing but I have struggled with bad skin all my life. Since I was a teenager I have had acne. I always thought it would clear up as an adult. It actually got worse. I have literally tried everything. Diet, dermatologists, Proactive, old wives tails, coconut oils, facial scrubs, etc. Seriously. Everything. This past year I finally have found something that has worked for my skin. I'll probably do another post on it some other time in case anyone else is looking for help with their skin. But let's just say that it has been a dramatic change for me. Unless you've struggled with skin problems you really can't know how it can affect you. My skin isn't perfect but it has been so much better that I would almost call it life changing. It has only been about 4 months so far but it has been fantastic!

I got a new cell phone (finally a smartphone instead of my dumbphone) for my birthday, which was really more exciting for my family than it was for me. I must admit, I have enjoyed having it much more than I thought I would. Very convenient. Now I'm finally not living in the dark ages.  😉

Again, silly little thing to even mention but little things sometimes feel like big things to me. 

It really seemed to be a year of trying new things. 

That's not to say that this past year wasn't without problems. It certainly was. My mom, once again, had some very serious health problems and I wasn't certain she would be able to pull through this time. Another very scary trip to the ER and an ambulance ride to a bigger hospital an hour away. Another surgery and another stay in the hospital an hour away from us. It was very worrisome, to say the least. Her health continues to be a worry for me. 

There were other troubles and trials too (many heartbreaking family problems and struggles) but in looking back they are not what I remember most. Mostly, I remember that it was a good year.

This morning in church our priest was saying that whatever this new year holds we have to embrace it all with open arms. The good and the bad. We have to accept it all and put our faith in God. It really spoke to me because I am a well known clinger. I do not like change. Looking back on the past wonderful year it makes me sad to leave it in the past. Could this next year possibly compete? Maybe not. But whatever it has in store for us I will try to embrace it all.

Be grateful for each new day.

A new day that you have never lived before.

Twenty-four new, fresh, unexplored hours to use usefully and profitably.

We can squander, neglect, or use them.

Life will be richer or poorer by the way we use today.

Finish every day and be done with it.

You have done what you could;

some blunders and absurdities crept in;

forget them as soon as you can.

Tomorrow is a new day.

You shall begin it well and serenely and with too high a spirit to be

encumbered with your old nonsense.

-Ralph Waldo Emerson