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Happy Birthday To My BEST Friend

by Filed Under: Happy Birthday

I love you for the boy you were when we met and the God fearing man you have become. I’ve known life with you longer than I’ve known life without you. Because of that I know all your weaknesses and quarks but I also know all your gifts and strengths – there are many.

~your warm smile and great ability to be silly
~your trust in God
~your desire to always grow in faith
~your willingness to let others shine
~you sacrificed your own interests for your children and your vocation of Husband/Father
~your ability to be corrected
~you value family time and are with us more than your away
~your desire to please your loved ones more than the appearance to others
~you prayerfully support and encourage me in all I do
~your spontaneity
~your patience and gentleness
~your willingness to help me with all things (especially the cleaning)
~you always kiss and bless me & the kids goodnight and goodbye
~your unconditional Love for me


Our walk has not been an easy one but I’m thankful that together we have grown closer to Our Lord. You are a wonderful father of our beautiful children. They are blessed to call you daddy. You bring laughter to our home and everywhere you go (and not just because of the way you look…..gotcha!)


I pray that we continue to walk the walk and fight the good fight leading one another closer to Eternal Life.

May Our Heavenly Father continue to shower you with His abundant love and mercy. May you grow in His light and be pleasing to Him in everything you do.


Happy Blessed Day!

Happy Birthday Blessed Mother Mary

by Filed Under: Happy Birthday, Marian

Old Calendar: Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary; St. Adrian, martyr

On Our Lady’s birthday the Church celebrates the first dawning of redemption with the appearance in the world of the Savior’s mother, Mary. The Blessed Virgin occupies a unique place in the history of salvation, and she has the highest mission ever commended to any creature. We rejoice that the Mother of God is our Mother, too. Let us often call upon the Blessed Virgin as “Cause of our JOY“, one of the most beautiful titles in her litany.

Inspiring Meditation to Spiritually Celebrate Our Lady’s Birthday

The Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Thy birth, O Virgin Mother of God,
heralded joy to all the world.
For from thou hast risen the Sun of justice,
Christ our God.
Destroying the curse, He gave blessing;
and damning death,
He bestowed on us life everlasting.
Blessed art thou among women and blessed is the
fruit of thy womb.
For from thou hast risen of Sun of justice,

Two Birthdays and an Anniversary

by Filed Under: Anniversary, Happy Birthday

Papi turned 2 and Sweetie turned 4. My DH and I celebrated our anniversary. It has been a busy week thus far.


There was no need for our birthday tradition, date night with mom and dad. The little ones didn’t want to go it alone. They (we) choose their own simple celebration. We chose to have Papi’s celebration at the pool (where his party was last year). They have kiddie water slides and a wadding pool which he loves. Sweetie had her heart set on the Zoo. I love that they are so simple and take JOY in the smallest things.



My DH and I managed to get an evening away for our anniversary dinner. Thanks to Papa and Nana.

Heavenly Father, We praise You for all Your gifts to us.
In a special way, We thank You for Papi & Sweetie.
Bless them always in Your love.
Bless us too, Holy Father.
Help us all to praise You and give You glory Through
Our Lord Jesus Christ. ~Amen

Ring the Alarm!!

by Filed Under: Boys, Happy Birthday, Papi

Papi loves it. He hasn’t slept in it yet, I’m not ready.

When we picked it up from our friend’s house he was home sleeping. My DH couldn’t wait for him to see the surprise. Papi took a double look as he walked down the stairs. He smiled from ear to ear when he realized it was his.

I guess we could have saved it until his birthday (next Mon). Oh well, Happy (early) Birthday!

She turned 6….

by Filed Under: Girls, Happy Birthday

Where has the time gone! It seems like just yesterday when Rose was crying with JOY for her answered prayers, a sister. Sparkles was an answer to many prayers.

We have prayerfully decided to forgo large birthday parties. I love to coordinate parties and crafting. However, I have a tendency to go overboard. The parties were great fun but both my husband and I would always walk away feeling cheated. We were never completely present to share the special day with the birthday girl. We have slowly been downsizing and simplifying our lives. We’ve prayerfully decided to start a new family traditions for birthdays.

We will now plan a date night for the birthday kid with dad and mom only!!!! The date night can include dinner and an activity of the birthday kid’s choice. We will have cake and/or ice cream when we return home to all the siblings. Presents as usual, are kept to a minimum.

Today was our start to this new tradition. Sparkles was thrilled as were her siblings.

(Dad & Sparkles after her birthday blessing from Father M.)

Technically her birthday started on Sunday with a special birthday blessing from Father M. He also gave her the gift of informing her that she will be ready to receive Communion this coming year. Sparkles has been glowing since and has been on fire to know more about the fullness of our faith. Praise be to GOD!
The day started with an early rise and a treat from dad. He brought home french toast sticks and sprinkled them with powder sugar. Yummy!!!
We did have to reign Sparkles in this morning after informing us that this was her birthday and that meant she could do whatever she wanted. Woooooowhoooooo…..want a minute miss birthday girl! Not to worry it was a misunderstanding. What she really meant was that she would be thankful for the day, no matter what! : ) Good thing we cleared that up first thing in the morning.

(Sparkles favorite present, a charm of Jesus on a cord.)
She was then able to open a couple of presents before we had to leave for the Science Farm.

(Sparkles waiting for friends.)
(Sparkles favorite activity of the day, making gak.)
(A new bunny/kitten born in May)
(Sparkles favorite animal, “because Jesus is the Lamb.”)

I scheduled a field trip on her birthday. We arrived early and invited the other families to join us for a play date and picnic.

(Dirt with worms. AKA homemade marble cake with chocolate frosting, crushed Oreos, sour apple sprinkles, and sour gummy worms.)


Sparkles invited all kids to join her for some more fun in the dirt…..sweet dirt…..

After the festivities we went home for a short break. “Sparkles can watch a movie since it’s her birthday, ” announced Sweetie. I couldn’t argue with that. She chose her new Hermie video.

Sparkles went to her first swim practice of the season then we took her out for the long awaited date night. She chose Chili’s for her dinner. She had been talking about it all day. She was thrilled when we arrived and couldn’t stop talking. We were seated and began to look over a menu. I asked what she would like to eat and she replied, “pancakes.” Pancakes???? “Sparkles, we’re at Chili’s, they don’t serve pancakes. If you want pancakes we’ll have to go elsewhere,” I said. She agreed and decided to go elsewhere. We normally wouldn’t do such a thing but since it was her birthday, it was her choice. As we got in the car she changed her mind 2 more times. Finally she settled on Mexican food. It was so cute to see her face light up when we were willing to accommodate her and say YES to all her (reasonable) requests.

(Sparkles “famous burrito”)

Sparkles decided that she would be in charge of ordering. This is something new for her. She usually relies on her older sis. She told us that she is big enough to tell them her order and ask for something. She made a burrito with all the fixings and was so pleased with it that she asked her dad to write the recipe down for her. She ate great, the best I’ve seen. She even vowed to eat all her left overs for dinner tomorrow.

After dinner we strolled downtown and window shopped. Then we went back home for cake and ice cream. She sang her story of the day to us on the ride home, while sitting in her big sister’s seat.

We found out so many things about our dear Sparkles. She is definitely our talker but what is more special is that she is an even better listener. She constantly asked questions of us and didn’t focus on herself.

We thank God for her. We pray that she grow to love Him and that He use her for His Glory. Sparkles was my first GFG that I consecrated in the womb to Our Blessed Mother. Her devotion and trust in Mary is so great. May she continue to walk under Mary’s Mantle, closer to Our Lord.

(Our attempt at the self timer.)

PRAISE BE TO GOD for a JOYous day!!!!

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