Happy 11th Birthday, Kayla!

 

Happy Birthday, sweet Kayla Cecilia!  

This year for your birthday you asked for a craft party.  

We had a painting project, decorated journals, and used fabric markers to spiff up and personalize some tote bags.  The girls worked on some Bible verse memory cards as well.   

It was such a fun time

And you girls made some beautiful, beautiful paintings

Kayla, you are so full of JOY!

You truly do know how to "Rejoice in the Lord always"

My beautiful little artist

Oh, and we decorated cupcakes!

Happy birthday, sweet girl!

In the morning, we headed to the park for some FUN!

And some really really sweet pictures of our lovely kiddos!

I mean seriously, you girls are beyond beautiful.  

Add your bro Kolbe into the mix and....what a cute bunch of siblings

Kayla, you have a bunch of freckles that are just the cutest thing in the entire world. 

You have the sweetest smile and the most tender heart.  

When I'm hurting, you are always finding ways to cheer me up and comfort me.  You have a beautiful way of just coming and quietly hugging me.  You don't usually say anything (except perhaps that you love me) and you don't try to fix the problem (you couldn't fix them anyway).  You are just present and steadfast in your love and hugs.   

You are a beautiful ballerina and tap dancer.  We LOVE watching you perform (even if it is only via video these days since Covid is the worst).  You love to show us your dances at home and put on little recitals and choreograph dances for you and your sibs.  

Kayla, I have been so thrilled to see your faith in the Lord deepening.  

You have consecrated yourself to Jesus through Mary the past few years, all on your own.  

You ask me to take you to adoration to see Jesus regularly and I sometimes sit there for a few moments just watching you read your Bible and journal about the scriptures.  

Little girl, I love you with all my heart.

 I can't always be there and I can't keep you from all the pain in the world, but I can teach you to go to Jesus and Mary and Joseph because they are the most Holy and the most Present family ever and they are always, always with you.  

You have a temper and you are struggling a lot with very deep and heavy feelings right now.  

Sometimes you take it all out on your siblings whom I'm sure you feel are just there to annoy you.  

And yet, when you slow down and reach out to them in love and kindness, it is really sweet to witness the tender little moments between you and your brother and sisters.  

You are an amazing leader when you choose to lose the bossiness and reach instead for humility, generosity, and kindness.  You read books to your littlest siblings, you make up fun games that you all join in, and you remind me to stop working and play as well.  I love when you bring me a board game and invite me to take a break and just play and laugh with you.  

You are smart and capable.  You work hard in school and pay attention.  You are learning incredible things and we love that you come home and share that knowledge with all of us.  You still charge through books and you have been working a lot on your art this year.  

You aren't perfect.  There is a lot of snotty backtalk and yelling at times.  

But there is also a lot of humble apologizing and seeking to make it right by helping out, big hugs, and sweet notes filled with love and Bible verses.   

We love the fun and beauty and sweetness that you bring to our lives each and everyday.  

Don't ever lose your JOY and keep trusting in the Lord.  

He will always be with you. 

In the evening we had some wonderful neighbor friends over for ice cream cake

Afterwards, your Daddy shot off a few little firecrackers in the street for everyone to enjoy.  

Happy birthday to you, our lovely, creative wonderful daughter. 

You are such an incredible blessing in our lives.  I couldn't imagine life without you in it, the sweet little lady who first made me a mama.  

You are one of a kind.  

May 2020 overview

 May 2020 brought a bit more hope as we looked forward to the possibility that some things would reopen at least in some manner in the near future.  

We celebrated the first day of May, St. Joseph the Worker's feast day, with some Italian doughnut hole type things.  The kids loved them as you can see.  :)

St. Joseph, pray for us!

There are always many snuggles and selfies and smiles and silly around here.  

This has been a beautiful season of motherhood for me basking in the goofy antics and sweet smiles and so, so many snuggles. 

Silly faces even became a fun game!

I told you!  

So much SWEETNESS!

These two sweethearts (picture on left) got up early one morning to read their Bibles and write in prayer journals.  These are the things that make my heart soar these days.  Little ways that our faith is becoming their own and that Jesus is a friend at times not just an idea.  

In May the weather started getting warm, so popsicles were purchased and enjoyed. 

We got a new POPCORN maker when the old one huffed it's last. 

I got to enjoy a beautiful afternoon with this sweetie who wanted some Mommy time.  She wanted a walk to the park together, playing at the creek, and saying a chaplet.  Done and FUN!

These two raced cars down the driveway with me. 

Elise and I colored together.  Sophie wanted in too.  And Elise's Cozy Dozy Llama.  :)

We've been having weekly Zooms with my family and we have found some creative ways to have even more fun on the Zoom calls.  Like Madlibs.    

More smiles and hugs.  

These kiddos know what makes Mommy smile. 

My wonderful friend dropped by with a gift.  Keychains that I LOVE!  Sts. Louis and Zelie and Mama Mary and St. Elizabeth.  Megan, you are the best and these friends make me smile so often when I'm out and about. 

More Cozy Dozy love

We did a lot of exploring together.  This is a "new" (to us) waterfall that we found off a trail near us. 

           

           

More of the girls' art work from (distance learning) school. 

Chris' brother Ethan's sweet girlfriend sent the kiddos a care package.  It was just the sweetest thing ever filled with stuff they love. Crafts, toys, candy, and games.  Thank you, Cianna!

Kayla finished her Marian consecration on the Feast of Our Lady of Fatima.  

We celebrated with a yummy cheesecake Kayla helped me make and decorate. 

           

Saw a little snake at our park

The local pools hadn't opened yet, but our neighbors kiddie pool opened so we headed over for some fun in the sun (and in the water!).  

Ava did a presentation on St. Kateri, the first Native American Saint, for school.  She had to make a little doll and write up a report and present it on Zoom.  She did such a great job.  I'm so proud of my shy little sweetheart. 

          

Sometimes when I buy fruit, Elise draws pictures on it for me.  

I love that sweet, goofy girl.   She always makes me smile. 

The kids and I were able to sneak out for some hikes together.  

Beautiful views and some great exercise.  

We love, love, love to explore God's creation, even if it's a trail we've been on over and over again, his beauty and goodness is always there reminding us of His great love. 

Mid-hike snack and water break

When Sophie gets ahold of my phone I find cute Sophie selfies. 

Another fun baking adventure. 

Chris' Covid hair 

Kayla wanted to plant a Mary garden, so we went and found flowers.  

Game time and gorgeous flowers in neighborhood yards

My sweet son gave me a foot bath/rub when we sat by the creek one day. 

 He is such a little tender heart.  

Meanwhile, Elise drew me water pictures. It was a lovely afternoon being loved on my these kiddos. 

First blooms of the year on Kayla's First Communion rose. 

A late snow/freeze killed most of our lilacs, but I found a few and brought them in to enjoy.  

The scent was AMAZING. 

Thank you, Jesus, for your goodness!

double rainbow on the way to celebrate a dear friend's birthday!

Happy birthday, Caitlin!  

You are an amazing woman and the best kind of friend.  You are loyal, generous, kind, a good listener, and a ton of FUN!

Shaleane did an amazing job making everything look so beautiful for our at home spa night. 

I am so blessed to have an incredible group of friends.  Thank you, ladies, for a super fun night at the "spa" treating ourselves and laughing together.  

I finished my Marian consecration on the last day of May--the Feast of the Visitation.  Found some lovely flowers to add to the celebration.  

We love you, Mama!