Catching up

Happy Easter!  So much has been happening!

Easter Sunday brought us warm weather and SUNSHINE!
We spent a lot of time sitting on the patio with Doug's family,
while the kids played.  Doug's dad doesn't like to sit too long,
so he and Nicholas began working on the flower beds.

Nick likes to help outside.  He just likes to be outside.  Always.
We can no longer say the word "Go" unless we either want
to take him out, or don't mind a small fit!

 

 First Communion

My son Luke makes his First Communion Saturday! 

Last weekend, there was a mandatory retreat for the First Communicants and their parents at our church.  My husband had to work, and then Nicholas became sick, so I did the only thing I could think to do -- I sent my 13-year-old daughter Meghan in my place.  I am so thankful for her eagerness to help her brother, and to spend time with him.  These two have always shared a special relationship, and it was very touching when I came to pick them up and saw them sitting, and laughing, together.

Last night, we attended a special dinner and rehearsal for the First Communicants.  When it became clear that our part in the practice was done, I asked Luke if I could leave a bit early, to help get the rest of our children in bed.  He just grabbed my hand and said, "No, no.  I'd rather you stayed here!"  It has been so enjoyable to walk with Luke through his preparations this year.

Meghan watched the other children while we were gone.  There is something really wonderful about realizing you have gotten to that point in parenting where you do not always need to find a babysitter -- because you have raised one.  Meghan has a particularly close relationship with Nicholas, so that helps a lot too!

I received this text from her toward the end of the evening, after I asked how Nick was doing: "He's a busy boy.  That's all I can say.  Right now he's shoving stinky socks up my nose and asking for gum."

I can't explain it, but that text just made me laugh, and feel so proud, and love them all so much, all at the same time!

We gave Luke his own First Communion retreat, with just Nick and Doug and I. This is now a tradition with our children. The retreat house where we took our other children has closed, so we took Luke to a nice dinner to the Adoration chapel, and Mass. He loved it, and so did we!

Spring Break and Cleft Lips

My children had the week after Easter off for Spring Break.  We spent a couple nights at a Great Wolf Lodge, and then visited my grandparents, who live nearby.  Everyone had so much fun!



Our children with my Nana and Opa.  We're very blessed, because
my Nana will be here for Luke's First Communion as well!

One challenging part was that Luke commented a couple times that he felt like people kept staring at him.  I didn't know what to say, and I didn't know if it was true, or if he was being overly sensitive.  Then, while I was in the hot tub with Luke and Meghan, a 6-year-old boy came up and asked what was wrong with Luke.  I explained he was born with a bilateral cleft lip and palate that the doctors had repaired it.  Then the boy continued on with some questions that could have been nothing but hurtful to Luke.

Again, I was so grateful for Meghan, because she quickly distracted Luke, and disappeared with him to the Lazy River.

At times like this, I would love to ask someone with an older cleft child: What do you say when your child says people often stare at them?  And, is it OK at some point to simply tell a child they shouldn't ask hurtful questions right in front of someone (or anywhere)?

I always try to answer with a smile, like it's the most natural thing in the world.  I hope that helps Luke deal with these situations with a smile -- and then to just keep going on with the more important things in his life -- when he gets older.

Nick really enjoyed the water park -- especially these little fountains.

 

Struggles and Helps

We hosted Easter, somehow it seemed after our trip like every bit of laundry in our house ended up getting washed, and now I am preparing for Saturday's First Communion/Dance Recital/Celebratory Party.  And honestly, it feels like that is just the little stuff that has been going on the past couple of weeks.

I'd like to share some words that recently encouraged me.  This quote is from a calendar of Mother Teresa's words called "Heart of Joy."  I received this in college from my Grandmother, and the words touch my heart just as much today as they did then.

"Prayer unites us with Christ.  Simply open your hearts to him.  Also, simply accept what he sends you. With a big smile, generously give him what he asks of you.  God will do the rest, never fear."

 

Also, from yesterday's readings: "There broke out a severe persecution of the Church in Jerusalem, and all were scattered throughout the countryside ... Now those who had been scattered went about preaching the word." - Acts 1:1b-8

 

Seriously, there broke out a "severe persecution," but Jesus' followers, while they left Jerusalem, continued to spread His word.

 

Because of this, people in the places they went experienced "great joy" -- joy that would have been unattainable if the Church went silent when faced with hardship.

 

May we find joy in His word, and may we spread His word with our lives!