Our Anniversary

Yesterday marked 9 years that my wonderful husband and I have been married. We have had a blissful marriage blessed with many children to love. Every day I feel that God has selected my spouse for me and I am so glad I responded "Yes" to Him and him respectively. God is never outdone in His generosity to us and for that I am truly grateful. The other day I was driving around running errands as I seem to do often these days and I passed by some one's yard with many very large sunflowers growing in it. That reminded me of our first date in which Big Daddy (he wanted that to be his pseudo-name, can you believe it?), anyway brought me a sunflower. What an awesome night that was. Then fast forward to our wedding which was awesome and so much fun. Then fast forward again to the day our son was born. I have so many great memories to treasure and I pray that there are many more to come. Thank you for a wonderful life "Big Daddy" and for a wonderful husband, Our Father in heaven.

Blessings

Today I was thinking about what my husband and I tell our Pre-Jordan couples (couples who have had a child and want to have them baptized in the Church go to this class) we talk about special traditions that families have that bring them closer to God. Things like celebrating feast days, baking a birthday cake for Jesus on Christmas Eve or setting up a nativity scene. One tradition that we do in our home is that my husband blesses each child with a cross on their forehead and the words "Bless you" right before they go to bed. The children love to be blessed by Dad it is a special thing. Earlier today B my 22 month old baby girl brought me a book
"Read it"
she said as she put the book on our nursing baby on my lap. The book was by Neal Lozano called "Will you bless me?". What a wonderful book. At the end of the book there is a note to parents :
"Knowing the profound love God has for you is the secret to revealing His blessing to your child. As you draw near to God, He will draw near to you (James 4:7). As you pray, read Scripture, and spend time in God's presence, you'll be able to more fully share His heart and mind. You are God's chosen vessel, His representative, His instrument of love for the children He has entrusted to your care. The Author of Life has wonderful thoughts about your children that shape their identities- thoughts about who they are, how unique they are, and how valuable they are. He entrusts you with the responsibility of imparting this blessing.
God's blessing is interwoven with your love for your child. You have all you need to impart to your child the sense of identity and destiny that comes from the heart of God."

How beautiful. How encouraging. I respond to that with the thought that God is Love, so He is given to my children through my love and care for them. And in turn, I grow closer to Him through them. What traditions do your family do to grow closer to God?

Why Blog?

Why blog? That was a question I put to my friend while she was visiting a few weeks ago. She gave her reply and it took me some time to digest it and the notion of blogging itself. I was also perusing a few blogs here and there while nursing my new baby blessing on the couch. I found myself inspired with ideas for improving our family life, spirituality and Little Flowers group to boot! I started thinking some more and came up with some of my own good reasons for blogging. For one it's kind of a scrapbook, a way for my children to connect with me when they are older. It is a way. for my husband and I to connect when he is away traveling for work. It is a way for family far away to be updated on our family. It is a way for me to have some mind stimulation while nursing and cuddling a new sweet baby. It is away to keep memories alive and well. and the list goes on. And so my blog was born....