F.A.M.I.L.Y

A few weeks ago, I read an essay that my niece wrote about our family.  In it, she mentioned that basically she wasn't quite sure what it was about our family, but we were different, and she liked it.  It was very well written and (I know this will surprise you if you're a regular reader) it brought me to tears.

This past weekend was Easter.  A time to mourn Jesus' death and then celebrate his rising from the dead, and new life!  Traditionally, we have gathered with my side of the family on Easter and this year was no different.

As the grandchildren get older, we miss a few more each year as they have more celebrations to attend to.  We understand, yet we still miss them.  It isn't complete without everyone there!

At Christmas, we made a video to post on the internet to make everyone missing feel included.  We attempted the same at Easter, but somehow it wasn't quite the same......instead we burst into fits of laughter.  Judge for yourself:

I have to say that it's moments like these that I miss my parents the most.  Would they have been embarassed that we were doing such things?  Would they have told us to stop?  Absolutely not.  In fact, they probably would have been first in line!

I love that our parents taught us to be who we are and celebrate that fact.  Not put on airs, or be who others wanted us to be or act like.  I'm really comfortable in my own skin, and relish the fact that I (and the rest of my family -- except those hiding out in the car in the background :) ) can just be....us.  :)

I hope we are raising our children to cherish family as much as we do.  No matter what, no matter where, they are there.

I hope your Easter was just as fun!

He is risen!

PS I used the acronym F.A.M.I.L.Y. above because I love it so much -- if you haven't heard it before, it stands for Forget About Me, I Love You!!!!

Magnificat of Lima talk

Yesterday was a wonderful day on many counts.  I started the day by going to Lima, o go to a breakfast sponsored by the Magnificat group from Lima.  I wasn't really sure who they were, or what they stood for, but I knew they had asked my friend Kimi Bown to speak, so I knew they had to know what they were doing!!!  :)
Magnificat talk
When I left the house, it was just starting to snow.  I stopped at the bank on my way out of town and was told by the teller that hen she got up in the morning, nothing as happening outside, by the time she left for work, it was snowing a bit, and then, by 9 am, it was snowing pretty hard.  I guess if you live in Ohio, anything is possible!  :)

At any rate, I arrived at the meeting at 10 exactly (which is what time everything was to start).  I looked around and saw a table in the back with two empty seats -- I asked the women sitting at the table if I could sit with them and they said, "Of course!"  I don't usually have a problem striking up conversation with anyone, so we had a nice time chatting and getting to know one another.

First things first -- as everyone well knows, any meeting worth its salt includes food!!  :)  We were at the Old Barn Out Back, so the food was great!  We had breakfast -- which is one of my favorite meals, so it was fantastic!  I looked around for Kimi -- I didn't really want to talk to her beforehand, not knowing how nervous she was or anything.  I finally found her at the head table --looking extremely gorgeous!!!  I also spied her daughter, Natale, who, many moons ago, was in my American Girl club at the coffee shop!

After breakfast were a few of the "every day" things they do -- with prayer intentions, some singing, a little talking.  An then it was time for Kimi -- I was excited and nervous for her!

I have never heard her speak in public before -- but she did great!  She told us her "story" or witness talk, about how she really got involved in her faith -- in spite of many obstacles.  In fact, she told us how she grew in her faith -- in spite of (maybe because of!) many obstacles!!

I hope that some day you will get the opportunity to hear her speak -- she concluded her talk by introducing the entire audience to her nephew, Kaden (hope I spelled that right!), whom she (and many prayer warriors) saved from an abortion!!  Such a beautiful story -- I found my eyes welling up and feeling like an idiot because I couldn't see anyone else around me crying -- until I turned around and saw the woman beside me (who as behind me during the talk) with as many tears as I had.  Such a beautiful testimony!!!

I love watching women come together and support each other in their faith, along with supporting each other in general.  It's a beautiful gift!!!

We spent the balance of the day with our friends Joe and Melissa and their entire beautiful family -- I love how well our families get along.  Parks and all.  :)

Hope your week is fantastic!!!

Pam