Abigail's Birthday (updated)

On Thursday, May 18, Abigail Mei turned 16 years old! 

Just like that. 

Here is how her birthday went down! 

Her Actual Birthday

I took this as I dropped her off at school that morning, bright and early on her birthday! She was glowing and totally sixteen! 

She texted me this picture and asked if she could have this special drink her friend, Kaitlyn brought her. Kaitlyn knows of Abigail's allergies and was careful to make sure it said, "Severy Allergy" on it. Love that her friends made her day at school special. 

On her 'actual birthday' Scott came home with sixteen long stemmed roses for her and a bunch of balloons. 

Oh actually her day started as birthdays always do in our home, we woke her up by singing happy birthday to her. It's our little tradition. Of course I don't have pictures of that. (I used to take them, but these days I don't think she'd want pictures of her waking up! Ha! 

After balloons, hugs, and kisses it was an early dinner. She had an orchestra rehearsal that night so she had to leave by 6:00! 

Oh my stars, I can't believe she's sixteen! 

Her favorite dinner of chicken pot pie (she picks every single year) Had to make the filling the night before because teaching and having dinner so early was a bit crazy! 

While we were eating her uncle (my brother) and her cousin Ian dropped in to wish her a happy day! 

And a quick little cake as she rushed out the door! (bigger and more exciting cake was coming on the weekend) 

She opened presents (loved having her sister home). 

She truly has the B E S T  'opening presents' expressions! 

You can tell I was super excited about this big gift from her daddy and I. 

I love this moment when she realized what it was (or at least part of what it was) 

I should have taken a picture up close but you can kind of see... two tickets to Wicked on Broadway and a whole weekend in NYC -- just the two of us! We are staying two nights at the Warwick. Best location in the city - walking to almost everything. I can't wait! 

Total birthday joy! 

And then off she went to her orchestra rehearsal! 

Surprise Party

I knew for a long time that I wanted to have her celebrate with her friends and I knew I wanted a surprise party! So I emailed her friends (didn't have all of their numbers) and one of them set up a group chat for me. Oh howdy! I thought it would be a piece of cake to organinze a simple restaurant surprise party. Well, the restaurant, that was easy! But finding a night that would work with all of them? That was almost impossible! 

One of her friends ended up setting up a google calendar. We all put in all of our events and one tiny night, one little sliver of time worked out -- phew! I was so grateful that we found a time! 

Here's a little piece of the texts that went on for daaaaaays! 

Funny how they suggested Mother's Day of course! 

It was actually so much fun to text back and forth with these girls! In high school we passed notes to our friends! 

So on the big surprise party night Abigail had a big concert. She was tired and didn't want to go out to eat. It was POURING rain and I'm sure she just wanted to chill out at home. I left the concert a little early to head to the restaurant and get the girls all set. 

After the concert I kept updating Scott and finally let him know they were there and it was okay to bring Abigail. 

We had dinner in the opposite end of the restaurant and I loved peeking over at them all happy and giggling about life. Love these girls! 

They had such a fun time! I sent them one last text that night! 

Grandparents Party 

We had another concert on Sunday after church and after dinner that night had her family birthday party! I loved making her traditional ice cream cake! 

And just like that her big 16 was all wrapped up -- and in a flurry we darted off to the next even and next concert and next study session and all that is the last month of school! 

Other posts you might like: 

Turning Fifteen 

Turning Fourteen

Turning Thirteen

Turning Twelve 

Turning Eleven

Ten is here

Nine is here

Eight is here

Seven is here

Six is here

Five is here

Sunshine Home

Anna finished her Sophomore year of college last week. And we celebrated! Scott and I took a personal day from teaching and headed up to Holy Cross to move her back home. 

It truly does feel like a celebration. To see her. To have a successful year behind her. To bring her home. It is all joy. 

After we fit everything into the car and checked the room over carefully we had to take a going home family selfie in that room. 

So overjoyed to be back together. (for a whole summer!) 

Next she wanted to take us to the Prior Performing Arts Center -- their cafe is new and she told me that all of their tea is fresh brewed from loose tea -- fancy! 

I went up last year to see the 'Prior' opening (post back HERE) 

And she's performed in that very place several times. (HERE is one of those nights) 

But we'd never been to the cafe since it was always closed after a late night concert. So we were excited to try it! 

We got the yummiest drinks and snacks for our happy car ride home! 

And after a little over an hour we were home and this little sister was delighted! 

Having Anna home is a breath of fresh air. Scott, Abigail and I are not done with school yet -- and now it feels even more challenging to stay motivated -- but we are glad our sunshine is back! 

Other posts you might like: 

You're in the Right Place (college move in day freshman year) 

It Felt Like a Celebration (moving home her freshman year)  

You're in the Right Place, part two (college move in day sophomore year) 

Abigail's Confirmation ~ May 6, 2023

written Sunday afternoon, May 7, 2023

I've got that: 

day after

sad it's over

yet

bubbling up inside with gratitude for so many things. 

I'm surrounded by dishes and silver to put away, napkins to fold and save for the next occasion, and a whole new week of teacher coming at me but I don't care. 

I have to be here and record these feelings while they are still so vivid. 

I am honestly surprised at how I'm feeling about this Confirmation. Yes, of course I know it's importance in our catholic faith and I know how special it is. But for some reason it touched my heart in such a profound way. Maybe it's because it's my "last" one. Maybe it's because I got to see Abigail in her very first 'grown up' event. And certainly is because the Holy Spirit moved me in a profound way. I pray she did in my little girl's heart as well. I know He did. 

There is truly so much I could say but let's just jump in. 

Here is the set up just before we left for the cathedral. We were having fourteen  over for a meal after: our little family

my parents and brother

Scott's Mom

Abigail's Confirmation sponsor

their little family

her grandmothers

It was wonderful. 

I took this vase down from the cabinet where I'd been saving it since Maddy (Scott was her Confirmation Sponsor) was a baby. We are her Godparents. She have us this vase with the words "Godparents, guide my steps, light my path. Love, Maddie 10/8/2008. I love it so much that I brought it to a florist and they made this amazing arrangement. 

Holy Spirit prayer cards at each place setting perfect for Confirmation I found at a holy shrine recently. I knew as soon as I saw them that I wanted to use them for this dinner. 

Abigail and Maddie, second graders on the day of their First Communion... thought of this last minute but love it so much! 

I had another table set up in the kitchen (forgot to take a picture of that) and then one more outside on the porch. 

Abigail eating a snack right before we left... 

And just a few family photos because I always want to capture those before things get too busy. 

We got to the Cathedral nice and early and I got a few pictures of Abigail. Love them so much! 

Our Cathedral is breathtaking and such an amazing work of art. 

Scott was Maddie's Confirmation Sponsor and here she is being sealed with the gift of the Holy Spirit with Scott's hand on her shoulder. I love this photo so much. 

And this, her Godfather since she was born now standing with her as she becomes an adult in her faith. This moment is precious to me. Anointed with sacred chrisom. Received at her baptism but confirmation of that gift is essential as it was for the apostles. It was only when the gift of the Holy Spirit came upon them with a mighty wind and flames of fire that they threw open the locked doors, and came out to preach the good new of Christ. 

After they took photos with the arch bishop and I took one from the side. 

And then it was time to relax and enjoy all of our special guests. These four teenagers/young adults are my favorite four on the planet. I am so grateful for those girls in our lives! 

Maddie and Abigial... 

We feasted on such yummy food -- a combination of homemade and catered.

These girls giggled and shared life with each other for hours. Truly my girls best friends. 

Quick before anyone left I got a few pictures (and forgot a few people, gosh!) Here is Abigail with my mom... Love this one so much! 

And loved on by her grandpa and uncle (my brother) 

Happiest one of the day... her "uncle Todd" makes her feel so loved, protected, and special. 

Maddie with her grandmas... 

And of course Scott with his Confirmation 'daughter'. 

HERE is the link to watch the livestream. Scroll to the left. And then "view all" Although the video could never capture it, but still here it is. 

A few things I want to remember 

💛"To be confirmed in your faith means that you are Christ witnesses in the world in which we live. 

That is what we celebrate today. A gift to be cultivated, to be used and practiced."

💛"He shares his Devine life with us especially through the sacraments."

💛"Once we've been appointed with this oil, first at Baptism then Confirmation, we enter into fellowship with Christ and we receive a share in His life."  

💛 "The sacrament of Confirmation is very important because it strengthens you to fulfil the obligations that membership (in the body of Christ) entails." 

💛 "Jesus said on the night of his crucifixion's to his disciples that he gives us a joy that is not of this world, that this world can never take away." 

(All quotations by Most Reverend Leonard P. Blair) 

Other posts you might like: 

Abigail's First Communion Portraits 

Anna's First Communion Portraits

Abigail's First Communion

First Communion 

Confirmation Blessing

Thirty-two high school sophomores from our parish: Saint Patrick-Saint Anthony were blessed at the end of Mass last weekend as they are to be Confirmation Candidates coming soon. I felt a swell of pride and peace as my daughter walked up there on that alter to be blessed. 

It reminded me of this picture so many years ago. It was taken in December of 2014 when Abigail and Maddie were in the First Communion program and were blessed at Mass. Right after Mass was over I snapped this adorable picture of two second graders who filled our lives and hearts. 

 

And this one taken last weekend after Mass when they were blessed and about to receive their Confirmation. I said to two now high school sophomores -- oh please please could we reenact that photo from when you were little. And they did. Maddie put her arm around Abigail again, and Abigail leaned in. 

Words can not express the happiness I have for my girls that they have grown up in church and even more that they were surrounded their whole lives my like-minded friends who also yearned and grew toward strong ideals and faith.