Tag: gift

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Celebrating another milestone

I’m turning another year older in a few days – and it’s a “special” birthday.

My friend, Michelle, planned a get together at a local restaurant and a great group of friends showed up to help me celebrate! I wish I had had our server take a group picture of everyone, but one of my friends did capture these pictures for me. (The lone color one is of the ladies I know from our old parish – several who have known me since before we had kids.)

In the invite, Michelle offered to put together a spiritual bouquet for me. On the vase that held 40 roses are the prayers she collected. I can’t tell you how much the love, support, and friendship of the ladies who came tonight (and many others,) means to me – especially as I close in on the “T-2 months til surgery” mark, which coincidentally is my actual birthday. I am truly blessed to have so many beautiful women supporting me in the rough times and celebrating with me in the joyful times. ❤️

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Through it

A friend of mine in my women’s group at church was recently telling me about how there have been times in her life when she has known she needs to go THROUGH something to get to the other side. There’s no going around the circumstances that have come my way or my family’s way lately. We can only go THROUGH them.

It’s been an extremely difficult week and a half. Probably one of the hardest to date. But I’ve clung to my faith (even if it was by a thread at times,) and have caught a glimpse of what my friend was talking about regarding going THROUGH our challenges. Then I saw this in the restroom at church today. Coincidence? I don’t think so.

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Party for the 7 year old!

Family and friends gathered this afternoon to share food, cake, and ice cream to celebrate Shecklet #3 turning 7! She is so full of life and I am so grateful to be her mom 💗

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Comfort

My dad asked to meet me yesterday afternoon so we settled on Hy-Vee for lunch (which is roughly in between us.) When I arrived, he handed me an envelope along with a beautiful quilt. In the envelope was a note he wrote explaining the gift I was now holding. Tears came to my eyes as I read his words and the words of his friend who made the quilt. I am so blessed to be supported by so many people – some whom I haven’t even had the privilege of meeting yet.

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Jesus, I trust in You

I came home from picking up Shecklet #4 from preschool and someone had hung a red bag on the front door handle. (Going off a hunch, I did figure out who left me the thoughtful gift. She’s a sneaky one!)  Inside the bag was a little box containing the Divine Mercy image. I have been repeating the phrase, “Jesus, I trust in You,” these past two weeks when my nerves or mind are spinning out of control. Now I also have the visual of Jesus’ mercy on my kitchen window sill. I am grateful for the way I have been able to see God’s comfort and consoling during this time of waiting and pray it continues.

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4th bday party for #4

We celebrated Shecklet #4 turning 4 with family and friends, cake and ice cream and temps in the 50s. Unheard of for MN in February. I thought the weather we had for Shecklet #2’s fourth birthday was amazing (when we celebrated outside) but today takes the cake – haha!

Just a few photos from the day.

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HBD Nana!

Our family gathered together for birthday dinner (Beef Wellington) to celebrate my mom’s birthday. The meal was amazing, as it is every year and it was great to be able to celebrate this wife/mom/nana who means so much to us 🎂

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Little elf working hard

Shecklet #2 likes to peruse Pinterest for project, craft, game, and building ideas. He has asked for help gathering supplies to make all kinds of things. He has built Popsicle stick ninja stars and a homemade skeeball game; we’ve made slime and catapults and he taught himself how to tube-knit and made a bracelet and several necklaces. His latest project is one he pinned for Papa several months ago. He is so proud of it and can’t wait to give it to Papa at Christmas!

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2016 Vacation – Day 5

All good things must come to an end, isn’t that how the saying goes? We packed a ton of fun-ness into a few short days and made a ton of fantastic memories. One final one was a visit to the Cathedral Basilica, complete with a tour given by our friend. We had been in the Cathedral before, but this time we had a chance to take in the beauty and detail of this amazing church.

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2016 Vacation – Day 4

We had mass as a family in a very special chapel this morning, with our friend presiding. The boys read the readings and assisted as servers. As a mom, it was an awesome experience to watch. And I hope they realize just how special it was for them to be part of it.


After mass, we ate breakfast and went to what I can only describe as one of the craziest places I have ever been – the City Museum. We had been told wearing pants was smarter than wearing shorts and that you could spend an entire day at the place. Both statements are true. We spent all afternoon there (again  closing the place down) and still didn’t see it all. The photos we took don’t do the place justice, but they do give you an idea as to how unreal it is.


After one final side, we headed to the house of our friend’s friends, on The Hill. There was a bike race going on and they were hosting a pig roast. They kindly invited us to join them. Afterward, we went out for frown custard at Ted Drewes. Yummy stuff!  (The boys played “Statue of Liberty” with the dry ice that was keeping the custard cold.)