Festivities at Forty

That smile of his melts my heart. Always.

I had this kind of awakening this weekend.  Not necessarily a good one but one that left me with a different way to look at a situation. After too many funerals and diagnosis' of beloved friends over the last couple months, I wanted to celebrate Ernie's 40th.  What better reason to get together than for a happy occasion?

It was relatively small and some of our closest friends couldn't be there due to vacation plans which was a little disappointing, because truth be told. . .we just don't really try to get together anymore.  Now that our friends have kids who are grown, it seems like schedules have just taken a life of their own.  And I get it.  I do.  It just disappoints my heart a little, but then I'm filled with hope for the future when schedules might open up and we can reconnect.

I guess I have a different expectation for family, and I shouldn't.  Someone I love a lot once told me, my kids may be my world, but they aren't everyone else's.  Point taken. But for me, family has become my world--and it boggles my mind when it's not everyone else's. I guess my expectation for my family is similar to my parent's expectation for me when I was a teen and college aged: you show up.  You don't have to stay the entire time, but you make an appearance.  That's something that was expected of me and I've really come to own it and still follow through today as much as I can.  So when immediate family can't be somewhere special, not even for a little while. . .it stings a bit. My husband goes above and beyond to so many people, I just really wanted him to feel and be celebrated.  That's what good wives do, I suppose.

But the next morning, sitting outside having coffee with my fine forty-year-old, in his divine wisdom, said, "It's more important to me the people who were there then the ones who weren't."  This coming from the guy who had to pick up and drop off his own dad just so he could attend... And I realized he is right.  First off, not everyone has our strong value of family first.  Secondly, sometimes other plans come first--even if it doesn't make any sense to me.

Our kids and Lene's best friend, Layla did all the set up under the guidance of me, grandma, and grandpa. They cleaned, decorated, and were so extremely helpful and honestly happy to do so.  That in and of itself was such a gift.  Our comadre offered to make Ernie's favorite dessert, not only enough for him, but for the entire party. It was such a blessing.  Her husband rushed off to get ice for us while E was gone picking up his dad last minute, no questions asked. . .he just went and did what needed to be done.  Blessed.  My mom went above and beyond to offer all that she had to make centerpieces and such.  And then I forgot to take pictures of the finished project! Her generosity is like no other. My dad, offering the house so they could attend without needing a caregiver for papa was so appreciated!  They made the party!

I didn't take many pictures because I was honestly paying so much attention to the moments. . .the unexpected ones happening right in front of me with people who were there to celebrate the incredible man my husband is.  I have been reminded on more than one occasion recently by how incredibly blessed I am to do life with this man.   Even if we were the only people at the party, it would have been enough.  I am so thankful for the opportunity to celebrate life while the living is here to experience it.  I am so thankful for the strong family ties we are instilling in our children.  I am so thankful for friends who show up and love on my man, who deserves to be honored every day of the year. 40 years in the books. . .now we wait for my turn.

Fireworks on the Fourth

Our Fourth of July festivities were bigger than ever this year!  With a grand total of forty-eight people, our little house hosted a party not soon to be forgotten!  I had so much fun, I splashed around in the pool to cool off and forgot to take pictures.  But the memories won't soon be forgotten because a fun time was had by all.

I love how our day always starts with the parade.  It is something that I look forward to every year.  It doesn't matter that it's hot, I just look forward to the community that gathers together to celebrate the holiday.

Nessa even ran into a preschool friend on the parade route.

This year we went right across the street to watch the fireworks.  There were not nearly the crowd of people and the view was just as good! Someone even had brought a great sound system with patriotic music playing.  It was perfect!  Now we know for the future!

Birthday Bonus Galore

This was quite the year for this little lady. . .and she didn't even turn five! We decided to go into party mode since we thought her Nina would be here to celebrate with us this year, but even though that didn't go according to plan, the party had to go on. Her actual birth day began at mass, just the two of us. We've been making this a weekly outing and I have to say, I feel so good sharing this with her. It has made our Sunday mass visits almost downright enjoyable as she looks forward to going and understands more about the parts of the mass. November 27th was particularly enjoyable as the school was there to celebrate Thanksgiving mass with us and we both enjoyed watching all the students in action. It brought back such wonderful elementary memories for me.

I had to capture this moment walking back from the restroom. Priceless. Anyways, since it was the day before Thanksgiving I went by my parent's to see how I could help with the chopping and dicing. Mom and I got to work and Janessa played and waited anxiously for her big surprise date with grandpa. She didn't know it but he was taking her to see Frozen. Later that evening we all met up at her Nino's house for a little apple cobbler and some gift opening. It was last minute and simple and I swear this would have been enough if the party invites hadn't already been sent out! Kendra greeted her with a boquet of balloons bigger than she is! And she was spoiled and loved on some more with presents: including her very own Mercedes, personalized plates and all! Too much, I tell you...too much.

The next day was filled with family again as we celebrated one of my most favorite holidays ever. . .more on that to come. And yesterday was the big four-year-old bonanza for our Nessa Bessa at her new favorite place: My Gym. We were blessed to have her two teachers host the party and she had a very busy two hours of fun with her closest friends. It was fun to watch her in action with so many different kids. I love the blend of our village, long-time friends, family, new friends, classmates. . .it's a beautiful array of such vastly different people coming together because we have our friendships in common. Beautiful!

I always want to remember the way Bubba practiced and performed a magic show right in the middle of the party. I love his heart for his sister and I love his creativity and enthusiasm to get up there and put on a show! It truly does take a village--and looking around at the people who were there, I was reminded of what a huge blessing it is to have people that are in the trenches of parenthood, right there beside you. The party might not have been necessary, but it was a good reason to celebrate together, for two hours, a genuinely fun time!