Christmas Eve

I love this day, it is one of my favorite all year.  There is so much magic in the air and peace and joy seem to be radiating from all corners of the world.
Today we took it easy. 
We started the morning off making egg nog cookies for Santa.  They also are Daddy's and Aunt B's favorites so it is a win win win when we make them.  Plus the boys have a blast which is always a win for momma!
The boys and I headed to Walmart to pick up the Happy Birthday Jesus cookie cake.  I think next year I am going to try to make it myself, we will see.  While we were there John Michael asked for dohgnuts, and since it is Christmastime well I went with it.  He really wanted the ones with mistletoe (Holly) on them.  So that is what we got. 

We came home and picked up Brandon and mom and headed to Mass.  The boys are singing in the choir again this year.  I love the Children's choir all year, but on Christmas Eve it is so amazing.  It is truly like listening to angels sing.  I guess this is another reason why they say Children are as close to Jesus as you can get.  Mary Morgan sang a solo and the girl gave  me chills.  Liz, I know that you have to be so very proud of her.  Her voice is truly a gift that she was given and I am glad that she is brave enough to share it, that was a gift.

The Church was decorated beautiful.  I love seeing the transformation from Advent to Christmas.  Again just a little more magic (and a lot of hard work) to celebrate the birth of Jesus.

Uncle Kenny and Uncle Patrick came to Mass, which was nice.  Thank you both, it is always nice to be with family this time of the year.  Well, all year, but this time especially.

After Mass we went to look at Christmas lights and then headed home.  We were all tired and needed to get in bed before Santa flew over.



Merry Christmas Everyone!

Merry Christmas Eve

So today Brandon got everyone up early in an attempt to get us all on a better schedule. Starting the week with the trip to the ER has severely thrown us off. We will get there though.

I am stoked to announce that my Blu-Ray copy of Christmas Vacation came in the mail today. I was going to surprise Brandon with it but I could not wait till tomorrow so I surprised him when I opened the box! We love that movie!

We went to celebrate Christmas with Meme and Pop this afternoon. It was so great to see everyone. With Uncle Brian in Georgia, and Uncle Brett, Aunt Mindy, Hunter, Hayden, and Hudson in Florida we do not get to see each other as much as we would like. It definitely makes Christmas even more special. We had a great time with everyone and wished that we could have stayed longer. We did get there a little early to have some extra time but still once everyone got there we had to eat, open gifts and run.

Tonight was the Children's Choir Mass and both of the boys were in it. It was so great to see them together singing in the choir. I love the children's choir it always reminds me of angels. The boys even got to sing together at the cantor, they sang Hark the Herald Angels Sing.

With the changes to Mass this Christmas Mass seemed more special than others. Fr. Bob mentioned the song A Baby Changes Everything by Faith Hill, and I have to admit I Love this song, it could be my favorite, or at least one. As he talked about the fact that babies do change everything it touched me in so many ways. This is a fact that no mom can argue with. Mary's baby divided time, and changed all of our lives in ways that I think we fail to realize on most days. This I will change in 2012. The Mass was beautiful.

We headed out to look at lights, we have a few favorites that we go visit every year and we always try to find some new favorites too :0)

Well, we are off for those last minute Christmas Eve things and then to wait for Santa. Know that you are all in my thoughts and prayers tonight.

More Practice

Tuesday is a day of practice for the Thach family.
The boys' had a great day at school, but on Tuesdays we do not leave until the sun goes down. Well, at least Tuesdays in December.
They have choir practice for the Christmas Eve Mass from 3:30 until 4:30, so we hang out in the car start and sometimes finish homework. Usually eat a snack and then head into church to practice. Danny is doing really great, but he knows the songs and is used to sitting with the choir and singing. John Michael is having a hard time sitting still hopefully it will be better at Mass. He is also smitten by the 5th grade girls. He is a ladies man to say the least.
Basketball practice for John Michael starts at 5:30 so we finish homework, read, and just hang out until then. It seems crazy to go home to turn around in the driveway and drive back. I do not like to get gas that often either. Danny's basketball practice is right after John Michael's.
Brandon met me at the school today, and so after John Michael's practice he and I left and went to deliver some pictures that I had ready.
Then dinner, bath and bed! That is a common theme on practice nights.

Basketball Pratice x's 2

Tuesdays are great but pretty long right now. The boys' have both decided to sing in the Children's Choir for the Christmas Eve Mass. I am so excited that they will be doing this, Danny has for the past few years and I love it. I am so excited about John Michael joining in this year.
After Choir practice both boys' had basketball practice. John Michael is getting better and so is Danny. There is a lot more pressure on Danny I think because the team is so big and I know that he wants to play. As long as he has a good time I am not worried about it.
Well, I know that this is short, but I am behind. Surprise. Surprise!

First Eucharist

Now onto Saturday!!!

So this was a day that I knew was going to be a little bittersweet for me. Each time the boys overcome another milestone in their lives it is always joyous but is also a little sad as it serves as a reminder that they are truly growing up by leaps and bounds.

This morning, we got up and headed to Mass, but it was not any Mass it was for Danny's First Eucharist. What a special Mass. Mass did not start until 10, but pictures were before. Kristin, with Future Memories, was taking pictures so I paid for her to do them, so that I could enjoy the day. Of course I still took some, well, a lot. She did individual pictures by the tabernacle from 8:30-9:30. I also used this time to take some pictures of Danny and all of his friends. I am so used to seeing them in uniform or at Mass in regular clothes that they looked so grown up in their dresses and suits. At 9:30 Kristin grouped them all together for the group shot. There were 53 children receiving Jesus through Communion for the first time today. It was so special.

After their group picture they went to the Parish Hall and we waited for the Mass to begin. They came in with flowers to put in vases to go at Mary's feet. The children's choir was singing at the Mass and they sang the Hail Mary which was gorgeous. I thought it was going to be Ave Maria, which would have meant sobbing from me instead of just the slow stream of tears. Then they took their places and Mass began.

Danny did one of the prayers for the faithful, and he did great. He spoke loudly and clearly and I was so proud of him. Every child had a part and they all did so well. I was such a proud momma, as I think we all were.

When they started to come to the Alter to receive Communion for the first time the tears were back but they were happy tears still. There is something that is so powerful about the Eucharist even to me now and to watch my child and all of these children receive Our Lord for the first time was just amazing, powerful, and so special.

There was a reception after the Mass in the Parish Hall that was done by the First Grade and their parents. Thank you all for that. My mom also had dinner for Danny at her house, but we had a baseball break before that.

Overall it was a day that was full of Faith. Holy Communion is something that Danny will always receive now and he will continue to grow in his love for Jesus. I am so proud! I thank you all who came today and showed Danny that you are a part of his life forever in his journey of Faith. I also thank you all who prayed for him during this time. Even if you could not be with him today the prayers that you said for him and this journey have meant the world to us. Thank you to all of the teachers, priests, volunteers, and more who were a part of making this day so memorable. We love you all!

Family Movie Night

Tonight was Family Movie Night. We have very few nights when we are not running and tonight was one of those nights. The boys have been wanting to see Eclipse from the Twilight Saga so that was what we watched. Well, what we are watching. I love family movie night just because it means we are spending time together and enjoying each other.

We try to make sure we take one night a week and do nothing, but with Chess, basketball, baseball, choir, cub scouts, homework, and everything else that is jammed into one week that is getting harder and harder to do. We are staying determined to keep it up. This week is actually slower with basketball just ending and baseball not quite started yet. We actually have the rest of the week off until this weekend which is jammed with activities but they should all be great.

Danny gave it up early and was sound asleep. John Michael is still going. Hopefully he will go to sleep soon so that momma and daddy can go to bed. We want to get to bed early. It helps us all function better in the mornings.

Well it s before 9, but with John Michael still awake I cannot imagine when we will actually get into bed. I am hoping sooner than later, but we shall see what he is thinking. Before I go to bed I will say a prayer for all of my family and friends. Family is so precious and that is why I cherish mine. I hope that you all do as well.

Basketball...Haircuts...GREAT WEATHER!!!!

Well, today was quite a day! We had a lot to do and a lot going on, but it was a great one!

First, I want to sing praises for the amazing weather. I could not have drawn a better January Saturday! If only it would stay, there is a lot more winter. Hopefully not a lot more winter weather though! I was able to get the van cleaned, inside and out and that alone made me feel wonderful! I have been trying to get it done and today I just did it, with the help of the family!

Danny had another basketball game. This one was against the other OLS team and the SFX Saints won again. The final score was 23-2. These boys play so well together and have a great time. Danny played well especially considering that his finger was jammed after throwing the football around Friday night with Brandon. Brandon felt horrible, but it is doing better. Still sore and black and blue, but it is better. I felt horrible because I forgot my camera. They only have a few more games so I cannot do it again. The thing was we were running late, and when I remembered it was afraid if we turned around we would be even later, it worked out that we were 10 minutes early. Go figure. Oh well, there are reasons for everything.

Tomorrow morning the children's choir is singing at Mass so it should be great! I will remember my camera. Maybe I will put it in the van tonight.

We came home tonight and Brandon wanted to cut his hair, Danny wanted him to cut his, and then my rock star John Michael wanted his cut too! Well, they all have matching haircuts now! It is so sweet and I do like it, but he looks so much older now. They grow up so fast! Prior to matching haircuts, they got matching head lights today and were super excited!!! Check out the before and after pics for John Michael!!!

Well, still not before 9 but it will happen! SOON! Before I head to bed as always I will be praying for all of my family and friends. I love you all. I hope that you have all been able to enjoy this weekend and that it continues to be great for all of us and all of you!