Happy Birthday, Bishop!!!

Happy 11th Birthday to my wonderful baby boy, Bishop!

(Shhh, don't let him know that I referred to him as my baby. He takes offense to that these days but all you parents know where I am coming from on this one. Even as I encourage him to grow and become a man, he will always be my baby).

I wonder what wishes he makes just before he blows out his candles.

I know that I wish for him a life lived with purpose, the kind of purpose that comes from living life according to God's will, in obedience to his plan.

As cliche as I might seem, I wish for him a life full of love and joy.

And, it is my daily prayer that he will be a godly boy who will grow to be a godly man, husband, and father.

The wishes of a mother...

As is our custom, we celebrated Bishop's birthday with a simple family celebration in which the birthday boy gets to make the dinner menu.

This year's menu was a mexican bar with flour tortillas, corn tortillas fried into taco and tostado shells, two different types of spicy meat filling and one that was less spicy, two different types of beans, homemade salsa, cheese, and the other accoutrements.

For dessert we had a cream cheese pie and ice cream sundaes.

Stuffed and satisfied from our meal, we then moved on to gift giving.

Bishop received a five-in-one tool kit for his 72-hour pack.

He also received a watch that went to Iraq with Dad.

A special gift for a special boy!

We love you, Bishop, and look forward to celebrating many more birthdays with you!

Our Epiphany

Let me begin by wishing my youngest son, Bishop, a very happy birthday!

I love you and look forward to celebrating your birthday tomorrow when Daddy gets home!

So, today we celebrated Epiphany.

The table is set in the liturgical colors of dark blue and purple, the spiced breads and apples are ready for serving,

and the magi are prepared for the final leg of their journey.

After reading Matthew 2:1-12, the boys placed the wise men in the nativity.

"From the East came the Magi to Bethlehem to adore the Lord; and opening their treasures, they offered costly gifts: gold to the Great King, incense to the true God, and myrrh in symbol of his burial, alleluia!"

"O God, who by the guidance of a star did this day reveal your Only Begotten Son to the Gentiles, grant that we who know You by faith may be brought to the contemplation of the heavenly majesty, through the same Christ, Our Lord. Amen."

"O Lord, Almighty God, bless this house that it may become a shelter of health, chastity, self-conquest, humility, goodness, mildness, obedience to the commandments, and thanksgiving to God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Upon this house and those who dwell herein may Your blessing remain forever, through Christ our Lord. Amen."

"May Christ bless our dwelling, and remain with us throughout the new year, and grant that our comings and goings will be in search of truth."

And so, we celebrated Epiphany and bring to an end the days of Christmas.

And as it ends I am reminded just how much I am in need of God's grace and mercy.

You see, the pictures and notes of my blog capture just a brief snapshot of our family and do not reveal the complexities of our relationships and a life lived together.

Certainly there was beauty in our celebration this evening but there were also relational irritations that make the above blessings even more poignant.

'O Lord, may our home please become a shelter of kindness and edification, of goodness, mildness, humility and self-conquest. And, O Lord, thank you so very much for your forgiveness and your gifts of grace and mercy; likewise, may we extend forgiveness, grace and mercy to those around us.'

Happy New Year!

"Happy New Year!!!" says Bishop.

Maceo, on the other hand, refuses to give you all a New Years greeting.

This goofy picture of Maceo was taken after he had given a New Year's Eve performance at the community theatre. (I told him that I would post on the blog whatever picture he permitted me to take...so here it is in all of its glory).

Each year, our arts council organizes a 'first night' celebration in our downtown area and we participated in this event last night.

We saw a college basketball game and Maceo's performance at the theatre.

And had a blast at the Discovery Center.

After performing, Maceo went to a friends house to bring in the New Year. He found their New Year's traditions to be particularly interesting; i.e. they all threw pennies out of the windows in order to ensure good luck in the year 2012.

Meanwhile, Herb, Bishop and I hung out at home.

Bishop and I listened to my Everly Brothers album while making gingerbread houses.

Bishop had a great time making this house...

...and making this mess...

...and making some noise!

Our family had a wonderful time celebrating the arrival of a new year and we hope you did as well. Also, we pray that you have a blessed 2012!!!