12 Happy Birthday! 12

This past week Lily Grace turned 12 years old.  It was one of the most fun birthdays and really special.  
She kicked the week off with a sleepover with her best friend Pearl.  Those two giggled, ate, giggled, watched a movie, giggled, ate, played and giggled some more.  
The big day started with a requested breakfast of herb baked eggs, prosciutto and a strawberry smoothie. She woke to gifts ( a new unexpected set of golf clubs from mama and daddy), decorations and of course one excited dog!
She took in cinnamon caramel donuts to celebrate with her class and I carried her and Pearl Chick-fil-A for lunch.
She arrived home to a cute little spread for snack and a few more gifts.  
Once her homework was complete and she had eaten a little snack, she was off to the course with her daddy to try out those new clubs.  After working up an appetite we prepared her requested dinner and celebrated some more. 
Thank you to everyone who called, text, emailed, sent cards, gifts and wishes.  You were so sweet to think of Lily Grace on her birthday and I assure you she was blessed and touched by your kindness.
Daddy and I had so much fun celebrating with you, and we are enjoying watching you grow Gracie Cakes.  We are so proud of all that you do and all that you are becoming!  You are bigger than any birthday wish.  You are a cherished blessing!  We love you!

Gracie requested tacos for dinner when P slept over.  Pearl came the day before and brought LG a matching shirt for them to wear and celebrate.  Too funny! And yes, Molly was all up in the mix of things.

A fresh little island centerpiece for breakfast

So excited to come downstairs and find decorations and a new set of clubs.  (She had to forego breakfast in bed this year because her breakfast request  is baked and served in very hot individual gratin dishes.)

We loved these new candles.  You light the center wick and it shoots sparks and ignites 13 other candles on petals that open, spin and play Happy Birthday. Actually, they were so much fun, we did again at dinner. 

Before leaving for school

She had a putt off with her daddy before leaving for school.

Enjoying lunch with Pearl

Instead of cake, LG requested homemade mini lemon cheesecakes.

The snack spread she came home to after school.

Trying out her new clubs (even though it's still chilly here) after school with Daddy.

Easter in Erie!

Good Friday we left Indiana for Easter in Erie, PA.  Erie, PA is the home of St. Joseph's Bread of Life Catholic Church where Father Larry Richards is the pastor.  Father Larry is well known from the books he has authored, his talks that take him all over, his podcast and radio show and more importantly, for telling it like it is.  He's not your typical priest.  He may even make you uncomfortable and he's happy to do so and you end up better off because of it.  He doesn't shy away from reminding you that it's all about serving God through serving  others, how have you helped the poor and needy?  We are made in the image of Christ and the way you treat others is the way you are treating Christ.  He will remind you that Christ forgives anything if you just ask.  He's not one to sugar-coat things and his humor and catch phrases help him relay how very much Christ loves us.  Father Larry's keep it real approach is extremely relatable.  

Upon arriving Friday, we met this very nice gentleman, Tommy.   He was all smiles and told us that church would start in an hour.  He asked where we were from and made sure we signed the guest book.  He shared something funny Father Larry had said to him (which was priceless) and made us feel most welcome.  It was priceless.  Without him saying so, you could tell that Tommy truly loved Father Larry and that serving Christ and the church means the world to him.  Tommy also serves the church as an usher and greeter.  He was one of the kindest souls we have ever met.  

Lily Grace and I listen to Father Larry's homilies every day on the way to school.  There are years of homilies on his podcast and we are working our way through.  

With PA only 5 hours away, this year, LG requested a trip to see Father Larry and hear a homily in person instead of a birthday party.  We chose Easter weekend so we could attend Good Friday service and the Easter Vigil on Saturday.  

We made it to the Good Friday Easter service and Lily Grace was so excited.   Father Larry gave a wonderful homily and we couldn't wait to return for the Easter vigil.  

While in Erie, we drove the short two hours on Saturday into Canada to take in Niagara Falls.  The Falls were beautiful and we had a lovely day.

Saturday evening we returned to the church for the 9:00 pm Easter Vigil.  It was one of the best Easter services we have attended, a true celebration of the Resurrection   Father Larry once again gave an amazing homily and the people of the congregation were among some of the most welcoming and delightful.  A sweet couple Donna and Ron took us under their wings and honestly, it felt like meeting your grandparents to sit with them at church on Sunday morning.  The church secretary, Cheryl came over having remembered me calling the church and introduced herself, shared stories and promised Lily Grace that she'd help her get a moment with Father Larry.  

I can't begin to explain how special this trip was.  We will forever be better for having met all of the people that we did and the impression they left on our hearts will remain there always.  Having Lily Grace ask to visit a priest...well, I am most thankful to Father Larry for being so relatable, for continuing to help foster a love of faith and Jesus in Lily Grace.  I am so thankful for a parish that listens about service and then served Christ by treating us as He would, with kindness, grace and genuine interest.  I am so thankful that we were able to spend Easter in Erie and for a God that speaks to us in ways that our hearts need and for the unexpected ways we never imagined.  

Jesus has risen!  He has risen indeed!  

Our view of Lake Erie from our hotel room

Crossing the border

Looking across to NY from Canada

Niagara Falls from the Canadian side

Rainbow bridge connects NY and Canada

Hilarious

Gracie and I thought this upside down house in downtown Ontario was pretty cool.  

  Poutine is a popular Canadian dish and we had to try if before leaving.  It's fries with gravy and melted cheese on them.  

Lily Grace and Tommy- See that crucifix around Gracie's neck.  It belonged to Tommy and he gave it to Lily Grace and told her Happy Birthday.  He was so happy to give it to her.  Father Larry said it was quite special to Tommy.  I hope Tommy knows that he will always be special to us. 

The church ( which is 150 years old) was decorated beautifully for  Easter.  

And yes! She got to meet Father Larry, give him a hug and get her picture made with him.  She was super excited.  He left her with,  "Be a good girl and be a nun."  He then gave our family a blessing  for safe travels home.  We spent a few moments with Christ in the adoration chapel before heading back to the hotel.  Thanks be to God!

He did it! & We made it!

Matt returned home on Friday, March 9th from his two week international study in Spain.  Last Wednesday, he took his LAST final and officially made it through the Purdue EMBA program.  
I can't begin to express how excited we all are and how wonderful it feels to have our lives back.  Matt's been relaxing a bit, all while wearing a huge smile. Gracie and I have been making tons of noise without worry of disturbing Matt's studies.  
We are so very proud of him!  Matt actually had to fly to Mexico for business a week after returning home from Spain and took his final in Mexico.  So, as you can imagine when he got home this past Friday, we spent the entire weekend relaxing, having fun and embracing our freedom as a family.  
With the end in sight, Matt has been looking forward to getting finished, updating his clubs and getting more time on the golf course.  
Thank you God for seeing us through these past 18 months and for the opportunity that Matt was given.  Thank you for such a wonderful job at a company where Matt has worked and grown for more than 22 years and still enjoys so much.  We are so very blessed!  Thanks be to God!
We are so proud of you Matt!  You are such a blessing to Gracie and me.  We love you so much! 

Getting fitted for a new set of Ping golf clubs, which he has definitely earned!

The golf club where we are members opened yesterday at lunch and these two braved the wind and damp cold air just to hit balls on the range after Matt got home from work.  I held down the cart bundled up, it was way too cold for me. We are still in the 40's/20's right now and soooo ready for Spring!

Happy Chinese New Year! Year of the Dog

Gracie, who just happens to be out of school today for teacher conferences, woke to her money filled red envelope in celebration of Chinese New Year.  This is the Year of the Dog.  Gracie Cakes was born in the last Year of the Dog back in 2006.

Date Night: Daddy Daughter Dance

This past Friday night, Lily Grace and Matt had their monthly date night.  They headed downtown for dinner and then attended the Valentine's Day themed Daddy-Daughter Dance at her school.  
They had so much fun!!!  
I received texts and pictures throughout the night.  I think my favorite text (and unfortunately no picture or video) was Matt bragging that he was cool (complete with 😎) because he made it to the third round of the Daddy Dance off. ha!  I so wish I could have seen that.  According to Gracie it wasn't that impressive. ha!ha!ha!
Regardless of how he did in the dance contest, he is a true winner when it comes to his role as a father.  Matt would do anything for Gracie, especially if it puts a smile on her face.  
Those two arrived home laughing and spilling all the details.  I'm guessing they spent a lot of time on the dance floor since the first thing I heard from both of them as they came in is that their feet hurt.  
Thank you God for the blessing of family!

They looked adorable! 

Pure Love

Family Day Fun: 11 years

Tuesday, January 30th marked our 11th Family Day anniversary, the day Lily Grace was placed in our arms.  
Gracie Cakes usually skips school, Matt takes off work and we spend the day together having fun.  Now that she is a middle schooler, she elected not to miss school and have to make up a lot of work.  We totally understood.  She attends mass twice a week and Tuesday is one of her days so we started Family Day at school with her.  We attended mass and thanked God for the blessing of our family. After school, we headed downtown for dinner to try a new farm to table restaurant. 
With Gracie having the day off from school today for a teacher retreat, we decided to simply move our celebration to today.  Matt took off work and we headed to Indy to try out the new Top Golf, do a little shopping and enjoy a wonderful dinner.  Lily Grace has declared it one of the best family days ever.  
We've had a lot of laughs and thoroughly enjoyed ourselves.  It has been a very special day indeed.  
We are so very blessed!  

After mass on Tuesday, Gracie thought we should get our picture made by the Holy Family statue.  After all, it is Thanks be to God that we are a family.   This was also Catholic Schools week and LG lucked up and got herself a dress down day.  

We had so much fun at Top Golf despite the cold, and I do mean COLD!  While the bays are heated, they are still open to the outside and when it's 18 degrees out and the windchill is 8, it's COLD!  You also can't pile on too much because it will affect your swing.  We could have cared less.  We took each other on and laughed it up!  We made it two hours before we had to call it and go thaw out. 

Red noses and cheeks...

....and hearts full of love!  

🎉 Happy New Year! 2018 🎉

Another year of blessings has gone and we can't wait to see what 2018 brings our way.  We are blessed, blessed, blessed!

LG set up a photo booth for the night

Even Molly got in on the celebration fun 

LG had her best friend Pearl over to spend the night and ring in the new year.  

They enjoyed playing the night away and a little dress up too!

Happy New Year! 

Blessed Christmas!

 "She will give birth to a son and you must name him Jesus, because he is the one who is to save his people from their sins."  
Matthew 1:21

Happy Birthday Jesus!  Thank you Jesus!  Your love is so great that you lowered yourself as a child to take on our sins.  Thank you for your love and forgiveness.  Thank you Mary for saying, "yes!"  

After the three of us enjoyed a morning at the movies seeing the new Star Wars film, Gracie and I made a birthday cake for Jesus. His love and forgiveness are the greatest gifts we will ever receive.  

Lily Grace actually made this gift wrap for my gift.  

Christmas Eve we enjoyed a late lunch before Christmas Eve mass. 

Christmas Eve brought a winter front and it snowed all day and into Christmas morning.  We had the perfect white Christmas with a high of 18.

Yep! Matt and I played a little joke on Gracie Christmas morning with this picture we took Christmas Eve.  We all got a good laugh.

All smiles as she makes her way downstairs Christmas morning

She was all smiles to find the BB8 droid waiting for her.  

She had Matt get right to work on the assembly and charging of BB8.

This girl still loves a good dress up dress.  She wasted no time changing.

Molly got to dig into her stocking so we could keep her occupied. 

I love my new bracelet.  It has two heart charms, one with L and one with M for the two loves of my life. (Oh! That would me Lily and Matt.  I love Molly but...)

Gracie and I surprised Matt with a new fishing net and lanyard.  

As that thing talked and rolled, Molly found a corner away from the action.

Gracie Cakes and I tried out her new lip balm making kit.

Matt and I took a nap and I woke to find Lily Grace trying out her new architect kit while sitting in the lid of the box.  Molly had fallen asleep right beside her.