Y'all know me and parties. Like a bee to honey. For many of us, it's sacrament season - baptism, First Communion or confirmation. The trifecta! This year, we're celebrating confirmation (hooray!) and next year will be our fifth First Communion. I do so love inhaling holy oils. Sometimes, the joy of the day gets overshadowed by all the things we worry about. Here, I share my five best tips for loving the day, loving the people there to celebrate and loving your faith. Keep the focus on the Sacrament. Whether you're celebrating your child's baptism, First Communion or confirmation, keep the focus there. On Jesus. It's easy to get lost in the details, find yourself obsessing over the … [Read more...]
First Communion: The Beauty of the Day
When I cried opening the cookie box, I knew it would probably be a good idea to wear waterproof mascara. Having three First Communions under my belt, one would think I know what to expect. But the Holy Spirit surprises me every time. When Will celebrated his, my brother was kneeling next to me. He grabbed my arm and gave it a squeeze just as I started to fall apart. I won't ever forget that moment. With John Paul, I nearly missed the big moment. Luke started fussing and I beelined for the back. But, just as John Paul approached the priest, I spotted an open seat...just feet away from him and got a front row seat. What a moment. Sweet Anna-Laura's celebration involved my husband … [Read more...]
First Communion: The After Party
Y'all will get the full 411 on Clare's big day this week. But first, let's talk sugar and fajitas, shall we? If you've been reading the blog for any amount of time, you know how much I dig the party. Always have. Just ask my mom. A few weeks ago, I shared how to plan a feast for a sacramental celebration and today? Today I'm showing you how all that came together at our house. I can assure you of this. It was great fun. It was all about our First Communicant. Her full name is Clare Rose and that served as the inspiration for the whole day. When guests came in the door, they were greeted by this {yes, those are edible flowers/cookies}. That vase you spy has a beautiful … [Read more...]
HDYDI: Plan a Lovely First Communion Party
Yesterday I shared my ten gift ideas and left you with a chance to win more than $300 worth of First Communion goodness. Today? Today, we talk parties. Later this week, I'll share the sacramental love. With six kids and as the self-proclaimed birthday junkie, I adore a good party. What can I say? I'm a southerner. Hand me some sweet tea and a slice of cake and I'm yours. Some of you have asked how I do it. I'm making good on that promise. Please know that throwing parties and planning celebrations are my love language. I really dig the details. You might be the kind that books your favorite restaurant and calls it done. And that's okay. We all have different gifts and this one … [Read more...]
First Communion: 10 AWESOME gift ideas and an EPIC giveaway (like $300+ epic)
Hold on to your chalices, this giveaway is crazy awesome. As most of you know, we're gearing up to celebrate a most beautiful sacrament in the Whitaker household in t-minus 15 days. EEK. I have written about why I love First Communion so (and you'll get more this week) and two years ago I even did a week-long series. Pinterest and I are tight. Never fear, this week you'll hear more about the beauty of the day and why it brings me to tears. Every. Single. Time. Today, though, it's all about sharing my love for the sacrament with y'all. I gathered together some of my most favorite things in all the world and one very lucky Team Whitaker reader will walk away with the First Communion … [Read more...]
