Several weeks ago, I spent some serious hours on my computer and scouring my office looking for Will's birthday party photos. I had all but given up. And cried. Not because the photos were going to take Pinterest by storm, but because the memories would only reside in my brain and nowhere else. It was such a spectacular morning and I feared there would never be documentation of that joy. It killed me. And then I decided to say one last prayer to St. Anthony. I sat at my desk, emptied the drawer I had looked in 1,000 times before in search of the camera card. Alas, after taking everything out, nada. Then, the papers I was holding in my hand slipped. A St. Gianna prayer card landed on … [Read more...]
A Teenager, Again: Happy 14th Will
Today, our oldest turns 14, and y'all know what that means. It's time for me to get sappy. But, I'm also painfully aware that what I write on this blog is now read, and approved, by said 14yo. His friends read this space sometimes, so I'll do my best to keep from embarrassing him. This one's for you, Will. --- Dear Will, I blinked and now you're 14. That really happened. It's crazy, because so many times in the last six months, I've caught myself seeing you in a different light. I'm watching you turn into a man. It frightens me and warms my heart, all in the same moment. Parenthood just kills your emotions sometimes. I'm trying to calm the "he's leaving in four years" … [Read more...]
A Bishop’s Greatest Lesson
This Bishop taught me to love. More importantly, he taught my son to embrace holiness. Today, Bishop-Elect Daniel Garcia will become Austin's first Auxiliary Bishop. And, no doubt the Mass will be beautiful. I'm quite certain there will be some poignant moments as his family recognizes his new appointment. The altar will be spectacular as all those priests and bishops gather to celebrate the consecration. And, yes, I'll probably tear up a tiny bit (blaming it on the nursing hormones). But, my tears won't be because a great man is becoming a Bishop. No, those tears will come because of the great influence he's had on my eldest son. Several years ago, when we joined the parish, Fr. … [Read more...]
So…about Christmas
I know. We're nearly 30 days out from Christmas Day. Math isn't my strong suit. I shared a bit of the Whitaker family Christmas, but thought I'd show you the rest. You know, because I'm timely like that. Rather than give you the montage of what we did, I'm sharing my ten favorite moments of Christmas Eve and Day. Are We Done Yet? John Paul looks about as excited to be at Christmas Eve Mass as I am about getting my teeth cleaned. Will, look at you, Mr. Responsible. Luke? He's just done. D-O-N-E. And, we even went to 4:30PM Christmas Eve Mass! The girls, looking so happy and chipper. Then there's the skinny man holding Luke. So proud of you, Scott! Hard work is paying off. Mass was … [Read more...]
It Was Holly and it Was Jolly: Christmas 2014
In total, I think we hosted 16 people, other than our family, for the Christmas holidays. That's a whole lotta crazy fun right there. Let's start with the Nutcracker. For the fourth year, my mom took the girls and I to Ballet Austin's Nutcracker. As usual, it was fabulous. We've managed to time it so we arrive in just enough time to park, use the bathroom, pre-order our intermission drinks and find our seats right before the curtain comes up. This year, we cut it pretty close since I had a tiny window in which to nurse Gianna and make it back again for her next feeding! We even ran into my sister-in-law and niece after the show. Thanks, Mom, for making this such a special outing for … [Read more...]
