Easter and Spring {Pretty, Happy, Funny, Real}

Spiritual Exercises Retreat in Akron

It has been 3-4 years since I have been able to get away for a weekend retreat. I was all set to go this year when I learned John's bowling party was the Saturday evening of the Retreat. I was not going to miss his senior year party and awards and felt I was going to have to go another year without my retreat when it hit me in prayer one day to see if I could do both. So that's what I did. It was so good to get away and spend a silent (except of course the 2 hours of bowling party craziness) weekend. The priest who led the retreat was Fr Perez from Spain.

 He was a gentle man with a great sense of humor and his talks were inspiring,

 He spent the weekend helping us to see ourselves as beautiful daughters of God.

 I took a little walk Saturday after lunch and this is what it looked like outside. 

 The bowling party

Sweets!

                                                                3 silly seniors

                                       3 smiling seniors and coach Long (what a great coach!)

The senior crew

Jen, Kinzie, John, Abby Ann, Meagan, Adam, and Coleman

Surprise!

John received a phone call to inform him he had won 

1st place in the Libray instagram photo contest!

He entered through school and we didn't even know.

Elle made it home the day before her birthday for 7 wonderful days!

 I was able to have coffee with her and Colleen Friday,

 celebrate her birthday with family on Sunday, 

drive her back to Columbus on Monday,

 go to the Art Museum and Chik-fil-A lunch with her and Thomas on Tuesday 

and finally say good bye to her at the airport on Wens with Colleen and John!

I am trying to etch these special days in my memory.

 I think the most vivid picture I have stored is looking down the pew and

 seeing my whole family together on Palm Sunday. 

Celebrating Mass with my whole family....priceless!

My four blessings. 

I don't think a day goes by that I don't thank God 

for the privilege of being a mom to these 4!

Create

I have seen doodle stitching on pintrest and decided to give it a try. 

I got a quick picture before the boys changed clothes after Easter Mass. 

Aren't they handsome!

We spent the day with Aunt Ann, John, Evan, Sue Bill Chris Samantha and Grandpa. We had fun stomping around their property checking out all of Ann's gardens, the chickens, and enjoying the company of family and the beautiful spring weather as we celebrated the joy of Easter! 

He is risen!