This Is The Life

My little Avenger just has me smiling all the time these days!  This is such an amazingly fun age!  I love hanging out with him, talking to him, playing with him, hugging on him, cuddling with him and just loving him.

I look at him and see this confident little boy who knows what he likes, what he doesn't like and why. He's thriving in school, socially and oh my goodness academically.  His teacher is always telling me how impressed she is with his intelligence, especially for being so very young (he's the absolute youngest child in the class).  His math skills are off the chart, his reading and spelling pretty close as well.  I haven't told him this myself though, for a variety of reasons.  I don't want him to stop working, stop trying to learn.  I don't want him to know that this stuff is coming easily to him because one day, most likely very soon, academics will not come easily for him.  There will be subjects or concepts that stump him, and I want him to not be afraid to try and possibly fail.  But he's starting to realize that he's doing a bit better than some of his classmates.  

Athleticism doesn't come easy to him, though he loves playing basketball, baseball and soccer.  He's begged to go to basketball and soccer camp this summer, and I'm betting that had baseball been sooner he would have asked for baseball camp as well.  But though he has to work hard in the sports arena, he does so with gusto and excitement.  It's been amazing to watch how much he's grown in just a year in all three sports.

I still think running is going to be his forte.  This child is fast, fast, fast.  My parents say he's an excellent swimmer as well....I'm looking forward to seeing him in the pool this summer.  

It's just mind-boggling that I have this person, a real live person with thoughts, opinions, ideas, likes and dislikes living in my home with me, riding in my car with me.  It's only been 6 1/2 years yet it feels like we've been together for 6 1/2 decades.  There are times I can't remember him not being here.  Then there are the times I want to cry for knowing that in 12 years he won't be here every day.  I'll look in my rear-view mirror as I drive to work, see his empty car seat,  and my heart ends up in my throat.   

I loved having a baby.  I loved being pregnant.  I fully expected to love those aspects of being a mother.   But goodness I am bowled over by how much I'm loving being a mother to this child, this person, this little boy, this gorgeous soul.  

 

Tate's First Communion

Tate celebrated his 1st Communion today.  It was an absolutely beautiful ceremony and watching my sweet boy reaffirm his faith and move so much closer to Christ brought me to tears.

He's been attending 1st Communion classes Sunday morning for about 5 weeks and yesterday he attended a 3 1/2 hour 1st Communion Retreat at our church.  It's been an amazing journey for both of us;  I'm so excited that he now understands the importance of the sacrament of Communion and that we can share this together on Sunday mornings.

Yesterday after the retreat there was a Renewal of Baptismal Vows for the children in the 1st Communion Class.  It was just a lovely service, absolutely lovely.  Father Doug who baptized Tate performed the Renewal Ceremony.  Tate and I were blessed to have my parents and his godmother with us as well.

The children decorated candles during the retreat and each
was lit by Father Reagan for the renewal of baptismal vows.
The newly made candles were a representation of the candles they
received at their baptisms.  Tate's is the one on the end on the right! 

This morning Tate was able to receive Holy Communion for the first time.  We were so blessed to have my parents, Shelley and her daughter attend as well as our closest family friends, our closest church friends and my sister and her family.  Sadly, Lindsey was out of town with some girlfriends, so she wasn't able to make it this morning.

It was an absolutely beautiful Spring day in Houston.  Tate and I arrived at church and got him lined up with his fellow classmates with his gorgeous stole that he made yesterday at his retreat.  The children processed in and sat as a group for the service.

Watching Tate receive his 1st Communion had me in tears again and watching my sweet boy bow his head in prayer after receiving Communion made me so proud and reminded me of what an amazing God we worship.

Ms. Carol has been teaching the 1st Communion
class for 10 years.  This cross was made from the
handprints of all the kids in this year's class.

Mommies all dressed up :)

Tate and I had everyone come back to the house for lunch and celebrating!