What a beautiful ceremony we had today at Joshua’s school – I had gone in early to help the other moms in setting up. As usual, I felt inadequate. The cafeteria was beautifully decorated with caricatures of the children and there were pictures with each kid with their families on the walls. There were huge cookie favors as place setters and LOADS of food. Mom and Kennedy arrived before mass and we proceeded to church. Each mom and grandmom was handed a white carnation (in honor of mother’s day on Sunday) and then we went in to mass. The kids were so well behaved and Joshua took in the offertory. His brother had been allowed to attend the special day as all 2nd grader siblings were invited too. After mass, the kids rushed to the treats while I chatted with Fr. Tom and a few other moms for a bit. All in all it was great fun.

Joshua began his novena of flowers last night  – we are counting down. The excitement cannot be contained in our house.

Joshua and Jordan’s mom and Nana were over the moon that Pope Benedict was coming. Of course, they didn’t understand what the fuss was all about. Each time I said to Joshua, “Hey, honey, look the Pope is in D.C., at the church we go to all the time.”, he would look at the TV screen and go “OK, mom”. Then on Thursday, Jordan surprised me. He came over and said, “Do you want to listen to something?” and then went in a singsong voice ”watch the pope . com”. I was cracking up. I asked him where he heard it and Kennedy said to me they loved the Brooklyn diocese ads that were playing on Star 99.1 FM. for the week. Anyway, I couldn’t get Jordan to stop that day…. “watchthepope.com, watchthepope.com, watchthepope.com” HAHA!

This is TOO funny! Every mom’s day I think.

watch?v=RxT5NwQUtVM 

 

The guys have been home the entire week and we are exhausted! The spring break turned them into little imps.. they’ve turned the house upside down.  They scream, they yell, they run around each other like dementors (can you tell mom is a Harry Potter fan?). Anyway, can’t wait for them to be in school again

Joshua and Jordan (together with Kennedy and I) were honored to be part of washing of the feet at the Lord’s Supper on Thursday. Jordan found it very hard to sit still while Fr. Thomas went around washing feet. He kept waving his foot in the air which made his older brother furiously whisper, “Stop Jordie” – haha – I don’t think he was aware that the entire church was watching the tableau.

Anyway, I hope they will remember this day forever – that Jesus wants each of us to be servants and treat every human being with respect and love. That Jesus calls them and each one of us to be his disciples and to spread his word far and wide. That Jesus loves us…….always!

The boys pounced on the palms this morning and then wanted me to fashion them into crosses. When Monsignor walked down the aisle to bless the palms Jordan had his cross upside down, it looked like a sword It was quite funny. They were a little down today at mass as they are recovering from their illness but Joshua did sing his favorite communion hymn, “Take and eat”. I wonder what goes on his mind about his upcoming First Eucharist. I don’t remember too much of mine, except that I had a very simple dress (which I thought made me look like a princess) and brand new knee high socks. Oh, and I also remember that I was worried about sticking my toungue out; what if I didn’t have it far out enough and the host dropped. Fr. Michael would’ve been so mad at me; he was a cranky priest. Joshua need have no fear on that account. All the priests are wonderful here and they receive communion on their palm.

They will not be going to school tomorrow and I’m a little sad because they will miss the St. Patrick’s Day “green day” – they are not celebrating much as the day falls in Holy Week. Oh well, I’ll ask them to wear a little green tomorrow, for the Irish in us

The guys came down with a nasty form of viral fever and missed their last way of the cross. I missed them at mass and so did a lot of the folks at church who had seen them come diligently every Friday for mass. This week, there have been mini-retreats for the children receiving First Holy Communion (Joshua did his on Monday). Yesterday was the last one. During the homily Fr. Tom said something funny that made me laugh. He related a funny quip a little girl who attended the retreat made. Walking into church she went, “Is today my First Holy Communion? But I’m not wearing my dress!” lol. Girls/women have their priorities in place, don’t they?

Which also made me realize (my favorite topic/gripe) how much fun a girl would’ve been – the frothy dresses, veils, up-do’s.. oh well, will make do with a very jazzy tie for the guys, pink and yellow anyone??

The guys are at the stage where playing resembles a football game which can result in some serious injuries. They constantly push, pull, swing, trip and kick each other. The actions are accompanied by a lot of laughing, screaming and yelling. In no time at all, mom and I are screaming too – for them to STOP!! It’s really funny in retrospect but I think we are looking forward to many many more years of the same. Sigh! God, could you not have given me one girl?

Since I started this blog a little late in the game, the past memories may be recorded sporadically. What stands uppermost in mind today are the boys names. I always wanted a girl so when we were expecting our first baby most names we picked were for girls, none of them scriptural. We wanted names that sounded good so we picked Kristen, Karina, etc. Since we had elected not to find out the sex of the bay, it became apparent that we should pick a few boy names too, just in case. On the top of the list was Brendan, Joshua at the bottom. Right before we went to the hospital we picked two names, Kristen and Joshua. At 7:25 a.m. Joshua was born. Joshua is Yeshua in Hebrew and for anyone who knows Hindi, Marathi or a few more Indian languages we know Yesu is Jesus. Joshua means “God is my salvation” or “God rescues”. The Bible lists Joshua as a warrior who leads the Israelites out of the desert into the promised land. I look to my son and wish that God’s favor rests on him. That he stands true to his name and that he puts his trust in the Lord, just like the scriptural Joshua did. To be like Jesus of course is a challenging task, but don’t we all strive to be like him to attain that heavenly crown – it is a goal that I would wholeheartedly support.

Which brings me to the one who came after him. The surprise of expecting another baby when Joshua was still little was immense. I did look forward this time around to a girl very desperately. That would balance my family so well, right?  When the technician told us we were to look forward to another boy I did feel disappointed but then again it didn’t matter one bit. This time picking a name was easy – we decided to look to scriptures. We narrowed it down to the first letter of Joshua’s name. I know the name jumped at me one day from the gospel. Jesus being baptized in the Jordan. It seemed apt. The river which touched the Lord. The river which throughout scriptures told tales about God’s love and mercy. Yes, that was the name Joshua’s brother would have. My wish for him is to always look to his brother with respect and deep love; that they may live in faith and with their names glorify God.

I heard this song a couple of years ago and immediately thought of it as my song for my sons (even though Erin O’Donnell wrote it for her daughter). This year especially as Joshua takes another step closer to Jesus, this is my prayer not only for him but for his brother too:

You’re a little piece of heaven
You’re a golden ray of light
Ad I wish I could protect you
From the worries of this life
But if there’s one thing I could tell you
It’s no matter what you do
Hold to Jesus – He’s holding on to you

The world will try to tell you
That might is more than right
That beauty’s on the outside
And being good’s a losing fight
But remember what I’ve told you
Because the world will make you choose
Hold to Jesus – He’s holding on to you

Hold on to Jesus
Cling to His love
Rest deep in His mercy
Whenever things get rough
Don’t lose sight of His goodness
And don’t ever doubt this truth
That when you hold on to Jesus
He’s holding on to you

Hear me dear Jesus
Rock this little one to sleep
Keep him close when he’s scared
And give him grace when he is weak
I know he’ll stumble
But I know he’ll make it through
If you hold to him just like
You said You’d do
Hold him Jesus -He’s holding tight to You