Monday Morning Coffee Talk

Good Monday morning! I hope you had a lovely weekend and stayed cozy and healthy. We celebrated this past weekend. What, you ask? Well, we celebrated a very special birthday for a very special young lady. Our Flynn Grace turned 13!!! Yes, the little one that answered my prayers and completed our family is 13. I could lament how I cannot believe it is possible, and it would be true. But I remember clearly rocking that precious baby in the glider in my bedroom, thinking, "Live in this moment. Breathe in the joy of rocking this baby. Don't let this time pass without being fully present, and one day years from now, you will feel peace because you will know you savored every single moment of having this precious Flynn Grace in your life."

So we celebrated our teenager Saturday by going to mass, where Christopher played his violin so beautifully, and then came home to dinner with the people who make Flynn's life so special. Dinner was Steve's marinated chip steak, Madison's homemade macaroni and cheese...the best I have ever eaten and steamed green beans. Flynn's choice! Dessert was provided by Peyton, who made three of Flynn's very favorites: fudge, pumpkin bread, and an amazing chocolate chip skillet cookie that she baked here and served warm with ice cream and chocolate sauce. Everything was as delicious as it sounds, believe me!

Flynn opened presents, we played a trivia game and visited far into the night. She was blessed with wonderful gifts: a pair of Rudolph sweatpants from Rhett and Kyrstin that she immediately put on and a pair of red Converse hightops that made her very happy! She received texts, calls, and cards from friends and relatives throughout the day, making it the best birthday for our family blessing, Flynn Grace.

Pictures to remember the fun:

Mom and Dad

Madison and Nicolas

Madison, who turned 13 a week after Flynn was born and secretly planned a beautiful surprise baby shower with her friends and their mothers that I will remember forever...

Peyton and Chris

Peyton, who prayed and prayed for a baby and loved Flynn so much she became her second mother from the day she came home from the hospital and continues to text with her every single day...

Rhett and Kyrstin

Rhett, who was just seven when Flynn was born, wanted a little brother so badly but changed his mind the minute he laid eyes on her in the hospital and introduced her to his love of movies, music, and Taco Bell...

Margie and Chris

Aunt Margie and Uncle Chris, who love all my children as their own and spoil Flynn with love and presents and will always play games with her...

Aunt Marian

"Aunt" Marian, who is a constant in Flynn's life, always seems to know the trends before we do and makes Flynn so happy whenever she visits...

Aunt Sally

Aunt Sally, who showed her love of Flynn before she was born by cleaning my house and making me dinner every week while I was pregnant, and who makes Flynn feel so special always...

Happy Birthday to my Flynn. She is the most easy-going, laid-back, caring young person ever. She loves drawing, music, hoodies, Halloween, and family. She is never in a bad mood and never falls asleep during movies. She loves homeschooling and is devoted to her love of our Catholic faith. She has friends of all ages and is always smiling. She loves dark chocolate, tacos, and being home. And we love her!

Have a wonderful Monday, my friends!

And if you are cooking Thursday, don't forget to put your turkey in the fridge!

Billie Jo