Kamryn's First Christmas

Amazing! Stressful! Magical! Chaotic! Fun! Those are just a few words to explain our first Christmas as a family. If given the chance I wouldn’t change a single moment and I don’t know if anything would of made it any better. This was a big one for us. This is the first holiday since Kamryn was born we made sure to see all 4 sets of Grandparents! YAY!! I am so thankful Christmas is spread over 2 days because without that it would be impossible. Maybe if we could slow down time on Easter we could……? Okay, no thats not possible!

On Christmas Eve we went to Peperé and Grammy’s house and then to Pappi and GrandDee’s house. Both houses were filled with presents for Kamryn. Our little girl has it made being the first Grandchild. Both visits seemed too short, as usual, but we made it work and everyone was so happy they got to see Kamryn! We had a wonderful time!

Christmas morning was WONDERFUL! Kamryn did not understand what so ever why she was getting so many toys but she was excited! Her favorite toy would have to be “Hokey Pokey Elmo”. She points to him and when I turn him on she laughs and dances! It is too cute! We will have to get it on video!

The look on her face as we opened each gift was worth ever ounce of stress that was had and every penny that was spent to make her first Christmas extra special. You can’t put a price on the pure joy on a child’s face. She has not stopped playing with all the toys she got. From the moment she wakes up until its time for bed. I feel as though I have to peel her away to get her to eat and even then shes wishing that she could play a little more.

Christmas Day we went to see Mikes Grandmother, his Dad and Brothers at his Grandmothers house. Kamryn was spoiled, as always, and a great time was had by all. We followed that up with a trip to my Grandparents house where Kamryn got to see all of her cousins (2nd cousins and even 3rd cousins). Along with Mimi and Pop Pop, Grammy and Pa (her Great-Grandparents) and her Great Aunts and Uncles.

Christmas was so special this year, but I will say I am thankful it will be awhile before we have to do all that running around again! There are only a few people in the world that we would go through all that trouble for and I’m so happy that we did it. Mike and I have learned that family is so extremely important! I think its easy for some people to forget that. At the end of the day its all we have and its important for us to remember that, especially at the holidays.

We hope you all had an amazing Christmas surrounded by those you love and who love you!

Love and Blessings,

Mike, Kristen and Kamryn

Confirming Our Faith

Last weekend my brother, Zack and I received our Confirmation. Most people just assume you receive this sacrament when you are in high school but unfortunately sometimes life gets in the way. During my high school years and Zack’s middle school years we were being shuffled from Quincy to Holbrook and then back again. We missed the CCD sign ups and unfortunately were not able to enroll. Sure Mom and Dad were upset but then life just goes on…

Years later I met Mike. Its safe to say Mike has always been in touch with his faith. Mike went to St Josephs for elementary school and Cardinal Spellman for high school. Actually he was the only one of his brothers to go to Catholic high school. This was his choice! Not something you hear very often from a 14 year old. Throughout our relationship he has always told me how important it was to him to be married in a Catholic church. Now I’m going to be honest, this was not at the top of my priority list. I wanted the one stop shop and a huge party! The 5 minute ceremony, followed by the open bar cocktail hour, and finally the best reception anyone has ever been to! The kind they would all talk about for years to come!

Naturally, probably the minute we were engaged, I started to plan our wedding. Mike stopped me quickly, “Remember I want to get married in a church…”. I remember thinking UGH! Really?!?! But I agreed. He sat me down at some point and told me it was the only thing that made sense to him. It was the only thing that mattered to him. In his eyes we wouldn’t really be married if we weren’t married in a church. He told me I could do anything, have the reception anywhere, pick whatever colors, whatever cake, flowers, ANYTHING, as long as we were married in the Catholic church. I thought long and hard about it and came to the conclusion that Mike was right. My whole life I was raised a Catholic. Yes, we slack off and don’t go to church nearly as much as we should but we still have faith. It wouldn’t be right if I wasn’t married in a church. I remember being border line nervous to ask Mike if we could get married in my childhood church. It was weird. I don’t know why I was nervous but I was. This was the church I was baptized in. Where I received my first communion. Before I knew it, I couldn’t imagine being married anywhere else. Thats when I started to become nervous. I didn’t want to be selfish. This was the only thing Mike asked for and now I’m asking to be married in my church. Well I asked and of course he said yes. He was elated that I wanted to be married there.

To be married in the Catholic church you don’t have to be Confirmed anymore. But this was something that meant a lot to me. I didn’t even realize it for years that it even mattered to me until now, but it did! This was about us. I felt both of us should be known members of the church to do this the right way. (Finally do something the right way in our lives, whatever the right way may be.)

I found out through the Deacon, that will marry us in July, about an adult Confirmation class taking place at another parish in Quincy. It was a 5 week course, every Sunday for an hour and a half. You would not believe how much Zack and I learned in that 5 week span. Our class was about 12 people who were all doing this for their own personal reasons. As soon as probably the first class I noticed right before my eyes my religion actually made sense to me. I think and hope it had the same effect on Zack. Both of us enjoyed going and were sad when it was over.

We had our grandparents be our sponsors. The ceremony was held on a Sunday afternoon with about 33 adults from all over the South Shore. With the age range from about 18-70. Besides the fact I was extremely sick and almost fainted mid mass, it was a great day!

Thank you Grammy and Pa for being there with us. We are so proud to have our Confirmation names be Edward and Margaret! WE LOVE YOU BOTH!!