First Communion

At first I felt embarrassed and let down with myself for not blogging about this special event right away. But the more I thought about it, I realized that it perfectly fits into a blog post right before Mother's Day. Mainly because of this quote right here...

'To have a child is to forever have your heart walk around on the outside of your body'

Our big boy made is first communion last weekend, and that is exactly what it felt like... I felt like I could see my heart in this precious boy. I felt like watching his sweet smile, his eyes filled with anticipation, feeling the nervousness in his hands as he held mine, looking around at all the preparation and all the other parents that day was like seeing a full length love story on the big screen and I was privileged enough to get a VIP front row seat!

All day long I was in awe of the symbols of love, and snippets of my heart that popped into my line of sight...

Symbols that showed me, I no longer had sole possession of my heart. It now resided with this fantastic boy, who stole it the minute he was born and continues to hold it captive with every step he takes and every day he grows into a man! And the best part of all that... I am OK with that fact, the fact that my heart no longer belongs to just me!! I get the amazing chance to see this boy grow into who he was meant to be...

We celebrated, we hugged, we talked about how neat this was for him... But secretly it was the neatest for me!!! I adore this child, and not just because of this step he made in his faith... I adore him because he is ours. The mass had a scripture read that gave the analogy of a tree... a gigantic tree, where God was the trunk and we all were limbs and branches given life from this glorious tree. And as long as we, the branches, stayed connected to the trunk, we'd forever be feed and nurtured... growing stronger and stronger. What a perfect example of love, of family, and of heart! 

The scripture reminded all of us about the book 'The Giving Tree' and we talked about that very thing right before we went into church, about how in taking this step our big boy was connecting himself with God forever. He was now a limb that proudly gets to be attached to God's tree trunk. Isn't that a beautiful thought? It brought it all full circle for me, how when I decided to become a mom, I was saying that I was ready to be connected to this child for the rest of my life. I would be his base, his tree trunk... giving him stability, nurturing, strength, love, even my heart if he needed it!!

By the end of the day, we were all pooped from the excitement of the day and the bussle of the weekend. But I will forever remember the love I felt, and how my heart ached with pride when I saw him receive God that day. I know I will have many, many more days that will show me again that my heart no longer resides just within me... and I look forward to each and every one!!!!

Always - Abbey

First Family 5K

Last weekend we decided to add to the madness of soccer, first communion, family in town... 

and we threw in a Family 5K!

The boys have been asking to do one since their cousin and friends have done them before. I am all for packing in as much fun as you can to a weekend... and with sweet family moments along the way, who cares about getting up early, rushing from event to event or missing couch time?!

Our plan (or at least the plan in my head) was to start off with a bang, for photo opts of course, but then walk most of it because we had the little man with us and both boys had soccer games right after! Man... I could not have been more wrong!!! Our family, including and mostly the little guy came to RUN!

There is one thing our family of four is learning as we grow together... we come by competitiveness naturally and the drive to compete is just part of who we are! Who knows why or how or when but we enjoy being active and we love a good sporting event!!

With that said, we know that being competitive is a fact for our big boy...  sometimes we have to reign him in when it comes to playing sports, wanting to compete and his intense drive for being the best! But, our little man is a bit more laid back and easy going... we are just getting into sports with him and thought he wouldn't be as driven, I mean he is only four!! Well... he proved us wrong!!! The little guy was not messing around with this 5K!! He had winning on the brain and there was no looking back and absolutely no walking!!!!

Because of my (failed) mental plan.. I had brought along our fully packed backpack, that I graciously gave to my hubby to carry! Needless to say, he was not thrilled that we ran most of the race...

He was a trooper... 

To quote 'running like he was at basic training with a loaded pack and all'!!!

There was laughter, sweat, eventually some walking, but lots of smiles!

As the little man sprinted off with his Aunt, we stayed back with our big guy! He is not a professed long distance kinda guy! He is quick, and all short term bursts but no long distance legs. 

(must be why he plays up front in soccer) ;) 

Either way, he gladly walked with his dad and I! I had been the camera girl most of the race, but wanted some sort of documentation of my efforts... so I passed the camera to the hubs and proclaimed, 'let's pretend we are running'!!!

It wasn't met with excitement, and didn't last long.. but I got in some of the pictures!!!!

(note who is now carrying the military loaded pack)

In the end, we all finished... little man with the best time of the group: 39:00 minutes!! And I got to run the last half mile with our big guy... this time there was excitement!!

And cheering!!! 

(and I still had the pack) ;)

Always - Abbey

How we treat others...

Lately the theme around our house is manners...respect...caring...doing our best...and treating others like you want to be treated! I read this cute blog a couple of days ago from Jones Design Company, where it asked 'what kind of family are you'? And it really got me thinking...
If someone asked, what kind of family are the Lewis'? I wonder what people would say, what would they offer up as a glimpse into our team of four?? What would one of our boys say if asked what kind of family are we?
We try to teach our boys to put their best foot forward and always know that they are a representation of the Lewis Family no matter where they are or what they are doing... but it's a hard thing to teach and consistently hold true to, even for me!
First, I'd like to think we are a family that has fun!

We laugh, we cry, and we do it all together... always trying to share everything no matter how good or bad times get! A family should be able to share and know that they are being heard! Even when we don't want to, we listen.. I think the world needs more listeners! God knows, we have enough talkers and boasters around to fill a small planet. But it takes a kindness of heart to listen and allow others to have their moment without overshadowing them...

I'd like to think we are a family that takes time to savor the small stuff...

I want our boys to notice the details in life, to acknowledge them in others and celebrate them when even the tiniest of things goes their way! Life is hard enough to go thru, but without hoorays, secret winks, long hugs and atta' boys, life would just be plain unbearable! I want our boys to be their own cheerleaders and a pep rally for those they care about!

I want our family to know it's OK to be who you want to be...

Rock crazy pj pants, for as many days as you can...even when it's 85 and sunny outside! Don't look to others to lead your way, rely on yourself and know that only your heart can tell you what is right or wrong!!! I worry that we all deny ourselves our own happiness way too much because someone gives us a sly look or a disconcerning remark that shuts down our train of thought to the point where we trade off our dreams for those dreams that we think look better in other's eyes! Be who you want, if someone doesn't dig it, then that's their loss!

Basically, I want our boys to embody the self worth and confidence that allows them to be still when they want and to run crazy if they feel the need...

Knowing when enough is enough and when to pour more on is a tricky thing! Right now our boys don't have that filter! They are learning that if a kooky dance gets a giggle one time, that doesn't mean to do that same dance for 15 minutes straight... lord help me, they are learning this! We all want to be something to someone, whether it be the funny person, the smart person, the lovable one or the one they all fear... Wanting and needing to be important is part of life! But we are trying to teach our boys the limits that should come with that! First and always be important to yourself... others will come along eventually! And if that certain someone, you thought was awesome doesn't come around... that just means God has someone even more awesome waiting in the wings to be a part of your life!

Friendship, love, caring... treating others like you want to be treated, that's what I hope our family embodies! Inside our four walls and outside in the world Team Lewis will strive to be just that... a family of four doing our best each and every day to be the best that we can be, for ourselves and others!

Always - Abbey