This is officially my new favorite picture. Aren’t they the cutest?!

Riley’s great aunt spoiled us with a shopping trip for a new suit. Shopping with Riley can take a few hours so I had my chai tea and I was ready for the marathon. We walked into an almost completely empty Dillard’s. He walked right up to this suit and told me that it was exactly what he wanted. Twenty minutes later we were back in the car with the suit. He had the biggest smile you’ve ever seen.

Saturday morning, Brian took Riley to church to prepare for Mass. Nate, Mary Alice, Sebastian, and I had a surprise up our sleeves. We created a ‘candy land’ in blue to celebrate.

There were seven families in a small ceremony, complete with masks and social distancing.

Father Mike gave a beautiful, memorable homily. In the Catholic Church, August 15th is the Solemnity of the Assumption of Mary. I remember when I became Catholic in college and I was struggling greatly with the idea of loving Mary so much. Father Mike shared a quote on Saturday and I just smiled. This was the quote that brought me so much peace as I knew I would eventually grow to understand:

“Never be afraid of loving Mary too much. You can never love her more than Jesus did.”- St. Maximilian Kolbe

Our sweet Tia was his sponsor. She is such a blessing to our family. It really made it feel like a celebration having her there!

Riley chose St. Dymphna as his patron saint. It is always such a joy and an honor to watch as your children choose who they would like to intercede for them. It gives such a deep glimpse into where they are at this point in their life.

I am so proud of Riley. Usually, you have Religious Education all year and finish with Confirmation and First Communion, with the prayers and the traditions fresh in your memory. He was so nervous that he wouldn’t remember, but he did perfectly! Job well done, sweet Riley!

Thank you, St. Bernard’s of Clairvaux for an absolutely beautiful day.