Seven Quick Takes

1)

It's Phil's birthday today!  

33 and as handsome as can be:

Awwww, isn't that romantic?

2)

Maggie started celebrating a little early ;)

Don't worry Mom, it was empty!

We will party hard tonight with a lasagna dinner and sheet cake for dessert.  That's what I could finally coax out of Phil as to what he wanted for his birthday dinner.  My kids have it all planned out for weeks, but Phil hates making me do any extra work or having anyone go out of their way for him at all.  It's something I love about him, but also makes my gift-giving love showing personality hard to please.

3)

I put this photo on my Instagram, but this cookie was so good that I can't.stop.thinking.about it. 

 I usually only like ATK Chocolate Chip Cookies, but this was the first time I had a bakery cookie that truly surpassed my expectations.  Best part?  They sell them at my kids' soccer games!  Guess who will be showing up more often??  Kidding, sort of.

4)

This is a terribly blurry picture, but just look at my Xander and my friend's daughter out in the middle of a huge field sitting and having a conversation.  The sweetest!

Oh my gosh, I bet our moms are totally planning our wedding right now.
Moms are so embarrassing.

5)

I went to Maggie's "Muffins with Mom" at her school yesterday, and was able to capture her singing/praying these two songs.  I love Catholic schools! 

Maggie is really developing a great sense of holiness and responsibility this year.  Her teacher told me she was such a good girl in school, and that Maggie told her she was being good because that's what makes Mom and Dad happy.

The other day, she was reading a Saints book and was so sad that it didn't have a St. Margaret in it.  Phil explained that there are so many saints, they couldn't fit them all in one book, and then he said "One day, maybe kids will be reading a book about the story of St. Margaret Martin" and her eyes got real big and she teared up and said "Oh, I so want to be a Saint!" Melted my heart.  Right there on the floor.  A big puddle of heart goo.

6) 

Lindsay's birth story of her EIGHTH baby was so beautiful and touching, you must go read it.  It felt very similar to my labor with Maggie, and I'm really praying for another one like that.  And speaking of babies, my long-time friend, Beth, who blogs at A Mom's Life, made a huge announcement last week.  Show her some love and prayers, if you don't mind.

7)

Don't forget to enter the $150 giveaway to Bath and Body Works!  

You can't win if you don't play :)

Have a wonderful LONG Columbus Day Weekend everybody!