Saying Goodbye

Our dear neighbors are moving today.

Peter, Joseph and Zac help Tim (aka Dr. Dude) load the moving van.

Zac decided he would never own furniture after helping load the moving van.

Joseph hands Tim another load for the truck.

Peter helped reach tight spots, climbing along the walls inside the moving van (what fun!).

At their final Sunday Mass at Sacred Heart as parishioners, Nicole and Tim (holding Miriam and Hope) receive a final blessing from Father Qui Thac.  Hannah had already departed with her grandpa, as his co-pilot in the moving van en route to San Diego.

Today we are saying farewell to our Goddaughter, Hope, and her family, Tim and Nicole, Hannah and Miriam.  We have known this day was coming, and that it would be difficult.  We have joined in their prayers that their decision to move would be in line with God's will for their family; though we selfishly wished we could keep them.  Tim received a great job offer in their home town, at his Alma matter, USD.  They are moving into a 4 generation home, together with Nicole's parents and her grandma.  What a gift for Hope and her sisters to be so close to their grandparents (both sides) and aunts, uncles, and cousins.

How grateful we are for the years we have grown in faith and love with Hope's family.

Though we will be distanced by miles, we will remain united in each celebration of the Eucharist; and they will remain always in our daily prayers.

Saint Patrick, pray for us!

Hope {Flashback Friday}

Yesterday we celebrated our Goddaughter Hope Bridget Marie's second birthday.

Seems like only yesterday she was a newborn in Peter's arms...

Peter holds our newborn Goddaughter, Hope, with big sister Hannah.

Peter holds Hope (4 mos).

Hope's 2nd birthday~ a snow day!

Hope enjoys the trills of sledding with her daddy.

What a blessing for Tim and me to have been chosen two years ago as Hope's Godparents.  Hope is a delightful, exuberant, beautiful child, full of spunk and totally, sincerely sweet; offering hugs and kisses and squealing with joy when she sees Tim, anticipating his playful interaction.

We met her parents, Tim and Nicole, and Hope's older sister, Hannah, on their first visit to our church when they had just moved to town.  They relate a funnier side of this story, maybe Nicole can add-on to the story of our meeting.

When I saw them with a realtor on the front porch of a neighborhood house a few months later, I excitedly asked if they were going to be our neighbors.  They moved into our neighborhood and into our hearts in a very special way.  We have grown so close over these years, forming bonds of family and faith; sharing birthdays, baptisms, board games, barbeque's, home-births, and prayer time.   They are the consummate hosts, always ready to open their home; welcoming us and many others for fellowship and fantastic (healthy) meals.

With heavy hearts we report that they are moving in a few weeks to be back home in sunny Southern California with family.  They will live in a four generation household, helping to care for Nicole's aging grandma and living in community with the girls' grandparents.  We are happy for them, though it will be very difficult to see them go.  They are faithful Catholics, inspiring in their Christian lifestyle, devotion to prayer, and intentional parenting.  Though we won't see Hope as often (understatement) she and her family will remain in our daily prayers and we will be united spiritually through our regular celebration of the Holy Eucharist.

Yesterday we celebrated Hope's 2nd birthday. Sledding, attending daily Mass, and eating a healthy carrot cake were highlights of Hope's big day.  We wish her a grace-filled year, and praise God for the gift of Hope in our lives!