Lauren's 1st Communion

 Lauren and her banner.

 Lauren and her sweet friend, Emmeline

 1st Communion Cake

 Our growing family

Our family picture would not be complete without Aunt Joanie, Uncle Paul, and Ryan. We are so blessed to have them in our lives.

The special day finally came. After a whole year of preparing, including me attending 10 RE classes, 2 meetings, and a retreat, Lauren made her 1st Communion. It was a beautiful day and a bit emotional as I remembered that my mom was there in spirit. She would have been so very proud of Lauren. My aunt and I held back tears as she mentioned that to me the night before.

I just don't know what I would do without Aunt Joanie and Uncle Paul. I grew up with BIG family celebrations for all holidays and every one of my cousin's births, baptisms, 1st Communions, confirmations, and graduations. Those are truly the best memories of my childhood. I had always dreamed of having a big family and sharing all of life's accomplishments with lots of aunts, uncles, cousins, grandparents, etc.... but that wasn't God's plan for my family. Somehow, my aunt, uncle, and cousins fill in the gaps. They come 4 hours to share their faith and love with my kids. They play anything the kids want to play and give them their undivided attention for hours and hours. Each and every one of my children feel so special when they are around and as you can imagine, Stephen and I can let our guard down and relax a little. We enjoy celebrating mass with them and I love how my children behave and participate in mass when they are with us. Every time they leave, Stephen and I wish we lived closer. I try to plan in my head some way we can close the gap between College Station and Gladewater. For now, we will have to wait until the 4th of July to see them again and make new memories. 

1st Communion Banner

You will need:

scissors

swivel head precision blade (scrapbooking)

felt rectangle

wooden dowel

gold rick rack

gold glitter felt "paper" found in felt section at Hobby Lobby

white glitter felt "paper"

gold "rope" ribbon

felt glue

hot glue gun

patterns for the chalice and host (search on internet)

last name printed on computer using Microsoft word

marker for tracing

1) Cut out patterns of chalice, host, and letters

2) Trace on the back of the paper. Place letters upside down on the back of the glitter paper so that when you cut it out, the marker will be on the bottom.

3) Measure rick rack across the felt, leaving a little extra on each end.

4) Cut 3 2" strands of rick rack for the loops

5) Position all pieces on the felt as you wish to glue them.

6) Glue rick rack onto felt with felt glue. Apply pressure or set heavy books on the rick rack to dry (a few minutes).

7) Repeat for chalice, host, and letters.

8) Fold rick rack loops over and glue ends together with hot glue gun (felt glue did not work).

9) Place loops on dowel and space apart.

10) Hot glue the left and right ends first, making sure the dowel will be level. Then hot glue the middle loop.

11) Measure, cut, and tie the gold rope on each end of the dowel to hang the banner.

 I saw some other beautiful banners at our mass. Some families used religious scrapbook kits found in the scrapbook section of any craft store. Others used sequins. Some families fastened family pictures to their banners. Each one was so unique, just as our kids are.