TWO!!!

Two years ago, I began my 4th of July celebrations with a tiny little sharp pain and a burst of water.  It was 12:30 am and my water had broken.  I was just. so. very. relieved!  Mr. 4th of July was supposed to be born on June 25th, and I was very very ready for him to come!

I heard fireworks as I sat there, marveling at my beautiful baby boy, born at 3:30 am on the 4th of July, named for the 3:00 Hour of Mercy into which he was born, in 2016, the Year of Mercy.

So, what do you do when your baby is born on the 4th of July?  Well, you go ahead and celebrate!

It's funny, but "Sam" is the blog name I chose for this boy, after Sam Gamgee, to round out our "fellowship" here on the blog.  It occurs to me that it's an appropriate name for this boy, "a real live nephew of my Uncle Sam, born on the 4th of July!" lol

Sam's red hair has bleached out to a strawberry blonde, like Bilbo was.  Sam isn't a fly-weight.  He loves to run and romp and throw balls with his brothers.

He is completely doted upon by everyone.  Every day someone tells me "look at Sam! Did you see what he just did?! He's sooo cute!!!"

That's the gift of being #9.  None of us can imagine life without this sweet, chubby Two year old!

In two days will be the Feast of St. Maria Goretti, the "Little Saint of Great Mercy".  I can't have a birthday post without a shoutout to the great Saint who heard my prayers, when her major relics went on tour in the United States for the first time, in honor of the Year of Mercy.  That was in October.  I had just gotten over my first miscarriage in August, and was begging God for just one more.

Two days before her Feast day, Sam was born.  I would have had "Maria" as part of the name if he had been a girl.  Instead, his middle name--Clement--means Mercy.  And it is Mercy that I received in abundance!

Each child is precious.  Each child has their own story to tell.  This is Sam's story, and I celebrate it today with a very full heart.  Full of gratitude and thanksgiving.


Happy 4th of July!! and Happy Birthday Sammy!!!

"Come and hear,

all who fear God,

and I will tell of what

He has done

for my

soul"

(psalm 66:16)