We are now a family of SIX...

The journey of child-rearing is one for which I have been blessed three-fold.

Nicholas at age three in 1989

First Nicholas was born in 1986, then Emily came along eight years later in 1993.

Emily, four years old in 1997

Christopher was born in 1996, almost three years after Emily.

Christopher at eighteen months in 1997

I have had the joy and privilege of being a stay-at-home mother and I can honestly say that raising my children has been the most fulfilling thing I have ever done. I have loved every moment of it. I remember when they were babies saying that I never wanted them to become toddlers. Then at the toddler stage, I didn't want them to become pre-schoolers and so on. Each and every stage just got better and better as they grew from tiny, fully DEPENDENT infants into beautiful, fully INDEPENDENT young men and woman.

Nicholas & Christopher before the California wedding, August 18, 2013

Emily & Nicholas before the Mexico wedding, August 24, 2013, photo credit: Roby Fisk

Christopher & Emily before the Mexico wedding, August 24, 2013, photo credit: Roby Fisk

But I have to say that these current years are the BEST!!! I love interacting with my "children" as adults and the conversations that we have are so full of life, energy and the quest to learn, grow and accumulate knowledge and life-experience.

However, I always knew that my goal was to raise my children to leave. That might sound strange, but I believe that God entrusted me with these tiny beings for the sole purpose of teaching them to be fully independent and functional adults who spend their lives contributing meaningfully to this world in which we live. I can only pray that I have succeeded in reaching this goal. 

Berenice & Nicholas in the Wente Vineyards Barrel Room, August 18, 2013, Photo credit: Chris Cozzone

Last month, my firstborn, Nicholas married his best friend, Berenice Rosales, and I couldn't be any happier! They married at Wente Vineyards in Livermore, CA on August 18th and then again in Huamantla, Tlaxcala, Mexico on August 24th.

Berenice & Nicholas at the end of the evening of their wedding in Mexico; fireworks and all! Aug. 24, 2013, photo credit: Ricardo Bandala

Both weddings were unique and magical. I will never forget either one of them and the lovely mix of family and friends. I can't even say that I liked one better than the other... they were each special in their own way. During the planning of the California wedding, I remember wondering how I would feel on their wedding day. I've heard of mothers being sad because they're "losing" their child (especially their firstborn) so I wondered if I would experience this sadness. But alas, I woke up that morning feeling exhilarated! Wasn't this what I raised him to do? To become an independent adult who falls in love and marries his best friend? And the double blessing was that I would be gaining a daughter that day... a beautiful young woman, inside and out who loves my son so much that she wants to spend the rest of her life with him. Could life get any better than this? I LOVE my new daughter!!!

A lovely moment during the California wedding, August 18, 2013, Photo credit: Chris Cozzone

 

And so now we have gone from a family of five to a family of six and I couldn't be any more grateful to God for this blessing! I can't wait to see Bere and Nick again and to continue to be a part of their lives, supporting and encouraging them as they navigate this thing called "marriage." I do believe they're off to a great start and I wish them a life filled with love, adventure, fun and growth!

Our family of SIX!!! Photo Credit: Chris Cozzone