The Applegates: Busy, Busy, Busy...

Well I am only slightly embarrassed that it has taken me two months to write an update post for our family, but I guess that's just part of life! Here are a few updates from the last few months....

April

April was a very busy month for Josh and I. I was gearing up for our big Confirmation retreat with over 60 participants. The week before the retreat, Josh's grandfather passes away. We knew we needed to be in Oklahoma for the funeral, so we packed our bags, jumped in the car and made our way there. It was a big leap of faith to leave work right in the middle of last minute preparations and praying that I wasn't forgetting anything. Going to Oklahoma was by far the best choice we could have made. Spending quality time with all of Josh's family and getting to visit with his Grandma Harper was time that both of us will cherish forever.

Our Confirmation retreat was a huge success, praise God everything went unbelievably smooth! My core team was outstanding and took charge to make sure everything went according to our game plan. I think it was the best retreat we've planned in these last three years. We had a huge paint war on Friday night using the Hunger Games theme for all our rules. Saturday we did low rope team building and gave the teens almost 3 full hours of free time to run around and get to know their peers. All in all I am so thankful for God's grace that weekend. It makes me excited for the future of the youth program and I know God has good things planned.

Early May

About two weeks after our Confirmation retreat, I was welcoming Archbishop Samuel J. Aquila to our parish for the Rite of Confirmation Mass. Talk about a whirl wind of a night. Planning a Mass, making sure all the teens knew what was expected of them, helping the sponsors to sit in the right place, setting up a photography station, and anything else you can think of had me ready to put my pregnant feet up by the end of the night. It was a beautiful Mass and again, by God's grace, everything went smoothly.

In addition to all the business at work, we attended two weddings in one weekend and celebrated my first Mother's day! Here are some fun pictures from our April and May events, enjoy!