Easter Vigil

As we've done every year for the past four years (maybe even longer than that), my family and I attended the Cathedral's Easter Vigil.  It's the highest mass of the year and is super long, but super beautiful.  I think the mass lasts almost 4 hours ... but in that four hours, you get a beautiful mass/liturgy, baptisms and confirmation!  This was our second year taking Zoe to the Vigil ... last year was a breeze since she was only four months and slept through the entire thing.  This year, at 14 months, I had a feeling that it would be a little more tricky =).  Sure enough, the minute Zoe saw all the candles lit for the vigils, she wanted to touch them or try to blow them out.  I had to take her away from our pew several times just to calm her down ... I was hoping she'd be up for a nap but she couldn't get there unless she was away from all the "distractions" ... so I found myself downstairs near the mausoleum and bathrooms (oy the things mothers will do just to get their kids to nap!).  Needless to say, it took quite a long time for Zoe to fall asleep. Mike and I had to take turns "wearing her out" until she finally let sleep take over her little body with about an hour or so left in the mass.  Even though I missed most of the vigil and my arms were burning from holding a 25+ lb toddler, I was relieved that she was finally able to get some sleep =).  I tried to stay in "prayer mode" the entire time so that I could be part of the vigil in some way ... not to mention that the more I focused on praying and on "Easter" the less I felt the crazy workout that was going on with my arms, legs and abs =).

The mass ended past 11 pm and Zoe woke up just in time to pick up her special Easter gift from her godfather Kevin (he left it for her at the security desk).  On the way home, my mom and aunt were trying to guess what "holy" gift Monsignor Kevin gave to Zoe ... when she opened her gift, we were all pleasantly surprised to find two packages of goldfish crackers (Zoe's fave!).  It was so cute and funny and thoughtful of him ... clearly, he's trying his very best to win her over (she's still playing hard to get with him) =) ...

Despite the minor hiccups Zoe presented at the Vigil, it was still a beautiful night and a great way to end our Lenten journey ... I guess once you become parents, the key is to be FLEXIBLE and to find little opportunities to honor God and still be a part of the mass in some way =)

My little Easter angel =)

A cute flower friend from Ninang Tasha!

Gift from Ninong Kevin!

Tired =(