Happy 8th Birthday Henry!!!

Dearest Henry,

It's hard to even know where to begin describing the joy you bring to our lives with your very unique personality at 8 years of age.  Your silly quirky side makes us laugh often while your deep spiritual side never ceases to amaze us.  You continue to be a very old soul - you find your greatest joy in doing yard work, volunteering with the Knights of Columbus, cooking, and spending quality time with Mom and Dad and siblings.  You are really into cub scouts and have been enjoying playing basketball this winter.  You work hard in school and do very well.  You are well loved by your classmates and have a great group of friends. You and your buddy Davis recently decided to start a prayer group for second graders during recess on Friday afternoons.  You take this very seriously and have been making agendas and passing out prayer cards.  You also pride yourself in taking cold showers and doing Exodus 90 with Daddy.  Your quick temper can sometimes be a struggle for you,  and us your parents.  But your love and passion supercede everything!  Always remember to stay true to the special wonderful boy God created you to be!  We love you so much!  Happy Birthday Henry!

Love,

Mommy and Daddy

HENRY'S FAVORITES AT AGE 8

Stuffed Animal/doll - Baby David

Food - Chicken Potpie

Movie - Star Wars: Return of the Jedi

Show - Star Wars Rebels

Clothes to Wear - camo clothes

Game - Yatzee

Snack - Goldfish

Animal - Lion

Song - "God's Not Dead"

Book - The Boxcar Children

Friends - Davis, Colin, Matthew E., Matthew W., Nicky, Charlie

Drink - Water

Outside Activity - Yard work

Sport - Basketball

Park Activity - Hide and go seek

Inside Activity - Playing laser tag with my brothers in the basement

Place to go - Home Depot

Fruit - Watermelon and pears

Vegetable - Cucumbers

What do you want to be when you grow up?     A missionary

What gives you joy?     My friends and family

What makes you sad?     When I don't get to see my friends or Mom or Dad are at a meeting and can't tuck me in at night

What do you think heaven is like?    A multitude of saints and angels waiting for me

Henry requested a Cub Scout themed cake this year.

As a family, we take turns with birthday parties and try to only have a big party with friends every 2-3 years.   This year was not Henry's year for a friend party.  His birthday did happen to land on a Saturday though and Shawn had planned to have his Encounter group come over that evening for a family rosary and service project night.  His group was getting ready to volunteer at the homeless shelter and needed to bring a whole bunch of bagged breakfasts that they give to the people in the morning when they leave the shelter and head back into the streets.  Henry was very excited this event landed on his birthday and wants to try to do a service project on his birthday every year now. 

Assembling the bags for the homeless

We were so pleased Fr. Martin could join us for the evening.  He heard confessions, lead everyone in the rosary, and gave an inspiring talk to all the grownups while the kids played in the basement later in the evening. 

Thanking God for our blessings - which include all these wonderful friends!

Fr. Martin also gave Henry a special blessing on his birthday!

Later that night after everyone had left, Henry opened his gifts from us.