Did you get pinched today?  We actually all wore green shirts except for Daddy…he had to do blue with a small green stripe.  Apparently, “green” is not part of his wardrobe, but that’s ok, blue was actually first associated with St. Patrick’s Day anyway!  :)  I find St. Patrick’s Day a particularly interesting holiday.  It is amazing to me that so many of our “holidays” revolve around Christianity and the belief in Christ and yet our country is constantly trying to kick him out of everything…hmmm.

Do you know the history of St. Patrick?  Here is a brief history lesson.  He was born in mid 300 AD.  He came to Ireland basically as a missionary to witness to the Irish people.  Although there are much more successful missions later after Patrick, he is given much credit bringing Christianity to the Irish.  He was a missionary for nearly 30 years.  He died on March 17, 461.  The coolest part…is where we get the tradition of the shamrock.  It was said that Patrick used it to explain the Trinity to the Irish people…three separate leaves…yet one shamrock.  Isn’t that cool?  There’s a little history for you on why we celebrate St. Patrick’s Day…

Well, a couple of years ago I signed up to be a rep for a company called Once Upon A Family and their whole mission centered around family & traditions you create as a family.  Well, one of their suggestions for St. Patrick’s Day was a “Lucky Us” book.  Something really simple…basically you declare St. Patrick’s Day as a day to reflect on just how “lucky” you are to have your family, friends, etc.  Well, I wouldn’t say that I really believe in “luck” per say, but we have used the word loosely and this will be the 3rd year of our “lucky us” record in our book.  I feel so lucky/blessed in so many ways…family, friends, community, life…but mostly, that I know God has a plan.  That I don’t have to depend on “luck”!!

Today we had some dear friends up to our home.  Our kids are all the same ages…and they all just have a ball the entire time they are together.  I just love that.  We made some Shamrock cookies in honor of the holiday…however this is the sole survivor after six children came through the house in a whirlwind…

I hope that you had a GREAT St. Patrick’s Day!  If you haven’t had a chance to think about how “lucky” you are…take some time to do that.  Write it down…date it and put it in a place where you can reflect on it often.

Blessings!

Janelle