Life with Teenagers... already!

So this weekend we recieved a visit from Shaun's nephew, Martin.  (I didn't take pictures this weekend, but found some from when he visited for the Portuguese Feast this past Summer)

Here he is with Shaun's Mum.

Some of his siblings & cousin, Cheyanne.

Hangin' w/ Mom on the Hammock

Hogging the Hammock

and with his lovely gal, Jenna!

Martin asked "Uncle Shaun" to be his confirmation sponsor recently and we wanted to have him down for a visit to talk to him about getting ready to be confirmed and just get to know him a little better.  Turned out to be a BUSY weekend for a visit... more like a "Lenten Retreat" for this teen... and NO that wasn't planned, just happy coincidence.

Friday night Martin came down with 5 of his 6 brothers and sisters.  He's the oldest of 7 awesome "Fullens" and was probably shocked with the quiet time.  After everyone left, he and I talked music & he seranaded me with his new Mandolin! 

(He's very musically gifted & plays THREE instruments!)  He promised to learn one of my favorite musical pieces "Nella Fantasia" that uses Mandolin & Oboe (turns out his girlfriend Jenna plays Oboe... looks like I'm going to have to learn to sing it!)

Saturday we went out for breakfast at my FAVORITE breakfast place ever, Cobblestone's in New Bedford (the BEST ever)...

& then off to Adoration at the chapel to fill in for someone's holy hour.  

After that we all went "Antique Shopping Browsing", out for nice weekend drive and then out for Ice Cream & "hang out time".  I had practice and the 4pm Mass to Cantor, so Martin tagged along and got to hear "Auni Mariani" sing for the first time.

We headed home to get ready for the teenagers piling in to our home for "Movie Night".  We had about 15 Youth Group members sprawled everywhere on couches, chairs and floor.  They sucked Martin into their group, broke out Guitar & Bongo drums and made him an honorary "band" member.  I LOVE it when these kids hang out and couldn't help but hope my little one ended up SOMETHING like one of these guys or gals. 

They are awesome kids... but have a teenage sleep schedule.  (tough for this 1st trimester mommy)  Kicked the rest of them out around 11pm and headed to bed to try to quickly adjust to the time change before our early holy hour (we let Martin sleep this time).

Sunday morning I sang the 8:30am Mass and met Uncle Shaun & Martin for our monthly "Prayer day".  We were all wiped out after that (Praying is beautiful but can be exhausting...well... everything's exhausting for me lately).  I needed a nap, so everyone crashed for a few hours before heading to dinner & some deep conversation about Martin's upcoming confirmation and "goals in life".  (I'm so impressed with him and his faith.)  We headed home to Worscester and I felt so blessed to have been able to share our weekend and lives with these awesome teens.  I know they say "teens are tough" but I just love them & am so inspired when I see parents who have worked so hard to instill the faith in their young ones through a consistently solid example... and then it actually pays off!  I always learn how MUCH these kids are watching their parents (...I know everything!!!) and either desiring to be like them or scandalized by them.  I have so much to learn... and SOON....Thank you guys for the lessons in parenting!