Happy Birthday Joseph!

Today my seventh child is nine years old. It is a wonderful day and it will be a happy one because that is Joey.

Joe is one of the sweetest kids I have. I think when he was a toddler I only had to spank him maybe once, if that. He has always been a good kid. Very quiet, very sweet, very loving. We tease him when he says he has to go to confession because the boy never does anything wrong. He'll say, "I have one sin that I have to confess". The boy is so good that he will tell us when he needs confession, unlike his siblings who have to be dragged kicking and screaming to confession while I tell them how many times they need to confess being disobedient to mom and dad!

So today is my Joseph's birthday. I have to admit, I love the kid. He has the deepest brown eyes that a mom falls in love with. He always has a smile for me. I never want to see him get hurt. The other day I had to take him to the dentist and he had to have some cavities taken care of, I stood behind the dentist and I almost cried. Joe was great. I was having panic attacks. I knew it had to be uncomfortable for him, but he was a trooper. I on the other hand, felt like I needed a valium when it was all over.

I know there are moms who wonder how you can have enough love for so many kids. But I see each one of mine as a special treasure that God has given me. They are as different as nine children can be. Each one has his or her own personality and specialness. In our family we make a big deal out of each person's birthday. A really big deal. It is their special day. King or Queen of the day.

Today it is Joe's turn to be the King. And we will all let him know how special he is to our family.

I know that God blessed me nine years ago today with a very special little baby boy. And I thank God for him. I love my Joey.

If you are reading this say a prayer for Joseph. He wants to be a priest when he grows up.

Happy Birthday Joseph Daniel. Mommy loves you.