The Faith Award

Spring 2025

The spring I become a Mom to a 12 year old boy! Oh my heart! The unique and bittersweet and emotional mark of motherhood with your firstborn. I often wonder if all moms are the same with their firstborn? Are you? I suspect it’s a universal mark of motherhood that we have this special bond and connection with them…for all of their firsts are also our firsts as as Mom. Maybe it’s also because I’m a firstborn myself that they hold a special place in my heart…my empathy and resonance is with them. The journey of the parenting guinea pig and the treasure of being a first is one I’m so grateful to have walked myself!

So last week, on Holy Thursday, our sweet Nicholas Michael turned 12. 12 years of mothering this incredible soul. 12 years of firsts with him. It was the most emotional birthday yet, I suspect they all get harder on your mama heart too? Sounds surreal to even type that I have a 12 year old son! What an honor and JOY to mother him! I remember thinking, God was so good in sending him as our firstborn: a natural leader and caretaker, the firstborn responsibility and desire to do the right thing, help others, work hard…it all comes natural to him. He’s ALWAYS thinking of others and looking how to help in the house and with his brothers, the most amazing organizer and builder and thinker and reader. So many gifts he’s been given! His smile and joy and humor are also a favorite. One coach called him, “Smiley,” and what joy that was to hear! He’s an athlete and a musician…others seem to notice his athleticism more than me…a football coach asked him to play for his first year as a new 6th grader and he just WENT for it - being the smallest on the team by far….and by the end of the year gave a speech basically comparing his heart and hard work to Rudy (oh my heart). His many violin teachers through the years have always complimented him on his musical ear! And in his first year in middle school the music teacher recruited him for choir! Praise God! the well-rounded young boy willing to try everything! “Sure, Mom.” is his frequent response. “What do you want me to do, Mom?” another one. Oh my heart. Walking through the firsts with him has been incredible and I’m so grateful. God knows he’s probably also gotten the most worries and prayers and criticism and pressure that I’ve failed to manage so many times. Maybe this is another reason our firstborns are they the way are. (and explains why those second born beasts and third born entertainers are that way too? Love studying birth order and the effects of it on personality too!) Either way, with every kid: God knows and God uses everything.

Reflecting on this past Lenten season & Easter turning 12 - this one has been quite unique and amazing. Through our many firsts together: Our first year becoming a school family together. His first year in school as a 6th grader! And my first year as a middle school mom! I couldn't be more proud of him…for making new friends, for getting straight A’s (three cheers for homeschooling!) and working so hard in school and for going to basically everything I sign him up for….gosh, this kid rarely complains and is always helping! but most of all, what I’m most proud of and want to always remember about this year: is his FAITH award.

I remember the day I got the email from his awesome teacher titled, “good news to share,” (thank you God for the teachers you assigned to us this year!) “Dear Mr. and Mrs. DeRose I am excited to share with you that Nicholas will be receiving the Virtue of the Month Award for FAITH in 6A. He is always a positive member of our class who truly celebrates his Catholic faith in both words and actions. I hope that you can join us for his award presentation.” Oh my gosh, my heart was overjoyed! I had been praying specifically for him to get some type of recognition and God was so good to allow THIS to happen. Our Holy Week baby, getting the Faith award - was truly the greatest gift.

The award presentation started on Ash Wednesday and Nick and I went along with his grandparents. On top of that, he got to serve the mass and was in his alter boy alb for the award! Oh my gosh, the way the Holy Spirit plans things is just amazing.

I’ve been less active on social media this past Lent just taking it all in, and how coming off of the emotional 12 year old week I want to thank God for all of HIS goodness! Nick got to be part of the 6th grade Passion Play as a reader that was performed the day before he turned 12! That second picture with all 4 grandparents there. The beginning and ending of Lent was such a mark of his path to turning 12 on Holy Thursday. Thank you God for this boy who made me a Mom and his gift of faith. I pray that you continue to watch over him and all of his brothers and cover them in YOUR love.

Thank you for being here! and I encourage you to write about your kids birthdays and how the Holy Spirit is working in the timing of them and the how He’s answering your specific prayers in their lives! Write out your prayer intentions for each kid and don’t doubt how God is working :) Take the special bonds with your firstborn and all of the emotions that come and press on with the rest!

God bless the era of middle school parenting! And all of our motherhood eras in between :)

Sending love and JOY this 2025 Eastertide - Alex

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