A Simple Twist of Faith

Surfer Girl

Bumblebee and I have been busy in the kitchen again.  Today, we baked a birthday cake for one of our friend, Surfer Girl.  We're no professionals, but we were proud of our results.  More importantly, Surfer Girl really enjoyed it. 

Bumblebee hard at work!

Tackle It Tuesday # 9: The Guest Room

Some people have junk drawers, some people have junk closets, some people, like my friend, Bridget jokes, have junk tables.  But I have a secret weapon in the war against clutter, it's called the guest room.  When people come over, I just throw all my junk into it and lock the door.

This week I cleaned it out, we will see how long this lasts.  At least, I took pictures so I can remember how it looked.

Before

 

and After:

Staycation Vacation Top 7 Picks

This week, my husband took a week off of work, and we had STAYCATION vacation.

Here are my daughters' top picks of the week:

1.

Riding the Waves at the Oceanfront.  As my six year old put it, "It's what I do for a living...ride the waves!"

 

7 Quick Takes Friday Volume 32

After a five week hiatus, I am back with 7 Quick Takes Friday hosted by the amazing Jennifer Fulwiler at the Conversion Diary.  For more Quick Takes, check her out!

It's been a long cool February and March, but spring is finally here in Tidewater Virginia.  This week I am thankful for:

1.

The Return of Good Health

No more colds, sinus infections, strep throats around here!  With the pine pollen everywhere, allergies abound, but I finally found a medication my Ladybug can take that works!  We are all sleeping better,and feeling better!

2.

The Weather

This past week the weather has been lovely and we are enjoying istening to the robins, counting the cardinal and blue jays, and playing in the backyard.  Hurrah for spring!

 

3.

Home Schooling

Ladybug started her first grade Math book on Monday she is enjoying the challenge.  I an enjoying the more independent work, and am able to work more with Bumblebee on her letters and numbers.  Bumblebee is loving the extra attention, and is now able to identify many more of her upper and lower case letters.

4.

The Gospel of John & My Bible Study Group

For the past 13 weeks, my Bible Study Group has been reading the Gospel of John. During the past four weeks, the chapters we have read correspond directly with the upcoming Sunday gospel readings. First, it was the Women at the Well, en the Blind Man, then Jesus Raising Lazarus from the dead.  Yesterday's lesson, Chapter 12, and Jesus' procession into Jerusalem.  Next week, when we meet on Holy Thursday, we will be discussing Chapter 13, Jesus washing the feet of his disciplines.

5.

40 Days for Life

 Unfortunately, due to illness, I was unable to be as active as I was in the fall, however I was able to hold a prayful vigil for four of the Fridays.  Standing in front of the Planned Parenthood on a busy street during rush hour traffic is  a humbling, and vulnerable  experience.  As I write this 404 babies have been saved nationwide in this campaign which spans March 9-April 17.  Thank you all for your participation with prayers, fasting and alms giving. 

6.

The Generosity of Others

I thank everyone who helped make Ladybug's birthday special.  We had a wonderful time, and thoroughly appreciate generosity of all.  I thank Stephanie for the box of beautiful spring clothes you send just in time of the warm weather.   

 7.

Project Simplify & 40 Bags in 40 Days

For the past five weeks I participated in Project Simplify hosted by Tsh at Simple Mom.  Part of my Lenten journey, was to do some old fashion spring cleaning and it really helped clear out my mind.

I am donating my abundance to the Salvation Army and to my new niece  as part of 40 Bags in 40 Days.  I only got up to 13 bags, but I am still working on it.  Slow but steady wins the race,  and that has been the story of my life. 

7 Quick Takes Friday Volume 31

1.  My husband's friend, send him a present in the mail this week, a CD by John Michael Talbot.  Thirty years ago, they used to listen to it when they were in a Baptist youth group.  Now, as a convert to Catholicism, the album has an even more special meaning to my husband because the songs are from the Liturgy of the Mass.

 

 

Enjoy the Moment

Yesterday is gone, tomorrow has yet to come, trust in the Lord, and live for today; I recently wrote as a comment on my friend, Bridget's blog, The Ivey League.  If only I could follow this advice myself, I added.  Often times, I struggle with letting things go, and relaxing.  I let the anxieties of life crowd my mind, and leave no room for fun.

As a home schooling Mom, I worry that my kindergartner is not keeping up with her parochial school counterparts, so I push her. On Monday, we had instruction even though it was a school holiday. We learned about Martin Luther King, and watched an excerpt of his "I Had a Dream" speech on you tube, along with our usual Catechism, Math, Science, and Language Art curriculum.

At the beginning of the year, I choose the word BALANCE for 2011. I realize I must place a balance between work and fun.   I also need to be trully present to my husband, and my children, and not being distracted by my mental "to do" list. One thing I am trying to do is to enjoy the moment.  

Last night was such a moment. It was the chili cook-off at the Knights of Columbus hall.  Nothing fancy, it was a simple, family event. However, it was one of wonderful evenings when everyone was having fun.  There was no fighting, no crying, and no misbehaving.  So, we ended up closing the place down, and the girls went to bed at 10:00 pm, an unheard bedtime for children in our house.  Today, we all with the exception of Daddy, woke up late. As I write this at 9:30 am, we are still in our pajamas. Last semester, I would be freaking out.  I would be pushing the girls to get dressed, to brush their teeth, and to start circle time.  This semester, I am going to have another cup of coffee...

 

I LOVE IT!

Thank you all for your birthday greetings, they made me feel very special and drove away my winter weariness!

I had a lovely day. 

My husband arranged a good friend of ours to keep the girls and took me out to dinner.  We went to Olive Garden for shrimp, salad and minestrone soup.  (Thank you for the gift card, Bozena, it came in handy!)

After we returned home, he presented me with a beautiful bouquet of flowers, a homemade chocolate tart, a heartfelt card, and a bottle of bubbly. 

 

Merry Christmas to All

I wish you and your family peace and joy as we celebrate the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ. This year has been filled with many milestones for my family.  In April, on Ladybug’s 5^th birthday, we received the final order of adoption for Bumblebee.  In May, I started my new career as full-time Mom to my girls.  I also started my blog.  In July, my husband was elected the Grand Knight for his Knights of Columbus council.  In August, we began our home schooling adventure as Ladybug started kindergarten. In October, Ladybug learned to ride her bike without training wheels.  Not to be outdone, our three-year old graduated from her tricycle to a 12 inch bike.  Soon, training wheels will be a thing of the past for her too. This year has been a challenge for our family. We have learned to live abundantly on much less than last year. Most of all, we have learned to trust God and follow the Holy Spirit. Thank you for being part of this wonderful adventure. Merry Christmas to all!

Week of Joyful Hope and Sorrow

For my family, this week has been a mixture of joy and sorrow as we began Advent, but also said farewell to a dear friend.    On Sunday,  we began the first week of Advent, the week of hope. As Catholic Christians, my family celebrates in "joyful hope" the coming of the Lord.  Advent is a time of waiting, much like an expectant mother awaits the birth of her child. I recently read an article entitled Waiting in Joyful Hope by John C. Webster, Bishop of Salt Lake. He encourages his diocese "to slow down, be patient, and to wait."  On Tuesday, my husband and I attended the funeral of his beloved friend who died suddenly of a massive heart attack the day after Thanksgiving. The church was filled with family, friends, and brother Knights of Columbus.  The mass was followed by a special service in which his name is inscribed on a chalice and given to a needy parish.   A traditional Irish Catholic celebration followed, with toasting, singing, music, and even laughter. It was just as our friend requested. As Christians, we know that a funeral is a celebration of life and we live in the hope of salvation.  As my five-year old said, "Mommy, everyone should be happy. Mr. T is in heaven with Jesus." Next Friday, I will be back with 7 Quick Takes, until then please hop over to Jennifer at the Conversion Diary.

What ' s Important

Like many of you despite my best intentions, I stressed over Thanksgiving and having 20 people over my house.  I obsessed  over the amount of baking, chopping, cooking and cleaning that the holiday entails. About an hour before our guests arrived, my husband and I were fussing at each other in the kitchen. Neither of us portrayed a shining example of a Christian.   Thank goodness, the weather was mild and the girls were playing on their swing set. All went well as it always does, and we enjoyed our family and the day. Today, we pulled down all  the Christmas boxes from the attic, decorated the tree, put up the outside lights, and took our girls with their cousin to see the Garden of Lights tour local botanical gardens. Another fun, but hectic day.  While I was putting our youngest daughter to bed, my husband got the call. His brother Knight, a beloved friend died of a massive heart attack.  He was an active, fun-loving, generous man, not much older than my husband. When my husband told me the news, we looked at each other, and a thought flashed through both of our minds, it could have been him. Be prepared, and focus on what's important. "But of that day and hour no one knows, neither the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father alone..."(Matthew 24:36) Please pray for the soul of our departed friend, and family, especially his beloved wife.