Category Archives: Catholicism

All in favor of a two-day work week, say “Aye!”

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Since taking three days off of work to spend time with the kids for their Spring Break, my “week” is two days at work and PHEW!, I’m ready for the weekend.

I forgot how HARD being a stay-at-home mom was.  It’s been awhile, forgive me, but OH.  MY.  GOODNESS!!   The chores.  The needs to be met.  Errands to be run.  Sheesh.  Fortunately for me, I decided early on Monday (about half way through errand running) that these days off would be about bon-bons and chillaxin’.  The rest would take care of itself somewhere along the week.  And this is what my week consisted of:

  1. Monday-Wednesday at 9 a.m.  attending our church’s Lenten mission to hear Father Richard Leonard speak on the history of the church and Mary, discernment and God’s will in our lives and forgiveness and faith.  Tremendously uplifting and Living Water for this thirsty soul, right when I needed it.  Very cool how “GOD-planned” to offer this retreat on my EXACT days off.
  2. Monday, Tuesday, and today (Friday), hit the gym with my girlfriend and got our strength training on.  And abs.  And cardio.  You know it’s a good exercise week when you are still feeling it on Friday from Tuesday!
  3. I was able to have our girls’ BFFs over to play each day I was off.  The boys are older and do “their own deal”, but it was nice to be able to get them breakfast and lunch and run them around a bit as well.  Not to mention how great it felt to be able to help out some moms and provide a fun day for their girls.  Having “been there, done that”, it is always a happy feeling when you know your kids are having fun with their friends and not bored at home, coming up with new ways to irritate the you-know-what out of each other.
  4. Dinner was taken care of.  Monday:  chicken and rice for the fam and I went out with the girls to celebrate my girlfriend’s 12th annual 38th birthday!  Tuesday:  crock pot.  Wednesday:  leftovers.  See?  Dinner was taken care of.
  5. We hit the beach.  Every day.  See previous posts from this week…..Sunscreen aplenty, boogie boards, beach toys, snacks and water.  Recharged!
  6. We tried out a scrumptious cupcake bakery in town.  (sorry, no link, no web-based orders, local only)  My youngest daughter and I had a hard time picking out a dozen minis to share with everyone.  Though the price was quite affordable, the calories are simply not a luxury and we will be making a wide berth.  Except for special occasions.  Maybe.
  7. Book 3 of Hunger Games, “Mockingjay” is downloaded to my Kindle.  Which is charged.  I have to work today, however, my lunch hour and free time between football games this weekend will be consumed by Katniss, Gale and Peeta and wrapping up this depressing, yet fascinatingly addictive series.

Things that didn’t get taken care of this week:

  1. Laundry.
  2. Spring cleaning
  3. Reorganizing the pots and pans (a mess, let me assure you!)
  4. Reorganizing the spices and pantry (I want it all in ONE spot)
  5. Purging the girl’s toys
  6. Purging the boy’s clothes
  7. Purging my clothes

No big deal.  It’s still there and it WILL get done.  However, the world will go on regardless, right?

See what other’s weeks looked like @ Conversion Diary’s Friday Quick Takes with Jen Fulwiler!

Have a blessed weekend!

View from the pew, an 8 year old’s eyes

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We are enjoying Spring Break here, and it’s been a lovely week with truly amazing weather; this IS the reason people come to Florida’s beaches.  I’ve taken three days off (back to work today) with the kiddos and it’s been fun.  Coincidentally, our church had it’s Lenten mission this week the EXACT days I was off.  The speaker, Father Richard Leonard, a Jesuit priest from Australia was truly inspiring.  He had the perfect blend of history, theology, lightness, seriousness, delightful personal anecdotes with hilarious impressions of friends and family as well as a deep, strike-your-soul, baritone song and sung prayers.  (I’m sure I’ll blog (hopefully) later this week about the mission, however, I’m still processing the three days.) The talks were at 9 in the morning and repeated at 7 in the evening and since I was home, I hit the morning mission and hubby hit the evening ones.  Since I was home with kiddos, I brought varying children with me each day and on the second day let my 8 yo daughter play with my phone, as she was losing interest in the talk.  I enjoyed her vantage point of the church and small glimpse into her view of the church.

Baptismal font

Feet resting on the kneeler

Always fascinated by the organ pipes

Our seats "up close" to see better..(though this vantage point has room for improvement!)

Is she interested in which hymn we are singing next or the Exit?

She finds this banner colorful and SO COOL!

The power of prayer: for Lauren

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A few days ago I posted about my friend’s daughter, Lauren,  who would be having surgery to remove a benign, but troublesome, tumor from her head, as it is pressing on her brain.  Today is that day.  Lauren’s friend had set up a prayer chain so that she would be completely covered in prayer throughout the day.  I had the honor earlier this morning, although my prayers will continue throughout the day.  I have personally experienced the AWEsome power of prayer in my own life and difficult times and can attest to the fact that HE is a force to be reckoned with as Our Lord is inundated with intercessory prayers.  It is never too little or too late.  He is always there. Ready.  Waiting for us to seek Him.

I have no doubt Lauren, her husband, Chris, my dear friend and her husband and their two other daughters in community with all their friends and family will witness the amazing graces of God in response to the prayers of so many on behalf of one.  He can use ANYthing to His glory, even an ugly tumor in a tricky spot.

How “coincidental” that today’s Daily Readings are all about healing and the grace of God, the intercession of Christ and Faith in the One who has authored this story, who is the Healer, the Great Physician.

Psalm 46:8 The Lord of hosts is with us; our stronghold is the God of Jacob.

In your spare time today, won’t you lift up Lauren and her family?  Thanks, and may God Bless you.

 

So THAT’S how I talk…

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A while back I agreed to do an interview with Pat Gohn from the Among Women pod cast.  She’s a wonderful speaker (voice like butter!) and I always enjoy her pod casts:  part women Saints history and the other part an interview with various women on various topics.  I love getting a glimpse into other people’s lives, their faith walk and how they incorporate their faith into this world.  Her program feeds my “spiritual voyeurism” and encourages me to keep on keepin’ on.  We all need that from time to time, don’t we?  Back to the interview…..she asked me to speak about MY faith and how it was tested, evolved and sustained me through our own trials.  For some reason I agreed.  Completely out of my comfort zone, I assure you.  However, I had prayed for a long time that if our suffering and faith walk were ever to be a comfort and encouragement to others, than  “Lord, here I am”.

Pat was amazing.  Having NEVER done anything like this in my life, she guided me each step of the way.  Beginning with a draft AND a word count (sheesh!), she edited my story showing me where to fill in the holes.  Once I got going, I didn’t worry about the word count, the story wrote itself.  We Skyped a couple of times to go over things and prep and then came the interview.  It was like chatting with a dear friend over coffee, which is exactly as she wants it to feel.  HOW does she do that???

In the end, the show was aired this week.  I listened yesterday and once I stopped counting my “uh’s and umm’s” (a public speaking gig I won’t be pursuing any time soon) I listened.  And relived.  And stepped out of myself.  And praised God for a wonderful work that  He has done in our family. (and continues to do so daily)  I also realized that I need to get back to THAT place of prayer and faith that I purely lived in heart, mind and soul for so long.  I hope it was somewhat of a tribute to how God blessed us so amazingly with family and friends in our life willing to do His work for us.  It really does take a village and our family, our children, have been blessed mightily in spite of this period of difficulty.

So cling to Him.  He will deliver you.  Today’s Readings are of Esther asking for God to put the words in her mouth to release her people.  She gives Him full reign, full obedience.  Waiting on direction.  The Psalms remind us that when we call on the Lord, He DOES hear us.  We are to trust.  And in the Gospel according to Matthew, Jesus reminds us to ask, seek and the door will be opened.  And if even we as earthly parents give our children what the ask for can we even IMAGINE what God can do for us.  I’m here to tell you, it’s true.  Every bit.  It’s a huge step in faith.  Easy to say, but that first step is a doozy and won’t be one you regret.

Blessings!

Cruising into the weekend.

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Wrapping up the week and cruising into the weekend.  Join me and others from around the world @ Conversion Diary and see what everyone’s been up to!  Personally, I am OFF of work today.  Though I am still up at o’dark hundred to get the kids to school.  I’m just looking at it as a jump-start on the day, and a busy day it will be, which always reminds me that “Stay-at-Home-Moms” don’t really stay at home….sometimes I need that reminder, having been away from SAHM for awhile now.

— 1 —

It’s been a crazy, busy week at work this week (another reason to be grateful that my original plans for this weekend fell through and left me with a “Mental Health Day” today, because I really need it.)  Kids in school.  Hubby at work.  Getting the chores done without my sidekicks–which always sounds great but I end up missing them!  Either way, it’s just nice to have a day.

— 2 —

I finished the Hunger Games this week.  I may be in the minority here, but here goes:  I did find it a page turner which made for a quick read, but I have to say the theme of the “Games” was disturbing. Children picked to kill other children with only one winner.  Sad.  The fact that I was flipping the pages so quick made me “one” with the Capitol people who grossed me out.  I just have to decide if I want to go on and read the other two books.  Perhaps Katniss will be instrumental in making changes.  Reminds me of the “Girl with the Dragon Tattoo”.  Though quite the mystery and adrenaline producing, the theme overall was too disturbing and I just couldn’t go on the finish the trilogy.

— 3 —

In preparation for watching my friend’s daughter play Scout in “To Kill a Mockingbird” next weekend, I am re-reading the book.  It’s been years.  And it’s a pleasure.  It’s making my time on the treadmill and elliptical fly by, that’s for sure!

— 4 —

The advent of Lent.  We have the usual sacrifices going on  here:  No X-box, No ice cream, No candy, No Facebook.  I am counting on the kids to remember who gave up what…however so far, so good.  It usually takes me a few days, but the Facebook shakes are diminishing and I seem to be functioning……

— 5 —

It’s a busy football weekend (double-header tomorrow) and a solo and ensemble performance this evening–all one kid.  The others will get to coast.  So funny how things all happen at one time, feast or famine.  Fortunately, we have Sunday to REST!!

— 6 —

With the visit of our friends last weekend and the death of a co-worker’s father in law this week, I’ve been thinking a lot this week on how important it is to spend time, QUALITY time with our loved ones.  To minimize our shortcomings, to maximize our memories.  We only get one go around, life’s just too short to sweat the small stuff.  I’m just praying I can more quickly discern the small stuff and move on.

— 7 —

Our youngest child has the awful  honor of being the “First” ER visit for the family.  Considering she’s 8 and the youngest of 4, I feel we’ve done a tremendous job so far.  Or have been really lucky.  Either way.  Last week, while our friends were here, the kids were entertaining themselves with a baseball game in the front yard, while we prepared for S’mores in the backyard.  The only problem was when you utilize a metal bat, an exercise ball and a 70 pound child, sometimes the recoil can be brutal on one’s eyebrow.   The silver lining was that it came at the END of a great day with great friends and for a Saturday night, and in-and-out of the ER in under 2 hours was quite impressive.  Dermabond is the BOMB and she’s healing nicely.

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