{Pretty, Happy, Funny, Real}

~ Capturing the context of everyday life ~
Every Thursday, with Like Mother, Like Daughter!

{Pretty}

It was a pretty day

It was a wonderful feeling

and

That lady next to me is pretty awesome

{Happy}

Goofy kids!

{Funny}

There is a story behind this picture. 

Rose is taking cello lessons and her lesson from this week involved, her bow and life saver candies.  There is a certain way to hold a bow for the cello.  One makes a bunny with the hand and then grasps the bow just so.  She had to practice this position while holding the bow straight up (this would the 'rest' position). 

Her teacher had a neat way of making this practice fun.  She placed a hard, life saver on the very top tip of the bow.  If Rose was holding it correctly, the life saver would stay in place and not fall.

She then got to eat the candy.

Cool right?

Well not for Rose, who had just given up sweets for Lent.  She was NOT at all happy to have such a practice where, as she stated; "I have throw out a perfectly good candy!"

{Real}

Nothing was more real or more beautiful than what I saw my Rose do on this day!  She was a light for many people and made some think twice.

Compunction

1. 1.  A feeling of guilt or moral scruple that follows the doing of something bad: "spend the money without compunction"
2. A pricking of the conscience.

•  Synonyms: remorse - regret - repentance - penitence - contrition

During confirmation class last night Fr. S spoke about Compunction.  How this is exactly what Lent is suppose to create.  We are to puncture away at our sins.  Our conscience is supposed to be on high alert for the 'feeling' that comes from nearing one self to sin.  It is Ash Wednesday and already I'm on the edge;  Lent has just begun and already I feel challenged. 
 
Praying that these next 40 days I am in the state of compunction.  That it leads me to repentance and change; ending my path at the foot of the cross.  I hope to gaze up upon the crucified King and know that I have walked with Him and towards Him.

 Praying for us all

Shrove Tuesday!

Whether today is Mardi Gras, Fat Tuesday, Shrove Tuesday or even Pancake Day for you.  It is always the last day before Ash Wednesday and the beginning of Lent.  40 days of self sacrifice, of doing more, growing more, being more for Jesus.  It's a time of silence and keeping focus on our souls.  For many it'll be a time of deep reflection, while for others it may be a time of change.

Shrove Tuesday is the last day of what traditionally was called "Shrovetide," the week preceding the beginning of Lent. The word itself, Shrovetide, is the English equivalent for "Carnival," which is derived from the Latin words carnem levare, meaning "to take away the flesh." (Note that in Germany, this period is called "Fasching," and in parts of the United States, particularly Louisiana, "Mardi Gras.") While this was seen as the last chance for merriment, and, unfortunately in some places, has resulted in excessive pleasure, Shrovetide was the time to cast off things of the flesh and to prepare spiritually for Lent.  Actually, the English term provides the best meaning for this period. "To shrive" meant to hear confessions

~ Catholic Culture

This is my favorite season of the liturgical year.  We are going to have a mix bag of pancakes and a dish packed with meat for dinner.  Then I'm off to assist with the confirmation class and we are in for a super treat with Fr. S beginning our evening with a talk regarding Lent.  Since he just returned from a retreat with fellow priest, I'm sure he is on FIRE right now and ready to feed the flock.

For my kiddies though we've had a day of music, lessons and Mardi Gras fun...check it out:

I wanted the kids to know whey there are 3 specific colors used on Mardi Gras

So I used a simple chart I made for them to fill in the meaning as we spoke about each color

(it's an easy little download I made and you may use it if you like)

Purple is for Lent signifying Justice

Gold is for Easter signifying Power

Green is for Epiphany signifying Faith;  

it officially ends the season of Epiphany and is the vigil for the starting of Lent

We then moved on to make Mardi Gras masks.  We used a simple template from here first found by Charlotte.

We spent some time on these, talking about our human mask.  The easiness of hiding our sins behind such masks but how our real selves are always seen by God. 

Our real selves are always so much nicer and the masks are fun to use for play.  But I really wanted the kids to understand that the play of 'Mardi Gras' as seen on T.V and such isn't what we celebrate.  As Fr. S stated tonight (I had to finish this post after my class) we enter into Lent to shed ourselves of what keeps us fulling from God.  We don't party it out on 'Fat Tuesday'.  We use today to prepare our way as we enter this time of Lent.

Look at those smiles...

Now for the morning and the start of Lent!

God, heavenly Father, look upon me and hear my prayer during this holy Season of Lent. By the good works You inspire, help me to discipline my body and to be renewed in spirit.

Without You I can do nothing. By Your Spirit help me to know what is right and to be eager in doing Your will. Teach me to find new life through penance. Keep me from sin, and help me live by Your commandment of love. God of love, bring me back to You. Send Your Spirit to make me strong in faith and active in good works. May my acts of penance bring me Your forgiveness, open my heart to Your love, and prepare me for the coming feast of the Resurrection of Jesus.

Lord, during this Lenten Season, nourish me with Your Word of life and make me one with You in love and prayer.

Fill my heart with Your love and keep me faithful to the Gospel of Christ. Give me the grace to rise above my human weakness. Give me new life by Your Sacraments, especially the Mass.

Father, our source of life, I reach out with joy to grasp Your hand; let me walk more readily in Your ways. Guide me in Your gentle mercy, for left to myself I cannot do Your Will.

Father of love, source of all blessings, help me to pass from my old life of sin to the new life of grace. Prepare me for the glory of Your Kingdom. I ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, Who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever.

Amen

Check out http://catholicicing.com/2012/02/lenten-link-up/
to Lent!

March for LIFE 2011

If you near would you please join us!

"The LA March is a ecumenical event that is brought to you by the Knights of Columbus, Van Nuys Council 3148. The purpose of the event is to raise awareness of the plight of the unborn and to raise funds that support pro-life causes in the San Fernando Valley."

~ The L.A March website

Our family participated several years ago, so I'm very excited to join the march once again.

This isn't a 'protest' kind of a march but a loving-educational event for everyone.  I remember leaving that corner moved and motivated.

This year's guest speakers include: Keynote, Bishop Gerald E. Wilkerson, Auxiliary Bishop of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Los Angeles, Dr. La Verne Tolbert, Former member on the Board of Directors of Planned Parenthood NYC and now an avid pro-life advocate, and Jeff White Co-founder of SURVIVORS and Operation Rescue West Coast.

If you are near on

March 17, 2011

JOIN THE MARCH!

Details can be found on the

Los Angeles March for Life

website

"America you are beautiful . . . and blessed . . . . The ultimate test of your greatness is the way you treat every human being, but especially the weakest and most defenseless. If you want equal justice for all and true freedom and lasting peace, then America, defend life." - Pope John Paul II

Under Contruction

Excuse the mess while I do some changes to the blog ;-)

{Pretty, Happy, Funny, Real}

{Pretty}

A new hair cut for Rose and an adoring sister, who desperately wants her hair cut too.

{Happy}

The Lineman had Monday off from work so we packed the kids early and drove south to Legoland.  It was a total surprise for the three youngest ones.  There were signs with 'Legoland' as soon as we got off the FWY, but they weren't paying attention.  Max figured it out soon enough; once you drive up to their main street there are legos everywhere.  He just giggled the answer, "Oh I see lots of legos....I know where we are!"

{Funny}

We split up into two teams for a race.  It's funny how the guys react to competition.  They can get pretty serious about it; in this case Lucy and I were the serious ones. 

 It was game on! 

Lucy, Rose and myself were in the firetruck and Max, Cecilia and the Lineman were the police officers.

Due to technical difficulties, or should I say a very strong Papi, we came in 3rd.

{Real}

A home schooling family's idea of discipline.

I bet they'll finish their math next time!

(so kidding here, but I am tempted to build this at home;-))

~ Capturing the context of everyday life ~

Every Thursday, over at Like Mother, Like Daughter!

Finding love in the day

Did you know it was the feast of St. Valentine yesterday?  It kinda snuck up on me, rather like a cold.  Not that I don't enjoy the hearts, the reds and pinks, or the expression of love.  I totally do.  But, I hadn't prepared and I've been in a disconnected kind of place lately. 

Oh I'm not throwing a bah-hum-bug party, don't worry.  But celebrating lovely feast days and cool holidays is my kinda thing.  So, when I awoke to my kids making the heart shaped pancakes with beds made-chores done; when it's usually me raising them up from their sleep with the aroma of heavenly pancakes in some sort of heart shaped form (oh the violins are loud in the background), I knew I my head was in too many places and NOT at home.  

The breakfast was lovely and appreciated!  A momma needs some TLC too.  My visit to put steel on my teeth, and the thought of having to live with them for oh the next 2 years, was not as appreciated. Note, there will be less pictures of me on this blog for quite a while ;-).

Once I energized with a yummy green smoothie though, I gathered myself together.  The supplies were brought out, the computer became our ever loyal friend and we started crafting.

Max created

pencil holders using Lacy's down loadable cards!  Thank you Lacy for sharing!

Cecilia chose to express her love with some bling.

Several priceless jewels tucked away in her pouch for safe delivery.

Let Friendship Ring

Rose chose to write 3 very special cards

She decorated them as she wanted, writing a personal note to her recipients.

Lucy, as the big kid opted to use this image of St. Valentine

Making individually decorated Holy Cards to pass along to her cousins.

When the Lineman came home from work, he accepted my prompting to take the kids to deliver their love notes.  This would give me the time to cook, bake and decorate for a

St. Valentine's Dinner

The Lineman showed up with pretty white roses, several a bottle of wine, and my favorite dessert...FLAN...it was super good!

What started as a unprepared day,

ended exactly as it was meant too!

May God's unending love be forever appreciated! 

Are you a math magician?

I am not.

Math is an area that is a hit or miss with each of my kids.  Either they get math or they don't.  Luckily 3 out 4 kids 'get' it.  For the one who is not so number savy, I'm always on the look out for ways to teach and learn math.

Saxon is the preferred text to use for our future math whiz.  The repetition on math concept is key to mastering facts, acute angles, and multiplying fractions.

Our only problem with Saxon, if it's a problem at all, is the book's dry/dull pages.  Long has it been when my student viewed cute pictures of bees and pies to show addition.  So I am on the hunt for cool web sites that are fun to do, actually teach and most importantly are either FREE or nearly free.

Maths 1 isn't too fancy in the computer graphics, but it is FREE.  There are two levels of learning available on the site and each level is given the option of working on addition, subtraction, division or multiplication.  The site gives the player an allotted time to complete a series of problems and they get rated after to how fast they completed the task. 

Very simple drills.  Quick to complete and as my novice math whiz stated, "Oh yea, this is a good way to get the math done".

Happy St. Valentine's Day

♥ To you all ♥

Dear Lord, who art high in the Heavens,

Giver of Love and Passion,

And He who strings the heart’s cords,

Lead the Lovers this day, February ten plus four.

The day during the month of two,

When the date is the perfect number of God

Greater two souls and two hearts.

Some Loves are fleeting ,

But that which is built on you will never fail.

So guide the Lovers to know what is to be.

Your truths the Lovers’ mouths should speak,

For Your truth is that which is honest to the heart.

Only this, then, should pass over the red lips of the Lovers.

Your art, the Lovers simply a medium.

It is only with True Hearts that You can create a Masterpiece,

So let the Lovers remember that their Soul’s Desire

Is the one for which You light their Fire.

And let it be You who creates the Art of the Lovers;

The art of two into one.

Amen.

Yet, I haven't been able to post one single picture or comment. 

We've been busy with learning.

We've been preoccupied with visiting and being with family.

We've begun a new adventure,

which we are praying brings a joyful change.

All is as well as we can hope!

God continues to bless our days,

even when

I don't seem to notice ;-)

{Pretty, happy, funny, real}

{Pretty}

These women are just BEAUTIFUL! 

And I am blessed to call them friends.

{Happy}

Lucy is now the proud owner of a very nice viola. 

She is VERY happy!

{Funny}

We went on a field trip to Glendale's Forest Lawn.  Cecilia began to sketch the sculpture of these children.  The drawing was cute, but her concentration was hilarious!

{Real}

Friendships!

Oh, may it flourish and bless each of them....

~ Capturing the context of contentment in everyday life ~

with the lovely ladies at Like Mother, Like Daughter

Thank you Komen!!

Here is one take on the issue:
Jill Stanek - With her typing fingers on the pro-life pulse

Wordless Wednesday

Our Mom's Day @ Disneyland

(without the kiddies, except my cute godson pictured here)

Entering into battle :: prayers requested

My FIL had his appointment with his oncologist today.  The news wasn't great.  He's pain has been increasing for weeks now.  Pain that has been unbearable, but somehow he bears it.  There have been telling signs leading to today's news.  And now we know.

The battle against the cancer is renewed.  He'll restart treatment this month.  It'll be aggressive and more than likely weaken him.

Would you please pray!

Prayers for healing...

Prayers for strength...

Prayers for peace...

Prayers for acceptance....

For your faithful servant:

Precious Lord Jesus, I thank you for your enduring love. You came into the world to set me free from the power of darkness. You embraced a violent death on the cross to pay the penalty on my behalf. You suffered the scourging at the pillar, taking the sickness of humanity upon your own flesh, so that I could be healed
~ Isaiah 53

Bring this healing upon your servant and bring his family the same peace that rest in trusting You and You alone.  Amen

Day 2

I thought I'd pop in for a pep talk.  I really need one. 

As I mentioned on Monday or Tuesday, The Lineman and I planned on cleaning out and CLEARING out  our garage.  We are in the middle of some major work and It's been both humbling and embarrassing to say the least; we just have WAY TOO MUCH STUFF!

A lot of what we found were clothes I was saving for the next child.  We have two huge bins of pictures, a bin for books, too many bins of paper work and several bins of felt and fabric.  And this is just MY stuff, I  I was pretty overwhelmed over the amount of it.  Think of a 8ft x 15ft wall of boxes looming over you.  We knew that we couldn't put that beast back in our home.  The Lineman and I just repeated that over and over. 

Now, day 2!

The last few hours were spent going through just the clothes and party stuff I have. So far I have 4 large bags of clothes to give away and boxes upon boxes of other items; including books and curriculum. We are on a roll.

But the evidence of our lack of getting rid of stuff has really made me think. 

I know people who are very good at keeping their home clutter free. They are great at decluttering and keeping only the minimal of what they need. I think I'm just not one of those people. Sorry, I really try to be. Every season of Lent I declutter. Every 3-5 months I go through my children's clothes. Yet, the stuff builds up.  Honestly I know and love the concept of simple-clutter free living. I've seen it! Just not always in my home ;-).

I know my weaknesses though. Now the thing for me to build on is strength, maintenance and saying NO. The garage is our last frontier of the clutter monster.  We are armed with bags and will! 

Be gone clutter!  Be gone!!!

Whew!  Now, back to the beast.

My New Year's Daybook :: 1/9/12

Outside my window...Clear beautiful California weather.

I am listening too...our pastor's Jan 1st homily on Saint Joseph Communication podcast.  We were out of town during the New Year's weekend so we missed Fr. S's homily; they are always so good I'm glad they are being recorded now.

I am wearing...a long skirt and a short sleeve turtle neck.  Not really a winter outfit, except for here in sunny 70 degree California weather.

I am thinking...that I really need to spend some time organizing and de-cluttering the house.  This seems to be a reoccurring thought too.  Perhaps there needs to be less thinking and more 'doing' ;-).

I am hoping...that my FIL latest scan shows some good news.  Hoping to have more time with him and also hoping that The Lineman's surgical procedure of last week did some good.

I am praying...for a dear friend and her family.  Their worries have been many this past year and I just pray for some relief for their family

Guardian Angel,

watch over those whose names you can read in my heart.

Guard over them with every care

and make their way easy and their labours fruitful.

Dry their tears if they weep;

sanctify their joys;

raise their courage if they weaken;

restore their hope if they lose heart,

their health if they be ill,

truth if they err,

repentance if they fail

Praying also for my FIL.  He is receiving another Cat Scan today and by next week he, and all of us, will have a clearer view of how his cancer is growing.  This time last year we were beginning to pray for a miracle and we were granted that.

Praying for The Lineman.  He has been in so much pain.  Praying for his healing and relief.

Praying for our brothers and sisters who have lost their way.

I am grateful...for my eldest girl.  Her help around the house is so appreciated.  It can be hard to be so much older than the younger siblings and have much more of the load to carry.  Oh Lucy, I know honey! And love that you try so hard to pick up the slack!!

From the kitchen...nothing much in the oven right now.  Most of us are still full from all the feasting of the holidays.

From the school room...we just return to schooling today.  Lots of math, phonics and reading going on in kitchen.

Living the Liturgical Year at Home... Solemnity of the Baptism of Our Lord brings an end to the season of Christmas.  Our tree was taken down today, the Christmas books packed away, and we've entered a quieter period. We are mostly prepping Rose for her interview with our pastor.  Hopefully she'll be making her first Holy Communion soon.

In the garden... oh can we say everything is dormant and well, gone.  It's pretty bare out there.

I am creating... A new calendar for the liturgical year.  A revamp of curriculum.  Nothing else creative seems to be able to come out.

Around the house... some rooms are free and clear and simply-simple, other rooms are not there.  Obi the pup's presence is evident around the house too.  I think I'm doing more cleaning now than before; just to ensure that my home doesn't begin to smell of puppy!

I am reading... Surprise by Truth by Patrick Madrid and Peter and the Shadow of Thieves by Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson.

I am pondering the words...

“From envy are born hatred, detraction, calumny, joy caused by the misfortune of a neighbor, and displeasure caused by his prosperity.”

~ St. Augustine

Plans for this week...

~ Find our way back to a rhythm that makes sense for us
~ Work on that liturgical calendar
~ Plan our Lucy's 3rd term for this year.  I think there is some areas that need more of my attention.
~ Kadima begins again this week
~ Lots of music lessons! Piano, guitar and viola!

Picture thought I am sharing...

We were in Big Bear Lake over the New Year weekend.  For the second time my brother and his family were able to join us.  This picture has a hidden joke for us.  You see it was read by all of the adults.  Yet, it didn't detour any of them for doing this...

Yes, that is indeed The Lineman with our little Cecilia!  Luckily she only weighs 28 lbs....

Have a blessed week!