~ Moments of Grace ~ * ~ Daybook 2014 No. Three ~

I'm joining hostess Jenny and Ladies over at Plain Grace

I am thankful...
+ the sacrament of Confession, and my parish that has it available daily or whenever I should need it. (Jenny, I promise you that I had this on my mind first thing in the morning when I started this post.  I was not copying you. Ha-ha. I work in increments...a minute here, a minute there.  Then, when I go to link up and read yours; oh dear...do I change?  Do I explain...yup.). That's my confession to you. :D

I am praying for...
+ I hate to say rain & snow, again, but even our pastor has put this prayer in our bulletin...so, yes, rain:
California is facing its third straight year of lower than normal rainfall.

"Almighty God, we are n need of rain.  We realize now, looking up into the clear, blue sky, what a marvel even the least drop of rain really is.  To think that so much water can really fall out of the sky, which now is empty and clear!  We place our trust in You.  We are sure that You know our needs.  But You want us to ask you anyway, to show You that we know we are dependent on you.  Look to our dry hills and fields, dear God, and bless them with the living blessing of soft rain.  Then the land will rejoice and rivers will sing Your praises, and the hearts of all will be made glad.  May God open the heavens and let His mercy rain down upon our fields and mountains.  Let us especially pray for those most impacted by water shortages and for the wisdom and charity to be good stewards of this precious gift.  May our political leaders seek the common good as we learn to care and share God's gift of water for the good of all".  +Amen.

I am listening to...
+ Birds cheerfully chirping outside my (open) windows.
In the kitchen...
+ Little Lamb making lunch (turkey & pepper jack sandwiches) for everyone.
I am wearing...
+ Grey sweatpants, grey top, white w/grey piping light jacket.  Hair in pony tail & baseball cap.   Wasn't I wearing grey last week, too...?  Hmmm.
I am creating/working on...
+ Laundry (working on)...it has already been 'created' by others.  :o)

I have accomplished...
+ 75% of work for the upcoming Youth Retreat, grocery shopping for the week, sacristy flower arrangements.
I am going...
+ to buy a new vacuum cleaner this week, God willing.
I am wondering...
+ If a book that my husband bought is a subtle hint.  See I am reading...
I am reading...
+ The Everyday Gourmet: Making Healthy Food Taste Great from The Great Courses - The Culinary Institute of America.  note:  my husband bought it; I wonder if this is a hint.  (:o/
I am hoping...
+ for rain on Wednesday...the forecast promises, but the skies are a beautiful blue with warm sunshine...we will see.
I am looking forward to...
+ Lent, and the upcoming Youth Retreat!  Very much!!
I am learning...
+ To forgive myself with my shortcomings, to work at forgiving others for theirs.
Around the house...
+ dust is gathering...

Academics...
+ Getting ready to register my children for their evaluation kits through Kolbe Academy.  This year we will be using the TerraNova, 2nd Ed. Complete Battery Test...more on that.
I am pondering...
+ Writing letters to my children for a special occasion.
A favorite quote for today...
"What a weakness it is to love Jesus Christ only when He caresses us, and to be cold immediately once He afflicts us. This is not true love. Those who love thus, love themselves too much to love God with all their heart."     ~ St. Margaret Mary Alacoque
One of my favorite things...
Checking off items on the 'to do' list.
A few plans for the rest of the week...
+ SF Ballet
+ Incorporate something I have learned from my new "The Everyday Gourmet" book.
+  Final meeting for the Youth Retreat
+  Work on my computer problems or finally breakdown and purchase a new one...hopefully the new part I ordered will help things...hopefully.
A healthy meal today...
+ Morning Protein Shake that I had for dinner...which I will share on my Food blog...someday.
A healthy activity...
Hmmm.  If lugging laundry around the house counts...I have had a super healthy activity day today, and expect the same for tomorrow!
A peek into my day...
Still with the computer problems that are not allowing me to insert any images...{{{sigh}}}

Go here for more shared Moments of Grace Daybooks...

~ Moments of Grace ~ * ~ Daybook 2014 No. Two ~

I'm joining hostess Jenny and Ladies over at Plain Grace for some Daybook Sharing...

I am thankful...

+ fun mother/daughter times

I am praying for...

+ Rain; we still need rain!

I am listening to...

+ my husband's paperwork as we work silently together

In the kitchen...
+ coffee brewing

I am wearing...
+ pink pj bottoms & old grey/white speckled sweater & grey socks (update: it was 7am when I began this daybook)

I am creating/working on...

+ cleaning out my inbox and planning for upcoming Youth Retreat.

I have accomplished...

+ organizing for a private screening of the new to be released movie 'Son of God'; hopefully our bishop will attend...

I am going...
+ for my walk as soon as I complete my day book

I am wondering...
+ how I am going to transport 26 youth to the retreat center (2+ hour drive) if the bus plans fall through...I've got to keep the faith!

I am reading...
+ The catechism for my bi-monthly doctrine class - which I love, love, love!

I am hoping...
+ To be more organized with my 'paperwork' - starting TODAY

I am looking forward to...
+ All the fun events with my children that I've planned for this month

I am learning
+ To say 'yes' to God, and 'no' to others (even if the temptation is a 'good work')

Around the house...

+ Paperwork, laundry, dirty dishes in the sink - I am needed :o) and LOVE my 'job'

Academics...

+ Lots of science experiments to catch up on

A favorite quote for today...
+ A woman is a kind of poem about love, peace, and compassion. These gifts enable her to know, love, and serve God in a generous way, with perseverance and affection. ~ Mother Angelica, P.C.P.A

I am pondering...

+ How can I obtain the qualities I am designed to be, as mentioned in the above quote...Lord, help me to surrender to your Holy Will. 

One of my favorite things...
+ Sunday morning breakfasts with my husband & children.   Today, being a holiday, was just like a Sunday morning breakfast together!

A few plans for the rest of the week:

+ Meal plan for the week/month

+ Finalize the Retreat 'stuff'

+ Clean my desk!!!

A healthy meal today...

+ carrots & hummus.  Eating smaller meals and more often - 5 to be exact.

A healthy activity...

+ Solid walk with my husband & teen daughter this crisp (dry) morning

Captured...

because of ugly frustrating computer problems, I am unable to share :o(

 Go here for more shared ~ Moments of Grace ~ Daybooks...

~ Happy St. Valentine's Day ~

I was on time this year, when putting out my Valentine décor, because last year I was a little too early for some.

Planning ahead to make the actual day a little more special.  Nothing fancy, just thoughtful.   Enough to bring smiles and thanks of appreciation from my children.  I brought out items that I use every year, and even put out a few 'sweet' items.

Again, I was surprised with a bouquet of love gift from my husband.  :o)  Although, this year it also included Butterfly and Little Lamb.  So sweet.

The love bug infectiously caused a chain reaction and love notes began appearing...

Little Lamb worked on making the Valentine napkin holders found in the silk heart.

Before

After

She decorated short-bread cookies & pumpkin cupcakes; while the rest of us helped eat them.

So who was St. Valentine and why do we celebrate like we do?

St. Valentine was a Priest, martyred in 269.  He is the patron saint of affianced couples, bee keepers, engaged couples, epilepsy, fainting, greetings, happy marriages, love, lovers, plague, travelers, young people.
In 496 AD Pope Gelasius I marked February 14th as a celebration in honor of St. Valentine's martyrdom.  Archaeologists unearthed a Roman catacomb and an ancient church dedicated to St. Valentine was discovered. 

And Cupid?

He is one of the gods in Roman mythology; from the latin word cupido which translates to love & passion.  In our Western Culture he is symbol of love & romance. 
I think he is a little like Santa Claus...turning things towards commercialism and secularism.

St. Valentine's Day is about the life of a saint - a priest and martyr.  He was martyred for marrying Christian couples and for not acknowledging the Roman emperor as a living deity.  I can see how the meaning of Valentine's Day took a change to celebrate romance - especially in married couples. 
So, do you celebrate St. Valentine's Day...and how?

Which reminds me, St. Patrick's Day will soon be here...

Hoping you had a LOVEly St. Valentine's Day


Linking up to Catholic Bloggers Network ~ Family Journal

~ Back-Blogged: February ~

Once again, a lot of noteworthy events taking place...but not a lot of time to cyber-journal. 

 

Linking up to Like Mother, Like Daughter to share some pretty, funny, happy, & real times...

 

{pretty}

 

or soon to be...pretty.  Science can be {pretty} fun!

 

{happy}

Little Lamb's AHG group put on a 50's Swing Dance for the Families.

Dance instruction preceded the evening...which was, of course, spent dancing the night away! 

Everyone was {happy}

 

{funny}

Conductor dancing with his little sis.  Sweet.

The older girls ~Pioneers & Patriots~ worked on achieving their 'cake badges' with this amazing 4-tier cake creation.  Creative.

It was a {fun} evening that turned {funny} as the Hand-Maid Household won 'Best Dressed Family'

This is the look we were going for (?) sort of...

but this is was the final product...

Let's swing!

Black & White with Pink accents

I was able to find black skirts & faux leather jackets (on clearance for $11)

and pink tennis shoes, too!  Using white felt to create a quick and easy poodle skirt.

Tying all our ensembles together with some black & white polka dot ribbon.  Easy.

 

{real}

 

Little Lamb has been enjoying the AHG meetings and events.

We are a very patriotic family...

...so this was a very proud moment for Little Lamb.

She has been working on achieving the 'Our Flag' badge.

The Explorers did such a fantastic job leading us all in song;

while the flag was displayed in front of such a dramatic backdrop.

 

Go to Like Mother, Like Daughter to find more contentment...