LENT: it is not too late...

Some great ideas below: 

Remember to see what works best for your family...pick a couple suggestions.  

40 Ways to Improve Your Lent By Brian T. Olszewski Catholic Herald Staff During Lent, the church instructs its members to make prayer, fasting, and almsgiving integral parts of their lives.

 For you who wish to supplement your spiritual diet, your Catholic Herald presents the following 40 options for prayer, fasting, and almsgiving, in no particular order, as ways to help you experience a grace-filled Lent — a Lent in which you deepen your relationship with God. 

1. Learn about your patron saint. 

2. Pray for — by name — people you don’t like and for people that don’t like you. 

3. Participate in a healing service. 

4. Read a Catholic magazine every time you visit the library. 

5. March 19, in honor of St. Joseph, patron saint of carpenters and fathers, build or build upon a relationship with one of your children. 

6. Buy two of everything on your grocery list and give the duplicates to the local food pantry. 

7. Find out why you should have fun on Laetare Sunday, and then do so. 

8. Start a “cuss bowl.” For every unkind word you utter, put in a dollar. 

 9. Bring a “Baltimore Catechism” to a gathering of Catholic friends and start asking each other questions. 

10. Give away a material item you really value. 

11. Pray for those, e.g., children, parents, spouses, and siblings, who have left the church. 

12. Talk to a neighbor you rarely or never talk to. 

13. Keep a dish of ashes in a prominent place as a constant reminder of the season. 

14. Receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation. 

15. Test your knowledge of Scripture. 

16. Read a biography about Archbishop Oscar Romero and/or watch the video “Romero.” 

17. Open a Christmas Club account with the intention of giving the money to the Society of St. Vincent de Paul. 

18. Visit a church when you don’t have to. 

19. Reserve a button on your car stereo for the Relevant Radio station in your area. 

20. Pray the news — for the people whose stories of hardship are reported daily and weekly. 

21. Read an entry from a Catholic encyclopedia. 

22. Attend Mass at a parish other than your own parish

23. Tithe your tax return. 

24. If Catholic schools get NCAA tournament bids, learn for whom those schools were named. 

25. Observe five minutes of silence every day. 

26. Watch “The Passion of the Christ.” 

27. Use a Lenten theme in decorating part of a room. 

28. Memorize a Proverb. 

29. Participate in a faith formation presentation. 

30. Tell someone your story(ies) of faith, and how God has made a difference in your life. 

31. Disconnect the TV and/or the computer. 

32. Identify your God-given gifts, how you use them, and how you could use them better. 

33. Fast from gossip. 

34. Pull the rosary out of your drawer and say it. Too boring? Say the Scriptural rosary. 

35. Remove your watch before leaving for church on Palm Sunday. 

36. Develop a prayer list. 

37. Read the history of the papacy.

38. Find out who Raamah, Putiel, and Uzzah are. 

39. Sacrifice your time in order to help others. 

40. In the words of St. Francis of Assisi, “Preach the Gospel at all times, and when necessary, use words.” 

THY WILL BE DONE!!!+JMJ+

Our Family Lenten Ideas:

I had an amazing group of women at my house for a mom's night out and we had a great lady give a pep talk for LENT. After her talk we all started talking about our "best" Lenten resolutions. That night I went to bed thinking OK, how am I going to pick one, they are all so great!

So the HOLY SPIRIT gave me the idea to write down all the ideas and make them family friendly so I could put them in a jar so my family could pick one a day and try to accomplish the task, then when completed we would put the piece of paper on a paper cross on the wall.

So this is what we will try this Lent: (please send me your ideas so I can add them and take away what won't work for you and your family)

Decorate for Lent
Make a special Lenten Prayer for dinner and use it during Lent
Put out a jar for donations to your favorite charity
Try to play some Lenten music today
Read a book to yourself or someone else for 10 min
Have quiet time for 5 min
Don’t eat between meals today
Limit computer to only absolute necessities today
Spend 10 min with someone who needs a friend today
Help someone clean their room today
Read the daily readings for today
Go to daily mass once this week
Play a game with someone today
Go for a quick walk today
Light a candle for someone in need today
Light a candle for the unborn today
Say a quick prayer for someone you know who is sick
Make someone a treat today
Write a letter to someone today
Invite someone over to dinner this week
Make someone a snack today (corporal work of mercy)
Make someone a drink today (corporal work of mercy)
Help someone get dressed today (corporal work of mercy)
Donate a blanket to a shelter or charity that helps the homeless (corporal work of mercy)
Visit a hospital, a sick friend, or a nursing home this week (corporal work of mercy)
Send a card to a prison ministry or to a police officer in thanks for keeping the community safe (c.w.m.)
Visit a cemetery or send a note of sympathy to someone who just lost a loved one (corp. work of mercy)
Gently council someone to be holy today (spiritual works of mercy)

Help someone calmly to do school work this week (spiritual works of mercy)
Answer kindly someone who ask you questions today (spiritual works of mercy)
Comfort a friend, neighbor, or relative today (spiritual works of mercy)
Be patient today with someone who is bothering you (spiritual works of mercy)
Say you’re sorry, ask for forgiveness, or forgive someone today (spiritual works of mercy)
Pray for the dead or those who will die today (spiritual works of mercy)
Pray for someone who feels discouraged today
Help someone who is learning a new skill (reading, tying shoes) or teach a new skill
Tell a story about when you were little at dinner today
Help tuck in and sing someone a song tonight
Give someone hugs and kisses to someone today
Sit and talk with someone one to one with no distractions and keep eye contact
Take someone out this week for a special time
Eat a healthy snack today
Plan a special activity for Sunday
At dinner have everyone say one nice thing that happened today
Spend five minutes tonight talking to someone
Play outside for 10 minutes today
Cuddle under a blanket and watch a favorite show or movie with someone this week
Leave special messages in someone’s lunch bag or special spot
When you correct someone today do it quietly, gently, and lovingly
Tonight write down five things you are thankful for
Give up TV or a special activity one day this week
Say something nice about everyone at dinner tonight
Make someone else’s bed today
Do the Stations of the Cross today
Wake up early tomorrow and have some quiet time with Jesus
Go to bed early tonight
Make a nice dinner
Make a nice lunch
Make a special breakfast this week
Get out of bed right away one morning this week
Exercise fifteen minutes today
Drink five glasses of water today
Say a decade of the rosary today
Say a rosary with someone this week
Clean a closet out this week
Pray with someone today
Clean something for fifteen minutes today
Pray for your god parents today
Dress extra nice today
Fix your hair today
Smile as much as possible today
Say a good Act of Contrition
Give away something
Make a secret sacrifice
Clean someones room for 10 min
Bring a neighbor a treat
Send a note or draw a picture for someone
Pray for someone who annoys you
Drink only water today
Turn the heat down today
Write down a bible verse from the "Passion" gospel
Cook a special Lenten food (pretzels, hot cross buns, look here, or here)
Or these ideas I posted last year.

Make a Spiritual Communion today:
My Jesus, I believe that You are present in the Most Holy Sacrament. I love You above all things, and I desire to receive You into my soul.

Since I cannot at this moment receive You sacramentally, come at least spiritually into my heart. I embrace You as if You were already there and unite myself wholly to You. Never permit me to be separated from You.

There are tons of ideas here!!!

THY WILL BE DONE!!! +JMJ+

Our Family Lenten Ideas: REPOST...

I am reposting this (AGAIN)...never too late for holiness!!! I had an amazing group of women at my house for a mom's night out and we had a great lady give a pep talk for LENT. After her talk we all started talking about our "best" Lenten resolutions. That night I went to bed thinking OK, how am I going to pick one, they are all so great! So the HOLY SPIRIT gave me the idea to write down all the ideas and make them family friendly so I could put them in a jar so my family could pick one a day and try to accomplish the task, then when completed we would put the piece of paper on a paper cross on the wall.


So this is what we will try this Lent: (please send me your ideas so I can add them and take away what won't work for you and your family)
Decorate for Lent
Make a special Lenten Prayer for dinner and use it during Lent
Put out a jar for donations to your favorite charity
Try to play some Lenten music today
Read a book to yourself or someone else for 10 min
Have quiet time for 5 min
Don’t eat between meals today
Limit computer to only absolute necessities today
Spend 10 min with someone who needs a friend today
Help someone clean their room today
Read the daily readings for today
Go to daily mass once this week
Play a game with someone today
Go for a quick walk today
Light a candle for someone in need today
Light a candle for the unborn today
Say a quick prayer for someone you know who is sick
Make someone a treat today
Write a letter to someone today
Invite someone over to dinner this week
Make someone a snack today (corporal work of mercy)
Make someone a drink today (corporal work of mercy)
Help someone get dressed today (corporal work of mercy)
Donate a blanket to a shelter or charity that helps the homeless (corporal work of mercy)
Visit a hospital, a sick friend, or a nursing home this week (corporal work of mercy) Send a card to a prison ministry or to a police officer in thanks for keeping the community safe (c.w.m.)
Visit a cemetery or send a note of sympathy to someone who just lost a loved one (corp. work of mercy)
Gently council someone to be holy today (spiritual works of mercy)
Help someone calmly to do school work this week (spiritual works of mercy)
Answer kindly someone who ask you questions today (spiritual works of mercy)
Comfort a friend, neighbor, or relative today (spiritual works of mercy)
Be patient today with someone who is bothering you (spiritual works of mercy)
Say you’re sorry, ask for forgiveness, or forgive someone today (spiritual works of mercy)
Pray for the dead or those who will die today (spiritual works of mercy)
Pray for someone who feels discouraged today
Help someone who is learning a new skill (reading, tying shoes) or teach a new skill Tell a story about when you were little at dinner today Help tuck in and sing someone a song tonight
Give someone hugs and kisses to someone today Sit and talk with someone one to one with no distractions and keep eye contact
Take someone out this week for a special time
Eat a healthy snack today
Plan a special activity for Sunday
At dinner have everyone say one nice thing that happened today
Spend five minutes tonight talking to someone
Play outside for 10 minutes today
Cuddle under a blanket and watch a favorite show or movie with someone this week
Leave special messages in someone’s lunch bag or special spot
When you correct someone today do it quietly, gently, and lovingly
Tonight write down five things you are thankful for
Give up TV or a special activity one day this week
Say something nice about everyone at dinner tonight
Make someone else’s bed today
Do the Stations of the Cross today
Wake up early tomorrow and have some quiet time with Jesus
Go to bed early tonight
Make a nice dinner
Make a nice lunch
Make a special breakfast this week
Get out of bed right away one morning this week
Exercise fifteen minutes today
Drink five glasses of water today
Say a decade of the rosary today
Say a rosary with someone this week
Clean a closet out this week
Pray with someone today
Clean something for fifteen minutes today
Pray for your god parents today
Dress extra nice today
Fix your hair today
Smile as much as possible today
Say a good Act of Contrition
Give away something Make a secret sacrifice
Clean someones room for 10 min
Bring a neighbor a treat
Send a note or draw a picture for someone
Pray for someone who annoys you
Drink only water today
Turn the heat down today
Write down a bible verse from the "Passion" gospel
Cook a special Lenten food (pretzels, hot cross buns, look here, or here) Or these ideas

I posted last year.

Make a Spiritual Communion today:

My Jesus, I believe that You are present in the Most Holy Sacrament. I love You above all things, and I desire to receive You into my soul. Since I cannot at this moment receive You sacramentally, come at least spiritually into my heart. I embrace You as if You were already there and unite myself wholly to You. Never permit me to be separated from You.

There are tons of ideas here!!!

THY WILL BE DONE!!! +JMJ+

Lenten Blessings:

One of the things we gave up for Lent was TV from Monday till Friday. 

We lived without a TV for 10 years...

boy,  those WERE the days! 

But that horrible machine came into the house and took over...

WE started saying no TV on school nights...

but when you homeschool and have three college kids...

 what exactly is a school night?

First it was a sport, than a cooking show, and oh the educational stuff...

well, it was on more and more! 

The kids have loved doing puzzles. 

They have loved them so much that I asked for some on FREECYCLE 

and I got eight great ones in one day!!!

They also have been pulling out games we haven't played for years...

and reading!!! 

Wow, I love to see my kids read!!!

Joseph, got this Smog Hobbit puzzle for his birthday...this started off the puzzle marathon!

Some other Lenten benefits:

My 16 year old gave up eating junk food for Lent so

she has been cooking up a storm of yummy healthy treats!

Each year we give up sweets and I actually love seeing them find alternative creative treats!

I know Lent isn't always about giving up stuff-

but in our desire for worldly things we grasp on to Our Lord for help!

I did stop our TV fast for this:

God Bless the Cardinals as they beg the HOLY SPIRIT for wisdom!

This ADOPT A CARDINAL site was a fun site for my kids!

Another Lenten commitment was to go to bed earlier for everyone...

so GOOD NIGHT I am off to bed!!!

THY WILL BE DONE!!!+JMJ+

Celebrating Lent with a big family...

Celebrating Lent with a Large Family

It is that time of year when I pull out our box full of Lenten materials that we have accumulated of years. There is the Lego cave that we use to hide Jesus in, then we cover it up with a big flat rock we found in the yard and seal it with clay. There are old candles we used in an egg carton for the Stations of the Cross. I hoped that the kids would remember the deep meaning of Christ’s suffering and passion, but they just remember the lights out and dad saying, “let us snuff!” to the child in charge of snuffing out the candle during that station. There are the blocks that we used to make a mock display of Jesus’ last week starting at Bethany with Mary and Martha and ending with His crucifixion on the hill of Calvary. I have old pictures that I have saved that make a mom smile, especially the one my daughter drew when she was about seven of Christ’s face with colored tears staining his checks. What most people can’t tell is that the bumps and wrinkles on the paper are from the many years ago when she drew it and added her own tears of sadness at what Christ did for us. There is a large piece of purple cloth we use to display our Lenten colors on tables and small black pieces to cover the statues and crucifixes. We have the eggs with various symbols for different events in the passion. We have a bag full of odd toys that we used for symbols like an angel ornament, a toy solider, a small crucifix, pieces of old palm branches, white cloth, coins, a doll cup, small toy rooster, and other strange things that we found to use as symbols of Christ’s last days. I have a stack of recipes, most of which didn’t work and others that tasted bad. We have the small posters my kids made for our Seder dinner of the plaques of Egypt. All of these we used about once and put away for another years venue.

Each year I try to think up different activities for my family’s state in life, that aren’t too tasking and overwhelming. I try to evaluate our life before choosing what we will do. Is it a new baby, pregnant, sports, sickness, construction, or other activities that make our life crazier than usual? I have learned, the simpler the better!

Last year I was expecting my eleventh child and I tried to find something that my one to seventeen year old could grasp. I chose an idea a friend of mine suggested years ago, writing virtues on rocks and each person picking one to work on for the day or the week. I never attempted it due to my three young sons’, and the thoughts of them throwing them at each other or at my windows. Last year the youngest boy turned five and I thought he was mature enough to give it a try. What a surprise, when after I displayed them on a small wooden candle stand with three purple candles on them, at the response I got from most of them. I choose virtues and things we needed to work on. I also added the gifts of the Holy Spirit since we had a child receiving Confirmation that year. On the most part it worked great for us and I looked forward to the mornings when my five, seven, and nine year old asked me what their rock meant. It gave us a chance to talk about the importance of speaking well of others, or what humble means, sometimes it got tricky when the five year old picked the rock that say’s chastity. He smiled when I explained to him the importance of privacy in a house of twelve and how it isn’t appropriate to do the goofey little dance he does sometimes when changing into his pj’s! All in all it worked as well as most ideas with a large family full of interesting personalities.



Each year I look at Lent as a second chance for us to look at our New Year’s Resolution, a chance to revaluate our relationship with God. A time to look at the negative habits we have started to form and try to get back on the right track.

Large family or small, I hope we take advantage of the time we have left and really prepare our hearts for Easter morning when we say, “Christ is risen, He has risen indeed!”

Small Successes Thursday...

It is Thursday and I can finally say I had a small success!!!

It is amazing what I can do for Lent that I can't do at any other time.

My small success is I have been doing great at my Lenten sacrifices!!! I know, it is just one day...but this is small successes---right!!! I am trying to only go on line before 7am and after 7pm, so to spend more time with my kids and my homemaking skills!!! It was amazing how much I got accomplished!!! I cleaned, played cards with my five year old, went for a walk,got dinner ready, and did laundry...I also learned a good lesson from a friend who said, "I am not that important" when she decided not to answer the phone during a busy family time. It really made me think...I constantly think, "I need to check email, just in case...something or someone needs my attention!!! Then I thought, "I am working on Humility this year." So I really am not that important, and there is nothing so important about me that I must check my email!!!

Go see more successes from Faith and Family!!!

It is going to be a great Lent!!!

THY WILL BE DONE!!! +JMJ+

More on Dieting:

So with Lent and all being here...and the fact that I am not pregnant...I decided to try to lose weight again. If you read this you know I have been feeling fat lately.

This is the longest in my almost 23 years of marriage that I have not been pregnant...weird and sad...another stage in life approaching...

So I checked out a new eating plan that my girlfriend was using... It is called the 17 Day Diet: I am just a newbie and can't tell you too much...but what I can tell you is that I am eating great, not hungry (yes craving stuff), feeling wonderful, and losing weight!!!

Some general guidelines for the first 17 days called ACCELERATE CYCLE:

1. One 8oz cup of hot lemon water (squeeze half a fresh lemon in cup)
2. 3 cups of green tea a day
3. All the fresh fruits and veggies you want (minus a few) and no fruit after 2pm
4. 2 sugar free pro-biotic foods a day (like Chobani fruit yogurt and Breakstone's Live Active)
5. Eight 8oz cups of water per day
6. 17 minutes of exercise a day
7. Right now the only meat I can eat is fish (I eat tuna & tilapia), turkey breast & ground turkey (lots of turkey tacos and turkey burgers), and chicken breasts.
8. The only "fat" I can use is olive oil and cooking spray

I am sure there is a bunch I forgot...but...I guess check the book out at the library and see what you think.

Good thing it is Lent...cuz I can do this...especially for 17 days. So far I have lost about a half a pound a day.

My triathlete husband (aka "dirty hippy" due to his crazy long hair) who runs 20 miles a day for fun has placed a bet... When I get to 149 he will get a haircut!!! I only have to lose another 4 lbs and my husband is getting nervous ...a deal is a deal!!! Now he keeps tempting me to eat pancakes, fries, and take me out to our favorite spot...5 Guys!!! I am woman...hear me roar!!!

This is my sweet hubby(the short one)...
his hair is down to his shoulders now...
ok, so he is cute anyway...but!!!

I was so excited today when I was at the store...two people told me I looked great and asked me if I lost weight!!! No, "Hey you look great for having 12 kids (but secretly you look like a fat cow if you only had 3 kids)..."

Hey I am so excited cuz I just ran 4 miles on the treadmill!!! So, I will keep you posted on what happens and send pictures of my handsome husband after his haircut.

Thy will be done!!! +JMJ+

Menu for Lent...

My friend sent this to me...and since I hate to cook, this is my kind of menu: I hope I can do it!!!

MENU FOR LENT - FAST AND FEAST

Fast for judging others; feast on Christ dwelling in them
Fast from emphasis on differences; feast on the unity of all life
Fast from words that pollute; feast on phrases that purify
Fast from discontent; feast on gratitude
Fast from anger; feast on patience
Fast from pessimism; feast on optimism
Fast from complaining; feast on appreciation
Fast from negatives; feast on affirmatives
Fast from hostility; feast on non-resistance
Fast from bitterness; feast on forgiveness
Fast from self-concern; feast on compassion for others
Fast from discouragement; feast on hope
Fast from lethargy; feast on enthusiasm
Fast from suspicion; feast on truth
Fast from thoughts that weaken; feast from promises that inspire
Fast from idle gossip; feast on purposeful silence
Fast from problems that overwhelm, feast on prayer that sustains...

THY WILL BE DONE!!! +JMJ+

SPRING CLEANING:

LENT=GOD'S SPRING CLEANING

Here are some "real" spring cleaning tips.

But I really need these:

EXAMINATION OF CONSCIENCE


1. I am the Lord your God. You shall not have strange gods before me.
-Do I give God time every day in prayer? ***
-Do I seek to love Him with my whole heart?
-Have I been involved with superstitious practices or have I been involved with the occult?
-Do I seek to surrender myself to God´s word as taught by the Church?
-Have I ever received communion in the state of mortal sin?
-Have I ever deliberately told a lie in Confession or have I withheld a mortal sin from the priest in Confession?
-Are there other "gods" in my life? Money, Security, Power, People, etc.?

2. You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain.
-Have I used God´s name in vain: lightly or carelessly?
-Have I been angry with God?
-Have I wished evil upon any other person?
-Have I insulted a sacred person or abused a sacred object?

3. Remember to keep holy the Lord´s Day.
-Have I deliberately missed Mass on Sundays or Holy Days of Obligation?
-Have I tried to observe Sunday as a family day and a day of rest? ***
-Do I do needless work on Sunday?

4. Honor your father and your mother.
-Do I honor and obey my parents?
-Have I neglected my duties to my spouse and children?
-Have I given my family good religious example?
-Do I try to bring peace into my home life?
-Do I care for my aged and infirm relatives? ***

5. You shall not kill.
-Have I had an abortion or encouraged or helped anyone to have an abortion?
-Have I physically harmed anyone?
-Have I abused alcohol or drugs?
-Did I give scandal to anyone, thereby leading him or her into sin?
-Have I been angry or resentful?
-Have I harbored hatred in my heart?
-Have I mutilated myself through any form of sterilization?
-Have I encouraged or condoned sterilization?
-Have I engaged, in any way, in sins against human life such as artificial insemination or in vitro fertilization?
-Have I participated in or approved of euthanasia?

6. You shall not commit adultery.
-Have I been faithful to my marriage vows in thought and action?
-Have I engaged in any sexual activity outside of marriage?
-Have I used any method of contraception or artificial birth control in my marriage?
-Has each sexual act in my marriage been open to the transmission of new life?
-Have I been guilty of masturbation?
-Do I seek to control my thoughts and imaginations?
-Have I respected all members of the opposite sex, or have I thought of other people as mere objects?
-Have I been guilty of any homosexual activity?
-Do I seek to be chaste in my thoughts, words,actions?
-Am I careful to dress modestly?

7. You shall not steal.
-Have I stolen what is not mine?
-Have I returned or made restitution for what I have stolen?
-Do I waste time at work, school, and home? ***
-Do I gamble excessively, thereby denying my family of their needs?
-Do I pay my debts promptly?
-Do I seek to share what I have with the poor?
-Have I cheated anyone out of what is justly theirs, for example creditors, insurance companies, big corporations?

8. You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.
-Have I lied? Have I gossiped?
-Do I speak badly of others behind their back?
-Am I sincere in my dealings with others?
-Am I critical, negative or uncharitable in my thoughts of others? ***
-Do I keep secret what should be kept confidential?
-Have I injured the reputation of others by slanders?

9. You shall not desire your neighbor´s wife.
-Have I consented to impure thoughts?
-Have I caused them by impure reading, movies, television, conversation or curiosity?
-Do I pray at once to banish impure thoughts and temptations?
-Have I behaved in an inappropriate way with members of the opposite sex: flirting, being superficial, etc.?

10. You shall not desire your neighbor´s goods.
-Am I jealous of what other people have?
-Do I envy the families or possessions of others?
-Am I greedy or selfish?
-Are material possessions the purpose of my life?

Wow...Isn't Lent amazing...If I could get my soul and my house in order...All would be well!!!

THY WILL BE DONE!!! +JMJ+

SMALL SUCCESS THURSDAY:

It’s important for moms to recognize that all the small successes in our days can add up to one big triumph. So on Thursday of each week, we do exactly that.

1.MADE 5 BATCHES OF this BANANA BREAD.

mine looked like this:

15 c. all-purpose flour
7 1/2 tsp. salt
20 large bananas (the riper the bananas, the better the flavor)
20 eggs
7 1/2 tsp. baking soda
3 3/4 c. Butter flavored Crisco (don't use real butter)
7 1/2 c. sugar
7 1/2 tsp. vanilla

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees. Grease and flour two loaf pans (I used larger loaf pans because that's what I have).

Cream Crisco and sugar together with an electric mixer. Beat in eggs, one at a time.

Mash bananas, then add baking soda to bananas and stir to combine. Add this mixture to the Crisco mixture and mix to combine. Add vanilla and mix to combine.

Sift flour with salt, then mix nuts into the flour. Add this to the banana mixture, again mixing to combine all. Pour an equal amount of batter into each prepared pan and then bake for 60 to 70 minutes. To test by inserting a knife close to the center of the bread. It should come out clean.

2. Got two feet off the top of the van that has been sitting in the driveway...finally.

3.I am making creative snacks with pantry stuff during Lent.

4. I have 10 of my 40 bags out of the house, my kids are getting worried that their next!

Go here for more mom successes.

THY WILL BE DONE!!! +JMJ+

IMITATION OF CHRIST: Meditation of the day...

The Forty-Third Chapter
Beware Vain and Worldly Knowledge


The Voice of Christ
MY CHILD, do not let the fine-sounding and subtle words of men deceive you. For the kingdom of heaven consists not in talk but in virtue. Attend, rather, to My words which enkindle the heart and enlighten the mind, which excite contrition and abound in manifold consolations. Never read them for the purpose of appearing more learned or more wise. Apply yourself to mortifying your vices, for this will benefit you more than your understanding of many difficult questions.

Though you shall have read and learned many things, it will always be necessary for you to return to this one principle: I am He who teaches man knowledge, and to the little ones I give a clearer understanding than can be taught by man. He to whom I speak will soon be wise and his soul will profit. But woe to those who inquire of men about many curious things, and care very little about the way they serve Me.

The time will come when Christ, the Teacher of teachers, the Lord of angels, will appear to hear the lessons of all—that is, to examine the conscience of everyone. Then He will search Jerusalem with lamps and the hidden things of darkness will be brought to light and the arguings of men’s tongues be silenced.

Mortifying your vices: LENT IS A COMING!!!

THY WILL BE DONE!!! +JMJ+

Feast of Aloysius Gonzaga

A letter from St Aloysius Gonzaga to his mother
God's mercies shall be my song for ever
May the comfort and grace of the Holy Spirit be yours for ever, most honoured lady. Your letter found me lingering still in this region of the dead, but now I must rouse myself to make my way on to heaven at last and to praise God for ever in the land of the living; indeed I had hoped that before this time my journey there would have been over. If charity, as Saint Paul says, means to weep with those who weep and rejoice with those who are glad, then, dearest mother, you shall rejoice exceedingly that God in his grace and his love for you is showing me the path to true happiness, and assuring me that I shall never lose him.The divine goodness, most honoured lady, is a fathomless and shoreless ocean, and I confess that when I plunge my mind into thought of this it is carried away by the immensity and feels quite lost and bewildered there. In return for my short and feeble labours, God is calling me to eternal rest; his voice from heaven invites me to the infinite bliss I have sought so languidly, and promises me this reward for the tears I have so seldom shed.Take care above all things, most honoured lady, not to insult God’s boundless loving kindness; you would certainly do this if you mourned as dead one living face to face with God, one whose prayers can bring you in your troubles more powerful aid than they ever could on earth. And our parting will not be for long; we shall see each other again in heaven; we shall be united with our Saviour; there we shall praise him with heart and soul, sing of his mercies for ever, and enjoy eternal happiness. When he takes away what he once lent us, his purpose is to store our treasure elsewhere more safely and bestow on us those very blessings that we ourselves would most choose to have.I write all this with the one desire that you and all my family may consider my departure a joy and favour and that you especially may speed with a mother’s blessing my passage across the waters till I reach the shore to which all hopes belong. I write the more willingly because I have no clearer way of expressing the love and respect I owe you as your son.

For those of us who have children considering a VOCATION this may give you comfort.

FUNNY LENT VIDEO:

For more funny "safe" videos look here.

THY WILL BE DONE!!! +JMJ+

WICKED CHILDREN...

Every year I go on a weekend retreat to rejuvenate my soul. I usually plan it during Lent. Every year I either bring a nursing infant or I am pregnant. Last year I brought my baby E, this year I get to bring my unborn babe.

It took years for me to get up the nerve to leave my other children. I didn't ever leave them...and it was so much to ask of my husband. (at the time there were 5 kids under 7) So one day my wonderful husband sent me off and it has been a 11 year tradition!!! I have to say my pride was that no one could possibly take care of my kids, I was so proud, that I was missing out on some precious time with my Savior and Best Friend.

Since then, the kids old enough to talk have cheered when I told them I was going on retreat. Some have even had the nerve to come up to me and say, "hey mom, isn't it time for you to go on that retreat thing again?" Well, the time is coming up and my wicked children, even the little guys are counting down...YES, movies and party time with dad!!! The funny thing this year is that two of my teenagers (the ones who love me gone the most) will also be on retreat with their youth group!!! (ha-revenge) So they are going to squeeze the short hours that I will be gone before and after their retreat and have as much fun as they can...with me...the rule monger...gone!!!

So, I will bask in my silence and pray for my family as they are having the time of their lives with their crazy sardonic dad!!!

THY WILL BE DONE!!!+JMJ+

BEDTIME RULES...

Bedtime Rules:

1. GO POTTY
2. SHOWER/ BATH/ WASH UP
3. BRUSH TEETH
4. PUT ON PJ'S
5. SAY PRAYERS
6. READ BEDTIME STORY
7. GET IN BED
8. PUT on TAPE/CD OR LISTEN TO THE RADIO
9. READ QUIETLY
10 STAY IN BED!!!

Lent is a good time to get back in the habit of getting the little guys back in a routine. So I re-post this every once in awhile to remind myself! I just stuck this on the walls of my four youngest children. (11, 9, 7, and 5) This way we all remember the importance of routine. 

+JMJ+ Thy Will Be Done!!!

FINANCIAL FASTING: week four...almost done!!!

Wow, we had a super busy week...and we did great on the spending...except my big mistake...read along with me and see how we did!

I left off here ending our third week with Aug 19th.

So, Aug 20th:
This was a good day with some of the kids going to watch their team mates do a divisional swim meet. I made sure they remembered to pack extra food because they were not aloud to spend money at the concession.

It also was our monthly date. We were married on the 20th of May so we try to go out on a "date" on or near the 20th of each month. We were grateful we had a gift card to OUTBACK and enjoyed our time together especially since this summer has been our busiest in 24 years of parenting! Five of our kids decided to do swimming this year...it was fun but a huge commitment especially since we don't do summer sports. It is a time to relax in our house after a busy spring soccer season. Well, I'm exhausted! (We also were thrilled that we had enough extra on our gift card to bring home a bloomin onion to our boys who babysat for us!)

That night was our pools family night party. It was great since it was free and fun! I made sure to pack lots of goodies so we were not tempted to spend at the snack bar.

July 21st:
Boys served mass and it was Donut Sunday!
Went to a wonderful going away party at this kind family's home for a holy family who will be greatly missed! It was so fun to see lots of old friends and meet a couple of new ones!

July 22nd:
Two of my kids had a soccer party to go to. God is so good. I was the one in charge of getting the gift for the coach. Since we didn't think this was really an unnecessary spending we didn't think twice about contributing to this. Well, God helps out in all things...I ended up getting the coach a bunch of gift cards at Giant Grocery store for local restaurants.  I was contributing $20 towards the coach's gift. When I opened my wallet to pay the cashier I saw a $20 Giant gift card next to all the cash I collected from the parents...so, there was my contribution and I really didn't need to spend "our money."  I also was taking three of my younger children to a special "members only" night at the Baltimore Aquarium. Since it was free I was pleased. I also haven't been considering gas or parking against our fast. Well, my super, wonderful Mother In Love came with us and paid for parking...so score again! No spending necessary!

July 23rd...nothing to tempt us!

July 24th:
Swim Team Trip! I was really worried how this was gonna end up, especially since we never have gone on this trip before. I forewarned the kids that we were not going to go to GROTTO'S pizza on the way home like the rest of the families. Everyone understood and was agreeable especially since they were so grateful that they got to go in the first place. I was so worried; that I packed enough food for three days! I was bringing seven of my own kids and five friends. With five teenage boys coming I wanted to make sure I had enough food so I wouldn't be in a situation to "have to" buy food. The trip was at a park beach, and the admission was paid for by the team. Some of the kids I brought ended up giving me $20 to help with gas and paying for the bridge. We got there bright and early and got situated. We did fine for the day and ended up taking home lots of extra food!

July 25th:
Swim Team Banquet! This wasn't going to cost anything. We were to bring a main dish, a side dish, and a drink to share. I had plenty of food in the frig and making the food was easy. Then I realized I didn't have any liters of soda or juice. We only drink water and milk unless we are at a party or hosting one...which is practically weekly in this house! I made a gallon of ice tea which is a big treat in our house. I brought it to the party and set it up with all the other drinks brought by the team. It was pretty comical seeing about 44 liters of soda and our tupperware pitcher of ice tea!

July 26th: My big mistake day...I went grocery shopping today and went to pick up a battery for my son's car. Well, the car shop just happened to be next to my all time favorite Dollar Store! I decided to stop in the Dollar Store to pick up some mosquito repellent bracelets for two of my kids who are very allergic to bites. Since we were going camping I ran in the store to see if they had any. (First mistake) In the past, when we were poorer than dirt...I would of called first to see if they had any. When the woman said they didn't I should of left right away. (Second mistake) Then I picked up some things and left. Twelve things to be exact...I got in the car to go to the grocery store and decided right then that I totally "cheated" against our FAST. It was kinda like accidentally eating a hamburger on a Friday during Lent. I didn't mean to do it and I really didn't buy anything that we didn't need. We just didn't need it this week. I could of totally waited till August!

This is what I bought:
3 pregnancy tests...(no, I am not pregnant-darn! But, since I am kinda going through menopause I take a test about every other month in hopes that we will be blessed again!)
4 packs of cupcake baking cups...(we have been running out and we have lots of birthdays coming up)
3 boy soccer bottles...(to be used for party bags for the 6 year old party we are having in August-I needed some extra)
2 packs of baking bags (kinda like party bags)

If I would of bought these things in a grocery store I wouldn't of thought they were really cheating...but since I got caught up in the dollar store and I could of waited a week- I did. It is a good reminder to my self that we need to think and retrain ourselves on our spending. Not get caught up in the moment. Purposeful Spending and well thought out! Little things like calling ahead can help alot too!

We shop at ALDI's and it has saved us tons! First of all they don't have lots of extras...so I get what I need and get out! We quit our BJ's membership since I save on buying my produce at ALDI's. 

July 27th:
Cleaning and getting organized for our family trip on Monday. We had a nice family dinner with most of my kids...we all love when the big kids come home to have a meal with us!

July 28th:
We had a relaxing day after mass and taking care of a couple of sick kids and packing for our camping trip on Monday!

I loved today's reading at mass. Two of them were my favorite. The first Gn 18:20-32
reminds me of myself...always pushing and asking God for more! Than the gospel is also just like me!
My favorite parts:
"And he said to them, “Suppose one of you has a friend
to whom he goes at midnight and says,
‘Friend, lend me three loaves of bread,
for a friend of mine has arrived at my house from a journey
and I have nothing to offer him,’
and he says in reply from within,
‘Do not bother me; the door has already been locked
and my children and I are already in bed.
I cannot get up to give you anything.’
I tell you,
if he does not get up to give the visitor the loaves
because of their friendship,
he will get up to give him whatever he needs
because of his persistence.

“And I tell you, ask and you will receive;
seek and you will find;
knock and the door will be opened to you.
For everyone who asks, receives;
and the one who seeks, finds;
and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened."

Just ask my family, friends, and neighbors...I don't know if it is because I am the youngest or it is due to my temperament...but I have no problem asking my neighbor for some bread or anything else I need! I also ASK/SEEK/and KNOCK on God's door all the time!
God and I have a great relationship...I ask and he usually gives it to me.
My motto has always been: THY WILL BE DONE!!!
I was gratefully reminded that this week when my skinny husband took off his wedding band and showed me what I had engraved in it...it said, "THY WILL BE DONE!"
Go God! The inside of my ring says, ".Eph 25 Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her" 

Well, I am off to bed...but couldn't help giving my husband a huge Shout Out for starting to blog again! Please read over at Sardonic Catholic Dad and read all his post on the how to's to do this budget thing...God is good to give me such a faithful servant as a husband and he had done such a great job at posting lots of ideas on saving! (ONE THING I DID REMIND HIM was: Don't forget that a budget spreadsheet is like a family job chart you have to make it meet the needs of your individual family. Most importantly the fact that for many many years God always provided for us even when we we didn't make enough each month to pay our bills we didn't go into debt-God just met our needs!) Wow...Chores and Job Charts...don't get me started...that is for another day...

THY WILL BE DONE!!! +JMJ+

Today's gospel reading

Luke 5:27-32
Jesus saw a tax collector named Levi sitting at the customs post. He said to him, "Follow me." And leaving everything behind, he got up and followed him. Then Levi gave a great banquet for him in his house, and a large crowd of tax collectors and others were at table with them. The Pharisees and their scribes complained to his disciples, saying, "Why do you eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners?" Jesus said to them in reply, "Those who are healthy do not need a physician, but the sick do. I have not come to call the righteous to repentance but sinners."

Dear Lord, please keep me on the right track this Lent. Help me not to judge those I see and help my family Follow You all the days of our life.

THY WILL BE DONE!!! +JMJ+

IMITATION OF CHRIST: Meditation of the day...

The Forty-Third Chapter
Beware Vain and Worldly Knowledge (part two)

The Voice of Christ

I am He Who in one moment so enlightens the humble mind that it comprehends more of eternal truth than could be learned by ten years in the schools. I teach without noise of words or clash of opinions, without ambition for honor or confusion of argument.

I am He Who teaches man to despise earthly possessions and to loathe present things, to ask after the eternal, to hunger for heaven, to fly honors and to bear with scandals, to place all hope in Me, to desire nothing apart from Me, and to love Me ardently above all things. For a certain man by loving Me intimately learned divine truths and spoke wonders. He profited more by leaving all things than by studying subtle questions.

To some I speak of common things, to others of special matters. To some I appear with sweetness in signs and figures, and to others I appear in great light and reveal mysteries. The voice of books is but a single voice, yet it does not teach all men alike, because I within them am the Teacher and the Truth, the Examiner of hearts, the Understander of thoughts, the Promoter of acts, distributing to each as I see fit.

Lord, teach me to seek truth, examine my heart, and help me to understand Your holy will for my life. Keep me on track this Lent.

THY WILL BE DONE!!! +JMJ+

The muck of sin...

Do you have sin build up? I do...As I was cleaning the window behind my kitchen sink today, I noticed how much muck and build up had accumulated in just a short time. Wow, after I cleaned it, I could see better and clearer. The window area had such a nice shine to it.

All I could think about was my life of sin...how one small sin builds upon another and another. Or weight...one pound here, another here...one cookie isn't so bad, but how much easier it is to grab another and another...Life is a constant battle of wills...saying no to our self and yes to God or to the "healthier" decision. And Wow, after a good confession, I can see better and clearer!!! My life has such a nice shine to it.

So, it is time to get back to my "Hot spots" that I learned about seven years ago from the FLYLADY. Those hot spots in my home and in my soul. Lent is a great time to renew these problems I have!!! Baby steps...

THY WILL BE DONE!!! +JMJ+

Meditation of the Day: Imitation of Christ-

I left off here with my last Imitation of Christ meditation. I was starting book four AN INVITATION TO HOLY COMMUNION. Which is perfect timing since we are going to try and get back to daily mass this Lent. For those of you who want to learn more about the Eucharist I suggest this book THE SEVEN SECRETS OF THE EUCHARIST. It is a small book filled with tons of great insights on the "new awareness that the Eucharist is not just about receiving Communion; it's about transforming your daily life."

The First Chapter
The Great Reverence With Which We Should Receive Christ (part one)
The Disciple

THESE are all Your words, O Christ, eternal Truth, though they were not all spoken at one time nor written together in one place. And because they are Yours and true, I must accept them all with faith and gratitude. They are Yours and You have spoken them; they are mine also because You have spoken them for my salvation. Gladly I accept them from Your lips that they may be the more deeply impressed in my heart.

Words of such tenderness, so full of sweetness and love, encourage me; but my sins frighten me and an unclean conscience thunders at me when approaching such great mysteries as these. The sweetness of Your words invites me, but the multitude of my vices oppresses me.

You command me to approach You confidently if I wish to have part with You, and to receive the food of immortality if I desire to obtain life and glory everlasting.

“Come to me,” You say, “all you that labor and are burdened, and I will refresh you.” Matt. 11:28.

Oh, how sweet and kind to the ear of the sinner is the word by which You, my Lord God, invite the poor and needy to receive Your most holy Body! Who am I, Lord, that I should presume to approach You? Behold, the heaven of heavens cannot contain You, and yet You say: “Come, all of you, to Me.”

I have never felt closer to Christ than when I am in union with Him in the Eucharist on a daily basis. Due to different states in life (hmmm, having 12 kids comes to mind), I can't always be at daily mass. I see a huge change in our family and kids when we make the sacrifice to get to daily mass. When we don't get there I try to do a small spiritual communion during the day as much as possible. Usually it goes like this, "LORD, I AM NOT WORTHY TO RECEIVE YOU, BUT ONLY SAY THE WORD AND I WILL BE HEALED." Here is a nice one:

Spiritual Communion Prayer

My Jesus, I believe that You are present in the Most Holy Sacrament.
I love You above all things, and I desire to receive You into my soul.
Since I cannot at this moment receive You sacramentally,
come at least spiritually into my heart.
I embrace You as if You were already there and unite myself wholly to You.
Never permit me to be separated from You.

THY WILL BE DONE!!! +JMJ+