{Pretty, Happy, Funny, Real}

{Pretty}



MMMMM....pretty....fresh strawberries from the garden

{Happy}

On Mother's Day we went to our local zoo, it was such a fun and happy day. Ella and I compared to bears...

{Funny}

 

Elk butt



                                                                          {Real}



We have 6 kittens under our porch. Want one?



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Join Us!

The little one and I are joining in this year for the Marian ATC Swap.

I have been thinking of something special to do this month for Our Lady and I saw this on Pondered in My Heart. What a beautiful way to show devotion to Our Lady.

I will probably be using mostly colored pencils and Little E will probably be using water colors (we just need to get some...). Please join us!

Seven Quick Takes

1. Life has been pretty slow around here lately. We are spending time outside and gardening. Fresh air is so good for the soul.

2. DH and I are still reading Introduction to the Devout Life by St. Francis DeSalles. It.is.so.good. So many thought provoking parts at apply to every faction of my life. It has left me realizing that I have so far to go to life a Holy life.
3. We are headed to Vermont soon and I can't wait. I will be doing a 48 hour silent retreat at this monastery. We will be staying in north central VT and plan on relaxing and doing to touristy type things. My anxiety about this trip is going with my almost 2 year old. She tends to scream (a lot) when she is overtired. My hope is for a mostly peaceful trip.
4. I am working on a post on modesty, how it has softened my heart and helped me to grow a little in virtue. Stay tuned.
5. I have an appointment next week with a new-to-me NaPro doc, please say a prayer that it goes well and she can help me.
6. Our little family has settled into a nice rhythm for the time being in the evening-dinner, clean up, and rosary. Bedtime soon after for our little one. It is just so peaceful. There is just something bonding for our family to pray out loud together and offer that time for those we know that need prayers.


7. Our local farmers market opened up this week and it was fabulous. I bought homemade crackers, they are Divine! I also bought some bok choy...have been looking for some recipes to cook it. Any suggestions are welcome!

A Simple Woman's Daybook

Never done on before, but no time but the present!

Daybook

For Today, Tuesday March 27, 2012

Outside my window...its chilly, more spring here in PA

I am thinking...when are we going to put together E's little new outside cottage

I am thankful...for good friends that let me complain

In the kitchen...defrosting lamb shoulder roast for deconstructed gyros tonight

I am wearing...a jean skirt, tights, short sleeve sweater and long sleeve T under the sweater

I am creating...E's Easter basket

I am going...to visit my family this weekend for my Grandma's 90th birthday party

I am wondering...when we are going to mass for Easter

I am reading...Introduction to the Devout Life, the Dialogue by St. Catherine of Siena, and The Baby Whisperer for Toddlers and another book on Montessori

I am hoping...for another baby sometime soon

I am looking forward to...spending lots of time outside this summer

I am learning...that my marriage is always evolving

Around the house...toys out from this morning and laundry that needs to be switched

I am pondering...how wonderful it is to stay home.

A quote for today..."The cross of Christ is the source of all blessings, the cause of all graces." St. Leo the Great

A few plans for the rest of the week...play group tomorrow AM, packing, work Friday AM then trip!

A peek into my day...

Can't get pic to upload!

God's Mercy

Reflecting on my second miscarriage, I can't help but believe that this is God' Mercy for me.

Let me explain. Throughout my short life I have encountered many sufferings. But, looking back, I realize that with each suffering, the Lord is calling me back to Him. He knows me. He knows that I tend to wander when comfortable. I get quite lazy. I slow down my prayer. I got to daily mass less. But, when suffering and in pain, I call out to Him. I pray more. I seek Him more.

Through suffering, I realize that I am not God. I do not know all. I cannot do all. Therefore, suffering is really God's Mercy for me. Just like the Cross. He could have stopped the suffering. But, He allowed it. Jesus modeled perfect obedience and Mary also modeled perfect emotional suffering to model how we should live. It is such a hard, hard way of life, but one that leads to peace. (And hopefully Heaven!).

After this second miscarriage, I have a strange peace. I don't get those twinges of jealousy of friends that are still pregnant. Or those that pregnant so easily. Now, I did cry about not being able to share this special time with my friends when I realized that I was miscarrying, but since then, no anger or jealousy. This is only by the Grace of God. And His Blessed Mother.

The March for Life

On Monday, my husband, daughter and I attended the March for Life in Washington DC. It was so powerful. This was my first time.

We met friends, E and P at Au Bon Pain for lunch and then headed over to the Mall. It was so muddy and wet, but we saw many signs and people there. We couldn't hear or see the rally and then it started to rain really hard so we went into the Smithsonian. (Plus, little E was freaking out). Close to 1:30 PM we went out towards the street and moved towards where the crowd was gathering. There was lots of chanting and praying going on. As we got closer, we realized that we were at the front.

We watched some the marchers go by and then Little E started to freak out and wanted out of the stroller. DH tried to hold her but she was shouting for me. So I picked her up and then a sister in a blue habit stopped by and talked to E. She stopped crying and the sister gave her a blue prayer shawl and asked us to prayer for her and she said she would pray for us. I asked her what her name was and she said Mother Olga of the Daughters of Mary of Nazareth. Her shawl warmed E the rest of the march. We got into the march and E wouldn't let DH hold her nor would she ride in the stroller. I held her most of the way except when she wanted to walk a little. She wasn't not going to walk during her first March for Life!

As we were marching, I kept thinking of all the babies that have died through the massacre of abortion and just how incredibly sorrowful this is. I was tearing up most of the March. Here I was carrying my 19 month old and a 7 week old baby in my belly and I would walk the entire March in my hands to keep this baby in my womb, but some mothers "choose" to stop their baby's beating heart. Such a tragedy in our society.

We walked with the other marchers almost to the Supreme Court and then headed back to Union Station to get the Metro home.

We are so thankful to our friends M and A for hosting us before and after the March. We had a wonderful meal together and our babies played together. They are such gracious hosts and have a warm and inviting home.

Favorite Books of 2011

This past year I have read more spiritual books than in my entire life. It was so good. Once reason was because a couple friends and I formed a book group and read some good spiritual books. They were my motivation to keep reading when the reading got tough. Our book discussions weren't all that in depth since we were running after 7 children three and under! Some of these books I read on my own and some with the group. I try to keep tabs on what I am reading on Goodreads, a link to the right. There are so many more I want to read this year, I just need more time!

1. A Story of a Soul by St. Therese: This was my first book about a saint's life that I read. It blew me away. Her humility and devotion to Christ was so inspirational, I should read it again this year.

2. The Apostolate of Holy Motherhood: awesome read. Great for any mother of young children.

3. Humility of Heart by Cejatan de Bergama: Amazing. Knocked me on my, well, you know. I had no idea how my pride could manifest in so many ways.

4. A Mother's Rule of Life by Holly Perliot: By far the best book I have read on motherhood, prayer, and organizing one's day.

5. Trustful Surrender to Divine Providence by Father Jean Baptiste Saint-Jure: Seriously one of the best spiritual reading I have ever read. Made me realize that every.little.thing is God's Divine Plan for my life.

6. Interior Castle by St. Teresa of Avila: This book was difficult to understand at times, but very intense and good description on the phases of one's spiritual life. I realized that I have a very far way to go.

7. Unplanned by Abby Johnson: I highly recommend this book for anyone on the fence about PP or prolife issues. Very inspirational.

PS: If want any other news, please check my private blog. :)