In the Moment: Tuesday afternoon already

I find myself:

::noticing God's glory

We did some planting last week. Everyone is excited about watching the vegetable garden come to life. I love our visits to the garden store and so do the children. I relinquished the camera and let them do all the photos. Nicholas is really becoming a shutterbug and nature is his favorite subject.

We planted lots of tomatoes and plenty of basil. Caprese salad love will happen here all summer, I hope.

The peonies are now in full bloom. Must be prom time. My mother’s peonies always bloomed in time for prom.

::listening to 

a medley of accents and languages. I’m sitting at DMV, waiting for a teenager, but I might as well be in the lobby of the United Nations building.

::clothing myself in 

Clogs, jeans, and a tunic. Nothing terribly noteworthy.

::giving thanks for

a successful launch of the new studio for ESPN Deportes in Coral Gables. I’m happy for Mike; those professional successes are not to be belittled. But I’m super-happy for me. It will be nice to have him working locally again. Very, very nice.

::talking with my children about these books

Since I'm going to share my own reading on Thursdays at needle and thREAD, I thought I'd share some reading from our family's choices. 

These bee books are making the rounds in our reading rooms. I so want to keep bees. I don’t think it’s going to happen in this neighborhood. I did, however, learn that Kristin's grandfather used to keep bees and he has all the equipment and I can have it. But where to put it?

In the meantime, we’re enjoying the education:

Fruitless Fall: whether you want to be a beekeeper or not, this book is utterly fascinating.

The Backyard Beekeeper. An absolute beginner's guide. Perfect, as I am an absolute beginner.

Better Beekeeping. This is the advanced book. I'm going to pass it along to Ginny. 

 

::pondering prayerfully

In a certain sense, Consoling the Heart of Jesus is all about striving to remain at peace and in spiritual joy, striving to stay in a spirit of praise and in spiritual joy, striving to stay in a spirit of praise and thanksgiving throughout good times and bad. ~Fr. Michael Gaitley (inspiring video link here)

::carefully cultivating rhythm

We were introduced to the world of competitive dance last weekend. I’m still recovering. We had to be at the site, an hour away, at 6:30 AM. We pulled out of the parking lot at 6PM. Eleven and a half hours in an auditorium with incessant music. Quite the experience. I was there with some other mothers who also have soccer players; we all agreed that a soccer tournament with the same hours and travel is far less exhausting. My reality is that I’m usually happy to spend the day outside, but I really struggled with being in a dark auditorium. I also have never had internet access away from my house, so it was a new experience to take my iPhone along and have unlimited access throughout the day. I learned a lot about myself and that tool this weekend. More on that later this week, perhaps.

My little girls came along and loved the whole thing. Totally unfazed by the fact that we saw more than 300 dances, they came home, flipped on their ballet music, and began choreographing anew.

::creating by hand

I’m making slow progress on the Painted Portrait Blouse from Anna Maria Horner. I didn’t do the most careful job of cutting notches (and I wish I had). And I did my marking with a Frixion pen, which was just plain stupid. That pen's ink disappears completely under the heat of the iron. It’s a great choice for embroidery and a really dumb one for garment sewing. I’m struggling a bit, but I’ll persevere. Maybe you can see it for needle & thREAD on Thursday. 

::learning lessons in

nutrition. Again. Paleo or Dr. Fuhrmann? Full fat dairy or no dairy? Whole grains or all grains are bad? Sometimes I feel like nothing is good to eat...On the other hand, pretty much everyone agrees that fruits and veggies are a good thing. Salad, salad, salad.

::encouraging learning 

This is the beginning of our school year. We school year ‘round and we’ve pretty much finished all I had planned, so it’s time to start anew.

::begging prayers

for all the people who have joined our weekend prayer community. I carried your requests with me to Mass and I will keep a candle lit for you throughout the week.

for a dear friend who is discerning God’s call in her life.

for lonely missionaries.

:keeping house

I made a new chore chart last week. I haven’t really had much of a functioning chore chart in a few years. So far, it’s a disaster.

Everyone is ignoring it.

But I’m cracking the whip (metaphorically). This thing has to work.  There is too much to do for me to be the only one doing it.

::crafting in the kitchen 

I’m stumped. See “learning lessons” above.

::loving the moments

when my little girls jump into the arms of my teenagers’ friends. The younger children in my family are surrounded by really great role models.

::living the liturgy

We are using  33 Days to Morning Glory  in preparation for Marian Consecration on the Feast of the Visitation. Also in the plans for this lovely month of May: new handmade rosaries for everyone. I've ordered nearly all the necessary beads and parts. Admittedly, I've been gathering for several years now, but I think we're nearly ready to begin to make heirlooms. 

::planning for the week ahead

"There is nothing pressing this week. The idea makes me giddy." (I cannot believe I wrote that last week. It was a killer week, schedule-wise. Perhaps I should invest in a better planner? Perhaps I should consult the planner more often. Whatever the root, I got totally blindsided by the intensity of last weekend and I’m still recovering. May is exhausting. Be sure to check out the planner giveaway!)

 

In the Moment on Monday Morning

I find myself:

::noticing God's glory

I've been keeping a close eye on weather charts for the last week. The front beds are all planted and we did cover tender new plants with sheets one night. The man who sells me my tomatoes and herbs is very serious about temperatures and over the years he's made a believer of me. So I'm waiting on the vegetable garden. I think we might be in the clear today. I'm looking very forward to a trek to DeBaggio's.

::listening to 

Sarah and Katie discussing the fine art of oatmeal preparation.

::clothing myself in 

Jeans, a sweatshirt, and very worn tennis shoes. I have got my eye on these. What do you think? Dansko all year 'round and in every situation?

::giving thanks for

a beautiful Confirmation for Stephen.

::talking with my children about these books

Since I'm going to share my own reading on Thursdays at needle and thREAD, I thought I'd share some reading from the children's choices. {not much has changed since last week:)}

Mary Beth is binge reading through the John Paul 2 High School fiction series and enjoying it. 

Stephen has begun Lord of the Rings, part of a course on Lewis and Tolkein.

Patrick is reading A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court.

And Katie has a series of her own going. After having literally memorized huge chunks fo the Little House books, she's reading the Anne Pellowski series. She's utterly captivated. She knows that she comes from Polish roots and the combination of Polish culture and Catholic references are truly endearing to her. 

Sarah is reading Crafty Chloe to her dolls a million times a day.

::pondering prayerfully

How happy I was when my father entered the house in the evening! He seldom could come home at noon. He would take me in his arms, kiss me, and [play with] me before his supper, although he then must have been quite worn out with his day's toil. I was his idol. He would spend hours playing with me and answering my endless questions. His greatest joy was to procure pleasant surprises: a walk, or a trip, some little present, a rosary, a statue, some toy or piece of jewelry. Speaking of the latter, the first I remember were a tiny golden heart and a little cross. A heart, symbol of the gift of my own to Jesus, and of my love for Him, and a cross: emblem of Jesus' love for me.

....
How I thank my good parents for having loved me in the true sense of the word, for real love supposes correction of faults, what should I have become, left to my pride, my stubbornness, my whims and fancies, my mischievous tricks? No doubt I should have developed into a sulky, unbearable child, all the more so as I was brought up without the salutary contact of other children. Later on, I should have been unable to agree with anybody, or get on without making those around me suffer. My God, I thank Thee for having given me parents who taught me to obey.
~Blessed Dina Belanger of Quebec

   

::carefully cultivating rhythm

Now that the prayer rhythm feels really firm and utterly natural, it's time to nail the chore rhythm for the new season. I know that the more we have that is routine, the more those functions are planned and plotted and practiced, the fewer eveyday decisions I have. And I know that the fewer the decisions, the less the stress. I'm highly motivated to diminish needless stressors.

::creating by hand

I definitely did not hit the mark on the Elsie Marley  Kids Clothes Week Challenge. I got a little sewing done last week, but not nearly what I'd hoped to do. This week is much mellower calendar-wise. I have twirly skirts to finish and then I'm going to trace for some sundresses.  

Anyone out there who can advise on sizing for the Lisette patterns by Leisl Gibson? Kristin and I were looking at measurements on the pattern cover and it's hard to have confidence to cut fabric for a size that seems so much bigger than ready-to-wear sizes. 

::learning lessons in

Gardening. I am admittedly inspired and a bit envious of what Ruth has done here. I'd just about given up on the idea that I could make rural dreams come true in suburbia. She's revised hope in that dream. I wonder how long I could raise bees before my neighbors would complain? I've been obsessed with the idea of bees since this visit last week. Even Mike--who's not so much into the urban (or anyplace else) farm idea--agreed that the bees are way cool. I've lifted my self-imposed book buying ban. I feel a binge coming;-)

::encouraging learning 

This week we begin a math co-op with my friend Linda. Linda is a mathmatical genius. I'm hoping it will rub off on my children. For my part, I just have to teach hers to knit. I can do that; this plan is a good one.

::begging prayers

for all the people who have joined our weekend prayer community. I carried your requests with me to Mass and I will keep a candle lit for you throughout the week.

:keeping house

Now that the calendar has settled a bit, I'm looking at tackling the basement again. I pretty much want every room in the house to have the same order as the little girls' closet. I mean to make it that way and drag all these children along with me. 

::crafting in the kitchen 

I made banana pudding last week. We were out with friends after soccer and Mike and my friend Mindy were rhapsodizing over banana pudding. I abhor bananas, but the look on his face while he talked about pudding made me resolve to scout a good recipe. I did a little research and came up with my own. I will share with you tomorrow;-).

::loving the moments

when Nicholas served Confirmation Mass. His sweet face was just so earnest and he could barely contain his delight when he got to hold the Bishops' crozier during the homily. I so wish I had a picture.

::living the liturgy

We have begun to use 33 Days to Morning Glory with all my kids this week, in preparation for Marian Consecration on the Feast of the Visitation. Also in the plans for this lovely month of May: new handmade rosaries for everyone. I've ordered nearly all the necessary beads and parts. Admittedly, I've been gathering for several years now, but I think we're nearly ready to begin to make heirlooms. 

::planning for the week ahead

There is nothing pressing this week. The idea makes me giddy.

All pictures this week are from my iPhone.Would you good iPhone folks share with me your ideas on uploading and "phone camera dumping?"

I love Instagram for editing, but I'm not real keen on publishing every single thing as I go to Instagram. I did find Followgram--pretty cool. It looks like Followgram makes it possible for even non-iPhone people to play along with Instagram following. Mary Beth is bothered by this--she thinks Instagram should be just for iPhones and those pictures should only be visible on a phone screen. She says she's a purist. I think she's being exclusive. Hmmm...

And,  I fight the rising panic as I report this and wonder if you've ever had a such a thing happen: I was going through my camera roll, emailing pictures from my phone to my computer so I could post them here and suddenly, my camera went black. I can see everything else on my phone, but when I click the camera icon, nothing but black. Your thoughts? I have only one confirmation picture elsewhere, so I'm really hoping those photos aren't lost.

My MacBook isn't working. The mousepad is completely unresponsive. I've sort of let going into the Apple store slide a bit--the last couple of weeks, my phone has kept me wired just enough. But if I have to take my iPhone in and I have no computer...

well, if you don't hear from me, it's all on Steve Jobs.

In the Moment: This Day is Getting Away from Me

I find myself:

::noticing God's glory

I spent the whole day in the garden last Tuesday. The weather was perfect and I found that I actually enjoy pulling weeds. Who knew? Today, it's barely forty and I am not at all interested in getting out there. Hopefully, the weeds aren't either.

::listening to 

The washer washing and the dryer drying. Mondays are big catch-up days after busy weekends.

::clothing myself in 

Warm cashmere socks a la Elizabeth DeHority. It's so ridiculously cold after such a nice, mild winter.

::giving thanks for

a productive morning. Now, if I can just keep chugging on.

::talking with my children about these books

Since I'm going to share my own reading on Thursdays at needle and thREAD, I thought I'd share some reading from the children's choices.

Mary Beth is binge reading through the John Paul 2 High School fiction series and enjoying it. 

Stephen has begun Lord of the Rings, part of a course on Lewis and Tolkein.

Patrick is reading A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court.

And Katie has a series of her own going. After having literally memorized huge chunks fo the Little House books, she's reading the Anne Pellowski series. She's utterly captivated. She knows that she comes from Polish roots and the combination of Polish culture and Catholic references are truly endearing to her. 

::pondering prayerfully

Fly from bad companions as from the bite of a poisonous snake. If you keep good companions, I can assure you that you will one day rejoice with the blessed in Heaven; whereas if you keep with those who are bad, you will become bad yourself, and you will be in danger of losing your soul. ~St. John Bosco

   

::carefully cultivating rhythm

Last week, we had contractors here to build in shelves and drawers in closets. Life revolved around tearing out, spackling, and painting to get ready for "the closet guys." And then, it revolved around putting everything back and repurposing furniture previously used by little girls. This week, it's all about getting back to normal.

::creating by hand

I plan to join Elsie Marley this week for the Kids Clothes Week Challenge and spend at least an hour a day sewing for children. So far, um, yeah. I plan to do it.

::learning lessons in

Organization, humility, beginning again. My kids forgot to take out the trash last Wednesday night. Our neighbor was beyond annoyed. He called the Homeowner's Association and they came out. Really embarrassing. It's back to a rock-solid actual checklist and inspection of such things. There is an old adage I've known for 20 years or more: Don't expect what you don't inspect. True that. 

::encouraging learning 

I'm still having conferences with my kids, but we're making great progess. More checklists happening. I'd gotten away from lists and records, but I'm back now. I need them. A lot. (see above)

::begging prayers

for all the people who have joined our weekend prayer community. I carried your requests with me to Mass and I will keep a candle lit for you throughout the week.

:keeping house

Speaking of old adages, there is much to be said for "a place for everything and everything in its place." We are making great progress on having a place for everything. For instance, typical suburban houses aren't made for nine beds and they aren't made for linens for nine beds. Now that we've made maximum space of the closet in the little girls' room, I've moved Sarah's dresser into my bathroom and it's storing towels and sheets. I'm pretty sure I heard the hall linen closet sigh with relief. And so on and so on. Teeny, tiny, baby steps. 

::crafting in the kitchen 

I heard your request for meat sauce to go with the manicotti. Hoepfully, I'll get that one written up tomorrow. I went to the Famer's Market for the first time this season. Yay! Saturday morning fruits and veggies are the best. I'm looking forward to spending the whole growing season indulging in my standard lunch: a cup of Greek yogurt, a half teaspoon of raw honey, and whatever fruit is ripe and plentiful and local. (Psst, they already have strawberries:-) 

::loving the moments

One day last week, Nicky and Karoline and I went to visit the geese. Karoline has named them all since we go nearly every day. Usually, though, I take all the little girls. It was really fun to just have those two children along. The dynamic between them is special and I loved witnessing it. Nicky caught some good video with his iPod camera and he even managed a few good pictures of a bird of prey. And then I got a few pics, too;-).

::living the liturgy

I plan to begin to use 33 Days to Morning Glory with all my kids this week, in preparation for Marian Consecration on the Feast of the Visitation. More about this book later in the week, I think.

 

::planning for the week ahead

We didn't get to make that aforementioned bee trip. Maybe this week. We have 4 orthondontic appointments on Wednesday. That means we'll have four people moaning and groaning and drikning frozen smoothies Wedesday night. Mike and I are looking forward to a fancy grown-up lunch to celebrate my stepmom's birthday on Saturday morning. Sephen is being confirmed Saturday night. Mary Beth has her first performance with her new dance school on Sunday. And then, I think Sunday evening is just begging for a celebration cookout.

All pictures this week are from my iPhone. I'm having a wonderful time getting to know the camera.

In the Moment Monday Morning

I find myself:

::noticing God's glory

Years ago, I went to Girls Nation. After my week playing "Senator from Virginia" was over, the girl who played "Senator from New Mexico" stayed with me at my house. Mike (yes, that Mike--he was in the picture even way back when) and I drove her all over Virginia, showing her the sights. I remember how she marveled over and over again at how green it all was. I'd always lived on the east coast and never known anything but lush green. After that week, I never took it for granted again. I noticed the green. This week, the world is truly greening up.

::listening to 

Sarah and Katie playing "babies in the next room. We called it "playing house" when I was growing up. My kids have always called it "playing babies." I like their name for it infinitely better.

::clothing myself in 

Layers. The weather in the past week has been all over the {weather} map. Cold in the mornings. Hot in the afternoons. Crazy.

::giving thanks for

 mercy.

::talking with my children about these books

Since I'm going to share my own reading on Thursdays at needle and thREAD, I thought I'd share some reading from the children's choices.

Mary Beth is binge reading through the John Paul 2 High School fiction series and enjoying it. 

Patrick and Nick are both reading through the Hunger Games Trilogy. If you haven't bought any of them, buy the boxed set. If they read one (or if you read one), they (or you) are going to want to read them all. Isn't it funny to call three Kindle editions a "boxed set?"

And Katie has a series of her own going. After having literally memorized huge chunks fo the Little House books, she's reading the Anne Pellowski series. She's utterly captivated. She knows that she comes from Polish roots and the combination of Polish culture and Catholic references are truly endearing to her. Yesterday, I found her writing her name--only she was using my maiden name. Bless her heart! She managed to get all those counterintuitive Polish consonants in the right order. She says she'll use "Grzymala" as a middle name for one of her kids.

::pondering prayerfully

 "I recommend to you holy simplicity.  Look straight in front of you and not at those dangers you see in the distance.  As you say, to you they look like armies, but they are only willow branches; and while you are looking at them you may take a false step.  Let us be firmly resolved to serve God with our whole heart and life.  Beyond that, let us have no care about tomorrow.  Let us think only of living today well, and when tomorrow comes, it also will be today and we can think about it then.  In all this we must trust and be resigned to God's providence." From the Golden Counsels of St. Francis de Sales (tip of the Easter bonnet to Jennifer)

   

::creating by hand

I finished the embroidery on my first quilt square for the anniversary quilt. And I learned to do French knots. Karoline was very impressed. On to the next square. I've promised a certain sweetheart in Colorado a twirly skirt and I'd like to make some sundresses. We'll see what the week holds.

::learning lessons in

bees. We've gotten all our bee books out in anticipation of a visit to meet a friend's new obsession. With the promise of being able to wear the bee suit, Nicholas can hardly wait! He's come a long way since his bee-phobia.

::encouraging learning 

I'm having individual conferences with each child this week to absolutely nail down what will be required of them this summer. We're going to have very strict checklists. Every once in awhile, a season of strict checklists is in order. 

::carefully cultivating rhythm

Michael began working the dayshift today! I canot begin to tell you how happy this makes me. Ever since he got the job at USAToday last year, he's worked from 6PM-3AM. He gets home around 4AM. Often, I don't sleep very soundly until I know he's safely home. And, often when he does get home, I wake completely and can't get back to sleep. He's sleep deprived. I'm sleep deprived. In the mornings, when he's sleeping, I spend way too much time telling little girls not to talk, not to sing, not to play music, not to build with blocks... And often, they're still too loud for him to sleep. Tension. All that went away today.

::begging prayers

for my friend, Leslie who carries a heavy cross into the Easter season and for her children:  I pray that the joy of the Resurrection will be theirs even as the grieve. And for the repose of the soul of her husband: 

Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him. May the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.

:keeping house

Mike and Christian built floor-to-celing, wall-to-wall bookcases in the basement. We've moved all the books from our library closet to the basement shelves. The room that used to be our learning room has been the little girls' room for a few years now. But the closet remained a library. No more. This week, it's going to be transformed into a dressing room. Yesterday, we painted it pink. More magic to come.

::crafting in the kitchen 

To celebrate Kristin's birthday, I taught her how to make homemade Manicotti on Saturday. Recipe tomorrow:-)

Post-holiday notes to self, so that I never, ever do this again:

1. Just because it's Easter, don't be a glutton. 
2. Eating chocolate covered espresso beans found in Christian's basket will have the same effect as drinking coffee. Maybe worse.
3. Sugar is not my friend.
4. Neither is starch.
5. I'm really happiest and healthiest when I stick to that strict diet. 

::loving the moments

I'll say it again: I love soccer in Poolesville. Love the ferry, love the farm. Don't really care that it's a terrible field. Love the picnic. Love the soccer friends. Love it all.

{This is where I should insert my first iPhone picture--taken yesterday on the ferry to soccer. But I have no idea how to get it from phone to blog just yet. maybe a quick post of its own this afternoon.}

::living the liturgy

I got an iPhone. And so did Patrick. So we gave our iPods to Katie and Karoline. And that means they inherited the chimes and the apps of my prayer plan. It was pretty darn adorable to watch them keep those prayer times for themselves. The only thing Katie changed was opting for the sounds of a strumming guitar instead of chapel bells. I choose not to ponder the liturgical implications. She's just a girl who likes guitar:-)

::planning for the week ahead

We might make that aforementioned bee trip. We will go to Bull Run--it just wouldn't be the third week in April without playing in the creek down there, flowers or no flowers. Stephen's Confirmation notebook will be finished and turned in. Last detail before his big day on the 28th!

In the Moment: Easter Monday

I find myself:

::noticing God's glory

It's early April. The tulips are already spent. The bluebells have bloomed and gone. Patrick has readied the rose garden for its moment of glory. Thankfully, the rose's season will last a long, long time. 

And the boys have built a raised bed garden. It's just waiting. Isn't that a happy, hopeful thing? A brand new garden, filled with soil and ready for seedlings. What a gift!

::listening to 

birds. So many birds under the pear tree in my front yard. They sound just lovely.

::clothing myself in 

His infinite mercy.

::giving thanks for

 a very fruitful Lent--the grace of a silent retreat and some time away alone with my husband. I'm so grateful to the people who made it happen.

::pondering prayerfully

You expired, Jesus, but the source of life gushed forth for souls, and the ocean of mercy opened up for the whole world. O Fount of Life, unfathomable Divine Mercy, envelop the whole world and empty Yourself out upon us. … O Blood and Water, which gushed forth from the Heart of Jesus as a fount of mercy for us, I trust in You. (Diary of St. Faustina, 84, 1319)

  

::turning the pages of this book

I spent Holy Week reading Consoling the Heart of Jesus. There are a small handful of books in my life where I remember exactly where and when I read them because those times and places are turning points. This book is one of those. It is easily at the top of that list. This incredibly readable volume makes some of the most beautiful truths and devotions of the Catholic faith understandable (at last)  and accessible (even to busy mothers of large families).  Fr. Gaitley brings together fine threads of several spiritual traditions and weaves them into a beautiful and exceedingly useful tapestry of a do-it-yourself retreat. It is Ignatian spirituality made accessible. It is the Little Way of St. Therese for all of us. It is consecration to Mary and devotion to Divine Mercy explained in plain language and made clear to little souls. Mostly, it is a rich volume of Merciful Words that brings Merciful Love to its readers. You don't have to have a weekend to make the retreat. You can just read a little each day until you are finished. If it's your heart's desire to get to know and understand Jesus better, tell Him. He'll help you find the time. I heartily recommend that you hurry and get yourself a copy of this book--what a beautiful way to spend the Easter sason.

::creating by hand

I think this is the week I will attempt to sew a garment for myself. More on that on Thursday. (A quick St. Anne prayer would be appreciated though;-)

  

::learning lessons in

re-entry. I was away last week. Now I'm back. You'd think after making every re-entry mistake in the book when I came back in January, I would have learned. But I'm still learning. 

::encouraging learning 

We have a few little Easter week happy things planned, but we also have some lessons to do this week. 

::carefully cultivating rhythm

I'm back in step with the rhythm of prayer. Lent is so good for that. I've resolved to keep all my Lenten resolutions. I made quite a few and they've born great fruit. I looked at every single one and decided that there was no better way than to celebrate the Easter season than to just keep doing what I've been doing.

One thing, though. I found, about half way through Lent, that I didn't really have time to write. I'd like to have time to write. I spent a good chunk of time alone last week and I had an opportunity to get some posts for this week written. Beyond that, I'm praying I figure out the writing time piece of the puzzle. 

::begging prayers

for my friend, Leslie who carries a heavy cross into the Easter season and for her children:  I pray that the joy of the Resurrection will be theirs even as the grieve. And for the repose of the soul of her husband: 

Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him. May the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.

::keeping house

Yeah. That. I'm doing it, I promise;-).

::crafting in the kitchen 

this early spring has me befuddled in the kitchen, too. What local vegetable season is it, anyway? Farmer's Market is supposed to open in April. Any locals know which weekend?

I'm also planning meals to bring to my mother- and father-in-law. I need to think of things which are easily re-heated and provide some variety over the course of a few days. Any ideas?

::loving the moments

::I took lots of long walks in Coral Gables while Mike was at work. While the sights and sounds were wonderful, it was the feel of warm sun that especially blessed me. Oh, how that sun felt good!

::I had lots of uninterrupted time alone with Mike at te end of his work day.

:: After the feast and the Easter egg hunt yesterday, Karoline, who is five, organized all the cousins and siblings to put on an Easter play. From the Last Supper to the Resurrection, she scripted and directed the whole thing. It was a child who reminded us at the end of the long day exactly what the day was meant to celebrate. How happy she must have made Jesus! How He must have smiled at Nicholas carrying the seven foot cross and then curling up in the soccer-goal-turned-tomb. And Karoline, insisting it all happen and then bringing it life. Oh, to have the unabashed faith of a little child...

::living the liturgy

I'm determined that my family know that we are living the Easter season, just as surely as they knew that we were living Lent. What does that mean, exactly? How best to make it fifty days of bright hope and joyful prayer?

For us, Easter has always meant an abundance of time out door in the sunshine.  Our beloved bluebells have come and gone, so this year, we will spend April getting to know some of the later blooming flowers (which are also blooming early--we'll get to know traditional may flowers this April). 

It's also a season of blessed candles, holy water, and light. That means that candles will be lit on the mantel where the golden Alleluia letters shine, all the holy water fonts will be filled, and windows will be washed inside and out to let in the light. 

The Eastertide hymn will be rung (or sung  lustily as it may) and my children will be belting out Alleluias at random times for the foreseeable future, just because they can...

And we are looking joyfully forward to the Feast of Divine Mercy.

  

::planning for the week ahead

I plan to spend lots of time hugging on these sweet children! I missed them when I was away from them and I'm looking very forward to launching into this new season with them.

Many thanks to Emily DeHority for taking my camera in her hands thorughout the weekend. Some of these photos are hers. I'm not really sure who clicked what:-)