7 Quick Takes THURSDAY

Well, since tomorrow is Good Friday and I probably should get in all my last minute Lenten activities while I can (and start the Divine Mercy Novena), I'm posting this one a day early.  Jen - hope you don't mind!

1) Andrew had his half birthday on Wednesday.  He woke up in the morning and said "Now that I'm seven and a half, I feel taller". 
Eamon had his half birthday last week, and was on the verge of tears at dinner when I asked him if he felt any older.  "No, I'm not even any bigger or even any stronger".  He told me that he didn't feel five and a half, he still felt five.  So I threw a candle in his chocolate pudding (dessert) and he blew it out, and immediately felt older.  The next morning I caught him feeling his biceps as he announced "Now I'm much stronger". 

Oh he's a funny one, that Eamon.  Last night at dinner, I told him to eat faster because he needed to take a shower, and he said "I'm a slow eater.  I can't help it.  I just like chattin' too much!"

2) On Sunday we participated in an MS Walk to raise money in finding a cure for MS.  My sister's husband was diagnosed with MS about 7 years ago and he is only 31 now...so we want to find a cure.  Like yesterday already.

3) This past weekend, Phil and I went to an auction held by the Catholic high school we work at. It was so much fun!

We bid on and won a birthday party at a gymnastics place that Maggie is just going to thrilled about.

 Her fifth birthday isn't until December 1st so I'm not telling her about it until November 30th.  There's no way I want to hear a million times over ~ "Is it my birthday yet?  How 'bout now? How many more days until my party?"

4) While we love having our buddha baby around, he is making it impossible to join in any of the Holy Week activities at our parish.  Everything starts at 7 or 8 at night, and if he's not asleep in his own crib by 7, then he'll be fussing for the whole time.  Not even a hundred puffs could make him happy at that time of day.

So it's liturgical celebrating in the home this year. Maybe we can wash each other's feet tonight ;)  Phil and I are going to watch The Passion and tomorrow we can read through the stations with the kids. We were lucky enough to go to Confession at work (daily Mass and weekly Confession offered just around the corner from my office) this week.  Yet I still never feel really ready to celebrate Easter.  I wonder what's standing in my way?

5) My brother's wife, Angela, is becoming a Catholic at the Easter Vigil Mass!!  Yay!!  We're so glad to have her!

6) I got this book in the mail this week, and told Phil to stick it in my Easter basket.  He was like, "Oh man, I always forget that I need to get you a gift for Easter" and I told him not to worry because I buy enough gifts for myself with his money ;)

7) For the kids, I got them each a book that had their name in it (religious books for the ones who can read, and little picture books for the wee ones):

For John-Paul

For Andrew

For Eamon

For Maggie

For Xander

Then I just stuff their baskets with a teeny bit of candy, some gum, a toothbrush, and some stupid dollar toys and call it done.

Happy Easter Everyone!