Making Sense Out of Lent

I have been discerning for the past month what I should do to make this Lent fruitful.  And I think I've finally got it down.  You see, I stink at making sacrifices and can usually weasel my way out of Lenten fasts most years.  "Oh I'm pregnant, no fasting required!" "I'm breastfeeding, so the baby needs chocolate!"  "I have six kids, that's sacrifice enough!"  Basically, I'm a slave to comfort.  If Lent were a vacation, it should be a camping trip in a tent with no running water or electricity.  But my Lent usually looks more like a trip to Disney World where I skip dessert one night, because, after all it's Lent.

So, I need a good Lent, and good = hard.  I need to deny myself to the point of discomfort so that I can align myself to Our Lord's ultimate sacrifice.  I need to crave something, then choose not to have it, to remind myself of all Christ gave up for us.  This year, I'm going to model my Lent around my body's five senses, so that Lent will make SENSE for me and my love of bodily comforts.

SIGHT

This is my biggest challenge for Lent.  No Screen Time when I have Face Time.  If I am around people, I will be off of electronics.  Unless it's an emergency (like needing directions when I'm lost), I'll check my phone and email only when I'm by myself.  I will look into people's eyes and realize that nobody is less important than the internet.

HEARING

Ugh, my weakness is pop music.  While I think it does have its time and place (like while working out) I will stop listening to it in the car.  I will listen to Christian music instead.  This is going to be really hard because I don't generally like Christian music. (Please don't revoke my Catholic Card).

SMELL

It's hard to choose a Lenten sacrifice based on smell, but this one will make my husband happy.  I will empty the cat's litter box.  We've had a cat for two years, and I've never once changed her litter box.  Pregnancy gave me a good excuse, then laziness took over.  

TASTE

I started Weight Watchers two weeks ago, and I've cheated every single day.  So, for Lent, I will actually count points and do the plan the right way.  For me, that means eating my 26 points each day and then using all my exercise points + extra weekly points between Saturday night and Sunday night.  Eating 26 points a day basically means no sweets, no fried foods, no fun.

TOUCH

This is an easy one...I will hug my husband and kids every day.  I do this anyway and it's not a sacrifice, but more of a reminder to love unconditionally.  I want to intentionally give thanks to God for them while I'm hugging them and tell them I love them.

I'm not writing all this out to boast of my intentions, I just really need the accountability and would love to know what you all are planning for Lent this year.  I think if I can do all these relatively simple things for 40 days, I'm hoping they will add up to some good life improvements and a beautiful Easter that will delight the senses.

Go Away Winter, Snowbody Loves You

7QT: Valentines, Skinny Jeans, and PHILosophies

It's Friday!!  Joining Kelly and the better Quick-Takers...

1)

The kids get to celebrate Valentine's Day at school today by dressing down (no uniforms) and having class parties with tons of treats.  Last time they had class parties for Christmas, some of them overdid their sweets quotient and came home feeling very sick.  Today they were reminded about the importance of moderation and making healthy choices, but we shall see what they choose to do with that info!  It's tough being a kid in a candy shop!

That's a girl sandwich.

2)

I told you about the pants that make you slimmer, now here's some awesome jeans I found that do the same.

Once again, they are from Kohls, and once again, if Kohl's wants to pay me to keep sponsoring them for free, I won't say no.  Here they are.

3)

And now some PHILosophies for ya...

Upon finding out two of our priest friends watch Downton Abbey:

I watch it because I have a wife.  Sooooo, what's your excuse?

After he came back from running some errands:

Me: Did you return all those clothes to Old Navy?

Him: Yup.

Me: Was it embarrassing? (I HATE returning clothes)

Him: Nope, I just told them that my wife loves to shop online and then REALLY loves to have me return it all to the store.

AND my favorite...

On his frustrations with phase 2 of Natural Family Planning:

I could teach an NFP course in one sentence.  "When your wife wants to...don't, and when she doesn't...do."

4)

Just because these peewee basketball players are so darn cute!

5)

There is a Mexican restaurant near us that has these signs outside their bathroom doors.  I had to take a picture because I couldn't believe my eyes!

He's not so bad, just a man relieving himself in the desert.  But look at her...

What???  Is she sitting on a cactus?  ¡Ay, caramba!

6)

Declan is like a real troublemaker now.  Still sweet, but getting into everything and we love it!!  

Babies = Boring but Toddlers = Terrific!

7)

Last but not least, my poor sick little Xander is finally all better.  He was home from school for 3 days with a cough and fever and needed albuterol treatments because his oxygen levels were so low.  But he's a champ and back to his normal self!  

"Why do I always have to breathe the smoke?"

"Mom and Dad have belly buttons!  That's a potty word."

Have a wonderful, love-filled Valentine's weekend.  We'll be getting another huge snow storm, as usual!

More Winter? Snow Thanks!

Seriously?  As if we needed more snow on top of the piles and piles we have?  And it's still accumulating!  

This is our 5th day off of school this year, and when only three snow days are built into the schedule, we will have to make up two days in sunny, beautiful June.  Boo.  

The other day I was thinking that God must look down on those of us that live in snowy areas like "I made you gorgeous, tropical, sunny places in this world, and you choose to set up roots here?!?!?!  I will never understand how and when you humans exercise your free will!" 

At least the kids love it...

I cleaned the inside while they cleaned the outside, and gave them all haircuts when they came in. Then Phil made some homemade potato chips while I baked and frosted some cupcakes.  Winter makes us fat!  I guess we need the extra layer of blubber to stay warm :)  Cheers everyone!

P.S.  Please don't forget about The Coakley family, they still need our help!  

I Heart Valentine's Day

I was compensated for this review, but all opinions are my own.

Guess what's coming up in a week from tomorrow? St. Valentine's Day!!!  If you know me, I just LOVE love.

 I know some people think Valentine's Day is a corny made-up holiday, but what's wrong with taking a day to celebrate those we love?  Some others say every day should be treated as Valentine's Day, but ain't nobody got time for that!  Yes, the sentiment is lovely, but life y'all.  I don't see mothers complaining that Mother's Day is a gratuitous holiday, or fathers asking to not be recognized on Father's Day, so love should be celebrated on Valentine's Day!

Now that you're all on board with this lovely love day, let's discuss what we can do to celebrate inexpensively and easily.  I think of Valentine's Day in terms of my kids and also my husband.  And actually- they aren't that different as the way that they all feel most loved is through their bellies!

The Kiddos

I want to make all six of my kids feel special and cherished without stuffing them full of sugar and cheap toys (they have school parties for that!).  I want them to wake up, realize it's Valentine's Day and be all like:

First up, a HEARTy breakfast (hehehe) with ideas I stole from The Good Stuff online magazine:

Eggs in toast - VDay Style:

Heart Attack Bacon:

If you're not as scared of arts and crafts as I am (6 kids x 6 crafts = 639 messes, do the math), there's a really sweet idea for how to make a Valentine's Day wreath with your kids on page 27.  Or you can make it with my kids at your house, I'll allow that as well :)

The Husband

Okay, here's a big gift I can give to my husband, the man who gets up in the middle of the night if a kid is sick or scared ...the gift of SLEEPING IN!!!  (Completely related - I am so lucky.)  There's the perfect (free!) printable coupon for this specific gift in the Valentine's Day Magazine on The Good Stuff by Coupons.com (page 18) 

During the day, celebrating Valentine's Day means showing a little extra attention here and there...offering to do something for the other...perhaps I can create a special aphrodisiac meal ;)  And if you're into receiving flowers, jewelry or other gifts, here's a great way to save on those at Coupons.com Valentine's Day Deals (just casually leave the page open on the computer - ha!)  

Last but not least, you can have a wonderful date night by recreating some movie scenes, as shown on pages 12-17 of this awesome online magazine.  

Whatever you and your loved ones do, just remember that it's the thought that counts, and just putting a little extra time and attention into an ordinary, everyday task can make it seem LOVEly and extraordinary for the valentine(s) in your life.  And now that I've given you a week-long heads up, you have no excuses not to try :)

P.S. If you're feeling extra lucky - enter the Share the Love Sweepstakes for a chance to win a dream vacation!