Thursday, February 26, 2015

7QT Fridays: Cluttered

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JMJ

After an awesome and blessed day I’ve been walking around, my spirit feeling cluttered. Maybe it’s a reflection of the cluttered kitchen and living room, the cluttered desk at the office, the cluttered schedule and the cluttered mind. All day, it seems, my life feels cluttered and it’s so difficult to find the time to just be, just sit there and be. This clutter got to me today, my spirit felt so heavy and I just couldn’t snap out of hit. Finally, by the grace of God I began to thank Him, for everything. For the husband that works so hard for us, the daughter that wanted me to sleep with her, the son who we miss dearly, the son who needed me to hold him, the doggies that needed to follow me until they gave me their treats, the kitchen that exploded from dishes used to prepare home-made baby food, cruciferous veggies for me and my Mama’s own light-Capirotada as one of our Lenten traditions. I thanked Him for everything that crossed my mind as I was making my way trying to clean and unclutter the kitchen. By the end, more than the kitchen counters were clean – my spirit was a little lighter! It’s so odd, how counter-intuitive it seems to thank God for the work and the chores – but God sure did know what He was doing when He gave us work!

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RC’s view from the window on his last trip, so glad I live in the southwest!

 

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BB woke up in a very bad mood, I was on red with my name on the board, according to her, within 5 minutes of her getting up. She was tired.

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BBC – Keeping my eye on God has not been easy this week and I’ve failed quite a bit. I read this quote from Ven. Fulton Sheen and, boy – did those words just breathe new life into me:

"When you fail to measure up to your Christian privilege, be not discouraged for discouragement is a form of pride. The reason you are sad is because you lookedto yourself and not to God; to your failings not to His love. You will shake off your faults more readily when you love God than when you criticize yourself. You have always the right to love Him in your heart even though you do not love Him in your acts. God is biased in your favor. God is more lenient than you because he is perfectly good and therefore loves you more. Be bold enough then to believe that God is on your side, even when you forget to be on His. Archbishop Fulton Sheen (Preface to Religion)

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NCC has started waking up around 5:40ish with the biggest smile and a spirit to warm your heart. As he tries to bat me awake while I’m trying to rock him back to sleep, my heart just melts when I see his little smile.

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The Doggies – We were out and about all evening last night and boy, Dulci was not a fan. She proceeded to try and dig her way into my mattress while I was trying to go to sleep and then, once she’d had enough, just stormed out and decided sleeping in the same room as me was so not worth it!

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Finally, google made a YouTube Kids app! I’ve been lucky – she’s usually not on youtube long enough to find anything that would make me cringe – but I’ve heard some awful, terrible stories!

 

For more Quick Takes, visit This Ain't the Lyceum

A Dios!

Thursday, February 19, 2015

7QT Fridays: Lent at the dentist


JMJ
I accidentally scheduled my 6 month dentist checkup on Ash Wednesday, it was somewhat of an eye opener. My dentist is a sweet lady who gets to judge my teeth, how I’ve been taking care of them (I haven’t). I was mortified when she told me about the tartar/plaque build up and asked if I have been rushing? Yes, I have been rushing – through most of my to-do list. There were many parallels, of course – thoughts about final judgment came to mind and how I know there are so many things I need to work on. The only saving grace, of course, is that Our Lord is mercy and love so that gives me hope. So, my lent offering will be a mix of less sugar/more quiet prayer time/flossing/less rushing.
My mother-in-law gave me the best cauliflower recipe, and I’m not a cauliflower fan. You simply sautee the florets for 10 minutes or so, add some garlic and green onions, sautee some more. Add a couple of tablespoons of soy sauce and sautee until you think it’s done. It is so good!
BB is teaching me the Angelus prayer, she already has it memorized. The funniest thing is listening to her say the Hail Mary, when she says “and blessed is the fruit of diamond Jesus.”
BBC – It’s been an odd week, feeling like I’m on the verge of crying and then hardly any tears. Feeling the weight of loss on my heart, always present. Praying for lots of trust and trying to fix my thoughts on Him whose work gives me hope.
You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you!
Isaiah 26:3
NCC – I’ve given up the sleep training, I don’t like to hear him cry, I know – I’m weak. At least he’s not getting up every hour and I should be ok with 2-3 hour stretches.
The Doggies – Abacus and Dulci have a love/hate relationship. Dulci will not eat her food unless Abacus is in the vicinity and actively watching her. Abacus, on the other hand, will take any chance he can get to clean out her bowl.
Madre Oyeme. I had the privilege of going to daily Mass at this little parish a couple of years ago. The Church was made up of elderly Hispanic people and there was no music. The man next to me started singing this song with such love, it was beautiful. I was so moved and to this day I pray that my children will have this kind of love for Our Lord and our Blessed Mother.


MADRE OYEME
Madre óyeme, mi plegaria es un grito en la noche
Madre guíame en la noche de mi juventud
Madre sálvame, mil peligros acechan mi vida
Madre lléname, de esperanza, de amor y de fe.
Madre guíame, en las sombras no encuentro el camino
Madre llévame, que a tu lado feliz estaré
Madre una flor, una flor con espinas que es bella
Madre una amor, un amor que ha empezado a nacer
Madre sonreír, sonreír aunque llore en el alma
Madre construir, caminar aunque vuelva a caer.
Madre solo soy el anhelo y la carne que lucha
Madre tuyo soy, en tus manos me vengo a poner
Madre óyeme, mi plegaria es un grito en la noche
Madre guíame en la noche de mi juventud.


For more Quick Takes, visit This Ain't the Lyceum
A Dios!

Thursday, February 12, 2015

7QT Friday: Bill’s Apology


JMJ
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The Responsorial Psalm for this last week, “Praise the LORD, who heals the brokenhearted, “ well it just spoke directly to my heart. As someone who’s heart has been broken, I never thought I would be able to find any joy again. Well my friends, I can tell you that all things ARE possible through God who strengthens us. And just like Simon’s mother-in-law got up and waited on them after Jesus healed her, this sense to get up and serve as best I can was kind of born inside of me. It’s the oddest of things, the peace He can only bring you and grateful doesn’t even begin to cover how I feel about it.

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Yes, everyone is talking about the “other” movie so I won’t go there. Where I will go is this little clip of Old Fashioned. I really really want to see this movie! I am someone who HATED dating, it was the worst! I am so grateful God brought RC into my life – I am a blessed girl! Still, this movie trailer just screams for me to go and watch the movie – ASAP!



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BB: "But I wanna LISTEN!" Those are the words that my BB screams at us whenever she’s fighting doing something we have asked her too. “BB, you’re not listening,” I say! Sometimes, when she screams really hard, it makes me wonder if that’s how Our Lord looks at me sometimes? Do I whine, stomp my feet and yell when all He wants is the best for me?

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BBC: The weirdest things will trigger the most random memories of BBC. This time it was the hash browns we had for breakfast on Saturday. I went through this phase of eating hash browns (all the time) during my maternity leave because I had read and was convinced the Starch Solution was the way to go in terms of a long-term healthy diet. I miss the days of watching BBC swing away while I savored those yummy hash browns. I just miss him, all the time.
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NCC: We’re at the beginning of sleep training, and it’s looking pretty dim, my friends. Pretty dim. I know we just started, but trying to help him learn to fall asleep on his own while he cries is the worst. I know he needs his rest, we both do, but if we don’t do something about it now, he’ll continue the five times a night wake-up pattern. Let’s hope he’s a fast learner and please drop me a line if you have any kind advice.

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The Doggies: Abacus’ birthday is tomorrow. It’s hard to believe this little puppy is now 8 years old! He may give Marley a run for his money, but that’s what makes them Labs! Dulci, on the other hand, she’s 12 now and cranky as can be, but I love my munchkinpie and all her little feistiness!

IMG_0922

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Bill Murray, just being his honest Catholic self – I love it. I also cannot wait until SNL 40!



For more Quick Takes, visit This Ain't the Lyceum
A Dios!

Wednesday, February 11, 2015

The Sunnies: Michelangelo in El Paso

JMJ

God Love You <- That Fulton Sheen, now he knew how to address people! I might just borrow that greeting from now on.

Well, BB – my munchkinpie, we get her ready to go to school in our living room, usually with the local news on in the background. She’s a chip off the old Abuelita block because let me tell you how much those two love the weather forecasts. BB gets the biggest smile when she sees those “sunnies” on the screen so I thought that might be a neat title for posts that I’d like to write about our little Sun City – El Paso, TX.

I was thinking about it on our way home, as my SUV was struggling to the wind. My thoughts were that the Windy City has nothing on us!

Well, back to the post, Michelangelo in El Paso? Why yes, we are truly blessed to have this gem of a replica:

 

Daniel Fresquez of the El Paso Mission Trail Association looks over the Pietà replica inside La Purisima Catholic Church in Socorro.

I heard about this last week, on Bishop Seitz blog. That’s right, our Bishop has a blog! He wrote about how this gift to our Diocese came about, how thankful he was for Richard and Esther Stewart (and her parents), because whatever was born in them, the work that Our Lord accomplished in their hearts has led to this gift that will inspire people in our community for generations to come.

I, for one, cannot wait to go see this in person. The feeling that Michelangelo captured and carved in stone, I am sure it is magnificent. I can’t wait!

You can read more about it here and the El Paso times article here.

It makes me wonder, have you ever been inspired by a statute or a painting?

A Dios!

Sunday, February 8, 2015

Mother Angelica Mondays

JMJ

May your Monday be full of God’s light and love!

Yes, that’s me NOT asking the obligatory “How are you?” today. Not much of a fan of that little question, so instead I try to cut people off and wish them a blessed day instead!

Well, as part of my return to the blog I’m introducing “Mother Angelica Monday’s!” I love her so much, so grateful I get to share the earth with that little fire cracker! I love the way she cares about all of us, and wants us all to go to heaven. I love how God, in his infinite wisdom, molds us into His instruments and weaves us into this fabric of service, joy, charity. I love it!

My friend at work showed me this particular show and told me to listen to it and to make sure I was paying attention at 48 minutes. So, if you are suffering from any guilt, of any form – please listen and forward to minute 48 if you are running short on time


, s

Are there any other Mother Angelica fans out there?

ADios!

Thursday, February 5, 2015

7QT Friday: A Balloon in the Sky

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JMJ

Yes, I know – I can’t believe I’m writing again. I can’t believe I’m writing here, in my old, silly and boring blog. How can I possibly cram everything we’ve gone through in one tidy post. I can’t. I really can’t so I’m not even going to try. My life, well my life was handed a tragedy and part of me died on that day and I can only hope that this one day holds true for me:

I no longer live, but Christ lives in me.” (Galatians 2:20)

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I’ve been thinking about returning to this blog for a while but am always putting it off, I have lots of excuses and some pretty good ones. Then I read this post today, http://blessedisshe.net/for-greater-glory-god/ and I realized I’m never ever going to get to that perfect time, to find the perfect words to share just how much our Lord is at work in my life. Yes, His grace is sufficient for me and His power is made perfect in my weakness. I will try my best to share some of that crazy type of hope and love with you, a little balloon to bring a smile to your face.

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BB is aware of everything. EVERYTHING. We were driving to school one morning, I had the Catholic Channel on and was on and off paying attention when all of a sudden, “Mommy, why is that lady talking about her daughter going to Catholic school.” I was shocked a bit, it made me realize just how much they really do pay attention and so glad I was listening to something wholesome – there ain’t nothing wrong with wholesome! Plus,  her quote of the week, “Tia Sarah says shi#”.

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BBC - I got a little kiss from him today – oh so grateful for that! A friend showed me the little card she carries of him in her purse, it makes me realize just how much God is an expert weaver. We are all somehow and in someway connected. That’s pretty awesome and I will forever be humbled and grateful for all those that keep us in their prayers!

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NCC – He’s got his first ear infection and cough going on – praying he gets well soon. He was learning to fall asleep on his own but it seems it wasn’t the time, all bets are off when my baby is sick and I will not let him cry at night!

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The Doggies – I’m still not used to Dulci’s nails walking across our wood floor, she follows me everywhere! Click-Clock, click-clock, click-clock – all the time! Abacus on the other hand, continues his counter-surfing adventures. He struck gold with half a bag of whole-wheat bread today!

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Kelly and Zach are pregnant!

For more Quick Takes, visit This Ain't the Lyceum

A Dios!