Read the history of the Infant of Prague here and pray the novena here.
I'm Pondering: the resignation of Pope Benedict XVI. My first reaction was much like most others'-surprised/shocked, but my second response can be made clear in my FB post that day:
"Dear holy Father,
We love you and you, as the leader of Christ's Church, will be truly missed! May we follow your example this Lenten season and discern God's will in our lives despite ridicule, obstacles, and a society that proclaims power, money, and pleasure as its gods. Thank you for your leadership and all your future prayers for us, the Church Militant!"
Here are my extended thoughts as I have contemplated, listened or read what others have had to say:
Courage, humility, and acceptance: It takes a noble man to realize he cannot carry out the duties once entrusted to him. The Pope declared to the world that he has accepted his human limitations and surrendered to the will of God. He hasn't given up, lost hope, or done some careless act. Such humility to see yourself as God sees you and courage to admit it.
Courage, humility, and acceptance: It takes a noble man to realize he cannot carry out the duties once entrusted to him. The Pope declared to the world that he has accepted his human limitations and surrendered to the will of God. He hasn't given up, lost hope, or done some careless act. Such humility to see yourself as God sees you and courage to admit it.
We will always have a Pope who will shepherd the needs of the flock in truth and faith. The Church is guided by Christ and the Holy Spirit who gives the chosen successor of St. Peter the gift of infallibility (in matters of faith and morals). In this Year of Faith , may we remember that our faith is not on the Pope, but, instead, on Christ Himself.
I can't help to compare, contrast rather, this man with the man behind the State of the Union Address. Here is what Speaker of the House John Boehner had to say about the President's handling of the country's deficit: “I don’t think he has the guts to do it. He doesn't have the courage to take on the liberal side of his own party – never has.” It takes courage to fix a problem-whether yours to begin with or not, but no courage or humility is needed to blame others. It takes courage to keep promises, not just make them. It takes humility to recognize the power one has in leadership and to do what's best for a nation without selfish pride or desires getting in the way.
Here are quotes from the President's speech after the Sandy Hook shootings: "If there’s even one step we can take to save a child, then surely we have an obligation to try." Are we really prepared to say that we’re powerless in the face of such carnage, that the politics are too hard? Are we prepared to say that such violence visited on our children year after year after year is somehow the price of our freedom?” For a man so strongly convicted to protecting our children, why is there no protection given to the unborn who also "have their entire lives ahead of them". What makes that 1st graders life different now than it was 7 years ago in the womb? And as he said in reference to making the care of our children the first task-"if we don't get that right, we don't get anything right." Click here to view pro-life video in response to President's speech regarding Sandy Hook shootings
I'm Praying: about what to do for Lent-I heard once that for Lent you should 1. choose one sin to work on-no doubt to get rid of in your life 2. choose one addition to your devotional lives 3. choose a penance in order to strengthen your will and grow in self-discipline (saying "no" to yourself so you can say "yes" to God) and 4. choose a worthy charity to give your time and/or money to.
This year I want to get Dominic involved.
Around the House: Trying to get back into the groove of a daily household schedule. All my meals and snacks I had froze before the baby was born are gone, so planning meals, mainly breakfast and supper takes place the night before (at least I try). Prepping breakfast the night before sure makes the AMs more manageable with 3 hungry kids! Besides cooking, it seems my day is filled with dishes, laundry, homeschooling, and feeding the 3 hungry kids!
From the Kitchen: Attempted a new recipe-rhubarb bread. Kids liked it, but I wasn't thoroughly impressed. **Note to self-don't try new recipe to give as birthday gifts.
Meatless Friday-Black beans and rice I forgot just how much I like this dish and would consider it one of my comfort foods. Even my husband who isn't a beans guy doesn't mind this. Freshened up with avocado fresh tomatoes and a squirt of lime and it makes me anxious for fresh summer fruits and vegies. My husband prefers a poached egg on top.
Most Important Tasks: Need to start Tessa's 1 year calendar. Hallmark doesn't sell them anymore. Decided to forego buying one on eBay save some money and print off calendar from the internet. Why do I think I'll scrapbook for my third child as I am years behind in putting pages together for my first two?
The Kids:
Dominic: The countdown for Kindergarten screening has begun! He is excited, but I don't think he fully knows what he's in for!
Joanna: Always wants to do schoolwork with her brother. She wanted to play flashcards with me ( I am sure she thought it was the Memory game). She stated the name of what was pictured and I told her what letter it started with. We then put it to tune (this is how Dominic learned the sounds of letters). For example A is for apple, a-a-apple. They were all pictures that began with T, M, and L. We had finished all the M pictures and I was thinking of additional M words. She would repeat after me. I decided she wasn't fully comprehending after M is for mustard, m-m- mustard. For she proceeded to say M is for ketchup, m-m-ketchup!
She struggles with the Ls-they sound like Ws. She made funny faces trying to mimic me as I showed her where her tongue should go in order to pronounce L. Not too successful. She reawwy wiked watching Uncle Wuke pway basketball.
Tessa: She's growing like a weed. (note reference above to my 3 hungry kids) She has always liked watching the others play and talk to her (even at 6 hours old when we brought her home-she looked at one and then the other as though she was saying "so this is who you are!") Really giving big grins when talked to. Not sure if she is beginning to bat at her toys in her bouncy seat or if she hits them by accident.
Thank you to those who gave me and let me "borrow their idea of journaling. At this time in my life, I think this format will be easier to compile my thoughts and you will probably be seeing more of them than my usual posts. Tell me what you think!
Here are quotes from the President's speech after the Sandy Hook shootings: "If there’s even one step we can take to save a child, then surely we have an obligation to try." Are we really prepared to say that we’re powerless in the face of such carnage, that the politics are too hard? Are we prepared to say that such violence visited on our children year after year after year is somehow the price of our freedom?” For a man so strongly convicted to protecting our children, why is there no protection given to the unborn who also "have their entire lives ahead of them". What makes that 1st graders life different now than it was 7 years ago in the womb? And as he said in reference to making the care of our children the first task-"if we don't get that right, we don't get anything right." Click here to view pro-life video in response to President's speech regarding Sandy Hook shootings
This year I want to get Dominic involved.
Around the House: Trying to get back into the groove of a daily household schedule. All my meals and snacks I had froze before the baby was born are gone, so planning meals, mainly breakfast and supper takes place the night before (at least I try). Prepping breakfast the night before sure makes the AMs more manageable with 3 hungry kids! Besides cooking, it seems my day is filled with dishes, laundry, homeschooling, and feeding the 3 hungry kids!
From the Kitchen: Attempted a new recipe-rhubarb bread. Kids liked it, but I wasn't thoroughly impressed. **Note to self-don't try new recipe to give as birthday gifts.
Meatless Friday-Black beans and rice I forgot just how much I like this dish and would consider it one of my comfort foods. Even my husband who isn't a beans guy doesn't mind this. Freshened up with avocado fresh tomatoes and a squirt of lime and it makes me anxious for fresh summer fruits and vegies. My husband prefers a poached egg on top.
Most Important Tasks: Need to start Tessa's 1 year calendar. Hallmark doesn't sell them anymore. Decided to forego buying one on eBay save some money and print off calendar from the internet. Why do I think I'll scrapbook for my third child as I am years behind in putting pages together for my first two?
The Kids:
Dominic: The countdown for Kindergarten screening has begun! He is excited, but I don't think he fully knows what he's in for!
Joanna: Always wants to do schoolwork with her brother. She wanted to play flashcards with me ( I am sure she thought it was the Memory game). She stated the name of what was pictured and I told her what letter it started with. We then put it to tune (this is how Dominic learned the sounds of letters). For example A is for apple, a-a-apple. They were all pictures that began with T, M, and L. We had finished all the M pictures and I was thinking of additional M words. She would repeat after me. I decided she wasn't fully comprehending after M is for mustard, m-m- mustard. For she proceeded to say M is for ketchup, m-m-ketchup!
She struggles with the Ls-they sound like Ws. She made funny faces trying to mimic me as I showed her where her tongue should go in order to pronounce L. Not too successful. She reawwy wiked watching Uncle Wuke pway basketball.
Tessa: She's growing like a weed. (note reference above to my 3 hungry kids) She has always liked watching the others play and talk to her (even at 6 hours old when we brought her home-she looked at one and then the other as though she was saying "so this is who you are!") Really giving big grins when talked to. Not sure if she is beginning to bat at her toys in her bouncy seat or if she hits them by accident.
Thank you to those who gave me and let me "borrow their idea of journaling. At this time in my life, I think this format will be easier to compile my thoughts and you will probably be seeing more of them than my usual posts. Tell me what you think!
