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JOY{filled}family

striving to radiate Him always

Garage/PLAYROOM

by Filed Under: Home, Playroom

My DH had a week to play as I was gone for retreat. He did play but he mostly worked….for me. I came home to a sparkling clean house (far better than I left it) and many surprises. One of which was Rose had surgery. Others included; our backyard was prepared for future landscaping; the school room was cleared out for a makeover; my bathroom and laundry room were deep cleaned; and our above ground pool was removed. The best surprise was my garage.
My garage has been completely filled from our move about 2 years ago. I was unable to help at that time because I was on bed rest with Papi. My DH and family packed and moved for me. This relieved me but meant that many things that I would of purged were sent to our new home. It has been somewhat overwhelming. In addition, I wanted to move our indoor play gym out of the house but not outdoors. The garage was the solution. It is rather large and would be a great playroom. All of our previous plans to turn the garage into the playroom were foiled. Until…..most recently when my husband decided to plot behind my back.
He rallied his newly retired mom. She is a super organizer/cleaner and now has plenty of free time on her hands. His dad also joined the crew. Together they all pulled off the best surprise ever!
Below are the pictures of our garage. It is not complete but I’m thrilled that the kiddos have a place to play other than under the stairs (the old playroom).
BEFORE

AFTER

HAPPY CUSTOMERS

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Is there a Doctor in the House?

by Filed Under: Girls

Two of our GFG have undergone dental surgery within the past 6 days. Rose had a check up (last Wed.) for her wisdom teeth. It was decided that they needed to be removed ASAP since the roots were growing into her sinuses. She had her surgery on Friday. I was away at a silent retreat and had no idea what was going on. It was one of many surprises awaiting me when I got home.

The most recent surgery was today, for Sweetie. She needed major dental work and complete anesthesia. The surgery was a success and she is now home recovering. PBTG!

My Time in the Desert

by Filed Under: Spiritual Reflections, Spiritual Retreat, St. Ignatius of Loyola

I’ve been on a Silent Ignatius Retreat for the past week. Our Lord is doing a work in me! I don’t even now where to begin. I’ll probably have to share a little at a time. For now, I’ll leave you with these thoughts:

“…the Spiritual Exercises are a most wise and universal code of laws for the direction of souls in the way of salvation and perfection”. – Pope Pius XI

Christ died for me. What have I ever done for Christ? What am I doing for Christ? What will I do for Christ? – Saint Ignatius

“There are few persons who realize what God would make of them if they abandoned themselves entirely to His hands, and let themselves be formed by His grace.” – St. Ignatius of Loyola, founder of the Society of Jesus.

In the Arms of God

by Filed Under: Marian, Meditation

Why We Experience Our Misery
“The experience of your own misery is given to you precisely so that, without hesitation, you will throw yourself into the arms of your Blessed Mother. You should not doubt that She would receive you with great joy. Only then, when you are embraced and quieted as a child in the arms of God, can you and should you think about your misery.”
(Behold I Stand at the Door and Knock, pg. 93)

Family Night at the Pool

by Filed Under: Family Night, Summer, Swim

Last night was the girl’s last swim meet. Sparkles had two heats and Rose had three heats. Her last heat was the Medley which was the very last heat of the night. It was a very loooong evening. We had a JOYous time and I think both the girls set their PR.


3 in a Row

by Filed Under: Sparkles

Sparkles lost 3 teeth in 1 week, 2 in 1 day. Here’s Sparkles showing her latest loss at her swim meet last night.

She had to call the tooth fairy (A.K.A. Papa) to be sure he was prepared.

Running the Race to the Finish Line

by Filed Under: 5k, Health, Lent Leave a Comment

I have NOT ARRIVED.
I am far from the finish line.
But I am on CHRIST’S TEAM.
His love ignites me.
His power fuels me.
His mission compels me.
I AM COMMITTED to Christ
and to this race.
I will run STRONG and run LONG.
Who will join me?

My family started an exercise program as part of our Lenten program. We have continued our commitment for the remaining year but we continue to take it one day at a time.

Rose and I completed our first 5K together. We both had time goals but our real focus was on finishing. Rose and I have meditated on Paul’s words, “Run so as to win.” 1Cor9:24

We both have committed to run our hardest and push ourselves like never before. We ultimately desire to have perseverance at times of trial and pray that we will make it to the finish line, heaven. Our newest endeavor, training for 5k is one way we are attempting to grow in physical perseverance and glorify Our Lord.

It is not that I have already taken hold of it or have already attained perfect maturity, but I continue my pursuit in hope that I may possess it, since I have indeed been taken possession of by Christ (Jesus). Brothers, I for my part do not consider myself to have taken possession. Just one thing: forgetting what lies behind but straining forward to what lies ahead, I continue my pursuit toward the goal, the prize of God’s upward calling, in Christ Jesus. Let us, then, who are “perfectly mature” adopt this attitude. And if you have a different attitude, this too God will reveal to you. Only, with regard to what we have attained, continue on the same course. Phil 3:12-16

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