JOYfilledfamily BLOG

Shrovetide

February 21, 2012 by Lena {JOYfilledfamily} Filed Under: Pre-Lent, Shrove Tuesday

It has to be experienced to be fully believed, but there is a great blessing on such a Carnival time, shared in a family. To have spent a good Carnival will finally prove to the greater honor and glory of God, in enabling us to spend a good Lent!

My family is gearing up for the official start of Lent. We spent Monday (CLEAN MONDAY) doing our pre-Lenten cleaning. Shrove Tuesday will take us outside of the home for majority of the day. We will visit a nursing home to bring joy to the sick and elderly.

A dear friend helped us start this tradition. Several years ago, Tiffany coordinated a group of families to visit the elderly bearing Mardi Gras jewels and wearing silly hats, all to share our joy. We adopted the simple act of almsgiving and now make a regular visit to the elderly on Shrove Tuesday/Mardi Gras. It is a lovely way to enter the Lenten season.

We’ll take the party pack to our parish. The kids have requested their traditional Shrove Tuesday lunch, pizza. Dad and I will accommodate for this one last hooray. We’ll take some time for recreation and then offer our services to the parish. Dad will complete his weekly yard work, I will help the littles clean the pews, and Rose is planning to check in with Father for her assignment. God willing, I will be able to sneak away for some much needed spiritual direction. We hope to wrap up our day out with a visit to Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament. There, we will bring our Lenten intentions and complete our first day of our Consecration renewal – AD JESUM PER MARIAM.

Many have been invited to join us but I’m not sure who will show. It really doesn’t matter, this tradition was made for us to bring JOY to others as a family. Bringing others along was the icing on the cake – so no icing this year but we still got a cake. AMEN!

We will return home for more festivities. We’ll recap on our Lenten program and say a family rosary. Next, we’ll watch a movie since Dad has declared it movie night. We’ll probably have pancakes for dinner. Then we will pack up the TV and DVD/VCR player to store in the garage. We will enjoy our last comforts before we begin our time in the desert, in darkness and silence — removed from the world (in the best way we can).

~~~

Oh, Christian soul make your body a living and dying victim; mortify you passions, your senses, and your desires; mortify yourself at all times, and in all places; mortify yourself with zeal, mortify yourself with discretion. ~Considerations and devout meditations for every day during … Lent, by a member of the Society of Jesus

Family Lenten Program

February 19, 2012 by Lena {JOYfilledfamily} Filed Under: Family Night, Lent, Lenten Calendar

Dad and I have finalized our Family Lenten Program, personal Lenten program, and the Lenten programs for all of our children. Praise God for the early start.

I am seeking to regain order in my home and to further simply during the Lenten season. I’m creating a Lenten Binder to organize all the programs, activities, prayers, and anything else that pertains to my family’s Lenten progress.

Rose and Sparkles will post the 2012 Lenten Calendar in the home, tomorrow after Mass. I will diligently work on the Lenten Binder. Copies of the following items will be included in the binder and posted on the fridge for easy access and accountability. I have a tendency to set my eyes on lofty spiritual goals, often more than I am capable of implementing to completion. The result is always the same, complete frustration and all that follows. I am praying that my family’s simple approach to this Lenten Season will produce the fruits that He wills for us.

As always, my family has removed ourselves from all extracurriculars not related to the Church or our livelihood. Our days will be centered around prayer. We will refrain from participating in superfluous social events – leaving the home only out of necessity for our state in life, Spiritual and Corporal Works of Mercy, and of course, MASS.

All technology use will be kept to a minimum. The TV that was used for videos is being removed from the home for the entire Lenten Season (and beyond – God willing). My computer use is still being discerned since Dad and I are not in complete agreement. I say, remove it entirely and he says, use it in moderation. My nature is all or nothing. I don’t want to inflict undue hardship on myself by not working within my means. Ultimately, I will submit to what Dad decides – ALL FOR!

In addition, my family will recommit to a lifestyle change that He has called us to follow. **I listed my plan here.** It has not been easy to break free from the poor diet that we had become accustomed to eating but He continues to give us the graces to move down this path so that I can have a complete restoration of health and my family can be nourished with real food – all for His glory!

Prayers for a blessed and fruitful Lenten Season.

~~~

JOYfilledfamily

2012 FAMILY LENTEN CALENDAR

I’ve listed a small portion of my family’s daily Lenten Calendar. You may click on the title above for a download to my complete calendar.

February

Monday 20 – Feria, 4^th Class
- Clean Monday
- 7 pm adult Catechism lesson from Fr. Lyons
Tuesday 21 – Shrove Tuesday – Feria, 4^th Class
- Corporal Work of Mercy – visit the elderly
- fun and fellowship
- family work day at parish
Wed. 22 – ASH Wednesday, 1^st Class
- 7 pm High Mass
Thur. 23 – Chair of St. Peter, 1^st Class (for FSSP)
- Adoration
- 7 pm High Mass
Friday 24 – Friday after Ash Wednesday, 3^rd Class
- Mass & Stations of the Cross
Saturday 25 – St. Matthias, AP, 2^nd Class
- 9 AM Mass
- First Holy Communion preparation
- family work day at parish
Sunday 26 – First Sunday of Lent
Monday 27 – Feria of Lent, 3^rd Class
- 10 am prayer at abortion clinic
- Clean Monday
- 7 pm adult Catechism lesson from Fr. Lyons
Tuesday 28 – Feria of Lent, 3^rd Class
Wed. 29 – Ember Wednesday, 2^nd Class

~~~

The following charts are to serve as checklists. I used a printable chore chart, found here to complete these Lenten charts.

I have printed two copies of each chart listed below. One copy will go into my Lenten Binder and the other copy will be laminated for durability and use with a white-board pen. The laminated charts will be displayed in a prominent spot so that we can better manage this year’s Lenten program.

JOYfilledfamily

2012 FAMILY LENTEN PROGRAM

Daily Family Lenten Program:

Morning Offering
Angelus
Daily Readings – 1962 Roman Missal
Lenten Reflection – Bringing Lent Home with Mother Teresa
Angelus
Total Consecration Readings – True Devotion to Mary & Leading the Little Ones to Mary
Examen
Rosary – Meditations by St. Louis de Montfort
Compline

Daily Prayer Meditation & Intention:

Mon – Souls in Purgatory & End to Abortion
Tue – Holy Angels & Conversion of Family
Wed – St. Joseph & Godparents & Godchildren
Thur – Holy Eucharist & Pope Benedict XVI & Priests
Fri – Crucifixion & The Sick
Sat – Blessed Virgin Mary & Vocations
Sun – Blessed Trinity & Poor, homeless, and those in great need

~~~

JOYfilledfamily

2012 FAMILY LENTEN ACTIVITIES

Family Lenten Activities:

Review personal Lenten program chart (daily)
Update the Sacrifice Bean Jar for sacrifices/almsgiving (daily)
Pick Cleaning item out of jar & perform assigned task from the Lenten Cleaning Calendar (Mon.-Sat. with an emphasize on Mondays)
Family service at parish (Saturday)
Adoration (Thursday)
Mass & Stations of the Cross (Friday)
Mass (Saturday)

~~~

JOYfilledfamily

2012 PERSONAL LENTEN PROGRAM

Each member of my family has a custom chart. This is blank chart for your own use.

~~~

Now it is only right that, before we arrive at that glory of impassibility and immortality which began in Christ, and which was acquired for us through Christ, we should be shaped after the pattern of Christ’s sufferings. It is then only right that Christ’s liability to suffer should remain in us too for a time, as a means of our coming to the impassibility of glory in the way He himself came to it. ~Meditations For Lent – St. Thomas Aquinas, (1-2 85 5 ad 2.)

~~~

Pax Christi,

Time to Recommit

February 18, 2012 by JOYfilledWELLNESS Filed Under: Journal Entry, Lent Leave a Comment

Lent is coming! Part of my family’s Lenten program will be to recommit to a lifestyle change that He has called us to follow. It has not been easy to break free from the poor diet that we had become accustomed to eating but He continues to give us the graces to move down this path so that I can have a complete restoration of health and my family can be nourished with real food – all for His glory!

Prayers for a blessed and fruitful Lenten Season.

~~~

In His joy,

Total Consecration

February 18, 2012 by Lena {JOYfilledfamily} Filed Under: Consecration, Marian, St. Louis De Monfort, Total Consecration

I am all thine and all I have is thine, O dear Jesus, through Mary, Thy holy Mother.”

~~~

I invite you to make a Total Consecration for the first time or prepare to renew your consecration if your original consecration was on the Feast of the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

True Devotion to Mary is nothing more than the perfect and certain and shortest way to live our baptismal vows.”

My family will be preparing for our fifth Annual Consecration Renewal.

I am willing to organize an email loop or private blog for anyone who desires to grow closer to Our Blessed Mother by way of Montfortian Total Consecration. If you are interested, please contact me (JOYfilledfamily at gmail dot com) or leave a comment at this post.

In any case, you will benefit from listening to this sermon from Audio Sancto – True Devotion to Mary.

~~~

By making this consecration to Mary, you are placing yourself completely and totally in her hands. You are giving her permission to form you, discipline you, and mold you into a true follower of Christ. Do not be afraid, though, because she loves you. She will always take care of you, and knows better than anybody how to do so. It is always good to remember her words to St. Juan Diego in Mexico, “Hear and let it penetrate into your heart, my dear little son: let nothing discourage you, nothing depress you: let nothing alter your heart or your countenance. Also do not fear any illness or vexation, anxiety or pain. Am I not here who am your Mother? Are you not under my shadow and protection? Am I not your fountain of life? Are you not in the folds of my mantle, in the crossing of my arms? Is there anything else that you need?”

~~~

The Total Consecration is divided into themes:

Days 1-12: The Spirit of the World

Days 13-19: Knowledge of Self

Days 20-26: Knowledge of Mary

Days 27-33: Knowledge of Jesus

Day 34: Total Consecration to Jesus through Mary

~~~

Total Consecration Resources

Schedule of Consecration

¹ 21 Feb when February has 29 days. The Feast of the Annunciation is the Feast that St. Louis de Montfort recommends most of all as it is this Feast that commemorates God Himself taking on flesh and, thereby, subjecting even Himself to trust in and dependency on Our Lady

~~~

AD JESUM PER MARIAM

St. Margaret of Scotland ~ Initiative ~ Black Eyed Susan

February 18, 2012 by Lena {JOYfilledfamily} Filed Under: 06 June, 06 June Saints, Lent, Little Flowers, St. Margaret of Scotland, Wreath III

Here’s a quick recap of my sixth meeting of the year for Little Flowers.

The meeting was held on the First Saturday of February. We took up three pews at Mass. Thirty-four girls were in attendance. This included some new members and the girls preparing for First Holy Communion with Father L.

We did the normal routine; grace, snack and social time, reviewed last month’s saint and virtue, introduced the saint and virtue of the month, studied the coordinating flower, listened to a talk from Father L, received a blessing, worked on a related craft/project, updated LF binders, and closed with a prayer.

~~~

SAINT MARGARET
QUEEN OF SCOTLAND
Widow

Old ~ Feast Day – June 10 – New ~ Feast Day – November 16

The granddaughter of King Edmund Ironside of England, Margaret (c. 1050-93) married King Malcolm III of Scotland. Malcolm perceived that Christ dwelt in the heart of his queen and he was always ready to follow her advice. The royal couple’s chief aims in life were to serve the Church, to maintain justice and to make their subjects happy. Queen Margaret was known as the mother of orphans and the treasurer of the poor of Jesus Christ. Her private life was most austere, and she carefully educated her eight children in the fear and love of God.

~~~

Patron: Death of children; large families; learning; queens; Scotland; widows.

Symbols: Black cross; sceptre and book; hospital.
Often portrayed as: queen, often carrying a black cross, dispensing gifts to the poor.

~~~

The lesson of St. Margaret of Scotland and the virtue of initiative extended into the craft/project time. I opted out of a traditional craft. Instead, I coordinated a Lenten Donation Drive.

Father L and I thought this would be a fruitful way to celebrate St. Margaret of Scotland’s charity. It was also an act of initiative for the girls to begin their preparation for Lent.

The girls decorated fliers to post around the parish and to distribute to family, friends, neighbors, and etc…

All items collected, from now until the end of Lent, will be donated to the local St. Vincent de Paul. This corporal work of mercy will be a beautiful gift to Jesus from all the girls and their families.

~~~

The girls showed more initiative by preparing something special for Fr. L, Fr. S, and Fr. M, in honor of St. Valentine. The girls had to complete the following sentence, “I love my Priests because____________.” I recorded each response on a pink doily. Each girl signed her love note.

I took the love notes home to create a banner. I had initially planned to hang the banner in the parish office but soon realized that the banner was far too big, and wonderful, for the closed quarters.

I displayed the banner in the gym on Sunday morning (two days before the feast of St. Valentine) for all to see. It was the perfect place and time since the Rosa Mystica Girls Society was holding their annual bake sale. I only hope that the Little Flowers’ Valentine lasted and was on display for the intended recipients. (I shall find out on Sat.)

St. Margaret of Scotland ~ ora pro nobis

~~~

Handouts:

Initiative Divider Sheet
Initiative Activity Sheet
St. Margaret of Scotland Bio for Kids ~ Holy Spirit Interactive
Initiative Memory Verse ~ Shower of Roses
St. Margaret of Scotland Coloring Page ~ Curmudgeonry
St. Margaret of Scotland Coloring Page ~ Waltzing Matilda
Black Eyed Susan Coloring Page ~ Family Education

Resources:

St. Margaret of Scotland Bio ~ EWTN
Works of Mercy Printable ~ Holy Reflections
St. Margaret Paper Doll ~ Paper Dali
Initiative ~ Shower of Roses
Little Flowers Link Up ~ Shower of Roses

2012 Lenten Calendar

February 18, 2012 by Lena {JOYfilledfamily} Filed Under: Lent, Lenten Calendar

O Lord and Master of my life, take from me the spirit of sloth, despondency, lust of power, and idle talk; But grant rather the spirit of chastity, humility, patience, and love to thy servant. Yea, O Lord and King, grant me to see my own transgressions, and not to judge my brother; for blessed art Thou unto the ages of ages. ~ St. Ephraem, Doctor of the Church (d. 373) This prayer is often prayed with a prostration after each stanza.

*The calendar can be printed with a purple or white background. The links to the calendar downloads are listed at the bottom of this post.

I opted for a more subdued calendar this year. This calendar corresponds with the Liturgical Calendar – 2012 of the Traditional Roman Rite. I’ve included saints that are not celebrated in time of Lent for my family’s private devotion.

In order to keep up the character of mournfulness and austerity which is so well suited to Lent, the Church, for many centuries, admitted very few feasts into this portion of her year, inasmuch as there is always joy where there is even a spiritual feast…During the last few centuries, she has admitted several other feasts into that portion of her general calendar which coincides with Lent; still, she observes a certain restriction, out of respect for the ancient practice. ~“The Mystery of Lent” – Extraordinary Form (Tridentine) from Dom Gueranger’s “The Liturgical Year”

Here is a key for the calendar:

Saints listed with a (larger) picture (formatted in the center of the calendar square) are from the Liturgical Calendar 2012.
Saints with (slightly smaller) pictures (formatted in the right of the calendar square)are those listed in the Roman Missal.
Saints listed without a picture come from the Breviary.

The following prayers are also included on the calendar.

O Lord Jesus! who spent forty days in the desert without food or drink, and didst permit Thy self to be tempted by the evil spirit, give me, I beseech Thee by that holy fast, the grace to combat, during this holy season of Lent, under Thy protection, against intemperance, and to resist the suggestions of Satan that I may win the crown of eternal life. Amen. ~Rev. Fr. Leonard Goffine’s The Church’s Year

~~~

Prayer Before A Crucifix ~ En ego, O bone et dulcissime Iesu
Behold, O good and most sweet Jesus, I fall upon my knees before Thee, and with most fervent desire beg and beseech Thee that Thou wouldst impress upon my heart a lively sense of faith, hope and charity, true repentance for my sins, and a firm resolve to make amends. And with deep affection and grief, I reflect upon Thy five wounds, having before my eyes that which Thy prophet David spoke about Thee, o good Jesus: "They have pierced my hands and feet, they have counted all my bones." Amen.

This prayer calls to mind Psalm 21, in particular verses 17 and 18, which concern our Lord’s Passion. A plenary indulgence is granted to the faithful on any Friday of Lent or Passiontide who after Communion piously recite this prayer before an image of Christ crucified. On other days of the year the indulgence is partial.

~~~

You may download and print the calendar for your personal use. I only ask that you offer a decade of the Rosary for Priests of the the Priestly Fraternity of St. Peter (FSSP).

2012 Lenten Calendar – Traditional Roman Rite

White – 2012 Lenten Calendar – Traditional Roman Rite

***Please leave a comment stating how you plan to use this or any other Lenten Calendar. Also, feel free to leave your suggestions for future calendars.***

Email me at JOYfilledfamily{at}gmail{dot}com if you prefer to have a JPEG file and/or PDF sent directly to you. I will gladly send out the 2012 Lenten Calendar – JPEG file at any time in the Lenten Season.

I print my calendar at Costco Photo in 16×20 ($5.99) for the family down stairs and 8×10 ($1.49) for bedrooms upstairs.

~~~

Catholic Icing ~ Lenten Link-Up

Like Mother, Like Daughter ~ {pretty, happy, funny, real}

Catholic Bloggers ~ Blog Round-Up

Sharing the LOVE

February 15, 2012 by Lena {JOYfilledfamily} Filed Under: 02 February, 02 February Saints, Family Night, Marriage, St. Valentine, St. Valentine's Day

"Spread love everywhere you go: first of all in your own house. Give love to your children, to your wife or husband, to a next door neighbor… Let no one ever come to you without leaving better and happier. Be the living expression of God’s kindness; kindness in your face, kindness in your eyes, kindness in your smile, kindness in your warm greeting." ~Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta

~~~

My family sought to share our Love of Christ with others on this special day – the feast day of our 2012 Patron Saint, St. Valentine.

~~~

The day started with breakfast delivered in bed. I couldn’t stand to be away from my loves so I took my breakfast downstairs. My family ate together and shared our love.

Dad presented me with his homemade chocolate dipped strawberries and apples. He was so thoughtful in buying the supplies and sneaking them in the house without me knowing. He even used gluten-free chocolate chips. Dad stood up late to make the treats with the help of Sparkles. They were delish—much too good for children!

~~~

“What is the mark of love for your neighbor? Not to seek what is for your own benefit, but what is for the benefit of the one loved, both in body and in soul.” ~St. Basil the Great

Then my family went for some fun and fellowship on this blessed feast day ~ bowling & pizza in the park.

~~~

We exchanged St. Valentine’s treats.

St. Valentine’s Prinatable ~ Sanctus Simplicitus

Heart Rosary ~ Catholic Icing

Holy Card Printables ~ Holy Reflections - Heart Rings ~ Family Fun

We shared some St. Valentine’s Mini Sweet Pizzas.

~~~

It was a blessed day shared with others, in thanksgiving for God’s love and the Love in which we have for Him.

Dad and I are looking forward to a in-home date night this evening. We will bring out the Love Envelope, open a bottle of wine that we purchased from our getaway and share some sweet treats.

“My Jesus, fill my heart with so much love that one day it will break just to be with you. My Jesus, you know I have placed you as a seal on my heart. Remain there always.” ~St. Bernadette Soubirous

St. Valentine’s ~ ora pro nobis

~~~

The Search for St. Valentine

Love Quotes

Eats for St. Valentine’s Day

February 13, 2012 by Lena {JOYfilledfamily} Filed Under: 02 February, 02 February Saints, St. Valentine, St. Valentine's Day

St. Valentine’s Healthy Heart Breakfast

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St. Valentine’s Sweet Pizza

Love Envelope

February 11, 2012 by Lena {JOYfilledfamily} Filed Under: Marriage, St. Valentine's Day

I wanted to share a collection of Date Night Questions* that Dad & I have been using since our getaway.

I decided to refresh our collection of date night questions but I didn’t want to start from scratch. I went searching online and found a blog that listed numerous questions. There were approximately 100 questions, categorized into six categories. I’ve listed the categories and a sample question.

- General date questions
  - If money and time weren’t an issue, what would you most like to do?
- Getting to know one another
  - What one thing have you learned about God (or yourself) this past year?
- Honoring one another
  - Some qualities I see in you that I would like to cultivate in my own life are…
- Sin
  - What is your greatest source of frustration right now? How have you achieved victory in your attitude?
- Marriage and family life
  - As a demonstration of my love for you, I would like to improve in the area of . . .
- Home schooling
  - How can I support you as you work so diligently as an educator of our children? Where are you defining education in a way that brings undue hardship on yourself?

I copied and pasted the questions into a Word document for easy access. I even color coded the questions. I printed and cut the questions into strips. Then I placed them in an envelope with a cute cover.

I had planned to use the questions sporadically over the weekend. Things didn’t turn out as planned, Dad couldn’t wait. He initiated the dialogue within eight miles into the trip. The file never got a rest.

I randomly selected a paper strip from the envelope. I read the question. Dad and I took turns answering the question for ourselves. Then we took turns answering the question for each other. We answered majority of the questions. I kept a journal of our answers. This exchange was very edifying for us as a couple and as an individual.

The Love Envelope is what we now call the date night questions. It was Dad’s favorite part of the trip. He has requested that I bring the envelope along every time we get a chance to be alone (dinner for two in the kitchen while the kid’s occupy themselves, shopping trips, gas runs, Adoration, etc…).

The time we had away, to enter into dialogue and be fully attentive to each other, yielded a beautiful refreshment and intimacy. That intimacy has helped to sustain us through some recent trials.

ALL PRAISE AND GLORY TO GOD!

*the Date Night Questions we found on a non-Catholic website. Some of the questions were altered.

Girls Only–a Response to Melody’s Post

February 11, 2012 by Lena {JOYfilledfamily} Filed Under: Mom

My friend, Melody had a great “Girls Only” post. My comment ended up being so long that it exceeded the comment box’s word count. I decided to post my response here, in it’s entirety.

Only proceed if you’re an “Estrogen American” and you have read Melody’s 7 Quick Takes – TMI /Girls Only Edition.

it’s so nice to hear from a brave soul who is willing to put a voice to what many of us 30-something moms are experiencing.

i will openly share here because i believe that we could all benefit from the sharing. i much rather read the views of a faithful Catholic mom than those from the secular world.

pelvic floor – i was convinced that kegals were not the answer after i experienced no improvement (from one preg. to the next) despite my rigorous routine. i did some online research and was further convicted to avoid kegals, altogether. it’s been a little over one year and i have experienced great results with squats, alone. (there continue to be mixed reviews. i’m just sharing what has worked for me.)

gray hair - (note, what I’m about to say comes from a place of discernment not condemnation. I’m still discerning this matter on a regular basis. here is where i stand today….)

i’m in the same boat you are. (i wrote a little about it on my blog post – Hair Detachment) it’s the transition period that i predict will be the most difficult.

i desire to let my husband be the head of my home and me. this is one small area for me to practice such submission so that i can better follow him for the big stuff. the way I see it, if my husband does not find it necessary for me to dye my hair then i should follow suit. it’s not something big but it is within my means. i consider it a small act of reparation for Jesus. i also hope that it will inspire my daughters to embrace their entire femininity – as He wills it to be. after all, going gray His design.

i’m sure, if more 30-something year olds would not dye their hair, this would be a non issue for many. we would not have the same pressure to "look our age."

i desire to be the age i am, just as He has willed it to be. i do make exceptions for my husband’s requests. I figure he’ll have to answer for those choices.

i try hard not to worry about how others may view me. if they see me as a "frumpy old" woman, so be it–one me thing for me to offer to Jesus. i want to live a simple life (as natural as possible)and enjoy every stage of life to it’s fullest. for me, that means accepting the gray hair as a crown of glory — one step closer to Our Heavenly Father & Home.

feminine products – i used a menstrual cup (MC) two kids – five pregnancies ago. i’ve always preferred tampons since it was the practical way to go for my athletic regime. as a mom of three (including a nursing baby) tampons were no longer working for my heavy blood flow. i opted for an alternative to tampons. (this was right around the time i became a wannabe crunchy mom.) i didn’t find many options. i used Instead Softcups. they worked great once i got used to the whole process.

note: do NOT attempt your MC trail run on a day when you’ll be active and/or outside the home. i’m speaking from experience.

i didn’t use a MC for long because I became pregnant shortly after and never really had much time to reacquaint myself.

i would definitely use a menstrual cup again. in fact, i’ve been shopping around to see which brand I will purchase next.

custody of the eyes – my temperament is to be direct and make a correction regardless of the situation. yes, i have issues with my tongue. instead, i work on fighting the urge.

on my good days, i say a quick ejaculation to the Blessed Virgin Mary and try to shower that individual with charity — the charity in which i desire to receive. on my bad days, i abruptly end the conversation and walk away.

i agree, a man should have eyes only for his wife. i pray that i adequately train my boys so that this will never be an issue for them.

post-partum hair loss - i have you beat—dragonfly is twenty months and my hair has not completely returned. the hair that has returned is gray.

nursing bras – i think i’d opt for a quality nursing bra for the next preg (God-willing, there be a next time). i usally wear a comfy sports bra when I’m at home and a regular bra when i need to be presentable.

i don’t care much for the latches on any nursing bra. my fav nursing bra was a $6 find from target’s maternity line. i found it eight years ago and it still does the best job for me (and the girls).

valentines - thanks for sharing the idea. i look forward to checking it out. dad and i usually don’t do anything extraordinary on st. valentine’s day. i think this year may need to be different since st. valentine is my family’s patron saint for 2012.

Ad Jesum per Mariam!

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