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A Lenten Birthday

by Filed Under: 03 March, Birthday, Happy Birthday Leave a Comment

My birthday may be in Lent (Holy Week this year) but my beloved always finds a way to celebrate.

43 years old

This year I was surprised with a day date — getaway for a picnic in the park. He even managed to be certain that we kept our Lenten fast/abstinence sans unsweetened chocolate dipped strawberries & bananas (my fave).

My girls asked to do my hair and make-up in the morning while the boys got their hair cut. I thought nothing of it aside from a generous pampering and sharing of self. Then he told me to get ready, Nana was here to watch the children. It was glorious!

Now that we’re in Eastertide and my birthday week (yes, we get birthday weeks here — like an octave of sorts) has come to end, I fully rejoice for the gift of life, my beloved husband, our children (all 14), and His abundant grace.

We continue to celebrate the most glorious season of all, Eastertide.

I leave you with with words from #domprospergueranger :

“Easter is the summit of the Mystery of the sacred Liturgy. The Christian who is happy enough to enter, with his whole mind and heart, into the knowledge and the love of the Paschal Mystery, has reached the very centre of the supernatural life. Hence it is, that the Church uses every effort in order to effect this: what she has hitherto done, was all intended as a preparation for Easter. The holy longings of Advent, the sweet joys of Christmas, the severe truths of Septuagesima, the contrition and penance of Lent, the heart-rending sight of the Passion — all were given us as preliminaries, as paths, to the sublime and glorious Paseh, which is now ours.” #domgueranger

May we all celebrate these 50 days of Easter with great joy! ALLELUIA!

my LIST

by Filed Under: Happy Birthday, my List

I decided to take one last break in my pregnancy prep.  My birth plan and bags are put on hold for now.

I’m almost a month overdue with my LIST.  I was inspired to create my LIST from here. 

The idea is to list 1 item per year old you are.  So, I have listed 32 items since I recently turned 32 years old.

These items are all things that I hope to work on and/or accomplish by my 33rd birthday next year.

I’m a a visual person and enjoy lists.  I plan to print my LIST and post it in my prayer corner and maybe on the fridge.  I like the accountability that the fridge posting might offer.

My LIST was created with prayer and some insight from my husband.  It in no way covers all that has been placed on my heart.  It is merely a starting point for myself.

my LIST
32 things to do before i turn 33

32 by 33

Prayers & Activities for Pope Benedict XVI

by Filed Under: Happy Birthday, Pope

April 16th, marks the 83rd birthday of our Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI.

Below are some prayers, info and activities that we will be doing in honor of Our Holy Father’s Birthday.

PRAYERS FOR BENEDICT XVI:

V. Let us pray for Benedict, our Pope.


R. May the Lord preserve him, and give him life, and make him blessed upon the earth, and deliver him not up to the will of his enemies. [Ps 40:3]


Our Father, Hail Mary.


O God, Shepherd and Ruler of all Thy faithful people, look mercifully upon Thy servant Benedict, whom Thou hast chosen as shepherd to preside over Thy Church. Grant him, we beseech Thee, that by his word and example, he may edify those over whom he hath charge, so that together with the flock committed to him, may he attain everlasting life. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.


— Excerpted from the Roman Missal. A partial indulgence is attached to the versicle and response.
~ Catholic Culture

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Spiritual Bouquet for Pope Benedict XVI

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Novena for Pope Benedict XVI 

 

TELEVISION PROGRAM:

PAPACY OF REASON:
INSIDE THE MIND OF POPE BENEDICT XVI ( 1 hr)
Pope Benedict XVI is leading the Church of the 21st Century in a clear and unmistakable direction; this insightful overview of the principal themes of his Pontificate reveals the unique approach he uses to guide the Church in truth and love, and includes key interviews with Church leaders, Vatican experts, and prominent Catholic journalists.
Fri 4/16/10 5:30 PM ET / 2:30 PM PT
We watch EWTN TV online.

Marian Birthday Party

by Filed Under: Happy Birthday, Marian, Mary Garden

THEME

For Sparkle’s 4th birthday we had a Mary party and all guests helped us plant a flower in our Mary garden in between crafting and swimming. 

The Our Lady of Guadalupe was found at Wal-Mart for $40.00!!!
FOOD

A sandwich bar was offered for lunch. Pink flower cupcakes were served.

FAVORS & ACTIVITIES

The children/guests were given a clay pot to paint and decorate in between their swim & flower planting time. They also were able to plant a flower that had a Marian significance. In addition, the children were given a pack of gummy worms. Their parents were given a personalized bottle of sparkling cider along with prayers and Marian Garden descriptions.

MARIAN GARDEN INFO
Info was collected from Mary Gardens

A Mary Garden Prayer
Most Holy Trinity, Father, Son and Holy Spirit,As our hearts are raised to you in love and thanksgiving through the light, grace, fragrance and symbolism of these pure, blest, transfigured flowers of Our Lady – your direct creations, showing forth and sharing with us your divine goodness, beauty and truth – we commune with you in awe and rapture and pray that we and all our brothers and sisters may be opened to the fullness of the divine love of God and Neighbor, through which we are to transform the fallen world into the culminating earthly Peaceable Kingdom and Paradise, that all may be lifted up resplendent in the eternal New Heaven and New Earth of our Crucified and Risen Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen

Catholic Icing
 
UndertheTableandDreaming
Bird Crafts Party

She’s 15!!!

by Filed Under: Happy Birthday, Rose

Rose turned 15 today, March 29.
 We continue to give thanks to Our Heavenly Father for the graces to say “YES” fifteen years ago. We have not had an easy journey but we’re thankful for His Mercy that has been showered upon us.

Rose brings us much JOY and is a true gift to my husband and I. She is adored by all her little siblings and cousins. She is treasured by her Papa and Nana.
Rose continues to witness to us all with her desire to conform to the will of God. At times she has been persecuted (even by family members) for remaining constant to the convictions placed on her heart to live a life that is pleasing to Our Lord. She has not waivered but instead seeks direction and continues to move forward spiritually.

Her obedience to our family, the entire family is extraordinary. Sure there are times when she responds with a 14 15 year old perspective but not a worldly 15 year old.  She is always willing to be corrected.  She remains chaste in her words and humble in her service.

We pray that she will be open to the graces of Our Heavenly Father and she will continue to follow His call for her, whatever pleasing path He may lead her to.
She opted out of our (new) family tradition of a birthday date night with only mom & dad. She didn’t want to pass up our Parish Ceili the weekend before her birthday. She had a blast celebrating with family and friends. What can we say, she’s a dancing queen.

Rose and I did manage to complete our Annual Mother-Daughter Birthday Spiritual Retreat. We were not able to get away for a weekend but managed to complete Ignatian Exercises over a 5 week period with an awesome Priest/Retreat Master. I’m so thankful that Rose was able to have a great intro to the Ignatian Exercises. I hope to be able to continue the remainder of the Exercises with her at a later time.
We pray that the fruits received from this retreat will continue to flourish throughout her young life.

 She received her Birthday (Vigil) Blessing from Father M sometime after Palm Sunday Mass, playing soccer and vespers.

Her Papa surprised her with wonderful Mexican food for dinner when she got home from Mass. She picked out a Costco cake for her dessert.

Today, March 29, her actual birthday was low key in keeping with our past Holy Weeks. She did manage to get a day off school for knitting and some leisure. I’ll have to talk to her Principal about that one. : )

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Here are some pictures of Rose that I dug up from the archives.

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