"Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord; let it be done to me according to your word." 
Sunday, March 25, 2007
The Annunciation of the Lord (Solemnity celebrated tomorrow)
"Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord; let it be done to me according to your word." 
Tupperware Time....
The other night while I was cooking for my friend's bridal shower...Angelica decided she would help me reorganize my tupperware cabinet...
Saturday, March 24, 2007
Saint of the Day
(1447-1510)
Shortly before Catherine’s death she told her goddaughter: "Tomasina! Jesus in your heart! Eternity in your mind! The will of God in all your actions! But above all, love, God’s love, entire love!"
Friday, March 23, 2007
Sidebar Addition...
I have put a link to a photo and video album archive....you can click on the link that I have posted on our sidebar...good way to keep pictures through the years and videos together in one spot!! Enjoy.
Thursday, March 22, 2007
Thanks for the genes mom...
...so when I was little I had crazy hair, and it looks like my daughter has gotten that gene as well. (Granted she just had a bath and we blew it dry...:) )
Wednesday, March 21, 2007
New Sidebar Addition
I have decided to put links to my favorite posts of the sites I visit...so you notice on the sidebar there is a new section called "Posts I Want to Share", just click on them and it will take you to the posts on my favorite sites.
I love these things...
I just cleaned my microwave...toaster...tool turn about...spice rack...and I used my favorite cleaning item...this!! These work great for those small spaces and vent grids and getting all the dirt and grime out of tracks. I just wet with water and go to town!!
Maybe I should have been a fighter pilot...
This game is really addictive. The goal is to move the red block around without hitting the blue blocks of the walls. If you get to 18 seconds, you are supposedly phenomenal!! I made it! The USAF uses this with their fighter pilots. Click here to play!
Tuesday, March 20, 2007
Monday, March 19, 2007
Saint of the Day
Prayer to St. Joseph
"To thee, O Blessed Joseph, we have recourse in our tribulations, and while imploring the aid of thy most holy Spouse, we confidently invoke thy patronage also. By that love which united thee to the Immaculate Virgin, Mother of God, and by the fatherly affection with which thou didst embrace the Infant Jesus, we humbly beseech thee graciously to regard the inheritance which Jesus Christ purchased with His Blood and to help us in our necessities, by thy powerful intercession. Protect, O most provident Guardian of the Holy Family, the chosen children of Jesus Christ; ward off from us, O most loving Father, all taint of error and corruption; graciously assist us from Heaven, O most power protector, in our struggle with the powers of darkness; and as thou didst once rescue the Child Jesus from imminent peril to His life, so now defend the Holy Church of God from the snares of her enemies and from all adversity. Shield each one of us with thy unceasing patronage that, imitating thy example and sported by thy aid, we may be enabled to live a good life, die a holy death, and secure everlasting happiness in Heaven. Amen."
Menu Plan Monday
Tuesday: Rotisserie Chicken Pasta Dish
Wednesday: Soup Supper at Church
Thursday: Pizza Basketball Party
Friday: Leftover Pizza from Basketball Party
Saturday: Leftover Bridal Shower Food
Sunday: Dinner with Family
Saturday, March 17, 2007
We miss you Megs...
My sister Meg was in town briefly Tuesday night and Wednesday. She flew from NYC during her spring break to Portland to help a girlfriend with wedding planning. At least we got to see her for a brief visit!! Angelica loves all her clothes!!
Way to go STARS!!!
The girl's basketball team that Jason has been coaching and my sister Alli plays on, WON the final game today!!! The team they played was their only loss during the season...at half time the score was tied 6-6 and we won 18-17!! It was so much fun to watch the girls and Jason enjoy it so much....pics soon to follow!! Does anyone have ideas for something sweet to do for the girls?? Jason would like to present them with something at their party, but we just aren't sure what!! Let me know...
Happy St. Patrick's Day!!
I always love this day, especially because I am part Irish! My grandparents took me to Ireland and Scotland when I graduated from high school, back in 1998. It was a memorable trip and I always bring out the pics on this day. I thought I would post some here...I loved being able to meet all my Irish relatives. (I can't believe how YOUNG I look!!)Remember if you are not wearing green today...you deserve to get pinched!! (you can scroll over pics for description or double click to see full size pic...)
Saint of the Day
St. Patrick(415?-493?)
Prayer for the Faithful by Saint Patrick
May the Strength of God guide us.
May the Power of God preserve us.
May the Wisdom of God instruct us.May the Strength of God guide us.
May the Power of God preserve us.
May the Hand of God protect us.
May the Way of God direct us.
May the Shield of God defend us.
May the Angels of God guard us.- Against the snares of the evil one.
May Christ be with us!
May Christ be before us!
May Christ be in us,Christ be over all!
May Thy Grace, Lord,Always be ours,This day, O Lord, and forevermore. Amen.
Friday, March 16, 2007
Thursday, March 15, 2007
Wednesday, March 14, 2007
Tuesday, March 13, 2007
Monday, March 12, 2007
Menu Plan Monday
Monday: Tri-Tips (just with a little garlic powder, onion powder & Montreal Steak Seasoning, then grilled), Portabello mushrooms (Sauteed in garlic and olive oil), whole wheat noodles (didn't have this Saturday, we ended up with Costco pizza)
Tuesday: Dinner with family (sister from NYC is in town)
Wednesday: Soup Supper at Church
Thursday: Steak-Um Sandwiches and Waffle Fries
Friday: Garlic Jim's Pizza
Sunday: Dinner with Family
More cleaning...
Ok, so last week I continued with some cleaning...here are more tips I learned:
- mix 2 TBs baking powder with 1 qt. hot water, to clean inside fridge and freezer. This neutralizes all the odors (dish soap's odor may sink into your food). I put it in a spray bottle and worked really well.
- Did you know you are supposed to keep mushrooms in a brown bag with a moist paper towel to keep fresh? It works!!
- I have a white porcelain sink...so I scrub with comet, then fill with hot water and some bleach....I even put the dish drainer and sink strainer in there with it and they came out sparkling clean!!
- Fill a spray bottle with warm water and dish soap to clean outside surfaces of dishwasher, oven, fridge etc.
- Put lemon slices (or juice) in bowl with water and heat in microwave 45 secons or so and everything wipes off really easily to clean and it smells good too!!
If you have tips let me know!!! Making my way around the house...slowly!
Coffee...PLEASE!
My morning:
- nurse Angel
- change diaper
- chase Angel
- heat coffee
- feed Angel
- wash dishes
- heat coffee
- chase Angel
- fold laundry
- vacuum
- heat coffee
- unload dishwasher, start dinner, wash dishes
- where is Angel?
- heat coffee
- nurse Angel
- change diaper
- put Angel down for nap
- FORGET THE COFFEE, too tired to reheat
Top teeth....
Finally...yesterday Angelica's one top tooth broke through the gums. Poor things has been struggling to get them in. The other one is just under the gums as well. She pumped her mouth yesterday and her gum started bleeding and bleeding. Finally figured out that the best way to calm her down and stop bleeding was to nurse her...relief!! I will try to see if I can get a pic, but she doesn't let me open her mouth very easily!!
Saint of the Day
(1881-1922)
"Lord, I live by your will. I shall die when you desire; save me because you can."
Sunday, March 11, 2007
Saturday, March 10, 2007
Saint of the Day
(1842-1857)
"I am not capable of doing big things, but I want to do everything, even the smallest things, for the greater glory of God."
Friday, March 9, 2007
Tips and Tricks...
This week I decided to plunge in with starting some deep spring cleaning. I got the Martha Stewart Homekeeping book for Christmas and love it. There are lots of good ideas and tricks. I have cleaned our washer, dryer, utility closet, under sink, oven, stove top, ventilation hood, sink, and media cabinet. Yes, I am also an organizing fool so it felt good to sort things out as well. Some tips I learned:
- to clean ventilation hood filter, soak overnight in warm water with a little dish soap...then scrub. Amazing!!
- to keep wax from sticking to glass holders, put a little water in bottom before you put candle in. Candle wax then slides right out when done. (I love this, I no longer have to put in freezer!!)
- to keep mildew from getting in washing machine, keep lid open for a bit to dry out after wash, and once a month wash empty load with hot water and bleach in dispenser to clean out.
If you have any cool tips on these items let me know....
Under the table...
Last night Angel decided to stand up under the table and play. She was waving and learning to blow kisses (although she just puts her hand on her mouth, we are still working on the blowing mechanism). Watch, it is too cute!!
No more face smashing...
Angelica has learned how to crawl down the step now, so she doesn't fall flat on her face anymore!!
Saint of the Day
(1384-1440)
"It is most laudable in a married woman to be devout, but she must never forget that she is a housewife; and sometimes she must leave God at the altar to find Him in her housekeeping."
Thursday, March 8, 2007
Wednesday, March 7, 2007
Motherhood...
This morning after feeding Angelica, I laid back down in bed and snuggled her into my arms. She lay there close to me just looking around and holding my fingers. I treasure these sweet moments and feel like I am holding a little slice of heaven. Then Angel decides to start pinching me with those little fingers and nails, almost as if she is testing to see just how strong she can do it. She manages to pull herself up next to me and that's right, spit up all over mommy. Ah....the joys of motherhood.
Tuesday, March 6, 2007
Intro to Blogging tip...
Several people who I have now gotten into checking out this website have wondered how to leave comments. After each post, there is a spot that says "comments". If you click on that you can enter a message and post it. Fun way to share information!! Good luck!
Caitlin Ankle Update...
Caitlin had her cast removed yesterday and is walking around sort of like a normal person. She has a little limp-drag style walk going on, but her ankle feels very stiff and tight right now. She is slowly starting to work it out and trying not to scar people with her pretty scar!! I love you sis. You will be kicking a soccer ball again in no time...
Ellie...I love this post
Ok, so I will paste this post below, but it is one I loved today from my favorite site, coffee and diapers. This is so true!!
The purity of a child's prayer
Adults are so quick to want children to grow up. We forget that they are not just adults in training, but real living people with unique charisms all to themselves. They are capable of their own special relationship with God that we'd do best not to interfere with too much. Reading an old Montessori essay on this really put that thought in perspective for me. Moms like me get a big kick out of sharing funny little stories about their children's spirituality. Junior plays "Holy Communion" with brother, or starts baptizing the kids at the play group, or asks loudly during Mass where Jesus' clothes are on the Cross. These things are all "cute" to us. We laugh when they put a bowl of cereal in front of the statue because it looks hungry or when they sing church songs and do their own processions in the home. It's all so darling isn't it?!
Be careful with this.
Christ was very clear about letting the little children come to Him and if we are offering little giggles and smirks when our kids express their spirituality... we are inadvertently giving them the message that there's something "abnormal" or out of the way about it. OURS is the "right way" to worship: lofty, serious, and composed. But the little ones are closer to Christ than we are!!! And in their minds, they are trying to make sense of the spiritual world in ways that they can understand. This is beautiful and noble! Sometimes, it's hard to resist sharing with a friend something that my kids do that I think is funny or cute in a spiritual way. But I won't be making a public spectacle of it... especially if they are around. I certainly wouldn't want my spirituality to be the topic of conversations. Let's just say it right now, all kids from Catholic families do "sweet" things or say "cute" things regarding the Faith at one time or another. I think offering a gentle smile is fine when your child wants to cuddle the statue or pray for their toys etc. I may even make a note of it in the journal of letters I write to each of them (to give on their 18th birthday). But I don't think we should laugh or otherwise disvalidate what they are doing, especially in front of them. It's more than just "cute." Like the Blessed Mother, who experienced the mysteries of the Christ Child's spirituality, we should "hold these things in our hearts" because the prayers and rituals of our children are 100 times more pure and real than those of our own.
-Ellie
The purity of a child's prayer
Adults are so quick to want children to grow up. We forget that they are not just adults in training, but real living people with unique charisms all to themselves. They are capable of their own special relationship with God that we'd do best not to interfere with too much. Reading an old Montessori essay on this really put that thought in perspective for me. Moms like me get a big kick out of sharing funny little stories about their children's spirituality. Junior plays "Holy Communion" with brother, or starts baptizing the kids at the play group, or asks loudly during Mass where Jesus' clothes are on the Cross. These things are all "cute" to us. We laugh when they put a bowl of cereal in front of the statue because it looks hungry or when they sing church songs and do their own processions in the home. It's all so darling isn't it?!
Be careful with this.
Christ was very clear about letting the little children come to Him and if we are offering little giggles and smirks when our kids express their spirituality... we are inadvertently giving them the message that there's something "abnormal" or out of the way about it. OURS is the "right way" to worship: lofty, serious, and composed. But the little ones are closer to Christ than we are!!! And in their minds, they are trying to make sense of the spiritual world in ways that they can understand. This is beautiful and noble! Sometimes, it's hard to resist sharing with a friend something that my kids do that I think is funny or cute in a spiritual way. But I won't be making a public spectacle of it... especially if they are around. I certainly wouldn't want my spirituality to be the topic of conversations. Let's just say it right now, all kids from Catholic families do "sweet" things or say "cute" things regarding the Faith at one time or another. I think offering a gentle smile is fine when your child wants to cuddle the statue or pray for their toys etc. I may even make a note of it in the journal of letters I write to each of them (to give on their 18th birthday). But I don't think we should laugh or otherwise disvalidate what they are doing, especially in front of them. It's more than just "cute." Like the Blessed Mother, who experienced the mysteries of the Christ Child's spirituality, we should "hold these things in our hearts" because the prayers and rituals of our children are 100 times more pure and real than those of our own.
-Ellie
Sunshine...
It was a beautifully WARM day today here in the Pacific Northwest. The sun was shining and the temperature got up to around 64. It is amazing after so much "inside" time and rain and cold months, how a little sunshine can truly energize you. Angelica and I went to the commissary and she didn't make one squeak on the trip there, during the shopping, or even on the way home. She actually listened to her music, basked in the sun through the window and fell asleep!! If these are any signs of what the warm weather can bring....I am looking forward to spring even more!!
Monday, March 5, 2007
Menu Plan Monday
Monday: Italian Vegetable Soup, (Fix-It and Forget-It Cookbook, pg.51)...we ended up having this tonight instead of Saturday
Thursday: Leftovers & Salad
Friday: Cream of Fresh Asparagus Soup & Rolls
Saturday: Tri-Tips (just with a little garlic powder, onion powder & Montreal Steak Seasoning, then grilled), Portabello mushrooms (Sauteed in garlic and olive oil), noodles
Sunday: Dinner with family
Sunday, March 4, 2007
HAPPY BIRTHDAY PEPE
My grandfather's birthday is today. I pray that he is blessed with another year of good health and wonderful memories. Pepe is one of the most hard working men I know, and so full of life. He has such a compassion and love for his family, his work, travels and his faith. I cherish all the memories I have of him and all the times we have spent together. I am so blessed to have him as my grandfather, we love you Pepe.
Saturday, March 3, 2007
A good long line...
My husband, Angelica and I went to a local church for confession this evening. We walk in and as we turned the corner to where the confessional is, I saw a long line of people...and noticed myself getting discouraged and thinking maybe we should go. But then I thought to myself...isn't this a great place to have a long line? So many people wanting to purify themselves and receive graces from our Lord. So we joined the line and waited...(and Angelica was a perfect little Angel...although she did wonder where mommy went as I entered the confessional...) How fortunate we are that we are able to receive this sacrament so frequently!!
Powerful rap for the unborn...
Angie, thanks for sending this video. What a powerful message for those hurting from the pains of abortion. Please pray for all the aborted babies and the ones who struggle with the pain from their actions.
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