Since this is the third Friday of the month, today would normally be a Friday Favorites post.

Also, I normally post my Online Daybook/ Currently/ 7QT post once a month but the last one I posted was in March with a review of February. I guess you could say I am a little behind!

via GIPHY

I started a post but it has been sitting in my queue for weeks. And this morning we just finished our last day of school (finally!) and I really need to START packing for a week long trip that is happening in two days, sooooo today I am getting everything done at once!

This is a combo Online Daybook/ Currently/ Friday Favorites post covering all the bases, as well as a a review of the spring months and I’ll knock out March, April and May all at once.

To add to the fun, I am linking up with Anne at In Residence blog for Currently. This month’s prompts include: traveling, grilling, planting, exploring and playing. You’ll find the answers mixed in with my usual prompts.

I’m also linking up with Kelly for 7 Quick Takes.

Okay, let’s kick off our summer vacay and do this…

via GIPHY

 

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Grateful for…

• My rainbow baby who just celebrated his 11th bday.
• A great last day of school.
• Summer vacation finally starting.
• Family time.
• All the little things I take for granted like a warm bed, running water and food on the table.

Praying for..

• My mom. She is out of the hospital and we got the biopsy results. Details below.
• Many special intentions from family and friends, especially those carrying heavy crosses.
• Those fighting cancer, illness and mental health issues.
• For victims of violence and abuse.
• All pregnant moms (especially family members), those trying to get pregnant, those who have lost their babies and for moms contemplating an abortion.
• The souls in purgatory, especially family, friends and those most forgotten.

 

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Family Chit Chat…

For those who have been asking about my mom, she is back home, which is great, but the bad news is that her cancer is back. She has an appointment with her oncologist later this month and they will make decisions on what treatments will be best for her. The day I found out, I lost it. I was heartbroken. I just kept thinking “what if” this was it. This was our time to say goodbye. I had to mourn and cry and get mad before I could say with my heart, it’s in your hands God. Now, I am able to dry the tears, roll up my sleeves and do whatever I can to make this transition easier for my mom and our families.

Traveling…

First on the agenda is changing our traveling plans. Normally, my mom and dad go on our yearly summer trip to Lake Tahoe but with mom’s situation, we canceled our trip and are going to SoCal instead to celebrate my mom’s birthday. All nine siblings will be there, including my sis Elena from Virginia. We want my mom to be surrounded by the people she loves most and make this her most memorable bday ever.

Planting…

I added some pots of herbs to our deck garden although I couldn’t find any Italian parsley so I got regular parsley instead. I am wondering what the difference is in taste. Can you substitute one for the other?

Exploring…

My photos from the last three months! I picked out my faves for the month-in-review collages, which I also like to print and add to my bullet journal.

March Memories – We welcomed March, joined the #readaloudrevival with my boys, planted spring flowers on our deck, helped Andrew with his 4th grade mission project of the Santa Clara Mission, observed Lent, made and posted a recipe for Wonton soup, became an aunt to my sister Baby Millie, and celebrated Holy Week.

April Memories – We celebrated the first day of April and Easter Sunday, Matthew – the baby of the family – turned 7 years old, we read many Catholic graphic novels, we were still loving our evening reading aloud, Bella and I went to Disneyland for a girls’ weekend, I started my re-consecration to Jesus through the Blessed Mother, Brian and I celebrated the 19th anniversary of our first date, and we said goodbye to a favorite priest and holy man of God.

May Memories – May was filled with family events. It started with my brother’s wedding in SoCal, then I attended the Blessed Is She Wild retreat with my mom, while there I met us with a number of my BIS team members, the following day my son John-Paul made his First Communion and I celebrated Mother’s Day with my mom. The following weekend my sister and mom were here for a girls’ day out (where 3 out of 4 of us got our first professional manicure) and the following day Bella was Confirmed with my sister Jacinta being her sponsor. Such a blessed month!

 

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Grilling…

We haven’t done any grilling yet but this is the first dish I want to try when we do. Doesn’t it look delicious?!

Grilled chicken breasts with lemon and herbs by BellyFull.net.

 

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Reading…

Finished…

A Bitter Truth: A Bess Crawford Mystery (Book 3)

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Maximilian Kolbe: Saint of Auschwitz
This was my Lenten ReadAloud book with the boys.

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In March and April I read 15 Catholic Graphic Novels. If you want to check those out, you can find the post here – A Collection of Catholic Graphic Novels Reviewed.

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Not My Father’s Son: A Memoir

For Modern Mrs. Darcy’s Reading Challenge category – A book by an author of a different race, ethnicity or religion than your own. I have always enjoyed Alan Cummings acting and although I don’t agree with some of his views, I commend the way he rose above the abuse he suffered from his father, fought for healing and forged his own path in life.

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33 Days to Morning Glory: A Do-It-Yourself Retreat In Preparation for Marian Consecration

In May, I did the Re-Consecration to Mary and used this book. Excellent source.

 

Currently…

Frankenstein

(For Modern Mrs. Darcy’s Reading Challenge category – A classic I haven’t read et.)

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One Beautiful Dream by Jennifer Fulwiler

(For Modern Mrs. Darcy’s Reading Challenge category – A memoir, biography or book of creative fiction.

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The Great Alone

For Modern Mrs. Darcy’s Reading Challenge category – A book by a favorite author. I loved Hannah’s book The Nightingale and just started her newest novel. I’m about 1/4 into it and can’t put it down!

 

Watching…

(ON TV)

All our regular shows are off until fall so we are hungry for some summer TV. What have you been watching?

We pulled out our old collection of Psych DVD’s (we splurged on the complete series one Christmas) and have been re-wathcing them. I forgot how much we loved Sean and Gus! (As you can see from the above GIF’s.)

 

(MOVIES)

I’ve already mentioned my thoughts about these movies on social media so I’ll keep this short…

The Avengers: Infinity War – Loved the movie, loved Cap’s beard, did not like the ending and hated that I have to wait a whole year to see how they bring our guys back. (Well, at least the not so dead, dead ones.)

Solo: A Star Wars Story – Everyone was complaining about this before it was even close to hitting the theaters. Personally, I enjoyed it. It was fun and all my boys liked it.

Oceans’ 8 – This was another fun movie and it had great girl chemistry. However, you will feel guilty rooting for the anti-heroes to accomplish something that is illegal and morally wrong. If you can get past that, then you’re good. Added bonus, the fashions are amazing and Richard Armitage is in it. 😉

 

Listening to …

Added to my faves playlist…

Bastille – Quarter Past Midnight

Mansionair – Astronaut (Something About Your Love)

Mikky Ekko – What’s It Like Now – 4/10/2018 – Paste Studios – New York, NY

Sir Sly – &Run

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Added to my Praise and Worship playlist…

Reckless Love – Corey Ashbury

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On the boys’ playlist…

TobyMac – Move (Keep Walkin’)

When the boys found out that their grandma’s cancer came back they were really concerned about if she was going to die. I explained to them that grandma was deciding about what she should do next and if she was going to get treatment. They had hoped she would fight the cancer and they were excited when she decided she would fight. Now whenever they hear one of their favorite TobyMac songs they think about their grandma and how she is like a soldier fighting on.

Part of the lyrics:

Hold on, hold on
The Lord ain’t finished yet
Hold on, hold on
He’ll get you through this
Hold on, hold on
These are the promises
I never will forget
I never will forget
I know your heart been broke again
I know your prayers ain’t been answered yet
But it ain’t over yet, it ain’t over yet

 

~ 5 ~

Recent Posts:

Posts have been sporadic with all the family activities but there are some posts being work on,including:

• How I meal plan.
• Artist Spotlight featuring Rose Harrington Art
• How to find time to pray in a busy day.
• How I use my new Blessed Is She Planner.
• More Friday Favorites.

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~ 6 ~

Pinned…

This is the Teacher Appreciation Printable from ManyLittleJoys.com that I used for an end of the year class gift.

 

Around the blogosphere…

Here are some posts I’ve been reading…

• How to View Media Through the Lens of Faith by Blessed Is She Blog
• No.128: 10 Podcasts I’m Listening To Right Now by The Big White Farmhouse
• 9 Lessons in 9 Years of Marriage by Whole Parenting Family
• Easy Peasy Pasta Salad – Supper in One Bowl! by A Welcome Grace
• The Man You Love is Addicted to Porn. Now What? Resources to Empower Women by FemCatholic (Although I am not in this situation, there are a number of wives and girlfriends who are so it’s a valuable resource.)

 

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I just got my new mini Blessed Is She planner in the mail and I am in love! I do an unboxing and look at the planner in my instastories. You can order the original (8 x 10) size and the mini sized (6.25 x 8.25) version in the BIS shop.

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So that’s what I’ve been up to lately. What about you? What’s currently happening in your life? Any book, movie or TV show recommendations? Do share.

Have a great week!

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