15): Catching Up, The Water Diviner & Mini Super Heroes

By bobbi
May 8, 2015
No Comments

Happy Friday (night!) It’s been a long week so I am relishing these few moments when I can sit and unwind and catch up with you. I’m linking up with Kelly for Friday’s Quick Takes and with Jenny for Daybook Online Journal.

~ 1 ~

Grateful for…

The quiet of the evening after a long and busy day.
The the sweet hugs and kisses I receive from my little guys that make me forget how crazy they can make me. 😉
For a teen who still seeks out my hugs to brighten her day.
For a husband that loves me even when I drive him a little crazy.
For a the grace of confession (that I will be receiving tomorrow.)

Praying for..

A family friend who passed away last night.
Those who are ill, especially for those fighting cancer, and that Brian remains cancer-free.
Those who are hurting, suffering or are far from God.
Those who are suffering from natural disasters, war and violence.
All pregnant moms, those trying to get pregnant, those who have lost their babies and for moms contemplating an abortion.
Some special intentions.

Pondering…

An entry from my prayer journal this week:

Today’s devotion said, “The absence of suffering is the world’s understanding of peace.” Too often, I think like the world. I want peace, quiet and ease, not the loud, messiness of family life. I keep thinking about the quote Jiza shared with me – “Know that even when you are in the kitchen, Our Lord is moving among the pots & pans.” (St. Teresa of Avila) It is here in the messiness of mommy life that I will find my sanctification. I don’t need to go out searching for it. It is right here before me. My goal today is to turn off the radio and the TV and spend some time in prayer while working.

(Side note: Jiza (who did all the photos from the CWBNCA) has a print of St. Teresa’s quote in her shop.

~ 2 ~

Around the House…

Monday through Thursday I am on the go, go, go and on Friday mornings I get to stay home so I have a week’s worth of laundry, random piles and various household chores that have to be done. I think I’d need a couple weeks of never stepping foot outside of the house to finally get caught up but we know that’s not going to happen. Sigh. #neverhome

Family Chit Chat…

Can you believe May is here already?! And now that I think about it, it’s not only here but almost half way done! Ack! I wish everything would just slow down a bit. Well, May is always a busy month in general. It’ll be nice once summer vacation starts and we can go at a more leisurely pace, at least until about mid-July. By then I am looking at the calendar to see when the kids go back to school. 😉

Brian is doing well. He went for his regular monthly testing the other week and he is still cancer free. Blessed be God! He goes for more tests and a scan in another three months. Brian’s dad/ Opa is doing relatively well. He is still in the convalescent home since he needs so much care but he is doing well. He still remembers us and lights up when the kids come into the room. Yesterday he exclaimed, “Here are my sweeties! It’s my happy hour!”

He has also been enjoying seeing Matthew in his various costumes….

On this day Matthew was in his Swat Team gear because you know how rowdy the seniors can get. 😉

In extended family news, my sister posted a sweet video on her blog that celebrates the vocation of motherhood AND makes a big family announcement. Hint – I’m going to be an auntie again! 🙂

Hop over and watch it then give her some comment love. 🙂

~ 3 ~

In the Kitchen…

Not only is the house a mess but I am in a total menu funk. I feel like I make the same handful of dishes and just keep rotating them. I need some inspiration. Hit me with your favorite go to healthy/mostly whole food dish!

~ 4 ~

Watching…

source

Earlier this week on a particularly busy day Brian sent me to the movies to unwind after the kids were in bed. (Love him!) I was able to add to my movie list – The Water Diviner. I’ve heard some complaints about this movie, particularly about the story line not being very realistic but part of the reason I go to movies is to see life through another person’s eyes and experiences. Sometimes it is very realistic and sometimes it is a journey of imagination. Frankly, I almost always find something I like about a movie I watch so it is rare that I will not like a movie, therefor my reviews may be biased to the positive.

With that said, I really enjoyed TWD and Crowe’s performance as a father (with mystic like powers) who lost his wife and three sons tragically. He sets out on a journey to find the bodies of his sons killed during the Battle of Gallipoli in Turkey during WWI. His goal was to bring them home to be buried with their mother. There are twists and turns and a few times when you must suspend belief but I had no problem with that. The emotion of the loss of his wife and the heartbreaking death of his sons (especially since I have three sons of my own) had me nearly sobbing. The ending may have been a stretch but after the said emotion, I didn’t mind. Looking at the movie from a Christian worldview, topics to ponder include the issue of suicide and mercy killing, the negative portrayal of a priest and the positive view of prayer to God in a non-Christian setting, the futility of war and the grey areas of who is the “bad guy.” The war scenes are intense and, at times, graphic.

Listening to …

I’ve been listening to Mumford and Sons’ new album Wilder Mind. I miss the old sound and the banjo but the new album is growing on me. I especially like this live version of The Wolf from SNL.

Reading…

For my spiritual reading… (I read a little each day during prayer time, that is why it is taking me forever to get through it.)

Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World: Finding Intimacy With God in the Busyness of Life

For my fiction reading…

I finally started The Girl on the Train.

~ 5 ~

It’s been quiet lately but I am hoping to get back into it. I’ve been working on updating a few things on the blog. In a few days I’ll have a new header and profile photo, which was taken at the CWBNCA Conference, thanks to Jiza.

UPDATE: I finished the new blog header. Here it is.

And I received my head shot from Jiza. 🙂

Photography by Jiza at Olive and Cypress.com

Tomorrow (Saturday) I will be starting a new series called Spotlight Saturday. Every couple of weeks or so I will feature someone and their creativity – whether it is a crafty mama selling her creations on etsy, or a Catholic artist bringing beauty into the world or a blogger spreading the light of Christ through her (or his) words. I think it will be a great way to support the people who are making the word a little brighter with their God given talent.

Come back tomorrow to find out who the first featured artist will be. I’ll give you a hint… I recently bought one of her cute necklaces! 😉

~ 6 ~

I’ve hardly had to time to read my favorite blogs lately, but I did read and save these.

Seven Quick Recaps of the Conference I Hosted – CatholicAllYear.com

The Wisest Advice My Mom Ever Gave Me About Love – VerilyMag.com

When Your Kiss Is Met with A Cold Shoulder – HallieLord.com

~ 7 ~

Here are some Instagrams I’ve taken this past week.

1. Just a regular day in the ROL household, running errands with Spidey.

2. Being escorted by Superman makes me feel a lot safer.

3. May the fourth be with you. (I am accompanied by various mini super heroes all week long!)

4. I was creative in the kitchen on Sunday with whole wheat banana bread, coconut granola and Southwest corn and black bean salad. Nom nom.

5. My schedule finally aligned and I was able to join Andrew on his class field trip.

6. Sunlight is breaking through the clouds and brightening up the day.

7. They fight like cats and dogs sometimes but they love each other so much. Big brother John-Paul hugging his little brother Matthew goodbye as he goes to school.

8. I celebrated with Matthew at his pre school’s Mother’s Day tea. I love this age when all he wants is hugs and kisses and says things like, “Mama, you look gorgeous!” Aw, sweet blind love.

9. Flowers decorated the pre school for the Mothers Day tea. You can tell Matthew’s mom is a mommy blogger. 😉

So that’s what I’ve been up to lately! What about you? What’s currently happening in your life?

Have a great weekend.

PS – You can follow RoL on Bloglovin, Feedly or another news feed. If you are a social media fan like me, we can stay in touch through Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, GoodReads or Instagram. 😉

PPS – This post contains affiliated links.

Online Daybook (4/21/14): Gilbert Blythe, Point Lobos and A Catholic Conference

By bobbi
April 21, 2015
6 Comments

I’m on my second week of no blogging so I’m popping in for a quick Online Daybook to catch up. 😉

I’m linking up with Kelly for Quick Takes and with Jenny for Daybook Online Journal and Like Mother, Like Daughter‘s {pretty, happy, funny, real} (Scroll down to #7 for that.)

~ 1 ~

Grateful for…

My hubs.
My kiddos.
My extended family.
My little haven, it may be messy and loud but it is home.

Praying for..

Those who are fighting serious illness and depression.
Those who will die this week.
Those who are victims of abuse and family dysfunction.
Those on my prayer list.
All pregnant moms, those trying to get pregnant, those who have lost their babies and for moms contemplating an abortion.
Many special intentions.

Pondering…Photo Source

Gilbert Blythe. Isn’t it strange how attached we can become to a fictional character? When I heard the news that Jonathon Crombie died, my heart sank, not only for the man and actor but for the character he played. It was as if Anne was really losing her husband and we were saying good bye to a beloved friend. It is strange that we can watch a show – whether Downton Abbey or The Walking Dead and the characters are as real to us as the people in our own lives. We follow the shows almost religiously and we cry when they cry and rejoice when they are happy. I sometimes wonder if I give the real people in my life that kind of attention. Do I make the effort to reach out to a friend going through a rough time or do I offer to help another when she is in need. Why is it easier for me to feel emotion from the comfort of my own couch than to step outside my door and help a living and breathing person? This week I’m going to make an effort to set aside the fictional characters and interact with the real people in my life. 😉

~ 2 ~

Around the House…

I’m slowly making progress on my spring cleaning and organizing. I don’t have a lot of free time but during Easter break I devoted each day to a specific area and cleaned it up. Granted there are a hundreds of areas that need attention but it’s a start!

Family Chit Chat…

Last week my “baby” Matthew turned 4 years old! Our family tradition of dressing up Pooh Bear as the birthday host continued. This time he was a buff Captain America.

I had such a tough time when I found out I was pregnant because I felt like I wasn’t ready for another baby and the doc was freaking out since I was well over the 35 year old “cut off date,” but in the end, everything worked out fine and he was actually my easiest labor. (Well, if you don’t count him coming too fast and the nurses telling me to hold it until the doc could get there. (What the what?!) Anyway, now I can’t imagine life without my sweet spitfire.

In other news, Brian and I celebrated the 16th anniversary of the day we first met in person after 5 months of “online dating.” I knew by the end of that day that we would one day be married.

I woke up to a hot breakfast and a love note to start my day. Swoon. 🙂

~ 3 ~

In the Kitchen…

Monday – Breakfast dinner.

Tuesday – Tacos, homemade beans and salad.

Wednesday – Chef salad and soup.

Thursday – Slow cooker BBQ chicken, roasted potatoes and green beans.

Friday – (Brian is cooking while I’m gone.) Hotdogs, chili beans, broccoli.

Saturday – (Ditto) Spaghetti and salad.

Sunday – To celebrate my safe return – Eat out. 🙂

~ 4 ~

Watching…

Last night I watched the Blessed Is She Google Hang Out. It was great to see my fellow BIS ladies and to hear what they had to share! (You may find me participating at the next one.) 😉 If you were unable to watch, no worries. Watch it on Youtube! 🙂

Listening to …

I added I’m Good by The Mowgli’s to my walking playlist. It is fun and addictive.

Reading…

I’ve been hearing a lot about The Girl on the Train so I downloaded it, even though I have a huge pile of unread books to finish. I know, I know…

~ 5 ~

I haven’t posted in awhile…life, you know. However, I’ve got a queue of half written posts in my draft folder and I promise that after my last big room mom/ school project is complete, I’ll be able to get back to it. (Cuz I miss it!)

~ 6 ~

Did I mention that this weekend I am attending the CWBN California Conference?? I am so excited. For the longest time I was dragging my feet to make hotel reservations because I kept thinking that something was going to happen to stop me from attending. Well, I’m hoping that is just a little drama queen seeping out. (Kind of like the way I was certain I would be orphaned by the time I was 13. But alas, decades later and my parents are alive and well.) 😉

So… my blog reading time has been looking at the blogs of my fellow attendees. When I come back from the conference I will do a post of all the great ladies I met – some who you already know, like Kendra and Micaela and Jenna but lots of other bloggers that you may not know as well…… Did I mention that I am so excited? There’s talk of Friday meet ups and movie nights and more…Squeal!

~ 7 ~

For Matthew’s birthday, we went to Point Lobos for a hike and picnic. It was our visit of 2015. I love it there! Here are a few shots.

These shots are being linked up with Like Mother, Like Daughter‘s {pretty, happy, funny, real}. The link up isn’t until Thursday but I know I won’t be posting that day so I am doing it now. 😉

The weather was perfect!

You can’t help but smile. 🙂

We made it to the top!

Mandatory group photo by mom. 😉

Heading back down.

Random shot.

Time for our picnic. The birthday boys’ favorite gift was his Iron Man from Grandma and Grandpa. He insisted that he come to the hike and picnic with us. 🙂

Andrew and Brian are like two peas in a pod. 🙂

Sweet Bella and John-Paul acting goofy as usual. 😉

So that’s what I’ve been up to lately! What about you? What’s currently happening in your life? What are you reading or watching these days?

Have a happy ~~Monday~~! I mean, Tuesday. (I started this Monday.) 😉

PPS – This post contains affiliate links.

7 Quick Takes (4/10/15): Easter, Siblings & 20 Facts

By bobbi
April 10, 2015
4 Comments

I’ve got a small block of time so I am doing a quickie post, linking up with Kelly for Friday’s Quick Takes .

~ 1 ~

Song of the Week (Part 1)

One of my faves from my walking playlist – Tojans by Atlas Genius.

~ 2 ~

He is Risen!

Happy Easter week! The kids are psyched that they can celebrate Easter for an entire week with no school and desserts every day. Although they were warned that come Monday, they are back in school and the sweets are getting thrown out. A person can only take so much celebrating. 😉

We did have a really nice Easter. We were hoping we could bring Opa home to visit but he is too weak to travel and is just handling walking from one room to the next, let alone going to another house. So instead we came to his place and spent Easter afternoon with him. It was weird not doing the usual Easter festivities and big dinner at my in-laws but we are adjusting as best as we can. 🙂

~ 3~

No Mamarazzi this year.

Unfortunately, I didn’t take photos this year! However, I did get to snap one photo after Easter Mass when we got home.

I love the way Matthew grabbed his brothers hands and they let him. (They started wrestling soon after but the peace lasted for a few minutes at least.) 😉

~ 4 ~

Happy National Siblings Day!

I’m so proud to be the big sis of 5 brothers and three sisters. Here we are at my brother Jake’s wedding where we welcomed a sweet sister-in-law Amanda. (I am the second on the left and Elena is the second on the right. 🙂

~ 5 ~

Memory Lane

Speaking of siblings, Elena and I were talking the other day and we were remembering how when we were kids, every Easter morning my mom would play this Easter song to wake us up. We couldn’t remember the band or the name of the song so this afternoon I was asking my mom about it. As we were chatting, she went in the garage and found her old record collection. She found the album. It was an old one from the 80’s when the folk Mass was popular, although this particular song wasn’t folk. The album was called The Love of God Will Rise Before the Sun. I looked up the song titles and tried to see if any were available online. I found a few but none of them were the one I remember her playing on Easter morning. Then finally, the last song I looked up, there it was on Youtube! For years I had been looking for this song and now I feel like a missing piece of my childhood puzzle was found. Sniff.

~ 6 ~

Song of the Week (Part 2)

It is Jesus Is Life by Carey Landry. Elena, this song is for you since I know you have been looking for it too. 🙂

~ 7 ~

20 Facts

On Instagram, there is “About Me” game where you take a photo of yourself then list 20 facts about yourself and tag 20 friends. Well, I have been tagged four times this past week so I figured I’d better get my IG post up. I’ve already done this kind of fact list in the past here and here so some of these are repeats but it may be fun for new readers.

“Bobbi” is not a nickname but my actual name. The first born child was going to be named after my dad, boy or girl.
I’m the oldest of 9 siblings so having 4 kids of my own seems like a smallish family.
As a kid, I loved desk items and school supplies and always wanted to be a writer. (Office supply stores still make me giddy.)
I am impatient, nosey, messy and I’m always running late.
On the other hand, I am caring, a good listener and I love doing little things to brighten a person’s day.
I hate cats.
My mom often told me I was a drama queen. (Sooo exaggerated.)
I prefer daisies and sunflowers over roses.
I can easily be moved to tears – both happy and sad.
In school I was always the peacemaker who tried to bring arguing friends together.
For a time, I was a sucker for guys with bald heads, tattoos and eyebrow rings yet I fell in love with a guy as clean cut as they come.
After Brian left the seminary he did a novena to find his wife. The last day of the novena, we met on a Catholic online dating site.
We did the long distance relationship for a year then I moved to Monterey one week before we were to be married.
Fifteen years later, he still makes my heart skip a beat when he smiles at me.
I love my four kiddos and my greatest (sort of irrational) fear is that they will be hurt while I am forced to watch.
I de-stress by going to the movies after everyone is in bed.
My movie candy of choice is peanut M&M’s.
When I laugh my eyes water and I always bring a handkerchief to the movies when I see a funny movie…or sad one. (A real handkerchief. It is very Downton Abbey of me.)
I’m an introvert that also needs to get out and mingle with people at times.
I hate being mad at someone and I am eager to make up.

Okay, now it’s your turn. Tell me 5 (or more) facts about you in the comments! 🙂

Have a great weekend!

Online Daybook & 7 QT (3/30/15): Kindness, Dances & iZombie

By bobbi
March 30, 2015
6 Comments

This started out as a Quick Takes on Friday but I never seemed to get more than a couple minutes to myself to sit and write so Friday went into Saturday and then Sunday and now back to Monday. Since Monday is my Online Daybook day, I’ll just make this a Leftovers Day – a little bit of this and a little bit of that to round up the past week or two.

To share some blogging love, I’m linking up with Kelly for Friday’s Quick Takes and with Jenny for Daybook Online Journal.

~ 1 ~

Grateful for…

The warmth of the sun.
Flowers blooming everywhere.
This quiet time right now.
My mom’s phone call this morning. Hearing her voice always makes me smile.
The grace of Confession. (No wonder I feel so zen.) 😉
The grace of Holy Week.

Praying for..

That I make the most of this Holy Week.
For my FIL’s continued recovery and that he’ll get strong enough to visit our home for Easter.
For all caregivers, especially of their own loved ones.
Those who are ill, especially for those fighting cancer, and that Brian remains cancer-free.
Those who are hurting, suffering or are far from God.
All pregnant moms, those trying to get pregnant, those who have lost their babies and for moms contemplating an abortion.
Some special intentions.

Pondering…

(I wrote this part of Friday.)

It’s been another long week and I need something to get my mind off the horrors in the news – the pilot that killed himself and 150 passengers, the women that sliced into a pregnant mom and stole her baby, the authorities that refused to charge the woman for murder because the 7 months old baby wasn’t a “person” and countless other infuriating and heart wrenching stories. WTH? I can’t help but get cynical and feel jaded about all this, but then God always sends me a ray of hope to remind me that as screwed up as some things may be, there is always hope and a light ready to shine in the darkness.

Just the other day I was running errands and waiting in line to get out of one shopping center to go across the street to the next shopping center. All the cars were at a stop as we waited for an older man who was in a wheel chair (he was missing a leg) trying to cross the street. He was really struggling so one of the guys waiting at the intersection jumped out of his car and ran over to the guy and helped him get across the street. In the meantime, traffic was backing up and I was waiting for people to get impatient and start honking. Or I thought there would be that one idiot driver who always thinks he’s above waiting so he swerves in and out of traffic to get through. But no, everyone waited patiently as the guy pushed the man across two intersections and then they waited until the guy was able to run back into his car before anyone moved. Everyone just nodded to each other in solidarity and moved on without incident.

It was such a simple thing but it brought tears to my eyes to see kindness and patience displayed. What is that line from Cinderella? “Have courage and be kind.” So right now I must combat these evils with courage and kindness, remembering that the little things done with great love (united by God’s grace) can move hearts and change lives.

~ 2 ~

Around the House…

Truthfully? There is a never ending mess and I’m gathering up my strength to tackle it. See that pretty kitchen scene in the photo below? There are so many dirty dishes on the sink you can’t see any of that! The kids are in school until noon on Wednesday. After they eat lunch that afternoon they get a chore list and spring cleaning begins!

Family Chit Chat…

Last week I was crazy busy helping plan and execute our school’s Father-Daughter Dance. It was rather ironic that I spent so much time planing a dance that both my daughter and her father swore they could not attend since they hate dancing. Thankfully, I talked them into going and at least making an appearance, especially since these young years are so fleeting!! 😉

To prove my point, here is Bella at her first FDD in kindergarten. In eight short years, now Bella is in 7th grade. 🙂

Brian was in high demand that week. On the feast of St. Joseph it was Daddy’s Day at Matthew’s preschool. He made him a jar filled with candy kisses (which Brian wisely took to work) and a tie with his favorite thing he loves to do with Brian. Matty will literally stand by the door every evening holding two light sabers waiting for Brian to come home. I have to explain to the poor little guy that Daddy needs a few minutes to unwind before he can unleash his Jedi powers. 😉

Speaking of Matthew, this morning I took him to his school admissions test to see if he’d be able to attend Pre-K at the big kids’ school. He passed. Yay! That means for one year I will be able to have all the kids in one school. I’ll have a student in 8th, 2nd, K and Pre-K. I’ll still be running around with three different school schedules (and various activities/speech therapy) but at least school will be in one location, until the following year when Bella started HIGH SCHOOL!! (Excuse me while I pass out….)

~ 3 ~

In the Kitchen…

I haven’t planned this week’s menu yet. Yesterday I had an enchilada marathon, making meals for us, my inlaws and a friend with a new baby. My helpful hint? Forget rolling the enchiladas individually. Instead make it like a lasagna. Soo much quicker and easier! Tonight we’ll have leftovers and the rest of the week’s menu I’ll figure out later. 😉

~ 4 ~

Watching…

(If you are not into the zombie thing, skip down to “Listening to.”) 😉

I am super behind on The Walking Dead because ever since Brian got tired of the show (a couple seasons ago) I have been watching it myself after he goes to bed. But lately, I have been too tired to stay up late so I have at least 5 episodes sitting in my DVR, including the finale! SO I think this weekend, I will have a TWD binge. Until then, no spoilers!

Photo Credit – CW

However, there is a zombie show that Brian and I started watching together. If you are into zombies and a fan of Veronica Mars (and you don’t hate The CW) then you should enjoy the new iZombie. It has such a VM feel because Rob Thomas is one of the developers of this comic book turned TV show. The main character Liv (you may recognize her as Tinker Bell from Once Upon A Time) was turned into a zombie and now must function in the real world as one of the undead. She gets a job at the morgue, where she has access to a brain buffet. However, one of the side effects of eating brains is that she gets glimpses of their memory, and for those who were murdered, she also sees clues to the people that murdered them. Finding a purpose in her undead life, she helps the police solves these crimes by posing as a psychic. Yeah, I know it sounds crazy, and I was skeptical, but it works. 🙂 Do you already watch? What do you think?

Listening to …

I’ve really been enjoying the Kaiser Chiefs lately. I love their song Coming Home from the album Education, Education, Education & War.

But I was even more excited to hear their newest single Falling Awake and added it to my walking playlist. I love the 80’s new wave vibe. Although the concert footage makes me miss the days I went to shows and concerts. These days the closest I get to a concert is listening to the boys sing in the back seat. Now that I think about it… that’s pretty priceless and more than a fair trade. 😉

Reading…

For my spiritual reading…

Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World: Finding Intimacy With God in the Busyness of Life

For my fiction reading…

Okay, I landed out watching the movie before I finished reading Insurgent and I liked not having the spoiler alerts in my head and knowing what was going to happen next. So now I can go back to the book and get all the details that were left out of the movie. (I did enjoy the movie a lot, BTW!)

~ 5 ~

Here are the last few posts.

Can you say blogging slacker?? I love to write but finding the time.. so hard! I did get one guest post for Fumbling towards Grace out last week for the feast of The Annunciation.

I am the Handmaid of the Lord (Guest Post)

~ 6 ~

Kelly took care of a nice list so I don’t have to. 😉

Bloggers Be Writing ‘Bout: Holy Week

by This Ain’t the Lyceum.

And Kendra ALWAYS has a perfect post for any time of the year. This week get Easter book suggestions and a lovely Easter print!

A Little Peek inside Our Easter Baskets

~ 7 ~

Here are some Instagrams I’ve taken this past week.

1. Day 28 of #holylens – WATER.

2. I made our traditional St Patrick’s Day meal – tacos with lots of green guacamole. Ole!

3. Day 29 of #holylens – I can HEAR a little voice say, “No, Bobbi. You don’t actually need a Poky little puppy book and the marching plate.”

4. Day 30 of #holylens – St Joseph is one of the patrons of our HOUSE. Happy feast day!) Painting at the Carmel Mission.)

5. Day 33 of #holylens – The fragrant smell of this FRUIT is like a touch of summer on this drizzly spring day.

6. Day 37 of #holylens and #onlyonething – The male DESCENDANTS of our family make sure we have plenty of protection around the house. I found these guys guarding my desk this morning. I AM a bit biased, but I think they rock.

7. Day 38 of #onlyonething – I BELIEVE we can learn a lesson from nature. Take note, new mamas, don’t feel bad about retreating and just focusing on you and your baby.

8. It’s a wild Friday night as we string medals for the upcoming Big Sur marathon. (It’s a project with Bella’s class.)

9. Day 39 of #holylens – I had to GATHER my strength to get off the couch and out the door but I’m glad I did. #nofilter #worththeeffort

So that’s what I’ve been up to lately! What about you? What’s currently happening in your life? What are you reading or watching these days?

Have a happy Monday! 😉

Online Daybook/Currently: Mid-March 2015

By bobbi
March 16, 2015
8 Comments

Better late than never, I always say! So I’m linking up with Kelly for Friday’s Quick Takes and with Jenny for Daybook Online Journal. I’d link up with Currently and Nell’s Week Eats but they are on a little break, so next time! 😉 Oh, and a hat tip to Jenny at Call Her Happy for giving me the idea to do my Currently post as a Quick Takes and to my sis Elena at Barefoot and Sometimes Pregnant for the inspiration to make Currently photo labels I can use each week. Thanks, ladies!)

It feels like ages since I’ve done an online Daybook. I have a rare block of time to myself so I will see if I can get of these cranked out. (UPDATE – I started this Saturday but didn’t finish it until Monday morning. Life happened.) 😉

~ 1 ~

Grateful for…

A lovely afternoon this weekend with Bella and her friends at the movies. I love the glimpse into their young hearts as they chat in the car. 🙂
Brian and his goodness and strength. Sometimes I just look at him and think, what have I done to deserve this??
For the beauty that surrounds me. It is a balm to my soul.
For God’s grace that come when we need it most.
For the things I take for granted – a home, running water, food on the table etc.

Praying for..

Those who do not have the essentials of life.
Those who are ill, especially for those fighting cancer, and that Brian remains cancer-free.
Those who are hurting, suffering or are far from God.
All our military and their families, especially for my brother-in-law in the Middle East that he comes back home safely.
All pregnant moms, those trying to get pregnant, those who have lost their babies and for moms contemplating an abortion.
Some special intentions.

Pondering…

Thursday was a hard day for me. Life has been busy but bearable. However, on Thursday it was one of those days we all have…when we are pushed to the limit and think we cannot go any further. Life was already busy but the added responsibility of helping out my in-laws can sometimes be overwhelming, especially on a day when one thing after another goes wrong. After the last mishap I was just shaking my head saying, “Seriously, God?? You are going to make me carry one more cross right now??” My guardian angel whispered to me, “Well, it is Lent, you know.” Ugh, he can be cheeky like that. 😉

The next morning was Friday and that is when I am able to stay home for four hours straight and catch up on a week’s worth of chores. However, before I got into it, I turned off the computer and my phone and finally sat down with my Lenten book (that has been gathering dust) – Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World (by Christian author Joanna Weaver.) I spent some time in prayer and then went through the first chapter. There are a number of points that touched me (I’ll go deep in another post) but the one thought that stayed with me is that the responsibilities I have right now are not going to change. My in-laws are needing more help and I am the one who must help pitch in and do it on top of caring for the kids and the household. So how do I get it all this done without losing my mind?

I admit that I have not spent time in pray like I should. Oh, I dash off “help Lord'” all the time but I never really stop and drink from the well of God’s grace. This paragraph really spoke to me:

“When we put work before worship, we put the cart before the horse. The cart is important; so is the horse. But the horse must come first, or we end up pulling the cart ourselves. Frustrated and weary, we can nearly break under the pressure of service, for their is always something that needs to be done. When we first spend time in his presence – when we take time to hear his voice – God provides the horsepower we need to pull the heaviest load. He saddles up grace and invites us to take a ride.”

Talk about hitting the nail on the head! It was just the encouragement (and reminder) that I needed. Blessed be God.

~ 2 ~

Around the House…

Spring cleaning has been going very slow for the simple fact that I seem to hardly be home! Last Friday I tackled the boys’ room and got about half way done. I do have a number of bags to give away so far. I should be half way to my 40 bags in 40 days but I think I only have 10 bags so far. I’ll have to do a final push the next couple weeks.

Family Chit Chat…

Some of you have been asking how my father-in-law is doing. Sadly, not very well. His stroke did more damage than we originally thought and he has weakened mentally and physically. We had hoped that he would get stronger and we’d be able to bring him home with hired care. However, at the moment, he is very far from being able to come home. Thankfully, he is on a nice place and they take good care of him. The woman who runs the small home is Catholic and every evening they say the rosary together. It has become like a second home since we try to visit Opa almost every day. Plus, for the last couple of weeks on Sundays, we’ve been able to bring him to our home and let him sit with the kids and watch a movie just like they used to do. They chat away and show him their Lego creations and cars. They do not see his limitations but just enjoy being in his presence. There is a valuable lesson to be learned right there. 🙂

~ 3 ~

In the Kitchen…

Saturday – Since Bella had friends over we got a treat of delivery pizza.

Sunday – Slow cooker BBQ chicken, roasted potatoes, green beans and salad.

Monday – Slow cooker chicken enchilada soup (new recipe to try).

Tuesday – Tacos, homemade beans, salsa and since it’s St. Patrick’s day – lots of green guacamole!

Wednesday – Leftovers.

Thursday – Turkey burgers and broccoli slaw. Apple pie for dessert since it’s St. Joseph’s feast day. 🙂

Friday – Minestrone soup (made with veggie broth).

~ 4 ~

Watching…

Bella and I just watched the new Cinderella movie this afternoon. It was really lovely and magical! To some it may seem a little boring since there were no epic battles, other than the interior battles that the characters had to endure. It was an old fashioned fairy tale where the prince is actually charming and not a psychopath in disguise. The heroine is good and kind and Christian morals are present. The girls loved it and so did I. I also had fun seeing actors who played on other favorite shows – Of course Rose from Downton Abbey but Daisy from Downton played one of the evil step sisters. Cate Blanchet was perfect as the wicked step sister and the actress that plays Agent Carter was Cinderella’s mom.)

Listening to …

I love the band Echosmith (even though I’m closer in age to their parents) and this song reflects how I am feeling at this moment. Blessed and happy. (It’s amazing what a change that prayer and a good night’s sleep will do.) 😉

What else I am hearing that is making it hard to listen to my music playing?? The boys and Brian running up and down the hallway with light sabers as they wage a loud epic Jedi battle. (Our poor neighbors.) No wonder Bella and I like to slip away to the movies. 😉

Reading…

For my spiritual reading…

Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World: Finding Intimacy With God in the Busyness of Life

For my fiction reading…

I still have yet to finish reading Insurgent so I better get it done before I go watch the movie later this month.

~ 5 ~

Here are the last few posts.

Weigh-in-Wednesday & Five Favorite Exercise Tips

Register for the Catholic Conference for 4Moms & A Coupon Code for Purchases!

TV Talk: Downton Abbey, Season 5, Finale Recap (Are you missing Downton too??)

7 Quick Takes (2/28/15): Tears, Conferences & Period Movies

A Look at My 2015 (Erin Condren) Planner

~ 6 ~

As I mentioned in a previous post, the 2015 Catholic Conference for Women is now available for purchase. You can download (or listen online) to 27 speaker presentations, including favorite like Auntie Leila and Rachel Balducci). One of the cool things is that you also receive a discussion guide that contains questions and discussion starters for every presentation. It is a great resource for a mom’s group! Simply show one of the videos, use the questions in the guide to prompt discussion and viola! Genius. You also receive other bonus items like e-books, podcast and coupons for various products.

The cost is $39.99 but as an affiliate you can purchase the package for $29.99 with the promo code “Revolution.” Check it out at http://www.catholicconference4moms.com.

~ 7 ~

Here are some Instagrams I’ve taken this past week.

1. One of my favorite scriptures.

2. Jesus, meek and humble of heart, make my heart like unto thine.

3. The boys playing a Memory game on an iPad with Opa.

4. Ocean walk.

5. Our family altar in our home.

6. Sunset.

7. I was craving huevos rancheros.

8. Your ways, O Lord, make known to me…

9. When I can only focus on the things about me that are so far from perfect, I become my own worst enemy.

So that’s what I’ve been up to lately! What about you? What’s currently happening in your life? What are you reading or watching these days?

Have a happy Monday! (Wait, is that even a thing??) 😉

Revolution of Love

Do small things with great love.

Category Archives: 7 quick takes

Online Daybook & 7 Quick Takes (5/8/15): Catching Up, The Water Diviner & Mini Super Heroes

Online Daybook (4/21/14): Gilbert Blythe, Point Lobos and A Catholic Conference

7 Quick Takes (4/10/15): Easter, Siblings & 20 Facts

Online Daybook & 7 QT (3/30/15): Kindness, Dances & iZombie

Online Daybook/Currently: Mid-March 2015