Revolution of Love

Revolution of Love

Do small things with great love.

Catholic Woman’s Almanac (4/16/13)

Hosted by Jenny at Suscipio.

Moments of Gratitude…

Today I am especially thankful for

  • Blue skies and spring weather
  • Morning walks
  • Giggles
  • Cuddles on the couch

 

Beauty in the Ordinary…

I was reading a book to Matthew on the couch and when I was done I closed my eyes to rest for a moment. He then got up and kissed me on the cheek. It was one of those “Aw…” mom moments.

 

From the Kitchen…

  • M – Italian sausage, corn on the cob and Greek pasta salad
  • T – Tyler Florence’s  Meatball and Tortellini Soup (One of Brian’s favorites.)
  • W – Chili beans and cornbread
  • TH – Grilled turkey and cheese sandwiches and salad
  • F – Leftovers
  • S – Pizza and salad
  • S – Picnic or BBQ (not sure yet)

 

Praying…

  • For the tragedy in Boston & all involved
  • For all those suffering tragedy or hardships

 

Pondering…

That is was on this day 14 years ago that Brian and I had our first meeting and date. (We met online 5 months prior.)

 

Around the house…

There is still A LOT of spring cleaning still to do. Maybe I ought to fly up my mom to help me. 😉

 

Listening to…

Peep and the Big Wide World, the boys’ current favorite DVD.

 

On My DVR…

  • Call the Midwife, The Voice and the 1946 movie The Best Years of Our Lives.

 

On the blog…

I am thinking about which Pinterest pin I want to make for next week’s Pinterest Party.

 

Posts I’ve Liked on my Bloglovin

Pinned…

 

Plans for the Week…

Tonight we have our little family celebration for our First Date Anniversary and on Thursday night I am going out to dinner for our local Catholic moms’ night. I’m soo excited it’s ridiculous. 😉

 

Captured…

a view from my morning walk.

 

Have a blessed week!

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Catholic Woman’s Almanac – (3/25/13) Vol 9

Hosted by Jenny at Suscipio.

Moments of Gratitude…

Today I am especially thankful for

  • A relaxing weekend
  • Date nights (even if they are stay at home ones)
  • Spring flowers
  • Watching Star Wars with the kids
  • Being at peace more amidst normal family chaos

 

Beauty in the Ordinary…

I love the little moments in the day when you make a connection with your kids and you really enjoy each others company. There is nothing sweeter than a hug from your tween or kisses from your rambunctious boys.

 

From the Kitchen…

  • M – Steak sandwiches and corn salsa (Steak is rare for us but it’s a treat for Brian for working so hard for us.)
  • T – Turkey enchiladas, homemade refried beans and green beans
  • W – Breakfast dinner
  • TH – Slow cooker BBQ chicken & broccoli slaw
  • F – Tuna melts and tomato soup
  • S – Leftovers
  • S – Easter dinner at the inlaws

 

Praying…

  • That I truly make the most of this Holy Week
  • For all the people coming into the church on Easter
  • For pregnant family members and friends
  • For a number of special intentions

 

Pondering…

The feast of the Annunciation and how we are all called to be handmaids of the Lord by saying yes to the little crosses that come our way each day.

 

Around the house…

There is so much “stuff” everywhere. I am going to print off this sign and then start my spring cleaning the day after Easter!

 

Listening to…

The newest album I downloaded “Satellites and Sirens” on itunes and the kids playing with Brian on the deck.

 

On My DVR…

  • Brian and I started watching The Hobbit last night. I am still bummed we never got the chance to see it on the big screen but this is the next best thing. 🙂

 

On the blog…

I’m working on the next post of what I’ve learned in Week 2 of the Chaos to Calm bible study.

 

Posts I’ve Bookmarked or Tweeted

 

Pinned…

 

Plans for the Week…

Make the most out of Holy Week and spend time with the kids doing some of our last Lenten projects.

 

Captured…

I snapped this picture after Mass at the Mission.

And when I checked my phone to see how it looked I found this photo in my album. John-Paul had about 50 of these shots. 🙂

Have a blessed Holy Week!


Catholic Woman’s Almanac – 3/4/13 (Vol 8)

Hosted by Jenny at Suscipio.

Moments of Gratitude…

I am especially thankful for

  • Phone calls from my mom.
  • Conversations with friends.
  • Sweet kisses from your little ones.
  • A husband that gives me an afternoon off to do whatever I want. (Going to the movies!)
  • A God who is so willing to forgive and let me start over when I mess up again and again.

 

Beauty in the Ordinary…

It was an ordinary phone call 14 years ago on this day that I first heard Brian’s voice after 4 months of emailing. (We met online.) It turned into a beautiful romance. 🙂

 

From the Kitchen…

I am hoping the chill and fog will lift to reveal a little sunshine. To put the weather in the mood we are having summery turkey burger and corn relish/salsa

 

Praying…

  • For a friend and some rough times she is going through.
  • For the two cardinals our family picked over at AdoptACardinal.org
  • For the conclave
  • For our future Holy Papa
  • For all the pregnant moms, especially my sis and sis-in-law
  • For all those suffering from miscarriage and infertility
  • For all those who have lost loved ones.

 

Pondering…

I was thinking about how I have been dissatisfied with my morning routines lately. I’m a night owl and stay up too late then the next morning I am rushing around tiredly. I was reading  Chaos to Calm: Week 1 over at Her Southern Charm. I could relate to Jennifer’s words and clicked onto the Bible study she was reading. I have a number of thoughts about it and tonight I will take a moment to sit down and sort though them all. I’ll share with you more in another post.

Around the house…

You will find a Thomas Train or a Cars character in any room at any given time of the day. #lifewithboys

 

Listening to…

The kids giggling in their room and a tennis match that Brian is watching on TV. (He is so riveted, he didn’t even notice that I slipped over to the computer. ;-))

 

On My DVR…

I have to finish watching Once Upon A Time. (It was a treat to see Mrs. Patmore on there!!)

I also recorded The Bible show from the History Channel. I heard a lot of positive things about it. I only saw a few minutes but it seems well done.

 

On the blog…

I’m working on my Meatless Meal post for tomorrow (soy charizo tostadas with homemade refried beans. Yum.) I am also making a post this week with the latest news for Downton Abbey, Season 4.

 

Posts I’ve Starred in My Google Reader…

 

Pinned…

 

Plans for the Week…

I seriously need to get some spring cleaning done. I have slacked off on Operation Clean and Organize because I don’t have time to do any big projects. I have to figure out how to fit a few simple things in my day (or week) to at least be making some progress.

 

Captured…

From Day 12 of #40daysofphotos: “my favorite place to pray.”

I like to sit on the couch of our family room and look out the window at the hills behind out house. (You can see the fog rolling in from the ocean. On a bad day it completely covers the view like a white veil.


Catholic Woman’s Almanac (1/28/13) – vol 7

Hosted by Jenny at Suscipio.

 

It has been nearly two months since I’ve done a CWA and after the day, week, month, year I have been having, I could use a moment to stop, reflect and be thankful.

 

Moments of Gratitude…

  • It has been a whirlwind with Brian’s illness, surgery, discovery of cancer and recovery and as difficult as it has been, there have been so many moments of grace and small details taken care of by God, family and friends that it has made this time so much easier. I can’t help but be thankful. However, on Friday, we had a bit of a scare because there was a complication in Brian’s recovery. He had to go for more bloodwork on Saturday to figure out what was going on. Thankfully we received the results last night and his bloodwork looked good and the problem seemed to be subsiding. So for your prayers and God’s continued grace, I am most thankful.
  • It was funny that throughout the ordeal of the surgery and cancer I was unusually calm and at peace, reassuring Brian that I knew everything was going to be alright. However, with this recent bump in the road, the grace of not worrying was gone and I was stressing inside and Brian was the one who was calm and reassuring. So I am also thankful for Brian and I taking turns with who gets to worry and who gets to comfort. 😉
  • I am still thankful to my sister and my mom for giving so much of themselves while they were here.
  • For the family and friends who gave a helping hand from cooking meals to covering shifts to keeping us in prayer. xoxo

 

Beauty in the Ordinary…

As if this wasn’t enough to be dealing with this weekend, we were thrown another curve ball. It is not life threatening but it is a major pain in the arse. One of the kids came home with head lice and so far the three oldest have it. So instead of enjoying the cozy evening Brian and I planned watching Downton Abbey together, I was up until midnight nit-picking. Literally!

However, having all this one on one time with each kid as I combed through their hair could be seen a blessing in disguise. When it was Bella’s turn we started talking about a number of things and she opened up to me and I was able to share with her. It was a true bonding moment. And this morning she was eager to write me a letter in our mom-daughter journal and it just warmed my heart. So although it was a pain, God still brought a beautiful moment out of it. (Um, but now I’m done so you can get rid of the lice, Lord.)

 

From the Kitchen…

This chilly weather calls for minestrone soup. (I won’t call this 55 degree weather “cold” so the east-coaster won’t start getting upset with me again for being a spoiled native Californian.) 😉

 

Praying…

  • For Brian’s continued recovery and for his appointment on Thursday, that his doctor tells him that he is clean and does not have to go through radiation.
  • For the death of the pesty lice bug and may we never see its ugly head again.
  • For all the pregnant mamas, especially my sis, my sis in law and friends.
  • For those suffering from infertility and miscarriage.
  • For moms who are struggling with an unplanned pregnancy.
  • For a number of special intentions.

 

Pondering…

Yesterday’s First Reading (Nehemiah 8) particularly the line, “Do not be saddened this day, for rejoicing in the Lord must be your strength.”

 

Around the house…

Piles of sheets, bedding, pillows, jackets, and clothes waiting to be washed in hot water.

 

Listening to…

The sounds of the kids playing on the deck.

 

On My DVR…

Last night’s Downton Abbey episode. All I know from all the comments I’ve seen is that it is heartbreaking. I think tonight I may finally have that long cry I’ve been holding back.

 

On the blog…

Very little. I’ve been preoccupied. I am sorry to those who left a comment and I never responded. I love hearing from you but haven’t had much free time to answer.

 

Posts I’ve Starred in My Google Reader…

 

Pinned…

 

Plans for the Week…

Frankly, I am just trying to make it through the day before I worry about the rest of the week. 😉

 

Captured…

When I am feeling overwhelmed, this cute face and kissable cheeks makes me forget any troubles. 🙂

 


Catholic Woman’s Almanac (12/10/12) – Vol 6

Hosted by Jenny at Suscipio.

 

Moments of Gratitude…

  • For Brian’s 3 day weekend and the extra time we spent with him.
  • For the season of Advent and the opportunity to prepare our hearts for the coming of the Christ child.
  • For a fun tree decorating party with the family (with only a minor amount of toddler mishaps.)
  • For Christmas cookies and Mexican chocolate.

 

Beauty in the Ordinary…

The wonder of Christmas in the eyes of a child. Yesterday after decorating the tree we turned off the lights and watched the tree sparkle. The kids were breathless. I love hearing little  voices exclaim, “It’s so bootiful!”

 

From the Kitchen…

I made a big pot of Tyler Florence’s yummy Chicken Meatball and Tortellini Soup. Brian was so excited he nearly did a happy dance.

 

Praying…

  • For our friend who was sick with cancer. Within three weeks of its discovery, she died. This is the second person we’ve known to have died within a month of finding this type of cancer. We pray for the repose of Joy’s soul and for the husband and daughter she left behind.
  • For all those who are alone, in need or depressed this Christmas season.
  • For two special intentions.

 

 Pondering…

I am super happy with my new blog layout but I’m not looking forward to cleaning up all the old posts that were damaged in the move!

 

Around the house…

Boxes of Christmas decorations that still need to be unpacked.

 

Listening to…

 

Michael Buble’s Christmas – Love this guy.

 

On My DVR…

A lot of our regular shows like Once Upon a Time and Grimm had their winter finales so we’ve been watching a lot of Christmas movies as of late. I can’t wait for Downton Abbey to start in less than a month! Woohoo!

 

On the blog…

Tomorrow is the Making It Count Tuesday Link Up. Bring those Pinterest ideas to life!

Also, share your Christmas Traditions to Keep Christ in Christmas! Link up to your posts (or add to the comment box) here.

 

Posts I’ve Starred in My Google Reader…

  •  The Kid’s Advent Wreath  by Barefoot and Sometimes Pregnant – I love that they each made their own and it is not too complicated.

 

Pinned…

 

Plans for the Week…

  •  Laundry, laundry and more laundry.
  •  Finish decorating.
  •  Attend Andrew’s Christmas decorating party at school on Wednesday.
  • Work on my Christmas cards.

 

Captured…

This was yesterday photo for Beth Anne’s #adventphotoaday. Day 9 was a view form your pew. Unfortunately I only has my iphone camera and it was a little blurry but you get the idea. 🙂 There is the outside of the Carmel Mission (where I had to go with a screaming child), the altar, a painting of The Visitation, and a display box of pieces of Bl. Junipero Serra’s coffin. (He is buried at the Mission. )