theme thursday | Revolution of Love

Hosted by Suscipio

Moments of Gratitude…

Today I am especially thankful for

My hubby
Being a mom
The love of family
Laughter
God’s grace

Beauty in the Ordinary…

Since Sunday was Mother’s Day, I received homemade gifts from the kids. It was so sweet to see their excited faces as I opened up the treasures they made me. And the feel of their little arms around my neck as they hugged me brought tears to my eyes.

In the Kitchen…

M – Chicken Cacciatore
T – Enchiladas
W – Breakfast Dinner
TH – Grilled chicken and mango salsa
F – Leftovers
S – Meatball subs
S – Dinner at in-laws

Praying…

For all moms
For nuns/spiritual moms
For all women who love and nurture God’s children
For moms dealing with an unwanted pregnancy
For women suffering from infertility & the ache of longing for a child
For moms who have lost a child
For those whose moms have died

Pondering…

“A married woman must, when called upon, quit her devotions to God at the altar to find Him in her household affairs.” – St. Francis of Rome

Around the house…

We had two sets of visitors this weekend, so the house actually looks tidy right now. (Shocker, I know.) Although, I was driving myself insane cleaning up beforehand! I admit, there were numerous things shoved into closets to accomplish that. I told Brian that it is ridiculous that I have to kill myself to get the house decent enough to have company over. And it’s funny that there is a sense of peace that comes with having everything tidy and in its place. I suspect that is why they say cleanliness is next to godliness. Whereas mess causes me inner turmoil! I have been spring cleaning and purging but it is slow going. Plus now I have to tackle those closets of death that I cannot walk into or can barely close the doors. Say a prayer for me! 😉

Reading…

My Bible

A Message of Hope: Confessions of an Ex-Satanist by Deborah Lipsky

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins (That’s a re-read.)

Listening to…

Imagine Dragon’s album Night Visions

On My DVR…

Hallmark’s The Confession, The Voice, The Middle , Arrow, Grimm…

On the blog…

I’ve been on a blogging break this last week. I have just been so busy with home life, school events and other things that I haven’t had time to post. I’ve also been going through a “I’m tired of blogging and I’m going to quit” phase but I think that is normal for all bloggers at different times. Instead of shutting it down, I simply stepped away and forced myself not to link up with Hallie, and Jen and Cari. (Although I just realized it is not too late to link with Cari. :-)) It’s been good for me. Not having the self-imposed pressure of having to get a post done is freeing. There are also days like today, when I am just itching to type and touch base with you. So you won’t hear from me much for the next week or two but I may pop in occasionally. After things settle down a little more (May and June are always super busy) I know I’ll be missing blogging and having a creative outlet like crazy and I’ll be back with a renewed spirit.

Also, for all of you who have commented recently, forgive me for not answering back. I read everything you write and I love hearing from you! 🙂

Posts I’ve Liked on my Bloglovin

Dishin’ It Out by suscipio4women.com (Tips for praying while doing housework. Also the source of my pondering quote.)

From “Should Have Been” to “Exactly As It Should Be” by http://hallelujahismysong.blogspot.com (A mom shares her experience of losing a child and conceiving again.)

7 New Books Moms Will Love by catholicmom.com (You can never have too many books. ;-))

Pinned…

Camouflage Cupcakes – Tutorial!

Easy Blender Salsa

Free Editable Chevron Binder Covers

Free Printable Banner Alphabet

Plans for the Week…

This week I have on my schedule a school party, kids’ well check appts, a Mom’s night out (woohoo) and family confession.

Captured…

I just realized that this is the last day to link-up with Cari’s Theme Thursday: Mom. So my captured photos are my submission as well. 🙂

I wanted to post a photo of me with my mom but she’s old school and not keen on personal photos posted on the internet. I found this one where you can’t really see her but you know she is there holding me up. I like this photo because it is reassuring to know that although she is not in my day to day life (living 400 miles away from me) she is still there offering her support and love from afar. I know she is only a phone call (or plane ticket) away and it is reassuring just hear her voice and hear her laugh over a funny story. I owe so much to her – she taught me how to love, how to laugh, how to persevere, and how to see God in all things and to trust Him above all else. Thanks, mom. I love you.

* * *

This was taken on Sunday during our Mother’s Day outing. I am incredibly blessed… blessed to be the mom of these four precious children. They may drive may crazy at times (and I them) but I couldn’t imagine my life without their sweet smiles, loving kisses and infectious giggles. 🙂

Have a blessed week!

Oh, and don’t forget to link-up here for this week’s Pinterest Party! (It can be an old or new post.) 🙂

This week is a mash up as I link with Cari’s Theme Thursday and Like Mother, Like Daughter’s {pretty, happy, funny, real}. Cari’s photography challenge is PLAY. There’s plenty of that at our house.

{pretty}

Mama likes to play with her camera in the backyard.

Sunny skies.

We have a lot of ice plants on our property.

{happy}

I love the glee on Andrew’s face.

It bugs me that I didn’t frame the photo properly but I love Andrew’s crooked grin. 🙂

Andrew tried to grab John-Paul into the photo but he was not interested. In the meantime, Matthew in the background wouldn’t get off his Big Wheels long enough to get into the shot.

Bella is happiest when she is drawing.

Here is one of her creations.

{funny}

When the cat’s away the mice will play.

It was a little too quiet so I went to investigate and found Matthew helping himself.

His shirt was rather prophetic.

{real}

On rare occasions there will be peace and quiet and no mischief afoot.

Brothers playing quietly together. Blessed moments indeed.

This week Cari’s photography challenge for Theme Thursday is the sky. I love the themes that take me outside so this was a fun one. I hope you enjoy. 🙂

The view from my deck (with the neighbors’ houses cropped out.) A cloudy sky on a windy day.

The view from the Mission. The sun is trying to break through these clouds.

The view from my morning walk. (Looking at this is the incentive that gets me out the door.)

The view from a friend’s garden. Looking at the sky from under this blooming tree.

I wanted a photo of the sun setting so last night on the way to the market to get meds for my sick kids, I took a quick detour and snapped this photo. I have one of just the sunset but I like the way the tree branches sort of frame the sun.

I needed that five minute of calm after taking care of sick kids the last few days. Say a prayer that we are well soon. Another child got the bug (he showered me in his sickness as I was holding him late last night.) Lovely. I tell ya, motherhood is not for wimps. The worse is that I woke up this morning feeling sick. No bueno! So while I may live in a pretty place, I still have my little crosses too. 😉

Thanks to Cari for hosting!

Today I am linking up with Cari’s photography challenge Theme Thursday: Boys and {pretty, happy, funny, real} hosted by Like Mother, Like Daughter. I have been having fun with my new camera so here are some shots I’ve taken over the last two weeks.

{pretty} & {happy}

Matthew’s happy 2nd birthday party.

Daddy sitting the birthday boy down.

Hugs for Thomas. (That Thomas plush toy used to belong to my little brother, who is now in his 20’s. He gave it to Bella when she was little and it has been passed along to each of the kids.)

Andrew is giving Matthew some candle blowing advice.

Matthew got the job done.

The birthday boy finally got a Big Wheels of his own.

It was a great day for the little guy.

{funny}

When I need to keep the boys quiet for 15 minutes straight I put on my You Tube Star Wars playlist. Most of the videos are Legos animations.

The one exception is the Disney Darth Vader dancing to Can’t Touch This.

The quiet ends there as the boys jump up to practice their dance moves. Andrew almost has the side to side shuffle down.

{real}

As far as the boys are concerned, the real fun begins when the biggest boy of them all, Daddy, arrives and joins his Jedi knights.

Then the kids start running over to get me into the game.

Time for me to turn off the camera and join the battle.

This week’s photography challenge for Theme Thursday is Growing. Since Matthew’s 2nd birthday is tomorrow I have been thinking a lot about how fast he is growing. Here are some photos showing his growth. (The last one is today’s shot.)