AND

I started this yesterday but it just wasn’t happening. However, the kids are quiet so I must strike while I can before the boys start their morning chorus of “Mine!” “No, Mine!” “MINE!” and “Mom!” 😉

~~ 1 ~~

{pretty}

This week for Cari’s Theme Thursday it was about architecture. Here are two photos I took of the Carmel Mission.

You can see the rest of the Mission photos here and all the other fabulous photos on Cari’s link up here. And a huge thank you to those who mentioned my photos on their blog (Cari and EML) and those who left kind comments. I truly appreciate it but it’s incredibly embarrassing because any photos I take outside or out in nature require ZERO talent. You cannot take a bad photo around here and even if you do, photo editing fixes that right up. My 3 year old with my iphone camera proves it. (But I love your appreciation anyway! xoxo)

 This photo is for Day 5 of #cslentipj – Light.  The sun #light is shining through my kitchen window.

~~ 2 ~~

{happy}

For Day 4 of #cslentipj – the subject was #love.

I posted this pic of Brian sitting in the crying room before Mass praying. I #love this man more than I can express and he brings me such happiness! Although, I know my mom is asking, “What are you doing taking a photo at Mass, Ms. Paparazzi?” Well, technically Mass hadn’t started yet and I just snapped this quickly with my phone while Brian had his eyes closed, which explains the poor quality. I didn’t notice until after, St. Joseph is just over his head. Quite appropriate. 🙂

~~ 3 ~~

Speaking of my prayerful man, yesterday was the feast of The Chair of St. Peter and Brian put together a Novena for the Papacy. It is a beautiful collection of traditional prayers and short, modern day reflections. Go check it out and see why he is called my better half. (While he is doing stuff like this I’m shopping at Target or browsing Pinterest. ;-))

~~ 4 ~~

{funny}

But just so you don’t think it is all work and no play, here is Day 6 of #cslentipj – Happiness.

I love when Brian’s playful, boyish side comes out and I hear the blissful happy squeals of the boys as they are playing. For Christmas the boys watched Star Wars for the first time and afterwards they begged me to take them to Target and get them those glow-in-the-dark light sabers. (Snort. As if someone had to beg me to go to Target. Refer to QT #3.) Of course I did, so now in the evenings we’ll often have lights out in the hallway as they do their battle.

The top half of the photo shows them playing. The bottom half has Matthew getting ready for battle next with my colander as a helmet. So funny. 🙂 Gotta love them boys!

~~ 5 ~~

{funny}

Speaking of life with boys…

 Note to self: Remind the boys that after they eat an apple, throw it away. Don’t stick it back in the fruit bowl.

Day 5 of #40daysofphotos – #40.  Here are #40 toy trains lined up in a row.

Matthew walked into the photo shoot and was ecstatic. It’s funny because we’ve had some of these trains for almost a decade. Bella used to love Thomas the Train and we started collecting them back then. The tradition continues with Andrew, John-Paul and now Matthew as he plays with them. (I’ve been talking a lot about the boys lately. Next week I’ll make one of the takes about Bella. It’s just harder with a tween who values her privacy. 😉

~~ 6 ~~

{real}

Day 6  of #40daysofphotos – My Lenten Sacrifice.

For lent, I have also been trying to curb my impatience and not lose my cool when things like permanent marker, broken glass, dumped wipes and spilled milk happens and offer it up for love of God. (Refer to my 2013 credo.)  Sorry to say that I failed miserably the other day and after losing my temper I broke down and was literally crying over spilled milk. Time to get to confession and recharge the ol’ spiritual batteries. 😉

~~ 7 ~~

Confession is the first cure but you know what the second best cure is? I found out Thursday night when I had a huge treat. For the first time since I was pregnant with Matthew (say what?) I went to a mom’s night out. I was as giddy as a school girl because I had been craving some Catholic girl time in real life and I hadn’t seen a number of my old friends in ages. The food was delicious, the conversation was humorous yet uplifting and it just perked up my spirits. We decided to make this a regular thing and I wondered how Brian would feel about that. Well, the next day Brian was pleased to see me in such a good mood and so playful with the kids and affectionate with him. As long as this keeps up, he said he didn’t mind watching the kids again for the next outing. 😉 Woohoo!

~~ Bonus Take ~~

My sis Bridge with her godchild Matthew.

As you may know, I come from a large family – I’m the oldest of nine and so far three of us are married. Well, we can add another Mrs to the ranks because my sis Bridgette has announced her engagement to a wonderful man. (Bridge was born between me and my younger sister EML.) So not only will we be attending a wedding but we will be having a family reunion, which means EML and I will finally get to spend some face to face time together. (Insert happy dance.)  We will also get to meet a number of little nieces and nephews/cousins that we have not met yet! I am soooo excited and will be spending even more time on Pinterest offering ever so helpful wedding suggestions to my sister. 😉

Have a fabulous weekend!