Friday, March 22, 2013

Lenten Check-In #2

As we come to a close on this Lenten season, I am reflecting on my promises. This wasn't the most successful year, but I did grow closer to Christ and His message during this season. By offering up our sacrifices, no matter how small, we see a small fraction of what Christ did for us. Here are my promises and how they changed me into a better Catholic Christian:

1. Pray the Rosary every day
I was doing so well with this one and then Spring Break hit. I usually say this in my car on the way to school with my CD, but since I didn't drive as much this week I didn't say my Rosary as much. I want to keep up with this one after Lent. I really enjoy saying the Rosary at the beginning of the day as it prepares me for what the day has in store for me.


2. Read Not By Bread Alone: Daily Reflections for Lent 2013
I finally started reading this book. I have no excuses as to why I never started. It took a total of five minutes out of my day to read, reflect, and pray on it. Shame on me for not keeping up with this earlier.

3. Pray Before Meals
No comment. Why oh why is this one so hard for me???? I think I remembered a total of 10 times to pray before my meals. I'm not happy with this one and want to continue practicing it after Lent. I want this one to be a habit that just comes naturally, especially once we start having children. I am thankful for what God gives me, I just need to remember my timing.


 4. Receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation
I am going next Wednesday for this beautiful sacrament. This is one that I do NOT want to pass up due to selfishness or pride. I hope everyone partakes in this sacrament and prepares their hearts for the coming of Christ.

 5. Attend Stations of the Cross
I've only missed one week of this. I was really bummed that I didn't get to make it last week as my family wanted to go out to dinner in Dallas and we wouldn't make it back in time for Stations of the Cross. I am going tonight and next week for the Veneration of the Cross.
Veneration of the Cross is my favorite Triduum event. Even though it is the most solemn, it is the most beautiful as the choir sings "Behold the Wood" and "Via Dolorosa". These two songs move me and truly put you in the scene of the crowd as Jesus walked to Calvary. As we venerate or kiss the Cross, I am humbled at what Christ did for us and I am overwhelmed by my selfish sins that caused this.

I hope we have all grown closer to our Lord during these 40 days and prepared our hearts for what He has done for us. This next week, Holy Week, although sorrowful and solemn, only helps us anticipate for the most celebrated day in our Christian year, the Resurrection of our Lord.

As someone posted on Facebook, "Earth's saddest day and gladdest day were just...three days apart."

Are you ready?

Tuesday, March 19, 2013

"Every field wears a bonnet with some spring daisies on it..."

"Spring, Spring, Spring" as Seven Brides for Seven Brothers sing it. You can definitely see that Spring has sprung in Gilburtshire. The woman who lived here before us planted some beautiful flowers and every year we get to see some of these pretty colors pop up for a bit.

First, our pear tree. I love this tree!! It's off to the side of our front yard and has been producing some wonderful pears in the fall. It's nice to see this tree bloom as a sign that it's still alive and we haven't completely killed. (I have the worst green thumb).

Next are the irises. These are gorgeous and are such a nice thing to see as we come in the driveway. There are some purple ones next to the white ones, but the wind was blowing too much to get a good picture.

Here are some pretty daffodils that popped up right underneath our "Gilburtshire" sign. Makes my house feel like a cottage.

Finally, our peach tree. We planted this last year here. It produced about 10 peaches, but ants got to them before we could eat them. We are planning on buying a few more fruit trees this year. A local greenery, Texscapes, is having a sale like last year on their fruit trees. Judging at how well this one did, we will definitely buy from them again.

My cousin sold me some Easter decor she was getting rid of and I couldn't resist. These bunnies are so cute and look great on the piano.

And on the chest in the entryway. You can also see my "G" egg. About a month ago, I took Chris to Kirkland's for the first time (he loved it) and I saw this egg. It was a bit expensive, but with it being personalized I didn't know if it would be there when it would hit clearance. I love this egg and think it's a neat addition to the Easter decor.

Can you see my excitement of finding the egg?
 
 My last addition to my Easter decor is my wreath. I won this at my church bazaar this past year and knew it would be perfect for spring. The flowers and cross in the middle of the wreath really give it the spring look and what this season really means.

As we come to a close on this Lenten season, I will put a final check-in on my Lenten promises this week. Hope you are having a wonderful spring and are looking forward to our risen King!

Monday, March 11, 2013

Breaking Dawn Viewing Party

I know I'm a dork and will probably be stoned by my literary scholars for purchasing and reading the Twilight series, but I cannot help my obsession. I had a Twilight viewing party a few years ago and had a lot of fun gabbing and kicking back with fellow Twi-hards and newbies.

Here are a few pics from the first Twilight Viewing Party (March 2009)

 My first party included my aunts, cousins, and best friends...oh and Edward and Bella too!(look at the top left of the picture)
My besties and I 
 

 I decided to host another one for the last installment of the saga.I had everyone come over after 5pm Mass and we watched Part 1 first and Part 2 afterwards. It was so much fun to giggle, chat, and get wrapped up in the movie.

A few times my eyes wandered because of this lil stinker and Mr. Bates. They had so much fun together. My cousin would run around and Mr. Bates would chase him and then lick all over him while he giggled.

Here are a few pics of the double trouble(Pardon the dark pictures, but I didn't want to interrupt the movie)

Watching the movie together

He caught me taking a picture of him



Helping Mr. Bates with his chew toy

Here are a few more of the night

An intense scene in the movie



Everyone who came to the Viewing Party

We had a lot of fun, but of course the food was our favorite part. My aunt and little cousins brought chocolate ice cream and cones. My other aunt and cousin brought Chicken Express tenders, corn nuggets, chips, and dip. My other cousin brought cheesecake. And one of my besties brought sugar cookies. I made Meatball biscuits. These were yummy and I had a few leftover for Chris the next Sunday. He gobbled them up and suggested I make them again for another party.

It's a little bit saddening that I won't be hosting anymore Twilight parties. Maybe in a few years we can have a marathon and watch them all??

Wednesday, March 6, 2013

She's (not) having kittens!

My sister and BIL announced last night that they are expecting a little GIRL!! Miss Marley Kay will be here in just a few months and we are tickled pink!

My sis hosted a reveal party at my mom and dad's house with immediate family invited. We didn't have to wait too long before the BIG reveal came.

Bri handing out the reveal favors. Can you see her glowing with excitement?

And that little baby bump!


We had to come dressed in whichever color we thought the sex would be. We were on team boy.

The list of everyone's guess. You can see it was a little one-sided.

Finally, we were told to unwrap our favors and reveal the sex. It's a "she"!

Seeing everyone's faces after opening their favors (This was my favorite part)

The proud grandparents

More proud grandparents

Although we would have been elated with a boy or a girl, we are more than happy that lil' Lytle is healthy and growing well in her momma's womb. I can't wait to meet this lil' angel and spoil her like a good aunt would do.

Friday, March 1, 2013

Smorgasbord #3

I know I should have posted a few days ago, but it has been unbelievably crazy at Gilburtshire. In the "Ask and Ye Shall Receive" post, I talked about a great many wonderful happenings. These have all come full circle and now we are dealing with them all. 

I started my new job on Monday. I was so nervous walking into this new environment and how it would all go. This is a great school to be teaching at. The teachers were very welcoming, the students (most of them) wanted to know who I was and why I chose them, and I got to sleep an hour later!! My principal even had a welcoming social after my first day with Sonic drinks...score! I do have an enormous amount of information to learn and then apply as I get acquainted with their lesson plan format and the dreaded STAAR test. I do miss my kids and colleagues at my old school, but all in all, I think this was a good choice.

Chris bought a car! He has found his dream car and is so happy to be driving it. He got a 2011 Volkswagen Jetta Sportwagen, or as I call it, his dad-van. It is very nice on the inside with leather seats and a full sunroof going from the driver seat to the back seat. He said that he thinks we can fit quite a few lil' chubby Gilburts in the back. This car is going to last us for quite a few years.

Look at the proud owner!


The dogs were barking and wanted to say hello





We signed on our house last week!! We are so elated to be done with this process. We did have a few more hiccups in the final process (we knew it wouldn't be that easy), but can finally say that the process is over and can now work on much needed improvements in the house. First thing is new windows and painting the wood panel in the living room (we call it the elephant in the room).