Lent 2015

Last Wednesday marked the beginning of Lent. Eli and I got up early to attend 6:30 am Mass. He was so good during Mass that it tempts me to change our regular Mass time on Saturday night to 7:00 am Sunday morning. He was a little confused by my ashes so I turned the camera on him so he could see and this was his face of confusion. He would've had a better marking of ashes, but he turned his head to look at me while I was receiving mine and Father tried his best to mark him.

I went to school after Mass and was bombarded by so many curious students. I think I explained what Ash Wednesday was about a hundred times by the end of the day. Explaining the meaning of Lent helped me remember why we, Catholics, do what we do. 

I found this quote on Instagram and thought it was the perfect way to describe why we mark ourselves with ashes. 

This Lenten season I am working on reading a new devotional called The Gargoyle Code that a friend gave to me. It is much different than previous Lenten devotions I have read and really makes me think about where I am at in my relationship with God. 

This is the first year in a long time that I have given something up, in addition to doing extra things. The night before Lent, I thought about some things that I feel like I cannot live without and chocolate was the first thing to come to my mind. Obviously, I can live without chocolate, but I some times feel that I HAVE to have it. I will scrounge my cabinets looking for chocolate when I'm really having a moment. I feel like I have to have chocolate at some point everyday. And that is unnecessary. I am focusing on offering up my urge for chocolate to Jesus every time I feel that need. 

I am also starting new traditions with Eli this year. I want to bring him to Stations of the Cross. I know he won't understand them, but I feel that the more I bring him to church the more he is acquainted with the atmosphere and how to act.(Yes, he's only one and his attitude changes with the wind, but I do see a difference.) By incorporating him in Mass he quiets down a bit better. I will ask him, "Where is Jesus?" He will usually stop and point to the crucifix or the stained glass windows. Or we will tell him that Father is coming and move him further to the aisle so he can see Father walking down. 

I pray that we all find time during this season to focus on Christ's journey in the desert and drawing ourselves closer to Him. 

Read last year's post here.

Party in New Orleans

My best friend from college is getting married in a few months and I am honored to be a bridesmaid in her wedding. Her sister and mother invited me to attend her bachelorette party in New Orleans a few weekends ago and I couldn't resist a fun weekend. 

My early flight gave me some time to reflect on some Scott Hahn.

When we got to the hotel, Mari's sister and mother had these cute bags made for us. It was a NOLA Bachelorette Survival Kit with chocolate, mouthwash, gum, face mask, Tums, and a few other goodies. It was a cute and thoughtful gift.

After dropping our stuff off at the hotel, we headed to a local restaurant called Deanie's where I tried oysters for the first time. I was a little skeptical, but they were really good.

Taking our first shot.

We took a walk down Bourbon Street and found a hurricane at Pat O'Brien's.

That evening, Mari's sister arranged for us to watch one of the many Mardi Gras parades from a restaurant rooftop. 

All of the girls of the weekend.

It was one of the neatest sites I've ever seen. So many floats, people, and marching band after marching band.

It was so cold, but these kiddos braved the weather.

I thought this was the coolest trick. Parents brought these ladders that had boxes attached to them for their kids to sit in so they could see the parade. In the parades I have attended they don't last much longer than 30 minutes. These parades went on for HOURS!!! This was a smart idea so parents didn't have to hold their kids the entire time.

Afterwards, we rested and marveled at our beads. [No nudity was involved to attain the beads.]

The next morning, we went to brunch at The Ruby Slipper, a very popular restaurant.

I got their famous Bananas Foster and it was the tastiest breakfast I have ever had. I would go back just for this breakfast.

While we were there, we threw Mari a lingerie party.

Her cute lingerie displayed.

While Mari went to the spa in the afternoon, I went to the casino and made my donation. I was not a big winner :(

I found some time to attend Mass at St. Louis Cathedral on Saturday night. The Cathedral is breathtaking.

That night we went out to Bourbon Street. It was WILD! I had never seen so many unique people in all my life.

I had a great time being with a great group of girls that weekend. It was nice to celebrate Mari before her big day in April.