SQT: First 12 Days of Nineveh 90

I am linking up with Kelly, a bit late, to share in seven VERY quick takes how the Nineveh 90 is going so far.

1

I needed this!! I really did.  With the crazy year of a new baby and Hubby's employment changes, life has been so busy that my prayer life was barely limping along.  What I learned in these first 12 days is that this challenge is most definitely challenging but also so delightful.  I am thankful to have a jump start on Lenten preparations.  I'm going into Lent aiming in the right direction, that is sure to make it more fruitful.

2

It is nice having the kids do this challenge with me, even though they are doing a modified version.  I enjoy sharing the journey with them and it helps keep me moving forward.  They seem to be enjoying it as well and life is a bit more peaceful in these parts since we have been praying and sacrificing more.  Not that all sibling squabbles have vanished, but in general everyone is trying harder to keep their eyes on Jesus and serve others well.

3

Intense, regular exercise is a relative term.  With three busy kids and a newborn, intense is anything that I can squeeze into my already packed day.  I had high hopes for big exercise plans, and I may just get there, but for now, marching in place for ever increasing amounts of time each morning and taking a walk mid-week has been as much as I can muster.  I do feel the difference in getting my body going and I am more aware of taking even an extra minute to exercise when I can. I am hoping to get a more regular schedule soon, however as my friend, Katie, points out, just making time to do anything while doing so much else is a victory.

4

Being cognoscente of my weaknesses, sin wise, has been an eye opener. It is not that I have never realized that I sin, or that I blatantly ignore it.  It is that I always strove not to sin, this time I am striving to overcome specific sins and it has been very humbling.  Hoping to make it to confession this weekend for February monthly confession.  It's already a busy Saturday, but no time like the present to turn back to God.

5

Spiritual warfare is real and as soon as I took on this challenge I could feel it gathering around me.  I also feel like the general craziness of the world around me has exploded since this challenge began.  We trudge on.  I keep praying and hoping for a conversion of our country, but moreover a conversion of those closest to me.  We could all use a bit of knee bending these day, I am not above it either.

6

For the first time, I am truly driven to pray the Rosary every day.  I have always felt a tug toward doing so and have tried many times, but this is the first time that I feel I have overcome the struggle to get to it being part of my day that I need.  I did miss a rosary when I was sick, fell asleep so early it just didn't happen.  I am trying to do the rosary earlier in the day...sometimes that happens, sometimes it doesn't, but it is on my radar.  That is a true blessing.

7

God is good all the time, and all the time, God is good!!!!

How's your Nineveh 90 going?

The Nineveh 90 for Kids

I have found that the surest way to not get to post something is to put in a previous post when I will be publishing.  It happens every time.  Sorry about that!

The Nineveh 90 began on on Monday.  It may be four days in, but it is never too late to repent and amend your ways, right?

I signed up to follow the program and am finding it challenging, but I need a challenge right now.  I'm truly hoping by the end of the 90 days, this plan has kicked my spiritual life into shape.  After explaining the program and the purpose to the children, they wanted to get on board--well, at least the two older ones.

It's wonderful that they are taking this on, but the requirements are a bit daunting even for an adult and I did not want it to become something I had to police for them.  Nor did I want them to get easily discouraged.  Fasting and praying are vital parts of building a solid faith formation.  It needs to be something that can be met with success to become a life long practice.

So, here is the modified version of the original 10 step plan.  I took out the exercise and sleep requirement because they are getting plenty of each, so there is no need.  However, alter this as you see fit.  The legalistic nature of the program is not the point, being more mindful of our actions and offerings to God is!

 

I will be posting photos of our prayer bouquets later this week.  For instruction on how to make your own look here.  How is your Nineveh 90 going?

 

 

Happy St Valentine's Day!!

I am jumping on here quickly to wish everyone a happy St Valentine's Day.  Little Lady is asleep in her swing and I have lots to do but, I wanted to give you a peak at our annual tea.

 

A simple one this year because of time and money constraints but everyone enjoyed it and it is always nice to have some family time apart from the normal hustle and bustle.

We signed up for the Ninevah90 yesterday--had I known we were going to, I would have planned this over the weekend instead.  I know we are supposed to be fasting but, St Valentine is a favorite saint of ours, so we are feasting in his honor. Tomorrow back to the fast!!

If you pop back tomorrow, I will have up my modified Ninevah90 that the kids and I designed for them to participate.  I did not want them to be overwhelmed by the requirements, nor me to have to keep on top of them to make sure they are following the plan.  If you have kids, this could be the perfect way for you to join in and still keep your sanity!

Until tomorrow, Little Lady wishes you a good day!

 

Little Lady's Baptism in #7QT

So, it's been awhile, huh?  I never planned on taking such a long break but such is life.  I really wanted to share these last week, but missed the link-up.  I'm linking up with Kelly, who has some fantastic news, for #7QT

1

 

This little lady was baptized on January 22nd.  It was, coincidentally, also the 23rd anniversary of my first date with Hubby.  Hard to believe it has been that long.  

2

 

We asked our dear friends from Teams of Our Lady to be Little Lady's godparents.  They were thrilled beyond belief.  It was such a blessing to have godparents so in love with getting to be godparents. Here is Godmommy getting Little Lady dressed. {Please don't tell anyone, but with every baby, we take over the hospitality room at church.  No one has ever said we can't but I don't think we have ever asked if we could.} 

3

 

Just like for Little Man and Cowgirl, I had a gown made for Little Lady. It was a special one because it highlighted little treasures that had been my grandmother's.  Her bonnet I made from the handkerchief my grandmother carried for my wedding.  The under skirt lace is from my grandmother's curtains.  The vertical lace detail on the skirt is made from two lengths of lace that I found in my grandmother's drawer when cleaning out her house. They were all rolled up neat and proper, the way my grandmother always did things.  I like this gown so much because every time I look at it, I like it even more!  It is beautiful and a wonderful heirloom.

4

I added some finishing touches to the gown.  Hubby's aunt visited us about two weeks before the baptism. She brought to me a miraculous medal that had been sent with her by her friend, who just so happens to be the founder of Carrabba's Italian Grill.  Mama Carrabba's pastor had traveled to Rome recently and she asked him to bring her back a box of medals to hand out.  He did even better, he bought the medals and then had them blessed by Pope Francis during a private audience. She sent one with Aunt Kathy for Little Lady and I am so immensely touched.  

I decided to attach it to her under skirt with a pin that my mother had sent me at college.  It had been attached to a card with a "Prayer for My Daughter" printed on it.  On the back of the pin, it says, "God bless you, always!"  This will now be Little Lady's treasure and I can't wait to get to tell her how special it is and how much her Grandma would have loved her.

I also made a little corsage for Little Lady, as I had made boutenierres for the boys' baptisms.  However, I realized half way through the baptism that I forgot to put it on her!  Oh, well!  I'm still going to keep it with her little keepsakes from the baptism.

5

 

It was a beautiful baptism and oh so perfect.  We kept everything simple, partially because it was planned last minute.  We scheduled the baptism on Wednesday afternoon and had it on Sunday afternoon. Not many people could make it, but the most important ones were there--Little Lady, her godparents, and Our LORD.

I was a little disappointed, though, because I had been saving a veil that had been gifted to me just for this occasion.  It is a beautiful black veil made of the softest fabric.  However, I had not thought to bring a clip or any bobby pins with me.  After fighting all Mass to have the veil stay on my head--and losing--while I nursed and bounced and tended to Little Man, I had to admit defeat.  I didn't want to be a distraction to the baptism, so I had to remove my veil.  I still had on my everyday covering, but I had so wanted to wear that beautiful veil and it was odd not to have my head fully covered.

I have since ordered sew on clips and will be wearing it again this weekend. I am planning on having Hubby take photos so I can post a full and proper review of the veil. Please stop back, these veils are absolutely wonderful!

6

 

I do wish, sometimes, that I could hire a photographer for events like this.  Pictures never turn out exactly how I would like and there are always one that we miss taking.  But that really is a frivolous luxury, so I am choosing to be content that we have the photos we do.

 

This is my friend, Marie, who made Little Lady's gown with lots of love and prayers.

7

Well, the best laid plans of Mice and Men....We had planned on just having take out from a diner down the street which has lots of gluten free options with the godparents and their children for supper.  We spent so long thinking and choosing what to order.  Then Hubby called to place the order and the restaurant was closed!!!  CLOSED!  What diner closes by 2 on a Sunday?????

We thankfully found another restaurant to get take out and finally had something to eat.  For dessert, I made an allergy friendly, blueberry pie, and bought some allergen free cookies.  No pictures...just know the pie was delicious!

Welcome to the Church, Little Lady!!