7QT- Park vigilantes, crunchy chicken wraps, Lenten books, DIY, astonishing apple cider vinegar and a new Pope and what I wrote

We have a new pet! We hope we will get to watch this caterpillar make his transformation by Easter :)

I have been inspired to breathe new life into my blog, which had been sadly neglected for a number of very delightfully busy years.  I have been inspired by the great bloggers who participate in Seven Quick Takes at the Conversion Diary blog by Jennifer Fulweiler. Have you checked it out before?

1) In preparing for the Papal Conclave, we have adopted a Cardinal to pray for. His name is Raymond Leo Burke, from the USA.  The kids think this is pretty cool. I do too! I love that we can feel connected  to this moment in history through prayer.

2) Books we're reading.  As a family we are reading the A family journey with Jesus through Lent and with my book club "Never Give Up. My life and God's mercy" by John Janaro. I love this book club and the women involved.

3) I have made my friend Stephanie's Crispy Chicken Wraps at least 3x for dinner this week and no one is tired of it. No one, I say! I even used the filling on top of salad and had it for lunch too!

4) I am hoping to knock some house projects off the list in March. The most daunting is the faux finishing of my sweet Grandparent's dining room furniture and reupholstering the chair seats. This will be prove to be interesting because I still don't even know how to uncork a bottle of wine without hurting myself. Just seeing the letters DIY cause me to wince in pain.

5) Dominic is quite newsworthy these days.  He is having his First Reconciliation this weekend and was asked to be a lector for the service. He has also been officially registered in his first chess tournament! And in other news, we are taking a small break from karate as we are trying to determine what style will do next. It will definitely be of the martial arts persuasion. All those people who told me "it gets better" when they saw me frantically chasing him around the library as a toddler turned out to be right. We are really proud of the little man he is growing up to be!

6) My favorite website as of late, because the kids and I can enjoy it together.  One some days it may spark your curiosity and imagination, and on others it may move you to laughter and tears! Another favorite discovery this week.....the many uses of Apple Cider Vinegar. I'd never pay for a facial toner that smelled like feet when I could make it for free!  (seriously though, it works!)

7) We have become like city park vigilantes this past week. First of all, we're going almost 2 times a day to a park because the weather has been gorgeous (save for the gale force winds). But secondly, one of our Lenten goals is making a study of Catholic Social Teachings and this week is "stewardship of God's creation." We have been picking up trash at parks and taking it to the extreme. I've been noting which parks have no trash cans, sweeping up broken glass when we find it and the kids are collecting cans. We're hard core, now!

And here is what I wrote for Austin Catholic New Media this week.  As always, every time I write, I learn something new, and I have much to learn. I thank God for these opportunities to keep growing and learning!

As we draw near the dawn of a new horizon for our Church, let us cherish all that Pope Benedict XVI has taught us, and as we continue to teach our children let us remember this: 

“Dear friends, may no adversity paralyze you. Be afraid neither of the world, nor of the future, nor of your weakness. The Lord has allowed you to live in this moment of history so that, by your faith, his name will continue to resound throughout the world.”  

Farewell Pope Benedict XVI, pray for us! 

                                              
                                                    Jonas put this Texan ensemble together all by himself :)

I'll do it, Mommy!

Our bit of Narnia

Lenten goals

I think I've found something that works well for my personality. I've found a way to give up and take on a different goal each day (similarly to the way I try to structure my daily chores) I hope this may help some of these habits to stick!  Thanks to Elizabeth S for sharing the Lenten lotto idea with our family! Apparently it's good for Moms too! :)

Every day:  Fast from Dr. Who on Netflix (only t.v. I watch)  Limited facebook time. Listen to sacred and meditative music all day.

Mondays: produce a bag of donations with the kiddos. Food, clothes, books.

Tuesday morning: pray in the chapel

Wednesday: watch a movie about a saint with Bronius.

Thursday morning/evening: journal writing/spiritual reading

Fridays: Fast from sweets and meat. Family prayer or stations/church supper.

Saturdays: pray in the chapel.  Family movie relating to the Christian journey. 

Tickleberry Pie

Recipe for tickleberry pie. 

Ingredients: any and all children you can find in your house 

Instructions: read a story to your children, and when you are done, tickle them until everyone is red in the face laughing, including yourself. 

Let them cool off a bit, and then tuck them in for afternoon naps. Yourself included. Enjoy, and repeat several times each week!

The Meme Team

                                                     
                                   our little door of love              

All right, so you may have noticed, all ye faithful readers (namely Mom and Bronius' Mom) that I've been less descriptive these days about our life here.  It is not for lack of words, for we all know that I do not suffer from that problem, but nay, it is a dearth of time from which I suffer.  I have been noticing more and more of my blogger buds (oh, and the ones who don't know that we're buds yet) have been using memes and I think I'm going to join the meme team!

So the pressure is on for me to say at least 7 useful, interesting or entertaining items each week. Don't hold your breath.

Here goes!

1) I joined twitter.  When Bronius explained twitter to me years ago with stars in his eyes, I heard myself bluntly say "what's the point of that?" even when I thought it was only in my head. I'm super picky with what I do with my precious free time, and also a bit panicky (like, I can't breathe) about how comfortable everyone else seems to be about letting loose private information. But.... I admit. Now I do get the point of that. Because I'm following some really neat people who inspire me and make me think, and feel, and laugh. And maybe I can be cool like dat one day too.

2)  I borrowed a really cool idea for our Lenten crown of thorns centerpiece this year.  When the toothpick sacrifices have all been pulled out of the wicker wreath, they are replaced with silk or paper flowers for Easter.  In the past I've been left with an oddly perforated salt dough braid that just gets pitched!  (don't we all!)

3) Big Event coordinators came to visit us today! With their generous time and assistance, we will finally be able to finish out our yard. We plan to seal the fence, fill in the infamous "chessboard sod job of 2012," and do some mulch landscaping.  We are very grateful for these students!!!

4) I am trying to read 3 books at the same time in the midst of very busy days, which feels very similar to juggling while standing on a tightrope, but without fire. I am reading "Prayer and Temperament" by Chester P. Michael,  "Persuasion" by Jane Austen for my book club, and "Daring Greatly," by Brene Brown.  It's about having the courage to be vulnerable and how it transforms the way we live, love parent and lead. Good stuff. 

5) I received some beautiful earrings from my Sister way out West (who used to be way out East) for my birthday from 10,000 Villages. I love them.  Mostly because they are from her.  But also because they are purple and liturgically appropriate. :)

           

6) Dominic had his first school musical this year. It was a Valentine program. It was pure sweetness. He had a speaking part, too! I also helped at his school with the Valentine Lollopalooza event this week and got to know roughly 150 2nd grade children. I was blessed by my time spent with these kids.  And had a great nap, afterwards. ;)  Bronius got to go to Milo's preschool for a sweet Valentine with Dad breakfast. Jonas played with a babysitter all morning. A good time was had by all!

  

7) Here is what I wrote for Austin Catholic New Media this week. I pray it will be useful to someone this Lent. I am very honored to be writing with the wonderful people at ACNM and ever thankful for Lauren's help in getting me there.

Here is a Valentine moment, brought to you by my good hair day.

             

And lastly...the Valentine I gave to Bronius. A big thanks to Terri who inspired us to become Whovians!

Happy Valentine's day!

Our sweet little valentines will have something fun to discover in the morning

Paint tower

So this is why he was so quiet!

Lithuanian school

After dinner lessons while biggest brother does his homework.

Ruby Tree Design - by Julia

These are some samples of cards I have made in the past. I am considering unearthing my materials and getting back in business for Valentine's day. If anyone would be interested in some handmade Valentines, let me know!

(And a brief footnote... please excuse the odd lighting from the camera phone and the funky blog formatting...in fact a Sasquatch was not lurking behind me as I took these pictures, it's just school pick up time and I don't have time to puzzle that out but will later! :)

Stick with me, kid

Tulips

Sweet husband gave this to me!

My Birthday

I had a fantastic time with some wonderful ladies for my birthday! We never succeeded in a group picture but 14 of us were there! And clearly I enjoyed my time with chocolate. Thank you friends for coming out and having a great night with me, and for the many sweet homemade gifts and treats! :)