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! :)

14 Favorite Love Stories

In the spirit of Valentine's day,  I'm compiling a list of my favorite romantic movies. This is by no means an exhaustive list :)  but I hand picked this bouquet for you dear readers!

                                                                     The Shop Around the Corner

14) Barefoot in the Park
13) P.S. I Love You
12) Persuasion (2007)
11) Daniel Deronda (2002)
10) Amelie
9) Victoria and Albert (2009)
8) Groundhog Day
7) Ever After
6) The Notebook
5) Jane Eyre (2006)
4) Pride and Prejudice (at the risk of being traitorous, I'm going with the 2005 version!)
3) The Sound of Music
2) North and South

............and at number 1) The Shop Around the Corner :)

I would love to hear yours!

Hot Mess

I was very tempted to use that as my blog description just now, since I am trying to pick up my blog and dust it off and figure out what happened to it in the last week.  "Cutest Blog on the Block" has left me high and dry and without a background, which means I need to spend hours trying to find compatible templates for my current design so I don't need to do a whole redesign (which is inevitable and long overdue but I just can't find the time!) As fun as all this software is to play with, it is sooooo time consuming, and I'm supposed to be finishing a book! Also I'm stubbornly refusing the help of a beloved geek, who could craft an artful website for me if I could only admit I needed some help..... I guess I'm just not ready.

So,  this blog fits me right now. Well-intentioned and full of heart, but unfinished. Muted but bold. In transition....on a journey......more to come......thank you for sticking with me!

One of these things is not like the other

Happy Birthday tea party for Lily

And before you know it...

McDonald's is sponsoring free karate lessons after school.

White belt

This is from the summer, we're close to earning our orange belt any day now!

                                           Taken by Renee Nolte of University of Sidekicks 2012

Elephants on the move

Superboy is better and doodling pictures. We call this one "elephants on the move." The best art is never planned! :)

Christmas and the Feast of St. Stephen

I just figured out something that makes me really happy. If I sit in the playroom with my journal or a book, the kids play contentedly! Why has it taken me this long to figure this out and do it?

I also figured out something that makes me really sad. I have almost no pictures of the Christmas season, not even one of us dressed up for Mass. But I do have some of my Dad's birthday, where he acted out a short play of King Wencelaus since he was born on the 26th and St. Stephen is his namesake. Eleanor B is the royal page. It was so sweet!

We enjoyed a lovely day yesterday celebrating the Solemnity of the Epiphany with wonder, joy, and hope, as we look to a new year of seeking the light of Christ.

And then a picture of me being treated to a puppet show, by Milo who is feeling much better, praise God. Life is good, and God is always good.

Thank you Lord for the gift of friends and family, a happy and holy Christmas and a brand New Year of life. Wishing the same for you all, too!

On Gabbard Pond

Who gets first prize in the house for the most festive bunk bed, I wonder?

Cookies and egg nog

Morning in the Land of the Motekai, as observed by a fish.

                             
The Motekai finally reclaimed me from their Grandmother's home after a long trip to a faraway sea. From my place next to the kitchen spice rack, I see morning life resume as normal.  There's Dominic, 7,  who is the only one who truly remembers to feed me faithfully. He is always the first one awake, and likes to slide on the floor with his socks.  There's Milo, 4, who likes to watch the milk pour into his cereal bowl from the creamer, and insists on steeping his own tea bags. There is Jonas, 2, who observes everything just like I do, but he also pours his cereal on the ground when no one is around to stop him (which I don't do).  Dad runs a tight morning shift. He makes the coffee and washes up the dishes, and Mom shuffles in sleepy- eyed, pulling lunch kits out of the fridge and trying to say a quick morning prayer over the head of any boy who is sitting still.  They both stay up way too late at night for the most precious and rare commodities of peace and quiet so they can get work done.  In spite of it all, someone always remembers to feed me, and smile at me, and change my water. What can I say, they're all I've got. It's not too bad to be a fish in the land of Motekaii.

Family portraits 2012

A great big thanks to Amy Casas of Amy Casas photography!