Tuesday, March 8, 2016

Lent, and the spring semester, reaching the halfway point...

...and how is YOUR Lent going, dear reader? :-) Mine is going just fine. Accountability: I have not been good with my morning devotional reading. Waking up and getting out of bed has gotten to be a struggle again, for whatever reason. But since last week I HAVE been reading along with 33 Days to Merciful Love, and I am IN LOVE with this book. I love it, just love it. Additionally, the St. Joseph novena starts Thursday, and I'm planning on praying that. Join in! As well, I've kept up with the Lenten Mercy Challenge on Fridays. So, all in all, I'd say my Lent is going pretty well. I'm going to a Worship Committee meeting at my parish tonight to discuss Holy Week, and the preparatory reading for that has gotten me into a Lenten mood as well. My goal for the week is to start another spiritual reading book as well. We're getting there! How have your resolutions been going?

Relatedly, my daughter can *always* be counted on to offer opportunities for Lenten-inspired sacrificial offering up. :0

Monday morning, 2:50 am:

"MOM?!" *hysterical sobs*

I rush into her bedroom. "What's wrong, sweetie?"

"I...I...I MISS MY FRIENDS!!" *big tears!*

"Oh. Well, you're going to be going to school in a few hours, sweetie. You'll see your friends then."

"I will?" *sniffle*

"Yes, Honey."

This is just the conversation I want to be having at 3 am. :0

"Mommy, would you lay with me for awhile?"

"Sure Honey."

*I settle in*

"Mommy, can I sleep in your bed?"

"No, darling. But I'll stay here with you for a spell." There is only so much penance a mother can offer. #wildsleeper

"Mommy, Aria...MOVED AWAY, and I thought she was coming back, BUT SHE DIDN'T!" *fresh tears!*

Ah. The crux of the issue.

"Aw, I'm sorry sweetie. You probably miss Aria and are sad."

"Yes." *pathetic sniffle*

It took a bit of soothing to get her settled down and back to sleep. Hence, I was absolutely exhausted all day Monday. I offered it up for your intentions. ;-)

Meanwhile though, this weekend was absolutely stunning, and a clear harkening of spring being on the way. And a busy spring it will be! I had a bridal shower to attend on Saturday, and indeed we have two weddings coming up in April! I also have a bunch of dance events and trips coming up this spring and summer, and details about all of that fun stuff will be forthcoming. I can't wait!

And speaking of dance, look what I scored during a family trip to the public library on Sunday:

Glorious!
I've had this on my Amazon wish list for the past year, and was thrilled to see it on the new non-fiction rack. I'm currently immersed hip-deep in a discussion of the different styles of Middle Eastern dance and couldn't be more content. I'm thinking about solo options for the upcoming summer performance season, so it's perfect timing. :-)

After our trip to the library, we stopped off at our local outdoor ice rink for a later winter walk around:

The kids posing with Shark Girl. It looks like Henry at least *thought* about smiling :0
It was one of those glorious winter days with cold temperatures, but a glowing sun in the sky the entire time. It seemed fitting, given that it was Laetare Sunday with the rose vestments reminding us that Lent is half over and Easter is soon to come. This has been an absolutely inspiring winter for me this year, and I am very much looking forward to what is to come as the seasons change.

How was your 4th Sunday of Lent, dear reader? How is your Lent going? Do write in and tell me all about it. :-)

2 comments:

  1. Well...I forgot to pray and read one day. :O This is what I get for procrastinating. Other than that it's been going fine. As you know I got my book in (finally), and it is an awesome read. Prior to that I was reading A Book of Saints for Catholic Moms, which is also good. Instead of going through as listed, I'd close my eyes and thumb to a page. So I ended up with for example St. Isadore to remind me to prioritize more away from the computer screen and St. Katharine Drexel around her feast day. I think she wanted my company or more likely thought that I needed hers. Very funny how saints choose people and make it known in small ways that they are.

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  2. Hi Delta, I was so thrilled to see that Amazon finally got you our 33 Days book! So grateful to be reading it along with you and Samantha. :) I LOVE your way of using "A Book of Saints for Catholic Moms"! What an excellent idea. I may need to put that on my wish list!

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