Little Darlin'

Our sweet Ellie is hilarious. She's just naturally funny. Most things she says just has me laughing.

One of my favorite things she does is insistent on is being called darling, when being referred to with a pet name. Joseph has called the girls "little bears" since they were born, but somewhere along the way, he and I started calling her, "darling," as well.

Each one of our girls also has a song that belongs to them (or so they think). Both songs are by Old 97's - "Miss Molly" (obvious for which daughter) and "Sweet Blue-Eyed Darlin'" for Ellie. Maybe this contributed to her preference for being called darling?

At the local consignment sale last weekend, when I was buying the girls some summer clothes, I found a cute little shirt that says, "Daddy's Little Darling" and it was only $1.50! Of course I read it to Ellie and her eyes lit up and begged that we get it for her (which I'd already planned on doing, so it worked out. We call that a win-win-win in our home.). Despite also getting her a puppy t-shirt and a Dora t-shirt (also picked out by Ellie-Darlin'), she asks to wear her "Daddy's Darlin'" shirt every single day. And when she spills something on it (within two minutes of her putting it on, because she's a total mess), she gets so, so distraught because her Daddy's Darlin' shirt is messy.

She's such a joy.

Here are a few pictures she asked me to take of her. The first is of her wearing her Daddy Darlin' shirt, her new church hat (which she refuses inside a church, ironically), and her sunglasses.

Ellie trying on hats while Mama desperately searches for a pink cardigan to make my black dress Eastery. For the important record: pink cardigan not found.

Daybook for 3-27-13

Outside my window...

• Still dark, at 7:20am. The moon woke me up at about 5am because it was so bright. My mind was convinced that it was closer to 7 and I couldn't go back to sleep. It was a beautiful moon and I really enjoy greeting the morning with my husband, some coffee, and quiet time with Our Lord (that lasted for like two minutes because the girls woke up soon after).

I am thankful for...

• Passiontide and Holy Week. This has been a fruitful Lent and I pray that this last week of penance will help my soul grow into holiness and help prepare my soul for the joy that is coming on Sunday. The Triduum is my very favorite set of feasts during the year. 

• Books. They get me through mundane days of chores. I reward myself for doing a chore with a chapter or ten or twenty.

• This is redundant, but my husband. He truly is such a blessing. 

• My sweet, innocent little girls. 

• Recipes from the older ladies in Slaton. I have a nice little booklet of them and I flipped through yesterday and planned dishes for Easter from them. I love anything passed on from generation to generation and I feel like they shared a part of their family history with this young wife who has no claim to cooking fame.
• Finding a gorgeous, affordable dress at Kohl's last night. And by that, I mean I met a friend up there while running errands in town to give her a ride back into Slaton and she had found it and then I copied her and bought it, too. We won't wear it at the same time (we have four dresses that are exactly the same [at least four, maybe more!], and have never matched....completely.)! We just both have a great sense of style!

I am thinking about...

• On Passion Sunday (in the Tradtional Rite, please excuse my ignorance on the Novus Ordo on this), the Sunday before Palm Sunday, all holy images are veiled. I once heard in a sermon the following explanation of Church tradition:
  Beginning on Passion Sunday, images are veiled so the emotional side of seeking God is removed. We can no longer look at beautiful paintings or statues or crucifixes to lift our souls into prayer. We have to seek Him intellectually. On Holy Thursday, the Blessed Sacrament and Holy Water are removed from the church; we literally have to seek His Presence elsewhere. On Good Friday, The Most Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, is taken away and we are left with Good Friday liturgy (Mass of the Presanctified). On Holy Saturday, at Easter Vigil, even light is taken away. Our senses are forced into confusion and a little bit of fear (don't lie and act like it doesn't make you panic for a moment when the church goes completely black!....the priest did not say this, this is Melanie's commentary. He is much holier than I.). We are left with nothing, except hope, just like the disciples were 2000 years ago. 
  Isn't that beautiful? In our little family, we also fast from technology and light. Does that sound weird? We do our best to avoid internet use, kindles (uuuughhh), phones, radios, TV, and even electricity when we come home from Holy Thursday Mass and do our best to maintain it throughout the Triduum (obviously some has to be used!). Last year was the first time we did it and it was beautiful to enter into the holiest of days in such a way. This year, Joseph is traveling on Good Friday and Holy Saturday, so phones won't be counted into this.

***edited to remark that the technology fast did not happen this year. Next year! Next year!****

• Joseph's big, big job interview on Holy Saturday. At first, I was indignant that he has one on such a holy day, but then I wanted to slap myself because what better day to have an important, much-prayed-for event to happen on? 

• Also thinking about how I forgot, for the fourth week in a row, to get printer paper at Wal-Mart. This will affect my answer to the next question. 

In the Schoolroom...

Very, very organic learning. We have no paper on which to print out worksheets. 

From the kitchen...

Remember that attempt to go paleo? I didn't either.

I am creating...

• Pretty outfits for three banquet-type events we have next week. April 3,6,9. Come on, people. I need to repeat outfits and I can't do that if they are only a few days apart each. And with the same people. Rest assured, I will be repeating for the hooding ceremony.

• Invitations for my younger sister's (hi, Meg) bridal shower. And by I am, I mean Joseph is. But I will do wording and mailing. Consider myself praised. 

• Announcements for Joseph's graduation. I joke that we don't know anyone. Until we put together a list of people we need to send announcements to and then I want to throw up at all the people we know.

I am working on...

• Pretty outfits. Several fancy (but not too dressy!) ones that I need in the coming weeks. Accessories that will go with all of them so I don't have to buy too much. (I like clothes, what can I say?)

• Wisdom, gentleness, charity, humility.  Always. That seems a lot more intimidating now that I type it out.
• Diversifying my cooking. 

Clicking Around...

• http://www.audiosancto.org/sermon/20030116-Family-Virtues.html
  Great sermon. Listen to it, most especially if you have children.

I am reading...

• The Mother of the Little Flower about Blessed Zelie Martin. I love this little book and I think every mother should read it.

• Just finished some books by Lynn Austin not even worth mentioning, so I'm currently in between novels. 

I am praying for...

• Still, our new papa.

• A job, particularly a job with the firm Joseph is interviewing with this week (no particular reason other than he's interviewing with it)

• Some special, quiet intentions. Any sacrifices or prayers offered up for them, as well, would be much appreciated. 

I am hearing...

Story Keeper's in the background. My mantra this week is, if the kids have to watch TV, make it Biblical at least. 

Around the house...

• Cleaning and preparing for our Easter guests. Obviously not too much since I'm doing this. I finally caught up with ironing and laundry from our bought with stomach bugs! Back patted.

• That herb garden I mentioned? The cilantro was too far gone for me to save, apparently. We're down to mint, chives, and swiss chard. And aloe vera! Did I mention that? We've even used it already! Molly fell off our porch and scraped her face pretty badly. After a few applications of aloe straight from the plant, it's GONE. 

One of my favorite things...

• A cup of coffee in a quiet house early in the morning. 

• Preparing for my little girl's FIFTH birthday. I've been searching for a good gift for her. Any suggestions, moms out there? I love birthdays (or holidays, or half-holidays, or special feast days!) and that love has been passed down to her (a frequent question in our house is, "Mommy, what feast day is it?"). She's such a joy and a help and I want to celebrate her beautiful life so that she remembers it.

• Ellie's "Darling" shirt. I'll write a post about that soon.

A few plans for the rest of the week...

• Triduum and all that goes with it. 

• Easter! A brother-in-law and his wife (that feels cold and unfeeling...how could I better explain this?) getting their marriage blessed and recognized by The Church. The same wife (I can call her a sister-in-law now!) coming into The Church. 

• A job interview!

A picture thought...

This was the first year we've veiled the holy images in our home. The girls got really excited and Molly even made crucifixes out of construction paper so we could veil more images. Unfortunately, I'd run out of purple fabric. I'm glad for the excuse because I think she would have made about 1000 more holy images. 

The veiling was truly, a blessing for our family. We've placed these images around our home as an external reminder of what our interior should be focused on. I've been particular about where I place certain holy cards or little statues, knowing that they are "hot spots" for frustration or anger (washing dishes, our school area, our living room). Being able to quickly glance at an image of Our Lady holding the Baby Jesus was more calming than I realized. Veiling these images truly did take away an emotional seeking of God and left me seeking Him more in prayer than a quick glance at an image. 

Passiontide, you've been good for me.

*Yes, I know they are cut haphazardly and aren't ironed. It's all in the name of humility or laziness. You pick.*

Daybook for 3-13-13

Outside my window...

Windy! West Texas winds never fail. It's also beautiful, sunny, and the perfect combo of warm and cool when the dust isn't pelting your face.

I am thankful for...

The traditions of Holy Mother Church. Watching the coverage of the announcement of Pope Francis today, sitting next to my husband and two girls, was beautiful. It reminds me why I cling so strongly to the Traditional Mass. The pomp and circumstance we saw today (and in the Latin Mass) is what Catholics, ages before us, have witnessed.  

For spring break. I'm only one kid down during this week, but one kid does make a difference. Joseph is home a wee bit more this week, too!

Second job interviews. On Holy Saturday, one of the holiest days of the year. Penance and sacrifice for this intention? I'll take two. Ora pro nobis, all of Heaven.

I am thinking about...

Pope Francis. Trying to remember this momentous day. And praying for his reign.

Also, equally important, my Easter outfit.

(I kid. It's more important.)

(I kid again.)

In the Schoolroom...

Reading, reading, reading. That smart girl of ours scored 8/20 levels on a reading placement test that tested through age seven. She's got a natural proclivity toward geography, history, English, math, science, religion, languages...wait. I'm in trouble.

From the kitchen...

Trying to go paleo. Failing miserably. I like grain. I also frequently get sick after eating. Something's gotta give!

I am creating...

Boxes of packed items. I know we're not moving for months more, but I hate moving and I want to pack what we're not using. I just purged our biggest junk areas and hope to do one more round before the boxes are packed up. How do we have so much stuff we never, ever use?

I am working on...

Peace in all things. I'm such an anxious sort that any kind of change stresses me out and my weak little mind jumps to worst-case scenarios. 

A routine! Why can't I figure out a balance between school, cooking, loving on my two (three!) girls, and cleaning???? WHY?

Graduation! Announcements, presents, housing for out-of-town guests, job search, etc.! Who knew that I was supposed to have this all planned out months before it happens?

Lent. It's almost over and I feel like it hasn't been as fruitful as it could have been.

Clicking Around...

Pope coverage.

I am reading...

A Light To My Path by Lynn Austen. I read The Chronicles of the Kings by the same author and I LOVED it. This series is okay, but definitely not as good as Chronicles. 

I am praying for...

Our new papa - for his strength of faith, for his orthodoxy, the courage to clean house.

A job. A job, dear Lord, a job. Please. 

I am hearing...

LOST in the background, Joseph playing a game on his computer, quiet from the girls' room. Peace, joy, love.

Around the house...

Piles of purged items. Donate! Save! Throw away! Why do we have all this stuff? I hope the piles get removed from my house tomorrow.

A new herb garden! Mint, cilantro, chives, swiss chard, aloe vera. I can't wait for this little collection to grow. I love growing and nurturing things. Kind of sounds like I'm a Catholic mama, huh?

One of my favorite things...

Cauliflower pizza crust. Google it. Love it. Eat it oft.

Our trash can. I'm in a purging mood. 

LOST. Always with Lost. The show by which we judge all other shows.

Chronicles of the Kings, Mark of the Lion - I couldn't think of anything else, so I put my favorite books up.

A few plans for the rest of the week...

Tomorrow - purge! clean! Easter is coming! Graduation nears! A move looms! If I'm going 
to feel anxiety, I'm going to do something about it, at least.

Friday - a consignment sale to buy our growing girls wardrobes since they have approximately no spring/summer clothes; then a day off. Joseph and I both agreed to give each other one full day off during Spring Break. I plan on reading and sleeping intermittently. 

A picture thought...

I don't know much about the new Vicar of Christ, our Supreme Pontiff, our visible Head of the Church, but I do know this quote does much to calm my anxiety in regard to any misgivings. It was said to St. Francis of Assisi (who some say Our Holy Father chose his name from) by Our Lord. May he truly repair. And clean house. :-D