Mom On A Mission is officially sick. Hopefully, the blog will continue tomorrow as the sickness appears to be fast moving. She is already far better than earlier today. Please check back.

Sorry, there is no blog again. Joke-A-Lot has been in bed all day, but to be honest now I am wondering if my stomach isn't feeling well or if it is just in my head. Better take care of myself and get rest. Although my stomach could be hurting from frantically searching the house high and low for Mr. Fix-It's wallet. He went to Sam's Club tonight and I was so afraid it fell out of his pocket. Thank you for your prayers St. Anthony. Only an inspiration from God could get me to look BEHIND THE BEDROOM DOOR! All we can think is that Curly got a hold of it and for some reason threw it behind the door, but that doesn't even make sense. Who cares! Just glad it is here. I will be back to normal blogging tomorrow (unless another child goes down for the count). We appreciate any prayers that went out for Joke-A-Lot. Her smile is coming back and I think after a good nights rest she will be up and running again.

Sorry, no blog today. Joke-A-Lot is sick. Please pray that she gets better soon and that the others don't get it. Unfortunately, I can't help Mr. Fix-It. I had my class tonight from 4-10 and will also have it tomorrow from 7-7. I need it to keep my teaching license updated. As I always say "the only thing worse than have one sick kid is having four sick kids". I reminded Joke-A-Lot to pick a person to offer her suffering up for. I know God can use our suffering for the good of others. Look how he used Jesus' suffering, death and resurrection to save us.

February 25, 2010

"Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you." Matthew 7:7

Song of the Day
"Somebody's Praying" by Ricky Skaggs
This song has always stirred up strong emotion for me as it rings so true in my life, but then I searched for the youtube and came upon this http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V_QN9A98dYo and saw a whole different side. Let's pray for all those fighting in our military and for those families whose loved ones have paid the ultimate price, including my father-in-law who was killed in the Vietnam War.

Food
Today was Race Car's 5th birthday. When they turn 5, they get a birthday party with little kids. Not really wanting to have a group of 5 year old boys running around our house, we went to an indoor play area. IT WAS PERFECT! We had cake and ice cream there. For now there are no birthday's in sight until Good Friday, which is Joke-A-Lot's 8th birthday. So, thankfully we will be able to be completely off of sugar for awhile.

"Stuff" Detachment
I grabbed the 3 items from the girls room. One item was a big stuffed teddy bear that neither girl even likes. It actually kind of scares them, so it is pretty much shoved under a table, but I was the one that would never get rid of it because my grandma had given it to them. Well, the truth is my grandma gave them a lot of things, one of which is a different non-scary smaller teddy bear that Joke-A-Lot loves. So, just learning that letting go of something she gave me doesn't take away from how much I love her. I also grabbed a handful of neon, crazy, wild hair things that the girls have had for years and have yet to wear them once.

Spiritual Growth
The quote from the gospel reading today is at the top of the post. This struck me because I remember hearing about this in the talk that I highly recommended a few posts back. I will put the link here again. This is so good, titled "Can God Be Trusted?" http://vimeo.com/7830792 He talked about how a loving father would give them things they would like, but a loving father would never give them something to their detriment. We may think we know what is best, but we need to understand that God has the big picture. We see one piece of the 10,000 piece puzzle and think we have it all figure out. Race Car might think it would be a terrific idea for him to take the mini van for a race around the block, but clearly we as parents know otherwise.

From Searching for and maintaining Peace by Fr. Jacques Philippe, "Christian life is a combat, . . . St. Paul in a letter to the Ephesians, invites us to put on the armor of God to fight not against human enemies . . .but against the cosmic powers of this dark world and the spiritual forces of evil in the heavens." (v 10-12 "It is the combat of one who struggles with the absolute certitude that the victory is already won, because the Lord is resurrected. . . He does not fight with his own strength, but with that of the Lord, Who says to him, My grace is enough for you, for My power manifests itself in your weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9) We are in a battle. This battle can hurt our inner peace, but yet God's power manifests itself in our weakness. He should really be able to manifest himself in me then, since I have a boatload of weaknesses. I will discuss this more tomorrow.

Today's Menu
Breakfast: I have no idea. Mr. Fix-It was home since it was Race Car's birthday, so he did the breakfast.

Lunch: Yet, more egg noodles (they are all gone finally), ham sandwiches, vege tray

Snack: Birthday cake and vanilla ice cream

Dinner: Angel Hair Pasta, Classico Spicy Red Pepper Sauce, Simek's Italian meatballs, white bread, cake and ice cream

Snack: My dad's famous popcorn for our movie night to top off our birthday celebration

February 24, 2010

"For thus says the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel: By waiting and by calm you shall be saved; in quiet and in trust your strength lies, but you would have none of it." Isaiah 30:15

Food
I continue to try new things. Today was a tortilla with scrambled eggs and cheese. I was really hoping Curly wouldn't see the eggs, because he refuses to eat them. Of course, there he sat trying to pick the eggs out saying "Icky". Oh well, I tried. Also, went to Target to pick up Race Car's cake for his party tomorrow. The bakery ladies saw us coming and had 4 chocolate chip cookies waiting for us (they give free cookies to kids). I explained we were just there for the cake. Probably wouldn't have made sense to explain we were off of sugar for Lent as we were picking up a cake. Not a word from the kids about the cookies, not even Curly. Are they adjusting to this so easily? I have to think Curly never saw the cookie because I am quite sure he would have give the Battle Cry all of the way out of Target if that cookie would have been in his line of vision.

"Stuff" Detachment
I made good progress today. Put the Little People Noah's Ark and one of the many sets of race cars in the donate bag. Also grabbed one of Mr. Fix-It's computer books. I have to believe a computer book with the year 2003 on it is probably pretty useless, but I did okay it with him before getting rid of it.

Spiritual Growth
I went with the kids to Mass today. Artsy went up to the side alter to see if the red construction heart she left for Jesus with the words "I Luv you Jesus. Yes!" was still there. She was thrilled to see that it was gone because she really wanted "Jesus to come and take it".

It seems that I always get a blessing after I leave Mass. Today, as soon as I got in the car, I heard another of my favorite songs, "I was Made to Love you" http://www.youtube.com/watchv=IXhwFCWuMTo&feature=related
Add adoration tonight while the girls were at religion along with confession for both Joke-A-Lot and I, and I would say that is a pretty good day.

I wanted to get back to the book "Searching for and Maintaining Peace" by Fr. Jacques Philippe. "Often, we cause ourselves to become agitated and disturbed by trying to resolve everything by ourselves, when it would be more efficacious to remain peacefully before the gaze of God and to allow him to act and work in us with His wisdom and power, which are infinitely superior to ours." (page 6) This is what I need to do much more often. It seems easy to read the daily readings, meditations, rosary, Divine Mercy Chaplet, etc., but it is so hard to slow myself down and just be with God, just listening and pondering His amazing mysteries. And I have to give up on the idea that this will ever happen while I have 4 children loaded with energy fluttering around. This needs to be specified quiet time. It is essential that we do this. "Acquire interior peace and a multitude will find its salvation through you," said St. Seraphim of Sarov.

"Acquiring and maintaining interior peace, which is impossible without prayer, should consequently be considered a priority for everybody, above all for those who claim to want to do good for their neighbor. Otherwise, more often than not they would simply be communicating their own restlessness and distress." I know people like this, no matter what is going on, peace exudes from them. I want to strive for this as well. I get frazzled and yelling pretty quick, from 0 to 100 in 15 seconds.

While spending time with our Lord in adoration, I was reading from the Diary of St. Faustina. A particular quote from her (below) is exactly how I am feeling today as I still wonder what the heck I am doing with this blog, but I can tell you this. I am abundantly more aware of God's blessings. My intention and desire is to do nothing more than the will of God. I am trying desperately to get my fear out of the way and allow God's courage to come through. I will end with this.
"Do what You will with me, O Jesus; I will adore You in everything. May Your will be done in me, O my Lord and my God, and I will praise Your infinite mercy." (page 40)

Today's Menu
Breakfast: Tortilla with scrambled egg and melted cheese, blueberries

Lunch: Toasted Cheese made with Nature's Pride, 100% whole wheat double fiber bread and marble jack cheese, vege tray

Snack: Mixed nuts, no oils or salt, just plain nuts (cashews, walnuts, pecans, and almonds), fruit cup (grapefruit, oranges, and grapes)

Dinner: Cheap steak sandwich, Extra Crispy Crinkles (Ore-Ida)

February 23, 2010

"When the just cry out, the Lord hears and rescues them from all distress. The Lord is close to the broken-hearted, saves those whose spirit is crushed." Psalm 34:18-19

Food
I dropped Joke-A-Lot off at Culver's to knit with these older ladies, about 40 of them. They usually get free drinks,but she knew that during lent she wouldn't be able to have any. We arrive to find out it is "free frozen custard for the knitters day", so before I left I told her she could have some. Come on. Who can turn down free custard? We'll she did. When I picked her up and asked what flavor she had, she said she decided not to have any. Her First Holy Communion is coming up in April, so for each sacrifice she envisions a beautiful flower in her soul. She is working to have a beautiful bouquet in her soul to give to Jesus when she receives Him in the Eucharist.

"Stuff" Detachment
Again, I have been lacking. I will be right back as I go and purge our home from 3 unneeded items. Okay, I got two black headbands that give me a headache every time I wear them and a set of "stay put" headwraps that certainly don't stay put. Why do I keep this stuff? It doesn't work for me.

Spiritual Growth
A few thoughts came to mind today. This morning when I read the Bible verse from psalms (quoted at the top of the page), I am reminded that my poor dad who is in need of healing on all levels is in good hands. "The Lord is close to the broken-hearted, saves those who spirit is crushed." My dad's spirit is crushed and I am going to hold onto that verse with all that I have.

I was also thinking about our life on earth, full of blessings and bummers.

Blessing: I have such a great mom. She was amazing.
Bummer: She died when she was 62.
Blessing: Curly was born almost a year to the date after my mom died (missed it by 30 minutes).
Bummer: My labor and deliveries never go well, but leave haunting memories in my head.
Blessing: We are all filled with good health.
Bummer: It feels like I have lost my dad too, despite him being here physically.
Blessing: I still have my dad.
Bummer: Mr. Fix-It never met his dad, as he was killed in the Vietnam War.
Blessing: Most of my family is within 5 hours of driving.
Bummer: Mr. Fix-It's family is withing 20 hours of driving. That is one long trip.

This is our life on earth. The Lord gives and takes away. Instead of viewing life like it is going too fast, as I always do, I need to view it as we are one day closer to spending eternity with the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords. I need not waste any time fretting over the small things of life. I guarantee I won't remember 90% of the things that get me so upset in a day. The song "Blessed Be the Name of the lord" speaks to all of this and always reminds me of my mom. No matter how hard things can be we must always come through saying "Blessed Be the Name of the Lord." Click here to listen. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RRbxEPn6khw
That poor Canadian woman skater, lost her mom on Sunday and was skating today. How hard must that have been? If there is anyone out there reading this, please pray for her and her family.

I have lots to share about the book "Searching for Maintaining Peace", but will do so hopefully tomorrow.

Today's Menu
Breakfast: Egg with Toast (Nature's Pride 100% Whole Wheat Double Fiber), fruit cup (grapefruit, oranges, and grapes)

Lunch: More Egg Noodles with Parmesan cheese (lots of leftovers), vege tray with dip (Curly was not happy that the cherry tomatoes were gone).

Dinner: Angel hair pasta, ground beef (grass-fed from farmer), Classico Spicy Red Pepper Sauce, Take and Bake Bread Sticks from Target, Parmesan cheese, pears

February 22, 2010

Jesus said to them "But who do you say that I am?" Simon Peter said in reply, "You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God." Jesus said to him in reply, "Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah. For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my heavenly Father. And so I say to you, you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church, and the gates of the netherworld shall not prevail against it. I will give you the keys to the kingdom of heaven. Whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven; and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven."

Food
Mr. Fix-It came home today and confessed quickly that he had a "slip" today. Yes, it happens. They had a birthday lunch and next thing you know there was a chocolate chip cookie in his mouth. After dinner, Race Car asked if he could have a dessert. Habits die hard. But then I said "Yes" and pulled out the Kashi Oatmeal Raisin Flax cookies and he enjoyed it.

"Stuff" Detachment
I let go of three more big books. "What to expect when you are expecting", "What to expect during baby's 1st year" and a different 1st year book. Who knows if we will have more children, but heck after 4 children, what are they going to tell me that I don't already know. I'll donate them so a newly pregnant mother can poor over ever word just like I did 8 years ago.

Spiritual Growth
Interestingly, this has become my favorite part of my blog. Next would be "stuff" detachment and then the food. Isn't that interesting considering the title of my blog. I am just so pleasantly surprised that the family has been so easy going.

Today has been filled with a couple wonderful blessings. I hope there is someone out there reading this because I think this is so cool. We got a late start as we all slept in after the busy weekend. The kids had a little school done, but I knew Mass would only help my day flow more smoothly instead of hindering it. So, we went. Two awesome things happened.

First, after Mass, Artsy said she wanted to go up to the front of the church. I was confused until she showed me a red construction heart folded in half. I thought she made it for one of the old timers since we had made a few Valentine cookies for them the week before. She wanted to put it up by the statue of Jesus. As we got up there, I figured I better look inside to make sure it was okay. It read: "I luv you Jesus. Yes!"
She opened the heart and set it by the candles. I told her that it may be gone the next time we come and she said "I hope so. I want Jesus to take it." This was all on her own. I had no idea she even made it let alone brought it with her until after Mass.

The second thing happened when this kind old-timer came over and asked if he could take us to lunch. Who does that? Who invites a woman and her four little kids to have lunch? The church is attached to an elderly care center, where they serve meals. We have come to get to know this man over the last few months. This isn't our home parish, so we only see him at daily Mass. I have always encouraged the kids to be of service while we are there since there are so many elderly people. So, they hold door, smile, and chat (which isn't hard for any of them). And every once in awhile he will give one of them a coin of some sort when they hold the door for him. He has 5 grown children of his own. The kids were thrilled beyond thrilled to eat somewhere other than home, especially when he got them some Oreo pudding. Oh boy. I certainly couldn't put the kibosh on that one.

You know, I so often question our choice to homeschool and if it is the right choice. Today, I felt I received a resounding "yes" from the Lord, at least for now. These are priceless opportunities for them. Our goal is to lead our children to Heaven. Of course, there are a lot of other things in addition to this that we hope for, but none of them compare to an eternity with the King of Kings. Maybe, God will call us to private or public school in the future, but for today I have been reassured that we are following the Lord's will.

Today's Menu
Breakfast: Oatmeal made with whole milk, mashed banana, and cinnamon, Jone's Brand sausage links

Lunch: Hamburger, turkey/cheese sandwich, pineapple, goldfish, and the Oreo pudding

Snack: Sliced apples

Dinner: Leftover Chicken soup, egg noodles, fresh vege tray with dip, oranges, homemade white bread, Kashi Oatmeal Raisin Flax Cookie.

February 21, 2010

"For we are his handiwork, created in Christ Jesus for the good works that God has prepared in advance, that we should live in them." Ephesians 2:10

Food
Joke-A-Lot fantasized on the way home from church today about how we might be able to get donuts after church on Easter Sunday like we have in the past. I am hoping as the Lenten season continues her fond memories of donuts after church every Sunday will fade. Although, I thought it was a nice family tradition, I have since realized that donuts shouldn't be a weekly tradition, maybe working through the Bible timeline series might be a better tradition. We have the adult series and the children's stuff for them to work on at the same time, so it would only take the effort. Maybe next Sunday. Today was Race Car's 5th birthday party. So, cake and ice cream and soda were part of the day. Plus, Artsy went to a different birthday party also where she had a couple treats.

"Stuff" Detachment
I think I might be onto something with this 3 things a day deal. At first thought, 3 things a day seems like nothing, but slowly the donation bags are getting filled and it is taking almost no effort. Yes, I would love to have the time to attack the house and really make a dent, but let's face it. I can barely string 10 minutes of uninterrupted time together, how would I ever get the time to plow through the house. I got rid of the nice robe that is brand new. Mr. Fix-It isn't a robe guy. So, after I donate it, someone who is a robe guy can enjoy it. Also, grabbed 3 pair of my 80's earrings. Not seeing myself wearing the pastel pink hoop earrings in the near future. I am becoming a little more free every day.

Spiritual Growth
Curly's godfather sent a talk by a priest in the Legionaires of Christ. He thought it might be good for my dad to listen to with his multitude of problems. It is titled "Can God Be Trusted?" http://vimeo.com/7830792
During Race Car's party, I was home with my brother and my dad while everyone else went sledding, so we listened to this talk. IT WAS AWESOME! I would highly recommend listening. He also has a book, which I will have to add to my reading list.

In my new book about maintaining peace, there was a fabulous comparison. He was talking about how for us to be able to do the works that God prepared for us beforehand, it was essential that we strive to acquire and maintain an interior peace. My words couldn't do it justice, so here it is. "Consider the surface of a lake, above which the sun is shining. If the surface of the lake is peaceful and tranquil, the sun will be reflected in this lake; and the more peaceful the lake, the more perfectly will it be reflected. If, on the contrary, the surface of the lake is agitated, undulating, then the image of the sun can not be reflected in it. It is a bit like this with regard to our soul in relationship to God. The more our soul is peaceful and tranquil, the more God is reflected in it, the more His image expresses itself in us, the more His grace acts through us. On the other hand, if our soul is agitated and troubled, the grace of God is able to act only with much greater difficulty." (Searching for and Maintaining Peace, page 5) Isn't that awesome?

Today's Menu
Breakfast: Peanut butter toast or peanut butter bagel or white toast with butter and some cheese.

Lunch: Scrambled Eggs, sausage links, pears

Dinner: My dear mother's famous chicken soup (everyone loved it), white rice, egg noodles, small mandarin oranges, homemade white bread with butter

Birthday Celebration: My dear mother's famous jello cake (husband approved for sure) and cookie dough ice cream, root beer and mountain dew (soda only on birthday's)

February 20, 2010

"Whoever remains in me and I in him will bear much fruit, because without me you can do nothing". John 15:5

Food
It seems there are exceptions everyday. Joke-A-Lot and Artsy had a party tonight where they did enjoy a few treats. Tomorrow is Race Car's family birthday party, so once again treats. It is all good though. They have accepted it so willingly.

"Stuff" Detachment
Well, today after asking Artsy to put her Tinker Bell art stuff away twice, I threw it in the garbage. I waited for the tears, but they never came. I felt bad, but it didn't appear that she did. Finally I just had to ask "Did you even like that stuff?" Her response was "Not really." So, this is just one more example that most children in the U.S. have so much that throwing certain things away don't even phase them because in her case she knows she has about 25 other coloring books. To be honest, I think all those Tinker Bell girls look like street walkers anyway. Since it is late at night and I have been running all day, I am considering that my three things since the tin I threw away had way more than three things.

"Spiritual Growth"
I started a new book today called "Searching for and Maintaining Peace" by Fr. Jacques Philippe. When I was at the bookstore yesterday, it seemed this small book literally jumped off the shelf and into my hands. Probably because that same day, my head almost detached from my body when the woman in front of me at the stoplight sat through a full green arrow, despite my "polite" honks. She was clueless, so there we sat for about 5 more minutes because it is a long light. But do you know what? I wasn't really in a rush to get anywhere. The extra 5 minutes didn't kill me. And to be honest, instead of shooting her dagger looks in her side mirror, the time would have been better spent praying. To get upset over something that will be completely meaningless by the end of the day is yet another reminder that I need to continue to strive for that peace that surpasses all understanding, the peace that only our Lord can give, that peace that is there through all circumstances. So, this book will be good. I am going to read only a paragraph a day sharing whatever touches my soul.

"In order to understand how fundamental it is for the development of the Christian life to strive to acquire and maintain peace of heart, the first thing of which we must be convinced is that all the good that we can do comes from God and from Him alone. . . We often have to experience failures, trials and humiliations, permitted by God, before this truth imposes itself on us, not only on an intellectual level, but as an experience of our entire being. . . According to the testimony of all the saints, it is indispensable for us to acquire this knowledge." (page 1)

Today's Menu
Breakfast: Oatmeal made with whole milk, mashed banana, cinnamon, whole milk plain yogurt flavored with a couple drops of french vanilla stevia

Lunch: Mr. Fix-It did lunch. I don't ask questions.

Dinner: Joke-A-Lot and Artsy had cheese pizza, sugared peach tea, sugar cookie, chocolate kisses, and popcorn at their party. I was there helping the "due any day with her 7th child" mom. The rest of the family had Pasty's. According to Mr. Fix-It, Pasty's are not a favorite for Race Car or Curly.

February 19, 2010

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, on your own intelligence rely not; In all your ways be mindful of him, and he will make straight your paths." Proverbs 3:5-6

This was the verse of the day for me. I continue to be baffled about what I am doing, but I am trusting that come the end of my Lenten journey, spiritual growth will be evident through my blog.

Food
Today was an atypical day. The kids had their valentine exchange at their homeschool group. I gave them the option of eating their stuff today or offering a sacrifice and saving it until after Lent. I told them that I didn't care either way. Joke-A-Lot chose to save her treats until after Lent. The other two had a complete feast on treats. Even Curly had two butter cookies. It is all gone, back on track tomorrow. Clearly, not a real nutritious day (see menu below), but gratefully this isn't the norm for us.

"Stuff" Detachment
See, this is good that I am accountable or else I would have forgotten today. I am going right now to rid this house of three things. Hang on. Okay, what I found is a cake book that I have had for about 9 years and never used one recipe. Boy, that is will be missed. The second item is one of the thousands of stuffed animals in this house. Definitely could do without that. And lastly, I grabbed a pair of plaid shorts from about 15 years ago. I noticed as I was going around that I avoid giving away things simply because of who gave it to me, whether it is of use anymore or not. For some reason, it feels as if I am hurting their feelings. Hopefully, this will change over Lent. People matter, not stuff.

Spiritual Growth
Artsy led the Divine Mercy Chaplet and Race Car did great on the rosary beads, but was really ticked off when we got to the end and he was off one bead. To be honest, I think having something physical for him to hold helps him calm down. I stopped at the catholic bookstore today. Got a bible and tabs for our nephew who will be confirmed soon. Also found this terrific book called "His Little Princess" with letters from our Lord to the recipient. It is beautiful and I think Joke-A-Lot will love to receive it for her First Communion. Every little girl wants to be a princess and how wonderful that they really are princesses of the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords. How much better could it get? Tonight, we did the stations of the cross as a family. Joke-A-Lot asked if I was crying. Of course I was as I am very sensitive. I just think of our Lord being nailed to the cross and being trapped and unable to move. And I think of the Blessed Mother holding her sons' lifeless body in her arms. Thank God for the resurrection because I would be in a deep depression for the rest of my life if the story ended there.



Today's Menu

Breakfast: Joke-A-Lot (marble jack cheese with triscuits, pears), Artsy (1/2 Brainy Bagel from Natural Ovens with peanut butter, pear), Race Car (cheerio look alikes with whole milk, cantaloupe), Curly (cheerio look alikes and lots of cantaloupe)

Lunch: McDonalds (hamburger no pickle, small fry, water)

Snack: Valentine exchange at their group - candy

Dinner: Culvers (breaded walleye, french fries, pears)

February 18, 2010

I am already seeing how this blog might be a blessing to me. Knowing that I will be writing seems to open my eyes more to God's beauty around me. The girls did receive some guidance on what they should do for lent. Artsy (6) is going to stop pouting. Yes! I couldn't have picked a better idea myself. Joke-A-Lot (7) is going to call her grandfather every day and read the daily Bible readings to him as he is blind. Another great idea. I knew God would come through and I am glad that I didn't come up with the ideas for them.

We chatted with some old-timers after Mass, as some of the kids held the door for the elderly. Daily Mass yields only blessings for our family. The sun was shining. It was a beautiful day. I felt I received a gift from our Lord when driving home from Mass. The song "I can only imagine" came on during the 10 minute ride home. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ITGpelp5ZTQ
This song is a treasure to me as it resonates beautiful images of my dear mom, trying to imagine how wonderful things are for her now. May her soul and all the souls of the faithfully departed through the mercy of God, rest in peace.

I have decided to put the menu below for anyone who is interested. A word about the Lara Bars listed below. These are obscenely expensive, but made of only good things, like unsweetened apples, walnuts, cinnamon, raisins, and stuff like that. You can only feel good to give a "dessert" like that. Unfortunately, only Race Car and Curly liked it. Joke-A-Lot wouldn't even try it. At dinner, I didn't get a very nice look from Mr. Fix-It when I told him that he couldn't have his hot taco sauce as it has corn syrup listed 3rd, "Sorry honey, you said you were game for this". Thankfully, he is easy going and was appeased with the hot salsa sauce I had as an alternate. Artsy also said "Will you tell me when the days are over and we can have desserts again?" Didn't have the heart to tell her that we are only 1/23 of the way through lent. She also went on to talk about how she hopes there is a white chocolate cross in her Easter Basket. Other than this, they really haven't said much at all.

I stood there yesterday trying to figure out what to throw away, as I had committed to throwing 3 things away, and realized how attached I really am to "stuff". I finally relented and grabbed the $1 dictionary and $1 thesaurus from Target that never had the words we looked up in it anyway, along with something that I already forgot. Proves the point that there is way too much stuff if I don't even remember what it was that I got rid of. This may prove to be more freeing than anything. Today, I got rid of the VHS of Pinocchio and two other DVDs. We haven't watched them in well over a year. I am sure if anyone really has an itch to watch Pinocchio, we can find it at the library. Thank God for the library.

The Divine Mercy chaplet has been going wonderfully. Joke-A-Lot and Artsy take turns leading it and Race Car has been taking an interest in following along on the rosary beads and to my surprise he starts to join in with us. It has been very calm and enjoyable.

The following verse is from one of today's reading "Choose life, then, that you and your descendants may live, by loving the Lord, your God, heeding His voice, and holding fast to Him." Deuteronomy 30:19-20. I feel like that is what I am doing, trying to heed his voice. I have prayed that if this isn't his will, that it will self-destruct because it certainly will take a good chunk of time. But come the end of Lent, I will understand more fully if this was indeed the will of God or the chatter in my head. So, I commit this over to the Lord and ask His blessing if this is His will. This is certainly out of my comfort zone, but the last time I stepped out of my technology comfort zone, I found Mr. Fix-It. He was well worth stepping into the unknown for.

Today's Menu

Breakfast: Oatmeal made with whole milk, mashed banana, cinnamon

Lunch: Toasted white bread w/butter, ham, cheese, canteloupe, blueberries, oranges, or pears, apple pie Lara Bar

Dinner: Tacos made with corn and flour tortillas, ground beef, tomatoes, lettuce, cheese, canteloupe

February 17, 2010

Ash Wednesday

As I begin Lent, I sit here wondering what this season will bring. I had this wonderful idea of getting our family off of sugar. I am already off of sugar and have been for 4.5 years, but the husband and youngsters have been thoroughly enjoying my love of baking, probably to their detriment. Now, when I mean off of sugar, I mean off of sugar. All labels will be checked. If sugar is in the first four ingredients, it won't be an option for this family. And keep in mind there are a ton of names for sugar. Fruit will be allowed as it has the fiber to go with the fructose sugars, but no juices. Our drinks will be milk, water, tea, and coffee.

The journey actually began probably a week ago when I purposefully began using up the treats in the house. Then yesterday, I tore through the cupboards in search of any items not conducive to our Lenten practice this year. Some we used up yesterday, some got thrown away, and a few things got stored downstairs. We celebrated our Mardi Gras with a cake and ice cream. I told them they could eat as much as they wanted, just to make sure they listened to their stomachs. They all had one piece, some ice cream and were done. Over half the cake was left. I was thrilled. As a recovering compulsive overeater, I would have been determined to finish the cake so as not to waste any. Knowing that there wasn't enough cake there to satisfy me like they had been satisfied, I threw it in the garbage. This is one of the reasons I don't eat sugar. There was never an amount that satisfied me. I would just keep eating and eventually be sick. Their satisfaction with one average piece of cake and a scoop of ice cream was one more sign that they indeed were not following in my footsteps, but nonetheless learning a more healthy way of eating could only benefit them. So the Lenten journey begins.

My interest is peaked as I don't know what to expect from this journey. Will this be a story of spiritual growth for our family. Will God use this sacrifice, this turning from food and turning toward him to grow our family spiritually? Of course, in order to do this, we need to have something we turn toward to help us grow. We will be doing the Divine Mercy Chaplet daily at 3:00pm. We will be going to daily Mass when possible. I also feel God is calling me to purge "stuff". So, I will get rid of or donate 3 items a day from our house. This journal, which now is a blog, is interesting too, as I don't know necessarily why I am writing it other than because I felt God calling me to do it. My girls (Joke-a-Lot, age 7, and Artsy, age 6) have asked the Lord for direction today as to what they are to do this Lenten season. I assured them that they would feel some direction before the day is over. Race Car (almost 5), and Curly (age 2),my guys, are a bit too young to join in the reindeer games. Mr. Fix-it, my husband, will decide for himself, although he is willing to go along with ridding our house of sugar, allowing only small amounts of Stevia, no artificial garbage either.

Maybe the journey will end with children who love healthy food, although that would really throw me for a loop. Maybe, I will notice skin rashes clear up or behavior change for the better. I am expecting a bit of withdrawal from everyone as sugar is an addictive substance. Will I put my energy into creating delicious healthy "treats" for them? I really don't know. Time will tell and I will share this journey with all who care to read. It makes me a little nervous as I can't imagine what could happen that would be so earth shattering, but I lay aside my apprehension and grasp onto the Lord with all my might, knowing that He is in full control.

We went to Ash Wednesday Mass during the day. We homeschool so all the kids were along and they did great. Mr. Fix-it will go later. This was another great opportunity to remind the kids that our time on earth will end and that we need to spend our effort focused on our God-ordained mission on earth, continually seeking guidance and working toward being obedient to God. Our home is in Heaven. We only need to please our Father in Heaven.

The kids aren't eating a lot of what I give them, but that doesn't surprise me. They aren't going to jump on this bandwagon so readily although I haven't heard any complaints about not having sugar and it is already almost 3pm on day 1. We had real peanut butter (Smuckers brand) on Nature's Pride 100% Whole Wheat Double Fiber Bread for breakfast. Lunch consisted of Toasted Cheese on the same bread with marble cheddar cheese, Campbells V-8 Tomato Herb Soup with spiral noodles, a few goldfish, tangerines, or pears. I will skip snacks today as they didn't eat much and I know the pattern. If there are snacks, they will skip the meals and chow down on the snacks. Dinner will be pasta with sauce (Classico, spicy red pepper) and Parmesan cheese, strawberries and cantaloupe, and homemade white bread (Artisan Bread in 5 Minutes a Day). Although "white" foods cause some people problems, taking the sugar out will be task enough for us.