Getting Started

How does this picture make you feel?  Jittery? Stressed? Relieved that it isn't you?

I hope it isn't indicative of what your days look like, but if it is, then I think now would be a good time to change that. 

Do you have a plan for your day or does it just run amok?  Have you considered trying to plan out your day?  You probably have thought about organizing your cabinets or your closet, why not your day?

It really is the same concept isn't it?  You get rid of the items you don't need from your cabinets and your closet and then you take all of the stuff you've kept and you organize it so it doesn't fall out when you open the door.

Let's apply the same logic to your day.  When you open your eyes, get out of bed and walk through your bedroom door, you really don't want things "falling" on you, do you?  You'd like to walk into your day knowing that it is going to be as organized as it can be.  You've removed the things that take up space, like time wasters and things you don't really need to be involved in, and you've organized what you have left to do.

Now, if something should come into your day and upset it, then it will be easy to put yourself back on track and pick up where you left off.  That is the thing I like best about having my day planned out.  No day is ever really going to go exactly like you planned it, but when it does go awry, you can re-balance yourself, figure out where you should be in your day and get back on track.

Having a plan for your day doesn't mean having every minute scheduled and being stuck in that rigid plan.  It means having a nice outline for how things should go, when they should happen and who should be doing them.  It's like the backbone for your day, not the straightjacket.   

If you've thought in the past that you could never work with having your day all planned out, I'd like you to think differently about that; at least for a little while.  I'd like to have you spend some time thinking about this plan as an organizational tool.  Something that can set your feet going in the right direction each day and then put them back on track when they need it.

Over the course of the next few weeks, let's walk this path of organization together.  Each Monday I'll give you some areas to think about and then help get you started on the next chapter in my book, "A Plan for Joy in the Home:  A Workbook on Organizing Your Day for Homeschooling Mothers".  Hopefully it will be the impetus you need to get yourself, and your day, more organized.  For now, just work on getting started.

 



This lovely drawing is under copyright.  Please respect that and do not copy it or use it elsewhere.

7 Quick Takes February 24, 2012

--- 1 ---

I mentioned last week that I was going on a silent retreat with two of my daughters.  Well, we went and it was worth it!  Boy do I look forward to these retreats every year.  I was a bit more distracted than usual this time because I have this incredibly annoying cough that I was trying to stifle the whole time.  Do you know how hard it is to NOT cough?  Very distracting.  On top of that, I sprained my ankle about an hour before the retreat started, so I had that pain to deal with, too.  It is also somewhat distracting to have my daughters there because since I am their mother, try as I might, it is hard not to think about them and how it is going for them.  Despite the distractions, it is always incredible to communicate so intimately with God.  If you've never done an Ignatian retreat, I'd highly recommend it!
 

--- 2 ---

It was really nice to do this retreat right before Lent, too.  Not only was I thinking of resolutions for the coming year, I was trying to discern my Lent.  It was a nice, peaceful environment in which to do it, and for that I am grateful.

--- 3 ---

Well it's a few days into Lent and so far there hasn't been too much rebellion over all of the food items we've given up.  Except, of course, from Mr 6 yo.  I haven't imposed too much on him, but I refuse to make two different dinners, so he's had to make a few compromises. I'm grateful to be able to use Lent for the excuse to eat better and change so many things.  It works to keep me in line and it makes me not give in to some of the groans.

--- 4 ---

Snack time in our house usually means grabbing something pre-made, quick and only mildly good for you; like a granola bar or a bagel or something.  Well today's healthy snack was a hit.  The kids even scored points for presentation. 

Now all I have to do is not use up 2/3 of a jar of peanut butter for one snack.  That good stuff is a bit pricey.  It is very frustrating that it costs more to eat healthy than unhealthy!

 --- 5 ---

 
During Lent I am going to be posting a few ongoing items.  On Tuesdays and Thursdays I am going to be posting the various Stations of the Cross with pictures from our past performances and text by St. Josemaria Escriva.  I hope you'll join me in praying the stations.  On each Monday of Lent I will be discussing a different chapter of my book "A Plan for Joy in the Home".  I'm not sure exactly what format it will be taking yet, so stop by this coming Monday to find out :)

--- 6 ---

Earlier this week Mr 6 yo and I were doing a reading lesson and I pointed to the word on the page that he needed to read:  is.  "Oh this is a funny word," I said to him.  He looked at the word to read and replied, "clown?"  He never ceases to keep us laughing!

--- 7 ---

We're steaming right along with our production of "The Seven Last Words of Christ".  As with anything of this magnitude, there are issues and problems and annoyances and stresses and...so any prayers you would be able to say for all of those working so hard to get this produced and sound so beautiful, as well as sell-out three shows, would be greatly appreciated. 

For more Quick Takes, visit Conversion Diary!

The First Station

Jesus is Condemned to Death

It is after ten in the morning.  The trial is moving to its close.  There has been no conclusive evidence.

  

 

The judge knows that his enemies have handed Jesus over to him out of envy and he tries an absurd move:  a choice between Barabbas, a criminal accused of robbery and murder, and Jesus, who says he is Christ. 

The people choose Barabbas, and Pilate exclaims, "What am I to do, then, with Jesus?"  

They all reply, "Crucify him!"

The judge insists, "Why what evil has he done?"

Once again they respond shouting, "Crucify him! Crucify him!"  Pilate is frightened by the growing uproar. 

So he sends for water and washes his hands in the sight of the people, saying as he does so, "I am innocent of the blood of this just man; it is your affair."

 

And having had Jesus scourged, he hands him over to them to be crucified.  Their frenzied and possessed throats fall silent, as if God had already been vanquished.

Jesus is all alone.  Far off now are the days when the words of the Man-God brought light and hope to men's hearts, those long processions of sick people whom He healed, the triumphant acclaim of Jerusalem when the Lord arrived, riding on a gentle donkey.  If only men had wanted to give a different outlet for God's love!  If only you and I had recognized the day of the Lord!

All photos in this series are under copyright and are property of Laura Dominick and Dominick Photography.  The text is from the Stations of the Cross in the Daily Roman Missal, originally  by St. Josemaria Escriva.

 

Wordless Ash Wednesday

Happy Shrove Tuesday

or Happy Mardi Gras, Fat Tuesday or Paczki Day!!!!!!  One day, numerous names to choose from!

We celebrate this day by coloring our "Alleluias" so that we can hide them away until Easter Sunday. 

There is something very solemn about putting away the Alleluia for Lent then bringing it back out, both on paper and vocally, when Our Lord has Risen from the dead!

Another thing we do is put up our Lenten path so that we can trace our progress as Lent progresses.  It is a nice way to keep track of how long we have left to go.

This wonderful path is courtesy of Catholic Icing.  Go check out her blog for more great Lenten ideas.

Then, of course, we devour our Paczki's.  This year fresh strawberry and strawberry and cheese are the order of the day.  We definitely look forward to this every year!

I have a few ongoing posts planned for Lent so I'll be getting those going very soon. 
 
May your Lent prove to be fruitful for you and your family.

Preparation for Total Consecration according to St. Lousi Marie de Montfort

We've been practicing this devotion for at least the last 10 years and we always begin on the 20th of February.  We like this particular time frame for two reasons:  

1.  It is a wonderful devotion to do as a family during Lent.  We are always guaranteed that at least a portion, if not all, of it will fall during the Lenten season.

2.  Beginning on the 20th allows us to make our Consecration on March 25th, the Feast of the Annunciation.

If you aren't familiar with this devotion, here is a website which will give you the basic information, and even the prayers to pray.  It isn't too late to grab yourself a book and get started.

 

7 Quick Takes February 17, 2012

--- 1 ---

This past week Mr 6 yo and I were reading the Bible story about Cain and Abel.  I was telling him how God, after Cain killed his brother, cursed Cain and told him he would have to wander the earth.  At that point Mr 6 yo piped in, "You know, I'd really like to travel the earth."  My response to him was, "Not if you were cursed!"  He didn't disagree.

--- 2 ---

I'm sitting here typing this up while my Lenten meal plan is scattered about me.  We are going to attempt "clean eating" for Lent.  I think the biggest thing for us will be giving up cheese.  Cheese is pretty much a staple with almost every meal.  You don't like eggs, slap some cheese on it.  Don't like your ham sandwich, put a slice of cheese on there.  Those noodles gettin' ya down, put some cheese on em!  See what I mean?  It might be harder than giving up chocolate! (okay, not really!)

--- 3 ---

If you didn't see it earlier this week, check out this post here to enter the first ever Catholic Bloggers Network Giveaway.  You can enter to win a whole bunch of really nice stuff!  I think you should go now and enter your name and then come right back to finish the Quick Takes.  It's okay, I'll wait. :)

--- 4 ---

Thanks for coming back!  Aren't there some really nice things to win?  

So what else have we done this week, you wonder?  Well, we finished watching the second season of Downton Abbey the other night!  If you haven't seen the finale...it is a good one!  The thought of having to wait until September is agonizing.  I hate it when we finish a series; I always go through withdrawal.

--- 5 ---

I'd like to ask that you please say a prayer for me and my two oldest daughters.  We will be attending the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius this weekend, which is a silent retreat preached by the priests of Miles Christi.  This is Ms 19 yo's second retreat and Ms 17yo's first retreat.  While in one sense it is a very peaceful retreat, on the other hand it can be quite rigorous.  I'm never quite sure what the Lord is going to want to work on while I'm there.  Any prayers would be greatly appreciated.

--- 6 ---

We're kicking it into gear now with practices for "The Seven Last Words of Christ".  While I'll be meditating in front of Our Lord in peace and quiet, my husband will be spending the day on Saturday with everyone else going to practice, then costume fittings then going home in time to feed everyone dinner.  They will be exhausted; I will not be thinking about it :)

--- 7 ---

Ash Wednesday is next week.  It is so hard to believe.  We're in a paczki crisis as our usual source is not coming through this year so we will have to go out in search of them on our own.  My hubby suggested just skipping them, but we all agreed that is out of the question.  At least I have a few days to figure this out.  Have a great weekend!

For more Quick Takes, visit Conversion Diary!