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Tuesday, February 21, 2012

Mardi GRAS

Tonight our church had a Mardi Gras party for the kids. Call it one last hurrah before Lent! There was a lot of beads, masks and games. Candy and more candy was the main staple. I heard many moms tell the kids to enjoy as tomorrow was lent! It was comical almost until Emerson confided in me she had a tummyache...it was then we made our exit. On way home we discussed what we wanted to do as a family during Lent. We decided more time to read some of the Old Testament stories and more time to say prayers before bed. Emerson mentioned wanting to give some of her allowance money to the poor box at church and Blaise said he would try to be quieter during mass. Julia and I really want to continue our study of the mass and personally I would like to watch less tv at night and read more of my devotionals instead. I think tonight was fun but I am definitely looking forward to abstinence from our excessive behaviors. Less is more!

Paczki Day

Come on did you really think I would forget?!? Today the kids and I discovered that Paczki are a Polish Catholic tradition. Considering they are part Polish on Tony's mothers side they talked me into celebrating a part of their heritage. They are also part Finnish on my dad's side and Finns are known for their spas... Hmmmm wonder where I can find a local spa?

Be-attitudes

God blessed me with a willful child! I say that positively because I know when she is an adult her strength and stubbornness will make her succeed in whatever she puts her mind to. That being said, it doesn't make it an easy task to raise such a child. I was a pleaser growing up... I pleased my teachers, my parents, my friends, I did whatever they told me out of FEAR of losing love, respect and friendship! It made for an unhappy existence thru no one's fault but my own. I am truly glad that Julia is courageous and strong and not fearful. She recently shared with me a poem she came across. It is not written by her but certainly speaks volumes of who she is. I always tell her she only must please God first and she agrees with me.

BE humble enough to realize you still have a lot to learn.
BE ambitious enough to know you can be anything you want to be.
BE easy enough on yourself to enjoy, to laugh, to have fun.
BE mature enough to take responsibility for what you do.
BE proud enough to take care of your body, your mind, and your spirit.
BE confident enough to see that who you are inside is more important than how you look outside.
BE wise enough to choose your friends carefully.
BE absolutely sure that, wherever you go, whatever you do, YOU ARE LOVED by God.

Author unknown