40 Bag Challenge

I found out about The 40 Bag Challenge from the Faith and Family Live! blog.  
The rules:
1. Pick what size of trash bag you want to use.
2. Each week day for eight weeks fill one bag (or equivalent).  
You can fill it with toys, clothes, books, movies, papers etc.  Anything that you can get rid of to eliminate clutter can be counted.

Those who know me know that my house is already fairly "decluttered" but there is always room for improvement; specifically to get rid of some of those clothes that have been in my closet since college!
Are you up to the challenge?

And it begins....

It's that time of the year again....wasn't it just Christmas?  Honestly, I have a love/hate relationship with Lent.  It is one of those things in life that is uncomfortable, but you know it is good for you.  Growing up this basically meant no candy or meat on Fridays; but as an adult it has taken on a much deeper meaning for me.  Lent is a great time for me to really focus on my spiritual life by requiring certain things of myself that I tend to get away from throughout the year: daily prayer, scripture reading, praying the rosary etc.  When I am not pregnant, I usually diet, exercise and give up sweets.  Although this can be really, really hard there is the added benefit of losing those last stubborn baby pounds.  Having this season of penance and sacrifice makes the joy of Easter even greater. 
So I asked the boys what they were going to give up/do for Lent:
Henry: I am going to give up Star Wars.
Me:  that is a good thing to give up Henry, because I know that you really like to watch Star Wars.
Joseph: I am going to give up reading, because I really don't like reading.
I don't think he understands the point yet......

Happy St. Valentine's Day

Here we are celebrating another religious holiday that has been kidnapped by our secular culture.  Okay, I'll admit it, I don't have a problem celebrating love and I actually like having a day that forces us to be romantic....BUT I like to remember that this day is actually the feast day of St. Valentine.  For those who don't know, he is not a cherub who flies around shooting arrows at people in his underwear (AKA Cupid) but was a priest who was martyred for his faith in the year 269.  I know, not as romantic as the image that we like to have of him.  There is still  a little bit of a "love connection" though; he was caught marrying a couple and this is what brought about his persecution and ultimately his death.  He is the patron saint of engaged couples, happy marriages and love.  St. Valentine pray for us!  
PS
Here we are before marriage, kids, bills......but not as in love as we are today! 

 I love you Thomas!  Happy St. Valentine's Day!! XOXOXO

Please come soon

Okay, seriously the snow can leave now.  I noticed about 3 weeks ago that our tulips were beginning to peak through the mulch in the flower beds.  I was tentatively hopeful that we were done with winter, even though I knew better, because it was only January.  I am really hoping that February is the end of it.  I cannot wait until spring; warmer temperatures, tulips, daffodils and of course the mud.... well maybe I can wait for the mud :-)

Superbowl Champs!

We won, we won!  We are enjoying the victory by the Saints tonight.  Here is a peek into our little party.

The boys were excited, but expected people to actually come over.

I made the cake and Thomas decorated it, symmetry is not my strong point.  Didn't he do a great job?!

We spent the day decorating while we waited for the game.

Surprisingly, I found a lot of coloring pages online and the boys decorated the fireplace.

I am so happy for Thomas, he has waited his whole life for this win!  

Birth Story

Wow, this is one of the best birth stories I have ever read.

Enjoying the Small Things

Family Movie Night!

In recent months we started having family movie nights.  The boys absolutely love this, they think it is cool when they can stay up later than usual and eat treats.  Fortunately, they aren't really staying up late, we just start watching the movie early....shhh.  I have found that this is a great way to spend time with them, even if it is in front of the TV.  Snuggling on the couch with all of my boys, popcorn and a blanket is a perfect way to spend a Friday night.  If you haven't tried it, you should!  I hope it is something that we  continue as they get older.  Personally, I can't wait until we can watch The Fellowship of the Ring, instead of another cartoon, but I will take what I can get for now.