Valentine's Day

We got lots of celebration in for Valentine's this year. On the actual day, I hung up the girls artwork and cards from their doors (this is the best pic I got of it). Caleb got them candy hearts and a balloon. We also went to Chickfila with some friends to celebrate. They were giving out carnations and balloons. The Austin beggars also were festive with Valentine's signs, one who we gave a bag to, gave Lydia a little plastic rose that were decorating his sign.

We had a family dinner at home (where we had candles and made Lydia stay in her chair). Caleb got me a box of chocolates and I made chocolate covered strawberries-much different from the 14 days of Valentines when we were newlyweds, but this is a new fun season of our lives too!

D-Now

My house is a mess, we are leaving town tomorrow-what a great time to blog :)

Last weekend, we had 7th grade girls at our home for D-Now weekend. They actually weren't there that much because their days were packed, but they had breakfast with us both mornings. The leader slept in Lydia's bed and all the girls slept on Gloria's floor. Caleb was out of town hunting with Bill. The girls 'slept' in my bedroom, Lydia in her blow up Tinkerbell bed and Gloria in the pack & play. L&G were taking a bath (without toys) and were pretending Lydia was Mary, Gloria baby Jesus, me Joseph, the teenagers (who were coming soon) the shepherds and Daddy the wise man (because he was far away). Gloria looked at Lydia, "Mary" "yes Baby Jesus" I was expecting something spiritual, "Can I have a lollipop?"

Lydia needs a nightlight. Gloria does not. The first night, Gloria woke up at 3:30am, saw a light, so popped up and said-morning time!! I said, no, Gloria close your eyes its still night; finally I had to turn off the light so she would go back to sleep, several minutes later Lydia woke up and cried because no ligh; light on, Gloria up. To make a long story short, this happened multiple times until 5am, when I told Lydia she was just to have to be a big girl without a light. After several minutes of quiet, I heard Lydia whisper, "Dear Jesus, help me not be afraid."

The girls seemed to have a good weekend, and the youth leaders showered us with kindness and we are still enjoying the throughly cleaned home (except there are toys etc around now).

Valentine's Party Day!

Gloria's class.
Lydia's class singing.
Lydia & Gloria go to Mother's Day out on Tuesday (the other students also go to Thursdays but we are at Friendship then) Today after a fun Friendship day, we headed to their school for the Valentine's candy. Lydia got to drop her home made cards into each kid's bag. They both got sweets and lots of nice Valentines! Gloria wore the same dress Lydia wore when she was 2. Lydia got a new one (from the Mama Cents consignment sale!)

Snow!!

It snowed. This was the second year Lydia & Gloria got to experience it (last year at Nana & Grandpa's house). The bundled up family, I felt much better in the cold with my nose covered!
Caleb's school was cancelled for the day and we got to enjoy the snow as a family. Gloria didn't like the cold and was still feeling bad from being sick earlier in the, she went out once, started crying then we came in for breakfast, she went out again, start crying and said she wanted to go back to bed, so I put her in bed and she
Its everywhere including our fort!
Lydia & Caleb went for a walk to the pond. They got to walk on fresh snow on the side walk, see other kids playing and watch the birds on the middle the pond.

The Liturgical Year

The Liturgical Year by Joan Chittister

(I get free books from Thomas Nelson by blogging about them-BookSneeze.com)

As a life-long Southern Baptist who has loved visiting Episcopal churches, the introduction made me long to attend a liturgical church. This book covers the seasons, feasts, and ordinary time of the liturgical year. But beware, it is not a book to introduce you to or tell you what the liturgical year is; it is a book that tries to bring depth, meaning and insight to one who is familiar with and follows the liturgical year. Sister Joan, with solid theology, can be wordy at times, but overall is an insightful writer who clearly finds meaning in all the exercises of following a church calendar. I learned a lot about how Passover and Easter are determined and was convicted that I don't know much about the 'Heroes' of our faith who have gone before us (but were after the cannon). We only seem to know about the commercialized one such as Valentine and Patrick, but others we can learn from as well. Though I don't anticipate a church move, this book helped me to remember the continuous growth and reflection and community needed as a believer of any background.