Lord, fill me with your breath of life....

Today, I’m joining in on a 5 Minute Challenge…  it involves reading a prompt and responding on it in 5 minutes, without any preparation. 

The topic for today is BREATHE…

Ready, Set, Go!

Wow!  This is something I strive to do on a daily basis.  Not because I need physical help, my lungs are functioning absolutely fine.  It’s just that I get caught up in doing too much, too fast on my schedule and not His. 

BREATHE!

When I feel overwhelmed, I often say, “I just need to BREATHE”.  My children can quote me on this one too often.  SLOW DOWN is what this really means.  It’s a moment for me to STOP and BREATHE in the presence of God, who is carrying me through the to and fro of our days. 

BREATHE! 

He is there to fill me with His breath of joy…  when a little one begs me to “stay” and snuggle for just a few more minutes in the morning.

He is there to fill me with His breath of patience…  when three children all need assistance with their schoolwork at the same time, while the 5 year old just stole a really cool toy away from her now screaming toddler brother, the baby is eating the dog’s food and playing in the spilled water, AND of course, the phone is ringing.  These are true tests of patience.  Am I going to lose it?  Or am I going to BREATHE? 

He is there to fill me with His breath of humility…  when we arrive late time and time again for scheduled activities to make me realize that I am not as “perfectly” punctual as I used to be.  Not quite “perfect” anymore…

He is there to fill me with his breath of encouragement…  when I get a phone call from a friend who just wants to say “hi” at the exact moment when I really needed a listening ear OR when scripture or my devotional says just the right thing at the right time.

He is there to fill me with His breath of responsibility…  when I know I have been called to serve and need to chose to do it with love even when I am not feeling it inside. 

He is there to fill me with His breath of love…  in His own gift of life to fill me on a daily basis and through all His thousands of gifts that are meant just for me.  I just have to make sure to take the time to stop and BREATHE and recognize His presence throughout my days!

Ding!  It’s been 5 minutes (or so…).  I guess that means I am done. 

Won’t you join in on this challenge today??  Go here to read and link up and don't forget to BREATHE!   

In Honor of Our Lady....

....we will be taking part in the Marian Artist Trading Card Swap 2011! 

How about you?? 

What to do with old Birthday cards??

It's as easy as...1...2...3...!!!

1- take the birthday cards and 3-hole punch them
2 - cut three pieces of yarn/ribbon
3 - thread and tie the yarn/ribbon through each of the holes

There ya go!!  A simple, little "scrapbook" to remember your child's birthday by - created in less than 5 minutes!!  If you have time and want to spend another 5-10 minutes, simply open a Word document and cut/paste a few pictures from the actual party to print and that can be the title page to your mini-scrapbook.  For busy momma's like me who have NO time to scrapbook, this is an easy way to remember those special days without having to be away from the family too terribly long. 

**another tip...  if you look at the title page, you will see Max posed with all his birthday presents and it forms the words "Thank You".  Of course, this serves not only as the title page to the "scrapbook", but also a perfect little thank you letter to send out!! 

Our Easter 2011

How blessed I was to have shared my birthday this year with the Resurrection of our Lord!  The last time my birthdate landed on Easter Sunday was in 1859, so chances are this was the only time in my lifetime for this special sharing to take place.  Of course, we celebrated the Risen Lord with morning Mass as a family - Fone served and Melody and Ariel sang their little hearts out in the children's choir.  How strange it is for us to sit in the pew with only 3 kids!  We had two Easter celebrations with our extended family that weekend.  Both gatherings were wonderful - yummy food, eggs to hunt, nice weather = lots of outdoor play, and a very happy birthday girl!!

May the JOY of this Easter season and the HOPE in our Risen Lord live in your hearts!! 

Pookey

Mario and Fone

Melody

Ariel

Mario

Max pushing Pookey

Fone after Mass (he always waves at us and scares us when his candle is lit!)

Ariel, Melody, and Mrs M. (their choir leader)

Fone, Max and our 6 lb. killer dog, Sophia

Sophia, Mario, Max, Ariel, Fone

Young cousins

 

Wordless Wednesday

Ding and Dash (in pictures)

"This was the best May Day ever"

-Fone

And some bits of our conversation on the way home...  Ariel asked if we should have stayed home just in case someone brought us a May Day basket.  I asked her what would be more fun.... waiting at home "just in case" someone dropped one off -OR- delivering 24 baskets to family and friends.  She and all the Young ones agreed with the latter.  It truly is more of a blessing to GIVE than RECEIVE!  Praying spring and joyful blessings for all of you!! 



As a child, I was never able to deliver May Day baskets with my brothers, but I know through their intercession of prayers up in heaven, they showered down many flowers and graces to me (and my family!).  This is where we offered our prayers for all of our basket-receivers....



Didn't really do "ding and dash" to Grandma and Grandpa, but we sure
had a nice visit and a cutsie basket to deliver! 

May Day!!!!!!

Today is May Day!  For many years, the kids have ran around the neighborhood, to their aunts/uncles and grandparents to deliver May Day baskets.  It seems as if every year, we do something a little different, but always tie this project into their art for the week.  Last year, the kids made paper handprint lilies in cone-shaped baskets.  This year, they have made paper bag baskets with these pre-made labels.  And, of course, being Catholic and since May is the month of Our Lady, we had to throw a Marian holy card in and a quiet prayer as well!  In a world that is so devoted to self, this is yet another way we can teach our children to be giving and loving in even the smallest of ways to those around them.  Happy May Day and Happy Spring to you all!  Here are some pictures of the kids at work and the finished product....

Melody stamping the bags

Ariel decorating with stamps



Fone working hard "stickering" the baskets



Add some goodies (paper flowers, label, holy cards, candy filled eggs, butterfly)



24 finished May Day baskets filled and ready to be delivered!