Lent

I have to admit that in my ignorance I never really knew what Lent was all about. The other day Hubby explained to me how Catholics will give up one thing from their lives in the time period before Easter. This is what Wiki says about it:

"Lent, in Christian tradition, is the period of the liturgical year leading up to Easter. The traditional purpose of Lent is the preparation of the believer — through prayer, penitence, almsgiving and self-denial — for the annual commemoration during Holy Week of the Death and Resurrection of Jesus, which recalls the events linked to the Passion of Christ and culminates in Easter, the celebration of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Conventionally, it is described as being forty days long, though different denominations calculate the forty days differently. The forty days represent the time that, according to the Bible, Jesus spent in the desert before the beginning of his public ministry, where he endured temptation by Satan.
This practice was virtually universal in Christendom until the Protestant Reformation. Some Protestant churches do not observe Lent, but most, such as Lutherans, Methodists, Presbyterians, Anglicans, and Episcopalians, do."

Self-denial - that's the part that I'm referring to. My friend is giving up sugar for the 40 days and she's doing awesome!! But it got me thinking.... what would I give up and could I even do it? I'm sad to say that I don't think I could. I admire the practice. I can imagine such strength and closeness to the Savior by participating in Lent.
Now hold that thought and go forward a couple of weeks in my life and it brings us to yesterday. The kids have been fighting more and whining about video games more. So on the spur of the moment I decided that we were going to be a video/computer free house for a week. Blogging doesn't count. :)
This afternoon as I sit and "veg" I think back to my conversation with Hubby about Lent. And it really puts it into perspective for me about how difficult Lent would be. My thoughts continue on to the Savior and His 40 days of Fasting and Temptations. My little week of "lentishness" doesn't even compare. :( I am struggling with it and it hasn't even been 24 hours. "Natural Man" is VERY strong in me......

More Words From Livvy

So there's this other Kindergartener that likes to chase L and her friend Celeste around the playground. His name is David. We have now come to realize that a "good day at schoow" is when David is absent. :)
The other day L gets in the car and says, "My day wasn't so good."
I asked why and she said, "Because David swaved other kids ot catch me and Cewest." (Yes, that's an exact quote).
I had to think for a minute to translate in my mind......

David slaved other kids to catch me and Celeste. :)

Simple Women's Daybook

Outside my window...
it's chilly and windy. It was raining earlier today. I love the rain. There are swing cushions all over the yard.

I am thinking...
about how blessed I am. My children are behaving and I'm sitting crocheting a blanket watching the Olympics while dinner cooks. I am a simple simple person and I love the quiet moments of joy.

I am thankful...
for crockpots!! :)

From the kitchen...
it's actually clean. I can see the fridge with art projects all over the front.

I am wearing...
jeans and a "Riding Dragons - 1968" t-shirt.

I am creating...
a baby blanket for Preston. :)

I am reading...
"Dear John"

I am hoping...
that the kids continue the peaceful niceness!!

I am hearing...
well, it was the Olympics and now it's Dr. Phil - messed up family.

One of my favorite things...
Phoenix winters. :)

A few plans for the rest of the week...
mostly the normal stuff. But next Monday we are going to see the Sun's play!!! I am very excited!!!!

A picture thought I am sharing...
actually, I'm not sharing a picture right now. I'm not on my computer. I'll add one later.

Conversations on the Ride Home From School

E - "JACKPOT!" (a game we play by calling out every yellow car you see)
J - "Mom, what will you give me if I win? Candy?"
Me - confused "Win what?
J - "If I win at Jackpot - A dollar or candy or something?"
Me - "No Jake, I won't give you anything." mental sigh
J - "Well, then I'm not playing. What's in it for me?"
(yes, he actually said that) :)
E - "Jake, you can't always play for money and things. What if you are playing against a HoBo? He doesn't have anything to give you if you win."

Did that conversation really just happen?! Yep, you bet your bottom, it did!!"

Will the REAL Stephanie please step forward?!

I don't want to clean the very messy house, I don't want to go to the appointment that I have for Livvy's speech, and I don't want to put real clothes on. I just want to lay around the house and read a book. :) Can I please??!!!???

I feel sad today. I feel lost in so many aspects of my life. Have you ever had a time in your life where you are a completely different person than from who you've always been? I am going through that right now. I don't know what caused the change and it's very foreign to me. I really do feel odd - like I'm not myself.

For example, I used to enjoy being creative. I wasn't ever extremely talented, but I had fun creating things. Not now. I can't stand the hassle it takes to create. I want things simple.

Also, I used to be a friendly person. I have ALWAYS loved other people and found joy in my friendships. Now I don't let anyone get too close. I don't like the hassle of dealing with people. I can never do the right things for them. Things I say or do are misunderstood.

I used to be more organized in my callings. Now I'm a scatterbrained, teary-eyed mess. I can't seem to formulate a concise thought to save my life and I don't wear mascara to church anymore. It ends up running down my face.

It is such an odd feeling to not recognize yourself. And the frustrating thing is that not all of my new "traits" are bad. I just don't understand why I'm so different and how can I get some of "me" back?

Bang! Bang!

Look @ what we did today!

Shooting

Something From My Sister

Ok, this posting idea is something my sister does and I LOVE it!!!! So, I am going to copycat.

SIMPLE WOMAN'S DAYBOOK
Outside my window...
it's a nice chilly Phoenix morning. Something like 55ish (no snow). My grass is mostly dead and my birds are gone. I need to fill the bird feeders.

I am thinking...
about what I need to get done today vs. what I WANT to do!

I am thankful...
for my calling in church (Primary). We have a Teacher Inservice this Sunday that I'm working on. The title is, "Teacher, Do You Love Me?" I LOVE those kids!!!

From the kitchen...
i see no dirty dishes, but I do see random things on the counters. Primary Binder, jewelry, and Cody (Livvy's stuffed animal).

I am wearing...
jammies - striped pink bottoms and a Tinkerbell "Feisty" shirt. I also have on my jacket still from dropping kids off at school.

I am creating...
Magnets with the Primary Presidency's contact info.

I am reading...
A series by Tamora Pierce (LOVE her)!!

I am hoping...
that my med.s kick in soon. I hate being so angry! :)

I am hearing...
Price Is Right. In-laws are in town and LOVE it. So do I, it reminds me of being home sick from school. :)

One of my favorite things...
texting!!! I have recently gotten Unlimited Texting and I now wonder how I ever did without it.

A few plans for the rest of the week...
shopping and planning for Sunday evening; cleaning house (expecially the bathrooms); putting the deadbolt back on the door (don't ask); plan a meeting with the other YCL leaders; and lastly, hug lots of kids on Sunday!!! :)

A picture thought I am sharing...

I made "Squid" for the kids and their cousins last week. This is how it SHOULD have been made. I didn't take a picture of mine, but it wasn't made like this. That's what I get for hearing of the idea from my mom who heard it from my sister and I didn't go straight to the source. :)

Bye Bye Facebook

I have been thinking about taking a break from Facebook when last night Bret tells me that he thinks we should do a week without it. I'm sure his comment has something to do with the condition of the house. :) But honestly, it's not a bad idea. I spend too much time (unintentionally of course) on that darned website. Soooooo, my first morning without Facebook and trying to be more effective with my time and where am I? On Blogspot!!! LOL

Things are good for us here.
The kids are all well and happy. So am I. Bret too.

There, simple and sweet!!!