Challenge Day 2

Today is supposed to be my favorite song. That's a tad difficult since I have so many! But hands down, one of my very favorite songs is this...



This song brings me back to so many moments in my childhood, starting in fourth grade. Chris and I were chosen to be Bud and Sissy (from Urban Cowboy for those of you who have been living under a rock!) in the Christmas program and spent countless hours learning to waltz. Now that Chris is gone, I still think of him every time I hear this and remember the excitement of my first true love.

My grandpa also comes to mind when this song plays on the radio. He loved Anne Murray and watched her on CMT all the time. Mama and Papa even took me to the Houston Rodeo to see her in concert! And when our family decided to travel the 24 hours to New Jersey to visit my aunt, we listened to our Anne Murray cassette the whole way. I still know the words to every one of those songs!

Music is such a gift to the soul....

I'm baaaack.... I'm going to try really hard to get back into blogging mode. And to that end, I thought I'd try a 30-day challenge. So join me for the ride...here we go!

Day one is a recent picture of myself.



This is a picture of me after my recent college graduation. That's right, I graduated, again, this time with my Master in Theological Studies. Standing next to me is Fr. Joe Gile, the director of our program and a wonderful mentor. This picture represents a lot for me. First, it was probably the most proud I've ever been of myself. It took countless hours of reading, writing, and sacrificing (on my part, but also on the part of my loving husband and beautiful children!) to earn my degree. Second, I love this picture because it shows the "after" of my weight loss challenge. We started in the Fall of 2010 with a small group of girls who would meet weekly to discuss menus, weigh in, and walk the mall in support of each other. I have lost about 20 pounds and I couldn't be happier. I have more energy, my clothes feel better, and my pictures certainly look better! Last, but absolutely not least, when I look at this picture, I feel the overwhelming love of God. I would have never imagined myself in this position--married to my best friend with two precious children, doing a job in the Church I love, and graduating after an exhilarating two years of intense study. Only by the grace of God am I able to be right here in this very spot. Praise the Lord!

RIP Jo McGovern!!!

I lost a dear friend to cancer last night. She had been in remission from breast cancer until last summer when it returned in her spine and brain. There is absolutely no rhyme or reason to her passing. It's just plain wrong. My heart is weeping for her husband, children, grandchildren, friends, and family. There are no words to express the deep sense of loss I feel.

Jo was the life of any party! Her smile would light up the room. And her sense of humor--let's just say that there is a celebration going on right now in Heaven. She and I could talk, laugh, gossip and she would always leave me in stitches. I have so many great memories to hold on to.

I will never forget one year at the Blessing of the Bikes in Derby when she decided at the VERY LAST SECOND that she wanted to ride in the poker run. So she hopped onto the back of a bike with a total stranger and took off. That was her spirit!

Then there was the time Kelly took me and her out to dinner during parent/teacher conferences one year. We went to a Chinese restaurant and were enjoying dinner when the shouting started. Apparently the cooks in the kitchen were fighting with each other AND in Chinese so we didn't really know if we were in any danger or not. I almost peed my pants, but she just kept on eating like nothing was going on. One tough lady!

I'm feeling pretty lost today and couldn't think of any other way to pay tribute to a precious friend. So here's to you, Jo. May you enjoy every second in your new glorious home and tell Sr. Margaret Ann hi from me! ;)

I love being Catholic!

Last night, I had the pleasure of participating in Eucharistic Adoration and confession with a group of about 20 high school kids. I am always amazed at the reverence shown by that age group. From the outside, they seem aloof, maybe even unconnected. But put them in front of the monstrance and they change before your eyes. Fr. Roger began the Exposition and out came the incense. Now I have a love-hate relationship with incense. I really love incense, but my allergies don't like it a bit. But as I prayed in front of the Blessed Sacrament, I noticed that the incense "fog" was lingering in the air. It wasn't moving. At first, I thought, "Wow! Just another visible sign that Christ is present here with us." Then it hit me.

We were all gathered to pray and adore our Lord, but also to cleanse ourselves in the confessional. As each one of us made our way to Fr. Roger to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation, the fog seemed to lift just a little more. After about an hour and a half, most of the kids had gone to confession, so I headed for my place in line. I was the last person to go in, and when I came out, there was no fog left. We had each shed our ugly, sinful selves and been clothed in the light of Christ once again. Satan's fog had been prayed away and all that was left was the sweet smell of forgiveness.

When was the last time you met our Lord in Adoration? Confession? Maybe it's time to mosey on back. Christ is waiting!

What's in your purse?

I've been holding on to some money I was given at Christmas, just waiting for the perfect "something" to buy JUST FOR ME. All you moms out there know how hard that is. There were so many things I could have used it for around the house--new bikes for the kids, a mini-vacation for the weekend--the list goes on and on. But my wonderful husband talked me into using it on something that I wanted, not needed. So I finally splurged on my dream purse, the one I would never walk into the store and purchase, the one that costs more than my electric bill. I found it new but much more reasonably priced on ebay (who doesn't LOVE ebay???) and just bought it. Some may say I'm crazy, maybe wasteful, but it was quite exhilarating to open the box today and unpack the gift I gave myself. My hubby's first reaction? "That's a beach bag!" My reply? "No, honey, it's a mom bag!"

So what's in your purse? I carry the obvious wallet, cell phone, checkbook, etc. But I also find miscellaneous items from time to time. I seem to have an unending supply of ponytail holders, loose change, and straw wrappers. And my wallet is ALWAYS overflowing with receipts--grocery store receipts, post office receipts, restaurant receipts.... I usually have my digital camera for those candid moments and my rosary is always in the front pocket, ready for action. I could write pages about stuff I carry, just in case I need it (hand sanitizer, nail clippers, female products, lip balm, dental floss....).

As I prepare to "move into" my new purse, I realize just how much I carry with me day in and day out. No wonder my shoulder always hurts! So believe me when I say that I will be purging so my beautiful new purse won't be stuffed to the gills. Which leads me to wonder about other things in my life that need to be purged. My dear husband would say Facebook would be a good start, but he knows that will never happen. But I do see where the laptop robs me of time. And as much as I love my DVR, it allows me to record too much too easily, thus also stealing my time. Will there ever be a day when I won't be connected to the internet or stop watching TV? Ummm, no. But I can strive to find a little balance. I can use a little self-control. I can edit those things into less of a priority. God help me as I try to purge the straw wrappers out of my life! ;)

Happy Father's Day!

What a day we've had! The kids jumped in bed with us this morning to give hubby his gift--an Eat-Sleep-PS3 t-shirt, a new Wii game (that they really wanted!), and some candy. And of course, there was the card with the required fart joke. LOL He made such a fuss over everything. They were so proud of themselves. Then we headed to Mass, got takeout from Abuelo's, and put together our new TV stand for upstairs. The kids absolutely love "helping" him do a project around the house. I could not have asked for a better father for my children! I love you, sweetie!

Now we're just relaxing, giving me an opportunity to think of my own dad. He is one of the funniest people I know. He would hang a lantern from the ceiling fan in the living room so we could play Monopoly when the electricity would go out in the middle of a hurricane. He once took a nap during an IMAX movie on a field trip with my class. And he was always the one getting in trouble during Mass! ;) But more importantly, he was always there when I needed him and still is. When I needed someone to talk to late at night, he was there. When I was devastated by a break-up in high school, he was there. And when I wanted to gush over the incredible man I met that I knew would be my future husband, he was there, too. I cherish every memory I have and look forward to many more!

Daddy, I will never forget the way you took my face into your hands at the altar and gently kissed me before giving me away at our wedding. You made me feel so precious--just the way I feel about you! I love you, Daddy and Happy Father's Day!

Yes, Dorothy, we are in Kansas!

Summer has officially arrived. It's steamin' hot outside and we're spending four nights a week at the baseball park. One child is in summer school and the other is in swimming lessons. And worst of all, I had to shop for a swimsuit this morning. The kids are begging to swim, so it had to be done. And it wasn't fun!

I arrived at Kohl's with a suit in mind. You know, a cute tankini that would at least tame the tummy. Umm, apparently there is no such thing! After trying on numerous suits, all the while enduring the opinion of a five-year-old girl, I finally decided on a one-piece that was somewhat flattering. Is it just me or does it seem that only men design those darn things?

Lesson learned? Even though in my mind I'm still 21, my body is not! It has lovingly produced two beautiful children and bears the stretch marks to prove it. While I wouldn't trade those stretch marks and the reasons they appeared for anything in the world, I do look forward to the day when Jesus will restore my body to its former glory! ;)