the start of the season

So much has been done before 1:30pm today!!!

These pictures are posted out of order (not sure why, or how to fix it) but these are of our day.

Today, along with it being Ash Wednesday, was PJ Day at Lovely's school. She was so excited, and SO cute! She picked out her PJ combo to wear. She wanted to be both like Lola (of the books and show on Disney "Charlie and Lola") and in one of her favorite nightgowns (anyone recognize the gown? lol). The picture of her standing was taken before school, the others after pickup and mass. She got her face painted with hearts, and along with her cross of Ashes, she looks ready to be in the musical Godspell!! And yes, she went to church all dolled up like this. Hey - Jesus said..."let the children come to me...." It's all good!

The top picture is of Val and I after we got home. I try to get pics of the girls' "firsts" and this marked Val's 1st Ash Wednesday and ashes! We were all excited. Lovely enjoyed seeing her baby sister get ashes. I was rather proud of my girls too and loved sharing today with them. Lovely is quite the "spirited" (energetic?) one in person, but not many people (unless you go to the same service as we do) ever see Lovely at church. It is indeed one of her favorite places. She's always (for the most part) in her seat, participating! She's never been in a nursery, she's always attended with us, sat with us and never has had to be taken out (I say that now which means this Sunday I'll be taking her out lol). She LOVES mass!!! Valiant did well too - especially for going to two services lol! We went to visit my old workplace high school and did mass with them (she promptly wiped her ashes on my shirt and I'm still in shock my last bunch of students are now Seniors and Juniors...time runs by) and then after picking Lovely up from school, we went to our parish for Lovely's turn. Val got new ashes too!

I love our liturgical seasons. I'm a history buff, and LOVE tradition. I love adding to traditions, etc. I love how the liturgical seasons extend the excitement of the big "one day" holidays on our calendars. Christmas becomes 12 days AFTER a wonderful time of preparation of Advent (not just one day!). Easter is 7 weeks long until Pentecost Sunday (again, not just one day) and is led into by Lent; 40 days of focus, reconciliation, and sacrifice. Also, the Lenten season is sprinkled with special days like Palm Sunday, and then the Tridium. So much time for learning, tradition, and preparation! Plus, along with a practice of deepening our faith for Hubby and I, it is just FUN to share with the kids. We can color, build, donate, paint, hide, bake, sing, and more during these times! It is rich in tradition and memory making - and reminds us of the journey we are called to take and to live as abundantly as possible! It makes the day to day stressors easier to deal with, that's for sure!!

So, now we focus on Lent. We've all been thinking of what we can give up, or add to, for Lent. It won't be easy (it never is! Hubby will miss his soda, and I'll have to be living with the man with no soda HAHAHAHA) but we all are figuring out what to do; anything to make us feel the pinch in a way that makes us focus and be thankful for all God has given us, and what Jesus has done for us. Please do not think this entry is something all pious and we're set for a perfect Lent. I have a feeling we'll be struggling a LOT. The stuff for the kids will be easy....the stuff for me....DIFFICULT. I'm actually quite selfish.....and I "talk the talk" well, but walking it is another story. Lent, well....as wonderful of a tool it is, it is the hardest time of the year for me growth wise. I sometimes wonder if I grow at all. I may have the desire to have a great Lent - but living it is an entirely different bugger!

I guess I'll take it one day at a time, 40 x's over.

Much love!!! And I'm excited to feel the unity of Lent and Easter with so many walks of faith.
God's Peace to you!!