Lent

I've been trying to explain Lent to Gabbi. Her class is doing a very cool project during Lent with jelly beans. This is the letter they sent about it.

During the season of Lent (Ash Wednesday, February 22nd thru Holy Saturday, April 7th) we will encourage each child to concentrate on making Good Choices for Jesus. We will share that each good choice is represented by a Jelly Bean Color and that we as a class have the opportunity to fill up our class jar with Jelly Beans.

Every morning each child will share the good choices they made the day/evening before and then the corresponding color Jelly Bean will be placed in our class jar. On the last day of school, prior to Spring Break, we will divide and place the Jelly Beans in plastic eggs for each student.

This is a wonderful way to help the children focus on Jesus’ presence deep in their hearts and show them how they can grow closer to him by making good choices.

***********Good Choices to go along with each Jelly Bean Color:

• Red is for the blood Christ gave (each morning we chose something to sacrifice that day to earn the red jelly bean. It has to be something they would have had the opportunity to have or do on that day)
  
• Green is for the palm's cool shade (green jelly beans are earned for good deeds. It was a good deed to provide shade for Jesus with the palm)
  
• Yellow is for God's light so bright (yellow jelly beans are earned for sharing God's light through kindness to others)
  
• Orange is for prayers at twilight (orange jelly beans are earned for attentive behavior during church, prayer time or bible stories )
  
• Black is for sweet rest at night (black jelly beans are earned for going to bed without a fuss)
  
• White is for the Grace of Christ (these we cannot earn).
  
• Purple is for His days of sorrow (we earn these through apologizing to anyone we hurt with our words or deeds that day)
  
• Pink is for each new tomorrow (pink jellybeans are earned when we forgive those who apologize to us for hurtful behavior)

We've been talking about Ash Wednesday for a while. Gabbi's very into reading Bible stories right now and one of her favorites is Adam and Eve (she keeps calling it Steve and Eve...) This morning in the car, I explained we'd be going to mass to get crosses on our foreheads from the priest to remind us what God said to Adam in the garden of Eden ("Remember, from ashes you came and from ashes you will return.") Well that didn't go over well. She burst into tears and cried, "I don't want a cross on my head!" Awesome....

Then at bedtime last night I was explaining that during Lent we should give up something we love to remember the sacrifice Jesus made for us. She asked me what give up meant. So I told her, "You know how you really love gum? Maybe you could give up gum for Lent, and then every time you wanted gum, you would say a prayer instead and think about Jesus." I was feeling pretty pleased with myself and my simple example when she said, "Like this? 'Dear Jesus, please give me some gum. Amen!'" Oh sweet child :) You always make me smile.

We made it to Ash Wednesday mass (35 minutes late...) and long story short, Gabbi cried when she received a blessing during communion because the lady traced a cross on her forhead and she thought she was getting ashes. We had to receive ashes after mass and Gabbi bawled when Brent and I got ours and flipped out when it was time to receive hers. This picture pretty much sums up our Ash Wednesday :) -note NO ashes on her forehead...

Last Week...

Last week I didn't blog much, but I took some cute pictures. In no particular order....

Gabbi hanging out with her baby



My dear friend from college came over to make some tag blankets, burp clothes, teething rings, and snuggle blankets. Here are the tag blankets!


And she brought over this handsome man.


The boys had a play date while we sewed...


I put Brent in a super cute seersucker, smocked, frilly outfit that would have never flown with daddy home :)

Gabbi turned 13....oh wait, she didn't? hmmm....


I tried out a few new dishes. Grilled chicken, tomato, mozzarella and pesto paninis on cibatta rolls.And goat cheese pasta with asparagus, mushrooms, lemon zest and sun dried tomatoes.


It got really cold (for FL)...so we snuggled up to stay warm!


But the sun came back!Single digits till Daddy's home! I promise to post pics of that soon :)

Picnic

Today was a BEAUTIFUL day here. The morning went smoothly, the sun was shining and BOTH kids were in a good mood. How could you not love this? (She loves him so much and he thinks she's the best thing in the world!)

So after school, I surprised Gabbi with a picnic at our park. Brent enjoyed sunbathing...

And then Gabbi's friend came over to spend the afternoon with us!
Look at those beautiful girls!


Munching on some popcorn while we watched a show on manatees :)


Then they laid down...but didn't sleep. But I loved hearing them giggle together :)

Manatee Monday

Somehow my first post was deleted...here are the pics at least

A Friendly Reminder...

I woke up this morning thinking about a blog post I wrote a long time ago on Mark 2. About how when you can't even find the strength to cover yourself in prayer, true friends have you covered. I've heard it called "borrowed faith."

Well guess what today's gospel reading was? That's right....Mark 2.

(Art found here.)
How beautiful is this?
Reminds me of the beautiful bible story paintings I saw in Africa

Just a friendly reminder from God of how important godly friends really are.

Thanks to each and every one of you that I have. I am blessed to call you friend.

(Here's that old post...)

The Caprara in Us

One of the most prominent features in a Caprara is their tongue. Yes, part of this is related to the sassy nickname "Snakemouth" that a few of us Caprara women hold, but more than that is the "Caprara Tongue."

Whenever we concentrate we stick out our tongue-we somehow think it helps us focus. I remember being about 5 years old and playing with the neighborhood kids. We were doing an obstacle course and the next task was to climb up and jump off of a fence. I remember turning around to watch my brother complete the task...with his tongue stuck out in concentration. He jumped from the fence and bit right through his tongue. It took 27 stitches.

When Gabbi is working hard on something, I'll catch her with her tongue sticking out.

Sure enough, my little man has followed suit! Check out this video...

Gotta love it :) At least there's no denying they're mine!

Valentines

These are my valentines :) Just a few pics of my cuties as we prepare for Valentines Day next week.

How sweet are these two?

Baby B rolled over!

Hahaha I just love this picture of him!

Gabbi loving on Ali

Big kisses from Gabbi Joy

Gabbi and I made a quick craft today while lunch was cooking. I saw this on Pinterest- it's just an old paper towel roll that I bended. And my mom started saving cold meat containers for us for crafting- how genius is she?



Simple and easy- super fast too! Happy Valentine's Day!

Job

We are so blessed. We have a fabulous priest at our parish here...young, vibrant, and willing to make mass last a little longer if it means making sure we all understand the weekly readings :) I've blogged about him before: his homily at Brent's baptism and Gabbi's thoughts on him. This Sunday was another amazing homily.

He was talking about Job. About how he suffered and was in misery because he had lost everything and was living a life of monotony, drudgery... he asked if any of us felt that way. Like the day to day was exhausting or if we felt like the trials and struggles were ever just too much. Then he asked for a volunteer.

A little girl about 9 years old raised her hand. he called her up and explained that all he wanted her to do was to walk from the alter to the back of the church and back. she went to take a step and he said, "oh wait, I forgot..." and pulled out duct tape. He started and stopped her about 10 times, duct-taping her ankles, knees, thighs arms and wrists. Finally he blindfolded her. When she couldnt see him anymore, he called her father up. He whispered to her dad that all he needed to do was stand in front of her with his arms out to catch her if she fell. Then he asked the girl if she was ready to try again. Not knowing her father was there, the little girl hopped, determined, to the back door. She was exhausted when she got there and couldnt figure out how to turn around. He told the dad to take off the blindfold. Then he said, "let your father help you.." at first the father removed some duct tape, then he finally carried her to the alter. The priest thanked them and had them sit down.

Then he looked at us and said, "Life is not a problem to be solved; it is a mystery to be lived." The girl was stuck, she tried her hardest to just keep going, but it was too hard. He said to us, "she didnt need to keep trying to solve the problem. if she had just surrendered and let herself fall, she would have landed in the arms of her father and he would have carried her where she needed to go."

Life is not a problem to be solved, it is a mystery to be lived....

Slow Fade

It's a small step, but we've decided to only tune into Christian radio (and hand selected CDs). I dont have anything against Christian radio, but you know when you really love a station how its hard to change? That's how I was with our Christian station in TN....so I just have to get used to the new one. BUT it's not only Christian, it's CATHOLIC. Super cool!

I started this weekend while Gabbi was at Grandma Cindy's so I could try to learn some lyrics and help Gabbi out when she got back. God wanted me to be tuning in. I heard this song* and it really spoke to my heart. (My apologies if this is really old!)

*Warning: the video is really powerful...

"Slow Fade"

Be careful little eyes what you see
It's the second glance that ties your hands as darkness pulls the strings
Be careful little feet where you go
For it's the little feet behind you that are sure to follow

It's a slow fade when you give yourself away
It's a slow fade when black and white have turned to gray
Thoughts invade, choices are made, a price will be paid
When you give yourself away
People never crumble in a day
It's a slow fade, it's a slow fade

Be careful little ears what you hear
When flattery leads to compromise, the end is always near
Be careful little lips what you say
For empty words and promises lead broken hearts astray

It's a slow fade when you give yourself away
It's a slow fade when black and white have turned to gray
Thoughts invade, choices are made, a price will be paid
When you give yourself away
People never crumble in a day

The journey from your mind to your hands
Is shorter than you're thinking
Be careful if you think you stand
You just might be sinking

It's a slow fade when you give yourself away
It's a slow fade when black and white have turned to gray
Thoughts invade, choices are made, a price will be paid
When you give yourself away
People never crumble in a day
Daddies never crumble in a day
Families never crumble in a day

Oh be careful little eyes what see
Oh be careful little eyes what you see
For the Father up above is looking down in love
Oh be careful little eyes what you see

Auntie Em's visit

Gabbi and I were REALLY excited for Auntie Em to visit.

Gabbi got dressed up for Em...

Em is my best friend, really the closest thing I have to a sister. We met at church in 8th grade, bonded over the struggles of high school, and moved in together at Auburn University. She's amazing. There's like NOTHING she's not wonderful at. And she's super humble...one of a kind I tell you. She's also Gabbi's godmother, so they have a special bond.

And Brent got to meet Auntie Em!


We realized at the end of our trip that we didn't take many pics...we were too busy chatting, having a bottle (or two) of wine, and eating super yummy food. But her visit was like a breath of fresh air.

I don't think I could ever get sick of this girl :)