a Lenten reflection

Joyful Reparation

March 9, 2011

Ash Wednesday 

Father Alex Yeung, LC

Matthew 6:1-6, 16-18

Jesus said to his disciples: “Take care not to perform righteous deeds in order that people may see them; otherwise, you will have no recompense from your heavenly Father. When you give alms, do not blow a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets to win the praise of others. Amen, I say to you they have received their reward. But when you give alms, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your almsgiving may be in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will repay you. When you pray, do not be like the hypocrites who love to stand and pray in the synagogues and on street corners so that others may see them. Amen, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you pray, go into your inner room, close the door, and pray to your Father in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will repay you. When you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites, they neglect their appearance so that they may appear to be fasting. Amen, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, so that you may not appear to be fasting, except to your Father who is hidden. And your Father who sees what is hidden will repay you.”

Introductory Prayer:  Lord, you know how much I need you and depend on you. You know my weakness and my faults. I put all my confidence in your love and mercy in my daily actions. I hope to learn to trust more in your power, your promise, and your grace. Lord, I wish to start this season of Lent with a sincere desire to grow in love, preparing myself worthily to celebrate the mysteries of your passion, death and resurrection.

Petition:  Lord, help me learn to change what needs to change in my life.

1. Lenten Practices  As we begin the Lenten season, we are reminded of the need to make reparation for our sins and be reconciled with God. Any attempt to build a spiritual life that neglects the pillars of prayer, fasting and almsgiving is building on sand. Prayer purifies our intentions and relates all we do to God. Fasting detaches us from our comfort and from ourselves. Almsgiving reflects our brotherhood with the poor of Jesus’ family and reminds us that our true wealth is not in things, but in the love of God. We all need to do a reality check on our spiritual lives to make sure we are committed to prayer, fasting and almsgiving.

2. Not for Show  Jesus is severe in criticizing the hypocrites who parade their works before others to get attention. Such parades are of no use in pleasing God or making up for our sins; they only add to our sinfulness. He encourages us to pray in private, to fast and give alms in secret, without calling the attention of others to what we are doing. In this way we can be sure we are doing all for love of God and not for love of self. Those who make an outward show of piety or generosity “have already received their reward” in this world, and they store up no treasure in heaven. Let us work silently and discreetly, with no other intention but pleasing God alone.

3. God Loves a Joyful Giver  Nothing brings us closer to Christ than walking alongside him and doing the things he did for love of God the Father. During Lent, God invites us to purify our hearts and minds and to turn our intentions back to him. Christ’s public ministry was lived each day in loving obedience to the Father’s will. Our Lenten program should reflect that same simple, yet demanding, obedience and love. What can I do for God today? What sacrifice can I offer that will be pleasing to him? Once I decide on it, I will carry it out with no one else knowing.

Conversation with Christ:  Jesus, give me the grace to begin this Lent with great enthusiasm and love. Help me live it with joy, knowing that I am living it in your presence to please you and you alone.

Resolution:  I will make a Lenten program of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving.

Another reflection on practical suggestions to the three practices of Lent by Father Robert Barron.

blessings

Sunday, after a beautiful Mass together, we made a stop by Rockwell for a family lunch.

God reminds me of His blessings every time I look at these two.

You two are too funny together!

I  l o v e your sweet smile buddy!

The rest of the afternoon little man and I did some walking.

He enjoyed every bit and ended it with a Sunday afternoon nap :)

I can hardly wait for you to discover  all the blessings around us this summer! 

mama must haves

So I have seen so many new mom blogs lately that have their favorite must haves.

I know I have only had my little man for 5 months.

But wow, the things you learn in 5 months can amaze you,

as well as the new must haves that you acquire.  They are no longer the must haves you have / want in your closet.

So from newborn till now here are my mama must haves!

the puj tub + a small heater

= best contraption for a newborn who hated bath time.  The puj tub is by far the best tub for mom and baby.  Once little man was put in this thing he was calm as can be.  No sliding around is possible on the material this is made of.  And for mom?  No leaning over and carefully holding baby up, which can be so hard on your back.  This is at the perfect height...it's right at your bathroom sink!  Just look how happy he is!  If he could still fit in it, he'd probably choose the puj tub and so would I.  Oh and adding the small heater to our bath time area is amazing advice from my sister.  Keeping that room nice in toasty is very calming for that cold little babe.

cloth diapers

Now, it might not be a must have but I would list it under my must haves.  I am so thankful my friend Nadia talked me into going to the cloth side.  We chose to go with Fuzzi Bunz One Size Pocket Diapers.  Little man has not had to deal with a diaper rash.  We will never run out of diapers, just wash and rewash about every other day.  We will always have them and it was a one time purchase!  Amazing.  They are super cute, bright colors and easy to snap on/off and wash.    

lots of burp cloths

This was a huge surprise to me.  I knew burp cloths were something every new parent needs with a baby.  But wow was I baffled at how many we went  continue to go through with little man.  I know ever child is different, but from now on I will just expect our future children to need them as much as he has.  Luckily my best friend is good at making cute ones.   If they're going to spit up like crazy, they might as well do it on cute, fashionably fun fabric. 

Skip Hop Travel Case

This travel case is amazing.  I know I haven't tried all the other travel systems, but this one just has some really great perks.  It is so easy to  carry and unfold for use.  It holds a few + diapers and comes with a wipes travel case.  It also has a side pocket to hold extra things you might need, paci, a burp cloth, hand sanitizer ect. I love how it folds out into a t.  It keeps baby's hands from touching surfaces you would rather not have them touch.   Even though we use cloth diapers, I still attach it to our travel bag and it makes it so easy and germ free.     

A car seat toy. 

For us, it is a loud colorful attachment that was the life saver!  The little man has hated his car seat from day one.  As soon as he started taking in the wonders of this world, we decided maybe a travel toy would be the answer to our loud commutes.  This one is quite impressive with music and a spinning fan by Tiny Love.  It came just in time for Christmas and he continues to be entertained every time we get in the car!

Joovy High Chair

He just started trying this thing out.  Granted he uses it as a play place for now.  The seat is pretty comfy and the best part about it is it folds away so flat, for travel or to put away in the closet if you please!  The tray also just swings out as oppose to up and down.  The tray cover also fits nicely in the dishwasher.  I have already fallen in love with it and we haven't even gotten to use it for its purpose yet!

A Baby Carrier (The Moby Wrap)

This thing is pretty amazing, once you get the steps down. I'll admit it was easier to watch You tube videos to get it down. It's just a great, comfy carrier that I can literally be hands free with.  It looks like I'm not even holding the little man here, but I was. He was so tiny then, it was a very calming place for him and it still is!  I love using it in the grocery store or shopping, when I don't feel like pulling out the stroller.  I'm looking at some new "baby wearing" accessories I really want to add to our stash.

Even daddy enjoys this one!

My list for must haves will probably grow and change as little man gets more mobile.   He's letting us know more and more what he likes and dislikes, as his personality is really showing these days.  

I love you buddy and all the fun accessories you have had us acquire.

Soon we will acquire,  

cabinet locks and other safety accessories . . . 

 Oh my.

Any other suggestions for this little guy as he grows older? Please do tell!

spring cleaning! new look!

Okay, so if you know me well enough,  you know "spring cleaning" isn't a one time thing.  It usually occurs once or twice a week in our household. It just makes us me feel better. And it looks to me like this little man enjoys it too! 

The other week I finally caved and got new spring-like pillows for our couch.  Now, just because I say spring does not mean they will stay out only for spring. I'm hoping spring, summer and fall.  Because lets face it, just because I had a PB coupon does not mean they were that cheap.  So I caved.  I used my coupon and I bought them.   And when I found out they were no longer available, I cut the tags and decided to keep them!  I was really excited because I was able to decorate with items I already had! Plus a special thank you to my Mama who let me borrow her white cream pillows!   Just had to rearrange things and  viola!  Here is my new, a little more colorful, living room . . .

Our master bedroom still isn't ready for a picture.   We worked on it recently though.  I got such a great deal on curtains at JCP the other week.  I was so excited!   Richard hung the rods for me.  I hung the curtains!  After being so happy they matched, I found some flaws. The little spots I discovered on them I thought I could ignore but it turns out I can't.  I will be putting them back in their packages and returning them this week, in hopes to find either the same or better ones with out spots. : /

< Picture soon to come!>

On another note,  while cleaning I snuck up on someone else enjoying a little sunshine herself.

Happy soon to be spring! 

some outdoor Pagel time... according to Jack

We recently got to enjoy some of this great spring - like weather with a yummy outdoor lunch with Nana and Papaw

 and a special visit from my Uncle Albie!  

  

   Apparently I'm the talk of the table.

I love Uncle Albie's stripes! So glad he got to see me :)

Hey look! I'm one of the big guys now! 








Love these two! Even if they take forever to get a good picture of us all :)






After a great afternoon, Daddy tried to teach me some rugby.  I guess I'm a little young, but I'm really eager about it!

five for five

Jack, we can hardly believe you are 5 months old! 

 This month has been so much fun with you! 

You are taking in everything you see and it is simply adorable.

Here is your five for five this month :)

1.  You really like your sleep.  Most of the nights you have been sleeping from 9pm -5am and fall right back to sleep with Mama till 9am to maybe even 10 am  :)  She enjoys this a little to much. 
2. You have conquered the floor by rolling over from your back to your tummy.  Unfortunately, you find yourself not too happy that you have done this.  Tummy to back is still a work in progress.
3. You are enjoying your play time so much that you have slacked off on your naps during the day. You usually take two good naps during the day now.
4. You are a trooper in the car seat these days. It could be your carnival ride of a toy you have attached to your seat, but we are so happy you enjoy the rides these days!
5. You give the sweetest hug and kisses when you wrap your arms around our necks and open your mouth to slobber all over our face. We CANNOT get enough of it!

Mr. Jack Anthony you have us falling more and more in love with you everyday.  

Even though we say it every month, 

we definitely will say it now, 

"This is the best age!"

We love you sweet little man!

Pardon our lack of posts...

While Daddy was out of town for work, 

Mama and Jack caught a minor cold.  

And though it was minor, it seemed more of a big deal since it was Jack's first. 

He's still on the stuffy side 

but we're working on getting back into routine again since Daddy's back! 

Hooray!

Keep checking back for this cutie's 5 month update and more!