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Monday, February 28, 2011

Weekly Meal Plan


Monday: Baked Cafe Sandwiches, Salad, fruit

Tuesday: Leftover Ribs, Chicken and Sandwiches

Wednesday: Cowboy Supper, Fruit, Rolls

Thursday: Catholic Couples Group- Dessert-Samoa cookie bars

Friday: NFP Live training (dinner provided)

Saturday: Crock pot Barbecue Chicken, Asian Raman Slaw

Saturday, February 26, 2011

Kissing the Wounds of Christ

Rather than a stuffed animal, our kids have decided that they would like to sleep with crucifixes. I am not going complain about that choice. The other night Clare had some wisdom that I thought we could all benefit from hearing.

Clare: Daddy, are these Jesus' Boo-boos? (Pointing to the nails holding Jesus to the Cross.)

Dad: Yes, those are Jesus' wounds.

Clare: Oh. I will give him kisses, and kiss his boo-boos.

What a beautiful piece of wisdom to carry with us as we are about to embark on the liturgical season of Lent!


Thursday, February 24, 2011

The Princess in Her Glory!

Here are some highlights of Clare turning three last week:


Clare woke up on her birthday to a house decorated just for her!


Opening presents is so much fun!


Birthday Breakfast


Pizza for Dinner...mmmmm...my favorite!


My Princess Party






I am three and full of spirit!


The birthday flowers Clare gave mommy as a thank you for being her mommy. (A wonderful tradition Daddy started!)

















Monday, February 21, 2011

College Bound?


We all have really been enjoying the warmer weather this past week. The kids have spent hours playing in the backyard together and wearing themselves out. Today I was inside cleaning the kitchen when Isaac came in to tell me this:

Isaac: Hey Mom, Can you come to the backyard for a minute?

Me: Sure. (I walked to the backyard and saw the wagon piled high with toys.)

Isaac: (Standing proudly by his wagon) Mom, I just wanted to say goodbye. My wagon is packed, and I am going to college.

Thank you, Toy Story 3!

Weekly Meal Plan


Monday: Turkey, mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, Green beans and corn casserole (freezer meal)

Tuesday: Breakfast for Dinner (Jason has an evening meeting, so we eat lightly.)

Wednesday: Apple Bourbon Pork Loin, Flavored Noodles

Thursday: Leftovers

Friday: Fish and Rice

Saturday: Grilled Chicken, Potatoes, bread

Friday, February 18, 2011

Happy Birthday, Clare!



My sweet Clare,

I cannot believe you turn three today. You are growing up so fast. It feels just like yesterday that we brought you home from the hospital. I still remember the feeling of shock I had when I found out you were a girl. How could that be? Wiedenmann girls don't have girls. It had been 26 years since a girl was born on my side of the family.

I am so proud of you, and thank God for you everyday. You have such a sweet and sensitive personality, and I love your crazy side. Every time I look at you, I see the best parts of your dad and I. You are beautiful, my sweet girl, inside and out. I pray for you that you will always have the courage and joy you have now, and that you will always walk in the Light of Christ.

I love you!

Happy Birthday, Clare Bear!

Tuesday, February 15, 2011

Valentine's on a Dime!

We really make it a point to practice frugal living around here, and so decided we didn't really want to spend any money for Valentine's Day. Neither one of us needed chocolates, flowers or fancy gifts. We each only need to be acknowledged. We try to make a conscious decision everyday to something for each other anyway, whether it is a surprise cup of coffee or a random phone call. Just something that says "Hey, I am thinking about you. I love you, and I appreciate you!" Needless to say, the gift-giver personality that I am couldn't resist, and so this was my frugal attempt to celebrate Jason and I.

First, I told Jason to work late, advising him not to arrive home until at least 8:15, and to be sure to come with an appetite. I let the kids skip nap and so by the Grace of God they all went to bed at 7:00. And so when Jason arrived home, he was welcomed with a fancy candlelight dinner for two.

Here was the menu:

Appetizer: Fresh Mozzarella Cheese, Marinated Tomatoes and Bread

Salad: Dried Cherry and Feta Cheese over Romaine with a poppy-seed dressing

Main Course: Curry Chicken, Rice and Green-beans

Total Cost: $0 I used items I had on hand for decorating and food. Nothing outside of our normal budget was used.






(Not a good picture, but allows you to feel the ambiance of the dinner. The flash took away from it in the other pictures.)

Monday, February 14, 2011

St. Valentine, Pray for us!


On this day that the world celebrates love, we celebrate a man in love with our LORD.


Unfortunately, the secular nature of Valentine's Day often overshadows the religious origin of the feast. Below is the history of St. Valentine for you to enjoy! I encourage you today not only to show others how much they mean to you, but to take some time to reflect on how much God loves you!

Under the rule of Emperor Claudius II, Rome was involved in many bloody and unpopular wars. Claudius was having a difficult time getting soldiers to join his military leagues. He believed the reason was that Roman men did not want to leave their loves or families. As a result, Claudius cancelled all marriages and engagements in Rome.

Valentine was a priest at Rome at this time. He and St. Marius began performing marriage ceremonies in secret. For this work St. Valentine was arrested and dragged before the Prefect of Rome. Valentine was condemned to be beaten to death with clubs and to have his head cut off.

While in prison his work continued. Many of the men and women he had helped came to his cell and threw flowers and notes through his cell window. Valentine converted his guard to Christianity and even miraculously restored the sight of the jailer’s daughter who was blind. The day before his death Valentine left a farewell note for the jailer’s daughter, who had become his friend, and signed it “From Your Valentine.” He suffered martyrdom on February 14th, about the year 270.

In ancient Rome that day was a holiday to honor Juno, the Roman goddess of women and marriage. The following day began the Feast of Lupercalia.

At this time boys and girls were kept separate and seldom had any interaction. On February 14th, the eve of Lupercalia, the names of Roman girls were written on slips of paper and placed into jars. Each young man would draw a girl’s name from the jar and would then be partners with her for the duration of the festival. Sometimes the pairing of the children lasted an entire year, and often they would fall in love and would later marry.

The pastors of the early Christian Church in Rome wanted to do away with the pagan element in these feasts. The fact that Lupercalia fell on Valentine’s feast and that he was so strongly connected to love and marriage, made him the perfect choice to Christianize the festival. Through the years, this celebration of Lupercalia and the story of St. Valentine have evolved into the holiday the entire world celebrates today.

St. Valentine – Pray for us!

Today let us focus and be grateful for what should be our primary relationship: our relationship with God! It is only through His love that we are able to express our love to those closest to us...our spouses, children, family members. God, thank you for loving me unconditionally. Lord, help me today to accept and live in the gift of your love, and help all of my relationships to be rooted in you and to be a mirror of your love. I love you, Lord!

"God is love, and whoever remains in love remains in God and God in him.
We love because He first loved us." - 1 Jn 4:16,19

Friday, February 11, 2011

Brothers!





There's no other love like the love for a brother. There's no other love like the love from a brother. ~Astrid Alauda

Eight Months Old !







Dominic Vianney, I love you!

Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes


Today commemorates the first apparition of the Blessed Virgin Mary to fourteen-year-old Bernadette Soubirous in 1858. The Blessed Virgin appeared eighteen times to Bernadette at Lourdes calling the people of the world to personal conversion, prayer and charity.

Today Lourdes has become one of the most famous shrines of Our Lady, where pilgrims flock to seek the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary to intercede for them in their bodily, spiritual and emotional ills.

Ideas for Celebrating this Feast
  • Make blueberry muffins, pancakes, crepes, or cake to celebrate Mary.
  • Pray a Rosary seeking intercession for all those who suffer any illness.
  • Place flowers before a statue of Mary.
  • I have seen several bloggers suggest making a Marian Grotto out of Rice Krispie Treats.

Litany of our Lady of Lourdes

Lord have mercy; Lord have mercy.
Christ have mercy; Christ have mercy.
Lord have mercy; Lord have mercy.
Christ hear us; Christ graciously hear us.
God the Father of Heaven; Have mercy on us.
God the Son, Redeemer of the world; Have mercy on us.
God the Holy Spirit; Have mercy on us.
Holy Trinity, one God; Have mercy on us.
Holy Mary; Pray for us.
Holy Mother of God; Pray for us.
Mother of Christ; Pray for us.
Mother of our Savior; Pray for us.
Our Lady of Lourdes, help of Christians; Pray for us.
Our Lady of Lourdes, source of love; Pray for us.
Our Lady of Lourdes, mother of the poor; Pray for us.
Our Lady of Lourdes, mother of the handicapped; Pray for us.
Our Lady of Lourdes, mother of orphans; Pray for us.
Our Lady of Lourdes, mother of all children; Pray for us.
Our Lady of Lourdes, mother of all nations; Pray for us.
Our Lady of Lourdes, mother of the Church; Pray for us.
Our Lady of Lourdes, friend of the lonely; Pray for us.
Our Lady of Lourdes, comforter of those who mourn; Pray for us.
Our Lady of Lourdes, shelter of the homeless; Pray for us.
Our Lady of Lourdes, guide of travelers; Pray for us.
Our Lady of Lourdes, strength of the weak; Pray for us.
Our Lady of Lourdes, refuge of sinners; Pray for us.
Our Lady of Lourdes, comforter of the suffering; Pray for us.
Our Lady of Lourdes, help of the dying; Pray for us.
Queen of heaven; Pray for us.
Queen of peace; Pray for us.
Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world; Spare us O Lord.
Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world; Graciously hear us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world; Have mercy on us.
Christ hear us; Christ graciously hear us.

Let us pray: Grant us, your servants, we pray you, Lord God, to enjoy perpetual health of mind and body. By the glorious intercession of Blessed Mary ever Virgin, may we be delivered from present sorrows, and enjoy everlasting happiness. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Wednesday, February 9, 2011

Honey

Honey and Syrup have become staple condiments around here when we have fresh cornbread. Tonight an interesting conversation occurred about our fresh Arkansas Honey:

Dad: Isaac do you know what this is?

Isaac: Honey

Dad: Where does honey come from?

Isaac: Ummm.....Tigger and Pooh?

Tuesday, February 8, 2011

Saint Josephine Bakhita, Pray for Us!


If I were to meet the slave-traders who kidnapped me and even those who tortured me, I would kneel and kiss their hands, for if that did not happen, I would not be a Christian and Religious today… St. Josephine Bakhita

St. Josephine lived from 1868 until 1947. She was taken from her parents as a young child in Sudan, and she never knew about God. She was a slave to many different men, until the Italian government intervened and sent her to live with nuns. Although as a child she did not know about God, she felt a presence close to her that comforted her. Once she learned of God, she spoke with love and zeal about him.

During his homily at her canonization Mass in St. Peter's Square, Pope John Paul II said that in St. Josephine Bakhita, "We find a shining advocate of genuine emancipation. The history of her life inspires not passive acceptance but the firm resolve to work effectively to free girls and women from oppression and violence, and to return them to their dignity in the full exercise of their rights."

Celebrating this Feast Day as a Family
  • Pray for all those who do not love or know God.
  • Eat a Sudanese Meal.
  • Pray for all people who are oppressed and abused.

Monday, February 7, 2011

Weekly Meal Plan


Monday: Chicken quesadillas, dip, rice

Tuesday: Leftovers

Wednesday: Chili, Honey cornbread

Thursday: Catholic Couple's Group~Fruit

Friday: Potluck Party

Saturday: Curry Chicken, Bread, Green beans

Saturday, February 5, 2011

Saint Agatha, Pray for Us!


Today we celebrate the Feast of St. Agatha an early Christian martyr. She was willing to endure suffering and death to protect her purity and remained faithful to God throughout all trials and tribulations. She is the the patron saint for ailments of the breast and breast cancer patients.

Legend states that after St. Agatha was arrested, she prayed: “Jesus Christ, Lord of all things! You see my heart, you know my desires. Possess all that I am—you alone. I am your sheep; make me worthy to overcome the devil.” And in prison: “Lord, my creator, you have protected me since I was in the cradle. You have taken me from the love of the world and given me patience to suffer. Now receive my spirit.” What a beautiful example of trust and abandonment to Our Lord!

Celebrating this Feast as a Family
  • Pray specifically for those suffering and for those who have survived breast cancer or any breast disease.
  • Pray for victims of sexual assault and their assailants.
  • Pray for all people to develop the virtues of purity and chastity in their lives.
  • In some areas it is tradition to bless bread on this day, so you may consider making some homemade bread or rolls together as a family. You could pray for one of the intentions above while preparing and baking the bread.
  • I have a cookbook that suggests preparing a carrot cake on this day, where the white icing is a symbol of Agatha's purity, and the nuts remind us of the hot coals she endured.

Thursday, February 3, 2011

St. Blaise, Pray for Us!


Today we celebrate the the Feast of St. Blaise. St. Blaise is the Patron Saint against throat diseases, since legend states that a boy was brought to him who had a fishbone stuck in his throat. The boy was about to die when Saint Blaise healed him. Traditionally today is a day when you can have your throat blessed at Mass. Feast days like today always make me grateful for the beautiful traditions and prayers of our Church!


O glorious Saint Blase, who by thy martyrdom didst leave to the Church a precious witness to the faith, obtain for us the grace to preserve within ourselves this divine gift, and to defend, without human respect, both by word and example, the truth of that same faith, which is so wickedly attacked and slandered in these our times. Thou who didst miraculously restore a little child when it was at the point of death by reason of an affliction of the throat, grant us thy mighty protection in like misfortunes; and, above all, obtain for us the grace of Christian mortification together with a faithful observance of the precepts of the Church, which may keep us from offending Almighty God. Amen.



Ideas for Celebrating this Feast Day
  • Go to Mass and have your throat blessed.
  • Eat a fish dinner
  • Pray for those suffering from throat diseases.

Wednesday, February 2, 2011

Presentation of the Lord


Lord, now you let your servant go in peace,
your word has been fulfilled:
My own eyes have seen the salvation,
which you have prepared in the sight of every people:
a light to reveal you to the nations
and the glory of your people Israel.

Today is the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord. This feast day can also be known as Candlemas, and marks the purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary and the Presentation of Jesus in the temple. Traditionally this is a day when candles are blessed. Here is an excellent commentary about this feast that is worth a read, and explains it much better than I ever could. Today I am also reminded that as a mother I should constantly strive to have the same fiat that our Blessed Mother had, even in the face of great sorrow. How hard it must have been for Mary to hear Simeon's words:

"And Simeon blessed them, and said to Mary his mother: Behold this child is set for the fall, and for the resurrection of many in Israel, and for a sign which shall be contradicted; And thy own soul a sword shall pierce, that, out of many hearts, thoughts may be revealed."


No mother wants to hear that her child will suffer greatly,.and no mother can watch her child suffer without feeling a pain in her own heart and soul
.

Lord, please help me to guide my children throughout life and to be open to your will, even if that means watching my child suffer for a greater good. Help me to always keep the Light of Christ in my soul, and let that light shine in all my thoughts, actions and words. Help me to nurture your light in the lives of my children. Blessed Mother, intercede for me and for my loved ones. Guide us to the heart of your son, Jesus.


Ideas for Celebrating this Feast Day
  • The tradition in Europe is to eat pancakes or crepes. Sounds like a perfect excuse to make some cream and fruit filled crepes for dessert! :)
  • Make cookies that look like candles.
  • Light holy candles in your home.
  • Read the account of the Presentation in Luke as a family.