March 17-31, 2013

Lent was good.  Even though it didn’t go as I planned, it went as HE planned.  And, His plan is infinitely better than mine. 

In these weeks, Eric and I started teaching NFP again after a 1.5 year hiatus.  Dash competed in the State FFA Crop Judging Contest and received a silver placing.  Our county hosted their annual Family Fun Night.  Lent ended and Holy Week began. 

All the kids, except for Dash and Angelina, took the whole week of school off.  Dash used the week to catch up and Angelina just needed to finish up a couple days in Latin.  I call it our Spring Break; we needed a break!

On Friday and Saturday, we did a bit of baking.  This lamb mold was on sale after Easter last year, and it was fun to use it this year.  It was amazingly easy to bake and decorate.  Just use a large star tip and it’s covered up in no time at all.  I used a black decorating pen for the eyes, nose & mouth.

Angelina and the boys made sugar cookies and frosted them on Saturday.  Each kid had a job – Angelina is very good at organizing who does what!  She sounds like me…I’m not sure that is a good thing sometimes.

And, Marcus is mobile.  He’s not fast, but he uses his hands and his right foot to scoot around and get where he wants.  His left foot and leg are usually up in the air!  It’s too cute.

 

We didn’t dye eggs, we grow them!  The Easter Egger’s lay colorful eggs and then the last two years, I’ve just written on the eggs with food pens.  The kids decorate with stickers…and we’re done!  Colorful, cute and easy.

Angelina had a new dress for Easter; I wish I’d have taken a picture.  I was thankful that I fit into some of my favorite outfits (FINALLY). 

This year, our family attended Holy Thursday Mass, Good Friday services, and the Easter Vigil.  Every. Single. One. Of. Us.  I’m not saying that everyone stayed awake!  This being the third vigil I have attended, I finally felt like the readings made sense or clicked with me.  Probably I wasn’t able to listen the other times I’ve attended…the first I had a busy 1yo (Dash) and last year I was pregnant and kind-of miserable.  This vigil just made an impression on me…makes me want to do it all over again.

Alleluia! 

He is Risen!

Happy Easter!

The kids checked out their Easter baskets on Sunday morning.  The family headed over to Grandma & Grandpa Green Acres’ home for a wonderful dinner followed by a choice of desserts.  The kids played and watched TV while Eric and I enjoyed visiting.

Holy Week

We took a break from school for the whole week.  It was wonderful!  It gave us time to relax and just enjoy each other.  We worked around the house to prepare for company, and we readied the chicken coop. 

Holy Thursday:  Feast of the Last Supper – Mass at 7pm.  Dash served and did such a nice job. 

Upon returning home, we learned that our good friend, Ryan Mayer, had died at about 4pm that day.  He’d been battling a second round of brain cancer since November.  While we knew his health had been failing, we had hoped and prayed for a miracle.

Eric and I stayed up to wait for my mom’s arrival … she was bringing the laying hens.  Dash and Angelina wanted to stay up, too, but we convinced them to go to sleep until my mom arrived.  We’d wake them up.  Grandma Golden Acres didn’t get to the farm until 11:15pm; Dash got up and while Angelina got up, too, she quickly realized she’d be better off staying in bed!  Smart girl.  Eric, Dash and my mom transferred the chickens to their new home.  They came back to the house and we all went to bed!

Good Friday:  Church service at 3pm.  Dash was able to serve again today.  I was in the cry room for quite some time with Louis.  Dash got a bloody nose right after Veneration of the Cross… I was just about to leave for the cry room when I saw him turn around and head to the back of the church.  Fr. motioned toward Eric or I to follow him out.  Thankfully the flow stopped quickly and he could return to his duties after distribution of the Eucharist. 

My SIL, Laura, and her two children arrived just before supper.  The kids were ready to play and burn off some energy.

Tonight we learned that Ryan’s funeral would be on Monday.  My mom offered to stay and watch the oldest four kids on Monday.  Ryan’s widow, Lori, asked Eric to read at the prayer service/wake on Sunday evening.

Holy Saturday: 
After breakfast, Eric took all the kids out to see the rabbits and chickens.  All were dressed in rubber boots … sorry no pics, but it was cute!

My brother Pat and his wife Anna arrived at 2pm.  The weather was wonderfully warm and mild, so the kids went outside and convinced Pat & Anna to join them in seeing the animals once again.

Egg-dying was lead by Pat & Anna … 19 eggs were colored and I believe the kids would have done at 5 times that many if the eggs had been available!

My dad and brothers Doug and Eric planned to arrive LATE – around 11pm.  Does this seem like a pattern with my family??  Always trying to make the days longer, it seems!

To pass the time, the rest of us who stayed up played Catan.  Pat, Anna and my mom hadn’t played before, but the game was enjoyed by all.  Anna, first time player, claimed bragging rights by winning.

The guys arrived and we all visited during the last minutes of game playing.  Then, it was off to bed by midnight for all.

Some year, Eric and I would like to attend the Easter Vigil again.  It’s been a number of years since we’ve gone to the Vigil.  Maybe next year.

Holy Thursday - The Last Supper

The Last Supper

by Palma Vecchio

I really like art - paintings, drawings, icons, etc. It's quiet - no noise associated with it unless you have the imagination to put yourself there, in the moment (I suppose). I prefer to think of it as quiet, because I think quiet and stillness is beautiful. Many people have told me that when my home is really quiet, that I will miss the noise. I'm the type who can drive for 4 or more hours without thinking about turning on a radio. I don't think I'll miss the noise... I'll miss the kids, but not the noise.

Anyway, when I see pictures of the last supper, I always wonder what it was like to be there. Were there lively discussions occuring, and if so, what were they talking about? Or was it a solemn meal throughout? How could Judas blend in with everyone? Was it dark in the room?