Christ Present

(from the 2010 Magnificat Lenten Companion)

Not long ago my oldest daughter returned from her first-ever teen retreat. It was a weekend of inspiring music, heartfelt testimonies, and eucharistic adoration. Sitting at the breakfast table the Tuesday morning after, she burst into tears: "Why can't the world here be like it was on retreat!" She had come back into our sometimes unruly, less-than-perfect household, and the bickering brothers and sisters and grouchy parents couldn't compare to the intense experience of charity that had been hers that weekend. Like Peter in today's Gospel, she had glimpsed heaven and wanted to make it stay. After seeing his transfigured Lord conversing with Moses and Elijah, Peter exclaims, "Master, it is good that we are here; let us make three tents, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah." How many times have we been just like Peter! We have an incredible encounter with Dog's presence, a "mountain-top" experience, and then we cling t that memory, for better or worse, effectively missing everyday life as we long for a return of the moment of glory. Today, let us live not in Christ past, but in Christ present - as he is present to us in our sisters and brothers.

Reflection based on Luke 9:28b-36
Lisa Lickona

Father in heaven, awaken in my heart an awareness of the

presence of your Son in my life this very day.

Today's suggested penance: Listen to someone you would otherwise pass by.

Live-Streaming Love

(from the 2010 Magnificat Lenten Companion)

"Be perfect, just as your heavenly Father is perfect" (Mt 5:48). God's comprehensive love does not discriminate as humans do - between neighbor and alien, friend and foe, just and unjust. God's perfection is not static indifference to the situation of those who are hurting - including those whose wounds in life are self-inflicted, as is the case for us sinners. The shining Son and the precipitation of Spirit are the delight of the righteous, and the dynamic stimulus for conversion in regions of our lives choked off by human caprice. God's perfection is not some cloudy ceiling that we aspire to break through from below; the perfect love embodied in the Son who rises is meant to illuminate and infiltrate our every purpose and inclination, both in season and out. The physician father who took the time to scratch out handwritten notes to his son and daughter each day of their college careers, regardless of whether they were streaming along oblivious to their dad or struggling through a particularly difficult stretch, images something of Jesus' heavenly Father. The prospect of our own perfection is realized in the constancy of our cooperation with a God whose being conditions our own becoming, who draws our pattern of acting into alignment with his own, and whose joy when we respond in kind to one another is recompense enough.

Reflection based on Matthew 5:43-48
Father William M. Joensen

Constantly good Father, continue to bestow the moisture of

Spirit into the hidden recesses of my heart, so that I might reveal

your Son to all persons without heed to how well they love me.

Today's suggested penance: Do something kind for someone who does not like you.

My Ways Are Not Your Ways

(from the 2010 Magnificat Lenten Companion)

God's judgment is surprising. Jesus makes it very clear that God's standards are much higher and more sever than those of any human criminal justice system that has ever been devised; even to be angry with one's brother is a serious sin, and simply calling him a fool will lead to fiery Gehenna. At the same time, though, God introduces a new and completely divine element into the question of justice. The instinct to strike back at a person who has offended us is so powerful and so common to our human experience that all justice systems devised according to human judgment are put in place simply to regulate this impulse. It is an axiom of human justice that crime is inexorably followed by punishment. For the scribes and Pharisees, as well as for all other schemes of human justice, sentences for criminals are irreversible. Into this human conception of justice, God gives us a new Word: mercy. Mercy is a rare quality, and wherever it is found, God is also there. It is one of the surest signs of his presence and activity in this world. Simply asking forgiveness from our brother throws us directly onto the breast of God, whose mercy endures for ever. God's justice is truly strange and wonderful!

Reflection based on Matthew 5:20-26
Suzanne M. Lewis

Father of mercy and compassion, give me a simple and

contrite heart, so that I may approach those I've wronged

and beg their forgiveness, thus making my prayer and

offering to you acceptable in your eyes.

Today's suggested penance: Make a gesture of reconciliation with someone from whom you are alienated.

It Works Both Ways

(from the 2010 Magnificat Lenten Companion)

Even those who can't quote Scripture certainly know the verse about asking, seeking, and knocking. And everyone who quotes this text has certainly said to the Lord - or wanted to say: "Well, it didn't work for me! My prayer's still unanswered." Fine, but if we're going to get contractual about his, let's read the fine print and note the Jesus never said we're going to get exactly what we asked for. I know that winning the lottery might actually destroy my life, as it has the lives of a large number of big "winners". So the Lord gives us something else much better - and usually less obvious. Note too the difference between asking and asking, as we learn from Saint Monica, perhaps Chiristianity's most famous petitioner. That's the point of Jesus' parable comparing God to an unjust judge who grants the persistent widow her request just to get some peace. But all this parsing over technicalities misses the real surprise of Jesus' teaching: by asking us to ask, God sometimes wants to do our will. Our generous Father makes my desires his own and my plans his! Knowing this, shouldn't I be careful what I ask for - and imitate Christ by returning the favor: "Father, ask and it will be given to you"? We both can request and grant - and knock on open doors.

Reflection based on Matthew 7:7-12
Father Lawrence Donohoo, OP

Gracious Father, ask me to ask, teach me to ask aright,

remind me to knock, help me to open my door to let you in.

Today's suggested penance: Pray with special insistence for the most pressing petitions in your life.

Seeking Solace, Finding Joy

I don't even know where to start. There is so much swirling in head and heart right now.

Empathy. Love. Hurt. Joy.

The tears come so easily but I keep tamping them down. I know soon I will have to find a place to just let them fall. I'm just not ready for that yet.

Dear Friends of ours lost a precious little life last week. Their pregnancy ended after only 6 1/2 weeks. Hubby, Maggie and I gathered with their family and friends to acknowledge the treasure of Kolbe Michael. To confess our belief that he is with Jesus. To give comfort and love, and to find support in shared experiences.

Will you please lift them up in prayer?

He and his parents have been on my heart so much, and I just wanted to share his name with you all, to acknowledge this life. Kolbe Michael. He was (and is) loved. He is treasured. He is wanted. He is missed. And his parents will never be the same.

It is amazing to me that a life so short can touch a person so powerfully. Especially as a mother. To know that a life is growing inside of you is an awesome thing to wrap your head and heart around. The bond of love is immediate. And to not hold that child in your arms is devastating.

Most of you know about our daughter, Samantha. Many of you may not realize that Hubby and I lost our first child the year before Samantha, when I was about 9 weeks pregnant. The imprint that child made on my heart is no less than that of Samantha, or of Maggie.

My joy at having Maggie whole and healthy and here with me does not erase the heartache of my sweet ones in Heaven. But ...

... and it's a Big But ...

... like our Dear Friends, I take consolation in the knowledge that our babies are in the arms of Jesus, and are happy and whole in their heavenly playground, knowing we love them and waiting for us to one day join them. What a joyous reunion that will be!

And that's the thought that makes me smile through the tears.

A Sign for all Time

(from the 2010 Magnificat Lenten Companion)

This year I turn forty and thus officially enter the age of disappointment. I find myself asking the perennial questions of middle age. Why do my desires for my work, my marriage, my home, seem so totally out of reach? Why are my plans so often thwarted? Would that God would give me some sign of his favor by granting my desires! Indeed, it is a question for all time. "This generation is an evil generation; it seeks a sign, but no sign will be given it, except the sign of Jonah." a man emerging from a tomb dark as a whale's belly. It is the sign of a triumph, but a triumph over sin and death, a sign of a kingdom, but a kingdom not of this world. We, like they, are tempted to reject this sign. How will the desires of our heart find fulfillment? The answer comes in the open arms of the Pieta - the Virgin Mary resigned to the fate of her Son. What youthful dreams did she relinquish that day? With what faith did she carry on? It is the faith that all human desires will find their fullness in God's eternal plan.

Reflection based on Luke 11:29-32
Lisa Lickona

Dear God, when my hopes and dreams seem to be shattered,

and my plans thwarted, renew my faith, my hope, and my love.

Today's suggested penance: Sacrifice some ordinary comfort or convenience today.

Why We Don't Babble

(from the 2010 Magnificat Lenten Companion)

Friends do not talk at each other; they talk to each other. This simple truth, confirmed by our own experience of freindship, lies at the heart of Christ's teaching on prayer. Talk to God, Jesus instructs his disciples when giving them the Our Father. Talk to him, as to a friend, and not at him. In today's Gospel passage, Jesus warnes his disciples against babbling their prayers like the pagans. Why do they babble, believing they will be heard because of their many words? Because they do not know their gods. They enjoy no real relationship with them. So the pagans speak at their gods. They babble, throwing their words up to the heavens hoping that some of them might find a receptive ear. Jesus is right. This is not prayer, but rather hopeless chatter. We sons and daughters of the Father do no babble in prayers, for we know the one to whom we pray. Christ has shown us the Father. We know his truth. We know his love. We know his power. Therefore, when at prayer, we speak to the Father as to a friend. The Our Father reveals what this conversation should look like - the union of two wills, one divine and the other human, in mutual desire. What wonder! In Christian faith and hope, the creature speaks to the Creator - in love.

Reflection based on Matthew 6:7-15
Father Aquinas Guilbeau, OP

Heavenly Father, perfect our faith, so that knowing you

we may speak to you and with you in love.

May the Lord's Prayer form our every prayer to you.

Today's suggested penance: Spend ten minutes slowly meditating on the Our Father.

Who Jesus Truly Is

(from the 2010 Magnificat Lenten Companion)

At the water's edge along the shore of the Sea of Galilee, you can find rocks in the shape of hearts. Some are the size of pebbles, others as large as the palm of your hand, and still others large enough to sit on. Perhaps these mysteriously-shaped rocks reflect the pattern of Saint Peter's living faith when the Lord asks his disciples, "Who do you say that I am?" At that instant, through the Father's act of sheer goodness, Saint Peter recognizes who Jesus truly is. Saint Peter's own heart receives the precious gift of faith, a gift that dissolves and re-forms even the hardest and most impetuous of hearts and allows him to respond, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God." In simplicity, docility, and trust, Saint Peter answers Jesus from the depths of his heart, and receives in return the keys to the kingdom of heaven and the power to forgive sins. If, in these early days of Lent, our own hearts are stony and cold, we can ask for the grace to be transformed through a gift of faith in Jesus and in his Church, founded on the rock of Saint Peter. We can ask for the grace of knowing Jesus, for recognizing him as the Father's only Son, and for the courage always to profess Jesus as Lord.

Reflection based on Matthew 16:13-19
Melinda Knight

Heavenly Father, increase our faith in your Son, Jesus.

Let our hearts be conformed to his.

Let our lives reflect the pattern of his love.

Today's suggested penance: Do something concrete to help the poor.

How To Be Above Temptation

(from the 2010 Magnificat Lenten Companion)

There used to be an anti-drug campaign whose mantra was "Just Say No". If only things were so simple when evil solicits us. We have to be able to say "No". And we have to be able to say why we are saying "No". We see both things in the temptation of Christ. He could send the devil away with such dispatch because fasting had made him strong. And he sent him away with such authority because he was armed with the Word of God. No matter what the temptation - to turn stones to bread or to worship the devil or to cast himself from the pinnacle of the temple - he could say why it was to be resisted: we don't live by bread alone; God alone is to be worshipped; we should not put God to the test. The flattery with which the devil addresses Jesus - "if you are the Son of God" - shows us the irony of the temptations. Jesus is the Bread of life. Jesus shares the one divinity which is to be worshipped with the Father and Spirit. Jesus cannot test his Father, because his mission is to be tested on our behalf, so that flesh that failed in Adam should win the victory in him. We aren't "above temptation" by our humanity, which is always frail, but by being in Christ.

Reflection based on Luke 4:1-13
Father Guy Mansini, OSB

O God our Father, grant us such faith in your Son

that we may share his power and resist whatever temptation

of pride or sense comes our way.

Today's suggested penance: Spend ten minutes reading the Bible.

Seeing Our Soul Sickness

(from the 2010 Magnificat Lenten Companion)

I joke with friends that there are two kinds of people when it comes to physical health: those who get sick, and those who secretly believe that sick people are faking it. There is a kind of impatience that the latter cannot help but feel for the former. I imagine even hypochondriacs "feel" bad: it is just that their sensitivities do not match up to reality. They are oversensitive, and it is a problem. Physical insensitivity has its down side, too: pain warns us that something is wrong and must be addressed. We see this easily when it comes to our bodies. We recognize instinctively - or we train ourselves to recognize - our body's "cues": when we're hungry, dehydrated, tired. We know that by familiarizing ourselves with the signs of our needs, we can live better, eat healthier, and be happier. But we don't realize the needs of our sould in the same way. We don't pay as much attention: we tend to wait until things are desparate before we recognize our soul sickness. But our souls are always in need. When Jesus tells the Pharisees it is the sick who need a physician, he does not mean that the Pharisees do not need him. But the poor Pharisees, ignorant of their own needs and their own souls, don't see it.

Reflection based on Luke 5:27-32
Rebecca Vitz Cherico

Lord, help us learn to be attentive to the needs of our souls,

and attentive to the One who answers those needs.

Today's suggested penance: Visit an elderly person.

Renunciation for the Bridegroom

(from the 2010 Magnificat Lenten Companion)

"The days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast." Has that day come for us? Not that our Lord has vanished from our lives; certainly not, and yet perhaps we pray less now than in the past, or are more indulgent in worldliness, less concerned with pleasing God. The beginning of Lent is a time to recover an essential focus on Jesus Christ. Practices of self-denial can be helpful in this effort, but if we ask why, it is not primarily as penitential acts in reparation for past sins. Rather, mortification should be viewed as a means of self-emptying, turning attention away from ourselves so that our soul may open to God. A sacrifice of any kind loses its greater purpose without a motive to draw closer to Christ. We should discover that in fasting and renunciations we want more prayer in our lives. The pattern in a sign of grace. Our Lord finds greater desire for himself when a soul is less preoccupied with its own needs, and so he invites that soul to deeper intimacy. Let us remember also that in offering up sacrifices we help filter graces of conversion through the Church to soulds in spritual danger. This in itself is a profound reason to keep firm our resolve to make this year a fervent Lent.

Reflection based on Matthew 9:14-15
Father Donald Haggerty

Loving Father, help me to be generous in renouncing myself

during these holy days of Lent, and let my sacrifieces be for the

good of souls in need of grace.

Today's suggested penance: Skip a meal or part of one.

Momma Bear Must Protect Her Cub

Y'all have to check out this post on BooMama's blog. Just trust me and go visit ... it's something I'm sure we all deal with.

Suffering and Redemption

(Lenten Reflection from the 2010 Magnificat Lenten Companion)

We might call today's reading one of the "great reversals" in the teachings of Jesus Christ: "For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it." Others appear in later lenten Gospels, such as when we are reminded that true leaders act as servants. As Christians, we ought to take care to avoid becoming numb to the radical quality of these teachings. Lent helps us not to forget. Our smaller sacrifices help to prepare us for the greater human suffering involved in "living without" and "living for others". Lent reminds us that every human being will suffer, sometimes dramatically. Jesus adds that we need to learn to suffer "for his sake". This might easily require us today to face ridicule on account of sincerely believing or practicing our faith. It will also likely require that we learn to enter into the suffering of others as he did. There is a real glimpse of redemption when we do this. Because of Jesus, when we enter into solidarity with another's suffering, we experience another on of Christianity's great reversals: our suffering reminds us of our fundamentally shared humanity, and of the possibility of joy amidst it all, all because of the love of another person.

Reflection based on Luke 9:22-25
Helen M. Alvare

Father, help me to face my own sufferings with peace,

and to enter into the suffering of others with real love and solidarity.

Today's suggested penance: Offer your day for the intention of another person whose name you keep in mind all day.

Blog Design OCD & Daily Reflections

When y'all were first putting your homes together, did you find yourselves putting furniture in one spot, only to move it a day or 2 later, then move it once again before ending up where you started in the first place?

Just me?

Well, that's how I roll, just so you know. And that's how I've been lately regarding my blog design. So hang in there with me, but don't be surprised if you see a new header one day only to find a different one the next. (As you've probably noticed, I have ended up back where I began ... what can I say? You'd think I'd just learn to go with my first instinct. Same thing happened when shopping for my wedding dress. At least I'm predictable.)

So, onto the next topic ... I just wanted to tell y'all that I plan to post the reflections from my Magnificat Lenten Companion 2010 each morning. It will help me to be sure to do the reading, plus I thought some of y'all might like a quick reflection and some Jesus time, too.

Toodles!

Lenten Reflection

This is typically an email I send out every Ash Wednesday because I just love it. I posted it here for the first time last year, and will probably make this a reoccurring thing. It reminds me how to focus on fasting in a broader sense than we normally think about. Lenten sacrifice isn't just about "what" you're giving up but Who you're growing closer to.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

"Unless your holiness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, you shall not enter the kingdom of God." Matthew 5:20

HOW TO FAST

Fast from judging others; Feast on Christ dwelling in them.

Fast from apparent darkenss; Feast on the reality of light.

Fast from pessimism; Feast on optimism.

Fast from thoughts of illness; Feast on the healing power of God.

Fast from words that pollute; Feast on phrases that purify.

Fast from anger; Feast on patience.

Fast from worry; Feast on Divine Providence.

Fast from unrelenting pressure; Feast on unceasing prayer.

Fast from negatives; Feast on positives.

Fast from complaining; Feast on appreciation.

Fast from hostility; Feast on non-resistance.

Fast from bitterness; Feast on forgiveness.

Fast from anxiety; Feast on hope.

Fast from yourself; Feast on a silent heart.

Lenten Action: Be generous with your compliments today, especially to those who appear to be "down".

Prayer: I enter on this path of repentence so that in dying to self I might rise to new life.

Mardi Gras and My Lenten Journey

A confession: I haven't been a faithful pray-er for quite some time. It's not so easy to be reflective and prayerful when you're sleep-deprived and caring for a baby and have zero alone-time, but I am committed to getting on track again. Spending time with Jesus is too important to just let it go. (It's so easy to get complacent ... or is that just me?) So, for my Lenten sacrifice this year: no fast food, and to pray and read scripture every morning.

So, it's once again Fat Tuesday, and as it should, this day has turned my mind towards Lent and the journey of this next season.

I love Lent. It is a favorite liturgical season of mine, and one filled with such hope as we look toward the glory of Easter. Until Maggie came along, I helped with our RCIA group and let me tell you, even after going through that class about 5 times, I still learn something new every single year. My faith is strengthened. My knowledge is expanded. My love for the Church and community is deepened. It is truly an amazing experience.

One of the absolute best things about being involved with this class is seeing how God works in the lives of the catechumens (now elect) and candidates during this part of their journey. It is amazing. And there is always one person who really touches me.

(Carl ~ if you're reading this, you were the one that year)  :-)

If you've never journeyed with anyone as they come to faith in Jesus Christ, let me tell ya: it will change you as much as it changes them. And seeing the faces of those baptised at the Easter Vigil - it is as close to pure joy as you can find on earth. They are beautiful and breath-taking, and I never fail to cry with happiness. (Thank goodness for waterproof mascara!)

So as our elect begin their time of Purification and Enlightenment in preparation for Easter, let us, too, reflect on that Mystery. Let us renew our faith through prayer and almsgiving. Let us prepare our hearts for the miracle that Easter brings. Let us journey together toward our ultimate gift - everlasting life!

Happy Valentine's Day

"Valentine's Day" Contest

Valentine's Day is not a day Hubby and I usually acknowledge as special.

Actually, let me rephrase that for further truth and clarity: after our very 1st Valentine's Day together when I got him dearly-desired Willie Nelson tickets (buried in a box of cut-out paper hearts that I had written love notes on) and he got me squattola, I realized (then-potential) Hubby was not a traditional romantic and chose to love him anyway.

That sounds slightly bitter, doesn't it?

It isn't intended to. I love Hubby. Truly and completely, and wouldn't trade him in for anyone else. I just had to learn that he and I express (and expect) love differently (I really should read The 5 Love Languages). Not that there aren't times when I just wished he could read my mind and do something sweetly surprising, but really, ours is a good, solid, loving relationship and I don't doubt that for a second. I can't complain about not getting roses or whatever when I have a husband who cooks and does dishes.

I know!

So, we don't do much for Valentine's Day. (And honestly, I don't have the patience to sit and wait for 45 minutes or more at a restaurant - it drives me bonkers.) However, on any other night of the year, we do enjoy movie date nights. A lot. Hubby never really went to movies much until we started dating, and now almost 9 years later, it is something we still enjoy doing together. We haven't gone lately, and some of that is my fault. I don't like to leave Maggie (what can I say, I'm addicted to my kid), but I'm getting better at it, plus I love spending time with Hubby. And nothing beats a romantic comedy for a good date night.

So, all of this to say: how would you like to win a date night (or 2!) with your sweetie? Care.com is hosting a contest to promote the new movie "Valentine's Day". This one's on my list of movies-to-see because, y'all, it is packed with actors I like: Julia Roberts, Anne Hathaway, McDreamy (oh yum!), Jennifer Garner, Shirley MacLaine, Topher Grace.

The deal is this: enter your love story at Care.com and you could win a trip for 2 to LA, or movie tickets to see "Valentine's Day". Plus, all winners will get one month free membership at Care.com - ya know, to help you go out on that date. Either way, it's an evening with your honey. What's not to like?

I just found out about this and the winner will be selected on Sunday, February 14th, so be sure to enter quickly. And let me know if any of you guys win :)

Here are the details:
One lucky Grand Prize winner will receive a trip for two to Los Angeles, including round-trip airfare, a two-night hotel stay at the luxury SLS Hotel (http://www.starwoodhotels.com/luxury/index.html in Beverly Hills) with dinner for two at SLS’s Bazaar restaurant and a private VIP tour of the Warner Bros. Studio lot, where “Valentine’s Day” was filmed. Twelve finalists will each receive two tickets to see the film. In the spirit of Valentine’s Day, Care.com will also provide the winners with a free one-month premium membership to find that perfect babysitter.


HOW TO ENTER:

Enter at: www.facebook.com/caredotcom, and tell us your most romantic or funniest Valentine’s Day memory. All entries should be rated PG. The twelve finalists will be selected during the months of January and February 2010. One Grand Prize Winner will be selected from among the 12 finalists in February. Three Finalists will be selected by a panel of judges on or around each of the following dates: January 23, 2010, January 30, 2010, February 6, 2010, and February 13, 2010. One Grand Prize Winner will be selected from among the 12 Finalists on or around February 13, 2010.

Vancouver or Bust

The Olympic Winter Games.

The competition.

The camaraderie.

The complete dedication to the TV for the next 17 days.

I love the Olympics, and the Winter Games are definitely my favorite. Ice skating, skiing, snowboarding, speed skating, curling – I can’t think of a category I don’t enjoy.

But … is it just me, or did the Olympics seem like a bigger deal when we were younger? And I mean as a nation, not personally. I remember watching them with my family, and even as a teenager I would arrange my plans in order to be home to enjoy the competition, but nowadays it just doesn’t seem to have the same … I don’t know … importance? I’m not sure if that’s the word I’m looking for, but do you get what I mean?

When I was growing up it was like the world stopped when the Olypmics were happening. That doesn't seem to be the case anymore. To me, at least. And it makes me sad, though I hope I'm wrong. I love the idea of our worldwide family enjoying something together. Puts us all in community and brings our common humanity to the forefront for awhile. No politics or presidents or leaders or what-have-you. Just our global family enjoying a little friendly competition.

If everyone will slow down long enough to watch.

I think the Olympics are a ton of fun, and Hubby and I will be parked in front of the TV for the duration, foregoing our favorite shows in order to delight in the awesome spectacle of athletic prowess and national pride. We’ll cheer for underdogs, get misty-eyed when our National Anthem is played while Old Glory is hoisted behind our winner (well, probably not Hubby), hold our breath when the figure skaters throw themselves into the air to complete their triple lutz-triple toeloop combination (seriously, they make me so nervous, I can hardly watch!), groan when a speed skater loses footing and crashes into the sideboards, laugh and cheer on the curling folks (I love this sport, but it makes me giggle - guys with brooms and yelling, it's too funny). It’s nerve-wracking! Nail-biting! Exhilarating. It’s so much fun!

Just for the record: my favorite opening ceremony for the Winter Games was Lillehammer in 1994. (I miss G&G, don't you?)

And the Summer Games in Beijing 2 years ago - their opening ceremony was seriously amazing!! (Plus, the swimming competition had me on the edge of my seat! Will Michael Phelps win another gold? It was crazy!)

You can go to the Vancouver Olympic website for a schedule of events here.  (I'm printing one out for the fridge. Y'all know I'm a dork, right?)

And if I am absent here for a few days, you'll know why.

Let the Games begin!

We're Wobbly But We're Standing

Looky here what we're doing now!

Of course, Miss Thang wouldn't cooperate with the picture taking, but take my word for it - Maggie is standing up. Super wobbly. Holding on to the table. And for probably all of 2 or 3 seconds, but still ...

I think life just got even more interesting around here :)

I Heart Books. Really-really.

Once upon a time, reading 100 books or so in a year would have been easy. I've probably done it, I just never kept count. Really.

I'm not bragging or anything. But it wasn't as if I was out tearing up the dating scene, so my books allowed me to escape to another world, if just for a time.

In case you haven't picked up on it yet, I'm a big book girl.

My time with books has been severely restrained for quite a while now, due to the arrival of Miss Maggie. Let me tell you, as much time as a newborn needs, it's seems like The Crawler needs even more! She can entertain herself easily enough, it's just that I have to be ever-vigilant about what she's using to do the entertaining because it all goes in her mouth (cats, picture frames, Bibles, lint, flip-flops)! Plus, ya know, she does like it when I'm on the floor with her and acting like a goof (oh, the things I'll do for that smile!).

So, I came across a new-for-me blog today. It's challenge: to read 100 books in 2010.

I don't know if I can make it, but since I do enjoy keeping up with how many books I've read, this is totally up my alley. So I'm signing up :) You can check it out over at J. Kaye's Book Blog

Not sure yet how I'm going to keep this visible (because I'm assuming y'all are as excited about this as I am!) but be on the lookout for a counter or a list or something in the near future.

Happy reading!

SUYL: Favorite Hair and Makeup Products

(Otherwise Titled: The Longest Post Ever Written Ever About Non-Life Impacting Stuff – apparently I have lots to say about this)

As un-girly-girl as I consider myself, I totally love makeup and hair stuff. LOVEloveLOVEloveLOVE it! I have tons of items I rarely use, but I can’t get rid of them because I might have need some undefined day and then what would I do? Exactly. I even bought one of those plastic drawer-thingys for all my stuff.

Hi, my name is Jennie, and I’m a makeup-aholic.

(And shoes, but that’s a whole other issue and we are not discussing that particular addiction at this time.)

(Ahem.)

So, first we’ll talk makeup.

I’m going to give you 3 lists, because I can't help myself. (Feel free to pause a minute for a potty break or to get a snack.)

Oh, and I’m totally lumping skincare in with makeup because, for me, the two are not exclusive – you shouldn’t use one without the other. It’s all about good skincare, ladies.

(I know y’all are just on the edge of your seats, awaiting this world-transforming information.)

List 1: Stuff I Use Every Day
• AVON liiv botanicals – this is the skincare line I am currently using. Basically because it’s convenient (a friend of mine sells Avon), it doesn’t make me all oily, it has SPF, and when it's on sale I can totally afford it. Plus it has a serum. I’m very big on serums ever since I had a facial in 2007 and the aesthetician explained how Europeans use them but Americans hardly know about them, and how good they are for your face. So now I tell everyone about serums. They’re super-charged with vitamins and other good stuff that I can’t recall and don’t feel like looking up at the moment. But you get the idea. Serums = good for your skin.

• Bare Minerals Mineral Foundation and Mineral Veil – I LOVE Bare Minerals. I never feel like I’m wearing anything on my face, and for those nights when I go straight to bed without stopping to wash my face I have yet to break out even once. (I know, I know … skincare, skincare, skincare. But some nights I’m just too pooped to care.)

• Merle Norman Espresso Eyeshadow - I assume they still make this particular shade, and I say 'assume' because I've had my particular compact since college. (And that, friends, has been quite some time ago.) I love to use this as a quick eyeliner. I'm not so good at using pencils, but I'm a wiz with a liner brush, and use this particular color as my go-to. A little liner smudged up a bit, some mascara and lip balm and off I go!

• Sonia Kashuk face palette for blondes - I got this from Target and really like it. I don’t wear eye makeup a lot only, but when I do this is the palette I like the most. I should call it my Sunday Look, as that seems to be when I take the time to use it :)

• Lash Blast Mascara by Cover Girl - it was weird getting used to how big the brush and handle are, but it's a great mascara and definitely worth trying out, if you haven't yet done so.

List 2: The Things I Long For
• Sour Cherry Whip Moisturizer by Eminence – if I could marry a skincare product, this would be the one. It was the one used at that fateful Facial of ’07 and I have never been so obsessed over a product like I have this one. I freakin’ love it. LOVE! IT! LOVEIT!!! But it is $60 and therefore rarely enters my home. I’ve actually only had my own personal jar of it one time – and once it was gone, I kept that empty jar for a year and a half before finally throwing it out (I’m pathetic, I know.) I really should put that on my Christmas list each year – duh!

• All the other stuff that goes with the Moisturizer From Heaven mentioned above. (Guess this turned out to be a pretty short list.)

List 3: Things I’ve Tried And Will Recommend And Likely Use Again
• Aveeno Positively Radiant Triple-Boosting Serum – I really liked this and used it often before I switched to the Avon stuff (just to try something new). Worked well with whatever moisturizer I was using at the time and was totally affordable.

• Mary Kay – for a birthday in my early teens, my mom took me for a Mary Kay makeover, thereby saving me from the makeup hell I was creating for myself at that time (it was ‘80s – just use your imagination). Anyway, that’s when I was indoctrinated into the Skincare Is More Important Than Makeup way of life. MK was the enabler in my makeup addiction for years. I still love their products – my favorite is their Oil Free Eye Makeup Remover. Best remover ever made. Seriously. And whenever we have pictures made or I’m getting especially fancy for some reason, I use their cream-to-powder foundation. Works great and I never have to use a concealer.

Y’all, this is the condensed version. Your welcome for that, as I could go on and on. And on.

With regards to hair, I love trying new hair products, but I don’t have nearly as much confidence with hair as I do with makeup. If I were stupid rich – after donating kazillions to needy children, of course – I would love to have someone do my hair for me. Yep, apparently I can be that shallow. Proud moment, eh?

Anyhoo … here are the hair products that I like most:
• Tousle Me Softly Mousse – I use this every day for my naturally wavy, uncooperative hair. Best mousse I’ve used – controls but doesn’t leave my hair crunchy. Woo-hoo!

• Salon Grafix hairspray – holds nicely without turning me into a helmet-head (and I really only use it for bangs or special ‘dos). Plus they sell it at Walmart. Convenience is a big selling point for me.

• Amply by Matrix – I love this whole line but rarely buy any because, well, I’m cheap where my wants are concerned.

• Hydrating Shampoo and Conditioner by Biolage – this is what my hairdresser uses on me and I always love the way it smells.

• Rosemary Mint Shampoo and Conditioner by BioInfusions – Hubby and I both use this stuff. I get a big ole bottle at Walgreens for $10 and it lasts forever. Plus, it smells lovely and makes your head all tingly - and if that's not a selling point I just don't know what is!

Well, I think that’s it. If not, it’s certainly enough! Thanks for hanging in there! If you have the stamina, go visit other folks at the Kelly’s Korner Show Us Your Life carnival.

Happy Friday!

Pooped Out

Well, we've had a first here in Casa de Maggie.

Explosive poop.

Yep. Explosive.

There's no better way to capture the magic of that moment than poetry. In the style of Dr. Seuss. 'Cause nothing says "poop poem" like ole Geisel, eh?

Super Sitter-Upper

(Check out those curled up toes!)

We Have Lift-Off!

Maggie is officially a crawler! As of yesterday morning, just before noon, our world has changed!





(Pardon the shaky video. I was on my belly on the floor and scooting away from her while filming, to entice her to crawl. Yes, I suffer for my art - ha!)