An Adoration Date

We are officially one week into the 2016 Lenten season and I can't help but feel that this has already been one of the most spiritually fulfilling ones that I have ever observed.

As I mentioned last week, one of my goals this Lent was to attend adoration once a week with Jackson (an idea that was given to me by the fabulous Jessica), which we did for the first time yesterday. Truth be told, I was a little nervous about taking Jax to his first adoration, especially since he is a toddler and the chapel itself is very small and quiet.

I have come to the conclusion that I am going to have a hard time with Jackson when he's a teenager because he is seriously the perfect toddler... he didn't make a peep the entire 15 minutes we were in the chapel and just looked around and pointed to all the crosses. (If you ask him to stop doing something, he normally does without making a fuss AND he likes helping out around the house... seriously, is this a dream?!) It was such a peaceful and special moment that I decided we need to continue these weekly "dates" throughout the year.

After leaving the adoration chapel, we walked outside and sat in front of the Blessed Mother, said a few Hail Mary's (I didn't learn the prayer until I was in junior high and want to teach him while he's young), and then headed to the car. In an effort to prolong our special day, we went to lunch at Chick-fil-a and shared some Cold Stone before running a few errands and returning home for nap time.

Part of me feels silly for feeling the need to instigate weekly "dates" with my toddler (especially since we spend every waking moment together), but I think that doing something out-of-the-norm together each week will benefit us both. I believe these adoration dates will do just that. 

During lunch, I decided that we will always go to either lunch or to the park after praying in the chapel, so that as Jackson gets older, we can sit and talk about Jesus, our faith, and what this time together means to us.

Even though my baby is growing up way too quickly, I look forward to him being able to talk and having meaningful, post-adoration chats with me... but in the meantime, I will continue to soak up these sweet days with my sweet boy! 

Fat Tuesday Reflections

Are you ready for a somewhat sad and pitiful story?

No? Well, I'm going to tell it anyway! (Feel free to skip :)

I am on the steering team for our Magnificat Mom's group at church and I absolutely love it -- I have made some wonderful friends who I meet with for play dates, coffee/wine drinking, etc., and have learned so much about myself and our Catholic faith along the way! Anyway, I signed up to bring an egg dish to our meeting last Thursday, which I COMPLETELY forgot about until Wednesday evening. I ended up opting to make this last minute and had it all prepared Wednesday night and ready to pop in the oven for Thursday morning. 

So I get up early...

Bake my casserole...

Make myself look somewhat presentable...

Wake up Jax/get him ready...

Take casserole out of oven...

Make coffee/prepare Jackson's milk cup...

Fasten "handy" plastic top (with handle!) to my casserole dish...

Grab casserole dish by handle + coffee + milk + purse + diaper bag...

Watch casserole fall in slow motion...

Stand there like an idiot for 10 seconds and pray that it miraculously stuck to the pan.

"SON OF A...." I started to yell, quickly stopping myself as I saw my fast-learning toddler round the corner. Brandon heard the thud/near cursing, came running downstairs, witnessed the mess, and began to nervously laugh... which in turn made me laugh (which was probably better than crying). My initial thoughts were to say "screw it," go back to bed, and skip the meeting, but I knew it wouldn't be fair of me to back out of my commitment... So, I did the logical thing and rolled into the McDonald's drive-thru, ordered one-dozen burritos and Sausage McMuffins, and headed to our meeting. 

The morning may have started off on the wrong foot, but it quickly turned around when I started visiting with the other moms and listening to the fabulous Jessica's insight on Sacramental Preparation. While Jessica spoke to our group about her favorite resources and how to approach each Sacrament with your child, it dawned on me that the Lenten season is upon us -- HOW IS THAT EVEN POSSIBLE?! 

I know I talked last year about how Lent is my favorite time of the liturgical year, but I think it's worth repeating since it is a time of hope, peace, and renewal in both the Church as well as ourselves. To be completely honest, it never really clicked with me just how powerful and special this time of year is until I had a son of my own. (Side Note: Some kids at the library weren't letting Jackson play with them a few weeks ago and my first instinct was to run to his side, scold them, and protect him, but I knew I needed to just stand back and let him handle it -- it obviously phased me a lot more than it did him, because he just shrugged it off and found another new friend to play with while I went home and cried, pondering how Mary was able to be so perfect and full of grace while watching her Son die on the cross not just those who loved him, but for those who spat at him, threw rocks, and inserted nails into His hands and feet.) 

It wasn't until after I had Jackson that I realized Lent isn't about giving up things for Christ; it's about becoming closer to Him. When this realization came to be, I decided it was time to stop giving up things for petty reasons ("Ooh, if I give up candy, I can lose some weight!") and start taking up things to better my relationship with Him. Over the last few years, I have done this by reading the daily Scriptures and reflections on my Laudate app, as well as reading through/studying Fr. Robert Barron's daily reflection emails (which I highly, highly recommend). 

I have decided to continue doing these things this Lenten season, but will also be adding something new: During Jessica's talk on Thursday, she mentioned having weekly adoration "dates" with her son, which is probably the coolest thing I have ever heard. So, Jackson and I will start having these dates AT LEAST once a week as well and I cannot be more excited! 

I pray that you all have a peaceful and fulfilling Lenten season. Here's to a wonderful 40 days!

  

Shrimp & Tortellini with Tomatoes & Mozzarella

Last Friday was the first Friday of Lent and I had the urge to do something a little different than our regular fish sticks and mac & cheese. When I found this recipe from Taste of Home, I knew it was the perfect recipe and (with a few Sandmeier family approved modifications) it was!

Enjoy this rich, creamy, and flavorful dish this Friday night and beyond!

Adapted from Taste of Home

Anngredients:

• 1 package (9 ounces) refrigerated cheese tortellini
• 1 pound peeled, deveined & uncooked medium shrimp
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
• 1/4 teaspoon pepper
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 cans basil, garlic, & oregano flavored diced tomatoes, undrained
• 3/4 cup white wine vinegar
• 1/4 cup grated mozzarella cheese
• 1/4 cup half & half cream
• 1 teaspoon oregano 

1. Cook tortellini according to package directions. Meanwhile, cook shrimp in oil until shrimp turn pink. Stir in the remaining ingredients (minus the tortellini and mozzarella), reduce heat and simmer for 10 minutes.
2. Drain tortellini; stir into shrimp mixture, cover and simmer for 5 minutes. Sprinkle mozzarella cheese over top. 

 Both Brandon and Jackson loved the taste of the dish and even ate all of their tomatoes (which is a big deal, ha)!! It's definitely a crowd pleasing dish that I plan to make again and again. 

 

Give Thanks Friday

If you've been visiting my little corner of the Internet for awhile, you may remember the "Give Thanks Friday" posts I'd do every week (before the Friday Funnies, which I also no longer do.. I need to learn to stick to one thing!). Well, I've decided to bring it back during this Lenten season to help me put things into perspective and to encourage myself to always count my blessings. If you're looking for a little pick-me-up, I encourage you to join me!

 

Here are 5 things from this week that I am most thankful for:

 

1.) Since Jackson is sleeping in his crib now, Brandon and I have been going to bed earlier each night and watching a movie & Fallon before going to sleep -- it's a fun way to unwind after a long day and it gives us a chance to just relax, cuddle, and talk. Anyway, our TV was starting to go out and completely died after a few days (which is NOT good when your addicted to "The Tonight Show").. instead of having to go out and fork over a few hundred bucks for a new TV, my genius of a husband figured out how to solder the board and fix it! I'm extremely thankful for my smart and resourceful hubby!

 

2.) Brandon had Monday off from work and we enjoyed a fun day together as a family! Since it had snowed, we bundled Jax up in his little snowsuit, hat, and gloves and built a snowman, threw snowballs, and just played around in the snow--even Bella got in on the action and (cautiously) walked along the sidewalk while we played. 

 

3.) Sticking with weather, I'm very grateful for the (mostly) beautiful spring weather we've been enjoying in CO! Jackson and I go for walks, play in the backyard, and venture over to the park almost every afternoon which has been heavenly! I'm so looking forward to this spring and summer with my little nature boy.

 

4.) I'm so excited that Brandon and I are able to travel quite a bit this year! We just returned home from Vegas and are now getting ready to attend a friend's wedding in Kansas City in a few weeks. I'm still keeping my fingers crossed that we'll get to take another baby less trip (it depends on whether or not Jacksie Boy is weaned by then) but if we don't, it'll still be a blast!*

 

5.) I'm so excited that Jax will get to grow up visiting grandparents in the country! My parents live just outside of town on 35 acres and have a beautiful back patio and neighbors with horses; Brandon's mom & stepdad have a farm with lots of animals and beautiful acreage; and Brandon's dad and stepmom live outside of Knoxville in a beautiful country club area with lots of trees and lush land.. I'm looking forward to Jackson making lots of fun memories at all of their homes!

 

This is only a few things I'm thankful for and now it's your turn! Tell me what you're most thankful for.

 

*Albeit a bit more stressful (with extra packing, flying with baby, etc.) and expensive.

Lenten Reflections

I cannot believe that today is Ash Wednesday!

Can 2015 please slow down just a hair??

Actually, I love Ash Wednesday and the entire Lenten season--it's such a peaceful and joyous time in the Catholic Church (and Christian faith in general) and always leaves my soul feeling renewed and inspired. However, it hasn't always been that way for me and I would give things up for Lent for all the wrong reasons.

In 8th grade, I gave up junk food and pop so I could fit into my cotillion dress.

My senior year of high school, I started running a few times a week so I would look better in my prom dress.

My junior year of college, I gave up drinking on weekdays and cursing (partly for God; partly to break bad habits).

Do you see a pattern here?

How was losing weight so I'd look better in a dress giving glory to God (the Father, Son, & Holy Spirit)? How was being selfish and binge drinking on Sundays really turning away from sin? In short: It wasn't and it was actually driving my heart into a darker place.

During college, I wasn't going to church and probably wasn't making the greatest decisions (I could write it off as being a college student trying to find myself but I'm not going to make excuses). I have always believed in God and have always prayed but was I showing God to those I encountered? Was I being the best Christian I could be?

No.

A few years ago, it finally "clicked" with me; I needed to be a better person and better Catholic. For Lent that year, I picked up my Bible (for the first time in who knows how long) and read a different excerpt each night before bed--I was finished giving up silly things for Lent that weren't bringing me closer to God. Do you want to know something? That was by far the most spiritually fulfilling Lent I had ever experienced.

Source

Last year, I downloaded the Laudate app on my iPhone and dove into the daily scriptures and reflections each night before bed. I also read Fr. Robert Barron's Lenten Reflections every day during Jax's nap and learned so much! And although I vowed to no longer give things up for Lent, I gave up sweets (I have literally no willpower when it comes to sugar) and talked to God every time I had a sugar craving.

I'm looking forward to the start of another Lent and am excited to get closer to God by once again reading from Laudate each night before bed, following along with Fr. Barron's daily reflections, participating in the Love Dare (to help strengthen our sacrament of Matrimony), reading from The American Catholic Almanac (review coming soon), and by once again starting my "Thankful Friday" post here on the blog (I find that reflecting on and writing out all of my greatest blessings helps me to appreciate them even more).

I'm so excited to begin this Holy season of Lent and pray that you all have a blessed 40 days and 40 nights.

Lent, Free Snacks, & Other Short Stories

Today's post is just going to be a big jumble of random junk short stories so bear with me..

..and enjoy.

Free Snacks
Coming home from our daily walk on Tuesday, Jax and I passed a man from CenturyLink sitting in the entrance of our apartment complex--I saw him waving down approaching cars and couldn't figure out what was going on but planned to sneak by as quickly as possible without making eye contact. He ended up flagging me down and I'm so glad he did: he was handing out free snack bags and I was hungry! That was a great surprise and I kinda hope it happens every day from here on out (that isn't asking too much, is it?).


Thanks, CenturyLink!

Capri Sun=Sweet Nostalgia

Lent
I haven't talked about Lent at all this year (I started writing a post on Fat Tuesday but a certain baby wouldn't let me finish it!) so I thought I'd talk a little bit about it now. This has hands down been the most spiritually fulfilling Lenten season I have ever had! Instead of just giving up something like I normally do, I have started delving into the Bible/daily Gospel every night before bed and I love it.

I downloaded the Laudate app on my phone and am able to go over each day's Gospel reading and then dive in deeper with "Reflections." If you're looking to study the Gospel more in depth, I highly recommend checking out this app--I plan to continue my new nightly routine after Lent is over and look forward to learning more and more about Jesus and my awesome faith!

In other news, I also gave up sweets and junk food for Lent--I have no self control when it comes to sugar so this break was well needed (I've felt so much better and have noticed my stomach shrinking, too!).

Family Game Night
Brandon and I are both competitive by nature (especially with each other) and enjoy playing board games--but since the birth of Jackson, playing games hasn't been too easy. Monday night, we decided to get out our new (to us) Disney Trivial Pursuit game and introduced Jax to family game night/Disney. We had a lot of fun!

Not that it matters but I won.

LoDo
Yesterday was a rotten day--between mommy drama, 6 week post partum checkups (10 weeks late), and being stuck in rush hour traffic, it just wasn't my day. However, there was some good to the day; Jax and I drove my brother to his job interview downtown and got to visit my aunt at work! 

Those. Cheeks.

Wiggles & Giggles

Jackson is starting to laugh now and it is the cutest/sweetest/happiest sound I have ever heard! What makes him laugh the most, you ask? My singing. I once had a teacher say that I "couldn't carry a tune in a bucket," so I guess it's paying off now.. whatever gets my little boy to laugh!

The songs that make him laugh: Head, Shoulders, Knees & Toes; If You're Happy and You Know It; and the Branson Vacation Channel theme song (it's a weird inside joke my brother and I have.. maybe Jax has our sense of humor? Uh oh).
The songs that calm him down/put him to sleep: Que Sera Sera; Mona Lisa; and basically any Abba song.

 

 

I hope you enjoyed this gaggle of "short stories"--we'll see you back here tomorrow for the Funnies!

Giving Up Cursing and Eating Fish

It's Mardi Gras, ya'll!

Source

Or, if you're Catholic like me, it's Fat Tuesday!

Woot!

This is actually my favorite season of the year (well, that and the Advent/Christmas season)--it's such a peaceful time and I love how our church family comes together in prayer and fellowship. It is also a time to reflect on our Lord Jesus Christ and how he gave his life for you and me.

Source

Lent is also a time of fasting and giving up certain luxuries for forty days and nights. I typically try to give up something that I rely on for lent and then do something to bring me closer to Christ.

And this year is no exception.

For this Lenten season, I will be giving up cursing (I did this last year and was fairly successful--I just have to warn everyone ahead of time not to do or say anything stupid until Easter Sunday..) and will work at being a more life giving wife to Brandon by doing something nice or special for him everyday.

I hope that everyone has a peaceful and Christ centered Lenten season.

To help everyone get started on the right foot, I'd like to share ten of my favorite Lenten Friday meals--it sure beats Kraft Mac and Cheese (actually, I lied--that stuff in the blue box is some of my favorite food ever)!

1. Shrimp and Artichoke Pasta
2. Brown Sugar French Toast
3. Cheesy Shrimp Casserole
4. Protein(y) Linguine
5. Grilled Salmon with a Brown Sugar Glaze
6. Momma's Fruity Shrimp
7. Shrimp Festival
8. Raspberry Jalapeno Quesadillas
9. Crab Mac & Cheese
10. Slow Cooker Green Bean Dumpling Soup

Party, Party, I like to Party

Clean and Scentsible, We Like to Learn as We Go, Adorned From Above, Southern Lovely, Practically Functional, Stone Gable, The Frugal Girls, Sweet Boutique, Six Sisters Stuff, Sassy Little Lady, Full Hands, Full Hearts, I Should Be Mopping the Floor,