A Daily Smile

Today, I had the honor of helping out my mother with her faith formation students at the church down in town. One of the teachers called in sick, so my mother wrote me in as a substitute for a kindergarten class after mass.  I had substituted for her before and immediately knew that these kids would be a handful. 

I was not wrong. They were a handful... in a good way, though. Today we talked about the meaning of Lent and how we go about showing our love for God by our actions. 

Me: "Lexi, how will you show God that you love him? What good deed will you do when you get home today?"

Lexi: "I am going to eat Cheesecake!"

Me: "Okay... but how is that a good deed?"

Lexi: "I'm helping my brothers and sisters eat the cheesecake!"

Man, these kids are smart...

After talking about Jesus spending 40 days and 40 nights in the desert, I talk about how he gave up food and how maybe we can give something up that we think we may need (like toys, dessert, candy, etc.).

Me: "How else can we show our love for God?"

Elizabeth: "...by making him sandwiches!"

After talking about giving things up for Lent, we talked about maybe adding some things that we can do these 40 days that make us better people (prayer, helping your mom with the dishes, cleaning your room, etc.)

Me: "What do you think you will add to show God you love him?"

Lexi: "Eat cheesecake!"

...I really came through with that lesson!

On an unrelated note, I think this is pretty cool. Many people do not believe that there are enough good, Catholic, singles out there. This woman has made it a point to keep the hope alive. Great idea and great message :)

Also, this blog always brings smiles. A young family filled with happiness and desire for God's love. I hope to, one day, be as devoted to my future husband and family as this young momma is. 

Cheers! 

A Daily Smile

Today, I was walking (and running!) in the Garden of the Gods with my iPod strapped to my arm. As I was walking along, I saw this family with (what looked like) a small, 4 year old boy. I do my best to give children room when walking by me because most of the time they seem terrified. So as I approached, I changed direction a bit so that I was on the far right of the walkway. This boy saw me and he skipped right to the middle of walk and started waving at me. Now, when people start waving at me, I don't wave back (at first) because I hate that feeling when you wave back and you realize that they were not waving at you to begin with... and then you look like a dweeb. So I wait a second and I see that his eyes are on me and I wave back. He continues to wave with a huge smile on his face and, oh my goodness, that smile melted my heart. I start laughing and I waved some more and said, "Hi" as he walked by. This little boy changed the whole tone of my day. To that little boy, I want to say thank you for warming my heart and I hope that your adventure in the Garden was as wonderful as mine was, because of you. :)

The Pictures!

This past weekend, My parents and I visited family in Texas. It was a great trip and a busy one, at that. I was able to see some of my friends. I went to the school where I student taught this past fall and it was so great seeing and catching-up with the ladies there, as well as the kids! I just wish I could have been there longer to visit. Then, it was off to see two of my bridesmaids to try on dresses.  That was an adventure, but I think we have all agreed on the perfect dress for them. There was so much to do this trip. What was so great about it, however, was getting to spend as much of it with Paul as possible. My parents, Paul, and I sat down and cleared up things about the wedding preparation and we even wrote up to-do lists. I was amazed at how much we accomplished in just three days. I was also set on taking pictures for the save-the-date cards and I wanted them done a certain way.  This is how I wanted them...

 

...and I am happy with the end result :)

...and we went to Braum's every day to celebrate ;)

Who Knew?

You know how girls start their wedding planning books when they are, like, ten? They know the colors, the flowers, what kind of dress they want for the bridesmaids, and even who their groom is going to be. Okay, maybe I'm exaggerating, but I really believe this to be true. I also picture those books to look like the one Tula has in My Big Fat Greek Wedding (yes, another reference; and if you haven't seen this movie, it's hilarious.)

 To me, all of these wedding details weren't really important about a month ago. To me, the wedding was a day where the second most important man in my life (the first being my dad... duh) and I were starting the rest of our lives together. We'd exchange vows, have a party, and then proceed to forever. Well, if you've ever planned a wedding, you must be in hysterics.

 I've changed my mind at least five times about the colors for the wedding.  I finally decided (two weeks ago) on a nice, pool, blue for the bridesmaids... I changed my mind this past Saturday to pink.  Flowers are a whole different story. Who knew there could be so many choices as well as limits at the same time?! Who knew that only a specific flower goes with a specific color or season?! Who knew that you should get your hair and makeup done at least once before the wedding day just to make sure you are set on a style?! Really?!! 

Yes, I'm a girl and girls should know this. However, I'm a different type of girl. I'm the girl who wears shorts under dresses (even long, bridesmaids dresses I wear to sisters' weddings). I'm the girl who will always choose sneakers over the cute open-toed heels that can make anyone's feet look immaculate. I don't know the first thing about decorating. My fashion sense could not be more jaded so I thank God everyday for my older sister who is my size and who keeps a fair amount of clothes in her closet when she goes away. 

So with this girl and with such a predicament, comes a mother who has helped planned three weddings for her first three daughters. With this particular daughter, she will probably do more helping than any of the other weddings. And with this daughter, she will, hopefully, be able to help her with other new experiences in her life :)

And so I say this with great humility: I have no idea how I would get through this without my mother and the support of my father. I am extremely lucky and so happy that I have their help and love throughout this journey.

Today, we made a lot of progress. We have a wonderful pianist for a beautiful singer for the mass, we have a great idea for wedding favors as well as bridesmaids dresses, AND we even have the save-the-date cards designed. Tomorrow shall be another adventure, I'm sure. I came across this today. Pretty great idea for a Valentine present if you ask me ;)

Here is a sneak-peek of the engagement pictures that were taken this past weekend...