A Billboard Baby

I am very excited to say that Little Might is a Billboard Baby, yep, you got that right he is on a Billboard. Not just any billboard either, a ProLife Across America billboard, he is trying to save other babies.

We are, of course, super excited and could not be any happier about the cause or purpose of the billboard.

ProLife Across America is a non-profit organization who's mission is to bring positive and "persuasive messages offering information and alternatives - including adoption - and post abortion assistance to those in need."

Feel free to check out there website and see if this is a cause that you would be willing to support.

I know that I myself have always been interested and in the past have been involved in the fight against abortion, but, since my son is now one of there billboard baby's I feel more impelled to volunteer and to be involved with this fight to bring about a culture of life in our world.

For those that live in MN we know that their is a few billboards around the Twin Cities area and one up in Duluth. There is a chance that this billboard is any place in the US. So please if you see a billboard please let us know. I would like to make a list for Little Mights baby book. 
  
Blessings,
Joy

A day to celebrate life (yours) or just another day?

Yesterday was my birthday, I am not going to tell you though how old I am! No there are still times when I feel quite young so I will continue to go with that.

I have realized though that when you get to be a mom that sometimes a birthday gets to be just another day. I have a friend who indicated a few weeks ago that her wish for her birthday was to simply sit down on the couch with her hubby and watch a movie. Oh my, what wishes and dreams come to some-day's.

I did not have very high expectations for the day, I am working on that whole realistic expectations. Which helped because by the end of the day I realized that it was a great day. Now the day still included all those normal annoyances sometimes. You know the ones, the dirty diapers, the clothes washing, the waking up crying. Yes, Little Might, did not get the memo for the day! He still woke up at 6:00am crying and then ended the day being very very fussy, he now has full blown cold today, poor little guy. :-(

With all of that being said though it was a great, I was able to spend the evening Mr. T - we went on a date. Complete with dinner, a game of scattergories and Dr. Mario, we had so much fun, or at least, I did.

To top it off Little Might somehow got out and bought me 2 dozen roses, they are beautiful, and he bought me a card, with a sticker in it even, that says that I am the world's best Mommy!

Which as I think about it what more could a girl want for her birthday, I truly am blessed, I have a wonderful husband and an adorable son who I love so much, and hey he still thinks that I am the world's best mommy - even if I don't always think so.

Blessings,
Joy

Guns N Roses - The Concert

As I indicated yesterday I went to a GNR concert on Sunday night and WOW, what a concert.

That WOW eludes to a few stories that I thought I would share with you today.


First of all Axel is a GREAT performer it was an three hour concert filled with pyrotechnics, and many other elaborate visual effects including I think 7 jumbotrons. I have never been to a concert this elaborate before so it was really kind of fun.

Now Mr. Rose takes the stage for his 3 hour concert when he feels like it. The concert itself was not even scheduled to start until 9pm and that was for the cover band, Adelitas Way, I will get to them in a minute. They took the stage late at about 9:20 and played for about an hour, and than they needed to re-do the stage and needed to give us a good long wait of another hour. Are you doing the math, yep, GNR did not take the stage until after 11 and played for three hours. I think the concert ended at about 2:20 with Paradise City lots of Pyrotechnics and red confetti. So it was worth staying till the end.

While Adelitas Way was playing we had great seats, our bought seats were up on the 200's but when we were looking down on the first level of seating, they started playing and the usher asked us if we know where our seats were, we said yes up on the 2 level. He told us to go ahead and take a seat. That was enjoyable to be that close and really see everything. However the band itself had a lot to be desired. Both because of there heavy metal sound, their language, and so on. So while they were playing I opted to really not listen instead I prayed the chaplet for them, decided that they really could use as many prayers as they could get. :-(

Throughout the concert I saw things, were exposed to things that I am not exposed to on a daily basis, I live at times, a very sheltered life. Which I my more than content with. However, I do think it was good for me to be exposed to a certain extent the deprivation of humans in our society. It was a reminder that we as Christians really do need to pray for the sake of souls. Their are souls that are so lost that they don't know where to turn and the Light of Christ is but a pin miles away that they can can't see because their world is so dark.

Saint Michael the Archangel,
defend us in battle.
Be our protection against the wickedness and snares of the devil.
May God rebuke him, we humbly pray;
and do Thou, O Prince of the Heavenly Host -
by the Divine Power of God -
cast into hell, satan and all the evil spirits,
who roam throughout the world seeking the ruin of souls.
Amen.

In hopes on not ending on to low of a point I want to state that the highlight was probably when he played my favorite song, November Rain. Mr. T and I cuddled a bit closer and just enjoyed a wonderful piano piece. Axel is a great pianist. I can definitely say that 18-20 years ago when I was so excited to slow dance to that song during a junior high school dance. That I never in a million years thought that one day I would be sitting with my husband listening to that song be played live in concert. Likewise, when I went to a New Kids on a Block concert,  again 18-20 years ago, at the same venue the same weekend, that I would ever be back their for a Guns N Roses concert. Who would know.

Blessings,
Joy

St. Michael the Archangel, Pray for us!

Manic Monday

It's Monday!

For me, it is a very very tired Monday, but this is totally due to my own doing's or possibly that of Mr. T's. See we went out last night, which yes, would be great on any number of level's except we were really really spontaneous, ambitious, or maybe just plain crazy. We went to the Guns N Roses concert last night. Yes, I was at a Gun N Roses concert more people than not have had a good laugh at this. I do actually enjoy their music i.e. November Rain, Knocking on Heavens Door, Paradise City, and I still classify them as "Classic Rock" NOT "Hard Rock" even though I did have my doubts last night.

How did this all come about? Well, it was actually a very "Frugal" find. A Groupon came through late last week. I knew that Mr. T had wanted to go to the concert but we can not afford nor would we pay $60 + per ticket. So when I saw the Groupon I knew that I needed to tell him so I forwarded him the email and waited for his response. Well, he replied by saying I'm totally on board. Well, for me that did not mean stopping what I was doing and paying $50 for tickets. So I waited till he got home and he asked so do you have the tickets. Well, that sent the night into the direction of getting tickets and finding a babysitter, for the night! We owe some friends of our dearly. 

Non-the-less onto the Manic Monday dealings and I will share more about the concert tomorrow their definitely more stories to be told.

Menu
Monday: Leftovers, I am not going to try to make anything elaborate, plus the big game is on tonight.
Tuesday: I think we are going out tonight, if we decide to just go for dessert or drinks than, we will just have something fast and easy here at home, i.e. sandwiches.
Wednesday: Chorizo, Eggs, and Cheese with soft shelled tacos - this never happened last week.
Thursday: Patty Melts and Sweat Potato fries.
Friday: Tuna Melts
Saturday: We will be at some friends house for dinner.

To-Do-List for the Week:
1. Make a schedule for the week, what I am going to work on each day - I have a daily schedule worked out which is helpful to at least have on paper, I would like to iron out what I will focus on each day as far as blogging, RCIA, or home-school lesson plans. This I believe will help me in accomplishing #4.

2. Read one book to Little Might everyday. This one is working very well, I read to Little Might just about every day last week during the week. - Still working great.

3. Decide on one book that I am going to begin reading and take time to read it everyday. I love to read, but I have realized that I am not taking time each day to read like I should. I am still working on this one - I need to really decide on a book and commit to it, I am having a hard time with this. I now though, have my very own reading corner, and prayer corner which I think and hope will help with this. 

4. Create lesson plans for next week, I would like to get a few weeks ahead - I did this one partly but now I want to continue to get a ahead for this one, it would still be nice to get a month ahead.- I am soooo NOT a month a head -will continue this goal this week.

5. Work on some more of the Christmas shopping, I really would like to be done by the beginning of Advent. Likewise, within the the next two weeks I would like to pull out the Advent Wreath, see if we need candles and prayerfully decide with Mr. T how we as a family should enter into the season of Advent.

6. Say the Divine Mercy Chaplet with Little Might at least once a week, close to 3 o'clock! I put this on my daily schedule but still have yet to accomplish this.

Blessings,
Joy

Sabath Sense Saturday

First Reading for the 33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time 
Proverbs 31:10-13, 19-20, 30-31

When one finds a worthy wife,
her value is far beyond pearls.
Her husband, entrusting his heart to her,
has an unfailing prize.
She brings him good, and not evil,
all the days of her life.
She obtains wool and flax
and works with loving hands.
She puts her hands to the distaff,
and her fingers ply the spindle.
She reaches out her hands to the poor,
and extends her arms to the needy.
Charm is deceptive and beauty fleeting;
the woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.
Give her a reward for her labors,
and let her works praise her at the city gates.

The above reading is tomorrows first reading and it truly is a beautiful reading, but also extremely humbling for wives and women.

When I was engaged to Mr. T, I reflected more than once on the bible passage. Praying that I would be the wife that this passage describes. A wife that would be more precious than pearls, that prize beyond all telling, beyond all other prizes.

This passage overall describes all the characteristics of good and holy wife, but, also reiterates the role of the wife in a marriage to bring her spouse closer to Christ and ultimately to heaven. May this passage not bring us despair but may it bring us strength and courage to continue that beautiful role of wife of laying down our lives for our beloved.

We pray to Mary our Blessed Mother that she may guide us to be more precious than pearls and a great prize.

Blessings,
Joy

Frugral Friday - Getting Ready for Christmas

Welcome to Frugal Friday on Adventurous Beginnings:
Yes, believe it or not this post deals with Christmas, not because we already have the tree up or the Christmas music playing or some other crazy nonsense like that. In fact our family will celebrate Advent before we celebrate Christmas.

I have realized though that it is helpful to be organized which in turn can help you to be more frugal and thus save money! Which everybody likes to do especially in today's economy.

So today for the Frugal Friday post I have 5 tips for trying to save money this Holiday Season and especially for saving money for Christmas shopping.

1. Start early, if you have not started your Christmas Shopping already, start now. My goal is to be done by the beginning of Advent. This will make it more possible to focus on the beautiful liturgical season of Advent. Preparing for the coming of Christ. Starting early will also help so you have more income left in December to be pay for those expanses, that I at least always forget about, the Christmas Tree, Baking, Travel, and other odds and ends that go along with the holidays. 
2. Make a list of who you need to buy for and make a list of what you would like to purchase for each person prior to going to the store.
3. Make yourself a budget, a budget for Christmas shopping overall as well as a budget for each person. 
4. Be creative, be personal, and make items homemade. I am really really excited by some of the items that I am planning to give as gifts I definitely got creative. One of the avenues that I took this year was to create photo albums for people and you can find amazing deals for Shutterfly, and My Publisher, so keep your eyes open. 
5. Shop online, I have realized that I can save money if I shop online, I have more time to look at products and compare them, I also sometimes save money by driving from one store to another. I only pay for shipping in severe circumstances, and I also always ask and try to see if I can have items shipped to the store.

I hope that these five tips will help you as we prepare for this beautiful but hectic season of Christmas, maybe helping to DE-clutter a bit so we can concentrate on the true meaning of Christmas. If you have any suggestions or tips that you do to save money during the holiday season, please pass them along, as always I would love to hear them.

Blessings,
Joy

Santa Scala

Greetings:
Today we celebrate the feast of St. Leo the Great, a Doctor of the Church. Instead of writing about this great feast though and saint of the Catholic Church I am going to continue a brief trip down memory lane.

While in Rome, both times, I had the amazing experience of climbing the Santa Scala (the Holy Stairs) these stairs are next to San Giovanni Laterano, the Basilica of St. John Lateran the church who's dedication we celebrated yesterday. While thinking about my visit to San Giovanni Laterano, I could not help but think about my visit to the Santa Scala.

The Santa Scala are said to be the same stairs that are Savior Jesus Christ walked up at the hour of his condemnation by Pontious Pilate. These marble stairs are covered by wood, with open holes indicating where Christ's blood is. The 28 steps are traveled by pilgrims daily, on the knees. You cannot walk up the steps you can only journey up them on your knees. For this that do not wish to do that and when one goes down, their are two separate sets of stairs one on each side.

As you journey up the stairs you are encourage to pray, medicate, and contemplate on the crucifixion of Our Lord and Savior. The prayer below is one prayer that has been put together by Rome as a useful meditative tool for pilgrims.

O merciful Jesus!
For the salvation of mankind,
You did submit to the suffering of the scourging
and crowning with thorns;
You did allow Yourself to be dragged
by impious hands on these stairs
to be led before Pilate.
I desire to venerate with deep respect
the bloodstained traces of Your Divine feet,
and I humbly beg You,
by the merits of Your Passion,
to grant, that I may one day
ascend to the Throne of Glory,
where You live and reign
with the Father and the Holy Ghost
forever and ever.
Amen.
Blessings,
Joy

The Feast of St. John Latern

Today in the Catholic Church we celebrate the Feast of St. John Lateran.

The first question we need to ask ourselves is who or what is St. John Lateran, well it is not a he, it is actually a church. St. John Lateran is the Cathedral for the Diocese of  Rome, it is the seat of the Pope, Pope Benedict XVI.

 

 

Mr. T and I have been fortunate enough to visit this great Cathedral of Rome. It is truly a beautiful church and one of the four major basilicas of Rome.

As we celebrate today's feast day I cannot help but think back to my time in Rome, both when Mr. T and I honeymooned there and when I studied in the heart of Catholicism. This feast day though is also a great day for us to remember the universality of the Church, how we are intimately connected with Rome. More than that, how Rome is the seat of the Roman Catholic Church. 

Blessings,

Joy

A Break Away - Sometimes thats all we need?

Two weeks ago I went up to my parents for the weekend. This occured after a very busy busy week. I am still not sure what it was but it felt extremely busy and disjointed and I personally felt overwhelmed and tired through out much of that week. By Thursday I realized that the plans for the weekend were becoming unraveled fast, which also meant that it was going to be a great weekend for Mr. T to work on the bathroom which was going to mean finishing the plumbing, which would mean turning off the water for the bathroom through out the weekend. I know that if I was already feeling out of sorts there was no way that being around with out a functional bathroom would ever help.

So to solve this problem Little Might and I decided to go up to my parents for the weekend. Which meant that Grandma and Grandpa got good quality time with their grandson, Mom would get a bit of a breather and Mr. T would have plenty of time and space to work on the bathroom, which turned out to be a win win situation for everybody.

I truly think that this was just what the good Lord ordered. It was a beautiful weekend away and it was nice for me to spend some time with my parents. They of course spoiled their grandson. Including with this wonderful outfit, that this mom approves of us with out hesitation.

I hope you each have those moments those times when you can get away and become refreshed.

Blessings,
Joy

Sabbath Sense Saturday

Sabbath Sense Saturday is Back!

We are starting another round of Sabbath Sense Saturday this weekend, a round that I am hoping will be continuous - we will see!

This weekend we have a great first reading. A reading that comes from one of my favorite books of the bible, Wisdom! Which makes me think I should really spend more time reading the book of Wisdom.

This reading from Wisdom calls us, maybe inspires us, to seek out the beautiful gift of Wisdom - Sophia in Greek.

Wisdom as one of the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit is given to us Christians, us Catholics through the sacraments and builds upon the gift of knowledge and the gift of faith. We are also reminded in the bible passage that the gift of Wisdom is "resplendent and unfading" and likewise "readily perceived by those who love her, and found by those who seek her". With that last passage I am also reminded of the bible passage "But if any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God who gives generously and ungrudgingly, and he will be given it." The Lord wants to bestow on us his gifts of the Holy Spirit his gift of Wisdom. So may we here the words of the bible passage this weekend and pray for that beautiful gift of Wisdom.

The Serenity Prayer

God grant me the serenity
to accept the things I cannot change;
courage to change the things I can;
and wisdom to know the difference. 

 

Living one day at a time;
Enjoying one moment at a time;
Accepting hardships as the pathway to peace;
Taking, as He did, this sinful world
as it is, not as I would have it;
Trusting that He will make all things right
if I surrender to His Will;
That I may be reasonably happy in this life
and supremely happy with Him
Forever in the next.
Amen.

--Reinhold Niebuhr

Blessings,
Joy

Frugal Friday - Progress Report

It is already Friday and that means that it's time for Frugal Friday!

Today I have a progress report on a previous Frugal Friday post that I had a few months ago. Back in July I posted about Swagbucks and stated how it was time for everybody to get there swag on, you can look at that previous post on Swagbucks here.

Swagbucks for me, and maybe for you to is the perfect little way to earn a few dollars for Amazon. I am excited to report that I already have $55 in Amazon Gift Cards and I am just a bit away from redeeming my points for another $5 gift card for Amazon. My goal is that by the end of November I will have $75 in Amazon Gift Cards.

What am I saving up for, I still don't know, originally I was going to use it to help with Christmas gifts, but we seem to be purchasing Christmas gifts in other ways. So I may be saving for a new camera or for new dishes. Who knows but we will see.

Now for a brief overview of what Swagbucks is. Simply Swagbucks makes it so you can earn cash for doing what you always do on the internet. Including searching the web, clipping coupons, watching TV, playing games, taking surveys, than in addition I have a morning routine of taking the Daily Poll for 1 swagbuck; and NOSO, No Obligation Special Offer, for 2 swagbucks; and finally a Survey Visit for 1 swagbuck. I have really enjoyed my 5 minute routine that has lead to some great Amazon Gift Cards.

I hope you will take a look at Swagbucks and see if this is a GREAT WAY for you to earn a few extra bucks. If you would like I have included a referral link on the left side of my blog, where you too can sign-up for Swagbucks and start earning today.

Blessings,
Joy

"While I'm Waiting"

Yesterday as I was writing the post "Longing for Heaven" I thought of the following song by John Waller, "While I'm Waiting".

I heard this song played as a first dance at a wedding reception this past summer. It was beautiful. After reflecting about the words of the song, I am realizing that it is a prayer a commitment of our Waiting on Christ. This may mean waiting on him through trials and hardships. Through sickness, and questions.


It also can as I have come to realize can mean waiting on Christ for his final coming. Waiting, serving, praying, being a faithful people, till we ourselves will be reunited will all our loved ones and all of the saints in heaven.

My simple prayer is that we may have the courage to realize that longing within us to be reunited with our Maker in Beatitude. Likewise that we may than have the strength show love to our loved ones without restraint drawing them closer to Christ.

Blessings,
Joy

All Souls Day - A Longing for Heaven

Greetings today in the Catholic Church we celebrate the Solemnity of All Souls Day!

The Solemnity of All Souls Day is another one of those amazing feasts on the liturgical calendar of the Catholic Church, where in the churches wisdom, we set the day aside to commemorate, pray for, all the souls of the faithful departed. We pray for those who are awaiting their union with Christ in Heaven, they are awaiting Beatitude and are currently going through the cleansing fires of purgatory.

With in the last two days we have celebrated ALL the faithful departed those that are in purgatory and yesterday we celebrated ALL of the saints. All the people that are rejoicing in the Beatific Vision of Christ in Heaven.

As I have reflected on these two solemnity's of the Church and especially as I listened to the readings, the songs, as well as the homily yesterday at mass I could not help but feel a longing to be united with Christ in heaven.

This is not the first time but it has only been within the last 8-10 years that I have realized and felt this longing within myself. No surprise the longing came after a conversion where I realized the beauty of the Church and of the teachings of the Church and through that became to have a deeper relationship with Christ.

It has all been interesting over the years to hear other people talk and refer to this longing that is within us. As a Catholic Church we spend specific times in waiting. All Saints Day is a day where we to realize that we are each called to be a Saint and that our life here on earth is not permanent, that we are really a people in waiting.

We are made to be in union with Christ, we are made for Beatitude.

All Saints Day

Greetings on this beautiful Solemnity of All Saints Day!

As I have said before or at least hope that I have said before I LOVE being Catholic. My favorite reason for being Catholic is probably for the Eucharist, the Source and Summit of our Catholic faith. The second reason would be because of the Saints.

I love the fact that we believe that their is a whole litany of saints that we can call upon and ask for there intercession. One common misconception is that we pray to them, but we don't we ask them to pray for us. If we can ask people here on earth to pray for us why would be not want to ask the souls that are in heaven with Jesus, to pray for us. They are so much closer to him that they are amazing intercessors for us.

The other great concept that saints help us to realize is that ANYBODY can get to heaven if we but repent and have faith. Not all saints are priests or sisters, their are saints who are single, married, fathers, mothers, children, and even ones who were great great sinners. Saints have come from every aspect and walk of life.

A few of my favorite saints are; St. Thomas Aquinas one of the greatest theologians and doctor of the Church, St. Therese of Lisieux the little flower and another doctor of the church, St. Gianna Beretta Molla, wife and mother. These are only three amazing saints the Catholic Church is filled with saints, and the Church again in her great has what are called Patron Saints, Saints that are chosen, because of there life in some way or another to be perfect intercessors for different groups of people on earth. For example St. Monica is the patron saint of moms and St. Thomas Aquinas is the patron saint of students.

I hope you enjoy this beautiful solemnity.

Blessings,
Joy

Frugal Friday - Stuck up on Peanut Butter

Greetings:
I hope you are each having a wonderful weekend. My apologies that this is a day late, but, I really wanted to get this in. As always I hoping I have a tip here that will help you each save a few pennies - this just be a biggy!

My family goes through a fair amount of peanut butter, and I am sure that once Little Might gets older we will go through even more - I like to think of it as a great source of protein. It makes for a simple snack i.e. that Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwich, the piece of toast with Peanut Butter poured on, or peanut butter cookies, or everybody's favorite, at least mine, rice crispy treats made with Peanut Butter. Now that I have you craving Peanut Butter, here comes the bad new, that quick source of protein is going to go up by 30-40% sources say.

I heard this from a friend and I did some research and sure enough, due to the drought in Texas this past summer the peanut crop was not as large so the price of peanut butter is going up according to MSN Money.

The good thing, if you live in MN and possibly WI, Rainbow has a PRICE CAP on their Skippy Peanut Butter brand, their 15-16.3 oz. varieties are a $1.98 till Dec. 31st. So you have until the end of December to stuck up.

A few other highlights from their PRICE CAP deals for those that have access to Rainbow, fresh boneless skinless chicken breasts for $1.98 a lb or Mr. T's personal favorite fresh lean group beef for $1.96 a lb in a 3lb tube, I have also enjoyed the great prices on produce, celery is 98c a bag and carrots are only 48c for a 1 lb bag. There are many many more wonderful PRICE CAP'S so make sure you check out your weekly and stock up on a few of these items. 

Till next time, be frugal. 

Blessings,
Joy

A visit with Jesus

A few weeks ago I signed-up for an hour of adoration...during the day...so Little Might comes with me. Yes, I am bringing my toddler with me to adoration and am asking him to sit somewhat still and remain somewhat quite for a whole hour. Some people may call me crazy and sometimes I think I might be.

So why, am I doing this, good question. This is a question that I have asked my self fairly often during each hour of adoration.  Especially when he is being a "toddler" a toddler that has a case of "ants in his pants".

I often go back to what Mr. T told me when I was discerning rather or not I should sign-up for an hour, "that God would want him there"; and to what Jesus says in the bible, "Let the Little Children Come to Me!" I truly believe that it is the right thing to do (bringing Little Might to adoration) even if it is not the easy thing to do.

I have learned though that I need to count on the graces that Jesus gives simply when we are in adoration, even when the hour is not nearly as "productive" as what I would prefer it to be. I don't usually have the chance to spend the whole hour deep in prayer and thought.

Instead the hour usually consists of me keeping Little Might in check, making sure that he does not race up to the front or out the back door, while my rosary that I try to say, partly consists of praying that Little Might does not get to loud or start crying.

Last week though, I realized why I truly go to Adoration with Little Might, so can be exposed to Jesus, Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity, in the most Holy Eucharist. So as he grows he will have the opportunity to become friends with Jesus and feel comfortable adoring him in the most Holy Sacrament, while spending an hour with Him.

It was also last week that I received a special gift, Little Might fell asleep in my arms. It truly was a beautiful moment where, I realized that there was no other place for me to be at that very moment, and that there was NOTHING else that I should be doing, but adoring our Lord and Savior in the Eucharist, while holding my sleeping child.

It was beautiful!

Blessings,
Joy