Lent -

Okay, thanks to a great post from Danette -- I, too, have decided that I will 'give up' blogging for Lent. It does take away from my evenings quite a bit. This way I can try and focus more on family, chores [not fun, but needed...it'll be sacrificial] and most importantly - prayer.

I'd really like this Lent to be more intimate. Simple, yet meaningful. I have big plans in my heart. I hope I don't fumble.

I'll take some pictures of the "Lenten Mercy Cross" and post them on the previous post as an update. But then that should be it until Easter Sunday or Easter Monday!

Since I won't be blogging here are some things in advance:

Happy Birthday to my Dad!! [7777 -- heeheehee -- inside joke, not to do with his age :O) ]

Our Beautiful Joseph will be a whopping 3 yo on the 22nd of February

And - our gorgeous daughter, Dani, will be 12yo on March 13th - Happy Birthday Dani Girl!!

There are 2 more on Easter Sunday this year: My sister's birthday and Paul's mom's birthday. So Happy Birthday to both of you as well! [only my sister will get her birthday wish here - goes back to that whole 'no family reading the blog business' LOL]

Tonight is Mom's Night Out for our homeschool group, so we'll be going out - and pigging out ::haha:: - for Mardi Gras.

So...I suppose I'll see you in 40ish days!

Have a very holy Lenten season and Happy Easter in advance!

Lenten Cross -

Well, I just finished making our Lenten cross. I got the idea from Kimberlee last Lent and knew I'd be starting this tradition this year. [I'll post pictures tomorrow]

I made the cross out of halves of brown construction paper glued together. I made my own flower template and cut out about 40-50 flowers. I can cut more out later this week. And hopefully they'll be needed, right?

I printed out the verse from Matt 25:40 and glued that at the bottom of the cross. I printed up the Corporal and Spiritual Works of Mercy on 2 separate sheets of paper with examples of each act. So, for example, under "clothe the naked" I have examples of clothing younger siblings or helping with laundry.

So I have big intentions for Lent. I'd like it to be more intimate and simple. Really forming new habits.

I like what Mother Angelica says about Lenten promises. Something to the effect of: Coffee and chocolate are not your problem. It may be a problem for your mid-section but not for your soul. HaHa! She is so darn sweet and funny and SO darn right! I love her and miss her dearly. Anyway...I remember her saying that the point of Lent is to form new habits...new virtues. Have a better character. Be a better Catholic.

Food for thought.

What are some of your Lenten traditions and what are you giving up for Lent?