Easter, Spring Break, and so much more!

 Last week's Easter Sunday was really nice.  I will never take being able to go to church for granted again.  Last Easter was our first holiday back in church since Covid and I will never forget the feeling of churches being closed.  Our church wasn't as crowded as it usually is, but it was still quite crowded and decorated beautifully.  Easter dinner was the usual treats.  We had ham (Honeybaked), Delmonico potatoes, bacon wrapped green beans, 4 types of sausage (smoked Slovenian, smoked kielbasa, fresh kielbasa, and fresh Hungarian), and gluten free chocolate pudding pie for dessert.  The oldest came home from college for a few days and it was nice to have him with us.  But it's such a long drive just to be home for 48 hours.  Since the middle son will be at the same college next year, we are thinking that we may just drive down there instead of the boys driving up here.  But we'll see.

Baskets being blessed at church

We always have two baskets.  Too much food.

The two younger boys were on spring break last week, so it was a busy, yet relaxing week.  The little guy had baseball practice, he read to a horse again through our local library system, and I took him to the zoo.  They only have around a month of school left, but no one wants to go back (I'm sure the teachers are included).

I've also been planning the middle son's graduation party, ordered his senior pictures, and designed and ordered his announcements.  And I even started to purchase some of the things he will need for his dorm room.  It's a lot, but it's all good stuff.  Tomorrow is back to school, and we need to finish out this school year strong.

What I Read In January (and am still reading)

 I'm trying to increase my reading this year.  Last year I read 25 books and I told Good Reads that I also want to read 25 this year.  But in reality, I'd like to read more.  But somehow, life just gets too busy.  I really need to set aside some reading time every day.  I try to do it before bed, but I usually get 3-4 pages in and then fall asleep.  

Some of the books on my list aren't meant to be finished in January.  One will last all winter and one will last all year.  But I'm including them here since I started them in January.

Meditations For Advent  by Jacques Benigne Bossuet:  Yes, that's right Advent.  Which has been over for a while now.  I started off strong with my Advent reading but when things went into the Christmas crunch, I fell off the wagon.  I really enjoyed this book and didn't want to NOT finish it, so I just kept on going.

Lectio Divina of the Gospels 2020-2021  This is the one that will last all year.  I've always been interested in Lectio Divina but I wasn't sure where to start.  I love that it covers the Gospels for the entire year.  After this, I hope to have a better understanding of Lectio Divina and can apply it to my other Bible reading.

Winter Meditations  by John Bartunek:  If you fish around my blog, you will see that I have read this before (2-3 times).  I have all the seasonal meditation books by John Bartunek and I enjoy every one of them.  But I read the Winter one more often because my least favorite season is Winter and it gives me a perspective of this season through God.  It's hard to dislike something when you can view it through a God lens.

Little House on the Prairie  by Laura Ingalls Wilder :  I took this one out of our library via audio book and I listened to it with the 8 year old.  He really enjoyed it.  He's asked to listen to Little House in the Big Woods next.  Look for that in an upcoming "what I read" list.

Clean Mama's Guide to a Peaceful Home by Becky Rapinchuk:  I follow Clean Mama on Instagram and I really like her cleaning philosophy and tips.  I thought I would find this book helpful.  A lot of the information can be gotten from her Instagram or website, but there are things that I either missed or needed to see again.  I also like the way she breaks down the organizing tips by room.  It makes it easier for me and I can go back and revisit her advice when things start getting out of control again.

So that was January reading.  I have my Lenten reading all ready to go.  And I promise to try very hard to actually read it during Lent and not Lent and beyond.

The Anti-Mary Exposed by Carrie Gress.  I had heard of this book, but never really looked into it. But it was censored by Facebook and Instagram so that made me think that there is something here that I really need to check out.

Lent and Easter Wisdom from G.K. Chesterton :  This is more of a traditional Lenten reading than the other book I chose.  I've been intrigued by Chesterton, but haven't delved into anything of his because I'm intimidated.  I hope this gives me more insight into Chesterton and maybe I won't be so apprehensive about it.  

What I'm Listening To:  The Bible In A Year podcast with Fr. Mike Schmizt :  You guys.  I am LOVING this podcast.  LOVING IT.  He reads a section or sections of the Bible every day and then gives insight and explanations for what is happening and why it is happening and how everything ties together.  I think today was day 35, but it's not too late to start.  You can either listen to a couple a day to catch up or start at day 1 today and use February 5 to February 5 as your year.  I can not say enough good things about this podcast.  It is truly blessing me.  

Baseball, Vacation, and Summer Fun

This summer is going by in a blur.  The entire beginning was taken up by travel baseball. It feels like it goes on forever.  But it's over now.  But guess what??  Fall Ball starts on August 17.  And of course football starts a week or so after that.  This is the life of a mom with three sports loving boys.  I know that one day I will miss it.  But today is not that day (lol).

Vacation was wonderful.  We went back to our favorite place, Litchfield Beach, SC.  We love it there.  We all love the ocean, the boys love to fish and catch crabs, and everyone loves the pools.  My favorites are the morning beach walks and the shopping at The Hammock Shops just down the road at Pawley's Island.  We've been going there since the boys were little.  I asked them if they wanted to try a new place next year and it was a resounding NO. So, God willing, we'll go back next year.  I'm already looking forward to it.

Along with a new sport season, we have back to school to think about.  We will have a senior, a sophomore, and a first grader.  The little one is the only one who needs school supplies right now.  The older boys don't find out what they need until after school starts.  I kind of copped out today and ordered all the little one's school supplies via Amazon Prime.  I'm sure I probably could have saved some money just going to Walmart, but it was worth it to me. Now I just have to worry about school uniforms and shoes.  Sometimes it's just better to do the easy thing instead of the money saving thing.  Ordering directly from Amazon is my sanity saving thing.

We also have the little ones birthday in August.  The Middle turned 15 in July and we celebrated as a family, but we combine the Middle and the Little's birthdays in August for the extended family party.  It's less running around for everyone.  I'm also going to do a "friend" party for the Little this year.  It will be his first.  I've been a slacker on this.  The older boys had friend parties starting in pre-school.  I feel badly, so I said this year he will get a friend party.  I'm having it at a local sports venue, and it's only 1.5 hours so fingers crossed that it all goes well.  Seven year old boys aren't easy to entertain.

Let's see, what else has been happening....

Hubby and I celebrated our 19th anniversary last week.  19 years have flown by.  It sure doesn't seem like 19 years.  They've been 19 wonderful years.  I've been blessed with an amazing husband.

I'm still plugging along with my walking routine.  I try to do 2 miles 3-4 days a week, but I've been overachieving and walking 4-5.  Still trying to eat healthier too.  Eating healthy is hit or miss, but I really am trying.  I'm also doing intermittent fasting.  I like it, but I'm not losing any weight.  I'm trying to not get discouraged and keep plugging along.  At least I've stemmed the tide of gaining weight.  Got to look on the positive, right?

Right now, I'm obsessed with the Hallmark Christmas in July movies.  They make me happy.  Don't judge me lol.  I LOVE all things Christmas.

Other things that have made me happy this summer:

This Pawley's Island candle from The Isle Co. that I got on vacation.  It smells so good!

The Christmas Mouse store.  Another thing that I love from vacation (told you I love all things Christmas)
 
Delay, Don't Deny: Living An Intermittent Fasting Lifestyle  This book by Gin Stephens really explains the whys and the science behind intermittent fasting in an easy to read guide.

Dreams of Falling by Karen White  It's such a great beach read.  I've read almost all of her books and usually on vacation.  I really enjoy them.