~Itsjuls~ My Faith corner and more

Old prayer brings back HOPE

2009-12-18T08:55:00.000-08:00

Found this prayer in one of my old beat up prayer books and remembered it was and still continues to be a favorite of mine, I hope it inspires someone else out there. I will return with freebies when I am able to do so, as for right now I am preparing the way......

Just for Today.......
Lord, for tomorrow and its needs I do not pray; keep me, my God, from stain of sin, just for today.
Let me both diligently work and duly pray; let me be kind in word and deed, just for today.
Let me be slow to do my will, promp to obey; help me to mortify my flesh, just for today.
Let me no wrong or idle word unthinking say; set a seal upon my lips, just for today.
Let me in Season, Lord, be grave, in season gay; let me be faithful to Your grace, just for today.
And if today my tide of life should ebb away, give me Your Sacraments divine, sweet Lord, today.
So for tomorrow and its needs, I do not pray; but keep me, guide me, love me, Lord, just for today.
Amen!

Have a wonderful and blessed day!

Making a wish

2009-12-15T08:13:00.000-08:00

Wow where did the last 19 years go???? My eldest is turning 19 tomorrow and is super excited about her birthday this year.... I keep hearing all the plans that she has made with all her friends for her birthday and I keep wondering-- where oh where did the time go!!!! I had to ask her if I was even going to see her on her birthday because all her plans didn't seem to include the person who carried and bore her.... can you tell I'm not liking the growing up thing? Oh my baby wants to fly and yet I want to keep her wings clipped..... Oh how I wish how I wish I could have the same relationship that we had when she was little and didn't want to be without me.... but I know it's not reality and I have to just suck it up and move onto a different journey with her.
So in celebration of my daughters birthday and my wishing she would never grow up I decided to go back into my birthday things that I made last month and pull this one out since I didn't do it last month. I pray that you all have a blessed Advent season and a wonderful Christmas too.... (just in case I don't manange to get on here before then).

As always I ask that you send your friends to snag their own. Just click the preview to go to my 4shared to download.

Here's you goodie....

Have a wonderful and blessed day!

Thanksgiving Leftovers...

2009-11-27T11:21:00.000-08:00

Happy day after Thankgiving blessings to all of you...
Were you bold enough to go out on black friday to start your holiday shopping??? I was bold enough to say "no" to the sales lol... but I did do some online shopping at JC Penneys for my hubby.... now I'm down to purchasing the in-laws stuff.... I just need to find some picture frames and then I'm finished Whoo-hoo for me and whoo-hoo I won't be trying to max our cards out again this year!!!

I'm sure you all had many leftovers from your turkey dinner and are enjoying them today!!! I thought you might be pulling up all those pictures that you took with whomever you were with and that you might need some cute captions for all of them. If you are anything like me then you take a lot of pictures of people eating... oh the joy of those lol....

So I'm giving you some of my own Thanksgiving leftovers (ooooh a bonus you get two!) as your freebies today.

I hope that everyone had a wonderful gathering and are still enjoying your time with your family and friends. This upcoming sunday is the 1st Sunday of Advent.... please don't over-look this beautiful season that we have in preparing for the coming of our Lord.... I am bound and determined not to let anything stand in my way this Advent that will detract from the true meaning of Christmas! I guess that's another reason why I've cut back on my purchases this year....

I have a question to ask..... (leave your answer in a comment below)
WHAT ARE YOU DOING TO PREPARE FOR CHRISTMAS THIS YEAR?????
(let's see how many unique answers I get here)

Well enough of my ramblings!! Here's your goodies and please make sure you send your friends to pick up their own. Click the preview of each one to go to my 4shared and download them.

Thanks for visiting!!

Happy Birthday tooooo ME!

2009-11-25T08:09:00.000-08:00

Thank you God for another blessed year of my life.... I pray for many more to do your will Lord and not my own!

I'm glad you joined me for my birthday goodies!! I know it's not much but it's something and I'm glad to hear from so many of you who have come and picked up my freebies this month!

I can only imagine what the cake (if I get one) will look like tonight if they try to put all 41 candles on it! Maybe a small forest fire? LOL....
So in honor of those cakes that burn brightly I offer you this freebie of the day!!
You know everyone looks absolutely fabulous in candle light right??? Okay so I keep telling myself that!

I'm not sure what's on the agenda today, the ladies in the parish office want to take me to lunch and I just might take them up on that! I know I have to do the prep work for my share of Thanksgiving dinner so that's on my agenda and as for the rest of the day??? Who knows... my family likes to try to keep secrets LOL....

I pray that your day is as full as mine and as blessed. I also ask for God's blessings upon all your Thanksgiving gatherings tomorrow.

Here's your freebie, just click to get to my 4shared and if there's any problems let me know and I'll upload it to my box.net. Please send your friends to snag their own I'd really appreciate it.

Have a blessed and safe holiday week!

I Wish.....

2009-11-23T09:15:00.000-08:00

Well the countdown to my birthday has officially started!!! Although I've been giving birthday goodies all month because of it I will try my best to finish out the rest of the month for all of you with more birthday goodies...
The only problem is that I haven't been able to get to my 4shared account for 2 day's now!! Is anyone else having issues or is it just me???
So I've opened up a Box.net and now will trade them in and out until 4shared works out it's issues.
I guess it's a good enough reason to give this freebie for the day since I've been making a wish that it would clear up and it hasn't LOL....

Last year's and this year's birthday's are going much better than my 30's! I don't know why I struggled so much with going through my 30's but they were brutal to me!!!
It's really a good feeling to be the age I am now and well... sure there are ache's and pains, snaps and crackles yeah the family gene pool is a little mucky--- isn't it wonderful how we all get the "bad body" ailments handed down to us and never any of the ones that we really want! LOL....

I plan on taking it really easy this week, my dear hubby is at home with me on vacation from work this week! I do love having him around even if it does mess up my schedule (you know what I mean?).

We have 6th and 7th grade sessions today and then 1st year Confirmation tonight and then that's about it for the week except for the fact that I have to get to the grocery store tomorrow to buy my portion of the Thanksgiving dinner and I'm thrilled that I don't have to cook the whole dinner this year!!! WE are actually getting together and will split the whole meal between my family, my mom, my sister and her family (yeah that's all we could get together)believe me don't be shocked because it's been this way for years now!!! Yes people my family is the one who put the
FUN in dysFUNctional.... LOL..... but it's my family and well you learn to either adapt or be overcome with sorrow over it.....

I guess one of my wishes would be that we can all learn to get along well enough to be together once in a while but I'm not gonna waste all my breath on that one....
So I place this issue in the hands of God and pray that He see's us through!

Wow... I'm a bit long winded today on this blog aren't I????
Just in case I don't get my 4shared working right I am leaving a link to the Pinch to grow an Inch on this one too.....

So you will find all that you need by clicking the previews below.

I pray you all have many wishes (prayers) that reach the ears of God--- most importantly wishes (prayers) of Thanksgiving on this upcoming Thankgsgiving day!

As always please send your friends to pick up their own and please leave a little note letting me know what you think or would like me to work on for next month.

Here's your goodies!!!

and here's the back-up to my last freebie

Have a blessed day!

Who pinched me????

2009-11-21T08:39:00.000-08:00

How do I start this blog today???? Hmmmm.... remember when you would get whacked on your birthday of course you got whacked as many years as you were and then someone had to throw in--- "and a pinch to grow an inch" comment....
Well darn it I think it's true!!! No longer am I a size "9"-- yeah that was the norm back in the day for me.... but I'm not going to blame it on the dryer shrinking my clothes! Nope, I'm blaming it on all those pinches I got over the years!!! LOL....

Yeah so I'm not the "perfect body"-- but heck just what is the so called "perfect body?" I think I'm perfectly fine because my hubby tells me so!! Thanks honzie I need to hear that every now and again....

I'm wondering how many of you feel the same way about this...LOL

Today's freebie is a goodie to use for anyone's birthday pictures and such....
I hope you have been enjoying all of the one's I've posted so far during this month. I have only a few more and then who know's what path I'll be going on (any of you got suggestions?)
Here's why you came here, as always please send your friends to snag their own and let me know what direction you would like me to go in for next months freebies....
Click the preview to go to my 4share

Have a very blessed day....

Ready, set, BLOW.......

2009-11-19T09:22:00.000-08:00

It's been a slow week for us in regards to faith formation... and I've actually had a chance to get away from preparing for sessions and get to Turlock to begin my Christmas shopping. Yeah I know it's early but you see we plan on cutting waaaaaaay back on what we give out this year since the economy hasn't been kind to us lately. So I called JCPenney's to see what their sales were like because online they were showing the upcoming weekend sale... and well they were starting it early Yeah!!!
So I met my daughter and her friend Eric out there for lunch since she was on a break between classes and I headed over to Walmart first just to see what was going on over there.... not much but I did pick up a few games so that when we pull from the Toy's for Tot's tree this year I already have something on hand.
After that I headed to JCP and let me just say they were having a Fabulous sale!!! I'm almost finished shopping for my son, he's so thin and tall that it's hard to find clothes that fit him right and I have to order some things online for him because he likes the jeans from C28.com --- Have you been there??? LOVE the messages that the clothes have and I don't mind being a walking billboard for Jesus!!!
It's always a catechetical moment (teaching moment) when you are living your life for HIM!!
Oh back to my day... so I got some great deals at JCP and needed to find all the candles I need for the MANY different Advent Wreaths that we use both here at home and at the Catechetical Center in the classrooms. What is wrong with the color pink??? Why is it that the candle companies refuse (so it seems) to make them??? I finally found a few at Ross and then headed to Pier 1 and found a couple there too!!! Geez... I think I should just start making my own!

You know if we Catholics stopped purchasing candles the candle industry would probably collapse!!! LOL.... We love our Sacramentals---- after all Christ is the Light of the World!!!!
So with that in mind I bring you today's freebie!!!
I don't imagine my family would take the time to put on all the candles on my cake this year--- plus they know I'm more of a pie person LOL... but if they did it would have more than this one below!

I've tried to put a bunch of candles on my hubbies cake but it's kinda hard to get them all lit before the others burn out!!! But it's well worth the effort!!! LOL
So for all those great pictures you have of people blowing out their candles I give you this freebie!!!
I hope that you all enjoy it and as always click the preview to get to my 4share to download and send your friends to get their own please.
I pray you are able to find the "right candles" to make a someone's face shine brightly!!

May you be blessed with many beautiful lights of Christ today!!!

Aged like Fine Wine... not cheese!

2009-11-16T07:52:00.000-08:00

Hello ladies and gents! This morning I was flipping through all the pictures I have uploaded over the years to photobucket, I didn't realize how many I had in there!!! I know that my daughter has made a comment or two about all of them on there but what can I say.... I love our pictures and I am a visual learner so the two just go hand in hand!!!

In my last blog I mentioned the old 45's that I found in my closet (see the first player at the bottom of the blog to hear all the songs I was able to find) and now it's time for me to share with you some "older pictures" from years past to just this year. Before I do that I would like to mention how at times it's a struggle to watch your body go through this aging transformation, the mirror always seems to show things that were'nt there just the day before LOL.... but on the other hand I am very THANKFUL that I am able to see this transformation take place. For every wisdom spot there are stories galore about my life's journey. For every grey hair there is a tale of what my children have done to me.... for every extra pound I can probably tell you a story about our dinner table conversations.... but all in all I know that I can at times feel like "old cheese" and then low and behold I come across these pictures and think to myself... wow.... you aren't aging like cheese but like fine wine..... I'm blessed each and everyday that I get to wake up and share the day with everyone, for my daily bread that the Good Lord gives me, and for my family and friends!!!!

With all of this in mind I thought it would be a good time to give you the freebie that you came here for. I know how easily we can feel like "cheese", but I want you to feel the same blessings that I feel... yes we may not feel perfect but God loves you for who you are!!! For you are like a fine wine that the Good Lord has made.... a blend unique, aromatic, robust and full....
I pray your cup overflows with blessings just as my own does.

I'm gonna leave you with some pictures that I found in my bucket....

Back around 1995

Easter 2006

Christmas 2007

Summer 2009

Fall 2009

Okay enough of my own walk down the aging lane.....
Just click the preview to get to my 4share to download your freebie and as always please send your friends to snag their own. It would be nice to hear from some of you who do come, so take a second and drop me a line here about how you feel you are aging it would be nice to hear a story or two.....

May your cup overflow with perfect blessings!!!

Smiles, Memories and Wrinkles....

2009-11-14T18:35:00.000-08:00

Cleaning house for the upcoming holiday and I must say its been a productive day today!!!! I finally got into my closet and cleaned it out, along the way I found some long lost items that I've been hanging onto for more than one reason I suppose. Some of the treasures that I found today included my son's 1st Communion Suit, a family photo that included almost all of us, my oldest sister wasn't in the picture. I also came across some pants that I refuse to part with yeah I can't even fit a leg into them but hey I'm sentimental!!! I also found the sweater that I would use when I was pregnant for my daughter, my wedding dress from when our marriage was convalidated in the church, the dress I wore to my 10 year high school reunion.... some things in the corner that I don't even know what it was(I think they were sample size lotions and shampoos that I would collect from hotel stays...)
Needless to say I have room now!!! I also came across a box of old 45's (records for those of you who don't know the term). My daughter asked me--- so how many songs are on those things... LOL.. Uh only one per side and yeah they were a little pricy...
but over the years I would store, haul, and pack away these small treasures. I thought it would be fun to hear all the songs that we had but I don't have a record player anymore.... DANG!
I thought the next best thing to do was to find them on projectplaylist.com
I managed to find all but 44 of them and even found 2 of those on Youtube.com
So if you're old enough to remember or had older siblings that listened to them then maybe you'll enjoy listening to this playlist all you have to do is click the button that says it will popout the player... then you can boogie through them while having fun on other pages. I hope I do this right so if it doesn't show in this post then I will add it to the bottom of my page.

Whew... now that I've said all that stuff I suppose you really want your freebie LOL... I'm still continuing with my silly birthday quotes since it's my birthday month.
I figured with all the memories I went through today and all the smiles that they brought to me while thinking of those fond times.... a wrinkle or two won't matter to me because surely that's where a smile used to be!!!

I hope that you enjoy this one and that you cherish any little wrinkle that may pop up in life because remember it's where a smile used to be!

As alway's please send others here to get their own and it would be nice to add to my memories by hearing from those of you who come by to snag it.
Click the preview it will take you to my 4share

May you be blessed with many wrinkly memories....

THE MUSIC I FOUND WILL BE IN THE PLAYER BELOW.... JUST STOP THE ONE PLAYING TO LISTEN TO THE 45'S

Snap, Crackle and Pop!

2009-11-11T10:40:00.000-08:00

I'm happy to see that I lived up to coming to my blog more often than I had over the last couple of months. I'm going to continue to offer silly birthday quotes like I mentioned and today's really lives up to some of the things that are beginning to happen to this "slightly used body" of mine!!!
It's amazing how when I sit here my mind doesn't feel like it's much older than a few years out of high school (you know what I mean?) yet when I get up from sitting my body reminds me that it's far from just a few years out of high school. Yeah yeah I know that if I exercised more I wouldn't be feeling all the snap, crackles and pops but I'm sure even those who are in top shape are hearing the same things that I hear when I get up.....
Not that I'm ancient or anything like that but it's funny the noises that come out of a body as we get a bit more used.... lol....
My hubby and I can have some major competition in the noise department at times!!!
I suppose you didn't just come here to read the ramblings of myself and that you are looking for your freebie (that is why you're here right? LOL)
Before I entice you with the freebie I wanted to make sure that I say THANK YOU to all our Veterans out there on this dreary (looks like rain) Veteran day!!! I appreciate my freedom and recognize it doesn't come freely and for that I thank you all who have served and/or continue to serve our country. For the family members of these selfless brothers and sisters in Christ I also thank because there are more out there that are standing behind those who serve than we will ever truly know.

Okay... back to why you are here....
Really you should always try your hardest to stay young at heart no matter what happens to the rest of the ole' body.

As always please leave a little love and send your friends to pick up their own ;o)
Here's your freebie!!!

May your body sing out lovingly to Our Creator for He loves every-single-thing about you! So go ahead and make a joyful (sometimes painful) noise unto HIM....

Time Flies!

2009-11-09T08:31:00.000-08:00

Geez I'm not doing too good about posting new blogs here, time flies as you are getting older!!! Yeah it's my birthday month and well I guess I just need to accept the fact that I have been around longer than Sesame Street-- made 40 years this last week and that I was old enough to remember when the Berlin Wall fell. I'm not old enough to remember when they announced Nov. 11th Veterans day but I am happy to say that it was the same day (Nov. 11th) that my hubby and I went on our first date 20 years ago this year!!! Yeeeeeee, oh the things we remember as we grow older. I refuse though to say that I have age spots forming, instead I call them my wisdom dots because we are filled with all the gifts of the Holy Spirit and well.... my wisdom just show's through LOL... okay so that's not a visible gift on the body but I can dream can't I??? Speaking of dreams I just want to say that I have many still and I do pray on a regular basis for them, the fact that I have been blessed to have been around so many gifted and love giving people has and continues to be a dream of mine. So in light of my birthday month I hope to get on here more often to offer my silly birthday quotes to you all.

Yep I decided I would stop counting way back then.... but now I'm reconsidering because I am so blessed to be able to count each and every day that God has given me to try try again....
So if you feel the same I offer this silly quote to you....
all I ask is that you send others here to get their own, just click the sample below to go to my 4share to snag it and leave some of your own wisdom and love with me. I pray you all have a blessed day and have many memories that you are able to share with others!

May God bless you abundantly with the Gifts and Fruits of the Spirit in all you do today and always!

Football Fanatic MOM

2009-10-15T22:42:00.000-07:00

Wow....
I didn't realize how long it had been since I last gave away a freebie or even came on here to blog.
Life sure does have a way with sneaking up on you and snatching away months at a time. Now with a child in college (ah the adult world is catching up with her) and my youngest in high school life has taken a big change for all of us.
When my daughter was in high school, (self-proclaimed Band Geek) I was a Band Mom and I had a lot to learn in regards to that title lol...

But now I am on a totally different field, literally!!! My son is now on the football team and yes I am shakin' in my boots everytime he hits the field, praying the whole time that nobody gets hurt (oh Lord hear my prayer!!)

Our high school here is too small to have it's own Freshman team so he plays with the JV but when a school comes along that has a Freshman team then all the Freshmen play separately from the rest of the JV. Tonight was the very first Freshman game, it was a nail biter and yeah we lost, but the boys played hard!!!! They did very good considering they don't normally play with just Freshman (nor do they practice separately for freshman games) but I was very proud of my son for working hard. He was one of the Captains for the team (yeeeeeeeeeee) I'm so happy for him!!!!

A few bumps and bruises and he had to get out the last minute of the game for rolling his ankle after getting hit in the thigh, so recovery from this game is unlike the past games he's played in...... But all in all, NO serious injuries THANK YOU JESUS!!!!!
So to share in my bit of joy I am sharing this football freebie with all you who have a special guy playing the ole pigskin game (tee-hee)
I hope you like it and please do leave some love while you are here.....
As always please send others here to snag their own, just click the sample to get to my 4share.

Here you go!

oh yeah before I leave......
GOOOOOOOOOOOOO WARRIORS!!!!!!!!

Your Way Freebie

2009-07-21T21:24:00.000-07:00

Hello all!!!
Boy it's been a rough day!!!!

Been busy beginning to get all the new Catechetical School year put together....
it's busy and it's time consuming, but I love every minute of it (okay except for the nasty head-aches I get from staring at the computer!) I will only get busier from this point forward.

Other than that I had to run out and get some iron on transfer paper for our youth group, only problem was I'm out $10.00 because my printer wouldn't catch the paper right... geez.....

But the worst of all was the fact that my washer is now officially on the fritz and it flooded my laundry room and kitchen, I'm so darn happy that it didn't make it to the carpet.

Although I would like to have a very good day everyday I too must accept the fact that it won't always be that way, I would love to "order" it that way but as the old saying goes in our home "this isn't Burger King, you can't have it your way"

I'm sure there are others out there that use that term also... it just seemed so darn appropriate to give it as a freebie because of the day I had.

I hope that your day went a lot better and that you are able to use this on some of those silly pictures you may have.

May you have a blessed day!

Here's your freebie, as always please send others to pick up their own, and maybe if you feel so inclind you can leave a little love while you are here (I sure can use some right now)

Quick Freebie

2009-07-18T12:38:00.000-07:00

Whew!!! It took me a while to change my blog layout....
so this is going to be a quicky....
I have got to get out of the heat, my computer setup is in the garage so when it gets really hot my legs start to swell and well.... it's time to head in!!!

I've decided not to stand amongst the crowds...
I've chosen to live my life for Christ....
My life is not my own and that's okay....
I choose to be different.....
I choose to be who God knows I can be (even if I haven't figured that out yet)
I realize I'm a part of this world but not of it....

So I dare you to not be a part of the crowd
I dare you not to fall for everything or else you won't stand for anything...
God loves you.....
I dare you to know that...
Most importantly I dare you to be different!

Have a blessed day
Leave me some love when you pick up your goodie.
I pray you feel the presence of God in your life today

As always please send others to pick up their own.
Here's your giftie....
Click preview to download

Circle Freebie

2009-07-12T12:41:00.000-07:00

Hi all!!!

Another slow day here at the homestead... I just love Sunday's that are like this because they are so far and few in between!!!! I normally would attend Sunday Mass but over the summer some of the Ministers who attend Saturday mass are on vacation (like me) and I do a lot of the filling in, but since this week is my "official vacation week" I decided to go yesterday and try to sleep in today... whoo hoo made it to 7:00.... yeah sleep what's that??? lol....
I would love to be able to sleep in late but I just can't I don't know why bt it happens that way!!!

I've been killing (literally) time watching Big Brother 11's live feeds, I really like the show when the ladies aren't portraying themselves as sex objects.... this season, so far so good. So are any of you BB fans?

I'm heading out to Danville for another few days of R&R at San Damiano Retreat House.... yeah! So if you don't get any freebies from me this week please come back and check by the weekend... maybe I should learn how to pre-post these, I'm still new at the whole bloggin' thing and don't know all the ins and outs of how they work, so for now please forgive my ignorance ok?

I wanted to get this out to you, I've noticed that many people liked the "family" quotes that I've done and decided to do another.
Here's how I used mine...

I made this using
Vicki's Sent with Love kit and
Mirella's Template from Scrapity Scrap and More
Thanks to those two ladies and their talents, generosity and kindness in order for me to make my lo.

I'm sure the reason you are here is for the freebie so here's your gift....
As always please send other's here to pick their's up and dropping a line or two of love would be nice ;O)

Click preview for download

Motherhood Freebie

2009-07-10T21:05:00.000-07:00

Hi ladies (and any gents that may stop here)...
I had a really lazy day today, which I really was in need of after
being on vacation with 3 teenagers lol...
If you read and or picked up my last freebies then you know all about it.

So in light of being a MOM on vacation I felt it would be a great idea to share some Motherhood freebies (yep more than one) with you all today.
I have chosen to be a stay at home mom when I first learned I was pregnant 18 years ago. Although it wasn't a vocation that I embraced whole heartidly, not that I didn't want to but when society seems to think that both parents should be working or if you don't have a college degree then you aren't successful in life. Success to me in life is raising God fearing, law abiding, loving, caring, compassionate children so that they in turn when they are adults will be able to do the same. So far both my dear hubby and I have done a fair job, but only by the grace of God!!!

So if you are out there, a new mom/dad and you stay at home as your primary vocation in life, know that you are being cheered for!!!! I applaud any person who choses to stay at home and do what we do. I applaud anyone who decides that it is better to sacrifice for the betterment of our family. Yes being a single income family can be very hard at times!!!! Since my hubby is a State employee we only get paid once a month (believe me it took forever to get use to living that way) and there's always alot of month over than money.... but we make it because God provides and we have faith in Him for providing and we are grateful for all that he gives to us.

Whew... now with that off of my chest just remember if you struggle as a mom you are not alone... and Motherhood is not for wimps... so I hope that these freebies can be used for some of those crazy moment pictures but most especially for those favorite baby pictures....

Enjoy!!! As always please send others here to pick up their own and leave a little love as I truly am blessed by your presence here.

Have a great day!!!

Here's your goodies!!! Just click the previews to download

This Much Freebie!!

2009-07-09T20:43:00.000-07:00

Oh boy... the last few day's of vacation just flew by!!!! We got home by 3:00 and the animals acted like we had been gone for 20 years!!! I love going on vacations but I really do love being home too!!!!

The weather was really good while we were in Monterey, we got there on Monday. After we settled in we headed over to the skatepark so that the boy's could burn off some energy. While they were skating Lance, Katrina and I headed around to the Dennis the Menace Park and had some fun acting goofy, yeah she's a little too big for the swings and such but I really wanted to see what it looked like because it was next to the skate park and we had never been there. We also managed to find a bench where we could see the boys skating and took pictures from there. After spending time at the parks we went over to Cannery Row, of course we did a bunch of window shopping, spent time sitting on the rocks by the water while the boy's jumped around and messed in the water. We ate dinner at Bubba Gumps (love that place) and then just walked around killing time while waiting for the 8:00 showing of Star Trek at the IMAX Theatre!! Oh it's a good movie if you're an old school Star Trek fan!!! I do believe it's one we will buy when it comes out. The IMAX theatre was really nice and the sound system was FABULOUS!!! The only complaint would be that they started the movie like 15 minutes late??? Who does that??? Once the movie was over we called it a night
and that was the end of Day one of our Vacation.

Day two we decided to head to Santa Cruz on Tuesday, once there we set up base camp on the beach, ate lunch (made sandwiches at the hotel to save some money), got the kids their ride bracelets (purchase them online and save $7.00 each geez I sound like a tightwad! LOL!!!). Gabriel and Justin (Justin is Gabriels best friend came with us) headed onto the boardwalk to ride the rides. Katrina, Lance and I managed to keep from getting completely sunburned (some of our body parts didn't have enough sunscreen and got burned (Or should I say Lance and Trina got burned in spots, weird! spots!), then the boys came back and picked up Katrina so she had someone to ride with. Lance and I sat on the beach until 5:00, needless to say I had to feed the birds (taking care of God's creation) yeah eventually we had about 20 birds surrounding us lol.... We had a reasonably cheap dinner, spent time walking in all the shops. Finally the boy's caught up with us and the kids played a round of miniture golf, by this point we were exhausted and had to drive an hour to get back to the hotel. End of Day 2 of our Vacation

Day 3, the next morning (wed) we went to Point Lobo's, it's such a beautiful place to go!!! BUT TEENAGE BOY'S KNOW HOW TO FREAK ME OUT!!!! Oh my goodness the climbing and jumping and the fearlessness next to the edges of cliffs and the sea.... okay so they tested my limits of "allowing them fun"! I had made sandwiches for lunch (saving money again), after lunch we headed over to a hidden little cove for about an hour where the boys decided to have a rock skipping contest and Trina felt inclind to see that all the seaweed be broken up and thrown back into the water. I was able to put my feet in the water during that hour (a very very chilly event for me) and Lance just sat there looking at all of us like we were sideshow freaks lol, we headed back to the hotel around 4:00 and spent the rest of the evening hanging around and being lazy (something I really wanted to do!!!)

Today we finally got everyone and everything loaded into the car by 11:45 and decided to go to the Gilroy Outlet Stores, we mostly walked in and out of the stores although I was willing to buy some new shoes for Gabriel, he said "I don't want any" Whoot Whoot!!! Okay so it was nice on the pocketbook but his shoes are looking like he's had them for over 3 years they are so bad!!! He keeps blaming them on skating but he's always been hard on shoes! So he didn't get anything but I managed to find some cami's for $5.00 and got 4 new ones (I like to wear them to bed, they are comfy!) Yeah I'm so beyond looking cute when I go to bed, it's all about the comfort!!! LOL...

So heading home we managed to hit a construction zone that meant we would be driving only 3 miles an hour, which meant we would be getting home 1/2 hour later than we thought!!!! Let me just say that I thought bringing a friend for my boy would be beneficial to everyone but by day 2 you would have thought that they were really and truly siblings with all the arguing and "snitching" going on... geez you'd think I raised animals! lol...

You gotta love family even when they act like a bunch of lunatics!!!!
And I LOVE my Lunatics!!!!! So darn much!!! That's why I made the freebies I made tonight.

But all in all we had a wonderful time and I wouldn't give it up for a moment. I'm sure you all have had some similiar experiences like my own.... so in an effort to celebrate being with family I made some extra freebies. I hope that one of the "xtra's" that I give you with the "main freebie" is a saying that you use in your own home. If there is something different maybe you can let me know.

As always please send other's here to pick up their own and leave some love, I absolutely feel blessed by your words!!!
I pray your day is truly blessed!!!

Here's my gifts to you....
(click each preview to download)

Vacation Freebie!!!

2009-07-08T10:53:00.000-07:00

I'm waiting on my kids to get ready to leave for the day so you are getting a vacation freebie while I am waiting (uh somewhat patiently!!!) We are in Monterey and the adjoining cities (today we head to Point Lobos).... my favorite place to escape to, although the kids are driving me completely NUTS!!!! But their my kids and I guess I'll keep em!! After all I have too much time and energy invested in them lol.....

We always stop at San Juan Bautista with a picnic lunch so we can uh yeah eat lunch... and of course we have to take pictures too. My mom always asks me why I always go to the same places when we go on vacation and my typical response is, "Well if it ain't broke then don't fix it!!!" Hmmmm maybe I'll do that quote for wordart!? What do you think???

So needless to say I have a bunch of the same type of pictures except I get to see the kiddo's grow up in them... yeah! This time we brought along one of Gabriel's friends (too keep him busy and happy--- happy kid=happy Mom!) and we were finally able to take a full family picture. So this is us at San Juan, and yes I will be posting more of our vacation pictures along with some freebies, so if you're not following me (which I humble beg you to do) then stop back by and check in every now and again.

I Made this quicky to go with my word art using
Bel Vidotti's Fluer's Freebie Kit.... dang I'm gonna miss her!!!! I really wish she would return I love her kits!!!

The saying can be two fold as it is for us... we were in front of the Church and the statue is of St. John the Baptist but you see we are able to know what Love is because of God first and foremost, but we are also able to know what Love is because of each other!!! So thank you Jesus for lovin' all of us!!! Remember, GOD just LOVES the heck out of YOU, so remember that!!

Here's your freebie, I hope you like it!!! Leave me some lovin', comments, suggestions, or whatever...lol....
click preview to download

I pray you all have a very blessed day!!!!

Some Fishy Freebies!!!!

2009-07-06T07:19:00.000-07:00

Hello Everyone!!! Let me just say "Wow"!! I'm really thrilled at how many have come this last week to snag my freebies and for those few who took the time to leave me some luvin' I want to thank you very much for your kindness!!!

I'm heading out to vacation WHOOT WHOOT!!! (okay my poor attempt at a written whistle lol) But I'm sooooo darn excited about getting away even if it's only for a few days!! We are escaping to my favorite place to just sit in God's presence.... Monterey!!! Oh yeah being by the ocean definitely puts life into perspective and realizing that even though I'm just another little speck on this earth, no matter how small God loves me... WOW!!! And remember He loves you guys too!!!

Okay I know you're here for a freebie or 2 or 3 or Wow... 4?? Yep I felt I couldn't do just one since you all enjoyed my others so much!!! I've done something a little fishy here because of course knowing where I am heading and how much I love being near the water (although I don't fish). I absolutely love to EAT fish lol.... but never have had to catch my own, unless you wanna count going to the store and purchasing some... does that count??? LOL...

Okay enough of my rambles I have to get busy packing so we can leave by 10:00 at the latest.... I'm not sure if I'll be posting anything while I'm away (maybe/maybe not) so I hope that you will return for my new wordarts that I have for you when I return....

Like I said these are a bit fishy, I hope that you have something or someone in your life that you can use these with....

Have a very blessed day!!!

Here's your freebies!!!!! (you'll see duplicate sayings because some have hooks and some don't)

I'm Back and with Freebies!!!

2009-07-03T20:23:00.001-07:00

Wow... I didn't realize I was gone from here for so long!!!
Life sure does have a way of taking you in places that keep you from
blogging!!! But I hope that doesn't keep anyone away from here!!!

I managed to get through 2 graduations, 3 Sacraments, Mother's day and Father's Day and a Ordination Celebration since April (the last time I blogged) although somethings did cause a little bruising around the edges (wow my daughter is out of high school???) all in all I had a great and busy time getting through it all!!! And I couldn't have done it without my Hubby, kids and very close friends!!!

So I thought with all that help from them I would make a little wordart that you might be able to use after all the Fourth of July/Holiday's/events that are happening in your life!!!

I hope you enjoy them as much as I did making them for you to use. I'll post a layout later on using these.
As always please send other's here to pick up their own.... thanks!

Just click the tag for your download and make sure to come back and get all 4 (or whatever you might need) and leave a hello while you are either at 4shared or here.

Here's your Freebies!!!

A dirt-y little blog and a FREEBIE!!!

2009-04-21T08:00:00.000-07:00

Hi everyone!!! Okay so I usually don't speak too much about environmental issues but I do try my best to do what I personally can and to share any chance to make a difference with those in our parish. (Especially the children in our program).

So hang in there with all the environmental lingo because I wanted to share with you what we did on Saturday at our parish with some of the Confirmandi!!!

I'm sure you know that Earth day is coming up on Wednesday. Earth Day, celebrated April 22, is a day designed to inspire awareness and appreciation for the Earth's environment. It is held annually during both spring in the northern hemisphere and autumn in the southern hemisphere. It was founded by U.S. Senator Gaylord Nelson as an environmental teach-in in 1970 and is celebrated in many countries every year.
If you want more information on Earth day then go to: EARTH DAY INFO

The reason I am sharing this with all of you is because it is important that we all take care of God's creation and we should all be willing to do our share to see that it is taken well care of, not only for us but for the future generations!!! I always try to find ways that the Confirmandi can use secular events but add a Christian perspective to it.
Here's what our Diocese website said about Environmental justice
The U.S. Bishops have spoken clearly that caring for creation is another way that we care for life itself. Sustainable agriculture is a major duty of farmers and farm workers in the entire valley. Statistics show that the air quality in the Valley is often in the unhealthy range and affects the lives of all of our people. An effective social ministry effort will become aware of the environmental threats to the Valley, the parish, city, and state, and will work with others in the wider community to address those issues.
Well we did just that on Saturday!!! Okay so we didn't plant trees but we did plant flowers to help take in carbon dioxide and give off oxygen, and we helped to beautify our Parish (something that was long overdue!!!)
So here's some pictures... enjoy!!

This is BEFORE
(Yeah it looked like that for over 3 years!)

Did I mention that it is near our Prolife Memorial that the KofC put up?

Let the fun begin!!!

We had 12 Confirmandi come to help you know I do believe that Jesus was onto something when He chose 12 because that always seems to be the number that shows up to help at any function LOL!!!

Don't worry the end results are coming up soon!!!

Okay so I had to delegate to keep them on track and most of them have never planted flowers before!! Whoot Whoot!! Always a first for some of our kids!!! Thank you Jesus!!

SEE PROOF THAT I DID WORK TOO!!!

But here's a little something that I had to change quickly!!!
My son thought he would be able to just stand around and look cute!!!

Uh I don't think so!!!

Braawwwhhh Haa Haa!!! Workin' him hard!! LOL!!
Okay so after all of this:

We were very pleased and thrilled that the front of the Church
now looks like this

here's an upclose of the mini-roses

Now I pray that these all grow and flourish... it's all in God's hands now!!

Thanks for stopping by and visiting me and this very dirt-y little blog LOL!!! If you came here looking for something else, you should know better than that from me and hey get your mind out of the gutter LOL!!!!!

You were so patient reading through this dirt-y little blog so your reward is your freebies!!!!! All in honor of God's creation for this Earth Day!!! Hope you like them and as always please leave some love and give credit when credit us due....
Previews are linked just click each picture...

Love,

HE IS RISEN and a Family freebie

2009-04-11T10:17:00.000-07:00

A Happy Holy Saturday and Blessed Easter to you!!!
I know I'm a day early in saying that but tonight and tomorrow I will be very busy celebrating EASTER and I wanted to get this freebie posted!!! Tonight we have 3 parishoners being fully initiated into the Church!!! Oh I know that their families are very happy indeed... as I am truly blessed along with my husband to have been a part of their formation and their journey to this beautiful night for them!!!!

How wonderful is our God that we should be so blessed to be included as His children, that my Lord should die for me is something that is still difficult to grasp at times!!! I am so thankful for everything that He has given to me, even down to the weeds that grow in my garden!!!

I pray that you too have the same sense of thankfulness, I know you all do as you are all very smart and faithfilled people ;o)

Again I wish and pray you and your family many blessings upon you all on this wonderful Holy Saturday!!! And that you feel the Joy and Grace that we all have received this Easter Sunday and always!!!

In light of "Family" I thought I would offer you my wordart that I used for my new layout.
Here's the freebie preview, just click it and it will take you to my 4 shared

As always I ask that you give credit where credit is due and please let me know you were here.... that would be really nice!!!

My new layout was made by using:

A Touch of Romance by: "Stacey’s Scraps"

God's peace be with you!!

Someone like you and a FREEBIE!!!

2009-04-07T08:00:00.000-07:00

Wow... Holy Thursday is only 2 days away!!! Where did Lent go??? I realize that being busy can set someone's clock off a bit but geez 40+ day's is a bit crazy to speed by!!! I like to think that this time of the year is my "cannery season" since we have Holy Week upon us which means Full Initiation at the Easter Vigil for 3 of our new parishoners and then First Sacraments, a Confirmation Retreat, Confirmandi interviews with Confirmation following shortly after that! Whew... between all of that wonderful Grace is my daily life!! Two graduations to prepare for smack dab in the middle of all of that... yeah it's pickin' time!!! LOL...

I wanted to be able to share more often but like I said above, busy busy busy....
I need a day (week) to just be able to be still and sit with God!
But for now I have to go and clean house and prepare food for a meeting when our Parish priest comes over to finalize Holy Week with Lance (you know my hubby is a Deacon of the Church?), I absolutely LOVE THE EASTER VIGIL!!!! Although theres a lot of work involved, just being a part of it is a blessing in itself, although all the work makes it not seem so "blessed" at the time until you see the end results and that is CHRIST IS RISEN!!!!
I really would like to say more but so much to do with so little time....

My freebie today is about siblings again...
I too have a brother (and 3 sisters) and it's funny to think that I felt the same way (see freebie) when we were kids.... funny how life is a revolving door and we are able to see this in our children!!!

My kids are great, although I often hear others call their "step brothers/sisters" by that title, you know I'm sure you've heard it when people say, "oh my stepbrother is coming over" or "my stepsister had a baby". I'm so thankful to God that although my son is adopted they have never once looked at each other differently or placed a title on each other!! They are truly Brother and Sister-- no titles involved, after all we are all Brothers and Sisters in Christ....

So here's my freebie for you!!! Click the preview to go to my 4shared

Please give credit where credit is due and please leave a comment telling me a quote you'd like to see, I'd be happy to make it if only you give me words.

I used my PURCHASED KIT: Kingdom by the Sea from
Secret Garden Creations to make this LO.

I pray you all have someone to lean on and that the someone you have doesn't have a lable attached to them.
Have a blessed Holy Week!

Understanding and a Freebie!

2009-03-29T17:46:00.000-07:00

Hi all!
Well another week has flown by and I was hoping to be able to post more freebies during the week but well what can I say, time got away from me.

I'm still working on making a full scrapbook for my daughter's graduation and its going slow but it's going! Geez who would have ever thought that it would take so long to share memories, then again it took time to make them so it's just as important to take the time to make a really nice scrapbook right???

I was going through some older pictures and found these from a couple of years ago....
you know how it is when you were a teenager and well, parents just don't understand.. lol!!! By the way that was a really good song way way way back in the 80's and it still rings true, for past and present kids (and parents hahaha). I had my moments too, growing up I didn't think my mother would ever "get me" and now I am experiencing the same thing with my own children... geez it's life re-lived I'm just on the other end of spectrum this time.

I love the crazy look on my kids faces! It's pretty much how I feel sometimes when it seems like they are talking in circles... but even though they think "I don't understand", I really do!!!! Yep been there, done that, got the t-shirt! lol....

I've made the layout using the sister term but made 2 wordarts, one for sisters and one for brothers, so I hope it works for someone out there.

Click the samples and they will lead you to my 4shared. While you are there please leave some love... I'd really appreciate it!

Here's the goodies:

WAIT WAIT WAIT..... I JUST REALIZED (3 DAYS LATER) I MIS-SPELLED BROTHER (DANG! Yes I know they can be a bother but lol if you downloaded the bad one I apologize)... I FIXED IT SO PLEASE RE-DOWNLOAD THE CORRECT SPELLED ONE ABOVE!!!!

and

I always try my best to give credit where credit is due and I hope you do the same.
My LO was made using:
Naturel Scrap Kit Created by Happy-Scrap

May God bless you with someone in your life who can "understand" just who you really are!

God's blessings be with you!

Siblings and a Freebie!

2009-03-24T08:04:00.000-07:00

Hi everyone... hahaha I type as if I have a ton of people stopping by here... but whatever I'll continue to talk as if I have a ton of new friends and hopefully one day I will have at least more than a few hahaha...
Well I made it through Ministry Day last Saturday and now it's time to put that behind me and move forward with other everyday life issues.

It's hard to believe that March is already in it's final weeks... whew where does time go???? It's getting closer and closer to the end of the school year which causes my stomach to jump and twist! Why? Well, my darling daughter will be graduating from High School and will begin a new chapter in her life... I wonder, will she still need me as much as she did in the past, she and my son have always been my #1 job (even if they think differently at times), it was something both my husband and I decided when I was pregnant for her 18 years ago... I would stay at home and I would live my vocation as wife and mother to the best of my ability.... Okay so I haven't been the best in the world, but I do try and that's all that matters... when I fall I get back up and try again.... parenthood is afterall a growth process!!!

My son is a completly different child compared to my daughter and when the two of them stick together (instead of fighting) they really can conquer the world (don't tell them I told you that, there might be an uprising in the house LOL).

Romantic Scrap Kit by: DitaB
Template by: Andrea Gold

I want to put together something that encompasses both of their lives for their graduations (oh my son graduates Jr. High one day before my daughter, did I fail to mention that above?) so I thought I would start with some "Sibling" layouts....
in the process I hope to give you my wordart. I hope you enjoy them as much as I do making them. Please let me know if you do snag them as I'm beginning to wonder if they are even any good.

Below you will find the links to my 4shared so just click on the Tag and it will lead you there.

May you too have a shoulder to lean on that will give you strength...
God bless you today and always!

P.s. I'm not sure why when you go to file share that it only shows up as a black box, but I promise it's there ;o)!

Here's the Freebie for today:

Amazed and a Freebie!

2009-03-18T21:07:00.000-07:00

Have you ever been amazed at just how much you really love your signifigant other... even after being together for so many years I still am amazed at how much I love and need my husband.
We have been happily married for 18 years now and are still very much in love with each other. Just this last August we went to San Damiano Retreat House to "get away" with one another and to just be still with God for those few days that we were there. If you are ever looking for a great retreat house and live near Danville I suggest that you go and see the Franciscan Friars up there on the hill or you can go just for a day to walk the beautiful grounds that they have there! I'll post a few pictures of our trip there so you can see how beautiful it is.

I know that there are others out there so I thought I would offer you my word art that I used to make this scrap page. Please leave a comment telling me a bit of your Amazing love while your here.
For the following layout I used Piccolina's Kit Japanese Garden and Kaelira's Template

Here's my love of my life....(of course I love my kidlets too!)

Now on to my 2nd freebie!
Click the sample to download it from my 4shared
As always please give credit where credit is due

I hope you enjoy it!

May you always be amazed at how much love is surrounding you every day!

Ministry Day and a Freebie!

2009-03-16T09:40:00.000-07:00

Well I'm taking the leap!!! After a couple of years of dinking on my computer with PSP, and downloading Hundreds of wonderful freebies (shamelessly I'm addicted thanks to all the talented ladies out there!) Well I thought I would try my hand at offering a freebie as well. Although I don't have the ability to do kits as I haven't learned how, I do know how to do Word Art, another addiction of mine. I am able to convey my feelings as well as my Faith to others that I work with and for by making Word Art for prayer services and environment when needed.
I actually had this finished a week or two ago because I had been asked by a dear Sister (yep a nun) if I would be able to do the environment for the presenters rooms and the roundtable discussion for our Annual Ministry Day gathering. What's Ministry Day?? Here's a brief run down before I post my pics and my freebie....

Ministry Day is the Annual Adult Faith Formation Conference of the Diocese of Stockton. The Conference provides professional development opportunity for all parish ministers and a day of spiritual enrichment and growth in faith for all Catholics. As a diocese we gather around our Bishop to celebrate who we are and to affirm our commitment to carry out our mission as the local Church. It is a must for all who take their baptismal call seriously. (I borrowed this from our Diocesan Website, glad they had it posted... whew... lol..)

Okay so here's what I came up with for the roundtable decorations, the Mass being celebrated for the day is the Conversion of St. Paul so I thought I would carry that theme into the environment... this is what I came up with:

I made this (LO? layout?) using
Bel Vidotti Scraps
and a few rocks from Granny

Well here's my try at a freebie!
If you happen to snag it can you let me know...
I don't know if anyone even stops by here to listen to my rants, prayers or reflections.... so it'd be kinda nice to find out ;o)

Here's it is...

Click the sample above to be taken to my 4shared
Please send others to download it themselves
and please give credit where credit is due

Thanks!
I hope you liked it and I pray that you Run as to Win for Christ today!

Troubles

2009-03-06T07:43:00.000-08:00

Is it just me or is Digifree bugged????
Everytime I go there I have issues with my internet explorer trying to open up 50 million windows, okay so I'm exaggerating but I have to shut down my computer hot and re-boot to get rid of all of them! I'm going to stay away for a few days and see what happpens, if there is anyone out there having problems can you let me know?? I don't want to think it's my computer.

Rain, Row and Romance

2009-02-12T08:48:00.000-08:00

Hi All!!!!!
I'm back from my "Romantic Get-away" to Monterey with the love of my life... I came back home to a very busy evening since I had to prepare a session for today's class. Well let me get on with how my day's away went.... I'm sure you want to know or else you wouldn't be here... lol....

I ended my last blog on day one (Sunday) of our stay in Monterey....

I felt much better on Monday... of course I did take enough meds to get me through the day without feeling too sick... So Monday was a better day for me and for Lance! (if you don't know what I'm talking about then you should read my last blog)

Poor guy... I bet he thought I would end up laying in bed the whole time hahhaa... so let's get on with the fun stuff!!!

We headed out the door around 10:00 and were making our way towards Big Sur, we had never been there before so we didn't know what to expect. The weather forcast was "rainy" and boy was it!!!

I put together a scrap page of our drive there.... needless to say it was a bit wet but in the end on the way back to Monterey the sky opened up and heaven shone upon us the rest of the day!!! Whoo-hoo for nice weather!!!

So let me share with you the "trip" to Big Sur before I post the picture... Like I said we didn't know what the drive would be like and well... I'm not real good with windy mountain roads that look like you are going to fall off the cliff's edge... and I'm not good with bridges... and I'm really not good with the two combined along with the cliffs that drop off into the ocean.... needless to say I was a bit... uh nervous... Poor Lance... he really is a trooper when it comes to dealing with my car melt-downs.... but once we reached "low land" again I was good to go!!! I must tell you that if you love to camp and be near the Coast at the same time I would suggest you head to Big Sur! It's absolutely beautiful being surrounded by all the trees and "foresty" area and also being only 1-2 miles from the ocean at the same time.

Before we headed too "high" into the mountain side we did pull over a few times to look at the view... one of my thoughts every time I go to this area is how much I hope that those who live in this area really appreciate the beauty that surrounds them, you know how easy it is to just "get used to" where we live and then a stranger comes around to "refresh" your view of where you live... Oh Lord please let them still appreciate all that beauty!

So this is what we seen on the way to Big Sur and back to Monterey follow the pictures from the left to the right... see how it was oogie and then turned beautfiul.... kind of like how I felt as the day progressed....

So once we got back into Monterey we headed over to Cannery Row. We love to just walk up and down the Row and go in and out of the shops just to look at all the stuff and read all the crazy things in the shops... but the best thing to do is EAT!!! Yeah I didn't get the size I am by just looking at food.... lol....
Hmmm... what sounded good to us??? BUBBA GUMPS!!!

If you've never eaten there then let me just explain that it's a resturant based upon the movie Forrest Gump... they have the movie playing on the t.v's and the waiters will come up to your table and ask you trivia questions about the movie.... not that I've watched the movie over and over again but it's one that you just can't seem to forget... Both Lance and I did really good on the trivia part and even stumped our waiter! He asked us "What book was little Forrest reading at the end of the Movie" okay so he gave us a hint "has a monkey in it" so we guessed and said Curious George! Yipee we were right!! No you don't win anything you just have a good time anwering the questions! Then I asked him "So which Curious George book was it?" Ha he didn't know! hahhahahaha... Lunch was GREAT!

Here's a lookie loo at what we ended up having..... yeah it's a whole "let's eat" kind of get-away hahahhahaha....

The quotes that are written around the picture is what was written on the table we ate at.... I still have more quotes but didn't have the room on the picture!
So after Bubba Gumps we walked around some more and went to this huge Antique Store, I was looking for some soup tureens that we can use when we have our Souper-Stations during this Lent (something I'll explain in a different blog), well... we were in Monterey and I know that everything there is much more expensive but GEEZ I was blown away... and literally out the door by the prices!

We decided to head over to any second-hand store to see if we could find something there! WE managed to find some baskets (NEW ONES!) for the bread and some more soup ladles that looked just as new! AND while I was standing in line I was looking from afar at the movies they had for sale and guess what I found..... FOR THE BOYS oh I love that movie!!!!!!! I only had to pay $2.25 for a DVD that worked perfectly!!! (we watched it at the hotel later that night!) While I was there I asked if there were any other 2nd hand stores and they directed me (and Lance since he's the driver) to where they were and after getting lost only once we found them! I managed to find a few more baskets and a really nice glass bowl for a prayer table candle that I bought... BUT I still needed some tureens!!!!

Just outside the 2nd store that we went to there was this beautiful mural on the wall... It had all remarkable women... yeah that's right... women ROCK IT

Wow!! As a painter myself I really can appreciate all the hard work that this artist did to portray these wonderful women!!!
After being "stalked" by a fellow shopper... kid you not this guy was with us at every store!!! and he was a bit uh... unnerving... so after not finding what I needed we left and I noticed a 99cent store across the street, so we ran across the street and into the store... can you tell that I LOVE BARGAINS???

I didn't find any tureens there but I did find some pots that I will be using instead.... the guy wanted to make the deal so much with us (because I needed 5) that he said "OH I give you GOOD DEAL" (yep he sounded like that it's not a typo) "I no charge you TAX" hahahahhaha so I got what I needed TAX FREE! So not much but it was a "deal!" I also managed to purchase 10 water pitchers that will be needed too.... Let's see... the only thing left for my night of feeding our parishoners was "SOUP" (which I was going to be purchasing later that night)

After "shopping" we both decided to go back to the room to just hang out for a bit before we headed out to dinner....
OH YEAH.... we went to

As many times as I've been to the Wharf... I've never eaten any where else but the Grotto!!!!! I always have the Cioppino!!!! So to show you how wonderful it all was I will share a little scrap page for that dinner too!!!

But before I post that I have to tell you that this resturant has a lot of style and really treat the customers GREAT!!! I've never gone away feeling disappointed with the food and it was really nice to hear an employee (he helped us carry out the soup to the car) say "Its the best place I've ever worked at" how often do you hear that coming from an employee about their employer???? So if you are ever in Monterey at the Wharf I strongly suggest you go there!!! We were even given a complimentary appetizer of Calamari and Artichokes...

OH YEAH!!! Thanks Mr. Shake!!!! (by the way the owner is always at the front door opening it for you!!) so with no further ado....

After that huge dinner.... we headed back to the room and just soaked in the hot tub... and then I started putting together all these scrap-pages that you see here.... I hope you enjoyed being with us on day 2 of our get away....

ON day 3 it wasn't as eventful but our last day there was really nice because the sun was shining brightly, the wind had died down and we were able to just be together without any interruptions....

But there was this one bird who seemed to follow us everywhere!!! LOL....

Thank you so much for coming and visiting me on my blog, I really do hope you enjoy my little life stories and I hope that you can see the presence of God as I do throughout each day......

With that I leave you our final day's pictures.....

Both Lance and I were.....

And we love each other and go together so well that we are like.....

and

Where there is one of us there is always the other.....

Yes we complete each other.....

only because by the Grace of God are we together!

Oh yeah one more thing.... everyone probably thought we were crazy taking pictures of all the food and stuff in the resturant... but he when you want to make scrap pages you'll take a picture of anything and everything!!!!

Drop a line in the comment box to say hello and please
Have a blessed day!
Love,

Flowers, Burgers and Kleenex

2009-02-12T08:39:00.000-08:00

Goodmorning all!!!
I told you I would try to update you while we are away on our "Romance" trip to Monterey... something we've been doing for a a number of years now... just Lance and I, during the month of February.... keeps the marriage "fresh" I suppose... that and we don't get too many breaks during the year so we need this little get-away!
Let me bring you up to date as to what has happened since Saturday.

Saturday I figured I would attend mass at 5:30 so that I might be able to sleep in on Sunday (yeah as if that really happened!) because I was beginning to feel a bit sick... darn the luck, why is it when you plan on doing something there's always a monkey in the wrench?? I woke up Sunday feeling really *green* you know what I'm talking about??? Why is it we never say we feel yellow or red??? We know what "blue" feels like but what about orange or purple??? LOL.... okay let me move on here, I'm beginning to feel like Romper Room's Mrs. Maryann (remember that show? or am I dating myself?)

Like I said I was feeling worse than I did on Saturday and I felt really bad that I wasn't going to be 100% for Lance on our trip... so I took some meds (should have taken more!) and started getting ready for our get-away. Jumped in the shower and that seemed to help for about 2 hours... We gave kisses and hugs to the kids (although Gabriel isn't a hugger for some reason) and headed out the door...
Our first stop at 12:00 was just down the road from us about 1/2 hour away... I hadn't eaten yet (you'd think I only would weigh 80lbs not eating like I should... but no....) and my stomach was beginning to feel "wacky". We both love to eat at Carls Jr but the kids don't like to so when ever we are by ourselves we are able to eat there without the whining (love ya kids but yeah you whine)... I made sure to get the camera ready before I left so that I could take a bunch of pictures on our trip... so the first set comes from our lunch date

Yeah I'm sure everyone in the resturant (all 6) thought I was weird taking all the pictures... but hey it's my life and I can remember it any way I want right??? LOL.....
Poor Lance didn't remember that they had Chili Fries so he didn't get any of those, that picture is just a reminder of what "heart-stopper" he didn't eat... lol...
We were back on the road within a 1/2 hour and that's when I realized that this ooogie feeling wasn't going away but was slowly creeping up on me and getting worse the farther we were down the road....Popped more meds hoping to knock it out...
We take what's known as the Pacheco Pass to get to 1 and on the drive we are in the hills/mountains, normally this stretch makes me nervous because there are so many accidents on this highway... but this time I think I was too busy concentrating on breathing through my mouth.... hahhaa

Along the drive we were passed on the opposite side by a huge convoy of military vehicles...
see...

look to the left of the picture... the line was huge...

I told Lance "I wonder what the military is up to..." his reply was "they could tell us but then they'd have to kill us".... way to go "Mr. Bond" ... hahahhaha so that filled my time for all of 5 minutes of the drive and then it was back to concentrating on breathing again!
We reached Monterey at 2:00 and I have to tell you I'm so jealous that they already have trees blooming (Trina is ours in the front yard blooming yet?) we only have buds on our trees at home...

I had almost missed this because the camera was taking forever to turn back on!

Let me just say if you ever stay in Monterey and are looking for a "reasonable" place to stay... I suggest the lodge that we stay at.... it's the best little secret that we have found in Monterey!

Seriously, it's clean and everything works and they have little cottages that a whole family can stay in with full kitchens!!!! (we stayed in a cottage with the kids last time)... I really do suggest you try them out!

No I don't get a discount for advertising for them, although maybe I should look into it... hahahahha

So we checked in the but room was still being cleaned, it's always nice to have a clean room!!! So we decided to go kill time at the mall (which is on and off the freeway)...

We went into pretty much all the stores just looking, but I managed to get Valentines cards for my hubby at the hallmark store! I love that store but it's expensive!

Then we stopped at the Gamestop to see what was in there... (Be good Gabriel you just might have a game when we get home *grins*) then we headed into the MINI Borders store, it really is 1/4th the size of a regular Borders... Lance found a new book and we may have found something for Katrina (I know you are reading ths so no peeking!!!)

One thing I seen that really "CHAPPED MY HIDE" was a father taking his son who was probably all of 7 years old to the calendar shelf where he went staight to the SWIMSUIT calendar to show his boy the girls on it.... Oh my gosh are you kidding me?!? And we women wonder why some of the guys out there are perv's (of course none of my friends would do that right?) Okay let's move on now that the "Courtship of Eddie's Father" is completed.... Oh wait did I mention that his other son was with the mother (I'm assuming they were all a family)....

We went into Macy's (yeah now I remember why I don't shop there! WOW the prices are absolutely ridiculous!!!!!) I was sad to see the empty Mervyn's store (that was my FAVORITE place!) went into a few of the "perfume stores" and then headed back to the car.....

I'm also on a hunt to find things for Ministry Day this year! I've been asked to put together a "prayer table/centering" for the presenters room, so I'm trying my hardest to keep my eyes open for something I can use.

We were going to head back to the room but I wanted to stop at Beverly's Fabric/Craft store, yeah it's been forever since I've been in one of those too... but as I was looking around the store I started getting really achy!!!! I felt really bad... both physically and emotionally... I know that Lance wants to have a good time and here I am getting sicker as the day goes on!!! We managed to get back to the room without incident and Yeah they cleaned!! The room had a very clean and bleached smell to it... once we left the door open for a little while then it went away.... Don't get me wrong I was glad to smell bleach because I knew it came from the bathroom and well.... I'm really particular about where I sit... hahhaa

We both agreed to have a light dinner so we walked down to Denny's I had soup and tea... (very luke warm tea which was disappointing!) Then after that we walked over to Rite Aid to pick up a few things I needed to make my own tea in the room....

Got to the room and made tea and then.........SOAKED!!!!

Oh yeah!!!! I felt much better after that!!! The aches went away and I was able to breathe because of all the steam!!!! Oh praise God for HOT WATER....

After soaking I spent time looking at the pictures I managed to take on the way here and made the "lunch time" scrapbook page above....

and now... well it's 8:00 and my prince is still asleep and I'm sitting here telling you all about my day....

I'm going to pop more meds (did I tell you I took a bit more than I should last night???) just so I can get through the day without complaining to Lance... I do want him to have nice time!!!

It's suppose to rain today so that means we are going to be getting a little wet here and there... fun stuff!!! We are heading to Big Sur to check out the area since we've never been there before, they say that the grey whales are suppose to be migrating right now.... it sure would be nice to see something in water bigger than myself... lol.....

Well I'm going to go jump in the shower, I hope you enjoyed my silly day of yesterday!!!! I hope to get more pictures to share with you all!!!

Have a great day!!! *sniff sniff, hack, cough*.... okay I'm thinking I might get in the hot tub again..... yeah I know... poor me lol.......

Love,

Addicted

2009-01-31T09:39:00.001-08:00

Hello all!! All... that's funny because I'm sure there are only a few who stop by and read my rantings....
I have to come out of the closet and say that I am totally addicted to Digi-Scrapbooking and Word Art.
I've made a few tags for my Myspace friends and have tried to do my own word art so I thought I would share one of them with anyone who stops by here....

I do love dinking around with PSP that's for sure....
Here's what I made this morning. The info for all that I used will be posted below...

The inspiration to the word art that I made came from the song:
The first time I saw your face by Roberta Flack

(The song that inspired this graphic)

The other one I made was:

Well I suppose I better get off here and get busy cleaning house, not to mention the fact that I have to prepare a session for my 1st Sacraments group for tomorrow...

Let me know what you thought of either graphic...
I'd really like to get to meet and know some people on here....

Now for all the copyright stuff....

Both Graphics
Scraps by:
JAELOP DESIGNS
DIGITAL SCRAPBOOK LAYOUTS & DESIGNs
http://jaelop.blogspot.com/

Heart Template by Ali
http://Designsbyali.blogspot.com

The First Time Word Art by Itsjuls (me)

Square
Template by Missy
http://divineintentionz.com

Friend Word art by:
Crystal Z

Taco Bell, Eggs and Need of Prayer!

2009-01-29T15:24:00.000-08:00

You know teenagers never cease to amaze me!!! Let just say that the last two evenings have been very disturbing to me and my household. The worst thing about it is that the teens I am venting about aren't even my own!!!
Tues night around 9:15 p.m. the drama began....

Okay so small house pets weren't involved in the fiasco but the little dog above is a hint as to what happened....

So the story begins...
I was sitting here on my computer putting together my new layout when all of a sudden I hear a car pull up (I hang out in my garage) and started honking their horn like crazy..... So I tell Lance that it sounds like there is someone in front of the house to go and check, he does and then I hear car tires screeching and after a couple of minutes he comes into the garage for the push broom!

What in the world? Why does he need the push broom... he continues telling me that 2 young girls were in their car being chased by some young boys (found out that it's possibly an ex-boyfriend)....

I didn't think there was someone pointing the way but.... The young ladies sought refuge at our house because they knew that an officer lived at our home
(Lance brings home a patrol car on occassion)
and they came straight to our house....

***duh duh duh (imagine creepy music now)....***

I'm following him out the door as I'm listening to this story, still trying to figure out why in the world does he need a push broom...
I did a cat head count to make sure that they were all in the garage and a family pet didn't get squished...
(dread that thought!)
then he finally mentioned Taco Bell packets...

TACO BELL PACKETS???

He then continued the story about how they were squirting taco bell packets on the young ladies (around age 17-18'ish?) car..... I finally stepped onto the walkway and was in view of the driveway I didn't think I would see so many packets

No these aren't the original packets

(stupid me I didn't even think of taking a picture!!)

normally I would love to see Taco Bell packets because that would mean I had a really yummy meal!! (especially since it's that lovely time of the month!)

There had to be at least 20 packets strewn on my driveway and the street!!!! Lance said that he called the young men (boys) back and they decided to yell out !^$* that!!!

No it wasn't a blessing!

So I started helping and then decided I better start looking at the car and sure enough there was taco sauce on the car... I told Lance that it needed to be washed off because it is acidic, I went into the house to get something to clean it off but Lance came behind me telling me that he was going to take it to the carwash down the street. Great... at least the car will be clean right??

Well......
(again play the creepy music)

the boys were at the car wash the same time that he went there.... from what I can tell between what I now know... they had a bit of a "discussion" at the carwash, normally I would be okay with Lance defending his property but again we are speaking about teenagers here and their amount of respect for others is something that needs to be fixed so to speak....

You might be asking "so what's the big deal???" Taco Bell... Washed Car.... both are something all women want when they are having that special visit from "aunt flo" right? Yeah I would have enjoyed it like I said if I got a meal out of it but all I got was a bigger headache and more drama tonight!!! The young boys (little brats!) decided that they would

Again I'm sitting here in my house.... (Wed. Night)

(in the garage-- ask me if you want why I hang out in the garage...)

and I was just about to call it a night, when all of a sudden I hear a smash against the garage door and a ping-ping.... then the roar of a car engine, Lance jumped up and ran out to see what it was.... I soon followed behind him....

OH MY GOODNESS!!!

The little... #^^#@%'s egged my car and the garage.....
(again I failed to have my camera!!)

now what really pisses me off is the fact that they wasted foodand

WE DON'T EVEN KNOW THE GIRLS WHO CAME TO OUR HOME!

now they didn't go small.... they decided that a dozen wasn't quite enough... but a whole

flat would do the job!!!

Needless to say we found out who the little *&^&* was and decided to drive straight over to their home to talk to the parents....

OH MY GOSH!!! That boy has more attitude that an X-LG pair of Hane's can ever handle!!!! Let's just say that the boy likes to use the "F" word like it was the word: and, but, the, he, she, we, yes, no......
and he did all of it in front of his mother.....
so you know he has no respect for others if he has no respect for his own mother!

I suppose he decided to return to our home because of the "discussion" that Lance and he had gotten into at the carwash....

1. I don't like the fact that a confrontation has caused this to happen

and

2. I fear it is only going to get worse from here!

So why am I telling you all of this drama? Because I'm really upset and needed to get it off my chest. And because I really would appreciate it if you would pray for this young boy to change his way's and his heart. I also ask that you pray for the safety of my family, as we know how crazy teens can be.....

So for a while I will be made to feel uncomfortable in my own home, not knowing what will happen next. Yes I am trying to make light of some of the things that happened by adding in the pictures but that doesn't mean I'm not upset or a little fearful of what may possibly happen. I guess it's just my weird way of releasing the frustrations I'm having right now. That and the fact that it is 12:16 a.m. and there is nothing on t.v. and heck why not blog about this non-sense right?? So please add me to your prayer list I would really appreciate it, as I always pray for your intentions when in need.

Thanks for listening to my venting!!!!

You know...... I'm thinking....

But it's way too late! So I'll leave this little advice for all who managed to make it through this long blog....

Thanks for listening (actually reading)

From Marshmallows to Jesus

2009-01-19T17:57:00.000-08:00

If you just fell into my blog and don't quite know me yet, you may be wondering how in the world can I possibly compare Marshmallows with Jesus...
just a couple of blogs ago I did a reflection called "I saw God today" and prior to that, "what's in my purse"? If we but look through eyes of faith then anything is possible and so is seeing or finding Jesus in Marshmallows. Let me share with you how this reflection began. I went to the grocery store for dinner items, no, marshmallows were not on the list! (although I'm sure any 5 year old would find that a great dinner)

As I was walking down the aisle with my daughter my eyes fell upon this bag, at first I thought it was a few bags stuck together! Only after I grabbed for the bag did I realize that it was only one package, and the marshmallows were HUGE!

Grant it they probably aren't the best thing that I should be eating but I just couldn't resist purchasing them, merely because I had never seen one so big!!!! The one thing I must say about marshmallows is that they are a great snack food that's for sure.... especially in the afternoon when you just "need" something sweet!! Okay enough of talking like I know what people should be eating LOL....

When I reached the counter there was a customer already there and had over-heard the conversation about how huge these things are and she looked over after and said hello and had a perplexed look on her face as if to say, "what are you talking about"?
I showed her the bag of marshmallows and she said how great those would be for a camping trip. She then took the time to ask how my mom is doing (everyone who know's me know's my mom) I thanked her for asking and gave her the report of my mom (who's doing fine).

Then it was our turn to be checked out at the register, the cashier mentioned how he had been told at the time of ordering stock that they had huge marshmallows so he said he figured why not order a few of them.....

Okay I know that the story is getting a bit long but hang in there I'm getting to the Marshmallows and Jesus part really soon.... *grin*

If you don't know how my mind works yet... (shame on you ha ha) I tend to wander into different thoughts every minute, reflecting on one thing will then bring up another topic and then that will lead into something else, before you know it I went from Marshmallows to Jesus.....

I was reflecting about how many people we came into contact with and how a simple marshmallow brought laughter and light, concern and appreciation, friendship and goodness, and most importantly LOVE into my day and those other's who were involved. Sometimes its hard to find even one of these in a day, but I had experienced all of these within a matter of 5 minutes.

The laughter was with my daughter, the acquaintance I have, and the cashier.....
The light was coming not only from our hearts but from those around us who caught the contagious laughter that we were experiencing at the time.
The concern was from the lady who asked about my mom and appreciation was for her to remember her.
The friendship came across when I seen this acquaintance whom I hadn't seen in what seemed like years!
The Goodness was the conversation that we had with the Cashier, who looked like he was having a really boring day until we started joking with him about the marshmallows.....
The most important thing that was there was LOVE.....
I loved without even realizing I did until this morning as I am sitting here writing this...

We all were Christ-like to one another.....
We all shared with each other.....
We all were and had peace with us at that moment.....
We all loved and showed love without even realizing it....
We were all the same for just those few minutes of the day.....

So I ask you... did the Marshmallows lead us to Jesus or not....
to the way that Jesus wants us to treat one another.....
YES they most certainly did (at least that's how I feel) that is how I am able to compare the Marshmallows to Jesus....
Because HE was present at that moment with us and those silly little (huge) marshmallows let me sit back and find how I can even find Jesus in something so sweet and squishy!

Take the time to see the love.....
Take the time to find Jesus in the events of your life.....
It's when we don't even realize it, when we find Him there the most!!!!
I hope your day is sweet and squishy....
I hope you see Jesus in your day....
and I pray that God shower you with blessings and love from on high....

I had to include this because my son took part in the love too!!! He made Hot Chocolate with his marshmallow!
Love,

My Mousepad is an ironing board

2009-01-15T16:35:00.000-08:00

Hello there!!! Kind of a curious title to this blog huh??? But you see it's true....
I was getting ready to iron and thought, "Oh my Gosh.... I am soooooooo addicted to Myspace and being online!!!! Let me just take you through my insane moment of life... LOL!!!!
Here's proof that one can seriously multi-task and still stay online lol.... Okay how sad is it that I have to have the computer in front of me???? LOL..... Actually I was listening to Napster, charging my mp3 player and checking messages along with the ironing!

June Cleaver beat that!!! LOL.....

I brought home the albs from the church that the Altar Servers wear because well kids will be kids, even in church and they just leave everything on the floor in the back room and so they were dirty and needed some TLC.... so being the "mom, Altar Society Member, grand flunky" that I am I figured, I suppose I seen them... I might as well take care of them! Only God know's how long it's been since they've been washed...

(probably the last time I did them)

Knowing I still had to iron them I got out the new steamer that my mom bought us for Christmas (Lance's Alb's are really long for the board!) Although I thought that it was working really good I decided I wasn't going to use the steamer because I had 12 albs to do and my arms were already killing me, which reminded me of how out of shape I really am! (Okay so I'm a shape... round is a shape right? lol) Okay back to the steamer... it really does work good but I knew I wouldn't be able to hang with that so I decided to pull out the ole' faithful!!!!!

I love this iron!!!!! It works really good although it steams so much that I have to keep refilling the water resevoir constantly.... Boy I should get some kind of commission for promoting these two products, don't you think???? So I'm standing here with iron in hand, mouse in front of me and the spray starch is beginning to run low.....

Now my question is.... how many of you actually still use spray starch... I knew I couldn't run to my neighbors to borrow any.... so what did I do????? I prayed really hard that I have enough to get me through all of them!!!!
Okay so how many did I have to do????

Oh man..... okay let's get back to the whole ironing and running low on the starch! Really how many people actually use spray starch out there??? I know I still use it on a regular basis.... I love the way the garments come out after using it! You know ironing can be really therapeutic (did I spell that right?) Lance loves to iron... how 'bout that ladies I got a man who loves to iron! hahaha
Oh my I keep rambling here but heck it's my blog and I guess I can do whatever I want right? lol....
As I was ironing I was thinking about all those people who say, "you know I really wish I could do something for the church, but I'm just too busy!" Oh my goodness..... come on.... you know there's so much that needs to get done and it can be done at home.... like ironing the vestments, altar cloths, albs, purificators.... etc..... so if you know how to iron and have even one extra hour you can lend to the church once a month... here's your chance to change your statement from "I really wish I could" to "I'm really glad I did"..... yeah it may take a little bit of time, and I know that nobody will even know I did it (well now you guys do) but I do it because I want to give myself back to God who has given me so much..... and look at the finished product....

You know after taking this picture I thought I should do a "What's on my fridge?" blog what do you think??? Wanna hear what's on my fridge??? You know I never realized how much my mind wanders to different topics so easily.... please forgive my insanity... lol...
Please let me know what you think about my ramblings... and would you like to hear what the heck is on my fridge? lol....
I better get running along.... I still have my husband face on (you know the face only a husband can love and see in the morning) Yikes dare I share.... lol

Yikes!!!! lol... you know one more thing that I reflected upon while I was ironing was the fact that I was doing 12..... okay so my mind wandered to the Apostles and I wondered if Mary Magdalene ever helped them out by doing their laundry, you know the women did all that stuff back then and well there goes my mind again.....

Hope you got a giggle out of this blog or at least feel like you aren't the only crazy one on Myspace!!!
Have a very blessed and wrinkle free day!!!!
Love,

I saw God today

2009-01-13T18:54:00.000-08:00

Hi everyone!
Okay so yesterday I introduced you to a reflection that I was doing out of this book:

If you happened to have missed it then please see my blog from yesterday, it's quite interesting the responses that I've gotten in comments and in messages! It's through others that I feel fed so please continue to visit me often! I'm hoping to continue doing a blog a day if I have the time and opportunity. Today I want to share with you a reflection that I am doing with our 2nd year Confirmation Students. You see most of them haven't allowed themselves to be exposed to different genre's of music and limit themselves in reflections.

Because I absolutely LOVE music I thought I would incorporate it in our lessons on occassion.

So last Thursday as I was sitting here putting a session together I had my music playing (If you know me... yeah big shock huh? LOL) and the song I saw God today happened to come on.....

So it got me thinking.... how can I use this song with this group????

I found the lyrics and printed them up and then sat and reflected and PRAYED that the Holy Spirit inspire me with an idea.... and WHAMMO there it was....

Our closing prayer for that session was the song and as part of their own reflection we sat in silence to visualize their day (we have evening sessions so they had a whole day to look at) and then they were to write their own verse to the song as to where they saw God today. I know most people will think be thinking, "what the heck? See God??" Yes, see God! You see it's easy to miss Him when He's standing right in front of us.... Let me refresh your mind about what Jesus said.

"For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, a stranger and you welcomed me, naked and you clothed me, ill and you cared for me, in prison and you visited me.' Then the righteous will answer him and say, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? When did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? When did we see you ill or in prison, and visit you?' And the king will say to them in reply, 'Amen, I say to you, whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me.' Then he will say to those on his left, 'Depart from me, you accursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. For I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me no drink, a stranger and you gave me no welcome, naked and you gave me no clothing, ill and in prison, and you did not care for me.' Then they will answer and say, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or ill or in prison, and not minister to your needs?' He will answer them, 'Amen, I say to you, what you did not do for one of these least ones, you did not do for me.' " Matthew 25:35-45

But not only do we see God in our fellow brothers and sisters.... we see God around us constantly!

When we walk outside how often do we take for granted the grass, the trees, the clouds and the sun, the stars and the moon.... Well.... who else has created these things??

He surrounds us with the beauty of His creation everywhere. Yes even in those people that drive us nuts, those whom we love and even those who would want to have nothing to do with us.

Okay so back to the reflection..... they were to go home and write out a verse to the song along with the chorus....

So I'm curious would you do this with us too???
My verse was a reflection of my own preparations of the session and those whom I serve.
Here's mine...

Looked for something to say, looked for somthing to pray...
Read the readings of the Day and then I found the way
I saw the students, each one that came
I seen the faces that God does see
I was blessed to see them in a whole new way,
for I seen them through the eyes of God and in them I knew I saw God Today...

Okay so I'm not the best song writer but that is what I had felt when I did this reflection and still do today. So are you willing???

I'd be really interested in hearing where you see God today! You can open a new window and go to www.projectplaylist.com to hear it whenever you want and remember it's free. I've also included the lyrics to the song so that you can "see God" in them....

Please share this with your friends too.... this is how we become the Body of Christ to others.... this is how we bring about peace.... this is what we are called to do.... now let us share.....

As you can see I have it on my mp3 player....

(which is something I will reflect upon in another blog.... how electronics bring us to God)

Artist: Strait George
Song: I Saw God Today
Album: Troubadour

Just walked down the street to the coffee shop
Had to take a break
I'd been by her side for 18 hours straight
Saw a flower growin' in the middle of the sidewalk
Pushin' up through the concrete
Like it was planted right there for me to see
The flashin' lights
The honkin' horns
All seemed to fade away
In the shadow of that hospital at 5:08
I saw God today

I've been to church
I've read the book
I know he's here
But I don't look
Near as often as I should
Yeah, I know I should
His fingerprints are everywhere
I just slowed down to stop and stare
Opened my eyes and man I swear
I saw God today

Saw a couple walkin' by they were holdin' hands
Man she had that glow
Yeah I couldn't help but notice she was startin' to show it
Stood there for a minute takin' the sky
Lost in that sunset
Splash of amber melted in the shades of red

I've been to church
I've read the book
I know he's here
But I don't look
Near as often as I should
Yeah, I know I should
His fingerprints are everywhere
I just slowed down to stop and stare
Opened my eyes and man I swear
I saw God today

Got my face pressed up against the nursery glass
She's sleepin' like a rock
My name on her wrist
Wearin' tiny pink socks
She's got my nose, she's got her mama's eyes
My brand new baby girl
She's a miracle
I saw God today

Please leave your reflection in a comment

Everyone is free to comment other comments left......

remember this is what we are called to do, this is what we are called to be... The Body of Christ.....

I pray your eyes See God today in everything.....

Love,

What's in my Purse???

2009-01-12T11:40:00.000-08:00

Hi I'm glad you made it to my blog! Thanks for taking the time to read through my ramblings!

So you wanna know what's in my purse huh?

I've been reading a book this last week and after each chapter there is a series of questions and reflections for someone to do....

So I thought why not do it with anyone who stops here too! It should be interesting if you really take the time to do it!!!! I did this last night with the parents that showed up to our parent meeting and they really got into it, the men even went so far as to pull out their wallets!!! The reflection question I chose was:
"If someone found my wallet or purse, would they know that I am a Christian by what is inside of it??"

So here's what is in my purse:

I received this blessing oil at a Directors of Religious Education meeting from our Sister who is in charge over us... it smells really good... I can only imagine our Blessed Mother smelling this as she was changing Jesus..... I wonder if this is what the oils smelled like when the "sinning woman" anointed Jesus' feet...

mmmmm..... smells really GOOD!

NEXT ITEM:

Of course just reading all the daily tasks would indicate that I am a Christian but so would the fact that there is a scripture quote on each page and the front of it has really cute pictures of animals and in the center it says
"The Lord rejoices in all He has made!" Psalm 104:31

Then there is:

Okay so this probably won't stay in my purse after today, but it was the envelope that had the tickets in it to celebrate with our past pastor of our parish and his 25 years of Ordination, he's now at St. Joseph's in Modesto. If you missed my blog that I posted yesterday then you should check it out, he's in the video behind Lance in the Procession line at the Blue Mass (yeah go read the other blog it tells you about it)

and I also found:

I love this rosary, I purchased it at San Damiano when we were at the Pre-Ordination retreat for the Deacon Candidates. Wow that seems like so long ago but it was only about 2 years ago. I bought it because of the stained glass look and at that moment I had been listening to the song "Stained Glass Masqurade" by Casting Crowns. If you never heard it I suggest you listen to it because it really hits home with me and how people perceive us as being perfect because of the fake smiles and emotions we use....

just go to www.projectplaylist.com and do a search on it, it's free don't worry.

Okay so what's next?

ah my keys to the Catechetical Center.... just the lanyard alone will tell people that I am a Christian don't you think??? Afterall they wouldn't know that those key's open up the doors to the teaching of the faith!

Then there's

Yeah if you look at the date then you will see that this is an old bulletin. I usually have one in my purse because as I'm in town people ask me questions about things that are happening at the parish... I don't want to walk away without answering their questions correctly and if I don't have the answer in there then I call them back to tell them the answer... (or I give them the phone # to the parish)

Okay... I'm digging deeper in my purse...

Yep I checked it still says "In God we Trust" Thanks be to God for that! I'm praying all the time (no not for money) that our country return completely to HIM. (oh and by the way... I usually don't even have this much money! LOL)

ummm let's see what's in the side pocket...

Yep I'm always asked for my phone number so I decided it was time to make up some business cards (as if I have a business lol) and this is what I came up with..... speaking of I have to make some more!

Then there's

Okay so any chance I can get to purchase religious stamps for mailing my bills is a blessing to me... believe me I do a lot of praying before I pay the bills each month... God does provide that's for sure.... and so when I mail these I know that many other people will be handling this letter so I try to affect them by having them look at a religious stamp...
(that's me, always trying to get people to elevate their minds to God)

Geez.... I really need to clean out my purse!

I was just recently given this small New Testament/Psalms/Proverbs bible and I've had it in my purse since the kind man gave it to me...
Now if people don't know I'm a Christian by seeing that then something is seriously wrong (or they have never seen a bible)

Hmmmmm..... Oh yeah one more thing....

Now how often have you heard a cell phone ringing in church???? Oh my goodness! Let me just say that nobody is that IMPORTANT that they need their phone on during Mass/Services, afterall if Jesus was to call I do believe that He would be calling all of us at the same time.
The reason I pulled out my phone is because I have church numbers in there, numbers to other parishoners and the chancery (Diocese Offices) and I also have a religious ringtone (something someone mentioned last night which I forgot about).

Okay that looks like that's about all that I have in there that would indicate that I am a Christian if someone found my purse. I know you're probably thinking that I have this because I'm the Deacon's wife or because I'm the DRE at our parish, but that's not why.... It's because I know that I am a child of God and these things help me to remember who and what I am. They help me when I need to get in contact better with our Lord and they help me to help you get into contact with him too!!!

So now it's your turn.... What's in your Wallet/Purse (isn't there a commercial that uses this slogan?) I pray you enjoyed and have come away from this blog feeling a bit more blessed. I feel I have by just reflecting upon all this stuff and sharing with you!

Love,

Blue Mass

2009-01-11T14:34:00.000-08:00

Well it was quite an event to attend yesterday... in fact we actually ended up attending Mass at St. Joseph's in Modesto twice! The first one was for the Blue Mass. What is that??? you might be asking... Well it's when a Mass is celebrated in honor of those First Responders who have served, serve now and we pray will serve in the future. There were CHP, Sheriff, City Police, Firefighters, EMT, and Paramedics... plus many others I'm afraid I've forgotten their names so forgive me if I accidentally excluded any.

For those of you who don't already know, my husband Lance is a CHP officer and a Deacon of the Catholic Church... yeah I know seems kind of strange the combination, but actually if you sit and think about the two they are no different from one another other than the fact that he wears a gun and badge for one job and a Stole and Dalmatic for the other. But both are held tightly in regards to watching over God's people. Think about King David... remember he was a small shepherd boy who was ordained to be King and from his house/lineage our Lord did come from... but remember that King David was a Warrior too... the more I reflect upon what my husband is, that is who I've concluded he reminds me of (with the exception of the wife situation) if you want to read about King David then get out your bible and read about him beginning in : 1 Samuel 16 and then continue on... King David is also attributed to writing most of the Psalms (Lance can sing too) Okay so enough of my own little reflection.... Let's just say it's an interesting life that we live. It's an interesting life being a wife of a CHP. It's an interesting life being the wife of a Deacon of the Church. I'm very proud of his accomplishments and I probably don't tell him or show him enough but I certainly hope he knows this deep in his heart, along with how much I love him.
Can you tell???

(What I wasn't speeding... LOL!) Okay so back to the story..... In the 19 years that I have been with Lance (geez going on 20 already!) I have never driven in a patrol car... and he had to get special permission in order for all of us to be in the car with him so don't think that the Lt. doesn't know because he does... and this was the first time (thank God I've never gotten into that much trouble!) which was really quite strange because I'm thinking "oh my gosh what are people going to be thinking as they see us in the car!" Well I must say they probably didn't think to much because not one person driving in the opposite or same direction made eye contact with us.... it was funny at first but then I thought geez, do people really become that nervous around these guys??? If you aren't doing anything wrong then there shouldn't be a reason not to look at them! The only two men that waved were firefighters in their truck! Oh well I suppose I can write a novel on that issue but I won't. Let me get to the Mass and how it was watching Lance change from his role of officer to the role of the Deacon to the role of hubby and daddy.... Watch this little picture I put
together of him... lol....

Now the kids don't know any different because heck he's been an officer all their lives and he's been in Diaconate formation (6 years) and ordained for 1 so this is just DAD to them....

as you can see the family does well with both role changes

Oh heck this thing is really getting long already! I'm going to put the videos now so please stop the music player at the top of this blog so you can watch them, I had to break them down into short videos so that the upload wouldn't take so long, some are anywhere from 2 minutes to the longest being 11 mins. So curl up with a cup of your favorite and spend some time with me as we give Thanks to God for all that these brave men and women do for us on a daily basis. And if you are ever out there and you know you didn't do anything wrong... please at least look at and smile at an officer, paramedic, firefighter, sheriff, police.... I'm sure that when you would need them in your life they would be having your best interest at heart.

If the video isn't working then
Here's the code for my youtube link to the Blue Mass
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OZeGC4vLibU

Thank you for taking the time to watch this. Comment below and let me know what you enjoyed the most... maybe tell me a story to pass onto my hubby.

Love
ME

First time for everything

2009-01-09T18:59:00.000-08:00

Hello there!
Okay so I'm going to try to post something for the first time on here. Although I have been a part of the Myspace community for a number of years now I thought I would branch out a bit further and see who I can meet here in this great big blog world out here.

I actually created this blog quite a few day's ago but I just couldn't get the hang of posting pictures, which I absolutely love to find and share and well... I gave up.

So I'm going to try again in hopes that I can get the hang of this.

I suppose I should say a bit about myself on here just in case someone does stop by to see what this little faith corner is all about.... hahaha

Well I'm a mother of 2 and a wife of 1.... for 18 years now...
I live in a very small town called Newman, it's located in the Central Valley of Sunny California... of course it's not so sunny right this moment... more damp and foggy California hahaha. Okay so let's see, I'm the Director of Religious Education at our parish, St. Joachim. I have been for the last 9 years and I also have been a Catechist for 13 years.... fun and exciting stuff that happens when I am with the children who are enrolled in our program, that's for sure!!!
It really is a blessing to be a part of their faith formation and to see them grow closer to God each day!
My husband is the Deacon of our parish which means that our life is that much more busier and at times down right confusing... especially since we have a Senior in High School getting ready to graduate and an 8th grader who is (God willing) graduating this year too.... so needless to say our lives are a bit of a whirlwind at times this year!

Well I think I'm going to call it quits to this post so I can figure out how to work this a blog better.

Until then...

May the Lord Bless you and Keep you
May the Lord let His face shine upon you
and be gracious to you
May the Lord look upon you kindly and grant you peace.

Me and my Hubby in Monterey on Mothers Day 2008
Julie

~Itsjuls~ My Faith corner and more

Old prayer brings back HOPE

Making a wish

Thanksgiving Leftovers...

Happy Birthday tooooo ME!

I Wish.....

Who pinched me????

Ready, set, BLOW.......

Aged like Fine Wine... not cheese!

Smiles, Memories and Wrinkles....

Snap, Crackle and Pop!

Time Flies!

Football Fanatic MOM

Your Way Freebie

Quick Freebie

Circle Freebie

Motherhood Freebie

This Much Freebie!!

Vacation Freebie!!!

Some Fishy Freebies!!!!

I'm Back and with Freebies!!!

A dirt-y little blog and a FREEBIE!!!

HE IS RISEN and a Family freebie

Someone like you and a FREEBIE!!!

Understanding and a Freebie!

Siblings and a Freebie!

Amazed and a Freebie!

Ministry Day and a Freebie!

Troubles

Rain, Row and Romance

Flowers, Burgers and Kleenex

Addicted

Taco Bell, Eggs and Need of Prayer!

From Marshmallows to Jesus

My Mousepad is an ironing board

I saw God today

Hi everyone!Okay so yesterday I introduced you to a reflection that I was doing out of this book:

Because I absolutely LOVE music I thought I would incorporate it in our lessons on occassion.

So last Thursday as I was sitting here putting a session together I had my music playing (If you know me... yeah big shock huh? LOL) and the song I saw God today happened to come on.....

So it got me thinking.... how can I use this song with this group????

I found the lyrics and printed them up and then sat and reflected and PRAYED that the Holy Spirit inspire me with an idea.... and WHAMMO there it was....

But not only do we see God in our fellow brothers and sisters.... we see God around us constantly!

When we walk outside how often do we take for granted the grass, the trees, the clouds and the sun, the stars and the moon.... Well.... who else has created these things??

He surrounds us with the beauty of His creation everywhere. Yes even in those people that drive us nuts, those whom we love and even those who would want to have nothing to do with us.

Okay so back to the reflection..... they were to go home and write out a verse to the song along with the chorus....

So I'm curious would you do this with us too??? My verse was a reflection of my own preparations of the session and those whom I serve. Here's mine...

Okay so I'm not the best song writer but that is what I had felt when I did this reflection and still do today. So are you willing???

I'd be really interested in hearing where you see God today! You can open a new window and go to www.projectplaylist.com to hear it whenever you want and remember it's free. I've also included the lyrics to the song so that you can "see God" in them....

Please share this with your friends too.... this is how we become the Body of Christ to others.... this is how we bring about peace.... this is what we are called to do.... now let us share.....

As you can see I have it on my mp3 player....

(which is something I will reflect upon in another blog.... how electronics bring us to God)

Artist: Strait GeorgeSong: I Saw God TodayAlbum: Troubadour

What's in my Purse???

Blue Mass

First time for everything

Hi everyone!
Okay so yesterday I introduced you to a reflection that I was doing out of this book:

So I'm curious would you do this with us too???
My verse was a reflection of my own preparations of the session and those whom I serve.
Here's mine...

Artist: Strait George
Song: I Saw God Today
Album: Troubadour