Lent 4

For several years I've felt that in my Christian tradition Easter gets second billing to Christmas, which doesn't seem right, as Christ's death and resurrection are just as important as His incarnation. This has happened partly because secular Western culture treats Christmas as the big event of the year, whether or not one celebrates religiously, spending a lot of time and money on things my children annually look forward to--parties, decorations, special food, presents, and family traditions. I didn't grow up observing Lent, but I've found that marking the season, as I do with Advent, helps me to better appreciate Christ's passion and resurrection, and it seems to be helping my girls, too. This year Sophia asked if we were going to have the same special treats I'd made for Sundays during Lent in years past (Western Christians traditionally break their Lenten fast on Sundays, as mini versions of the big celebration coming on Easter Sunday.). And we're trying new ideas, too, like this one I got from jeannewinters.com, which the girls enjoyed helping me create. I think it will become a tradition we revisit in future years.

Two Months Old

Theo is 8 weeks tomorrow, and I found out at his recent check up that he weighs 14 pounds 5 ounces! Here he is sporting a cardigan knit by my friend Vikki's mum and trousers and socks courtesy of Grandma H. Thanks for keeping him well dressed!

It's Spring!

 

Lent 3

Some more Lenten crafts we're borrowing from Lacy at Catholicicing.com:

Our sheep is making his way from Ash Wednesday to Easter Sunday with this calendar the girls colored.

The girls, my parents, and I colored and constructed this "Resurrection Set," complete with grave clothes in the tomb. With it the girls have been enjoying acting out the events of Good Friday and Easter Sunday in preparation for remembering/celebrating in earnest in a few weeks.

Sunny Sophia

Wes and I love this photo he took of Sophia on a sunny afternoon in our garden, when we were enjoying a Tex-Mex barbecue and family.

Lent 2

Alathea & I measured and mixed. Sophia & Daddy kneaded and shaped. It was all part of our family celebration the first Sunday of Lent.

We've each written on the back of our pretzel cards something we want God to help us improve on over the next several weeks.

 (this recipe and artwork are thanks to Lacy at Catholicicing.com)

 The finished product!

Enjoying the fruit of our labors...

Three's a Crowd

Lent 1

We're trying some new things this year as we count down to celebrating the Risen Christ on Easter Sunday. Here is our Lenten Paper Chain:

There are 40 colored links--one for each Monday-Saturday of Lent. The white links mark the Sundays of this season, with the glittery one at the end being Easter. Inside each blue link is a prayer or an action we're undertaking to help us follow more closely in Jesus' footsteps.