the side of love // beautiful love

When I was 12 years young, I began a journey that would be one of the biggest gifts I would ever receive. I attended a Youth 2000 Retreat a few months after having injured my lower back and was in a bit of a vulnerable place. I was seeking comfort and hope. I was longing for something more.

At the time, my little teenager self was so very devastated about my injury. Thankfully, being active in my youth group, my parents and youth ministers encouraged me to attend this retreat. Thankfully, I said a little yes that would easily become one of my biggest.

Prior to this little injury, one that kept me from playing summer sports (Tennis was my absolute favorite!), I had also lost my beloved grandmother. In fact, I had a beautifully vivid dream the night before she passed. I woke up crying because I knew how much I'd miss her. How much my heart would be torn and how much turmoil my little teenager self would feel! The morning of my dream, after waking with my own tears, I remember walking to the hallway and seeing my mom walk in the door with tears in her own eyes. The kind of tears that had been streaming for awhile. The kind of tears that only a daughter can shed at the loss of her mother.

Amidst these two events, the emotional crazy of  middle school and high school proceeded as they always would.

Onto the retreat, and I can easily say that it was exactly what my heart needed. Falling in Love with the One who shared beautiful love through my grandmother was what I needed. Healing in the gift of Eucharistic Adoration was exactly what my flesh yearned for. Love, healing, and learning to Trust the One who has been with me all along was what I had been seeking all along. That weekend, my journey with Him whom my soul has always longed for, began. It was kind of wonderful. It was kind of beautiful. And, it was all kinds of grace-filled.

That weekend, so long ago, c h a n g e d me.

I went through high school with friends who I still love more than they'll ever know. They helped keep me looking up. Looking to the One who is Love. They helped me during sad times and laughed with me during happy times. We walked together, learning, growing, and living in His Grace and Goodness. Living in His Love through the gift of community and faith.

During college, my journey with Love grew more than I could have ever fathomed. He met me in Mass, He met me in prayer, He met me in every theology and spiritual read I could get my hands on, He met me for 40 days in Eucharistic Adoration during Lent and more...

He always met me, held me through heartache, loved me through friends and community and family, and cared for me in the beautiful treasures of our Faith.

Fast forward to today and not much has changed.

"I wait for the LORD, my soul waits and I hope for his word. 

My soul looks for the Lord more than sentinels for daybreak. 

More than sentinels for daybreak.."  

-Psalm 130: 5-6

Fast forward to today and everything has changed.

See, back when I was 12, the Truth, and Goodness, and Beauty that He is became more real to me than my own beating heart. Grace upon grace held me and kept me. Seeking Him became second nature. It's what I did with the help of Mother Church, family, friends, community, and all the gifts He had shared with me along the way. It's also what I did because my parents blessed me with prayer, Mass, and love throughout my childhood - a pathway I was blessed to be on that lead me to Him in a mysteriously beautiful way.

I learned to wait. I learned to wait on Him, because at the end of each and everyday that's all there was. He was and has always been all there ever was and all there ever would be.

So now, here I am, soon to have my third cesarean. The first which was traumatic but brought the greatest gift of my firstborn and the absolute treasure of being blessed to be called mama, the second which brought my personality-for-days second-born and amazing healing in the experience of a cesarean, and now the third which comes with a beautifully healthy little hiccuping sweet love in my womb and complications that have stunned me into stillness from fear of all the unknowns.

Truly though, He still beckons me.

“Arise, my friend, my beautiful one, and come!" 

-Song of Songs 2:10

We are seven days away from meeting our newest little love. The love I have for this little one is beautiful and good. In the same way that my love for our two sweet boys just pierces me to my core, I am reminded that my love for them is only a hint of how amazing His love is for me. There is much comfort in that. So much comfort.

"There is no moment at which God does not present himself under the guise of some suffering, some consolation or some duty. All that occurs within us, around us and by our means covers and hides his divine action. His action is there, most really and certainly present, but in an invisible manner, the result of which is that we are always being taken by surprise and that we only recognize his operation after it has passed. Could we pierce the veil and were we vigilant and attentive, God would reveal himself continuously to us and we should rejoice in his action in everything that happens to us. At every occurrence we should say: Dominus est. It is the Lord; and in all circumstance we should find a gift from God: we should consider creatures as very feeble instruments in the hands of an almighty worker, and we should recognize without difficulty that nothing is lacking to us and that God's constant care leads him to give us each instant what is suited to us."

- Fr. Jean-Pierre de Caussade

Here I am. Again, He calls me into the unknown. I don't know if this little one will be ready to leave the comfort of my womb at 37-weeks. I don't know if this cesarean will proceed as simply and sweetly as my last one that brought so much healing because of my current situation of having placenta previa. I don't know if we'll have a NICU stay, trouble nursing, trouble healing, extra surgeries, need for blood transfusions, and who knows what else. I suppose, all these things are truly unknown even if we were to wait for our little one to be born at 40-weeks, but everything about this leaves me whispering, Jesus, I trust in You, rather than proclaiming it.

And, that's okay.

"Do not look forward in fear to the changes of life; Rather look to them with full hope that as they arise, God, whose very own you are, will lead you safely through all things; And when you cannot stand it, God will carry you in His arms. Do not fear what may happen tomorrow; The same everlasting Father who cares for you today will take care of you today and every day. He will either shield you from suffering or will give you unfailing strength to bear it. Be at peace and put aside all anxious thoughts and imaginations."

-St. Francis de Sales

I am arising in my little ways, one day at a time. I am whispering my fiat and my trust in Him, because at the end of the day I love Him and He loves me. He is all there is and all there every will be.

Dominus est.

It was Him when I was 13 years young and in love and it is Him walking along with me down this path to the birth of our newest little gift - another little love that will again change nothing and everything.

#BISSisterhood

the present moment // picnics, bowling, and some funk

lately // I lay in bed, take in some snuggles, and slowly mosey my way to the kitchen to feed my little guys. Windows get opened on my way to the kitchen. There's a path. I take it daily. Sometimes my oldest helps with the let's-let-some-light-in path and sometimes I get the pleasure. Both make me happy.

One foot in front of the other.

Toaster waffles. Juice. Eggs with some Louisiana hot sauce and avocado for mama. Bacon on days where time is our friend. We sit. We eat. They're silly and I soak it up.

There's grace in each step.

I know there is. Because even though I feel a slowness in my soul, there is a Presence that briskly helps us find our rhythm. We fall into it. As often as we can because there's a good peace there. The one you want to swim in. 

We leave the breakfast nook. They turn to play (on good days this involves minimal fighting and lots of cooperative togetherness). I heart the latter but see the fruit in the former.

I call them to the table. We do school. Slowly and sweetly. Often with little resistance. They're at that age. Everything new is exciting and time together is good time.

One foot in front of the other.

Play clothes and toys for outdoor time follow quickly and naturally. 

These days have been cool. They've been filled with sunshine and sweet temperatures. Breezes and falling leaves. A welcome change here in Texas. We each soak it up as much as possible because it truly helps us experience Him. Whether we are cognizant of it all or not. 

They play. I watch. I read. I check my Insta-feed or read an article. Off they go, running and exploring. Off they go, bickering and fussing. It just depends on the day.

One foot in front of the other.

Hands are washed. Lunch is served. Prayers are said and tummies are filled. Onto reading time before naps.

Favorites are read. Eyes are heavy. They make their last scramble and off they go. 

One foot in front of the other.

Any given day that we are home, this little rhythm of ours can be found. Sometimes in this exact order and sometimes not. Some days there is just a need to mix it up. But lately there's been a heaviness in me that I've felt before.

But on I go - one foot in front of the other.

This mama has been feeling pretty weary. Life is catching up. I'm trying to stand still but it just keeps on spinning on. All day. Every day. Spinning. Spinning. Spinning. 

I try to quiet my little soul and more often than not fail miserably. It's a sweet place that I stay away from longer than I care for. The little place where I know I can find Him. In that stillness of mind, heart, and soul. In His Words or in His Presence. That little place. 

I know in time, things will calm. I know they will because they always do. Maybe not entirely, which is okay. But calm always comes. 

Till that time, I'll try to be present to my place of weariness. Of struggle. Because it's always in this place, as time keeps spinning on, that I can look back and see how far I've come. See how much I've grown. See how much I've learned. It's always in these times that He somehow meets me, whether I know it or not. Whether I actively seek Him or not. It's always here.

One foot in front of the other.

“Start by doing what is necessary, then what is possible, and suddenly you are doing the impossible.” 

― Francis of Assisi

today // We threw in a picnic to change things up a bit. We've stayed indoors today to make sure our youngest is feeling better after having some tummy troubles last night.

Also, since this is taken from different angles, I'll share it with Micaela over at California to Korea. She's hosting Theme Thursday's now and this week's theme is same photo, different angle.

in the kitchen // A super amazing neighbor shared a meal with us yesterday. I couldn't be more thankful! I ended up adding some crockpot shredded chicken to her Curry Chili and we all agreed it was absolutely delicious!

Today, we'll be eating turkey burgers with some fixings (avocado, pickles, tomatoes, etc), sweet potato fries, a salad, and maybe the little chili we have leftover will get poured onto our burgers for fun.

looking forward to // All Saint's day! I know the boys are so excited about it this year. They both want to be St. George and we found some fun stuff for them to enjoy. 

At first all my heart wanted to do was sew all the things, but time and energy just have not been on my side! I still have yet to make these boys their much wanted blankets! Si Dios quiere, with time and energy, the fun will happen.

precious p update // this sweet little one is becoming quite the little soccer player. I mean...Ow! But, I'll take it. I love the reminder of the sweet little life within. 

Also, what's made my heart absolutely swell today is Precious P had his/her first round of hiccups. There's something about the hiccups that I just adore. I've felt hiccups twice today and made sure to stop everything and just enjoy my little one developing his/her lungs.

For the most part, all complications have passed. New little things have popped up here or there, but all seem manageable come our cesarean, which is better than anything being immediate or urgent. We'll be meeting with the fetal specialist on Friday and I suspect the follow-up will be good. 

praying // Feels like not enough but there are certain intentions that are always on my heart. I see so much going on in the world  and around me that I'm always quick to say a Hail Mary or Glory be, depending on what I see.

Little aspirations escape my breath all throughout the day. 

Family often comes to my heart - near and far. Friends and their intentions. The bigger and littler things that happen on the daily. 

And for grace. Always grace. For His Peace. For His Strength. For His Good and Holy Will.

Last, the Litany of Humility just isn't said in full enough. I really want it to become part of my daily morning routine. I know my days would look differently. So we'll chalk this one up to my I'm-working-on-it department.

captured // My little guys having their first bowl! A dear friend had us join their family to celebrate their son's birthday. The boys were absolutely thrilled even if they sported their deer-in-headlight faces for the first 15 minutes.

favorite scripture from today's readings //

"Brothers and sisters:
You are no longer strangers and sojourners,
but you are fellow citizens with the holy ones
and members of the household of God,
built upon the foundation of the Apostles and prophets,
with Christ Jesus himself as the capstone.
Through him the whole structure is held together
and grows into a temple sacred in the Lord;
in him you also are being built together
into a dwelling place of God in the Spirit."

Ephesians 2: 19-22

thankful for //  All who have been journeying along this little life of mine, with me. Thankful for this very beautiful Mystical Body of Christ that is always reminding me of His good and perfect Love and showing me His lovely and kind Face.

all in all // We're good. Moving forward and onward, slowly but surely. Life has caught up to me, but I know there is some goodness amidst this funk. Especially on days like today. On days like today, there really is such evidence of His Grace and Goodness sharing with us a little light that gives such a warmth, I know all will be well.

the present moment // blank stares, good reads, and il papa

Listening to: A classical music station on YouTube. It's been pretty soothing for both, myself and the boys. On our days home soothing is something I'm all for when you have a couple of boys who haven't been feeling well but still manage to have the desire for their normal energy levels of crazy. Yes, soothing is good.

Cooking: A few recipes that my neighbor suggested. She's from Italy, born and raised, so anything she suggests is always gold! Also, the two recipes she offered are her quick go-to dinners which is also a major win in my book. So far, the boys have thoroughly enjoyed one of the two, which sounds good to me. As for the husband and I, we thoroughly enjoyed both!

Praying for: Lots and lots o' prayer intentions, il Papa!, the St. Therese novena starts today, and the Litany of Humility because it's so so so so so so good.

In fact,

Litany of Humility

O Jesus! meek and humble of heart, Hear me.

From the desire of being esteemed,

Deliver me, Jesus.

From the desire of being loved...

From the desire of being extolled ...

From the desire of being honored ...

From the desire of being praised ...

From the desire of being preferred to others...

From the desire of being consulted ...

From the desire of being approved ...

From the fear of being humiliated ...

From the fear of being despised...

From the fear of suffering rebukes ...

From the fear of being calumniated ...

From the fear of being forgotten ...

From the fear of being ridiculed ...

From the fear of being wronged ...

From the fear of being suspected ...

That others may be loved more than I,

Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.

That others may be esteemed more than I ...

That, in the opinion of the world,

others may increase and I may decrease ...

That others may be chosen and I set aside ...

That others may be praised and I unnoticed ...

That others may be preferred to me in everything...

That others may become holier than I, provided that I may become as holy as I should…

Quote: A Papa quote that Haley from Carrots for Michaelmas shared on Facebook: 

"Hope speaks to us of a thirst, an aspiration, a longing for a life of fulfillment, a desire to achieve great things, things which fill our heart and lift our spirit to lofty realities like truth, goodness and beauty, justice and love. But it also involves taking risks. It means being ready not to be seduced by what is fleeting, by false promises of happiness, by immediate and selfish pleasures, by a life of mediocrity and self-centeredness, which only fills the heart with sadness and bitterness. No, hope is bold; it can look beyond personal convenience, the petty securities and compensations which limit our horizon, and can open us up to grand ideals which make life more beautiful and worthwhile. I would ask each one of you: What is it that shapes your life? What lies deep in your heart? Where do your hopes and aspirations lie? Are you ready to put yourself on the line for the sake of something even greater?" 

-Pope Francis

Welcome to America, Papa!

Can y'all believe he's here! So exciting! Excited for Holy Spirit and Divine Providence to share their goodness with our country. Lord knows we are always in need!

Loving Annie's quote share:

And this one:

"All the darkness in the world cannot extinguish the light of a single candle." 

-St. Francis of Assisi

Good Reads on the Web: 

Love is Patient: Mothering Little Ones by Do Small Things with Love

Life is Precious {A Review and a Giveaway} by Better Than Eden

From a Child of Divorce: What I Wish They Would Have Told Me by Blossoming Joy

When you just want to know it's all going to be okay by A Holy Experience

Learning to Love in All The Wrong (To Us) Ways by Better Than Eden over at Elizabeth Ministry

Something's Gotta Give: The Path to a Deeper Communion with God by Catholic Wife, Catholic Life

Reading: The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkein

Trustful Surrender to Divine Providence: The Secret of Peace and Happiness by Father Jean Baptiste Saint-Jure - Our current family bible study read (a group of 5 - 7 couples all get together to discuss current reading topics while two wonderful babysitters watch over the oodles of kiddos. Good times are these, y'all!)

St. George and the Dragon by Geraldine McCaughrean

Loving: I read St. George and the Dragon to the boys today and they a b s o l u t e l y loved. it. I can't even tell you how amazing it was to see their little mesmerized eyes and imaginations! It was all sorts of magical, really.

"Again, mama! Again! ..and, St. George, he was brave! ..and, and...he was so good, he made the dragon good too! ..and he won! because, he was brave and holy! Mama! ..and the dragon was bad! Really really bad! ...but then good because St. George was good!"

These boys are just drawn to adventure, chivalry, bravery, adventure, and virtue. The saints have so much to share and I just love how the stories of them just draw these boys into a world where evil can and will be conquered by good. Despite the youngest still feeling a little down from a bug that hit on Friday, these two can't wait to go out and play knights and dragons again and again and again.

Funny thing is, they've been playing knights and dragons for months now. We celebrated St. George's feast day last year, and since then the youngest has developed a love for all things dragons and knights and the oldest just loves to defend and battle with swords.

All this to say, I. can't. wait! to read them The Hobbit!! True story.

Round the House: Three loads of laundry down, maybe one to go, lots of cleaning that isn't happening but really needs to happen, and dishes. Oye! The dishes! Always...the dishes...

Captured:
"Mama, let's go outside and pick up allll the new acorns on the patio!!!!" ...he said.

"Das a gweeaaattt ahdeaaaa, doodsseffff!!!" ...the younger one replies enthusiastically.

"I know! We can use the empty water jugs!!!" ...innovatively replies the 4 year old.

"Yaaaaaaaa!! Gweeeaattt ahdeaaaa! Let's goooo!" ...enthusiastically shouts the 2 year old.

"For Daddy! He'll be soooo happy! Let's go, mama, let's go!" ends the 4 year-old.

Off we go with jugs and scoops in hand.

30/52 Bigfoot. 4. Thinker McThinkerson.

30/52 Linus. 2. Imagination Station.

How many acorns were accumulated during this service of love for their beloved Daddy, you might be wondering?

Zero.

"Boys, what happened? I thought you were going to pick up allllll the acorns for Daddy today?"  asks the mama who was actually pretty excited about possibly getting a cleaned up patio, free from acornagedon.

"...." blank stares.

Happy Tuesday! XO

the present moment // quickity-quick and our friends the saints

1// Joining for quick-takes because it's been foreeeever and I kind of miss it! I also miss doing little Currently posts and keeping up with my Project 52 but only with more time and life and grace will I be able to get back into the swing of those little lovelies. Only time and life and grace. True story.

For now, onto quick-takes!

2// We had a good week this week. The boys and I started a homeschooling hybrid program and are falling more and more in love with it as time passes and we see fruits and virtue and beautiful community. It's a good feeling to feel peace - the kind of peace that makes you think that you are closer to His Will for you and your family than further away.

29/52 Bigfoot. 3. Jokester.

29/52 Linus. 2. Pirate.

The weeks leading up to this week were all good too, just filled with more adjustment for little Linus and I. The first week or two of adjustment aside - because transitions are always tough anyways - I have to say, I'm so proud of both of them and how they're doing! And, extra points of happy in that I'm really enjoying my position as well which is such a blessing!

God is good and we are thankful.

3// Life on Insta has looked like this:

4// I'm pregnant. Still. Thanks be to God! Precious P is growing sweetly and the boys are starting to get more excited and pretty cute about their little sibling. I have all the heart eyes for any time either of them share some love with my ever growing belly.

Was 22-weeks in this photo. ;)

Twenty-three weeks of growing belly and precious baby, you've been good to me. Praying you continue to be as sweet in all the weeks that are still to come!

5// Be right back!

6// Welp. Nothing says Hello Weekend like some vomit and fever.

Today was declared a movie day once my oldest started complaining of his tummy hurting while at a playdate (SO sorry, friend!). We made our way home q u i c k l y, they both napped, and the oldest woke with a low fever and more tummy aches.

Low and behold the youngest started twisting around and briefly mumbled trow uppp. I quickly grabbed the bowl his older brother had been carrying around and caught all. the. mess. Oye! This parenting-gig is not for the faint of hearts! Nor stomachs.Which I tend to have both so feel free to pray for us till my better and stronger half makes his way home to tend to his little men.

Angels and Saints, pray for our little family and for the health of our little ones!

7// Speaking of Saints...

//Our Friends the Saints//

I was on a podcast! Yup, quite the segue, huh?

Never in my wildest dreams would I have thought I'd be one to do something like this, but the sweetest of sweets, Erin from Humble Handmaid, invited me to be a guest on her podcast The Right Heart Podcastand I'm so glad she did! She was so kind and easy to talk to and made the whole process so painless. My nerves were eased and she did such a great job guiding our conversation.

So click on the link above and hop on over and let me know your thoughts! And share how the saints have been a part of your faith journey in the comments. I always love knowing and hearing how these wonderful persons meet us all in our faith journey and in our daily lives!

Just because I heart this quote:

Okay, wrapping up! Quickity-quick, quick-takes on this lovely family evening. Pray yours is less sick-filled than ours!

And don't forget to head over to Kelly's for more quick-takes and fun!

the present moment // magical monday

Drinking: Magical Coffee. It truly is magical and if you have yet to make it. Anything with brown sugar, cinnamon, coffee, and ease should be on your regular rotation! Get on it!

Sitting: In my dining room at our table. Enjoying some quiet while the boys nap. They'll be up shortly.

Working on: Lots of little and big things. We found a leak that needs tending to (womp womp), little DIY projects I want to get started for the boys, sewing all the things (Family, if you have any questions as to what to get me every, think fabric store gift cards, please. Wink, wink.), feeling better, keeping the rest of my family from catching what I caught, laundry (ohhhh, the laundry!), and being present.

In the Kitchen: We'll be having baked chicken, sweet potatoes (can't decide if I'll do stovetop or baked), and broccoli for dinner tonight.

Enjoying: The slightly slower pace that comes with sickness and new months.

Looking forward to: My husband's birthday and my parents coming to town.

Loving: Sewing. Who would have thought I would enjoy it so much? Now to just get better at it so I can make all the little things my heart desires!

Also loving the beautiful weather we had this weekend. It was gorgeous! And even though I was sick, the little bits of fresh air I went out to enjoy were heavenly.

Thinking about: family, how to be better, how to better meet the needs of my children, all we have to look forward to throughout the rest of this year, gratitude for family and friends, how quickly these sweet boys God shared with us are growing, if and when God will share another sweet little life with us, staying healthy, gratitude for how far I've come since my back injury, how I so much want to become more organized and diligent in my daily to-dos, how much I love my husband, and my boys, and where we are.

Remembering: This fun memory these sweet boys had with their paternal grandparents.

Which Reminds Me: I haven't shared maternal grandparent time from Christmas or a few other pics from Easter on this little online space of mine. Noted!

Reading: Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery, Redeemed by Grace by Ramona Trevino, and still reading The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien.

Wishing: I hadn't gotten sick because then I could have met up with Joanna from Cafe Du Martin over the weekend for a little mommy/friend/blogging-fun time and because the boys and I could be having all the playdates and fun we normally have during our regular week. But instead, sickness it was, and quarantine has been the name of the game.

Playing: Bigfoot has been all about being outside from sun up to sun down if it were up to him, enjoying all things sports-related. Linus will follow suit to play a little sports and then proceed to examine and explore the world of bugs. When I can convince them inside is fun too, they both enjoy snuggling up to read, playing with playdoh, and Linus will draw for hours if I let him, while Bigfoot will make some sort of catapult out of all the random things he can find. Then there are all these new little imaginary games they've been engaging in with each other that are just plain adorable.

Smelling: Absolutely nada! No thank you, yucky cold that has me all stuffy and coughy.

Hoping:  To make more time to share. I have a few little posts to share this week and the next and want to work on a few more thoughtful ones. For now, I'm just praying for the time and the grace.

Thankful for: A roof over our heads, a job that my husband enjoys, a vocation that I prayed for, grace, and for my hope in the Lord. When I start feeling like I'm losing my footing or can't make sense of something, I remind myself to have hope. He who is greater than all my worries or anxieties or struggles loves myself and my family more than I'll ever understand here on earth. There truly is such peace in that truth. A truth I am trying to rest in daily.

Relishing: That I got to squeeze this little Monday post in during naptime!

the present moment // catching up

Fourteen/52

Brothers. Love each other, taunt each other, and seek each other out.

Bigfoot. 3. Adores being outside, playing every sport under the sun, and is still my little snuggler.

Linus. 2. Is talking so much more, has become our little in-home parrot, and loves doing things on his own.

Fifteen/52

Bigfoot. 3...almost 4! Sometimes wishes he could still be a baby, really wants his mama to have a baby, and is learning and exploring the world around him with the most curious eyes.

Linus. 2. Adores swinging, seeking and examining every bug under the sun, and being silly.

Brothers. Growing together, learning together, and teaching this mama about love and life every. single. day.

Cheers to playing catch-up on my little 52 Project. <3>

the present moment // all the little things

I've been around. At home mostly. The boys and I have continued to hunker down during this bout of dreary weather. We have gotten out some too, but mostly just taken it easy at home. Learning, loving, and enjoying each other on the daily. It's been good. There's been time for quiet. Time for reading. Time for crazy. Time for snuggles and hugs. Time for little things. All little things really. And it's been good.

As much as I'd love to be the kind of person that is always on the go (Which I do try to be sometimes, especially when we all are feeling the need to get out.), I do appreciate when my home-dwelling heart gets to just sit in the goodness that is our little family. It's good for me. It's good for my soul. And in turn I think it's good for my family too.

With the slow and (mostly) intentional moments of our days, this little blog of mine is what has been even more slow and quiet. When I would normally blog before, I find myself just wanting to sit in silence, resting in His Word through some scripture art...

...or if I wasn't resting in the drawing and silence, I crafted a little...

...and, if I wasn't crafting with fabric, scissors, or my random tidbits of fun at home, I've been crafting through foods.

Finally, when I wasn't crafting with foods, I was crafting with my boys to help bring home feast days, our Lenten journey, or just the little building blocks of life and play.

St. Joseph Italian Cream Puffs for the Solemnity of St. Joseph.

Play. {Happy}

Crafting Candlelit Prayer Cards.

The giraffe that gets built on the daily over here. {Funny}

Our little treasures found on St. Patty's day. {Pretty}

Hunting for four-leaf clovers and ants.

Making Lenten Prayer Pretzels. {Real}

And when I wasn't doing all of these little things that encouraged me in being intentional and present, I was learning how to live love one small way at a time. There really is grace in the now and as each day passes I learn that more and more. 

I have failed, I have done well, and everything in between.

It's the season. The season of Lent. The season of little things. The season of beginning again. The season where I seek Him, not only in His Word or the gifts of my family, but in my moments of quiet and in my moments of chaos. In all the little things.

I'm finding He is there ready to meet me. To share with me His Love and Gift.

Blogging hasn't been happening a ton this season and that's okay. I have little posts swirling in my head and I do yearn to capture and share more of our little tidbits of life on this little space of mine. But till I find my rhythm again, I will keep popping in to share little moments. Kind of like I'm doing now. 

Just know, underneath the cloudiness of allergies and all the head pressure that come with rainy days and changing seasons, there is a mama keeping on in her little ways, finding peace in that, and praying the same for you.

7-Quick-Takes/Finding Beauty/PHFR/Embrace the Ordinary/Daybook