7 Quick Takes *Lite*

 

Thanks, Jen, for hosting!

I am doing a *Lite* version this week. It has been a busy week and my 4 year old is not feeling well this morning.

1. Proud Wife
This past week my husband was invited to the Synod on the New Evangelization in Rome!!  I am so happy for him and super proud of him.  He will be leaving next week and will be gone for 3 weeks.  Several people have asked if I am going too.  The simple answer is No.  I am a little sad not to be going, as it would be my first trip to Rome, but logistically it would have been difficult. And my husband will be so busy over there, that he will not have a lot of opportunities to tour the city.  But, I have told him to kiss St. Peter's toe for me and to take lots of pictures!

2. Cubbies

This week K had his first Cub Scout meeting.  The boy just BEAMED when he put his uniform on!!  His excitement was just so cute.  He could not stop talking about his first meeting as a real cub scout.

3. Love Thy Neighbor?
We have a great neighbor.  She loves our boys and brings them treats all the time.  This week was no exception.  She brought over a bag of M&M's,  a bag of Jelly Belly's, and these . . .

Have I ever told you that I have NO SELF CONTROL when it comes to chocolate?  Not all chocolate. Just plain chocolate or chocolate with almonds.  And these are way too easy to eat! Let's just say that after this bag came into the house, I broke about 3 of The Skinny Rules for 2 days in a row!!  I love my neighbor, but I am not loving her candy selection right now!
4. Pray for this little one at Little Flower Projects

This is a note from LFP Facebook page:

Little Dong is doing well and it is hard to describe the intense dedication his nannies have shown toward his care. Because his craniofacial defect is unusually complex we are making tentative plans to take him to the US for surgery. Please pray for us as we prepare to tackle the mountains of paperwork necessary to transform not only his face, but his life.

And do not forget to register for the Run for the Little Flowers Virtual run!!

 

Have a great weekend everyone!!

Loaves and Fishes

Some time after this, Jesus crossed to the far shore of the Sea of Galilee, and a great crowd of people followed him because they saw the signs he had performed by healing the sick. Then Jesus went up on a mountainside and sat down with his disciples. The Jewish Passover Festival was near.
 When Jesus looked up and saw a great crowd coming toward him, he said to Philip, “Where shall we buy bread for these people to eat?” ⁶ He asked this only to test him, for he already had in mind what he was going to do.

Philip answered him, “It would take more than half a year’s wages^[a] to buy enough bread for each one to have a bite!”

Another of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, spoke up, “Here is a boy with five small barley loaves and two small fish, but how far will they go among so many?”

Jesus said, “Have the people sit down.” There was plenty of grass in that place, and they sat down (about five thousand men were there). Jesus then took the loaves, gave thanks, and distributed to those who were seated as much as they wanted. He did the same with the fish.

When they had all had enough to eat, he said to his disciples, “Gather the pieces that are left over. Let nothing be wasted.” So they gathered them and filled twelve baskets with the pieces of the five barley loaves left over by those who had eaten.  John 6:1-13

I have shared before why I am doing this fundraiser, Run for the Little Flowers 5K before.  And, I have also mentioned that there are times I have questioned my reasoning for doing this run. We are not adopting.  I have never been to China, nor have I seen Little Flower Projects at work.  If you were to look at my daily life and even read this blog, I do not think you would think, "Yes, Katie is meant for orphan advocacy."  I am a simple person with a simple desire to help in a small way.

Even at the beginning of this fundraiser, I have used the language, "loaves and fishes" when talking about it.  I would tell my husband that God would have to multiply these loaves and fishes.  Well, it must have been the Holy Spirit because God has led me to John 6 while at adoration.  When I hopped in the car this weekend, what do you think the preacher on the radio was preaching about the MINUTE I turned on the radio?  You guessed it, the miracle of Jesus feeding the 5,000.

The beautiful thing is that it is happening.  I see it. I feel it. God is performing the miracle and this fundraiser is multiplying.  And I feel totally blessed.  God is doing the work. 

And today, I was struck.  I reread the scripture.  I feel like that boy in the scripture.  He did not have much.  Just 5 loaves and 2 fishes.  We do not know his name.  Nor do we really need to.  The extraordinary thing was that, when the apostles went through the crowd to see if anyone had food, he stepped up.  He offered the little he had.  He had to of known that he would have to share the little he had.  And I bet there were others in the crowd who had food too.  What mom, who when going ANYWHERE, with kids, does not bring at least something?  But yet, a small, boy with no name stepped forward. He gave all he had.  And it was because he did that Jesus worked the miracle of the multiplication of the loaves and fishes.

Even as I write this, I desire to be that boy more and more. I want to offer, humbly, all that I have for others. For my husband, for my boys, and for whomever else God asks me to. So that Jesus can take it, bless it and multiply it.  Because the gift is not that God uses us for His will, it is to be witness to the beauty of His miracles.

His grace, His goodness are so evident.

"Not to us. Not to us, oh, Lord. But to YOUR NAME give the glory." Psalm 115:1

The Gift

I love baptisms.  And I usually cry at them, even if it is not my own child.  There is something so beautiful about being a witness to a child being committed to Christ.  I just love it.

But, my love for baptisims has waned a bit over the last year.  As the reality that we will probably not be the parents bringing a child to baptism anymore has set in, baptisms have just gotten a bit harder to attend.  Do not get me wrong, I am still joyful for our friends, but there is just a part of me that gets sad.

So, when we headed to good friends' daughter's baptism, two weeks ago, I surrounded myself with my boys and hugged them a little bit tighter, reminding myself of how abundantly I have been blessed as the priest got to the point where the baptisim would begin.

And then it happened. A pure gift. The priest, who happens to be a friend of our family, called my three sons up to serve during the baptism. All three of my sons.  Even my 4 yr old.  And I almost held him back, but so glad I did not.

My oldest was asked to hold the prayer book while the priest prayed. And my other two were charged with the task of holding the Chrism oil and the oil of the Catechumen.  Even though I worried that my 4 yr old would spill the oil all over (he didn't), my predominant feeling was one of thanksgiving.  As I was able to watch my boys up at the altar, I was truly struck with the blessings that I have because God gave me THEM.  And I was a proud mom too.  My 9 yr old looked like a professional altar server (he will not be trained as one until later this year), and my 6 and 4 yr old stood there *almost* perfectly.

And I teared up.  I am not sure why just seeing them up there filled me with thanksgving for what I had instead of, at that same moment, at a baptisim just a  few weeks earlier, I was saddedend by the blessings that would NOT come, but having those boys up there, serving at the altar made me realize, even more, that God has given me an incredible gift in these three amazing boys.

St. Therese of Lisieux Novena Starts today!!

 

Go to Pray More Novenas to get the novena prayers delivered to your inbox each day!

 

St. Therese of the Little Flower, pray for us!

Seven Quick Takes- Friday is almost over edition!

Thanks, Jen for hosting!!

 

 

1. Keepin' it real

 

 

 

I love my couch. When we bought it (in the scratch and dent section of the store . . . there is a HUGE rip on the arm under that blanket) I fell in love with the big pillows and its red color.  After having it for 9 years, it is showing a lot of wear.  But, that does not bother me that much.  What bothers me is that it looks like this 90% of the time . . . 

 

Well, it is rare that the boys actually leave the blanket on the couch . . . that is usually on the floor too.  I guess the pillows are way too fun to play with.

 

 

2. The Skinny Rules

 

I am not sure how it happened,but I lost another pound this week.  I know that that is not tons, but for not following the "Rules" two days this week and NO exercise, I will take it.  I am liking these rules!

 

3. No Exercise

 

After my disastrous run last week, I decided I need to stop all exercise and head to the Physical therapist.  I went twice this week.  I learned nothing new.  My hips are out of alignment causing all my problems and my muscles are as tight as can be.  But, my physical therapist seems great and has given me two sheets of stretches and exercises to do to let my muscles relax and strengthen others.  He even got my hopes up today by telling me he will probably have my try to run in two weeks!

 

4. New Schedule- in process

 

Remember last week how I mentioned, that I need to overhaul or schedule?  Well, we are still in process.  I did not have to get up so early this week because I was not working out.  But it did let me hit 6:30 AM mass.  The boys and I did not go to 8AM mass, but I have successfully gotten them up at least 1 hour earlier than normal.  Now, they are getting out of bed on their own much earlier.  I call that a win!

 

5. The affliction is contagious. 

 

Remember I mentioned that my four year old has an affliction and he can no longer take a normal picture.  Well, evidently it is contagious.

Check out my 9 year old who in directly in front of me.


 I better get our Christmas Card photo taken soon before we all start to look like "pirates."

 

6.  For those who may have missed it, I have an update on the Run for the Little Flowers Virtual 5K post. Please take a moment and go read it.

 

7.  And, for the next month, I will be ending each 7 Quick Takes with a cute Orphan photo from Little Flower Projects.  Have you donated/registered yet??

 



 

 

Have a great weekend everyone!

Pin it to Win it from Wild Olive Tees

Who would not want to win this giveaway?!?!

Go to Wild Olive Tees and find out how you can will three of your favorite shirts!!

Run for the Little Flowers Updates

I am at a point where I feel I need a post to give some further information about the Run for the Little Flowers Virtual 5K fundraiser.  Hopefully, this will get everyone up to date on where we are at since not everyone is on the Run for the Little Flowers facebook page.

Just a few things:

1. My goal is to have 147 people run/walk/donate for this race.  I want 1 runner for every 1 MILLION Orphans around the world.  This, conveniently, will get us to the fundraising goal of covering a nanny's salary for 6 months!

I have not counted this week, but we are still about 90 away from 147.  So, please, please, if you have not registered, please do so.  And, share with your friends, get a group going, etc.

If you are NOT registered, do so before this Saturday morning because I am giving away one of these fun decals from One More Mile to two lucky donors/runners/walkers (winner's choice).

2. Please consider running for a specific child. Little Flower Projects has a great Facebook page here where you can see photos of the little ones they care for. Consider choosing one orphan from their page and dedicate your run to that little one.  If you do so, share it on our run's Facebook page. These guys are already taken ;)

3. If you have registered, you should have gotten a "Thank You for donating to the Run for the Little Flowers 5K" email.  I only send these out once a week, but you should get one within a week of registering.  If you have NOT gotten one from me and registered over a week ago, please leave a comment on this post or email me to make sure you are all set.

4. Look for an email containing your race "bib". This will be sent out at the beginning of October!

5. The medals for the run are ordered!!  It is option B!  Once I get the real thing in my hand, I will post a picture.  The first 150 to register will get one.

6. T-shirts are getting designed as I type.  Hopefully, I will get to share the proof with you soon. 

**Update** Here is the shirt!!

NOTE: YOU MUST BE REGISTERED BY SEPTEMBER 30th to be guarantee a shirt.  I want the most money possible to go to Little Flower Projects, so I will not waste money by ordering lots of extra shirts when that money can go to orphans instead.  If, for some reason, you cannot register by then, then email me and I will "pre-order" your shirt. But,  you can register all the way up to October 20th.

7. Local Meet-up
If you are local to me, we are having a local meet up to run/walk the 5k.  It will be at Allen Pond Park at 8AM.  Refreshments will be offered after the run. If you are coming to the run, you will get your t-shirt and medal at that time.

8. Do not forget about the giveaway that is going on.  All registrants/donors are entered.  But, there are lots of ways to enter, so check out the post here!

That is it!!  Please feel free to comment below or email me if you have questions.  I will reply to all comments within the comment section. Thanks for all your prayers and support.

 



Wordless Wednesday - Will you run for this little one?

By registering/donating to the Run for the Little Flowers Virtual 5K, you will be helping orphans such as little Meng.

Religion that is pure and undefiled before God the Father is this: to care for orphans and widows in their affliction and to keep oneself unstained by the world. James 1:27

Hi-Ho, Hi-Ho, it is off to PT I go!

This is me after my run.  It is the first time I
ever wore my Tough Chik shirt . . .  I
certainly did not feel tough that day!!

This weekend I ran.  Or I should say I tried to run.  I have been itching to run for a couple weeks now.  The weather around here has been perfect for running.  The road was calling my name.  Luckily I have a husband who speaks some sense into me most of the time.  But this weekend, when, before he could say anything, I was dressed in my running clothes, Garmin charged and on my wrist, he knew I was beyond any rational argument against running.  I was going for a run.

But, my husband found a way around my foolishness.  He sent me out with my three boys.  And my youngest is 4. So, you can imagine that not much running happened at first.  It took 20 minutes to complete 1 mile.  I returned home with the boys and left my 4 yr old and 6 yr old at home with my hubby. My knee felt funny even during the walk and I knew it would hurt if I ran, but I was determined to run.  My husband had bribed my 9 yr old to run 3 miles with me.  He knew my 9 yr old would keep me slower than I wanted to go. 

After a 1/2 mile of actual running with my 9 yr old, my right glute and hamstring were already letting me know that everything was NOT OK.  They felt tight and hurt more and more with every step.  After a mile, I have to admit, that from my hip, down to my knee on the right side, hurt.  It felt dysfunctional.  By the magical number of 2.5 miles, my IT band had had enough and was painful at the knee.

I came home from the "run" and I totally felt defeated.  I began to wonder if I will ever get to run again and NOT feel any pain.  It has been 4 months now since I have had a pain free run.  That leads me to only one conclusion . . .

I need to go to physical therapy.  I need, once a for all, to figure out exactly why my glute and hamstring and IT band are sooooooooo bad on my right side.  And I need it fixed. So I can run again. And enjoy it . . .

7 Quick Takes - The evening edition

1. We have had a busy and eventful day today with school, meeting friends at the park.  My posts are no longer on "auto post" so I think it will be quiet around here for the next week unless I get writing!

2. The weather here is perfect.  Low humidity, nice and sunny.  Lower temps.  It makes me want to go out and run . . . oh, wait, I can't . . . excuse my language, but this is beginning to suck!

3. Some schedule changes.

I think we need an overhaul here.  The boys started swim this week.  So, on Tuesday and Thursday mornings, we head out to get the the pool by 9AM.  My boys like to sleep in, so this involves getting them up early.  Plus, It interrupts our school day.  Today, I really wanted to go to mass, but just could not afford 3 days of interrupted school a week. So, as I was thinking about possible solutions, it came to me. Everyone needs to get up earlier.  Instead of 9 AM mass, we can head to 8AM mass.  If the kids get up earlier, they can start their school work earlier and they will have some of their works done before swim.

The only problem with this new plan? I have to get up earlier. No more strolling into the gym at 6AM.  If this is to work, I have to be at the gym by 5AM!  I have done that in the past, but I have gotten soft!  So, next week, I am going to implement this new schedule.  I will let you know how it goes.

4. The persistent friend

And he said to them, “Which of you who has a friend will go to him at midnight and say to him, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves, for a friend of mine has arrived on a journey, and I have nothing to set before him’; and he will answer from within, ‘Do not bother me; the door is now shut, and my children are with me in bed. I cannot get up and give you anything’? I tell you, though he will not get up and give him anything because he is his friend, yet because of his impudence he will rise and give him whatever he needs. And I tell you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened. What father among you, if his son asks for a fish, will instead of a fish give him a serpent; or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!”
                                                                                                       Luke 11:5-13 ESV

 

I am feeling very much like the persistent friend lately concerning the Run for the Little Flowers Virtual 5K.  Have you registered yet?

5.  The Skinny Rules

Remember how I mentioned them last week?  Well, thanks to the Skinny Rules, I lost 2 lbs in the past 5 days.  Now I know that is not a lot, but for me, it is.  And there are two rules that I think are making the difference:
                            1. I go to bed hungry.  I have never done this before and usually have my last of 5
                            meals AFTER dinner.  But this week, I have been really good at getting 4 meals
                            in before dinner and having dinner as my last.

                            2. No creamer in my coffee. Yes, I am drinking my coffee BLACK!  Thanks to
                            my new french press I got last week (thank you freecycle!) , the coffee does
                             not need cream like it did before.

6. A great recipe find

Thanks to Maurisa at Half a Dozen and More Productions, I have found Artisan Breads in 5 Minutes a Day.  I am wheat free about 95% of the time, but I do like a great loaf of bread every once and a while and my family likes it all the time.  Can I just tell you, this is the BEST bread I have ever made. I love it!!  Check out the master recipe for yourself! I am making baguette several times a week. It is easy and so good!

7. And this week's 7 Quick takes would not be complete without a cute picture of an orphan at Little Flower Projects.

Have a great week everyone! And do not forget to register/donate!

 

Thanks Camp Patton for hosting!

Nature Walk

One of the great things about having kids is getting to see the world through their eyes.  I am a very goal orientated person, most of the time. I have a task to do . . . I do it. . . . and move on.  But it is not so easy to do that with 3 boys.

 

The other day we went to a local pond to find more milkweed for our Monarch Caterpillar.  My intent was to walk over, get the milkweed and go home.  But as the boys started to pick up every stick they saw and hurl it into the pond, our mission, luckily, changed a bit. 

 

It is funny, but when you are so focused on one thing, you typically miss a lot of beauty around you.  Thankfully, that day we didn't. And, thankfully, I have three precious boys that slow me down enough so that I can see it.

 

And here's the proof . . .

 

 

Wordless Wednesday- An oldie but a goodie

Found this picture while deleting old ones. It is hard to believe this picture was taken two years ago. I love my boys!

Will my arsenal work, or am I just putting off the inevitable?



Foam Roller



The stick

Yep, I use one of these too!

Spiky massage ball

Torture device, I mean, Body Wrench.





Yes, I have been using all of these things to try to work out my glute/hamstring/IT band issue.  And there are days when I think they are working and I think things are getting better. I may actually get to run again, someday soon.  And then there are days when I think, Who am I kidding?  This is not working and I am going to have to go to physical therapy to fix this.

The truth is, I do not want to go to a physical therapist.  I have been to a chiropractor and a specialized sports massage therapist and if they cannot get this problem taken care of (along with the tons of exercises and other things I do at home), how is a PT going to fix this problem?

So, I am going on, oh, I do not know how long, of NO RUNNING. We are hitting my favorite time of year to run.  And I am still on the injured reserved list. And I am frustrated.

Anyone out there have a similar issue and something actually work for them?

 

I just want to run again.

Coffee yumminess protein shake - Fit Frappe review

I love coffee, in case you did not know.  I love the smell of it.  I love the taste of it.  Love it.  I only drink one cup of coffee a day, but I enjoy sipping on it hot or iced while praying in the morning.

And, I am a bit of a health nut, in case you did not know that either.  I frequently drink protein shakes after workouts, or as a quick meal supplement (I eat 5 times a day) when I am on the run.

So, I was so excited to try Big Train's Fit Frappe!  A protein shake and coffee in one.

Here is some information about Fit Frappe from Big Train's web site:

• Versatile- can be served hot, iced or as a frozen frappé
• Outrageously delicious, full flavored café style drink
• Similar caffeine levels as coffee (100-280 mg) depending on flavor
• Long lasting energy from protein using Calcium Caseinate
• Excellent meal replacement
• Gluten free
• Very low sugar- less than 1g per 16oz serving
• 5-6 net carbs

I have tried MANY protein shakes in many flavors.  And I have had some very bad ones and some very good ones and I will admit, the Fit Frappe is one of my favorites.  It has a creamy texture and the taste is great.  It did not have the usually "protein shake" flavor (if you have had protein shakes, you know what I am talking about!). The Mocha is super yummy, but it also comes in Vanilla Latte, Espresso, Chocolate, and Vanilla. I usually only have protein shakes in a blender with ice and I LOVED this one as a frozen drink. It could totally pass for an expensive coffee house frappucino.  You would not guess that it was a healthy protein shake that is only 130 calories (when made with water) and delivers 20 grams of protein!  I made mine with milk, and it was very satisfying.  For me, it is the perfect, after workout drink in the morning. I am interested to try the Espresso hot and see how it tastes . . . I will let you know!

Now, I am a purist, so I like my FitFrappe just the way it is, but you can find lots of great recipes here to make fun and flavorful protein drinks.

 

* I was not paid for this review.  Big Train sent me a Trial Pack of 5 FitFrappe samples to try for this review.



7 Quick Takes

Thanks, Jen, for hosting!

1. All or nothing blogger

For me, blogging seems to be "feast or famine." I may have a post a day for a week and then not blog for two weeks.  Well, since my hubby is out of town, I wrote  a lot of posts the other night.  So look for many, not too interesting posts, from me in the next several days!

2. Run for the Little Flowers 5K

In case you have forgotten, I am hosting a fundraiser for the Little Flower Projects.  They care for orphans with special medical needs in China.  Need a reason to go register?? Think of this cutie getting the medical care she needs and being adopted.

3. Need another reason to donate to the virtual run? 

Check out the really cool giveaway items that have been donated.  If you are registered, you are entered to win.  But, there are MANY wanys to get extra entries, so spread the word and increase your chances of winning! These are just a few of the items . . .

 
 

4.  7

 

 

I am reading 7: An Experimental Mutiny Against Excess right now.  Have any of you read it?  Jen Hatmaker is funny and it is a very easy, thought provoking read.  To give you a brief intro, Jen looked at 7 areas: clothing, shopping, media, stress, food, waste and possessions and limited each for a month.  It makes me want to try the whole experiment.  But I think I would have an issue with clothes  . . . 7 pieces of clothing for a month seems a bit hard . . . could I count workout clothes separately?

5.  The Skinny Rules

 

I just read The Skinny Rules by Bob Harper.  And I liked it. A lot.  It was basic, no nonsense guidelines for eating to help you get and stay thin.  It is balanced and not crazy strict.  Of course I have followed it for a week and have not lost ONE. SINGLE. POUND. I am beginning to think that I will be stuck at the weight I am at forever . . .

6.  Marathon humor

Saw this yesterday and it made me laugh.  Check the origin of the marathon, if you have no idea what this means.

7. Some orphan cuteness to end the week!

 

 

Have a great weekend everyone!