Of life and Lent

I know that I have not been blogging regularly - but my life seems to be so hectic of late.

With Joshua being fully mobile now - he is more than just a hand full, he pokes his head to cupboards, bathrooms and runs at the sight of an open door... Help.

When I get home after work, I do homework with Jarrod- then give the boys their baths - supper and then I'm ready to collapse. (see pic of bathtime attached)

Things at work have been really hectic as well, I've been on risk training, and then getting back to the office and trying to catch up again - is a massive task....

We're going to the Stations of the Cross this evening, followed by Mass - I'm so looking forward to that...

Lenten Blessings and prayers for all to perservere with their Lenten fasts.

Yours in Christ... Ruby

Our Lady, Help of Christians

Check out my patron saint for the year, here

I'm so excited about this, I'll doing alot of reading about, Our Lady, Help of Christians...

Can anyone point me to some links about this saint, I would really appreciate it.

Until later... Ruby

Happy St. Valentine's day!

To all my blogging mom's and friend's - feel the love...

With all my love...Ruby

Busy,busy,busy...

Whoa... the last few days have been hectic for me...
Since Lent began, I feel as if I have been struck with so many extra tasks. We have been trying to attend as many of the Lenten services ( Masses, Stations of the Cross, Holy hour), as a family. This means rushing home from work - a quick supper and then off to Church. I try and get in a morning mass at 6am before a go to work, so I am up at 4.30am. But I feel so energised, I feel so blessed and Lent is a special time for us to turn back to the Lord.
I'm turning all the way back!!! What a wonderful God we serve, we have increased our prayer time and the love and peace in our home is amazing. Yes there is still a naggy baby when he is sleepy and the grade-schooler seeks his fair share of attention - but praise the Lord, we are happy to serve each other.

In the mean time- Joshua has started walking... yeah, at 10 months, just like his big brother.
He now has access to everything... his happy baby feet fill our home. All doors have to be closed, especially, bathroom and loo doors... it seems as if that is where they head first... Why do babies find the toilet bowl so facinating??

Jarrod's teacher had a baby, so he has a new grade 2 teacher and he is absolutely loving her...

Tomorrow is St. Valentine's day so spread the love around...

Yours in Christ... Ruby

I am a Soccer Mom Hen

What type of Mother Hen Are You?
by Montessorimom.com: Educational Resource

I was over in Minnesota and I came across this, go check out what type of Hen you are.

Special prayers please...

Please pray for my aunt, she had quad-bipass surgery two months ago, was taken to hospital last night with chest pains.
Doctors say there is another blockage... Please lift her up in your prayers

Through Christ our Lord...Ruby

Ash Wednesday Prayer

Ash Wednesday Prayer

Heavenly Father, Let us enter the season of Lent in the spirit of joy giving ourselves to spiritual strife, cleansing our soul and body, controlling our passions, as we limit our food, living on the virtues of the Holy Spirit;
Let us persevere in our longing for Christ so as to be worthy to behold His most solemn Passion and the most holy Passover, rejoicing the while with spiritual joy.
Amen.

Tiny baby steps...

This little baby, today exactly 10 months and 8 days old, took his very first, tentative, oh so sweet, baby steps!!! Just months ago I was swaddling him and now we can't keep him off the floor - where did my baby go??? On Friday evening after Mass, we popped in at friends, this is where Joshua gave us... 5-6 careful, little steps, his dad and I looking on in absolute awe... oh the absolute joy at being able to witness this.

As a working mom I sometimes feel so guilty for all the milestones that I miss, all the cries I don't get to soothe - I was so absolutely blessed to see both my boys take their first beautiful steps.

Thank you Jesus for this blessing, all praise and glory to You, Lord.

Yours in Christ our Lord...Ruby

Please pray

Go here - and please join us in prayer

So excited....

I am so, so, so excited, I'm almost bubbling over.

Ok (deep breath) - Let me start at the beginning. For the past 6 or so years my hubby and I have been catechizing the RCIA group at our parish. RCIA is so exciting and challenging. Last night we had our first lesson for the year, with a new group of candidates. Goodie, goodie... I truly love being a cathechist. My mom was a cathecist and my younger bro and I tagged along with her when she went to give her lessons, so I have been exposed to Catechetics from a very young age.

As a teenager on my Confirmation journey, I made a commitment to be part of the team of Cathechists of the parish and every year since I have renewed that commitment. Cathechetics holds a special place in my heart and a truly feel called as a lay-person, to draw people to the Faith.

So how did I get my hubby involved??? - you ask. Well, while we were courting, he used to come and visit in the evening after work? One evening, I asked him to join us on a Thursday evening for Cathecism, just a visit - no commitments, "just come and sit with us..." I said. He agreed, and from there we reeled him in, hook, line and sinker!!!

In 2002, he and I did a distance tuition course, with a Catholic College in Birmingham, England called Maryvale College. - A Certificate in Parish Cathechesis, to better equip us for the task at hand. We work well together, and studying together really helped us build on our relationship as a couple as well - all-in-all, a win-win situation, I love it!!

So every Thursday, as from last night, we have an RCIA lesson to plan and teach and we get to be workers in the Harvest of the Lord - now is that a blessing or what??

Last night we introduced ouselves and shared a bit about ourselves, and then we did a short intro to Lent and Ash Wednesday... All pretty foreign to them, since they come from protestant churches. All the same, they are excited, we are excited... Catholicism is spreading.. and I am loving it.

Whoa... there I got most of it out.

Today, I feel doubly blessed and I know my Lord loves me.

Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, I place all my trust in Thee.

Have good weekend!!

Love and prayers...Ruby