I LOVE Lent

I know that probably seems weird to most of you.  But I can be very disciplined IF I have a reason to be. Otherwise, not so much.

I used to be so organized and so neat.  Seriously, somehow with two children underfoot I was still easily able to maintain a high level of organization and efficiency.   But that all changed about 6 years ago!!!  I am not sure if it was really adding a third child or my adrenal exhaustion and thyroid issues (which cause me to tire very easily) but I am no longer that person.  I am just as messy and unorganized as everyone else now!

So, Lent gives me a time and a purpose to really focus on some goals and grow closer to the Lord in the process.  In past years, I have given up blogging (which gave me more time for God and my family) and shopping (which was very difficult and very revealing about priorities).  One of my Lenten sacrifices for the last two years has been "40 bags in 40 days".  I try to pick a spot or room in my house each day to de-clutter.  You would think after doing this for a few years, there would not be much clutter left---WRONG!  I am DYING to get started and actually got a jump start on Kate's closet yesterday.  There is so much that accumulates in your life and for me, stuff can get in the way of living a life closer to the Lord.

People have asked me how getting rid of 40 bags of excess can bring one closer to God.  For me, when my house is organized, it is easier for me to pray, read the Bible and do my devotionals.  I feel more peaceful.  But more than that...I pray while I clean and purge.  I donate tons of the kids clothes and books and toys and things we don't use anymore to those in need.  And that is all good.

Also, my kids do a Lenten Jar....

They pull a slip of paper out each morning and do nice deeds for others during Lent.

I have not completely decided what to do for Lent this year.  I am definitely doing the 40 bags in 40 days.  While it is not easy and I don't like it about day 15, I am so happy when it is complete.  But I am trying to decide what else to work on over Lent this year.  Have you given it any thought?

And while mostly it is Catholics who do something for Lent, any Christian can use Lent as a time to draw near to God.  It is not about being Catholic or getting into heaven, it is about honoring the sacrifices God has made for us.  Lent begins this year on February 13th.  I have a label on the sidebar for my past Lent posts, if you'd like to read them.

Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you.   James 4:8

Epic Failure {maybe not}

Okay folks,  I lost steam this week.  I did a HORRIBLE job on one of my Lenten sacrifices (the 40 bags in 40 days).  I did not stick to my schedule and I did not get the computer nook OR the media room done.  I did get the easy closet done (but yielded NO bags from it) and I totally cleaned my bedside table. (got some trash, some recycling but mostly books that needed to be moved to another location!)

Okay friends, so this is me being COMPLETELY transparent.  I will write another time about what a complete neat freak I used to be/still am sometimes.  But my bedside table had gotten so out of control.  I read a ton.  I am in two book clubs.  I take some supplements right before bed or immediately when I wake up so my table was covered in books and vitamin bottles.  Books were all over the floor.  It was BAD!  I am so embarrassed of this photo but want you to know that I am so imperfect (and sometimes messy).

  So, here is the before...

And here are some afters although I am still in progress...

 

I have another larger table that I think I am going to paint a french gray (with Chalk paint) and get more substantial lamps in here.   Aside from silk drapes, we have done nothing to decorate our master bedroom since we moved into this house. It could use a big sprucing up. It is a beautiful blue/gray color though.

I  have read 98% of the Steve Jobs book and thought it was great.  

I would like to find a cute small basket for all my thyroid, adrenal. etc meds and supplements.

{Special little shells, crafts and rocks the kids have given me}

Since I did not get everything done on my list this week, I was feeling like I really failed but then I thought of what I DID do this week.  I DID avoid gluten pretty well.  I DID go to a new Bible study with a friend.  I DID work and get some new clients.  I DID exercise.  I DID finally get my Valentine decorations down. And I had lunch with friends twice and got a pedicure (all that was good for my soul too).  I prayed a lot for some friends who really needed it this week.

I also felt very dizzy  and exhausted all week.  I am not making excuses but something is definitely not right.  Every time I stood up (and I was on a ladder a few times) I felt like I was going to pass out.  So, I spent a little time chilling.  I am thinking I need my thyroid and adrenals checked again. It has been a while.

I know I will have my 40 bags at the end of Lent but this week was not my week.

I posted this quote this last year too when I was having trouble with keeping up with Lent.  Edie just says it so well....

" If I purpose to ‘give something up’ for Lent and then two weeks later find that I fail and can’t keep my lenten discipline, God is not disappointed in me. God is pleased with Christ and thus pleased with me when I have faith in Christ. I am a sinner who fails and sins constantly. And my failing is not a surprise to God. If I keep my lenten discipline to the ‘tee’, I must be careful not to try and convince myself that I’m ‘more spiritual’ or holy than before. I have been freely clothed with the righteousness of Christ and am only learning to ‘fit’ into clothes that were given me by God."

And one more thing I don't want to forget.   Usually, I watch the Oscars with friends.  For many years, I had a party.  But this year, we watched with another family and our kids.  I will admit that I was hesitant.  I  usually like to watch with just my girlfriends.  But we really enjoyed it.  The boys got into it and Kate LOVED the fashion.  In fact, she said, "Mama, is this a big fancy fashion show?"  Also, my girl has great taste.  Usually 5 year old girls just like big, frilly and sometimes gaudy dresses. But nope.  Not Kate.  She LOVED Gwyneth Paltrow.....

She literally gasped and oohed and ahhhed.  She said , "Mama!! She is gorgeous!!  She is so so beautiful.  That is the most beautiful pony tail I have ever seen! " Yup. Like Mama like daughter. I have always secretly wanted to look like Gwyneth Paltrow--you know in that "if you could look like any movie star kinda way."  We both loved her simple, classic and understated beauty.  We also really like Michelle Williams in her coral gown.  Stunning!

I realized that I am going to have SO MUCH fun watching these things with Kate over the years:)
I love having a daughter!  

Have a great weekend!

Lent and work

A few people asked me to update about my Lenten stuff which surprised me cause I thought this was kind of boring....

As I was reading a few blogs about Lent, I got concerned that people are under the assumption that we give things up or do things to "get into heaven."  That is not really true.  Rather we are trying to appreciate how Jesus fasted and prayed in the desert for 40 days and how he suffered on the cross for us to be saved.  It really is about understanding Jesus more and drawing closer to Him.  So, doing things that make us lean on Christ or bring us closer to Him are all appropriate.  And giving something up is not a requirement to get into heaven.

So, back to my 40 bags in 40 days.  You might wonder how this brings me closer to Jesus.  Well, let me tell you it has not been fun. While I love the end result, I am not enjoying the process.  There are much more fun things I'd rather do. Things have gotten so disorganized in our home that working on one area a day is very time consuming.  It is keeping me off the computer and off the phone (which is probably good).  It is keeping me out of stores (which is very good). I pray for my friends and family while I organize. And I listen to music. I have also realized (especially when I did Kate's closet) how much material excess we have.  That girl does not need one single stitch of clothing for at least 6 months.  It made me realize how much time I have spent shopping on the internet or in person and how I could use that time more productively. 

So this week's schedule:

Monday and Tuesday : Computer Nook. We have this built in desk/computer room at the top of the stairs.  This is where the boys computer is.  It is also full of drawers and cabinets that are stuffed with photos, photo albums, office supplies and loads of paper.  I DREAD cleaning it out.  It will surely take me 2 days to go through all of that paper.  It is a disaster area.

Wednesday and Thursday: Playroom/Media Room.  I must be trying to torture myself because this is another HUGE job.   There is a wall full of built ins and two large closets full of toys not to mention the cabinets full of video games and movies.  Luckily, I did parts of this room not too long ago so it might not be that bad.

Friday: Another Upstairs Hall Closet  This should not be too tough as I did it not too long ago too and this storage closet does not get much use.

For some reason, I did not assign myself another area for Saturday. Maybe I was being realistic and knew those two big areas would kick my butt this week. I am still a few drawers behind in Kate's bathroom so maybe I will finish that up on Saturday.  Also, it will be a small miracle if I get these areas completed. So, I will use Saturday as a catch up day if needed.

A few people asked for photos and I will try to take them as I work. It is a little hard for me to share how messy some parts of our house have gotten but I want to be honest and vulnerable and true so I will show y'all.  I did take some of Kate's closet before and after but honestly her closet was not too awful.  You should see my bedside table.  THAT photo is BAD but I have not cleaned it yet so I only have the before;)  

Okay, here are the before photos of Kate's closet....

And here are the after shots....

I have it organized (on the bottom rack which are the clothes she wears) by color left to right, light to dark.  First (to the left) are all her everyday dresses and then all her uniform clothes (on the right side).  This makes things much easier in the mornings.  I always have our closets organized by type of clothes and color. The top rack are things she has outgrown but we are keeping or things that she only wears occasionally or costumes etc...  That bar is more organized by size and wear.

I ended up giving all of this below (and more) away to a special friend who lives here.



But I have a few things to sell as well.  I will try to list those this week if anyone in interested.
  It is mostly Matilda Jane ruffle pants I think.  Also, if anyone know a little person with the name Kate or the monogram kSe, let me know.  I have some things I could send. They are probably sized 3 or 4 T.

And finally, a few of you said you would like to do the 40 bags project but you work full time.  I totally agree, I could not do this if I worked full time on this scale.  I am kind of pretending (in my own head) that we are putting our house on the market and each spot has to be completely and totally organized as if we were showing our house to buyers.  If I were working full time though, I might take a small easy area each day and try to fill a small bag.  This project is doable on various scales.

And speaking of work, I am working more.  For those of you new to 3 peanuts, I have a Ph.D. and do Marriage and Parenting Coaching.  Last week, I gave two presentations. One was at a preschool and it was on both parenting and marriage. The other one was to a group of married couples at our church  and the topic was day to day maintenance of marriage.  I also have begun seeing more clients and I just LOVE it.   I am thinking about offering one hour parenting/marriage/life coaching sessions by Skype for long distance clients.  What do you think?  I have seen others do it.

Accountability

I have started my 40 bags in 40 days project today.  I am getting a head start because

A) I cannot stand the sight of my extremely messy and cluttered house (I know you don't believe me but it really is BAD) and B) I have way more than 40 areas of my home that need de-cluttering and C) I am sure I will have WAY more than 40 "bags."

So, I made a schedule and I was going to post it but then I thought, "Kim, no one really cares which messy areas of your house you are going to clean and purge on which days."  And I am sure that is true.  But, you see...I tried to find oh about a million other things to do today other than clean out my laundry room  (which was a DISASTER!).  So, I am putting my list here so that I don't give up.  If I have it out there, then I am even more accountable, right?  I hate to admit that I need that but I have so much stuff to go through, I am afraid I will lose steam.  I can tend to procrastinate.

So this week...

Monday and Tuesday: Laundry Room (it has tons of drawers and cabinets). I am almost done! Just one big cabinet full of wrapping paper to sort through.

Wednesday: Kate's Closet 

Thursday: Kate's dresser drawers 

Friday: Kate's Bathroom  (and if there is time, possibly her bookshelves and toys--if not then I will add that in next week)

Saturday: Upstairs Hall Linen Closet

Sunday: Sundays are actually not part of the 40 days of Lent and while I do keep other lenten sacrifices on Sundays, I am going to take Sundays off from cleaning/de-cluttering.

{bags # 1 and 2 of trash (with some on the way to our recycle bin) from the laundry room}

It feels so good to be able to see my laundry room counters again!

How lame and boring am I that I have stooped to showing photos of trash?!

Thank you for all of your sweet comments.  I actually added a new feature in the comments section so now I can reply directly to you if you ask a question.  A few of you asked about the song in the video and someone asked about fabric in my kitchen.  I replied to you in those comments in the past few posts:) And one more thing, Blogger changed the word verification and it is driving me crazy! You too? I seem to have a serious disability and I cannot decode those words.  I am not even kidding.  My eyes just do not work that way. So if you have word verification, please turn it off.  I have never used it and I don't get spam.  It is so annoying to type a long comment to someone and then not be able to decipher the 3 word verification code.  Off my soapbox now:)

Lent is quickly approaching...

{an old photo of mine}

This coming Wednesday is Ash Wednesday, the beginning of the Lenten season.  As Catholics, we try to make some kind of Lenten sacrifice. But Lent is a great way for any Christian to try to make some sacrifice or pledge to prepare for the Easter miracle. We can give something up or make a concerted effort to do something that is hard for us to do.  Over the years, my lenten sacrifices have really taught me a lot.  As a child one year I actually gave up sucking my thumb as a lenten sacrifice.  Can you believe that?  I was quite the committed thumb sucker. Seriously, that is how I quit.

While some people dread Lent, I actually look forward to it.  I look at it as a time to be really disciplined.  And it is only 40 days.  I feel like I can be disciplined for 40 days.  One year I gave up blogging.  One year I gave up shopping (that was hard but very good). Dave LOVED that!!

Last year, I added exercise (that was tough) AND got rid of 40 bags of stuff in 40 days.  We also did the Lenten jar which was awesome and Kate has been asking when we "get to do it again!"  You can read about it here but it is GREAT for families to do with small  (or BIG) children.

So, this year, I am debating what to do.  I am definitely doing the 40 bags in 40 days again.  I loved that. It was a sacrifice in that I had to clean, de-clutter and organize pretty much every single day but it was SO rewarding to be rid of excess stuff. The idea is that material things and clutter take our time and focus away from God.  And I think that is true.  So, I am working on a schedule to go room by room and purge.  I will post it here soon in case anyone wants to join in.

I want to do one more thing though too.  I am considering giving up gluten. Even though I am mostly gluten free for about 5 years, this would be hard.  See, when the doctors told Harry he could add gluten back into his diet, we all started eating it again.  And I am not sure that was the best decision for me.  I have gained weight.  I feel tired a lot.  I know that I can handle some occasional gluten in my diet but I think I eat too much now.  So, I thought if I gave it up for Lent, I can slowly (after Lent) go back to my 90% Gluten Free way of living that works best for me (I do not have Celiac's disease, I just know that eating too much gluten does not agree with me).

I have also considered giving up shopping again.  That was so powerful for me to just focus on the absolute minimum needs of our family.  I gained a lot of perspective that year.

I have also considered volunteering in some way that takes me out of my comfort zone. I expect that would be a long term commitment but I could get the ball rolling for Lent.

So, I need to spend the next few days thinking about what I need to do the most right now and what would be a good sacrifice.  How about you?  Anyone else doing anything for Lent?

P.S. I am still chugging along in my Bible reading plan for the new year. I am reading the New Testament, Psalms and Proverbs.  I am actually a few days behind but doing 2 readings a day to catch up.  You can start anytime.  It is SO doable and really good for me. It helps to keep my focus off the unimportant minutiae that we all get caught up in.

Good Friday

As Lent comes to a close this weekend and I reflect on the unfathomable sacrifice our Lord made for us,  I am also called to reflect back upon our Lenten Sacrifices....

The kids did pretty well with the Lent Jar.  Most days they each took a piece of paper without prompting. Even Kate did this:) I tried to keep it on the kitchen table as a constant reminder.  There were some days when it was moved to a counter and then it was forgotten.  So, I learned that the visual reminder was key.  I will definitely do this again.  I need to come up with some more ideas though for things to put in it.

Well, the exercise thing for me was up and down.  Some weeks I did great.  Some weeks (when Kate had several days off from school) I did not do well.  I did manage to try Pilates, Yoga, Zumba, some cardio equipment and free weights. I also walked for an hour on some days. One of my goals was to try a variety of things so that maybe I would love one of them.  They were all just okay.  But I need to continue with the exercise.  I did find out about 2 weeks ago that I have osteopenia so exercise is important.  I am very small boned and fair skinned (and I don't eat much dairy).  So, I need to be careful about the risks of osteoporosis.  I am having a full fledged fitness training/evaluation thing at my gym.  It was scheduled for during Lent but had to be rescheduled. I wish I had been more disciplined about this sacrifice.

Another one of my Lenten sacrifices was to attempt 40 bags in 40 days.  I did accomplish this one.  In fact, I probably got closer to 60-70 bags! The goal is to purge 40 bags of stuff in your house.  The thinking is that material goods and "stuff" in general gets in the way of our closeness to God.  Stuff takes out time and attention and money.  I purged all of the kids rooms, my closet (did that right before Lent actually), our bar area, my huge armoire in my office, magazine/catalog baskets around the house, about 3/4 of the laundry room (there are tons of cabinets in our laundry room), the pantry, the bar and some of the garage.  Most of the stuff went to charity.  However, I donated a bunch of books to Kate's school.  I gave about 8 bags of the peanuts' clothes to friends with young children.  And remember that photo of our garage from last year?  Well, we loaded up Dave's SUV and took LOTS of that stuff to Goodwill.  We still have to finish the garage and several other areas in our house.

Ahh...going to the goodwill:)

A blurry shot of tons of magazines and catalogs as I sort them on my office floor.



Ahh... all sorted, purged or filed. {One thing I do save is all my House Beautiful, Traditional Home, Southern Accents and Veranda magazines.   I literally have 15 years of TH.  I also save others like Cottage Living and Elle Decor but not every single issue.}.  They are all organized and have helped me tremendously when we have built, remodeled and re-decorated over the years.

I am a pretty organized and clean person and I am not a pack rat (despite that garage photo--the garage is not my domain) and we easily found stuff to repurpose, recycle and move along.  I never even got to the kid's playroom or my craft closet or kid's computer room.  I highly encourage this project.  It is freeing to lighten your load.  And I plan to continue even though Lent is coming to a close.

Today, on Good Friday, we focus on the death and passion of our Lord.  From 12-3 we read the story of the passion in the Bible, pray and remain quiet.  I am trying to have my children realize how BIG our God is and how GREAT His love is for us.  It is pretty easy to have the boys quietly reflect from 12-3 but Kate might be a challenge;)

And here is one little shot of Kate (in last year's Easter dress).  Last Sunday was the egg hunt at our church.  I was in Mass during the hunt so I did not get any action shots but Will helped her hunt:)

In case, I am not back on here...

Have a blessed Easter!

Catching up from the weekend

It was so good to see Will. He adored Paris and was quite grumpy to be home.  I often find when my boys go away (camp) they have a hard time returning to the  ho-hum life at home.  He is getting back to normal.

Will  had NO idea of my slight obsession with the Laduree shoppe in Paris.  We did not go there when Dave and I visited Paris years ago (I did not know of this beautiful place back then) but I will definitely go there someday when we return.

Anyway, Will came home with a sample of some lovely French perfume and a small box of chocolates from Laduree for his Mom!!!  Can you believe it?  It is exactly what I would have chosen! I have eaten 3 of the 6 chocolates and they are DIVINE!!!

We had a really nice weekend. Harry had his first soccer game of the season....

Harry usually plays baseball in the Spring but this year, he chose competitive soccer instead.  He really enjoys it and his team did very well and won this first game 5-0.  I enjoyed the game a lot but I must admit that I do miss watching him play baseball a little too.

After the game, we went to a really fun St. Patrick's Day Party...

Our friends had snow-cones, a bouncy house and face painting for the little kids.  A ping pong table for the bigger kids.  And lots of food and beverages for everyone!

Kate was still on break Monday so she and I spent the day together.  I painted her nails, we read books. We had lunch. We went to the park.  It was a gorgeous day

There was this cool little "tulip" at the park that you sit in and spin.  Kate LOVED it!  She would have spun for hours.  I get nausea simply watching stuff like this.

All this Spring Break fun has really cut into my Lenten resolution of exercise:(  I did great the first week  but I should never have been so smug to write about how I usually do well keeping my sacrifice because I don't want to let God down. The Lord immediately humbled me! Unfortunately Kate will not go in the childcare at our gym...so I missed a whole week at the gym while she was on break.  I did walk and swim and get loads of recreational exercise.  Anyway, I am jumping back on my Lenten wagon though and stepping up to my commitment  to exercise for the reminder of Lent.  

I love what Edie says about Lent here

" If I purpose to ‘give something up’ for Lent and then two weeks later find that I fail and can’t keep my lenten discipline, God is not disappointed in me. God is pleased with Christ and thus pleased with me when I have faith in Christ. I am a sinner who fails and sins constantly. And my failing is not a surprise to God. If I keep my lenten discipline to the ‘tee’, I must be careful not to try and convince myself that I’m ‘more spiritual’ or holy than before. I have been freely clothed with the righteousness of Christ and am only learning to ‘fit’ into clothes that were given me by God."

So far, so good....and a Kate update

Just wanted to give a little update.  I will not do this everyday during Lent but some people asked me some questions.

First, the kids really liked the sacrifice jar.  We talked about what Jesus did for us and they eagerly chose something this morning.  I told them that I will not enforce what they choose.  It is between them and God. But if they want to share about it at dinner that would be great.

Next, some people asked me about my exercise plan.  I have no real "plan" except that I will exercise at least 3 (hopefully 4) times a week.  Today, I did a Pilates class and I loved it. I have had lots of energy all day. I used to be a bit addicted to exercise ( a very long time ago) and Pilates was my favorite.  But my hope is to try a variety of things (weights, Zumba, cardio, walking, yoga) depending on the schedule.  I am very lucky...I live 2 blocks from the gym.  Thank you for all of the encouragement.

Finally, someone asked me to share some "meatless" recipes for Lent.  I will work on that.  Tonight we are having this savory shrimp with tomatoes and avocado over rice.  Everyone liked it the last time I made it:)

Recipe here

Also, Kate got ashes for the first time.  Ash Wednesday is not a holy day of obligation and some years we get ashes and some years we do not.  But Kate, Harry and I were able to get them today.

(yes, I took her for ashes in dress up clothes:(  She wore them to school for Purim today--how ironic)

And to catch up on Kate some more....A few weeks ago (the day the boys had their allergy testing) was Go Texan Day!  That is the day the trail riders ride into Houston to kick off the rodeo.  It is a big deal.  I am not a native Texan but these people take the Rodeo very seriously.  All the school kids come out to see the trail riders and everyone dresses up in the cowboy/girl attire.  Here are some photos of my Lil Cowgirl...

This is Kate's 3rd year wearing this MJ dress for Rodeo!!  You really get your money out of that Matilda Jane stuff (this is for Dave's benefit;)

This is a scanned in photo of Will on Go Texan Day in 2001~ 10 years ago!  He was 3:)

Can you believe I have lived in Texas off and on for 15 years and I have never owned cowboy boots?(but my kids have)

And finally Kate is OBSESSED with these....

First, she saw the commercials.  Then ALL the girls at school had them.  Then she talked about them NON-STOP for days.  I tried to talk her out of them. I told her that she didn't have to like something just because the other girls did. She has never been a "sneaker" kinda gal. Ballet flats and mary-janes have been more her style. It didn't work.  Eventually, she wore me down.  And she has worn them every single day since Zappos delivered them. She thinks they are groovy AND they light up. GAG! I guess this is how it all begins:(

Lenten Sacrifice

Lent begins tomorrow with Ash Wednesday and you know we Catholics take Lent very seriously.  We abstain from meat on Ash Wednesday and all Fridays during Lent.  We are also encouraged to make a Lenten sacrifice.  It can be something that brings us closer to God and His will such as reading scripture everyday, praying the rosary, attending daily Mass etc.  Or it can be giving up something that currently keeps you from God or will remind you of the great sacrifice Jesus made for us. Last year, I gave up shopping.  This scripture in particular made me realize how material things can keep us from getting closer to God.

Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For everything in the world- the cravings of sinful man, the lust of his eyes and the boasting of what he has and does-comes not from the Father but from the world. The world and its desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives forever.

1 John 2:15-17

Giving up shopping was very powerful for me.  I realized how much time and energy is spent buying things and putting things away and exchanging things.  I also realized how much mental energy we spend thinking about "things."  When we are doing that we are not doing God's work.

The previous year I gave up blogging.  That was hard too and I learned a lot as well. Again, it made me realize how much time I waste on the computer.

As a child, I sucked my thumb when I slept.  And I sucked my thumb for a long, long time.  Just to tell you how long...I gave it up for Lent one year !!!  That is how I quit!  I do not recall the exact grade or age but I was old enough to give it up for Lent.  I do remember that!  

Someone asked me recently if I make it through my sacrifice each year.  Yes, I usually do.  As hard as some things have been, God will know if I cheat.  If I cheat on a New Years resolution who am I accountable to?  Myself.  If I cheat on a Lenten sacrifice, I am letting God down.  So, I choose carefully.

This year I have been tossing around a few ideas.  I thought of doing the 40 bags in 40 days challenge.  You fill bags with clutter to rid from your home each day.  I could do that!  I thought of giving up shopping again because it was truly transformative for me.  But I have really felt God nudging me a different way.  Not really a way I want to go but a way I need to go.

I never exercise.  I loathe exercise. I really hate to sweat. Yes, I eat pretty healthy but I am not taking care of my body through exercise.  It has come up in my life a lot recently and I feel that this is what I should do for Lent.  It will certainly be a sacrifice for me because I do not enjoy it (at ALL) and it will take time away from things I DO enjoy.  I know I will feel physical pain because I am so out of shape.  I will try to use that physical pain to remind me of the suffering Jesus endured.  I will also pray as I exercise (I am going to need to).  So, there it is.  I am going to begin an exercise regimen.  I know it is God's will that we take care of the bodies He has given us and I am not doing that so well.  My goal is to exercise 3-4 days a week and I will keep a log of it. This might be even harder that the no shopping thing for me because I REALLY hate exercise.   

I am also going to commit to reading a chapter of scripture each day. 

And I made this sacrifice jar for our family.

 I typed up lots of little things that we can easily do each day such as:

help out Mom or Dad today, say something nice to your sister, read about a saint today, pray for the homeless today, be a friend to someone who seems lonely today, read your Bible for 15 minutes,  play a game with your sister, be kind to your brother, clean out your closet, clear the dinner table tonight without being asked,  tell your teacher how much you appreciate them today, write down three blessings God has given you, no "sweets" today, compliment someone at school or work today who usually irritates you, no TV today, pray a decade of the rosary today, avoid video games, appreciate something God gave you in in nature today, pray for your grandparents today, smile at people more today  etc.....

So each day, the kids (and maybe us grown-ups too) will choose a paper from the jar and that will be their Lenten sacrifice for that day.  I have not run it past the kids yet and I am not sure how well it will go over but I think it is a GREAT idea.  I think I will keep it on the breakfast table and encourage them to take a slip of paper each day.  I will not hold them accountable though.  They can be responsible for whether they do it or not.  I will obviously have to help Kate though.

It was not my idea.  My friend, Kelley shared it with our Moms group.

One more thing...you do not have to be Catholic to use Lent as a time to come closer to God. I'd love to hear what you do for Lent or any ideas you have for the jar...I need more:)

Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded. James 4:8

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