Book of the Month: ?

I am so sad to admit that I am behind on my book a month goal for this year. I was able to finish last year's book and another book in January but I have yet to finish February's book which was The Authentic Catholic Woman. I have been trying to finish Financial Peace Revisited by Dave Ramsey for our Financial Peace University class that we have been taking since January. Our class ends mid-April and I would like to finish reading it before then. If I do, then I may have to count this as my February book. I still hope to finish The Authentic Catholic Woman and count it toward March.

I have also added a couple other books to my list of interests. I received The 5 Love Languages by Gary Chapman from some friends as our paper first anniversary gift. I have heard so much about this book and have wanted to add it to my list of books. I have heard this book being talked about on Christian radio. Knowing and understanding our love language will help us understand each other in our marriage. I also heard Dr. Emerson Eggerichs on Dave Ramsey's radio program on Valentine's Day. He was talking about his book Love and Respect. I found so much of what he had to say about men and women and marriage to be true. I could see them happening in our marriage. Understanding some of these fundamental differences can help strengthen our marriage.

The 5 Love Languages by Gary Chapman

Love and Respect by Dr. Emerson Eggerichs

I have not had a chance to pick up my bonus book Heaven is for Real. I just could not picture myself picking up and finishing this book when I could not even finish the books I had planned on reading for this year. Perhaps when I am caught up I can go back and finish this book as my bonus book as well.

I am looking forward to some "me time" this Saturday where I hope to get much of this reading done. Perhaps I can get caught up in reading Financial Peace Revisited and finish The Authentic Catholic Woman. Financial Peace Revisited reads pretty fast since we are also taking the class. The Authentic Catholic Woman is a relatively short book but the material is deep and takes much thought. I think with some focus and determination I can get caught up on Financial Peace Revisited and finish The Authentic Catholic Woman. If not, then there is always next week during some of the terrible storms we have been having.

Daybook

FOR TODAY

Last Daybook for March 2011

Outside my window... it is raining VERY hard. We have had severe weather here for the last couple of days. Rain, thunder and lightning, tornadoes… We needed the rain but I do not like the severe weather conditions that come with it.

Severe weather images

Severe weather in Florida

I am thinking... it would be nice to spend all day sleeping. All Gracie ever does all day is try to find a better spot to nap. What a tough life!

It is so hard to find a place to nap

It is a tough life being a cat

Please!! Can a cat just nap in peace??

I am thankful for... a husband to keep me safe during severe weather. The other night the thunder and lightning was so bad. It scared me in my sleep. My dear husband just held me tighter and assured me I would be okay. I went back to sleep safe in his arms.

From the kitchen... I baked banana bread from scratch. Okay, so it was not made fresh today… but I have been busy watching the severe weather.

Banana bread from scratch

I am wearing... my pajamas and thinking it would be nice to crawl under the covers and hide from the thunder and lightning.

I am creating... a first anniversary paper gift. Oh the memories we have had…

I am going... with Terry and Julie to our seminar this week. I hate driving in severe weather and I am so glad that they are willing to give me a ride. The car rides with them are so much fun!
  
I am reading... Financial Peace Revisited (still) but Terry and Julie gave me The 5 Love Languages by Gary Chapman. I am going to have to add it to my reading list. Thanks Terry and Julie for a great first anniversary gift!

The 5 Love Languages by Gary Chapman

I am hoping praying... safety for everyone in this severe weather all over the central Florida area.

A truck overturned on I-75

A damaged plane

There was significant damage at Sun-n-Fun

I am hearing... heavy rain and thunder in the distance.

Around the house... I am all caught up on my cleaning. I finally was able to get the clutter cleared and organized. Next week it will all start again.

One of my favorite things... cuddling with my husband and Gracie. They make me feel safe and warm. I love it when our family is together. There is nothing like quality time with family.

A few plans for the rest of the week:

Tonight: Seminar Week #6
Friday: Visit family
Saturday: Hubby working OT and some “Me time”

Here is picture for thought I am sharing...

All aboard…

My 3-year-old niece Miranda was excited to ride the train around the mall

My 3-year-old niece Miranda

My younger sister Lauralee & 8-year-old nephew Dominic

My 11-year-old niece Lexy

All aboard! The train is leaving the station.

It was a safe trip around the mall.

The train is heading back to the station

http://thesimplewomansdaybook.blogspot.com/
The Simple Woman's Daybook is a brief outline for women/mothers who blog to use as a way to compose thoughts, plan the week, and keep a grateful heart. It is typically published once a week on Tuesdays.

I am captured by you

Artist: Christian Bautista featuring Sitti
Album: Captured
Song: Captured
Year: 2008

Lyrics

I was captured the moment we met
Carried away with every word you said
It's a mystery how you got to me
I fell in the spell of your charms
With your siren's smile you caught me off guard

Just one glance took away my breath
Then you drew me in with your tenderness
You captivate my soul, I'm enraptured
You knocked me out and you locked me up
Stole my heart like a thief at love
Keep me here in your happy ever after
I'm captured

By the way just in case you care
I'm here to stay, I'm not going anywhere
I took a dive in your deep dark eyes
And I'm never coming up for air
I lost myself in this bond that we share

One sweet kiss took away my breath
Then you drew me in with your tenderness
You captivate my soul, I'm enraptured
You knocked me out and you locked me up
Stole my heart like a thief at love
Hold me tight in your happy ever after

Now you've got the best of me
No one else could hold the key
I'm captured

Just one touch took away my breath
When you drew me in I could not resist
You captivate my soul, I'm enraptured
You knocked me out and you locked me up
Stole my heart like a thief at love
Keep me here in your happy ever after
I'm captured


I first heard this song early 2009 on a sample wedding video from a classmate from high school. (Thank God for social networking allowing us to keep in touch even after almost 20 years after we graduated high school) I had never heard the song before but I was immediately captured by not only the catchy tune but the lyrics. It went so well with the sample wedding video. Even the words and footage seemed to match. It was a beautiful glimpse into their wedding.

When I was picking the songs for our wedding video, I immediately thought of this one. I contacted my old classmate and learned that the artist was Filipino. I was even more interested in using the song in our video. I knew it would be a good way to review the events of our big day. Watching the video from our wedding, I realize that this song fit perfectly into our video, too.

This song also says a lot about my dear husband. There is something so captivating about him. I am not sure what it is exactly. There is something about his eyes. There is something about his smile. There is something about his laugh. There is something about his hugs. There is something about his kiss. There is something about him that just gets me every time.

I am so captured by you.

Model Family

We were so blessed to have been married at Holy Family Catholic Church. Not only was the Church and faith community one that I had grown to love but the guidance of the Holy Family can be seen throughout our marriage.

We have a model family for our own families here on Earth. The Holy Family consisting of Mary, Joseph, and the Jesus represent everyone that we are and hope to be. They are the prime examples for us in our lives as sons and daughters, sisters and brothers, mothers and fathers and any role that we may have in our family.

Mary

"Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word." (Luke 1:38)

In Mary's response to the angel Gabriel at the Annunciation, we see a great example of accepting God's will for us. She does not just say let it be done but she accepts that it is done unto to her just as He had said and planned for her. Mary accepted God's will without any question. She is the perfect example of wife and mother. 

Joseph

The Lord appeared to St. Joseph three times in a dream and he responded each with obedience. (Matthew 1:20-26, Matthew 2:13-15, Matthew 2:19-23)

The Lord appears to Joseph in a dream on three separate occasions. Joseph does what the Lord tells him to do in each dream. He first accepts Mary as his wife despite knowing that she is carrying a child which is not his.Then he takes Mary and Jesus to Egypt for their safety and protection. Then finally he brings them back to Nazareth when it is safe for them to return. He humbly accepts God's will for him. He sets an example of what it means to be husband and father.

Jesus

"Father, if you are willing, take this cup away from me; still, not my will but yours be done." (Luke 22:42) "Father, into your hands I commit my spirit" (Luke 23:46)

Jesus is our perfect example of love. He shows us how to follow the will of God even when it is not what we would do. He surrenders everything including His life to follow the will of God. He is obedient to His Father and His will. He is the perfect example of son (or daughter) and brother (or sister).

What role models we have in the Holy Family!

I pray that I can continue to follow God's will for us and our family.

Daybook

FOR TODAY

March 23, 2011

Outside my window... a beautiful sunny 74 degrees outside. It is a perfect day for a bike ride after I accomplish a few chores inside.

I am thinking... how fast time flies when you are having fun. This time last year I just could not wait for our wedding. Now our first anniversary is a little more than 2 weeks away. What a year we have had!

I am thankful for... great friends -- Terry and Julie. God has put people in my life at the right time. It was not any different with Terry and Julie. We have shared many experiences. They have inspired me to better. They have become more than friends. I pray that when we have been married forty years, we can be just like them.

From the kitchen... I made easy meals today and I am catching up on some cleaning that I have been putting off for sometime.

I am wearing... comfortable clothes to get some house chores done.

I am creating going to create... a first anniversary gift for my wonderful husband. Gifts are more special when you make them yourself. I need some new ideas for first anniversary gifts though. 

I am going... to get all these chores done sooner or later. Probably more later than sooner. There is much to be done. I am happy to be making progress.

I am reading... Financial Peace Revisited by Dave Ramsey. I am so behind on reading. I need a day or two just to catch up.

I am hoping praying... my brother-in-law and his wife and their little bun in the oven. We are going to be aunt and uncle again for the ninth time. I am excited for a new little K.

I am hearing... contemporary Christian music channel on the digital music channel while getting some cleaning done.

Around the house... I am getting caught up on some neglected house chores. I have put off a few chores and I am paying the price.

One of my favorite things... is reminiscing about our wedding day. Our FIRST anniversary is coming up and I have been looking at the pictures from our wedding. Great memories!

A few plans for the rest of the week:

Thursday Seminar Week #5
Weekend More family time
Next week: More chores & Coffee Talk with Terry & Julie

Here is picture for thought I am sharing...

Pictures taken from our engagement shoot two weeks before the wedding

Try a little tenderness...

He's so gentle

His kisses are soft and tender

There is tenderness in his eyes

He holds on tightly

He never lets go

His love is so genuine and sincere

He catches me when I fall

I am captured by you.

Pictures taken by Omarr Photography

http://thesimplewomansdaybook.blogspot.com/
The Simple Woman's Daybook is a brief outline for women/mothers who blog to use as a way to compose thoughts, plan the week, and keep a grateful heart. It is typically published once a week on Tuesdays.

Feast of St. Joseph - Husband of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Novena to St. Joseph 

*Prayer to be said at the end of each day's devotion*

Saint Joseph, I, your unworthy child, greet you. You are the faithful protector and intercessor of all who love and venerate you. You know that I have special confidence in you and that, after Jesus and Mary, I place all my hope of salvation in you, for you are especially powerful with God and will never abandon your faithful servants. Therefore I humbly invoke you and commend myself, with all who are dear to me and all that belong to me, to your intercession. I beg of you, by your love for Jesus and Mary, not to abandon me during life and to assist me at the hour of my death.

Glorious Saint Joseph, spouse of the Immaculate Virgin, obtain for me a pure, humble, charitable mind, and perfect resignation to the divine Will. Be my guide, my father, and my model through life that I may merit to die as you did in the arms of Jesus and Mary.

Loving Saint Joseph, faithful follower of Jesus Christ, I raise my heart to you to implore your powerful intercession in obtaining from the Divine Heart of Jesus all the graces necessary for my spiritual and temporal welfare, particularly the grace of a happy death, and the special grace I now implore:

(Mention your request).

Guardian of the Word Incarnate, I feel confident that your prayers in my behalf will be graciously heard before the throne of God. 

Amen. 

Memorare
 
Remember, most pure spouse of Mary, ever Virgin, my loving protector, Saint Joseph, that no one ever had recourse to your protection or asked for your aid without obtaining relief. Confiding, therefore, in your goodness, I come before you and humbly implore you. Despise not my petitions, foster-father of the Redeemer, but graciously receive them. 

Amen.

St. Joseph and Baby Jesus

St. Joseph and Baby Jesus icon

For complete Novena: http://www.ewtn.com/devotionals/novena/joseph.htm

Feast of St. Patrick

Feast of St. Patrick
March 17

Quotes by St. Patrick

“Christ beside me, Christ before me, Christ behind me, Christ within me, Christ beneath me, Christ above me.”

“If I be worthy, I live for my God to teach the heathen, even though they may despise me.”

"The Lord opened the understanding of my unbelieving heart, so that I should recall my sins."

The Prayer of St. Patrick

  

I arise today
Through the strength of heaven;
Light of the sun,
Splendor of fire,
Speed of lightning,
Swiftness of the wind,
Depth of the sea,
Stability of the earth,
Firmness of the rock.
 

I arise today
Through God's strength to pilot me;
God's might to uphold me,
God's wisdom to guide me,
God's eye to look before me,
God's ear to hear me,
God's word to speak for me,
God's hand to guard me,
God's way to lie before me,
God's shield to protect me,
God's hosts to save me

Afar and anear,
Alone or in a mulitude.

Christ shield me today
Against wounding
Christ with me, Christ before me, Christ behind me,
Christ in me, Christ beneath me, Christ above me,
Christ on my right, Christ on my left,
Christ when I lie down, Christ when I sit down,
Christ in the heart of everyone who thinks of me,
Christ in the mouth of everyone who speaks of me,
Christ in the eye that sees me,
Christ in the ear that hears me.
 

I arise today
Through the mighty strength

Of the Lord of creation 

St. Patrick prayer card

St. Patrick

St. Patrick icon

Happy St. Patrick's Day everyone!