Twenty-third Wedding Anniversary!

Today is my hubby and I's 23rd Wedding Anniversary! Wow, does time ever fly by!

I had just graduated college in December, and he had just been PCSed with the Army to West Berlin. We did have to go ahead and get married by a Justice of the Peace, back in November '86, so that the paperwork could be started for me, so that Mike could have me brought overseas right away, and could look for housing for us. We continued to plan our wedding, which was to take place on February 28th. It took some doing, but we were lucky his 1st Sergeant was a great Texas guy, so he let my hubby have leave, so soon after arriving in West Berlin. My mother was really sweating bullets over that one. LOL! Mike arrived safe and sound though, in time for the wedding.

We had a beautiful Nuptial Mass, with three priests concelebrating. I had the priest that baptised me, Monsignor McManus, the priest that had concelebrated at my Confirmation (and our previous parish priest) Father O'Callaghan, and our parish priest at the time, Father Vance. It was such a lovely Mass. Many of my dear old great-aunts were saying it was the most Catholic wedding they had been to in years. That meant a lot to me, as that is what I really wanted.

So, now we fast-forward to today, 23 years and two beautiful children later, and we are so blessed! Our 14 year old daughter and 10 year old son are doing everything they can to make our day special today. We wouldn't dream of celebrating it without them.

The Simple Woman's Daybook~February 23rd Edition

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FOR TODAY – February 23nd, 2010

Outside my Window….sleet, snow flurries, and wet slop on the ground. None of it's going to stick, at least where we are, just lots of mud. I'll be glad when the sun's back. :)

Thinking…about what the list I need to make for all the spring cleaning we need to do around here. There will be lots that needs to be done this year, and I don't want to forget something.

Thankful for…that my hubby made it home safely from work tonight, with the weather so nasty.

From the kitchen…chicken in the chips (a mix of cut-up cooked chicken, sour cream, cream of chicken soup, salsa, chipotle corn chips and mexican cheese mix), baked in the oven, spanish rice and cornbread.

Faith and learning…CCE classes continue, with both of my children loving every minute of them. Our school here at home is humming along, after being in a huge slump. I am seriously thinking of changing my daughter's math program though, as this one is just not working out for her.

Creating…lovely Lenten journals being made by my children.

Planning…our ongoing de-cluttering, laundry, school, and as mentioned above, spring cleaning.

Wearing…denim capri pants, short-sleeved striped knit shirt, and my slippers.

Reading…The Private World of Tasha Tudor by Tasha Tudor, Richard Brown & Barbara Werden

Praying…we have so many friends, here and online, in need of our prayers. Our own prayer needs are for our septic system to continue to behave, and for a long-awaited promotion at work to happen for my hubby.

Hearing…the sounds of my daughter in the kitchen, putting the finishing touches on our dinner for tonight. What a blessing it is, to have such a great helper!

Around the house…de-cluttering is continuing, and we are looking toward spring, and all the work needing to be done, both inside and outside the house. We can't wait though, as we have grown tired of the dreary cold.

One of my favorite things…is starting to see the trees outside starting to bud, and the birds all starting to get busy, despite the occasional cold day. We'll have spring starting in earnest within the next couple of weeks.

Here’s a picture thought I am sharing with you…
A good bit of the men who participated in the men's ACTS Retreat that our church had this past Thursday through Sunday. What a blessing it was for all of the men, as well as their families! This picture was taken in our Family Life Center.

Small Successes, Vol. 55 - Always Forward

Always Forward- Small Successes vol. 55

1. We're getting off to a great start on the 40 Bags in 40 Days Lenten Challenge.

2. We actually got around to getting a lot of the leaves cleaned out of our above ground pool and it's looking pretty good!

3. We cooked some chicken in the crockpot, with some wonderful seasonings, and now have some delicious chicken broth all ready to go for chicken soup later. I've wanted to be able to put some chicken broth up for some time now, and kept forgetting about it.

The Simple Woman's Daybook~February 16th Edition

FOR TODAY... from Peggy's Daybook

Outside my window...beautiful, glorious sunshine!

I am thinking...what a great day this is going to be!

I am thankful for... my husband taking time off this week to be with us, and to take part in a men's retreat our church is sponsoring.

I am wearing...short-sleeved green knit shirt, denim capris, barefoot

I am remembering...what a lovely Valentine's Day I had, and that my daughter had.

I am going...to really try to make this season of Lent a time of reflection and sacrifice.

I am currently reading...The Heart of Motherhood: Finding Holiness in the Catholic Home by Donna-Marie Cooper O'Boyle

I am hoping... we achieve our 40 Bags in 40 Days for Lent.

On my mind... not letting up on our schedule, even though this time of year we're always losing steam.

Noticing that...it is so very beautiful outside, and I need to get out there.

In the schoolroom...great progress is being made in the reading department, our biggest challenge (hard for two parents who love reading, but who had two math whizzes for children).

From the kitchen... wonderful omelets, sausage and toast, courtesy of my wonderful hubby!

Around the house... we're taking it somewhat easy today, enjoying the wonderful sunshine outside.

One of my favorite things...hearing the sounds of my children having a wonderful time outside!

From my picture journal...
Picture my daughter took of one of the swamps near our house. She used the negative setting on her phone to take it.

Small Successes, Vol. 54 - Small But Steady Progress

Small But Steady Progress - Small Successes vol. 54

1. We finally managed to get all the wood we had laying about our carport up onto the racks my husband built for it.

2. We're almost finished cleaning-up/out our laundry room/pantry. It has been sorely needing it!

3. We are continuing the decluttering, which is a big help to making the house look better. We are also going to be doing the 40 bags in 40 days Lent challenge.

Small Successes, Vol. 53 - How Do You Spell Awesome? M-O-M!

How Do You Spell Awesome? M-O-M!, Small Successes vol. 53

I'm a day late this week, due to our celebrating our daughter's 14th birthday!

1. We had a wonderful time celebrating our daughter's 14th birthday yesterday! She has grown into such a lovely lady and we are so proud of her.

2. We have been keeping up with the laundry. It's not finished yet, but we are staying on it.

3. The decluttering is continuing, and the we are reaping the rewards. We gain not only more space in the house, therefore reducing stress; but we also are gaining monetary rewards as we sell what we can of what we are getting rid of.

My daughter's cake (baked by her boyfriend's sweet mother), and the lovely flowers and gifts they gave her.

The Simple Woman's Daybook~Welcome to February!

FOR TODAY... from Peggy's Daybook

Outside my window...a warm, 70 degree day!

I am thinking...how blessed I am.

I am thankful for... my dear husband and precious children.

I am wearing...short-sleeved striped knit shirt, denim capris, barefoot

I am remembering...the fun time my children had skating last night.

I am going...be busy this week, as my daughter's 14th birthday is Thursday.

I am currently reading...Tasha Tudor's Garden by Tovah Martin

I am hoping... to continue decluttering and organizing things.

On my mind... hoping we can get our septic tank working better.

Noticing that...there just never seem to be enough hours in the day.

In the schoolroom...hard at work, learning lots of new things every day.

From the kitchen... yummy spaghetti!

Around the house... everyone relaxing after a hard day's work.

One of my favorite things...warm days in February!

From my picture journal...

My daughter's sweet dog, being harassed by my husband and children.