Detours Along the Way to Heaven: Pictures, videos, and updates!

Is Lent already halfway through? I can't believe how fast the Advent season went and then Christmas came and went, and now we're already in to Lent approaching Easter! The focus of lent this year for me is a bit different than it usually is. Usually it's a matter of giving up something food related, but this year I'm trying to think outside the box in terms of penance and also trying to incorporate more of the spiritual aspect into my everyday household duties. If Our Lady could make being a wife and mother perfect by completing every chore, every duty for and with her family, with perfect charity, then that's something I would like to shoot for as well. In several books on motherhood that I've read, the vocation of a wife and mother is something that can be beautiful when done with perfect charity and in accordance with the will of God. This is something I think most of us know, but I've never thought of it in terms of having my own rule of life, just as someone in a convent or monastery would have. Instead of always feeling like I just need to get through the day to get to something else, I want to live every moment of the day as perfectly as I can and for God. Every little thing that happens throughout the day is an opportunity for me to offer some small sacrifice or penance to God. I find so much more joy in my everyday life when I view it in this way rather than it just being a chore or something that I dread. This is a goal I'd like to strive for at least!

Last month, my Lyme symptoms flared up pretty badly so I decided to take drastic measures. I decided to do a 30 day diet I knew to be pretty effective in fighting the Lyme bacteria which means I wasn't eating any grains, sugar of any type (except for that which is naturally in fruit), Dairy, many additives and preservatives that are chemically based, legumes, and limited nuts. So yeah, it was basically water, fruits, vegetables, meat and fish and some spices and herbs thrown in. It was actually quite nice to get down to the basics and appreciate the flavor of food rather than masking it with lots of sugar, sauces, and condiments. It was a hard 30 days, but really worth it as my symptoms definitely decreased and I'm feeling better than I was. Amazing what happens when you eat the way God intended, eh? Between the genetic mutation and the Lyme, my body just can't handle the toxins, GMOs, and other junk that is in a lot of our processed food nowadays.

Well there's a quick update on the Lyme...not much else has changed. I plan on weaning on breastfeeding in a couple months when I start Marcel on solids so I can start more rigorous Lyme treatment. Time to buckle down and get this thing taken care of!

Moving on! I have been just awful about updating the blog. For awhile it seemed like not a lot was happening and then all the sudden things picked up and I haven't had a lot of time to sit down and do up a post.

Our friend, Tess, was here for a week which was really nice and we both thoroughly enjoyed the company. I guess I'll continue with pictures and explain as I go. Onward!

One of only a couple snow storms we got this year. There's really nothing better than being all toasty warm inside, making dinner, and then looking outside and seeing Daddy and his buddy playing out in the snow. The view doesn't get any better than that! (they're with our landlord, by the way...she loves to play with William whenever she gets the chance!)

Mummy and the boys :)

Zenith was able to take Friday off when Tess was here so we took out library passes and went to the Children's Museum in Portsmouth. It was so much fun to see William interacting with things! He was just old enough to start appreciating everything. Of course any wheels that spun got the most attention from him. ;)

"choo choo!"

Sorry for the poor quality...we forgot out camera so the majority of these are from our phone.

Because most kids would rather play inside a box anyway!

Peek a boo!

On Sunday we were able to get another library pass to the Isabella Steward Gardner Museum in Boston. It's an old historic house that was owned by a woman who loved to collect all kinds of artwork. When she passed away, she left the house and all the artwork to the public, under the condition that nothing be changed. It has a beautiful indoor courtyard that made us all long for Spring!

And then there's this happy chap. :)

And other random photos...

Marcellus has already rolled over a few times and is becoming more content to just lay somewhere and watch all the goings on. He's a very happy boy and smiles at anything.

I'm really behind on videos but here is one from William's birthday of him opening his e-card from Nonno and Nonna.

Reading his Mother Goose book from Nonno and Nonna

Potty training! Sometimes you just have to watch a show to help things...move along. ;) And of course you need your brother for support. (He's actually pretty much potty trained now, woo hoo!)