Jesus Tree Project

I am so excited to post about a special project I've been working on with several of my homeschool mom friends! After reading blogs about families doing Lenten "Jesus Trees" (similar to the Advent "Jesse Tree" tradition), we decided to start this new tradition with our families.

A Jesus Tree begins on Ash Wednesday with a bare tree branch. Each day there is a Scripture reading about the life and ministry of Jesus and a corresponding ornament to add to the tree. There are ornament kits available for this, but all of the ornaments are made out of felt. We decided to try to make our own ornaments using a variety of materials and "real objects." At the invitation of my friend Emily, a committe of us embarked on the planning several weeks ago. Last night we gathered at a local library and put together 47 ornaments! We were there - working HARD -  until 11:00! But now we are all very excited about what we've accomplished. The ornaments are beautiful. We are ready to observe Lent in a special new way with our families.

Here are some pictures from our fun night of crafting. I wish I would have taken more shots of the elaborate set-up with various work stations. I was just too busy making all those ornaments! These are some busy, holy, crafty moms!



  

 Here is the document that each of the moms received to use as a guide for the Jesus Tree project:

 Here are the ornaments:

Day 1 - The Presentation (Two Doves)

Day 2 - Jesus' Hidden Life (Saw)

Day 3 - The Baptism of Jesus (Shell)

Day 4 - Jesus Tempted in the Desert (Small Container of Sand)

Day 5 - Miracle at Cana (Wooden Wine Jar)

Day 6 - Jesus Cleanses the Temple (Whip)

Day 7 - Sermon on the Mount (Origami Mountain)

Day 8 - Martha and Mary (Footstool)

Day 9 - Great Catch of Fish (Origami Fish)

Day 10 - Jesus Blesses the Children (Not pictured here - small frame with picture of our own children)

Day 11 - The Transfiguration (Decoupaged Image of Jesus' Transfiguration)

Day 12 - Curing of Ten Lepers (Bandaged Hand)

Day 13 - Jesus Quiets a Storm (Stuffed Felt Cloud/Lightning)

Day 14 - The Good Samaritan (Plastic Horse)

Day 15 - Jesus Walks on Water (Felt Water/Footprints)

Day 16 - Promise of the Eucharist (Chalice and Host Pin on Felt)

Day 17 - Lost Sheep and Good Shepherd (Wooden Sheep)

Day 18 - Jesus Feeds 5000 (Wooden Loaf and Fish)

Day 19 - Samaritan Woman at the Well (Bucket)

Day 20 - Cripple at the Pool (Mat)

Day 21 - Nicodemus Comes to Jesus (Decoupaged Dove)

Day 22 - Return of the Prodigal Son (Decoupaged Image)

Day 23 - Rich Man and Lazarus (Angel)

Day 24 - The Call of Matthew (Velvet Money Bag)

Day 25 - The Blind Man (Decoupaged Image)

Day 26  - The Man With the Withered Hand (Wooden Hand with Band-Aid)

Day 27 - The Centurian's Servant (Cocktail Sword)

Day 28 - Zaccheus (Tree) 

Day 29 - Peter Receives the Keys to Heaven (Small Key)

Day 30 - Widow's Son Brought Back to Life (Tear Drop Jewel)

Day 31 - A Coin for Caesar (Decoupaged Image of Roman Coin from 54 AD)

Day 32 - Lazarus Raised from the Dead (Pipe Cleaner/Gauze Mummy)

Day 33 - The Adultress (Gray Stones)

Day 34 - The Widow's Mite (Two Pennies Strung Together)

Day 35 - Woman Anoints Jesus' Feet (Foot Brad Attached to Felt)

Day 36 - The Rich Young Man (Gate to Heaven)

Day 37 - The Mother of James and John (Decoupaged Image of Throne)

Day 38 - Jesus' Entry Into Jerusalem (Palm)

Day 39 - Judas Takes 30 Silver Pieces (Burlap Money Bag)

Day 40 - Jesus Washes Disciples' Feet (Washbasin - Clear Bowl Filled with Clear Glue and Draped with Cloth)

Day 41 - The Last Supper (Chalice Pin on Felt)

Day 42 - Agony in the Garden (Decoupaged Image of Praying Hands)

Day 43 - Peter Denies Jesus (Wooden Rooster)

Day 44 - Pilate Presents Jesus to the People (Crown of Thorns)

Day 45 - Jesus is Crucified (Small Crucifix)

Day 46 - The Burial of Jesus (Draped Wooden Cross)

Day 47 - The Resurrection (Empty Clay Tomb)

Aren't they great? I can't believe we pulled them all together! I haven't shown them to my boys. I think that each morning during Lent they will "discover" the ornament for the day in a special box on our prayer table. Today we found this branch in the park:

This weekend's project will be to find a way to pot it.

Jessica at Shower of Roses uses the felt kit, which follows the same readings. She includes links to coloring pages for each day! You can find them by starting here . Thanks Jessica for the inspiration and hard work!

I will try to post our other plans for Lent (as soon as I get them finalized). Meanwhile, I'll be busy planning a little celebration for someone special who is truning 40 in a few days! Enjoy these days of Carnival, the last hoorah before the rigors of Lent!

What?

As I drift off to sleep, my mind often wanders to strange things. However, not once have I been thinking about something like THIS:

Me - Laying in Adam's bed helping him go to sleep.... silently saying some prayers.... thinking that he's probably asleep now.

Adam: "Mommy, is there ANYTHING that can bust down bricks?"

Me: "Um, yes,.... dynamite I guess."

Adam: "And bombs." SNORE.

WHAT? SERIOUSLY? I wanted to wake him up... just so that would not be his last thought of the day. What will he be dreaming about?

Add to that our dinnertime convesation:

Jon: "So boys, what did you learn about in homeschool today?"

(Note: We did Saint Joseph readings and coloring pages, phonics, handwriting, reading, Math, and began a study of South America.)

Ray: "Well, nothing really. But when we went on a bike ride there were guys playing basketball and I found an orange piece of chalk."

I surrender. I did the best I could today. Just another TOTALLY TERRIFIC TUESDAY! But, on the bright side, we did survive February! Farewell dreary blah long crazy depressing month! We're MARCHING forward toward Spring!

Maple Syrup Day

Today was a beautiful, warm day here in Central Ohio. It was the perfect day for our planned visit to Dawes Arboretum to learn about the process of making maple syrup. We have recently read about maple syrup making in Little House in the Big Woods and the boys were very excited to witness it first hand. The sap was really running on this sunny 50+ degree day.

Among the many things we learned are the facts that:

(1) It takes 40 gallons of sap to make one gallon of maple syrup.

(2) The syrup we usually buy contains ZERO percent of real maple syrup.

(3) It takes a lot of work to make maple syrup. That's why real maple syrup costs so much. BUT, the taste is amazing... so it looks like we'll have to find room in our grocery budget for the real thing from now on!

(4) Modern technology has helped make the syrup-making process easier than it was for the pioneers.

 In addition to learning about maple syrup, we had a wonderful time exploring the beautiful arboretum. It felt so good to be outside and feel the sunshine. The boys were so happy and free... running and playing outside! Here are some pictures from our fun family field trip:

 

  

Dawes has an amazing nature center for kids! In this picture the boys are looking at a beehive.



Bird-watching

 

Deer tracks!
The rain boots were DEFINITELY a good idea on this muddy day!

We actually got to sit and relax here for a long time while the boys played hide and seek among the trees.

We brought home a half pint of real maple syrup, made in Ohio!



Even though we had a different plan for dinner, the boys convinced us to make pancakes so we could enjoy the syrup. Jon is the BEST breakfast maker. He loves the new griddle my mom got him for Christmas!

                                  

Hooray for a great family day!

Sweet Anniversary Date Night

Yesterday Jon and I celebrated an anniversary.... It's been 100 months since we got married. We're silly like that. Jon is actually the one who reminds me every month on the 26th that it's our "anniversary." 100 months just felt like a big deal.

We pulled a double surprise on one another. Jon came home from work around 4:00. (It's tax season... so Saturdays are work days.) He brought roses. I acted surprised and asked him what the occasion was. He thought I forgot! When he reminded me what day it was, I told him, "I guess that's why we're going on a date in half an hour!" Early in the week I had arranged for a babysitter. Jon and I were able to go out to a favorite restaurant for a leisurely dinner and a glass of wine. To top it all off, we had a gift card! (Thanks Mom!) We really enjoyed it. I think the element of surprise made it even better than a planned date.

It's hard to believe that Jon and I have known each other for almost ten years already. Time flies when you're having fun... and having kids and working and maintaining a household.... We have another anniversary coming up on Tuesday. March 1st is the day that Jon proposed to me, using a great big box of "gifts" to "pop the question." It contained something old, something new, something borrowed, and something blue... and a bag of carrots (as a joke... play on the word "karats).... and a beautiful diamond ring.

Sometimes I still can't believe how God brought us together at exactly the right time... after many years of discernment, heartbreak and loneliness for both of us. I still thank God for the gift of Jon. We continue to learn and practice how to love one another faithfully and fully. Marriage is truly an awesome and challenging adventure. It is our vocation to love one another and allow our love to mirror God's love, to reflect God's love to our children and to all we meet. In these days when the Sacrament and vocation of marriage is being more and more disparaged and desecrated, the call to marriage feels like a radical challenge. Yes, it can be difficult and full of sacrifices, but it's also grace-filled and joyous and intimate and fulfilling. I pray tonight for all marriages. May all married people tap into the lavish graces of the Sacrament so that they may live faithfully and fully their commitment of love, especially during the times that may feel dry, difficult, boring, lonely, or tiresome. May we remember God's faithfulness and may we have the courage to love our spouse through all of life's ups and downs.

It may seem silly to celebrate 100 months of marriage, but it's little things like that that help keep our relationship going. Day by day, month by month, year by year.... it's the adventure of a lifetime!

Kicking the Habit

Well, I'm 10 days Diet Coke-free. (Applaud here please.) 

Yes, I listed it FIRST in my list of favorite things in this post. But I've FINALLY given it up now.

I honestly can't remember a day since I had Adam (almost five years) when I didn't have Diet Coke. It makes me sick to think of all the money spent on it over the years. And that's nothing compared to what it has done to my body and my metabolism. And the landfills too, I suppose.

I've never even tried coffee. I'm just not a "hot drinks person." My routine is was starting the day with a big glass or bottle of Diet Coke. Another one around 10:00. Another one at lunch. Another one late afternoon. And sometimes more in the evening. I completely relied on the caffeine jolt. It moved beyond a preference and a habit into a complete addiction. I had to have it on hand at all times.

I knew it wasn't good for me. I wanted to stop drinking it, but it had become the "elixir of life" for me. I just couldn't imagine a day without it. Then, one day a few weeks ago, a big bottle of Diet Coke appeared on the news page of my internet provider. The headline warned of a 48% increased risk of strokes for people who drink diet soda every day. I couldn't even bring myself to read the full article. (My brother-in-law has declared that the study had to be done by the orange juice growers just to take business away from the cola giants.) I knew that I needed to stop. The boys were doing schoolwork at the table and saw the picture. I told them about it. Adam immediately made it his mission in life to make me stop drinking Diet Coke. (I think one of his motives was that he hates the way my breath smells when I drink it.)

And so I stopped. I took a few days to wean myself, waiting later and later in the day to drink any. And then, last Thursday, I didn't drink any Diet Coke. And I lived to tell about it. (More applause please.) I did have headaches for almost a solid week. I bought Gatorade and Propel Water and went for Cherry Limeade at Sonic. I'm sure I was grumpy. I just had to keep myself distracted. I've now gotten to the point where I'm fine with water most of the day and I have a glass or two of iced tea in the afternoon.

I feel free. I don't even have the desire to drink Diet Coke at this point. However, I know that another way I've coped over these past ten days is by eating more sweets than usual, especially chocolate. So now I need to bring that under control. (Lent is quickly approaching, so that will be my Lenten resolution.) But the most significant thing for me is that I KNOW I CAN DO IT. I AM DOING IT. I have trudged through so many years knowing I SHOULD stop drinking Diet Coke and that I SHOULD eat better and exercise more and lose weight. I feel like I am now finally taking steps in the right direction. I have made it through 10 days without Diet Coke and I have not only survived, but I feel better. (My sister has also given it up. We are planning to buy keychains or something when we get to 30 days... just like AA!) And so I feel free and confident and proud. I am happy to be taking some steps toward better health.

As much as I am jokingly asking for applause in this post.... and telling you my coping strategies, I have to note that it's only in trusting in God that any of us can get past our human struggles and addictions. It's humbling for me to realize that I have gone days without REALLY praying, but not a single day without Diet Coke. When we get out of balance and our habits start to "own" us, we are not putting our lives in God's hands. We are choosing to do things our way, clinging to the things we have power to control, instead of living as people of faith with Jesus as the center and control of our lives. I know that an addiction to Diet Coke may pale in comparison to struggles many people face, but I came to the point where I realized it was controlling me. And I had to turn my heart back to God.

Please pray for me in this endeavor. And if there is a similar habit/addiction holding you back from living fully and freely, take a step today toward letting it go. Know that you are not alone. Let's pray today for one another as we embrace the call to be God's mirrors.... reflections of His image.... the people God wants us to be.

Happy Birthday Friend!

Nineteen years ago I met the COOLEST lady I know! As a student teacher I was assigned to her third grade classroom. We had a wonderful time teaching together and dreaming up big, crazy projects to do with the children. She loved teaching and loved her students. They had fun everyday. She really became my mentor and role model.

Since then, we have been on many crazy adventures together. Even though she was retired and had raised her own children, she came to service camp with the youth group I led. She drove a great big van (and loved every minute of it), short-sheeted beds, and sang and danced and whooped and hollered a bunch! We've been on holy retreat together several times. "What happens at "Saint Meinrad's stays at Saint Meinrad's"... ;) We've put green stuff and cucumbers on our faces as part of "spa night." (I can't believe I lost that picture.) She gave me my famous "GANGSTA" ring on my 40th birthday. She wears sequins and big fancy rings to lots of special events. Her favorite holiday is Easter, when the "DFEB" comes for a visit! But most significantly, she is a "GOSPEL VALUES" gal!

She tries to appear very refined, but she is a wild and fun lady and I'm so happy to call her my friend. Today she celebrates a BIG birthday! The boys and I blew up a whole bunch of balloons. We went with another friend and surprised the birthday girl. We had a fun little visit, including birthday donuts.

There are some people who really celebrate and enjoy life. They remind us of God's great, wild love for us and the preciousness of each day. Join me today in wishing one of them a happy, happy birthday and many more years filled with blessings, surprises, and fun!

A New Phase!

Last night Ray read Goodnight Moon to Jon before bed. It's very exciting to hear him read to us, especially this beloved story which we read so very many times to him in his first years. Ray has really taken great strides in his reading abilities in the past several weeks. He gets it! He's doing it! He's loving it! He's finally starting to show interest in reading all the written words around him... signs, cereal boxes, magazines, and story books. I feel like we have a "really big boy" in our family now. I'm very proud of him and I'm looking forward to all the reading we'll continue doing together.