Make-Up Link-Up

I don't know about you but I rarely wear make-up in the summer.  Mainly because half the time it sweats off a few hours after application but also because summer is just meant to be more laid back which for me equals no make up.

With summer to a close and the brisk fall days beginning I thought it would be fun to do a "Daily Make-Up Link Up." Ladies, show us the make up that you wear every day.  Tell us why you love it or ask for advice on finding something even better. This isn't meant to be anything deep, just a fun post about how you doll up your face each morning.  Just put on some chapstick every morning?  Thats ok, tell us about it?  We can leave lotions, cleansers, and potions for another day.  I want to know, do you have a stand by brand of mascara?, loyal to one foundation?, titter toter between 5 eyeshadows?  Can't wait to see what everyone is putting on their faces.

Rules:
1.  Please link back to this post.
2.  Please include this picture in your post.

3.  The link up will be open from September 30th until October 14th.  

An InLinkz Link-up

WIWS (Vol. 30)

I think my WIWS posts might become farther and farther inbetween.  Not that I don't love to participate and see what everyone else has on but I just don't want to show you crappy Iphone photos taken in less than great lighting. Welcome to dorm living.  But this week I will show you what I wore Sunday. 

I have worn this skirt before here and I said that I didn't know what to pair it with and you guys gave me so many helpful hints. So what do you think about this?

The details:

Top: Chambry from Old Navy (I swear it is less wrinkly in person than it is perceived in the picture.)

Skirt:  TJ Maxx/Marshalls

Shoes:  The $19.99 nude heels from Payless

So I often use one of my household sister's curling wand but she had a moment this week, just like the youtube video, and a piece of her hair burned off.  Apparently the whole wing smelled.  So instead I used a combination of someone else's larger wand and my roommates curling iron.  Needless to say I ordered a wand for myself from Target this morning.  

So you want to know the really exciting news?  I am going to have my Make-Up Link-Up up tomorrow Monday September 30 and will keep it up until October 9th so that you have two weeks to post about your make up routine.  If you want to post but can't during that time let me know and I will be more than happy to keep it up longer.  I hope as many people join as possible so that we can all get make-up tips.  Promote it in your Five Favorites, on your gram and with your 7 Quick Takes!!

NAS: NFP

Two weeks in a row linking up to the Not Alone Series hosted at Follow and Believe.    Thanks for the great topic! I never got around to contributing to NFP week so I am excited to have another chance to put my two cents in about NFP. (Enjoy my many memes :) )

First a disclaimer.  This is not meant to be a post trying to say why the Catholic Church teaches against artificial contraceptives or how NFP works.  So if you are reading this wanting to know either of those two things I can't claim that I can speak clearly enough to answer you.  This instead is about my relationship with NFP now and over the years.

When I first started learning about Natural Family Planning (NFP) in youth group I quickly decided that that it was weird and it was just going to be one of those things I didn't agree with the Church about.  Oh how young, naive and lost I was.   However as I learned more and more about the truth of our human sexuality, the sacrament of marriage, and NFP I couldn't help but fall deeper in love with the Church and the Truth it proclaims.

As a nursing major at a passionately Catholic school I have learned so much about the science AND theology of NFP.  When I graduate I plan on becoming a Creighton Model Practitioner because we need more individuals who are trained to teach NFP to single women and couples so that NFP can be more accessible.

Personally I try to chart using the MyFertilityMD app but I am not good at consistency.  I try to chart both so that I am more comfortable with my own cycles and fertility but also so that I can be prepared to begin my Practitioner education.  However, I am not always good about charting and I NEED to get better about that. (Ladies hold me to it!)

There is so much more I could say about NFP-Pope Paul IV's encyclical Humanae Vitae, the dignity that it gives women, the trust it brings to marriage, the mind set about seeing children as gifts from God and the fact that you aren't filling your body with harmful chemicals.  Oh I could go on and on. However could I suggest that you go visit 1Flesh.  It is a great website that answers questions and encourages and inspire those who already accept the truth of human sexuality, and so much more. At 1Flesh you can learn so much more than I could ever say.   If you want to know more information please comment, google and seek out more information.

I want to end this post with this great quote @Carrots for Michaelmas I stumbled upon after I began writing this post.  I just love that last line and it inspires me so much for the future and the gift of future children.  I think some of you will also like it. 

   "When Baby 3 arrives someday (hopefully), we’ll need a new vehicle because three car seats won’t fit in the back seat of our Camry. But if we believe that God became man and dwelt among us, died for us and was resurrected, surely we can trust that he can get us a van… "

7QT (Vol.19)

I

Sorry for anyone who follows me on Instagram and follows my blog, you get a double update on what is going on in my life.

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Let me start with last week.  Last Friday I went to a Pirates game with some household sisters.  Always great to enjoy America's past time on a beautiful evening with a beer in your hand and surrounded by friends.

--- 2 ---

The next morning I was headed home for the weekend.  I asked my mom what our plans were for the weekend.  I think she was excited for me to come home. 

--- 3 ---

The reason I came home was for a kids' birthday party including celebrating my goddaughter's 1st Birthday (though she is only 9 months old).  Ok you can't deny it she is gorgeous.

--- 4 ---

This week's topic in the Not Alone Series was about our Fave Momma Bloggers.  Want to know mine?  Check it out here.

--- 5 ---

I had my first quiz yesterday in Advanced Med Surg on ECG interpretation.  I am very happy to say I got a 95% and don't have to spend the beginning of the semester anxious and hanging out around the pass/fail 80% line.  Yippee!!

--- 6 ---

Today, after I pick up my brother in Pittsburgh I am traveling to Columbus for my fifth and final wedding of the year.  My cousin is marrying a wonderful woman Allison who has already been a part of our family for so long.  My poor mom has been running around like crazy making sure all of us and my grandma had their outfits taken care of. 

--- 7 ---

Don't you hate it when you cannot for the life of you remember the last thing you were going to write about? Yeah, me too.

For more Quick Takes, visit Conversion Diary!

NAS: Fave Momma Blogs

Oh my goodness have I not blogged for over a week!?!

I have been pretty absent from the Not Alone Series these past few weeks.  I have been trying to adjust to life back at school and to be honest, I didn't really have anything interesting or unique to say about the topics.  But comment on my favorite mom blogs and feel slightly creepy, oh I am all in.

Mom blogs can be hilarious, a great source of inspiration, and have great recipes and homemaking tips that I just can't pass up.  However, I am careful to not spend too much time reading too many of these blogs because too often it can make me long for that life rather than fully living in my current single state of life.    But don't get me wrong, I have me some fave momma blogs.

Everyone loves her, Grace @ Camp Patton.  I have a particular foundness since her alma mater is my current place of learning, just sayin'.  Sometimes when I read some of her posts I am literally left laughing out loud.

Another favorite is Mary @ Passionate Perseverance.  She has daughter my age with special needs.  Reading her blog reminds me that life doesn't always go as planned but there is always grace and blessings to be found.

On our Christian radio station in Cleveland, one of the morning talk show hosts in a beautiful mother of four boys and adopted girl from Poland (side note: The girl and I look so similar, I am guessing it is because we are both 100% polish) (side side note:  They are a classic story of struggling with secondary infertility, decide to adopt, get pregnant during process.)  She is Catholic and is gifted at integrating just enough of her Catholic beliefs into a Christian radio station without sounding holier than thou or pushing her beliefs on others.  She doesn't blog often but when she does it is a gem.  I nearly freaked out one day when she liked one of my instagram posts.  Brooke Taylor blogs @The Sacred Sink.

Once a Franny, always a Franny.  I think that is why I like Colleen so much.  Her and her husband went to and met at Franciscan and I love when she unintentionally gives advice about life after Franciscan.  Even more exciting, they are expecting another baby!  Colleen blogs @Martin Family Moments.

Ok one more- Sarah @Amongst Lovely Things.  She fills her blog with stunning pictures, recently had twin boys, is a homeschooler who keeps her cool, and lives life trusting in the Lord.   Any other reasons to go over and  fall in love with her blog?

Five.  That is a good number round number.  Get excited, I plan on contributing to the next 5 topics in the Not Alone Series.  

Tag

I was super excited when Jen tagged me for a informal Question and Answer thingie.  Why not inform you readers about random things about me so here we go.

The first section is 11 random facts about me. 

1. I haven't drunken a glass of milk in probably at least 8 years.
2. If I could magically be good at any sport it would be swimming. 
3. My favorite non alcoholic drink to order at a restaurant is soda water.  
4. I went to three weddings three weekends in a  row this summer. 
5. I have "had" three cars in the past 7 years-a green Lumina, a red Saturn (that is now my brother's car) and I currently drive a baby blue CRV.
6. My middle name is Marie and my confirmation name is Angela. 
7. I have had 10 roommates in the past four years including half a semester living alone.  
8. I don't like eating raw peppers and cucumbers give me super bad indigestion.
9. If I could choose one chore to never have to do again it would be pumping gas.
10. I am really self conscious about my genetically pudgy upper arms. 
11. I really really don't like caring for patients that are on ventilators.  

Next up is questions that Jen asked.

1. If you could go to ANY country RIGHT NOW, where would you go?  So I really haven't talked about this yet on the bloggity but I am dreaming about hiking the Camino in Spain next summer.  Dreaming and determined to make it a reality.  If I could be in any country right now I would be in Spain hiking the camino for a month. 
2. Are you a toilet paper up or down kinda person?  Defiantly down. 
3. Fave Catholic speaker?  Hmm this is one is hard.  I have speakers like Scott Hahn and Chris Padgett as professors so that has completely changed my perspective of them.  I think I would have to say Mark Hart, the Bible Geek.  He is incredibly engaging, passionate for truth, and always has some good stories to intertwine in his talks. 
4. Do you like Facebook or Twitter better?  Don't have a Twitter and love me some Facebook. 
5. What is one or two pieces of jewelry you wear everyday?  My rings and my earrings....and my scapular.  Everyday I wear my scapular.  I also wear my claudaugh ring and purity ring.  In addition I always at least wear my diamonds in my second ear and normally my pearl studs but sometimes I get fancy and wear earrings instead of my pearls. 
6. Describe your perfect sandwich.  It would have to include a toasted pretzel bun.  It would also be awesome if it had turkey, a strong cheese, onions, spinach and some sort of dressing. 
7. Would you rather drive, fly or take a train somewhere? The train takes me back to when I spent a semester abroad in Austria but flying reminds me of my two trips to Haiti so it is hard to decide.  Defiantly not driving, I actually really don't like driving at all.  
8. Beach or snow?  Beach, however I am a midwest girl who loves her some seasons but if I had to choose it would be beach.
9. Fave thing about your home?  I am going to go with my parent's home that I lived in my whole life.  I love where it is located, we leave in this awesome area that is right on the cusp of straight up country (read Amish, corn fields, miles between houses)  and mediocre country (read a few acres but more land than a typical suburb).  I love that I am only ever a half hour away from a Target but minutes from Amish fresh baked goods and produce. 
10. What do you think about tattoos? Would you get one?  I really don't like tattoos. I agree with my parents on this one when they say "tattoos are a permanent reminder of a temporary emotion."  I just don't like how tattoos look and I always hate when girls are dressed all nicely, even in their wedding dress, and they have this huge butterfly on their shoulder, or words down their arm or flower on their ankle.  So I think my answer is no I would not get one. 
11. If you were going to go out with your girlfriends... what would you want to do?  Dinner? Drinks? Dancing?  Drinks but really ideally dinner and drinks.  Their is just something so fun about drinks with the girls. 

Next up is the questions I am asking those who I tag.  Excpet I am kind-of cheating and not tagging anyone in particular but anyone who wants to do it however I really hope Maggie does it. 

1. If you could eat only one food for the rest of your life what would it be?
2. Comb or brush?
3. Favorite memory of childhood?
4. What was you summer job in high school and college?
5. Fruit cold or room temperature?
6. Do you put lotion on everyday?
7. Current guilty pleasure TV show?
8. Coffee or tea?
9. At this exact moment what are you wearing?
10. Do you like to be toasty or chilly when sleeping?
11. What kind of car do you currently drive?

Haiti 2013: Part 4

Found this in my drafts and I don't know how it never made it to published....

The posts about Haiti continue.  If you haven't read the other parts yet I encourage you to go back and read parts 1, 2, and 3 so that you can get a more complete picture of the trip.

One of the missions of our trip was to do house visits to the sick elderly so that we could pray for and with them and bring them vitally important food that they might otherwise have no way to obtain.  The elderly in Haiti are not treated as they ought, often forgotten about and not taken care of.  A common mindset is, "I barely have enough food to feed my starving children why should I feed my grandma who is going to die soon anyway."  The terrible thing is, even if the mission brings them food these elderly people's family won't help them cook it, sweep for them, or do much needed things like fix their leaking roof.

The woman in the following picture, her roof was leaking and she would sleep soaking wet.  Her son lives not 10 yards from her and won't even come down and visit with her let along help her out.  For some reason it was this woman that most captured my heart.   I let the picture speak for itself.

We visited a number of old people.  They were filled with joy that a group of young people cared enough to come to see them saying they wished they had coffee or fried food to offer us.  We prayed with many of them seeking Christ's protection and healing power.  

Katie, the long term missionary, translated for us, their words of thanks.  This woman in the picture below I met last year and it was a privilege to be able to see her again and this year she looked healthier and younger.  

Some of the old people we visited could only lay in bed, or should I say straw mat on the floor, all day.  They touched me so much partially because they are my patients, they just live in a very different country in which medical intervention is not even a thought.  They more than likely have many of the same health problems.  

Five Favorites: Back to School

I moved back to school a little over a week ago and it is no secret that I attend Franciscan University of Steubenville (you just can't keep something like that a secret!).  What better way to celebrate another Wednesday than sharing with the bloggity world five favorites about being back at school. 

One.

When Franciscan first became what we call today passionately Catholic all sports were cut (You can read more about this change in Fr. Mike's book).  Since, they have reintroduced sports back into the University but this time with the idea that we play for an audience of one and also evangelization.  One way that we accomplish this is that after every game, win or lose, the caption of our team goes over to the other team and asks them to pray.  From talking to captions, the look of shock on the other team is sometimes priceless.  The teams circle up, kneel and pray.  What a powerful witness to the fact that there still are young adults that live passionate faith.  This is just another example why I am so thankful that my money and time is invested in this University.

Two.

My roommate and I created a mega bed in our room.  You know, our two beds pushed together in the middle of the room. We love it.  I realized just how much I liked it when I was sitting on my bed one afternoon on my computer and gradually three of my sisters came in and before you knew it all four of us were side by side talking and growing in our sisterhood.  This is why I am so glad that I am back into the dorms, there is no replacement for sisterhood.

Three.

I love having people to go running with right down the hall from me.  Sometimes we even accidentally color coordinate.  While I love having the people to run with. the Steubenville hills are no so much my favorite. 

Four. 

Even though I don't take advantage of it near as often as I ought, how could it not be my favorite that each dorm has a chapel in it with the Blessed Sacrament always present. When I go to bed I often think of Jesus in this building just a couple of floors down.  Even more blessed, I can walk no more than 5 minutes and the Eucharist is exposed in Perpetual Adoration in the Portiuncula.  If we really truly really believed wouldn't we live our life so differently?

Five.

Another favorite-being back home.  This is my fifth year coming to Franciscan University.  This is my home and it feels so good to be back in a place where I love being.  And I know just how blessed I am to be here for another year.

I hope I took some Franciscan alumns down memory lane or at least made college graduates reminiscent of their college days.  Can't wait to check out some other favorites.

WIWS (Vol. 18)

U

This weekend was the craziest of crazy weekends.  They keep opening weekend at Franciscan jam packed with activities.  Friday was Household Life Mass, Saturday morning Household Olympics, Saturday night FOP and my household, Regina Angelorum, sponosered a End of Summer Greenout Beach Bash.  

It was my first time competing in the Olympics and it was great to be outside all day sweating like crazy putting all your heart into crab soccer, 9 legged races and milking fake cows.  It  made it all the sweeter that one of our four teams won first place for women's.

Our dance was a ragging success.  

Now onto Sunday.  Mass in the morning off campus, met my family at Ikea for a visit and came back to campus for a BBQ and Rugby Rukus.  I know you all came here for the blow by blow of my weekend but I thought hey why not also throw my mirror selfies into the mix for fun.  

What did I wear Sunday?

Dress: crazy clearance at Kohl's

Belt: Goodwil

Shoes: Payless

Sweater:  Cardigan already removed before the picture was taken but in case you were worried pink from The Limited. 

And did you notice? I went crazy and curled my hair.  It was the first time I did it with a wand and I really liked the way it turned out.  You will defiantly be seeing that again.