Week in My Life

Well over at Team Whitaker, Kathryn is hosting a #weekinmylife link up and being the nosy-in-other-people's-daily-extraordinary-ordinary lives I was happy to join the party.  Technically you were supposed to do a post a day for the week but all these busy moms are showing me up.  In the meantime this single lady who just works a 40 work week is going to do one lump post.

Before I jump into Monday lets back up a bit.  I worked Friday night from 7p-3a, drove to Cleveland and got to my parents house about 5am and slept until 9ish, woke up and got ready for a 11 o'clock wedding.  The wedding was a beautiful extraordinary form Latin High Mass.  After Mass, I grabbed lunch with my parents, we went back and slept for two hours and then moved over to cocktails and appetizers at about 5:30.  That night I slept at my parents house but had to for leave at 8am in order to work from 11a-7p.  I got off work about 7:30 and went to adoration before Mass at 9.  I tell you all this because I went into my Monday running on a less than ideal amount of sleep.

#livingmyfiat The Bride and I.  Made all the sleepiness worth it.

So Monday.  As part of my job we have class every Monday.  On this Monday I had class from 8-4:30.  We learned about the hospital's Pitocin protocol, video conferenced in the for the systemwide Ebola meeting, and learned a bit about epidurals from the chief of anesthesia.  I can't even remember what I had for dinner on Monday but I am sure I crashed pretty hard.

When I was eating my morning breakfast and reading scripture I noticed this and laughed.  Life as a Catholic nurse. Spread the Gospel not communicable diseases.  

Tuesday I worked 7-3.  I wish I could tell you lots about my job but, well, HIPPA.  I can tell you I had some of my favorite patients and the day went well.  I paid my credit card, set up my student loan payments and sent some money to NET ministries so I remember feeling like I just spent a whole lot of money.

I also had dinner with two of my friends from work.  You want to hear this crazy.  The first two girls I met at my job were friends in high school with my roommate from last year!  It is such a small small world.  We want to periodically go out to dinner and try restaurants that none of us have been to.  It was an enjoyable evening venting and sharing our jobs.  As a bonus we found a restaurant with some great fries!

Wednesday wasn't all that different expect I know I made pasta and garlic bread for dinner and that I went to bed about 8:30.  When I was falling asleep at 8 I just gave up.

I posted this on the 'gram asking how many of these my fellow nurses eat.  I found out that I am pretty sure the nurses eat more of these than the patients do.  

Wednesday was also the three year anniversary of me intenting to my household.  This is the actual day three years ago.  What a crazy adventure and blessing it has been.  I love people's reactions.  

Thursday was my first of two days off.  Ahh deep breath.  Because I went to bed so early I woke up about 6:30.  Still sleeping in compared to my usual 5am wake-up.  I started the morning with some french press coffee and pumpkin pancakes from Trader Joe's.  I putzed around on the computer before I finally convinced myself to work out.

Putzing and crocheting

My working out wasn't my normal run, but Soul Core Yoga.  I will do a full review once I do it a few more times but already I can tell you it will be a rave.  Want to combine prayer and exercise in a very really, concrete way?  Soul Core Yoga is the answer.  As you are doing various yoga poses the leader also guides you through praying the rosary. In addition, the work out is perfect-challenging without being impossible.  Right now I only have only bought the Luminous mysteries but I will be buying other mysteries!

Shower followed before I walked to Mass.  Once again I was probably the youngest person there by at least half a century.  Came back home and made myself a lunch of an egg, bacon, and cheese sandwich.  Next I went to Target to look for a garmet rack that they said they only sold in online but with nothing else to do why not make a trip to Target.  They in fact only sell it online but I did come out of the store with two tunics that I think will get tons of use this winter, a Minnie Mouse costume for my Goddaughter, and some Christmas gifts.  I get to check out and realized I left my wallet on the couch.  The very kind cashier suspends my order, I run home and grab my wallet (of course there is construction) and come back.  The only reason I only actually went through all that trouble was because I still had two more stops (and lets be honest I really liked my purchases).  Next up was Trader Joe's to grab some yummies and pick up some produce for my bro.  Finally I had to go pick up stuff for the Color Run.  Unfortunately I signed up for it before I knew my work schedule and I am working the day of the run but I wanted to pick it up because I still might sell it or at least I get a free t-shirt out of it.   The idiot I am didn't know the pick-up location was on the other side of the tunnel so I sat in the beginning of rush hour traffic.  At least it gave me an opportunity for patience.

I got home, made hamburgers, laid around and watched Gilmore Girls before I went to bed.  I would call that a successful day off. 

Now you want a donut.....sorry. 

Friday morning after getting confused about what time it was I headed to Steubenville, an hour later than I had planned due to said confusion but hey we roll with the punches.  I had already enjoyed a delicious donut at the donut shop I had finally tried out down the street.  After noon Mass at Franciscan I had lunch with a friend and spent the afternoon at the house of the family who I babysat since I was a freshman in college.  I had missed them so and it is always crazy to see how much all the kids have grown.

After dinner, I headed back onto campus for a talk by one of my graduated household sisters about porn and the overwhelming love and mercy of Christ.  She works for the Culture Project (that picture of the two red heads, household sister and household brother, I am a lucky woman) and spends her days traveling to middle schools, high schools and colleges spreading the chastity message.  Before heading back to Pittsburgh, I caught up with another household sister who was in town for a few days.  We lamented and celebrated all the struggles and joys of life on the otherside-after graduating from Franciscan.   How good it is for the soul to spend a day bathed in the richness of genuineness.

Kuddos to all of you who made it to the end of this long winded post.  My weeks can be all over the place but I am blessed to be living the life I have been given, to be living my fiat.

Regina Angelorum: 20 years of Sisterhood

This past weekend my household, Regina Angelroum, celebrated 20 years of sisterhood.  If you didn't go to Franciscan University, you just can't understand housholds.  I don't mean to be exclusive but you just can't completely understand them unless you have lived with them.  They aren't really a sorority/fraternity, an accountability group, or a prayer group.  They are so much more.

We are bounded by a covenant that calls us on to greater holiness.  We are sisters for life, long after we have left the hill.  We wear matching sweatshirts like a toddler carries around their blankie.  We have crazy stories of shenanigans that should never be repeated....or we should tell them everyday just so that we can achieve those six pack abs.  Our prayer is powerful.  Our devotion is strong.  Our fasting changes lives.

Celebrating 20 years of this was incredible.  We were reminded that we started in order to give a group of broken woman a home.  We were rebels without a cause.  We may not have been what people expect of the image of holiness, but we were and are holy.  We aren't Mary but we do need to be like Mary.  We have fought for sisterhood and need to continue to fight for sisterhood.  Each line of our covenant is there for a reason and we need to dive deeper into our covenant each and every day.

I am so thankful that I had this weekend to reflect on my sisterhood.  It was an incredible blessing to meet so many sisters who I call my sister but I have never even meet.  I cannot wait for the 25th Reunion. Until then, Regina Angelorum, ora pro nobis....past, present, and future. 

WIWS (Vol. 18)

I haven't done this link up for a number of weeks, things like woman's retreat, Saturday Vigil Mass, household inductions, and brunch at my clinical instructor's house just get in the way.  Excited to join up with Mandi at Messy Wife, Blessed Life while Emily is off joining the Mrs. club.

Jumping right in with the outfit....

Skirt:  Goodwill, Merona brand

Tank: Modbod, the ones I have raved about multiple times

"Cardigan":  Target, the same one I wore the last time I did WIWS

Belt:  Goodwill, excited about this purchase 

Earrings:  Gabriel Brothers, I love these earrings and was so excited when I realized they would go perfectly with this skirt.  

Shoes:  Still undecided.

Now why haven't I decided on shoes, shouldn't I have already been to Mass this morning?  Actually I am going to a First Communion Mass at 2:30.  Whose you ask?  All you moms out their are going to love this (and I apologize for any jealousy that may occur).  We have this thing at Franciscan called Ministry to Mass organized by Kimberly Hahn.  Moms and students attend this afternoon tea and based on availability and needs they get matched up.  On a regular basis the student goes over a family's house and helps out with things like babysitting, cleaning, laundry, dishes, homework and whatever else might need to be done.  In exchange the student normally joins them for a meal-read escapes a meal from the caf, and can do their laundry there.  It really is a great win-win situation.  My first semester at Franciscan I attended this tea and got matched up with a wonderful family.  At the time they had four kids with the youngest still being a baby, since then twins (and a dog) have been added to the family and the then baby is headed to preschool in the fall.  Also, by coincidence I joined her household so in the "crazy Franny household world"  we are now sisters.  I have folded and put away many a piles of laundry(she loves the fact that I doing boat loads of laundry), scrubbed numerous dishes, and shared countless dinners with them.  I am going to the second oldest's First Communion this afternoon.  It has been such a blessing to become part of their family.  She is a great cook (huge bonus) and has taught me so much about what it means to be a wife and mother.  The kids have become so special to me and I love whenever I get to spend time with them.  It is such a blessing to get to watch "E" receive First Holy Communion for the first time.

So all that to tell you why I haven't decided on shoes yet.  Hope everyone has a blessed, relaxing and joyful Sunday.

Five Favorites--4/26

Joining Hallie once again for Five Favorites.  Yeah!!

1.  My favorite thing is when I can go thrifting and get exactly what I want.  I have been looking for a braided belt, $2.  Check!  I was going to stop at WalMart after Goodwill to get another plastic tote for packing up the house and low and behold look at what was at Goodwill.  $4.  Check!  I have this thing for coffee mugs and always looking for any that catch my eye at thrift stores.  $1 "N" mug.  Check!

2.  I have been craving me some Dunkin' Donuts coffee so when I ran out off coffee this was a must. (And you can see my love of all things Trader Joe's in the background!)

3.  I had my last class of the semester today, woohooo!  Because it was the last one and we needed to fit in a little more lecture we began class at 7 instead of 8.  If I am going to class at 7 I am wearing slippers and not going to be ashamed.  I liked it so much that this will defiantly be a favorite thing next year.

4.  New sisters being inducted (and brothers!).  I don't think I ever love my household more than at induction time.  This is defiantly a favorite thing and even the RAs were excited about it.

5.  I started studying for finals on Wednesday.  I will just go ahead and pat myself on the pack because the final isn't until this coming Friday.  The studying isn't a favorite thing but the organizing for the studying sure is.

And what do you know coffee made it in yet again.  I am telling you I don't really plan this, the love of the liquid gold just flows over.  

{p,h,f,r}:Angel Edition

We went on household retreat this past and we chubbed (moved the intents on to the next level in the formation process) on Tuesday so it has been a very household rich week and I wouldn't have it any other way.
{pretty}

I have a little!!  Ain't she so pretty!!  I couldn't decide whether to put this under pretty or happy because being her big just brings me so much joy!!

{happy}

We console the heart of Christ by offering our thanks to his Sacred Heart.  For all those ministry junkies out there we nailed our weaknesses to the cross at the beginning of the weekend, on the last day we removed those, added a large sacred heart and pinned our gratitude list to His heart.  

{funny}

The nursing angels minus one.  The craziest ones of the bunch.

{real}

These are my sisters.

Marian Monday

I am beyond excited for the new "Marian Monday" link-up hosted over at Anima Kinsi and so excited to be joining up for the first one. From her blog,

"What is Marian Mondays? It's a weekly opportunity for us to talk about our most Blessed Mother, Mary. Simple enough, right? Simple in concept, but rich in result. We hope that Marian Mondays catechizes you in the genuine and beautiful teachings of the Catholic church, via blogging buddies! Today, we approach the Feast of Mary, Mother of God (Jan 1st! Holy Day of Obligation!). We think that now is as good a time as ever to resolve to learn, to love, and to live in imitation of that holy woman, following Jesus' every step."

For this first link up I am not going to pretend like I can say anything more profound than the saints that have already gone before us.

My household, Regina Angelorum, has a simple and profound quote at the beginning of our covenant and the back of our sweatshirts and t-shirts. (I PROMISE you I will try to soon do a post about households because I know any of you who aren't Franciscan students or grads or scratching their head but understand that they are super hard to explain if you don't live in the culture of them at Franciscan.)

“With your help, as long as there is strength within us, we will fight to the last breath, so help us O Queen, O Lady, O best and dearest Mother.” –St. Maximilian Kolbe

Most people only know St. Maximilian as the priest in the Nazi concentration camp who gave up his life so that a man who had children could live but he is a saint that has strongly enriched Marian theology, including his Preparation for Total Consecration and forming of the Knights of the Immaculate.

The thing that always strikes me about this quote is the line,

"...as long as there is strength within us, we will fight to the last breath.."

How long do we have strength in us? Until the last breath. As long as we are alive on this earth, through His grace, we will have strength to fight the good fight of faith. What a hefty task we have set before us.

Live joy.

7 Quick Takes (Vol. 5)

--- 1 ---

Wow call me Miss. Creative...not. I have been all about the link-ups lately but I have some posts in drafts and some post ideas and maybe a link up of my own. Would anyone be interested in a "what's in my makeup bag" link up?

--- 2 ---

My mom called me about half way through the day yesterday apologizing for not sending me anything for St. Nicks day. Being the gift giver she is, she had a local florist deliver a Christmas Cactus. Isn't she the best. And I love me some potted plants.

--- 3 ---

In my Pediatric nursing class, our professor asked us to bring in Christmas presents for local children in need for a Christmas Party and Exam Review Day. That tree in the background, the "ornaments" are all nurse's caps with our names on them. Each color is a different grade level.

--- 4 ---

http://www.indiegogo.com/partingthewaters?c=home

Would you consider helping out a family in need. As a household, we help the family in the above link it whatever ways we can. I have mentioned them before here. However, as college students we can only do so much financial. Think about making even a small donation to this family stuck between a rock and a hard place.

--- 5 ---

My outfit needs for the day today were varied. We were encouraged to wear ugly Christmas sweaters to our Peds class this morning, for household life Mass the Angels are all wearing flannel with our Angel gear. And then I am going to an ugly Christmas party later tonight. How delighted was I when I found ugly Christmas plaid (plaid is close enough to flannel right?)

In case you can't tell those are embroidered gingerbread men.

Of course I had to match my socks to my shirt.

--- 6 ---

I am already going crazy from studying. How do we do this semester after semester?!

--- 7 ---

Want to brighten up your day...watch this video.

You won't regret it. That would be some of my hosuehold sisters singing to Mariah Carey's "All I Want for Christmas is You".

Your welcome.

For more Quick Takes, visit Conversion Diary!

Thankful Thursday

+The big highlight of this week, the thing I am most thankful for, would have to be my 7 new sisters. Each day I have been so amazed and inspired by them. There dead pan is incredible!

+On that note, I am so thankful for my household sisters. They truly are my sisters. They challenge me to imitate Our Lady more perfectly. They are powerful intercessors who are changing the world.

+I am thankful that the Lord is taking me on another crazy Haiti adventure and that He is putting together another amazing team.

+I am so thankful for long time best friends. With the recent cancer diagnosis of Kate's dad, I am reminded of the rock of friendship we have that is always there through happy joyful moments and really crappy unfair situations. My life would not be the same without these girls.

My high school graduation nearly 4 years ago!

+I was going to be thankful for something frivolous like nail polish but I just have a hard time even putting that in after the other four rock solid things. So yes, I am thankful for my bed, nail polish, finally breaking in a pair of toms, awesome Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Shortbread cookies, Christmas trees, and new phones but those things just can't compare to things like sisterhood, mission trips, and best friends. Lord, you bless me more than I deserve.

Live joy.

What I Wore Sunday: Wedding Edition

I am joining Kendra again over at Fine Linen and Purple for What I Wore Sunday

DISCLAIMER: This post isn't actually what I wore Sunday because a wedding just throws everything off. This past weekend I was in CT for a household sister's wedding. I went to the wedding Mass Saturday and afternoon and did go to Mass on Sunday. On Sunday, I was literally in my Mass clothes for only while in the Church because we woke up a half hour before Mass and left for the 8 hour trip back to Steubenville straight from the Church parking lot and I quickly slipped yoga pants on under my skirt and switched out a cardigan and belt for a sweatshirt. They call it stealthy packing.

So this is what I wore Friday on the drive out to CT. I thought it was cute so I wanted to share.

Yoga Pants from Target
Pink Shirt from H&M with a modest tank top underneath from ModBod
Liz Lange Grey Sweater
Gold Toms
Cowl scarf made by me!

And this is what I wore to Mass Saturday afternoon during which Matt and Amy vowed before God that they would be together forever and always until death do them part.

So as not to draw too much attention, I don't have a picture by myself because that can just be weird sometimes. Instead I have a picture with a dear friend who I have talked about before.

Dress and belt from a friend
Sweater from a friend
Hair done by a friend
You can't see it in the picture but I had on leopard print flats from Target, they were actually mine

Yeap one of the best kind of outfits is one borrowed from friends.

Live joy.

Catholic Woman's Almanac

Ok I am trying something new today rather than a daybook I am going to link up to Jenny's Catholic Woman's Almanac.

Moments of Gratitude

--Four days filled with whatever I want-it included alot of quality time, naps, sleeping in, good food shared with others, and some adult beverages.
--You want to talk about how much coffee I drank during break. If that isn't something to be thankful I don't know what is.
--Spending 6 hours a week in a newborn nursery. Some people call it a dream, I call it clinical.

Beauty in the Ordinary

Ahh I love beauty in the ordinary. One my favorite personal mottos is "Find the extraordinary in the ordinary." Ordinary days are when modern saints are made.

From the Kitchen

Nothing too exciting there. All I made this during the past few days is pasta and sauteed peas. O but I did make these gems which are now on my go to list for desserts.

Praying

---For our election and nation as election day looms right in front of us.
---For the Haiti Mission trip, I had 6 people added to the "Praying About" it list. I am fearlessly praying that the people who are called to the trip will hear the voice of God and that if it be the of the Lord's will a priest will be able to go with us.


Pondering

"He must recapitulate the whole of history from its beginging-from Adam on; he must go through the whole of it, in order to transform it."-Jesus of Nazereth

Reading

In light of the third Jesus of Nazareth book by Pope Benedict XVI coming out. I decided it was about time to read the first one. I have been reading it with overdrive on my phone and writing down notes and quotes in my journal. Can I just say I love it!! And I hope I can continue to make time to read more. Here is to hoping!

Memorizing

The Magnifact. I have a special love for Our Lady of the Annunciation. She is my household saint and I can't believe it took 200 some sisters for someone (me!) to finally pick her! Our Lady of the Annunciation, I believe, so perfectly emulates Our Lady's virtues. Recently while being prayed over, the Magnificat came up and since then I have been trying to talk hold of it chunk by chunk.

My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord,
my spirit rejoices in God my Savior
for he has looked with favor on his lowly servant.
From this day all generations will call me blessed:
the Almighty has done great things for me,
and holy is his Name.
He has mercy on those who fear him
in every generation.
He has shown the strength of his arm,
he has scattered the proud in their conceit.
He has cast down the mighty from their thrones,
and has lifted up the lowly.
He has filled the hungry with good things,
and the rich he has sent away empty.
He has come to the help of his servant Israel
for he has remembered his promise of mercy,
the promise he made to our fathers,
to Abraham and his children for ever.

Captured

These are my BEAUTIFUL sisters that I got to spend four days with!! The weekend started to come to a conclusion with Sunday morning brunch

Happy Angel Feastdays!

Today is the feast of the Guardian Angels and Saturday was the feast of the Archangels. Being that my household is affectionately called "The Angels" we had an Archangel party at our adviser's, or as we like to say Guardian Angel, house. In deciding what to contribute to the party I decided to scope out an angel themed item. I liked the idea of Devil's Food Cake with swords stuck in the top (to represent St. Michael defeating Satan), however, in fear of not being able to find small swords I decided instead to make these cookies.

While I was intimidated by the amount of steps required to make these cookies I decided to forge ahead with baking confidence and take a stab at them (get it haha still keeping the fighting theme). I was really afraid they wouldn't look any thing like angels wings but I turned out thoroughly surprised that they actually did look like angel wings.

Some photos of the process.

The cookies ready to go into the oven.

I got really festive and first put three "halos" on the platter to represent the three archangels, Sts. Rapheal, Gabriel, and Micheal.

The cookies all ready for the party, see they do look like wings (I will admit they only look like angel wings when you know they are supposed to be angel wings.)

And one photo of a few angels and cherubs.

So there you go. I hope you are enjoying these weeks full of feast days!

Live Joy.