Tuesday, February 28, 2012

My Convalidation!!

Will be March 11th around noon!!

SQUEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!!!


*tears of joy*


All are welcome!



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Monday, February 27, 2012

Get Out and Vote!!

Arizona (and Michigan) primaries are tomorrow!! Get your butts out there and vote (for Santorum)!!

I am so excited!

The vest is yet to come!



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Thursday, February 23, 2012

Disappointed in myself

for not going to mass yesterday.

Sigh.

But I did start the consecration like I said I would and I'm loving it. I'm also doing a novena to Pope John Paul II. I need all the help I can get to get me through this.


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Wednesday, February 22, 2012

Lent

I am pretty "bad" at Lent. When my friend Jessica still lived here (before she became a nun), it was easy. She kept me in check. Not in a bad way, in a way that I needed. I'm sure she hardly realized she did so. When she joined the sisters, I was left on my own, a newish convert, who barely knew anyone and certainly didn't have many Catholic friends.

Our first Lent after our baptism was the best time of my life spiritually. I was going through a hard time in life. But, I only had one baby then, so it was easier to be really active and stay on track that year. Jessica and I went to mass, Stations of the Cross, and the fish fries together. After the fish fry, we'd come home and watch a movie about Christ or a saint.

We also both did the Consecration and went to confession regularly.

It was awesome.

After she left and I was on my own, nothing has even gotten close to that.

As for this year, I'm struggling. It's Ash Wednesday. I will honestly say that I don't want to go to mass. Not because I don't want to go, but I've had to wrangle kids in mass alone far too many times in the past few weeks, and I'm burnt out. I already missed mass at Amelia's school this morning, because I didn't want to drive over there 3 times in one day and the baby has been cranky this morning. Now I don't know where to go anyway. I'm not going to make excuses, I just don't feel up to it.

I would, if I were feeling better mentally. Last weekend took a toll on me emotionally. I've been here before; at my wit's end, desperate to get out of here, to have my own home, to be comfortable. The only thing that will get me through is prayer. The only thing that will get me through is Lent.

Jesus will get me through, I know that. But it still hurts, and it's still a battle that I'm sick of fighting.

So, I'm renewing my consecration. I intended to do so anyway, and then realized that lots of other people are too, because we can start TODAY and it will land on a Marian feast day, thanks to the Leap Year, and a really early Lent. It's a once in a lifetime opportunity, and I'm really excited. I need this.

I'm still begging you all to pray for me.


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Tuesday, February 21, 2012

Rick Santorum Rally!!!

The primaries in Arizona are next Tuesday, the 28th, so our city is full of fun political events! It's like Christmas for a politics geek like me.

Tonight, Rick Santorum had a rally downtown. I REALLY wanted to go, so I packed a bunch of snacks and took all 4 girls alone.

We got there a bit early. I joked with people that I brought the whole rally with me, and we got 3rd row seats. The NY Times interviewed me. See the article here. I am still cracking up.

A few speakers spoke first. Someone from the Center for Arizona Policy, Len Munsil, a lady from the Arizona Right to Life, and some other guy, I'm not sure who he was.

My favorite quote from Len Munsil was, "We need a president who has more children than vacation homes!" HAHA!!

Santorum spoke well, he's very witty. I truly enjoyed it. The kids got bored pretty quickly, and a random old lady behind me stomped off saying, "I can't take it anymore," in regards to my kids. They were not being naughty, just a little antsy, so boo to you, old lady, you shouldn't have chosen to pull up a chair behind 3 rows full of children.

Unfortunately, we didn't get to meet him, since I did end up in the bak to try to settle the kids. I should've waited it out a few minutes. Oh well...

Here are some pictures. I've been trying to get them in chronological order, but Blogger won't let me.







Lily rockin' the sign.
Enter, Santorum family!
Hooray! I dunno why, but hooray!!
Intro with some of his lovely family looking on.
Bring it!
Amelia rockin' the sign and sticker (and Mardi Gras beads)!!
The stage. I'll take "Courage" over "Change" any day.
Charlotte ready in her sweater vest.
The view from the back.
He talked for a really long time!

Sunday, February 19, 2012

Just when I thought...

I was going to have a good/uneventful birthday, my grandpa ruins it.

They came down yesterday to take me to lunch. Apparently grandpa got pissed because Kyle hadn't cleaned something up outside that he was supposed to. So he sits at the restaurant, arms crossed, totally silent, until I order an iced tea. Then he says, "you know that drink costs $2? Can you afford a $2 iced tea?" Then he gets up and stomps off.

Okay seriously? You invited me to lunch to celebrate my birthday and I can't even have the drink I want? Pardon me for not wanting to drink city tap water with my meal.

Also, ever heard of "stuffing" your emotions? Was it truly not possible to at least pretend you're happy for the sake of my birthday?

Was it really necessary to then come over after lunch and give me lectures? It couldn't have waited for another day?

Apparently I am not deserving of a good birthday. Apparently I'm such a horrible failure that I don't even deserve and iced tea at my own birthday lunch. Apparently I have "abuse me" written across my forehead.

I need prayers. I am feeling hopeless. Kyle and I have been actively trying to buy a home and get him a better paying job for years. We have been paying down debt, figuring out budgets that work for us, struggling, and nothing is changing. Something always happens just when I think I'm almost there. Just when I think I see the light at the end of the tunnel, it all comes crashing down.

We need Kyle to get a full time position. We need to be able to buy a home or at least be able to afford to rent something so we can get out of here. I have seen homes for $86k in the area I like, so we just need a way to do it. I need to get away from these people in my life that obviously are only going to treat me like crap.

So, please, I beg of you all, pray. Pray hard. I need it. I'm drowning. My faith is suffering, I spent all day yesterday crying, and I'm just at a loss.

Lord Jesus, I know you only give us what we can handle, but truly, I cannot handle more. I have lived 31 years and it has been horrible. I'm tired of being abused. Abused as a child, and now emotionally as an adult. I give it to you. Give me the ability to handle stress with grace. Please open doors for us. Please help us succeed. Please get me away from this evil. I beg of you. Amen

Friday, February 17, 2012

7 Quick Takes Friday



--- 1 ---

Yesterday was my 31st birthday. I'm threatening you now, 31st year, you better be a good one. You better be the year I finally get out of this hole. You better be the year that we buy a house, have success, and finally feel a little peace. 

--- 2 ---

All threats aside, I had a pretty good day yesterday. Kyle got me the lotion I wanted and the girls got me flowers and a Barbie. I spent the morning with a new friend and her boys and my girls at the Arizona Science Center, and it was a blast. Then we had Chinese food and watched a movie.

--- 3 ---

My priest is still ignoring me about the HHS Mandate papers. I guess I'll have to suck it up again and call him. I wasn't able to confront him after mass on Sunday because the kids were freaking out, I was there alone with them (Kyle was in RCIA), so we left.

--- 4 ---

My friend Heidi and her husband are adopting a sweet little boy from Hong Kong and is having a giveaway! Click here to find out more about it! They need donations of not just money, but items for an auction they're running, too!

--- 5 ---

Amelia has a 4 day weekend this weekend for President's Day. I've been up an hour and she's already driving me nuts. I wish she'd chill out.

--- 6 ---

Please pray for our school situation. I'm trying not to freak out, because I know it will work out the way it should, but giving it to God is not my strong suite and I really need this settled by mid week. EEEK!

--- 7 ---

I'm trying to figure out what exactly to do for Lent this year. I plan on menu planning a little better for Fridays, and participating in 40 Days for Life a bit, hopefully, but I'm not sure what else to do. Maybe read Imitation of Christ and try to limit my computer time.

Happy weekend!

For more Quick Takes, visit Conversion Diary!

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Thursday, February 16, 2012

Eucharist

I was listening to Catholic radio today and a woman called in who was asking about her marriage. Apparently, she was in a valid marriage, but they divorced, didn't get a church annulment, and got back together. She asked what the Church thought of her relationship. The men on the show told her that they were still married in the eyes of God, since they were in a valid marriage to begin with and it was never annulled. They also said that the divorce was just a civil matter anyway, but that it didn't mean she shouldn't take steps to remarry for the law.

Now, this definitely isn't anywhere close to the mess I'm in, but I was glad to hear this woman's reaction.

She cried. She said she was relieved that she was married in the Church and that people just didn't understand how horrible it is to sit in the pew and watch everyone take communion while she couldn't.

I started crying there. *I* know what it's like to sit in the pew and long to receive the Eucharist. It pains me every mass I attend. I try not to think about all of the people who are receiving Jesus when they are not supposed to. I try to keep my eye on that light at the end of the tunnel. Putting myself in this position ruined my spiritual life. I didn't have the Eucharist to keep me going. I got discouraged about going to confession after receiving my penance and a stern, "Do not receive Holy Communion until you are married within the Church" a few times.

It hurts. But I did it to myself. And I can only pray that this is the last month that I will be without it. Lord knows I will do everything in my power to keep myself in communion with the Church from then on. I've been without it for too long to want to ever keep myself away from Christ ever again. I long for the Eucharist. And I'm almost there. Praise be to God.


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Friday, February 10, 2012

7 Quick... Ah forget it.

In 2008, we were called fear mongers for speaking out against Obama. He would never do anything as outrageous as violate the constitution!!

Oh really?

His speech today was a joke. Nothing about the mandate changed. I am sick of his pompous bs lies. I will not step down. I will not shut up.

I hope more lawsuits are started against this. And I hope this woke people up to his schemes.

This country cannot afford another 4 years of this horrible president. He is a sociopath. He is arrogant. And he will be even worse if he is allowed 4 more years.

I hope this lights a fire under conservatives. Get out there and campaign for the right man. Get out there and vote. Do whatever you can to get this joke of a president out of office before he does even more damage.

Tuesday, February 7, 2012

Sunday, February 5, 2012

Confrontation

I saw our pastor today after mass and told him I had written him an email and asked him if he could please look it over and give me call this week.

He seemed uncomfortable a bit, but said he would make time for it.

I had to talk (read: pray) myself into talking to him, but I'm glad it went well.

Courage courage courage. Must do the right thing. Sigh! My tummy hurts.

Friday, February 3, 2012

No FB = Blog Explosion!

I called my parish today to ask if Father Brian had received my email about the HHS Mandate. The lady (who is the same one that messed up my dispensation) told me shortly, "Yeah, he hasn't been in all week. I printed it out so he can read it this weekend."

Um, right...

I'm at my wit's end.


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Shame on Komen

Wow...

Let's say we're defunding Planned Parenthood, rally support of pro-lifers, accept donations, and then turn around and spit in their faces and fund PP anyway.

I hope their organization goes down in flames.


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7 Quick Takes Friday


--- 1 ---

Hi, I'm Kara, your neighborhood Facebook addict. I am fasting from it today in order to pray for the Bishops of our country. I decided that I would pray each time I thought about logging in. Let's just say it's 8:30 am and I've already said about 10 prayers. I have a problem.
LOL


--- 2 ---

Speaking of FB addiction, I heard on the radio this morning that they did a study of FB addicts and that it's harder to quit than smoking and the urges are stronger. lol!!

--- 3 ---

Truth is, I really needed the break. This week has been insane. HHS Mandate, Susan G Komen, and more, I'm pretty much in burnout mode.

--- 4 ---

I went to the dentist yesterday for the first time in 8 years. I had to take Charlotte, but the staff played with her when she got fussy and carried her around. She did great. I have NO cavities and they were shocked. But, I do have level 3 TMJ and am in need of therapy, a mouth guard, and probably surgery to reconstruct the joint. :-/ Can you hear the cha-ching???

--- 5 ---

For those of you fighting the fight, this postby Leila is perfect (and read the comments!!):

Time for courage, Catholics! Be kind, not "nice"….

--- 6 ---

SO, in general I have pretty crummy birthdays. But this year, I got a BIG surprise, and it's not even my birthday for 2 more weeks!! JoAnna, Danya, and Leila sent me a bread maker!! (I haven't been able to se it yet, need to get to the store!!)

Here's a funny little story:

We were in the car on the way home from picking up Amelia from school. Amelia saw a FedEx truck and started talking about how daddy works for them and then asked if we ever get packages at our house. I told her that yes, we do, sometimes. Like, if I buy something or if someone sends us a gift. She was excited thinking about it and talked the whole way home.

So, we get home, get in the house, and immediately hear the dog barking. UPS was parked outside and I was confused, since I wasn't expecting a package, and we had JUST talked about it 5 minutes ago, lol. Well, it was a big ol' box. I opened it, and the first thing I saw was "breadmaker" and I started crying. Then I found the paper that said who it was from, and I was a blubbering mess.

I am so blessed to have found these ladies. I have been trying to find my "place" in the Catholic world for so long and have struggled to find a community of friends since my bestie left for the convent. This group of ladies is a blessing from God, and my soul feels at ease.

Breeeeead!!!


I really should of made that a separate blog post!!!! But thank you, thank you, thank you! For making me feel special, and for being such a huge blessing in my life! /endsappyquicktake

--- 7 ---
I scored free "Cultural Passes" from the library for the Science Center. We haven't made it down there yet, due to naughty children and other obstacles, but I'm hoping next week. If my kids are super nice today we might still go, but I'm doubting it. Yesterday was terrible. Are any of your kids still in "naughty mode" from Christmas, or is it just my lunatics?

Happy weekend!!
For more Quick Takes, visit Conversion Diary!

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Thursday, February 2, 2012

A Sense of Humor

So, after a direct attack on my religious freedom by the Obama administration, a week of trying to explain to people that this is not a birth control issue, it's a freedom issue. A week of pure vile crap being thrown at me by the left when all I've said is, "thank you for defunding Planned Parenthood..." A week of watching pro-abortion zealots spazz out like children and refuse to understand any logic. I am a little punchy.

I have very little patience for debating anymore. Especially online. I burnt myself out in 2008 when I belonged to a "debate" board on BabyZone.com and it was nothing but clear cliquey and bullying behavior, even though they'd never admit it. So, when I encounter THIS many ridiculous people within a short time frame, it gets a little hard for me to deal with.

And if I go on a friend's post, and post a little joke like, "Bring on the waaaaambulance," and then proceed to be called un-Christian for making fun of someone's beliefs, when really, what I was thinking was more along the lines of, "Bring on the anti-Catholic pro-aborts who have spent the past day acting like they're going to die because Susan G Komen took away funding from Planned Parenthood, their favorite thing EVER. Who act like abortion is awesome. Who act like PP is the PLACE to go for help, and no other place exists in the US. Who act like WE are the ones denying the truth when THEY are the ones who are completely uneducated or misinformed. Whose disgusting behavior makes me want to poke my eyes out and never use the computer again. Where the blatant obvious influence of Satan is quite evident. Who act like THEY are not the bullies, yet they decide to hack into Komen's website and flood their email and FB page with hate mail. Who call us filthy names, spew nonsense about their 'rights' and everything else," I'd like to think I WAS being Christian. I was venting. I was teasing. I was making a joke, yes, but seriously? When I could've said far worse, gone into detail, ran my mouth, and freaked out and called names, because that is most certainly what I felt like doing after the BS the left has put me through the past week, but I DIDN'T, I made an innocent jab.

Give.Me.A.Break. Christians are allowed to have a sense of humor sometimes. If anything, it keeps me from going completely insane or having a heart attack from high blood pressure. So until THEY can start acting like adults and having a civilized conversation without spewing hateful insults, then I'm not gonna worry about keeping an innocent little joke to myself.

Don't like it? I couldn't care less.

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PS. I know my grammar is horrible in this post. Also don't care right now. Flustered doesn't even begin to describe my current state of mind.