I've spent a lot of time thinking and praying about what to do for Lent. I especially wanted to plan ahead this year, as the last two years' Lents have been somewhat of a flop as far as fasting go.
Two years ago, we found out about and picked up our Anna on the day after Ash Wednesday. Yeah, not so much a solemn Lent around here, we felt like we went straight from Ash Wednesday to Easter in just 24 hours. The next year, we found out about Anthony about halfway through Lent and he was born on Holy Thursday. Again, with the excitement of a new baby (and coming so quickly) it was hard to be penitential. It did increase my prayer life, as we had waited for a child and prayed so hard for children and our prayers were being answered. I couldn't help but thank God over and over and over again.
This year, we're once again waiting for children, but I have a feeling it will be a little while. Although my parents reminded me that for the last two years, they've gone on vacation, out of the country, and we've brought home babies during that time. They leave for a cruise this week...
It really was pretty obvious to me where I needed the prayer and growth this year. I want to be a better wife and mother, which means first and foremost, working on my relationship with God. I want to overcome some laziness and grow in patience. So here's how I'm working on those.
- Being in bed at 10:00. I've been getting to bed late lately and having a hard time getting up in the morning. And being grumpy...
- Getting up when my alarm goes off and making it to 7am Mass three days a week.
- Setting aside specific times for prayer. When the kids go down for nap, I want to read the daily Mass readings and reflections for those.
- Getting back into the habit of praying a rosary with the kids or at least part of one each day (I use recorded ones so that I don't get frustrated by not remembering where I'm at)
- No snacking after dinner (Jer and I did this last year and it was really beneficial)
- And finally, keeping my Kindle upstairs in the bedroom when the kids are awake. Which means only checking blogs/FB during naptime or after the kids go to bed.
I'm looking forward to the chance to simplify and focus. I want to be a good example for my children and I want to be the best wife and mother that I can be.
2 comments:
You are right. We are doing tons of the same things. Probably because we are in similar places in our lives...with 2 small children plus additional children we watch.
I will keep you in my prayers this lent.
Also, check our CHVC...Bella is featured front and center for their Valentine Hair Parade (1st of 2 posts).
we're giving up our phone/comptuer/ipad after theo goes to bed so we can better focus on each other and prayer. :)
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