Markisms

The older children have a fun game in which they ask Mark to repeat ridiculously long words.  He's quite capable and at 2 is extremely articulate.  For the most part he uses words in the correct context. Becca asked him one day to say "paleontologist" and so he did.  I asked him what paleontologists do and he responded "eat my brains".  I think I can chalk that up to older sibling's obsession with the Plants vs. Zombies game.

Lenten Reflections

Lent is hard.  Of course it is.  It's meant to be.  I mean that I never feel like I've done enough.  I never feel fully prepared for Easter.  I start out with wonderful plans, but invariably something intervenes with those.  I believe that God chooses Lent for us sometimes.
This year I am praying for a conversion of heart.  I want to desire Christ more, to thirst for Him in the Eucharist and in prayer.  Many of our annual practices haven't been employed this year.  I'm just going day by day and hoping for more kindness in our house amongst children.  I'm hoping for more prayer and more love.
On a practical level of sacrifice we're all going without Pepsi, Nestle and Cadbury products.  This sacrifice looks like it'll be an ongoing one until they change research practices.