Easter in Pictures

Decorating Eggs

You have to peel the egg first, BH!

Spitting out the shell

What is going on in there?

I think he liked coloring eggs.

Easter Morning

The baskets, which included a few of the books I purchased last month.

The Easter Beagle-because everyone knows I LOVE SNOOPY

This kid understands candy quite well

Squirt very excited about his Holy Card this year...a prayer for those in the military

Because he's just so darn handsome!

Paschal Candle and Meal

Our simple meal that we had to eat on the breakfast table because...

of this puzzle laid out across our dining room table. Despite staying up until 3 am Holy Saturday, I didn't finish this puzzle until last night. BTW, this puzzle was so flipping hard.

The Egg Hunt

Happy Easter!

The outtake

Easter Blessings from the Zierlein Family!

(Lance only let me take seven pictures, not bad, I guess!)

Going To Work With Dad

Lance, Bryan and Danny talking food at Little Bigs

Last Saturday, Lance hosted Southbound Food at Little Bigs. What could be better than going to work with Dad on a beautiful day? We weren't stuck in the studio, but instead on the patio having sliders and amazing fries at co-host Bryan Caswell's restaurant. The boys love watching dad work. I do too, but I am really starting to love the perks we get from the food show.

My Daybook~Alleluia!

For Today...April 4, 2010

Outside my window...another beautiful day. How I wished the weather stayed like this in Houston for more than one month. I'm a realist, I know that by the end of the month, I'll be miserable, but for now, we'll enjoy this weather as much as we can.

I am wearing...my pj's.

I am listening to...my husband chat with me.

I am praying...in thanksgiving for Easter and it's meaning. When I think of how undeserving I am, I get scared, but I know how much God loves me. This last week shows me time and time again. I'm also praying for continued peace, my husband, my children, and friends in need.

I am thankful for...God's love and mercy.

From the kitchen...one word: healthy! I have no menu, but will fix that tomorrow. The candy leaves Tuesday morning with the garbage. My diet can't take holiday sweets.

On keeping home...So I didn't really follow my plans for last week, but did manage to clean the house Saturday while waiting for the Vigil Mass. I decorated for Easter, and love how the house looks right now.

To live the liturgy...It's Easter! There are 50 days to celebrate this wonderful holiday. We made a paschal candle for our family that we'll continue to light throughout the season. The middle boys received some Easter books in their baskets so we have lots of reading to help us through the season. (I made a huge Amazon purchase in February that will see us through the season.)

Kobra...has a new nickname: Boss Hog. He is just a little shit. I know nobody will ever take him because he is so mean. People smile at him, and he gives them a crappy look.

To be fit and happy...do I have time to double my workouts?

I am hoping...that I can force myself to relax soon.

One of my favorite things...Holy Week Masses. Yes, they are long, but they are beautiful. I love everything about these masses.

A few plans for the rest of the week...

• lunch with Marivi for her birthday
• two field trips with Goose, one at the zoo where the other boys can join us
• dr's appt
• swim lessons
• Old 97's!!
• Party on the Lot at church
• Birthday party for the boys

A picture thought I am sharing...

The boys after church

Yay, Butler! The boys are ready to kick Duke's butt.

My Baby

Confession

I wrote last week about my experience with Confession. I was happy I received the grace from the Sacrament, but less than satisfied with the counsel I received during Confession.

Confession can be a tricky thing. When you're going into the confessional to unload all your sins and you realize that you continue to do the same things over and over again, you want some counsel. You want the priest to provide you with a "how-to" to fix your life. It doesn't work that way. Often times, the priest says nothing except to give your penance and absolve you from your sins. That can be a bit frustrating when you feel you've just said something huge. It's taken me a long time to realize that I still receive the grace from the Sacrament simply by making a good Confession. (And that if I need spiritual direction, I shouldn't rely on the confessional for that.)

I forgot that last week when I got so upset at the priest who told me to get over it. After blabbing about it to everyone, I knew I had to go back and confess my bad mouthing. As I started my confession today, the poor priest was probably thinking what could you have done in one week to come back. Once I told him what happened, he laughed. I think he needed that after hearing confessions for most of the day. I went on with the rest of my confession and did indeed receive counsel on some things. Sadly, he just didn't have it in him today to counsel me on what I needed the most. He was just too worn out. And he knew it and offered apologies to me. He did remind me that I still received grace and that would get me through to next week!

I am so thankful to this priest who heard confessions for over five hours today. (Most Catholic churches in the city stopped hearing confessions before the Triduum started.) I know how tired he must have been. Priests have been getting a bad rap these days, some deserved, but for all the bad priests out there, there are a lot more really good and generous men who have devoted their life to God. I am thankful for these men, especially on today when I could receive the Sacrament of Confession.

Pretzel Making

Who knew that making pretzels was so flipping easy? I had wanted to make Hot Cross Buns today since that is traditional on Good Friday. I decided against it because the recipes seemed a bit tedious and most called for raisins. After reading that pretzels were traditionally only eaten during Lent, I decided to have them today before time ran out. I know we can still make them during the rest of the year, but I really wanted to talk about how people used to eat these from Ash Wednesday until Good Friday with the kids. The snack was a huge hit with everyone. After fasting most of the day, I think I went a bit crazy. The baby LOVED them! And the best part, it was soooo easy.

I am looking at the piece of dough I tossed on the floor.

My sous chef

Before

And After

Happy Boys