Labor Day Extravaganza! *photo heavy*

I'm still recovering from the 3 day weekend. Since moving to Florida, Chris & I have joined the rest of the fambam spending the weekend at The Disney Beach Club Villas Resort.

.painted my nails in honor of the weekend ahead.

After a 2.5 hour car ride to drop off our fur-baby Charlie, we arrived at last!

.perfectly centered shot :) instagram @knmarkford

Our first night we went to dinner at Buca - a yearly tradition. Always on the menu:

• Apple Gorgonzola Salad
• Caprese
• Spicy Chicken Rigatoni
• Chicken Marsala
• Pasta Alfredo
• Pesto & Prosciuttio Stuffed Chicken
• Gnocchi
• Green Beans
• Garlic Smashed Potatoes
• 3 Bottles of *smuggled in* Wine

.buca!!.

.imitating the happy italian lady holding flowers, dressed in her native attire: christmas lights. Ashley & I are never afraid to take funny shots & do stupid things - but apparently I'm the only one doing that here LOL. for some reason no one wanted to take a photo with the statue. I still haven't figured that out. :)

.lambrusco.

.the gluten free, dairy free, trying-to-be-good-because-all-this-food-will-make-us-sick girls. aka salad feins. don't be fooled, we ate from everything ordered, but we cleared the salad bowl :) LOL 

.buca lova.

.all to celebrate Ronnie's 18th bday!!. 

.la familia!.

After dinner, we headed home, got in jammies & proceeded on to game night. This year: Apples to Apples. Dad won with 8 cards; I had 2... "worldly" & if I remember correctly "energetic".

.oh - it was on. 

.this game got fierce. 

Every year we attend Mass at Out Lady of the Universe. And every year I see my friend Santi (from my home parish in Tampa). He makes a yearly "pilgrimage" to this Church every Labor Day Weekend. No photo of us. I'll be sure to get one next year.

.sunday funday mass :).

Group shots from around the Villas Resort:

.the ladies. 

.Husband <3.

.the youngins.

My SIL (sister in law) Lindsey recently got a waterproof case for her iPhone. Needless to say - we had a LOT of fun in the sand bottom pools. Here are 2 of 30,000,000 photos...

.pirate slide.

.underwater camera fun.

Miscellaneous photo. I love her. :D She's the best sister God could have given me.

.seester :D xoxo. 

Sunday night: dinner in. HOMEMADE PIZZA!! yum-o!

.homemade pizza. 

I made my pizza with organic sauce & no-wheat, gluten free dough. delish! 

Next Memorial Day, we'll be coming back to the Disney Resorts to stay at the Animal Kingdom!! I'm so excited! We wanted to scope out the place - you know, because we snotty Disney resort-going people. Jk. We walked around for about 2 hours enjoying the animals, decor, drums, & seeing the sights. So excited for May 2013!

.the wall of the animal kingdom. word.

.the bathroom of the animal kingdom. hakuna matata. 

.my lovie.

After much calculation, we figured out that with the Disney vaca package my cousin Julie has - we'll get to spend every Labor Day at Disney for the next 42 years! Bring it on! :)

xo, 

The Fruit of Perserverence

So the past 33 days - I spent my prayer time preparing for a Consecration to Jesus, through Mary.

It's a devotion to Jesus: learning more about Him, coming closer to Him, and giving more love & devotion to Him - all through His Mother. They call it a consecration because you make an oath you know, the God swearing kind. In the old testament - when you broke an oath, you died. Hard core - not a promise I say I'm going to do something, but I'm not binding myself to it. Not hard core.

I used an app on my phone. You know me & apps. It's called iPieta. The best $2.99 you'll spend as a Catholic with a smart phone.

Large side note: It has devotions, prayers, the Bible, all the encyclicals by all Popes, Catechism, Bible commentary, writing of the most well known saints, novenas, and a hell of a lot more. To find the Consecration online click here.

Back to my story.... so I spent the last 33 days doing these prayers. Most days, I didnt understand the commentary. Most days, it didn't register in my heart, what my meditations were trying to tell me. See, I'm a convert to Catholicism. I wasnt rasied with Mary though most Catholics dont really understand Mary anyways. I can explain Her, Her roles, Her virtues, Her everything because my brain gets it. But my heart didn't. And finally - on day 33 - we approached the explaination of the Tree of Life.

And then it clicked. see what perserverence gets you?!  I'll go into the Tree of Life at a later post. And if you're already in the know, then you know already :)

Today I made my Consecration prayers. I plan on getting a chain this upcoming week.

Dont think I'm pius. It only took me 8 years & 5 attempts to complete this devotional.
xo,

My Workout "Tunes"

Today I was scheduled for a 30 minute bike ride. I got in 4 miles if you were wondering ;-)

After pulling my bike from the back of my Jeep (Emily is her name - and no, I don't have a bike rack yet sigh) I readied my iPhone to monitor my time & GPS.

As with any workout, we all like to listen to music. Today was no different - I wanted tunes but couldn't decide what to listen to. And, after 30 more seconds of thought, I realized I hadn't gotten today's prayers in yet.

Last race (St. Pete Beach 5K - July 23) I ran with my friend Amy - we said the Rosary aloud. I used it as a pace setter. And it worked great too; until my EIA kicked in.

But.... no rosary today. I'm biking. So I turned on the good ol' Catholic radio app to see what they had playing.

CATHOLIC APOLOGETICS. ding ding ding!! I was all over that! Being a convert & a sociology major emphasis in religion,  I love learning about my faith, growing stronger in it, and to remark on the college degree - I love learning about why people believe what they do. World religion + conversion is my fav. I could listen to people all day long. As I hustled up the hills on the trail - Catholic Answers Live came on. The 1 hour series is hosted by an assortment of people. Lay persons (not of religious community), priests, sisters, scientists, scholars, professors, etc. The show is remarkable! It's premise is that a caller can chime in about any question they have about Catholicism - either with intrigue about their own faith or in attempts to argue their beliefs against the Church. Aaannnddd - the most remarkable - they really mean open forum. You'd think that if they were trying to be bias, they'd only talk the calls from people who agree with the Church, host, etc. Oh no... they take the bashers too.

Here's a link to my favorite app: iCatholic Radio. Cleverly named Station of the Cross.

http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/icatholicradio-1-mobile-catholic/id370685543?mt=8 

Note:: It's not just apologetics & call in radio. This app features EWTN Radio & Ave Maria Radio. During the day, they have prayers, bible study, apologetics, and other series.

Enjoy!

xo,

The Most Awesome Picture of Mary... Ever

. love it .

xo, 



St. Patrick's Day

It's Saturday morning. It's St. Patrick's Day morning. Thoughts of Guinness, beads, green t-shirts, & shot glasses seem to be on everyone's mind. Mine too. But do you ever feel that what society offers is, well, blah?

This morning began with snuggles with the fur-baby - my golden retriever named Charlie.  He climbed into bed at the prompting of his mama & we laid there enjoying the cool air of our dark room. After 20 minutes, it was time to get up & embrace the day. Gotta get ready for that meeting.

I headed out to Library CoffeeHouse to meet up with Cait, LuAnn, & Brooke. The meeting went well & we have great plans for the Young Adults group at Christ the King. I ordered a Cafe con Leche - sweetened & made with soy. Cait: "the Beez Kneez" - an orangey, honey latte. LuAnn & Brooke got the "Milky Way" latte; the name speaks for itself. We were surprised with complimentary peanut buttery, chocolatey, rice crispy bites from the owners. It is a homemade recipe that Dawn makes. She's one of the owners. The owners of this quaint shop are, I think, sisters. If you ever get the chance to go - I highly recommend it.

I headed home to peruse through Facebook & catch up with friends. I came across a great article put out by LifeTeen. After reading it, I wanted to jump for joy. I am not alone. I want to say that I am neutral on the matter. I want to say that I am cool, part of the in crowd. I want to say that I am relative & "hey, kudos to you for celebrating how you want". I want to say that I am hip like that. But I'm not. Drinking to get plastered, all in the name of celebrating some "Irish guy", just doesnt sound appealing to me.

"You prude."
"You holy roller."
"You Jesus freak."
"You closed minded ass."

Yep, I know that's what you're thinking of me at this point. I know, because I've had it said to my face. I'm cool with that. No, really. I am. Here's why:

I'm a Catholic. There's a LOT of weight in that word. To some: a person who follows Christ & obeys the commands He put forth to his followers 2000 years ago. To others: a close-minded person who hides behind the crutch of "rules" made by some prophet who walked the earth thousands of years ago - of which those rules are now out of date, behind the times, & unrealistic with wants and demands of our society at large & condemns those who don't follow said rules.

I apologize if you ever felt that way. I apologize if religion has ever made you feel that way. The purpose of rules is out of love not condemnation. If you're a parent - you can relate. You put forth rules for your kids, right? Don't touch the hot stove. Don't lie. Do your homework. All these rules are out of love & for their betterment. It's not to be mean, to cause them suffering, or to make them miserable. You have rules because you love them. Don't touch the hot stove: you don't want them to burn themselves & to feel the pain of blisters or have them cry. Don't lie: You don't want them to hurt others or have others think you're child is dishonest or untrustworthy. You want others to see your kid & think of them as loving, reliable, & kind. Do your homework: you want them to excel in life - be smart, creative, & be independent. Harsh, unrealistic & unnecessary rules huh? Maybe in the eyes of your kids.

We are God's kids. He loves us. He's not sadistic. He doesn't put out rules to see us suffer, be miserable, or be in pain. He doesn't want others to think unkindly of us. He wants to love, be smart, be creative, be successful. He wants us to experience love & to love others.

Alcohol is good. It promotes community & memories are made over it. Heck, Jesus made more wine for a wedding reception when the hosts ran out for their guests. It's the excess of it that is pushing it. 

I'm not doing my job as a Catholic, as a follower of Christ, if I do not show love. I love you. I want the best for you. I want you to feel the love that I have with Christ & not to be weary of it.

You may still be thinking that I'm a close-mided ass. That's ok. I still love you.

Happy St. Pats. :)

Random Facts. Random Fiction.

As some of you know - I am a scrapping queen. Ok. Used-to-be queen. I gave up my crown this past year in the move to Florida. Much of my life & art is seen on my other blog. Now, my kingdom of paper is laying dormant in boxes & piles. I haven't had the drive to pick up my art.

((sigh))

The move to Florida has been a life changer. 3000 miles will do that to a girl. Yes, I'm still surrounded by sun & sea - but my California blood misses Thai food, art hippies, LA markets, the 15 freeway, and yes of course - family. But as I keep from diving into the mourning of my native land, I still have so many familiar things here in Tampa.

Sun: it's always sunny in Florida (and Philadelphia).

Palm Trees: Having just bought one for my patio - it calls for partial shade. Can someone tell me why they frequent islands & tropical weather. That's not partial shade. That's full-blown sun people. I think the Wal-Mart garden center lied to me.

Jesus: He'll follow you where ever you go. He's like a stalker. But that's ok. Jesus is cool enough to be a stalker. I kind of like the attention.

Husband: He'll follow me where ever I go. But that's ok. He's also cool enough to be a stalker. Well, my stalker.

Coffee: as a Starbucks (from this moment forward, now known as Star) Gold Cardholder ((three times over)) I am known as a coffee monster. I think it is actually part of my bloodstream seeing the amount I put into my body on a daily basis. I've moved past 16 oz mugs. Pshaw. That's a weak man's size. I've upgraded to 36.

This blog will be dedicated to my little stories - most of which begin as memories in progess or conversation ramblings between friends.

Well. It's after midnight. I just finished baking 24 Irish Car Bomb cupcakes & 3 dozen cakepops for St. Patrick's Day tomorrow. I just wrote my first post. I have to wake up in 8 hours to go into a ministry meeting. Oh yes, at the Library CoffeeHouse. I suggest the Cinnamon Bun latte, soy. No whip.

Night.

The beauty of silence...

This past weekend I went to a Carmelite Retreat. The weekend was spent in silence - the idea being that if we can escape from the world, that we are able to hear the voice of the Lord more loudly.

" Rising very early before dawn, he [Jesus] left and went off to a deserted place, where he prayed." Mark 1:35

"He [Jesus] said to them, "Come away by yourselves to a deserted place and rest a while." People were coming and going in great numbers, and they had no opportunity even to eat. So they went off in the boat by themselves to a deserted place..." Mark 6: 31-32

 .our lady of mt. carmel.

 .my eyes and my heart will remain here forever.

 .new beginnings.

 .solitude.

 .discovery.

 .chapel.

 .mother luisita - foundress of the carmelites of the most sacred heart of Jesus.

 .holiness.

 .mother.

.The earth brought forth vegetation, plants yielding seed according to their own kinds, and trees bearing fruit in which is their seed, each according to its kind. And God saw that it was good. - genesis 1:12.

.As the earth brings forth its plants, and a garden makes its growth spring up, So will the Lord GOD make justice and praise spring up before all the nations. - isaiah 61:11

.For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord. - habakkuk 2:4

.Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me. - Revelations 3:20 

.may the sacred heart of Jesus...bless your soul, bless your soul. 

.the gates.  

.we are not locked out from the world, rather, we are locked in.  

 .silence.

.the pathway to where heaven kisses earth, true love, true healing.  

.light. 

.she showers us with roses. 

 .knowledge. 

 .solitude. 

.If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. - 1 corinthians 13:1

.the glory of morning. 

xo,