{Pretty, Happy, Funny, Real}, March 8, 2013

{Pretty, Happy, Funny, Real}

Lil' Rosebud -- always smiling, always sweet, always so pretty and so warm, huggable and friendly to all who come to her.
My lil' Rosebud you are so loved.

{pretty}

The happiest little girl on Earth with Josh Groban's new CD!

  {happy}

The happiest lil' boy on earth on the baseball field. =) DJ in WALL Baseball season 8

 {happy}

Lil' Meatball and Lil' Ragu -- we affectionately call them the Bobo Brothers, because they are like little twin monkeys all day long. =) Fun times doing wheelies!

  {funny}

At the cemetery last month, I took some pictures of the Blessed Mother in the mid-day sun. Heavenly and warm love from the skies that day as she gazed upon all the babies buried and gone too soon on Earth.

 {real}

 

 {real}

~ Capturing the context of everyday life ~

 

 

 

Semi-Wordless Wednesday - I look to YOU! A Personal Life Journey begins...

As I have been going in my personal journey with photography, I realize during this reflective season of Lent that I am yet forgetting what I need to focus on. Simply -- GOD.  I thank God daily for all that I have, I do a Divine Mercy and Rosary almost daily on the same schedule, but I do fall in the cracks with my human tendencies and needs. I am human and imperfect and I recognize that.

I have so many little imperfections in my life, but one that I struggle with the most is my disability, the constant ringing in my ears (tinnitus) and my weight issues. Time is always the enemy, not my blessings around me. Also, choices and human free will and all the excuses I make.

I heard this beautiful song last year and as I was searching for some music for a photo gallery that I was creating for a client, I came upon Selah's song - "I look to YOU". So perfect for this Lenten Season, for me at least, as I find my way in this crazy, time driven world, uniquely, trying to love myself for who I am, which has always been very quite difficult for me to do. 

I am sharing this on here, even though my blog has never been a point of many sources for many people in my life and in the blogosphere, and that's okay for me. It's not a popularity contest or a money making machine.  I have tried all the blog circles, link ups, etc. but for me my blog has always been a place and a journey to evangelize and also be transparent to others that life is not perfect even as a Catholic. Life is supposed to be complicated, messy and trivial. It's how we approach Life and how we lean on God in these times instead of abandon Him when we are lost in our way. The Lenten Compass begins in that journey on Earth to Heaven. For something so simple, we as humans make it so very hard. ;) At my 38 years of life on Earth I am sure learning that to be the lesson of life. lol!

The Greatest Miracle Movie and Family Review

We were given the honor of reviewing this beautiful movie during Christmas called The Greatest Miracle, but with all the crazy yet joyous things we do as a family during Advent, I held off to watch this beautiful movie until now, during Lent of 2013.

 THE GREATEST MIRACLE is produced by Pablo Jose Barroso of Dos Corazones Productions, producer of the epic action adventure on Mexico’s Cristero War, For Greater Glory. “We are very excited to bring THE GREATEST MIRACLE to home video,” Barroso said. “It tells a story that is founded in Catholic Church teaching … one that is bolstered daily by faithful people everywhere. Sometimes, we do not think about the mysterious things we cannot see. THE GREATEST MIRACLE portrays the unseen and miraculous events that unfold at every Mass.”

 

The story focuses on three people who find themselves at the same Catholic Mass because of crises they are struggling to endure. Going to Mass is not new to any of them – but they need help to embrace its true meaning. THE GREATEST MIRACLE masterfully portrays the invisible realities of the Catholic faith.

Our Catholic Family Circus Review: 

The Greatest Miracle is a beautiful movie about forgiveness, compassion and also for those in our Catholic Faith that have lost their step, have been withdrawn their way to Jesus Christ and the Catholic Church. It brings these three diverse Catholic individuals to the Catholic Church and the three heavenly angels teach them about the true meaning and definition of Mass and the beauty of the Sacrament of Confession.

I won't give away much of the details of the movie, but my little rascals were quite enamored with the movie. Just a little thing I love are the 3 angels... The first time we watched the movie, I couldn't watch it since I am partially deaf and my television needed a special wire to transmit the captions needed for me to 'see/hear' the movie. The second time was a charm and we were able to see the movie as a family. We will be watching the movie tomorrow for our Catholic religion  part of our curriculum, so the kids will get to add this to the Lenten journey this season.  

If you are looking for a Catholic family movie that is beautifully made and will show you the beautiful power of God, the many miracles and how people can restore their life in the unseen and mystery of our beautiful Catholic faith and the beauty of the Catholic Mass and the beautiful sacraments it offers, watch The Greatest Miracle with your families. 

It continues to change us and also inspire others in our life to always lean on God daily. God loves us, and He is a Great and Good God. God is good all the time as we say in our home. 

From our Catholic home to yours, Peace be with you always! 

God bless you!

Field Trip to Jungle Island - January 18, 2013

 

This year our family belongs to 3 homeschool groups and lucky for us, one of the three had organized a field trip to Jungle Island (Parrot Jungle) in Miami, Florida. We could not pass up the great deal and special on this field trip! We felt blessed to be able to do this special field trip since we have been budgeting and saving this year.

With great good fortune, the field trip fell around my Lil' Ragu's 4th birthday this year. As an added surprise, Dennis/Daddy made it a weekend to remember for him by taking the Friday off for a family outing! Little Ragu was all smiles. 

Here are some photos of the special Jungle Island Field Trip! 

 

 

The REAL Rio of Jungle Island!

 

Birthday Boy - Lil' Ragu having a grand old time with Doc Wasabis Adventures!

 

 

Lunch Time for the Lil' Rascals!

 

 

In this bird show we got to see some beautiful and rare birds. And Lil' Meatball took a tiny nap as well.

The monkey and parrot exhibit we walked into had these really tiny monkeys roam freely as well as the beautiful parrots. These monkeys were searching for food, climbing the rocks and also wanted to play with my very expensive camera. lol!

 

 

 

 

Rosebud saying Happy 4th Birthday to Lil' Ragu!

The beauty of Pink Flamingos of Jungle Island! We had a cold snap for South Florida, but we didn't mind one bit, it was such a beautiful day!

 

Rare Sausage Trees --- I would love to have one of these interesting and beautiful trees one day in my family backyard! =)

Rosebud did not want to leave. We had so much fun!

Ash Wednesday -- The beginning of Lent 2013

As we as a family celebrate Ash Wednesday, with reflection on this beautiful change of seasons of our own personal journeys, we pray that Pope Benedict XVI finds comfort and love from all who love him and admire him around the world, and that the best decision for our Catholic Faith be an easy one for those deciding on a new Pope in the coming season.

From our family to yours -- Peace be with you during this Lenten Season. 

ASH WEDNESDAY PRAYER

God of the desert,
as we follow Jesus into the unknown,
may we recognize the tempter when he comes;
let it be Your bread we eat,
Your world we serve
and You alone we worship. Amen

Smile! The best is yet to come...

Lil' Ragu on his 4th birthday this January 20th. Such a special child, that always Smiles and is filled with so much LOVE!

We have been struggling since the beginning of the new year as a family to get things in order in all ways. I think mostly for my husband Dennis and myself, time runs off at it's own pace and before you know it, it's time to start the day over again. Between the things that encompass family life, in-laws visiting, Christmas, taking the ornaments down, lights down, Florida winter cleaning, and house chores, plus work, it's been quite overwhelming.

We were able to enjoy in January, a homeschool field trip to Jungle Island in Miami which everyone of the lil' rascals enjoyed, especially Lil' Ragu, since he was the birthday boy a couple of days later. (Those pictures soon to come this week)

I made a commitment to myself this past year to learn and grow with my photography. It has paid off to study at night, but I have become totally burned out and exhausted. When I took a step back and realized that to make my dreams come true, I would have to take the slow and steady pace and trust in God that things will work out. I want my journey like motherhood to be somewhat fun.

Since the attitude change, I have put things in motion. For me it was a way to start a new business that I know the lil' rascals could learn and grow from, since they love photography as well.

So here I have been all this time. Devoting my time to my new photography online porfolio, taking late night classes, and just processing photos for friends and family and doing photo sessions.

I have a full week of great things that will be happening in our homeschool. I can't wait to post them and enjoy or rather reflect in the new season of Lent this year. There are so many things that I learn from the season of Lent. I so much need this change in my life it hurts.

Mardi Gras, Lent and Valentine's Day all in one week. Should be fun!

{P,H,F,R} Feast Day of Saint Nicholas and our 1st week of Advent

{Pretty, Happy, Funny, Real}

My Lil' Rascals @ Santa's Ice Castle ~ Merry Christmas 2012!

 I really couldn't decide this week what was pretty, happy, funny or real. But I want to add that every picture has brought different emotions for everyone in my home. So this week it will be a potpouri {P,H,F,R} post. Enjoy the Merry Christmas Smiles!

Shoes left out for St. Nicholas Feast Day Treats! Photo taken with my cell phone since my battery died in Mr. Nikon. I am not a fan of cell phone pics, they destroy the integrity of any picture with low resolution. I tend to use my Mr. Nikon. ;)
Glory Baby Photography & Design

St. Nicholas' Feast Day 2012 -- December 6th, 2012 - New treats, books and Candy boxes full of yummy treats.

 

 

 

A nice Christmas treat is that my mom and dad were able to join us this year. My mom and dad have not been well in health this year, and seeing them smiling and enjoying the grandchildren was a great present for my heart this year. Above you will see part of the scenery before you take your picture with Santa at the Ice Castle. 

This year after our Annual Santa Picture we decided to enjoy the South Florida "Snow". It's actually tiny little soap suds in the air, which once it hits your eyes it kind of stings a little. It didn't bother the lil' rascals at all, because they were immersed with the music and the laughter of playing and catching snow - even if it was a little soapy. 

The Lil' Rascals were trying to catch the snowflakes with their tongues! My mom also was able to get these little light sabers for free. It was truly a magical evening for our family.

The Light Sticks didn't last long with the little ones that evening. They were sure tuckered out by the time we got to Abuelo and Abuela's house, and we enjoyed sweet treats to eat afterwards.

Sunday after 10:30am Mass we went to our Annual Santa Workshop @ our Parish St. Bonaventure Catholic Church 

"Dear St. Nicholas, I love you but I don't want you to eat my Sugar Cookie!" out of the mouth of  my dear Lil' Meatball.

 

 ~ Capturing the context of contentment in everyday life. ~