This weekend

We are back from our trip to Simi Valley, California. We left Saturday, some time after 4 AM. Most of our trip was raining. In the Bakersfield Hills we got to see snow in the mountains. The kids got very excited. Once we reached LA county line, we got stuck in traffic for about and hour. There were two bad accidents. About six cars in the first and one car about a mile a way fliped on its side. I kept praying all the way till we got to my sister-in laws house.

The party was at her house. Her daughter turned 15. I did not take pictures of her with her dress. But I have pictures of my husband and his older sibblings. Some pictures of my kids in the car while we where driving there and back home.

Even though it was raining most of the day. Everyone was happy. Having a great time. We started our trip back home this morning at about 9:30 AM. I knew we will not make it back before two o'clock mass. I feel bad when I miss Mass on Sundays. But I prayed my rosary and read the readings for the day. I know it is not the same and it does not count, but it help me feel less guilty. We got home at about 3 PM. Then, I took my kids to a cousin's house near by our home. She was also having a party.

We are now home and I am thankful to God for keeping us safe during our traveling. I will also say a prayer tonight for all those who died this Saturday. There was an Earthquake in Chile. I do not know anyone from there, but I have seen specials on EWTN from places in Chile. I believe that there where showing the life of St.Theresa of the Andes, who was also from Chile. There was an Earthquake in Haiti just about a month ago, and now another one in Chile. It is scary because we live in a state that is known to have lots of earthquakes. And the Tsunami alerts where also getting people nervous.

Off for a few days

I have decided to abstain from the use of the internet on Fridays. And I am also limiting my computer time to 30 minutes per day. So I do not have a lot of time to read the blogs I follow, and write post like before. I am writing short post and as quick as possible.

In those 30 minutes of time, I check emails, check bank account balance, read quick updates on the blogs I follow and it is not enough. But it is good for me because I spend less time on computer and more time on other things. I continue knitting the prayer shawl, which is almost done. I am making a crocheted doll of Pope John Paul II. And I have not started yet on the dollies.

This weekend we will be out of town. Husband's niece is having her Quincenera, 15th birthday party. So we will probably be back until Monday.

I have not been well this past two days. I am not sure if it is allergies or a cold. My nose is red like rudolf the reinder. LOL. The weather is nice one day, and raining the next, windy at night and very cold in the mornings too. I try not to take medicine at all because it does not help. So I try to drink lots of liquids, specially orance juice. At night I drink warm tea with honey. It helps me sleep better.

Other than that everything else, is great. The puppies are getting bigger. Took them out for some sunlight yesterday. Older brother was very curious about them. He will sniff at them and bark. Mommy chihuahua was very close ready to protect her puppies. And of course I was close too, to make sure brother chihuahua did not harm the puppies.

Happy Birthday Erica!

Today is my sisters's birthday. Happy birthday sister! I hope you have a very blessed day, either at work or at home. I am not sure what your plans are for today. But know that I am thinking of you and praying for you. Thanks for all the great things you do to help us all in our spiritual walk with God. Thanks for being a great support to our parents and younger sibblings.

I am thankful to God for giving me a sister like Erica. I love all my sisters and brothers, all are very unique in all their ways. But Erica is very special to me, because she is a strong person, who has inspired me in so many ways. She is younger than me, but has always been a responsible person in all she does. She became a Mom at a young age, even before I was a Mom. And though at that time she was single, she made it through the tough times and has raised her son well.

She is teaching her children to love Jesus. Teaching them to love our faith and culture. She is a great sister, a great daughter, mother, and friend.

Homework for Class

Today was the first class for second semester of Theology class. I have an assignment on the Life of the Franciscans. I also will be studing the book of Mathew. I have three classes and all three have different books and homework assignments, but I am glad that class meets every two weeks. So I have plenty of time to spend on each homework.

I love my classes and the teachers are very enthusiastic. The classmates make very interesting questions and help make the class more enjoyable and not boring.

The reason that I am taking this classes if for my own personal growth in the Catholic faith. Next year, I will be teaching the second year, first communion preparation class. I think that this classes will help me prepare better as a Cathequist. I think that learning about your faith should be a continual process. In taking this classes, I also gain a deeper understanding of God and the bible. Having a close relationship with God is very important to me. This is why daily, I read my bible and meditate on what I have read. Then I spend some time in prayer. God calls each of us to be disciples. We should go out and share his gospel with those who do not know him.

Lent begins today

As you can see, I have changed the colors of the linens in my living room and hallway. The first picture is from the hallway right next to the bathroom door and the back entrance to the house. The second picture is the living room home shrine or prayer corner, like I like to call it. I recently read in other blogs that they call it the "feast table". You can see the new window panels that I made. I used 2 yards of fabric per panel.

The last picture is what I decided to do for displaying the liturgical vestment for this lent season. I have to redo the alb again and later use the standing cross again for after lent. I found this cross at Michaels and it has a whole in the back to hang on the wall. This wall is between two window in my living room. Right above my arm chair where I sit to pray and read my bible.

Today we are attending Mass to receive the sign of the cross on our forehead. We beging a season of preparation for Easter. This a time of penance, fasting, and a deeper conversion.

So how do I teach this, to my children?

As a child, I remember that grandmother will not allow us to watch tv or hear the radio on holy days. We will abstain from eating meat on Fridays. But I never quite really comprehended the reason for all of this. Until a few years ago when I returned to the Catholic faith. I finally realized the significance of all the things done in lent. No water in the holy water fountains, the color purple used in the linens of the church. All those thing became more clear know. And I want my children to know the real meaning. I want them to be able to respond to their children when they ask, "why do we do this, and what does it mean for us?"

I thank all those other Catholic Moms who share their ideas for lent. Now I have resources and I think I can give my children a better explanation than what my Mom gave me. "We do this because it is a tradition that has been done for many years." period. No more. ? So I continued participating in a tradition that in reality did not have real meaning to me, until now. Thanks to EWTN, teology classes, and Catholic radio, I am learning so many things about my Catholic faith, and I am finding real meaning to all the traditions and feasts celebrated in the Catholic faith.

Learning to loom

Remember how excited I was about learning to make scarfs on this loom. Well, the work was put on pause because of all the other projects that I was working on. Last night my daughter wanted to learn how to do this and look how much she has done.

I did half of the work, but she is a quick learner and she is teaching her brother too. Now I need another loom.

Please forgive the mess in the background. Husband was watching tv in the living room, and he left some beer cans on the side table. I did not notice until after uploading the picture.

Prayer shawl

Here it is about 2/3 of it completed. It has taken me a while since I only work on it for a few hours per day. Last night I was working on it and I noticed a dropped stitch, I tried to fix it and I had to undo about three rows of work. I thought that I will have to undo everything, but thank God that it was only a few rows. You are not able to see it well in this picture, I will take another picture later when is finished. The color is eggplant or dark purple. I love the softness of the yarn. I am sure it will bring warm and comfort to the recipient.

The multipurpose attic and kids rooms

Well this Saturday, I was busy sewing, and my kids were busy cleaning their rooms. I have been doing things in my craft area and the table was cluttered with fabric, foamy, patterns, and all kinds of other craft supplies used over the holidays.

I started putting things away in their boxes and drawers, folded the fabrics and got the table all clear to start on my new projects. Somehow it will probably end up the same way, but I will try to put things away as soon as I am done to avoid this problem.

I like to have my creative space in the attic, because in case its messy, no one will get to see it unless they go up there. I do not like to use the kitchen table or coffee table in the living room, but sometimes I just do. I try to keep this areas as clutter free as possible. My bedroom is a sacred area. No hobbies or clutter hidding place there. I try to keep it as clutter free as possible. My house is not perfectly in order and perhaps it will never be, but I can rest peacefully knowing that if unexpected guest come over, they can find a place to sit.

Kids rooms are my biggest challenge, but I have resisted the temptation of cleaning them myself. My kids made their rooms as clean as possible this weekend. No clutter on beds or floors. Toys have a labeled box, but somehow they managed to get everything in a box even if it was not the right one. I still, rewarded their effort and good attitude to clean their room. All kids channels are still blocked for a while. I had to stop being a nice Mom, and not permit them to see tv until those rooms where cleaned.

I kept hearing daughter say, " I am so proud of myself and how clean my room looks." She even found things she had been looking for.

Kids are off for a whole week. So I plan to keep them busy and off the tv. We will probably go to the museum. And if possible to Mass in the mornings. We are attending Mass on wednesday together as family. I am glad there is a noon Mass and evening Mass this year at our parish.

Getting back to my knitting, I am almost done with the prayer shawl. I will post pictures tomorrow.

Finished Dress

Daughter asked me to make a dress for her new doll that her Godmother gave to her. It took me all morning to do. But here it is. I had made it a long dress, but daughter did not like it so I had to shorten the skirt.

I added a pocket in the front of the skirt because there was a blue spot on the fabric, probably ink. Wow, I thought I will never finish. The thread on sewing machine kept coming out and I hate having to stop and insert it in the needle like 100 times.

I have lots more sewing projects to do. I also finished some window panels for living room. I will show the pictures later.

Dolls for Haiti children

Sarah over at Dolly Donations has a pattern to make this adorable dolls to send to children in Haiti.



Go over to her site and find out more about this and help us send dolls to children in Haiti.



"Tomasita" was made for a purpose, to be loved by a child in Haiti.

Franciscan doll

I just finished this Franciscan doll. I originally wanted to make St. Francis but was not sure of how to add the beard. At the end it looks more like St. Anthony. In the picture I had not added the eyes and mouth yet. My camera is out of batteries because I left it on all night. So I have to wait to take the final picture on the doll. I also added a crucifix.

I am following instructions from a book on amigurumi and a nun doll pattern that I got online. The nun doll's designer is Irene Duquette. I google search nun doll and that is how I got the pattern. For the collar, I made a chain long enough to go over his head. Then I joined it and began working in rounds. I do not know exactly how many stiches per row. Once you know the basics is easy to figure it out on your own without a pattern for some of the pieces. The head and body are joined together, the arms are made seperately and then sewn to body under the collar.

I finished this doll in about two hours. I want to mention that I am a beginner at crocheting and knitting, so you can imagine that if I was able to do this, you can too.

Infant Jesus Tradition

On February 2nd, we celebrated the Presentation of Jesus at the Temple. It is also known as the day Candles are blessed in Catholic churches. Why do we celebrate this day? It is mentioned in the gospel of Luke, in the second chapter, verse 25.

Mary and Joseph took Jesus to the temple and there in the temple was a man named Simeon. When Simeon took Jesus in his arms he said, "I have seen your salvation with my own eyes. You prepared him before all people. He is a light for all people to see."


Jesus is the light of the world. For this reason candles are used as a symbol of Jesus light in our homes.

In Mexico we celebrate this day by taking the image of the infant Jesus to be blessed. Some families dress him in baby clothes or fancy dresses. The image is placed in a chair or throne.

This is Son's infant Jesus

This is daughter's infant Jesus

And here is the infant Jesus in our living room.

The dresses were made by a friend of the family except the one of son's infant Jesus. She made the dress from last year too.

I just read in a mexican magazine that is a 3 year tradition. The first year you dress the image like a baby. The second year like a man or Saint. And the third year as a King. There are many images of the Infant Jesus venerated in different places of the world. The Infant of Prague, the child of Atocha in Mexico, and the Divine Child in Colombia.

In the best of families

I love spending time with my sisters and brothers. You can say we are a great big family that sticks together. But there are those times when things go wrong and someone is mad with the other.

In spite of the problems and different temperaments, there is one thing we have in common, we love God. I know that God will never allow us to permanately hate each other. We might be at each other's throat one day and the next be well, like nothing happened.

But it should not be that way! I hate to see my sisters mad at each other and say hurtful things to each other. You are able to forgive but is harder to forget.

I guess since I live farther away from my sisters and Mom, I rarely get involve in the arguements as much.

This last weekend, my sisters had an arguement. I am not going to give you all the details, or repeat what they said to each other, to respect their privacy. The fact is that a small incident brought about the whole issue. My sisters have very strong temperaments. They just do not give up. Another sister tried to make them reconcile and things got worse. I kept silent. I have tried to fix things before and got hurt in the process. Then there is our Mother. Who says she does not side on any one of them. But in reality she does.

I do not agree with either. To me they were both wrong. But what else can I do. Pray, Pray, and Pray.

I truly wish that I will be able to visit them and not hear them fight. I know that the problem is the devil. He is just looking for the perfect moment to bring chaos in families. He hates families that are into the ways of God. He knows our weaknesses well, and he enjoys to see families divided.

I am offering myself this year to the service of God. I will be praying to God to work out things between my sisters, so that they no longer fight. There are certain things that can only be conquered with prayer and fasting. Lent is coming up and what perfect time to do this.

I believe that there will be a change in each one and they will realize that we are family and we need to be a happy family. Love each other as God loves us.

13th Wedding Anniversary

Today is my wedding anniversary. Wow how time flies. Like every married couple we had our up and downs. I thank God that he has brought us out of the bad times strong and together.

I pray that God will continue to bless us, and keep us together until death do us part.

Niece's slumber party

I am at Mom's house at niece's 7th birthday party. Last night, I was very busy making her gift. I started making a carmelite nun using some ideas from this book that teaches how to make crocheted toys.

I did not have time to post on our new puppies. It is only 3 puppies. They are all doing well, and mommy too. I will post pictures later. And picture of my crocheted carmelite nun.

I learned a new technique for knitting. My Mom showed me this easier way of eliminating the wraping of the yarn on the needle. I will see if I can take video of her technique. Apparently this the way most of the ladies in my family know how to knit.

So I am here in my sister's room, writing this post while everyone else is in the living room chatting. My niece is so happy we came. I will stay at Mom's house. My sister's house is just next door to my Mom's house.

Husband did not come with us. He stayed home to take care of the puppies and the other two chihuahua dogs. I will return home tomorrow.

San Felipe de Jesus

Today is the feast day of St. Philip of Jesus. A Mexican martyr who was killed in Nagasaki, Japan. He was the first Mexican to be canonized.

I like to teach my children about the Saints and they love to color pictures of them. But I searched a coloring page and could not find one. I think I will have to make one myself. I am not much of an artist. I like to make different crafts, sewing projects, and now I am working on knitting and crocheting.

I started on a crocheted Nun doll, But I do not have most of the materials needed for the doll.

I have not finished the prayer shawl yet. I have been doing other small projects. Learning techniques on youtube. I just finished a pair of booties for Son's infant Jesus. They are so cute.

I am going to go purchase the materials for the nun. I am thinking of giving it as a gift to someone.

My anniversary is coming up soon. Monday is my 13th wedding anniversary. I will have a special post about it later. Niece's birthday is on Monday too. And St. Valentine's day is coming up also. So many celebrations and activities do.

Yesterday, I saw a movie of Don Bosco. I cried with it. It was been show on EWTN. I have also been inspired by the life of St. Teresa of the Andes in Chile. I get to see the Spanish version of EWTN, so I have been learning so much about our Catholic faith and Latin American Saints.

I have to go check on my pet chihuhua again, probably will post later in the evening to update you on her puppies.

First Puppy Born

My pet Chihuahua is having her puppies. We saw the first puppy this morning at about 7:19 AM. We knew it was almost time. And our other Chihuahua dog was crying. So I figured something must be wrong. I told my son to go see. He said Amy was in her bed and will not move. I got scared. So went to see what was wrong. And I saw it, her first puppy, all white with brown and black spots. It is been more than 30 minutes and no more puppies. So I am praying to St. Francis and St. Martin de Porres to help our pet have her other puppies with no complications. Last year she had 4 puppies. And the first time she had three puppies. Lets see how many she has this time.

Going to go check on her.

The picture is from last years puppies. Those puppies are now 8 months old. We only kept one, Camaleon, an all black puppy. Who is now worried about his mommy.

My Brother

This is my brother Ernie. He is now 25 years old. And he has Cystic Fibrosis.

Years ago when he was diagnosed with CF, we did not know what it was and we did not know how long he will be able to live with this disease. We are thankful to God that he has always been there for my brother and the rest of the family.

Thanks also to great doctors at Children's Hospital that have been helpful everytime he was hospitalized. And over the years we have learned so much from CF. Great research has been done in the last years.

But without God's help, we do not know what we had done. I can say that my brother is a very strong person. He has gone thru a lot. So many medications, so many hospitalizations. And the treatments are quite expensive. We are thankful that there are certains programs available to help my parents with the bills and medicine.

Now that he is an adult, he enjoys doing things every young adult does. Can you believe that he is the one in this next picture. Yes, it is him. He is a Mexican Rodeo Cowboy.

I am so proud of my brother, because he has not let his illness depress him or keep him bed ridden. Yes, he needs to take his medicine regularly and carries his pulmoaide everywhere he goes. And he makes sure to get his regular check ups with his doctors to make sure everything is ok. Sometimes he needs to be hospitalized for a few weeks. He needs to take care of himself and avoid getting sick with a cold or flu. He can easily get pneumonia if he does not get treated soon.

CF affects the lungs and digestive system. Please if you are able to donate to the CF foundation, your donation can make it possible for many CF patients to live longer and also make it possible to find a cure.

Please also pray that a cure will be found.

Thank you and God Bless you.

San Blas

I just had to post something on this very special day. This morning as I was reading the daily readings and a short biography of St. Blaise, I got an amazing revelation.

Years ago, about 30 years ago. I was in surgery to have my tonsils removed. My dear Grandma, will always remind me of this day. I remember it as it was yesterday. My grandmother took me to church the day before I was admitted into the hospital. I remember kneeling in front of the image of the Nazareno. The image of Jesus dressed in a purple tunic and carring the cross. We lighted a candle and she prayed for my surgery to go well.

I was admitted to the hospital on February 3, and the surgery was performed in the evening. Now that I know that St. Blaise is the patron saint of throats. I can say that my dear Grandmother made sure that I had my surgery on that day. The surgery went well, and when I woke up from the sedation, I was on an elevator on my way to the recovery unit, until a room was ready for me.

When I returned home, I remember that I was given popsicles and icecream. My Grandmother was there next to me all the time taking care of me. I also have an uncle named Blas, the Spanish form of Blaise. And my husband had an uncle named Blas too. His uncle was 103 years old when he died this past Sunday, may he rest in peace.

Thanks to Charlotte for her coloring page of St. Blaise, my children are coloring it now.