The Season of Lent

Lent for me is a time of penance and discipline. It is my time to clear my head, my heart, and evaluate my life. So yes, the next 40 days is a very important time of year for me to evaluate, reflect, simplify, and most importantly grow in my relationship with Christ!

With help from my fabulous little sister Tay, I've decided to give up Bread, Yep, BREAD! I understand that this might not be a big deal to some, but for me this is huge! I eat bread with everything, I LOVE bread. I'm one of those girls who will get the loaf of bread down, and have a slice, WHILE, I am deciding what to make for dinner, ha. At first, it was a joke, and then I realized this could be really hard for me, and this period isn't supposed to be easy, so there you have it, a true commitment.

I mean let me just reflect for a moment:
- Sandwiches
- Cinnamon toast, heck just toast
- biscuits, bagels, MUFFINS
- Olive Garden bread sticks
- Cheese toast w/ Spaghetti and ALL things Italian
- BROWNIES, cake, cupcakes, Banana nut bread......
-TORTILLAS!
- Pita's, BUNS (Hamburger & Hot dogs)

WOW, what am I forgetting? That is all I can think of at the moment, and this is going to be SO HARD!

I do know how blessed I am, and I do know I take so much for granted. Some days are hard, some days super busy. I know I don't take the time to stop and give God the time and attention He deserves. I've commitment an hour a night of quiet time, REAL quiet time, not just getting through my reading to check another thing off my list (I know HORRIBLE attitude), but to really be still, be in His word and listen. I've already begun this one, and this time is so precious to me, my time to be still and to listen. So with an open heart and open mind, I am excited to begin....

Bye, Bye Bread, C.

My life makes my heart HAPPY!

Among the craziness our life brings here at the Castro's, I love when we can just take a moment, or a weekend to just slow down, and be together. Yes, it was Valentine's Weekend, but we've always kept it low key and relaxing. Friday night I had my first Spanish test, and I felt HORRIBLE, after it! You know when you are sitting there and you go blank on something you've studied so hard for, and then as soon as you turn in the test, walk outside, it all clicks, well that was my experience, but I got my test back today, and I did way better than expected, so it made my heart happy!

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Friday night, Adolfo, Tay and I went to a late night movie to see Valentine's Day, just what we needed to get into the spirit, it was cute for Valentine's. Saturday, Adolfo and I spent the day at the Ranch spending time with his Mom and Dad. It was so peaceful, I mean just sitting there in the peace and quiet, I loved it! We fed the cow and fixed a fence for his Dad, it was my first time to fix a fence, but I was really proud of what we did, and we helped his Dad alot, so that made my heart happy, and any quality time with my hubby makes me happy!

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Today, was our Stay-at-home Valentine's Day! In blogs past I've already shared what we do on Valentine's Day, Pizza, Dessert and MOVIES!

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Our sweet little treats....

The quickest way to my hubbies heart, it's special to us!

We LOVE cards, and PIZZA!

We don't do gifts, and well Adolfo cheated....He surprised me with 2 candles, one for our bed room, which I am truly enjoying at the moment while I type and one for the bathroom, I LOVE THEM, and I loved the sweet surprise!

And I can't forget to share how amazing my little sister is, she got me a treat too! Yes, I LOVE Sharpies, and I LOVE pens...well here they are together...This makes my heart happy! I already had the black ones, but in my line of work....the other colors are just as important, especially the RED! So, I am so excited to take these to work tomorrow and break them in!

I loved my Valentine's Day, sweet, simple, and relaxing....the way it's supposed to be. What can I say? My life makes my heart HAPPY!

So much Activity, So little time!

This past week was kind of a blur, and the weekend went by even faster. Among the business of work and school, Adolfo's father was rushed to the emergancy room early Friday morning. A couple of years back, Adolfo's father was diagnosed with Pancriatic Cancer. He is such a fighter, and still has such a strong spirit, but the cancer and treatments all begin to wear on your body. After many tests, on Saturday, we got all positive results from the stomach tests, and he was able to come home. Please keep Alex in your prayers, as well as the Castro Family, during these very challenging times.

He is such a sweetheart, and he hates everyone making a fuss over him. Once it's comfirmed he is ok, he always sends everyone home to rest...like I said, no matter what he is dealing with he is always thinking of everyone else.

After recieving positive test results, Adolfo and I headed home. Saturday night was Ladie's Game Night, and we had so much fun....

Eating, playing, laughing......

Sunday was full trying to catch up and rest. I had class, and it was homework, and a little shopping for Adolfo. We tried to re-negociate a new phone plan, but to get the best deal we just need to wait till June. That's ok I don't mind waiting.....

Sundays are now my offical Coupon Sundays....Boy, have I found some great deals...I LOVE going to the store, seeing our total, and then seeing it go down one coupon at a time!

I HATE making lunches for work, I'd much rather be social for a whole hour, but with busy season, sometimes we benefit from just working through lunch....

My Aunt Emma shared this trick with us awhile back and I am just getting around to try it. She takes a roll of french bread, makes on huge sandwich, and then cuts it and packages it for lunches....all the work is done, and you are ready to go for lunch....low cost, easy to make, and most important, I am not having to make lunches in the AM, add a piece of fruit, bag of chips and your done....

That's 2 lunches for Me, Adolfo and Tay....

Thanks, Aunt Emma!

Tonight Tay and I just got groceries for the week, and enjoyed a quick dinner....Here is Tay trying to get away with things she can't do at home....

No manners I tell you!

We are just embracing the current state of craziness, but we are happy, we are healthy, and we are surrounded by the ones we love....what more do we need!