{JEI}: Sports and Exercise

Welcome to the weekly link-up recently turned Blog-Hop Just Enough Info: JEI for short. This lovely Blog-Hop is hosted by The Zelie Group and we would love for you to join us! This week we are discussing Sports and Exercise! These are my kind of topics that are close to my heart and dominate mine and my children's schedules. Let's get started with this week's questions:

1. What sports do your kids play?

A better question would be, what sports don't my kids play?! I have some EXTREMELY active children and I absolutely LOVE IT! We just finished football for Little Man (this was his 5th season!) and soccer for Goalie just two weeks ago and the boys are a little sad they don't get to hangout with their teammates as much but they are excited about the sports seasons to come! I believe there will be a basketball season starting up through the boys' school soon.

In addition to these two sports. Little Man has played basketball, t-ball, soccer and is actually running in two different running groups: The 100 Mile Club and Boys on the Run. Goalie has played many seasons of soccer and has been involved in karate and is also participating in the 100 Mile Club. They are both new members of the Boy Scouts too! To say I am proud would be an understatement! I am so glad that I am raising children that are active in sports to encourage team work, hard work and dedication. I believe these are important characteristics they will need to be successful and world-changing adults. I won't bombard you with tons of pictures of all the past and present activities because this post would take you forever to get through! 

2. What do you do for exercise? 

I was born with Spina Bifida, which is a neural tube defect that affects my spine. Essentially I have a hole in my spine. I have been blessed beyond measure that I was spared being in a wheelchair and that I deal with slight to moderate pain on a daily basis versus what happens to most born with this disease. I had surgery as a baby while living over seas and the doctors told my parents I would probably need braces or something to help support myself as I walked. Neither the doctors or my parents can explain how I learned to walk without assistance but I did and I have done everything possible to enjoy my life because I am reminded on a daily basis how blessed I am to have this opportunity. Any day I could wake up and need a wheelchair or be told I can't be active anymore so everyday is special to me.

Obviously being aware that I am lucky to be able to walk, health and fitness have always been important to me. I have always been a runner and a basketball player. I have to admit I haven't touched a basketball in many years but it will always have a particularly special place in my heart. As a mommy, I still run and I weight lift to exercise but since moving to Colorado I have also enjoyed going on many different hikes! I have participated in Mud Runs, Tough Mudders, Color Runs and several other races. I really need to find a good one to do now... I haven't raced since relocating. In addition to running I weight train. I like to lift with my husband but with my return to the work force that barely happens anymore.

3. In the Mom Olympics, what would your event be?

Now if I were in the Mom Olympics and we were being judged upon mommy skills, I would probably be involved in one that entails multi-tasking. I have to admit that I am amazing at multi-tasking. As I finish typing this post, I am currently juggling preparing dinner, Goalie in the shower, Little Man reading out loud (reading homework) and starting the dishes and laundry. I know that might sound a little crazy but I have had no choice in learning this magnificent skill. My kids are never able to complete things at the same time and between therapies, school events, sports and church events I have been forced to learn how to juggle a million things at once. I am also a server, so I get lots of practice at work too!

Thank you for joining me for another week of Just Enough Info!

You have all week to answer this week's questions about Sports and Exercise:

1. What sports do your kids play?
2. What do you do for exercise?
3. In the Mom Olympics, what would your event be?

Next week we will be discussing the Year of Mercy because The Year of Mercy wraps up on November 20th:

1. What did (or can in these last few weeks!) yWhat are you thankful for?our family do to mark the year?

2. What Work of Mercy is easiest or most challenging for you?

3. Do you have a story of mercy in your own life to share?  Or do you have a favorite saint/quote/resource to pass along?

The Zelie Group has some fun questions coming up in the next few weeks so make sure to follow us on Facebook and we would love to hear what you are interested in! What are you looking to learn about? Do you have questions about the Faith? Questions about the Liturgical Year? We want to help and learn and grow with you and your families!

Also stop by the new Page I created on my blog for new information concerning The Zelie Group. It is a work in progress but it has a good start!

{SQT}: Farewell September

Am I the only one who blinked and September was over?! I am honestly in complete shock that tomorrow will be the first day of October! Don't get me wrong... we had an exciting month, September but I am looking forward to what October brings. As Anne of Green Gables said best, “I'm so glad I live in a world where there are Octobers.” Let me give September that final farewell with my Seven Quick Takes for this week.

{ONE}

Earlier in the month my husband and I made a commitment to each other to spend more alone time together. We both work in the hospitality industry and we juggle a ton of extra curricular activities so it feels like it is near impossible to enjoy time alone, together, not only as a husband and wife but as a couple that wants to stay connected in faith, hope and love. This week we decided to cross off something from our Autumn Bucket List and go for our first Autumn walk to see the changing colors of the leaves. It was a gorgeous experience! We went to the Rampart Reservoir and walked around 5-6 miles around the Reservoir before we had a little picnic with a glass of Merlot. The rocks and sand around the reservoir sparkled with gold flecks and the gorgeous hues of yellow, orange and red has just begun. As much as we enjoyed this hike, we will be going on another one in a week or two to see the progression of the changing leaves. I will share more pictures later!

{TWO}

I got a flat tire on my way to our first Parish Faith Night. We managed to drive all the way to the church and when I stepped out of the jeep I heard rushing air. At first I didn't think anything about it but when I got the boys out of the jeep and we walked to the front of the vehicle the awful hissing got louder. I reached down to the front left tire and could feel the air rushing out. I ran inside to speak to the coordinator of the Parish Faith Night because I was suppose to stand at the Liturgical Year poster to give information to families about how to celebrate the Liturgical Year at home. I explained the situation and got my boys in the jeep and drove to a Loaf and Jug nearby. The tire was COMPLETELY flat at this point. I tried using the fix-a-flat but it must have been old or mishandled because the side of the can blew out. My amazing dad had packed me an emergency kit so I was able to patch the tire, refill it and get home. My boys learned the importance of being educated in tire repair and other things that don't seem important to know until it's too late. It was a little scary because it was dark, no one offered us help and I wasn't sure the patch would hold. God took the wheel and kept us safe. 

{THREE}

I love this picture of my hubby and Cloudy. Cloudy is like my husband's furry baby. He follows him around and loves on him 24/7 when he is home. My husband loves it because although he loves our children with all his soul, his heart aches for more children. So I wasn't sure I was going to share this or not but I have a pull in my heart that I am suppose to share the start of a new Fertility journey for my husband and I. We made the big leap and contacted the doctors that we have been contemplating contacting to try to find out if we will be able to have children together. Our appointments aren't until the end of October and November but I would greatly appreciate any prayers that you could give asking that God shows us the path to more children that we so desperately want. I would love to be able to carry more children but if that is not what our Lord wants, we will investigate adoption. Let thy will be done!

{FOUR}

I know it is not Halloween, or even October yet but we already have started our fall baking. We enjoyed a Halloween funfetti cake with orange icing and Halloween sprinkles. It was so good! We actually finished off the cake during our Autumn hike picnic I spoke about earlier. We didn't just enjoy Halloween cake but we have already started watching Halloween movies. We have watched The Halloween Tree, Charlie Brown's The Great Pumpkin and a few other Halloween classics. I need to pick out a new one to have another movie night with my boys this weekend! 

What are your favorite Halloween classic movies? What about treats? We do all of our feasting now because Halloween is actually a day of fasting before the All Saints Day Celebration begins!

{FIVE}

We received this banner from Mass last week regarding proposition 106. I am not a politically active person because I think politics are way too messy and most things are not what they seem but I felt it was important to show that I do not support proposition 106. I hope that the banner inspires others to stand up against this proposition too. We live in an apartment complex and I was almost 100% positive the management would remove the sign but it is still standing. I am hoping to keep it displayed as long as possible. 

Prop 106 would allow Colorado doctors to write a suicide prescription for a consenting person who has been diagnosed with a terminal illness with six months or less to live. But as 9 NEWS in Denver points out, the measure “requires the patient to self-administer the drug to end their own life.”

{SIX}

Little Man and Goalie have been LOVING their experiences with Lion/ Cub Scouts. Tonight the boys completed a booklet to receive their first badge! The Bobcat Badge! We also learned about an opportunity to go on our first Family Campout with the Boy Scouts of America. Anyone else have experience of this great group? I would love to hear all about your thoughts!

{SEVEN}

Today is the feast of Saint Jerome and he is the patron of Librarians! It was only fitting that I take the boys on a trip to the library and stock myself with some thriller books to start the month of October! The boys were excited to stock up on some Halloween and All Hallows Eve Books and a few movies for the weekend. We have always been a book loving family but I feel like the boys love for the library has grown excessively over the past few months. I am a little ashamed to say that this is our first visit to the library since the summer! We have been swamped with the Back-to-school routine, sports, altar serving schedule, CCD and the many other things we have been juggling. Seeing the smiles on my boys faces today reminded me about how important these short but sweet family outings really are to me and my boys. 

Colorado Autumn Bucket List

Autumn is my favorite time of the year. I am a lover of craft beers, holiday wine and seasonal coffee. This season brings the best of all my favorites together and combines with the amazing cool crisp air. This will be my first fall in the mountains and I can't begin to describe how excited I am! Here is a great list of fun activities that I have decided really need to happen during this Fall!

Boo at the Zoo:

As I mentioned in our Summer Time Bucket List, we purchased a membership to the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo. This special event is just one of many events we are excited to experience thanks to the perks of this membership. It's not free but we save $5 per ticket!

Emma Crawford Coffin Race and Parade:

I could not begin to describe this event if I tried! This is the info from Colorado.com:

Emma Crawford was a young woman who came to Manitou Springs in the late 1800’s seeking to be healed of tuberculosis by taking the “cure” from Manitou’s healing mineral springs. Emma passed away in 1890. Before passing Emma asked her fiancé to bury her on top of Red Mountain. Her wish was honored, and her remains rested peacefully until 1912. At that time, the Louisville and Nashville Railroad Company decided to build an incline to the mountain top, forcing her coffin to be moved. She was reburied on the south slope of the mountain. After several years of rain and harsh weather conditions, Emma’s remains slid down the mountain into the canyon below, where two young boys found her name plate and the silver handles from her casket.

Manitou Springs, in honor of Emma Crawford, celebrates the fun and crazy event of the Emma Crawford Coffin Races annually as a part of our history to be shared with all.

Labor Day Lift Off:

What could be more fun to watch than over 50 hot air balloons during a mass ascension?! This will be happening Labor Day weekend. We've never been up close and personal to a hot air balloon so obviously we are all ready and excited for the experience. Check out our experience!

Oktoberfest:

As I mentioned earlier, I am a lover of crafts beers! Especially pumpkin and spiced varieties and you can never go wrong with a cider. This festival embraces yummy beer and food!  

Rock Creek Farm:

It is a MUST that you visit a pumpkin patch during the fall. This particular farm offers all sorts of fall activities and goodies for the entire family. Corn Maze, Hayrides, scarecrows and pumpkins! I can't wait.

Scarecrow Days:

In Old Colorado City, it is a tradition for the businesses to construct a scarecrow and place it outside their buildings for this seasonal contest. People take pictures of themselves with their favorite scarecrow and the scarecrow with the most picture votes wins!

Anderson Farms:

This farm is known for its amazing corn mazes. My husband wants to visit this for another reason though. He wants to participate in one or both of the scary activities hosted here annually. There is Zombie Paintball and Terror in the Corn. I'm not sure if I will fully participate in these but they also have a Fall Festival for families.

Lantern Festival:

We moved from a small town in Florida and I had no idea these lantern festivals existed! When I think of floating lanterns, I imagine the Disney movie, Tangled. I can't begin to describe how excited I am to see this real life fairy tale scene come to life.

Giant Pumpkin Festival:

There are several different locations that are offering Pumpkin Weigh Offs near us. I'm not sure of which location or date we will be attending but I feel that this type of festival is a MUST! 

Apple Picking at Ya Ya Apple Farm and Orchard:

I have visited many farms but I have never been to an apple orchard before. I imagine that this will be something I will remember always and of course we will make some candy apples from these delicious treats and some pie or cobbler!

Candy Apples:

When I decided that we would go to an apple orchard for the first time, I thought about what we would do with our wonderful apples. Candy Apples are so yummy and I figured we could set up a mini candy apply decoration station with different sauces and candies to decorate with.

Starbucks Coffee Date:

Have you heard of the Date Your Mate Challenge? Well I just joined the Challenge with my husband and we decided that this would be a great Date night idea for us to sit around and just talk while we enjoy an amazing cup of season coffee. 

Watch Hocus Pocus and other Halloween movies:

I love Hocus Pocus, Charlie Brown: The Great Pumpkin and Curious George: Fall Festival and many other Halloween classics. We will have to set up a couple movie nights or a movie marathon! Check out the Seven Best Animated Halloween Movies for Your Family!

Carve Pumpkins:

Carving pumpkin while reading the story of the Jack O' Lantern is probably my most favorite activity. Getting to carve out Saint O' Lanterns or other fun things to display for Halloween

Apple Cider and Other Fall Beverages:

Pumpkin Spice Chai Tea, Pumpkin Spice Coffee and Apple Ciders are delicious fall beverages that I miss so much during the spring and summer months. I'm going to have to make a list of all the delicious drinks I try out this autumn season. 

Halloween Costumes:

This year my husband and I decided we want to do a couples themed costume like Beauty and the Beast or something similar. I wish I could convince the boys to do a family themed costume but they just don't seem interested... sigh. 

Trick or Treat:

This is my kid's most favorite thing to do in Autumn. Honestly, what kid wouldn't love running around dressed up while receiving insane amounts of candy? 

This is just the beginning of an amazing Autumn season! We are full swing in school, football and soccer and now I am waiting for the weather to follow suit. What are your plans to enjoy the amazing season of autumn? Please share your ideas and traditions. I am always looking to add fun activities onto our lists! I am sharing this with Talk it up Thursday  Let's Get Real and Think Tank Thursday. A special thanks to Moms are Frugal Blog for featuring my last post Back to School Essentials for the ADHD Student!

Feast of Saint Dominic: Saint of the Stars

Saint Dominic de Guzmán was born in Spain with parents of Spanish nobility. There are many legends that surround this amazing Saint. The first involves his mother while he was still within her womb. She had a vision during a pilgrimage, she dreamed a dog came leaping from her womb carrying a torch in its mouth. With this torch, he "seemed to set the world on fire." Another legend says that the Virgin Mary gave Saint Dominic a Rosary while he was praying in the abbey at Prouille. This story really intrigued me and there is a great description of this event at How Mary Gave the Rosary to St. Dominic.

Tradition also says that Saint Dominic brought an orange tree with him from Spain and planted it himself in Rome at Santa Sabina. There are several oranges in that garden that have been planted from a shoot from the previous tree. Around the original spot the tree was planted there is a small wall that has the Latin words Lignum Habet Spem written around it. It is a quote from the bible: Job 14:7 "There is hope for a tree, if it be cut down, that it will sprout again, and that it's shoots will not cease." Check out Saint Dominic's Orange Tree. The website has beautiful pictures of the orange tree and a lot more information on it's history. Saint Dominic is the patron saint of astronomers, the Dominican Republic and the innocent falsely accused of crimes. He is also Little Man's Name Day Saint.

We did not have an incredibly busy day like I thought we would. I thought I would have to work a few hours this morning but I won't be starting until Wednesday. In honor of Saint Dominic's love of oranges and Little Man's love of Panda Express Orange Chicken, we will be enjoying a healthier version of orange chicken for dinner. Recipe is included below.

Healthier Crockpot Orange Chicken:

2-3 Large Chicken Breasts

1 Cup Orange Marmalade

1/2 Cup Chicken Broth

1/4 Cup Orange Juice

2 Tbsp Soy Sauce

1 Tbsp Ginger

1 Tbsp Minced Garlic

1 Medium Red Pepper (Diced)

1 Medium Onion (Diced)

1/4 Cup Sesame Seeds

Pinch or two of Red Pepper Flake

*Add enough red pepper to suit your taste of spicy flavor, my boys do not like very spicy foods*

Grease your crockpot or spray with pan spray. Place the chicken breast in the crockpot. Add the diced red pepper and onion as well. In a mixing bowl combine the marmalade, chicken broth, orange juice, soy sauce, ginger, garlic and sesame seeds and mix them together. Pour the sauce over the chicken and cover with the lid. Set the crockpot on low heat for 8-10 hours or high heat for 4-6 hours. If you have time and like a flavorful chicken, I suggest preparing the marinade a day or two early and allowing the chicken to marinate in the fridge before placing in the crockpot. You can also omit or decrease the amount of chicken broth if you prefer thicker sauce. I like mine to be thinner so the rice/quinoa can absorb it too. 

What makes this orange chicken healthier is that it is not fried and has extra vegetables. Instead of serving this over white rice I will be substituting quinoa. I suggest serving this with a green vegetable such as grilled zucchini, green beans, broccoli or snap peas. Enjoy!

Now I am quickly finishing this post and hoping to print some coloring pages. There is a gorgeous coloring page of Saint Dominic over at Snowflake Clockwork. In the near future I need to purchase some new prayer journals for me and the boys so we can start adding these coloring pages and prayers inside them. I am hoping if time permits, that I can get the boys to sit with me and color before we go stargazing. We have had some pretty crazy weather lately and we still have a chance for thunderstorms tonight even though it has been pouring all afternoon so we will probably stick close to the house or have to try another night.

Little Man still had football this afternoon and he did great. He was really excited about playing his favorite sport and is looking forward to a great season. Now that we are home we will be enjoying our Orange Chicken here shortly and settling down for the evening. 

Praying the Rosary with a special mention of Saint Dominic would be a great way to end the day! After the kids are in bed I am hoping to watch Dominic - Light of the Church. It was being played by EWTN earlier in the day. EWTN has a great line up this week with shows about Edith Stein: St Teresa Benedicta of the Cross and Saint Clare. Most of the shows are very early in the morning so I will have to record them to watch later. I hope you had a great time celebrating with your family today. I am sharing this on Titus 2 Tuesday at Cornerstone Confessions.

Prayer to Saint Dominic:

Wonderful Saintly Founder of the eloquent Order of Preachers

and friend of Saint Francis of Assisi,

you were a fiery defender of the Faith

and a fighter against the darkness of heresy.

You resembled a great star that shone close to the world

and pointed to the Light which was Christ.

Help astronomers to study the stars

and admire their wonderful Maker,

proclaiming: "Give glory to God in the highest."

Amen.

Saint Dominic, pray for us!

Summer Time Check Up!

Today we are almost to the very end of July and I thought it would be a great time to do a Summer Time Check Up! It's about halfway through the summer and I can't wait to see where everyone stands on the bucket lists and goals you have set for yourselves and your family. I have to admit I am disappointed we have visited the apartment pool more than anything else this summer. Just felt nice to be home and not travel a ton. We have been reading a ton and utilizing a lot of our money saving experiences like the $1 movies, parks and gym.

Cinemark Summer Movie Club:

COMPLETED

Cheyenne Mountain Zoo:

We bought season passes so we can enjoy this amazing zoo year round! There are Halloween, Christmas and other events that we are really excited to check out.

Focus on the Family Visitor Center:

NOT ON THE ORIGINAL BUCKET LIST BUT SHOULD HAVE

Seven Falls Hike:

Strawberry Moon Night Hike:

Colorado Rockies Baseball Game:

Birthday Pie Fight:

Little Man and my husband share the same birthday month so to celebrate we had a huge pie fight! My husband had his face pushed into the cake first then we took the "pie fight" outside and threw cool whip everywhere. It was a really great family memory.

Aga Splash Park:

NOT COMPLETED (YET)

Denver Zoo 

Royal Gorge Train 

Royal Gorge Bridge and Park 

Berry Patch Farms 

Patsy Candy Tour 

Peterson Air and Space Museum 

Colorado Springs Pioneer Museum 

Williams Fire Museum

Canon Balloon Classic 

*Missed this completely so we will have to wait until next year* 

Manitou Springs Cliff Dwelling 

Manitou Springs Incline 

Miramont Castle 

Cave of the Winds 

Aquarium 

Arkansas River Rafting Trip 

Camping Trip

Visit a Lake

OH MAN! That is a LONG list! At least some of these activities are in close vicinity to each other so I can hopefully knock out several in one day. If not, we will get to it eventually. I realized that my aspirations for the summer were quite large to say the least! We have had an amazing summer so far and I'm sure it will continue to be great until school starts. This week we will be celebrating Christmas in July and several other fun feasts. I have already begun working on our Fall Bucket List too! How has your summer been so far? 

Feast of Saint Kateri Tekakwitha

Saint Kateri Tekakwitha is the patron saint of environment and ecology and was just recently canonized in October 2012. She is also the patroness of Native Americans and people in exile. She is known as the Lily of the Mohawks. She was the first Native American to be recognized as a saint in the Catholic Church. She was orphaned as a child because her mother, father and younger brother were killed during a smallpox outbreak. Saint Kateri was scarred horribly but survived the outbreak. She did many outdoor devotions by forming crosses with sticks to pray the Stations of the Cross and creating rosaries out of rocks and praying with them. These unique and special outdoor devotions are the reason she is the patron saint of ecology and environment. She died at a very young age of 24 and all of her scars disappeared from her face.

The simplistic beauty of this saint make her a perfect example for children. In the Book of Saints Part 2 there is a nice little biography about Saint Kateri Tekakwitha too. There are many different ways for you to introduce your family to her as well. I would suggest trying out a few of the suggestions below:

Holy Heroes Glory Stories: Saint Kateri Tekakwitha

National Saint Kateri Tekakwitha Shrine in New York

Catholic Icing: Headband Craft

Catholic Playground: Coloring Page

Pinot Noir and Prayers: Blessed Kateri Tekakwitha 

Pinot Noir and Prayers: Saint Kateri Tekakwitha

Catholic Mom: Catholic Dream Catcher

This year I really wanted to go on a nature walk, unfortunately the weather did not hold up today. Severe thunderstorms rolled in during the afternoon and I was quite busy with an IEP/ kindergarten transitional meeting for Goalie. I will discuss that later though.

Since my nature walk and picnic were rained out, I decided it was best to stay inside and have an indoor picnic instead for dinner. I made Chili and Cornbread and placed our picnic blanket in the living room to enjoy dinner. We opened up our screen door so we could enjoy the peaceful sound of the rain falling and the gentle roar of thunder. We will do a nature walk tomorrow or Sunday if the weather clears up.

I have plans to watch In Her Footsteps: The Story of Saint Kateri Tekakwitha with my husband when he gets home from work this weekend. I would love to hear how your families celebrated today!

Saint Kateri Tekakwitha, pray for us!

Seven Falls

Colorado is a gorgeous state with amazing scenery. This is a picture diary of the beautiful mountains and waterfalls in Seven Falls, also known as the most beautiful mile in Colorado. The pictures here do not do it justice.

The best remedy for those who are afraid, lonely or unhappy is to go outside, somewhere where they can be quiet, alone with the heavens, nature and God.

Because only then does one feel that all is as it should be and that God wishes to see people happy, amidst the simple beauty of nature.  I firmly believe that nature brings solace in all troubles. 

- Anne Frank   

There is a nice little restaurant in Seven Falls called 1858. My husband and I have plans to go visit this cute little restaurant during a date night sometime in the future. This sign is placed outside and it explains the meaning behind the restaurant's name and the history behind this beautiful area.

Never lose an opportunity to see anything that is beautiful. It is God's handwriting - a wayside sacrament. Welcome it in every fair face, every fair sky, every fair flower.  

- Ralph Waldo Emerson

The powers of water are immeasurable. 
In the form of ice, it can chisel rock as effectively as steel. Unloosed in a river, it can slice through
 layers of volcanic ash like a knife through a cake.

 Meandering in a shady stream, 
it can make a home for green growing things.
                                                                                        - Peggy Wayburn

'So it was beautiful in its greatness, in the length of its branches; For its roots extended to many waters. 'The cedars in God's garden could not match it; The cypresses could not compare with its boughs, And the plane trees could not match its branches No tree in God's garden could compare with it in its beauty. 'I made it beautiful with the multitude of its branches, And all the trees of Eden, which were in the garden of God, were jealous of it. 

Ezekiel 31:7-9

Climb the mountains and get their good tidings. Nature's peace will flow into you as sunshine flows into trees.  The winds will blow their own freshness into you, and the storms their energy, while cares will drop away from you like the leaves of Autumn. 

-John Muir