Lent.

The day before Ash Wednesday, I was all pumped. You know, because, I had great plans, but was still getting to revel in MardiGras. We made it to Mass before Daniel headed off to work (where Colette repeatedly, and in her very clear little voice, searched the congregation for Taw-we and Aunt Tinie). I, of course, was a total wuss about fasting for my first time in a few years (neither pregnant or nursing). But, I made it. 

This morning we got out our purple cloths for the prayer table, and the girls had a little too much fun cuddling the statue of Mary while I got the cloths on (thank goodness, no damage done). 

Then, after considering it last year and never getting around to setting it up, I managed to get a sacrifice jar all set up... only one day into Lent! Woo! The girls are mildly obsessed with it, which works in my favor, as they are, albeit briefly, excited about helping with little chores and helping each other.

Colette can't resist putting at least two in anytime she gets near the jar. It drives Anni crazy, but I think it's pretty adorable.

Daniel and I are trying to up our prayer game and start saying night prayer together, like we did when we were first dating and I was on Crossroads. The girls are giving up screen time, which means I'm giving up some quiet time in the afternoon. It's a good thing, but I think it's going to be as hard on me as it on them (is it bad to admit I like quiet time? I'm an introvert!) I'm also giving up sugar, which holy moly, I didn't think through. Here's to turning to God instead of chocolate on the rough days (she says as she longingly pictures her favorite chocolate bar). Here's to Lent, friends, may your sacrifices bring you closer to Christ.