- Lighting -

So many lights to choose from and so few rooms to furnish...

Let the tough decisions of a new homeowner commence! [As my friend pointed out, it's a good thing we are so "bright!"]

- Easter -

Sum-It-Up Sunday

"Everything that is and ever was and ever will be -- the galaxies beyond number and the microbes beyond notice -- everything is mysteriously entangled with what happened, with what happens, in these three days."  -Fr. Richard John Neuhaus

See the previous post for some of my Easter week thoughts...

Happy happy Easter!!! :)

Other week highlights:

-- Our landlord showed the apartment to a few prospective tenants, and the first person who saw it has already signed on to rent! Woohooooo! :) We are planning to move out mid-May and are already counting down the days! 

-- We spent 2 days/1 night in Schaumburg this week looking at lighting and other necessities for the house. Of course, we made a 5-hour pit stop at the beloved IKEA! It was quite depressing to come home empty-handed [seriously, who visits IKEA and leaves with nothing?], but at least we made a long list of "future possibilities."  I guess this means I get a return trip in a few months? 

-- Happy Easter! We spent the holiday laughing and feasting with both of our families. Hope your Easter was blessed, as well.

- Easter Love -

[A post steal-borrowed from my old blog ..... April 6, 2012]

I stumbled into this quote this morning: "Everything that is and ever was and ever will be -- the galaxies beyond number and the microbes beyond notice -- everything is mysteriously entangled with what happened, with what happens, in these three days." -Fr. Richard John Neuhaus

I love this. It's so true, isn't it? As I read it over and over again, my mind started spinning through the Holy Week traditions and the Paschal mystery in its culmination. Holy moly. We're Catholic... But what do these days and mysteries actually mean to us and our faiths? Do we know?

For an awesome two minute "scratch the surface" Holy Week blurb, check out this video!

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If that video left you aching to hear some of my early morning thoughts, join me with a cup of coffee and keep reading. ;)

Back to my beginning thought: we're Catholic. But the Catholic Church's education methods need to be flipped upside down and rejuvenated and started back at square one. Energy should come from the bottom-->up instead of the top-->down. Yeah? Our catechism isn't taught well, and confirmed adult Catholics are going out into the "real world" unsure of what kind of faith they actually profess. The Church's statistics tell us that, on an average weekend, 75% of people in the pews have no idea why we do what we do OR why is our Mass so traditional and meaningful. Is that the Church's fault, or is that our faults?

During the entire liturgical year, Easter should be the one thing we look forward to for weeks and weeks and then celebrate for even more weeks and weeks. Easter defines us. "We are an Easter people, and 'Alleluia!' is our song." But what do we look forward to during this holy season? Candy and eggs? :/

What is this Holy Week business all about?

On Holy Thursday, we wash the feet of others to serve as Jesus served. And in the Christian way, we celebrate the Jewish feast of Passover. In Exodus, the Israelites marked their door posts with the blood of a spring lamb. Upon seeing this, the Angel of Death would pass over their houses and spare their families. Get it? Passover? So after the lamb was killed every year in the Passover, the Jews had to eat it. Because, well, if you didn't eat the lamb, you died. Our Last Supper and Holy Thursday Mass is the institution of the Eucharist; at the Last Supper, Jesus said something like, "Eat this bread. Drink this cup. Do this in memory of me." Live in me forever, and you will not hunger or thirst.

On Good Friday, Jesus goes to trial, is sentenced, and is crucified.  When he says, "It is finished," as he hangs on the cross, he isn't talking about his work on earth. Say whaaa? Why not? Because he still has to rise! He's referring to the old covenant. Think back to the Old Testament. All of Israel's history is basically summed up in cups, and there are three:

• first cup = passed in welcoming
• second cup = passed with bitter herbs to remind the Jews of slavery
• third cup = passed with bread (manna of the desert) to remind of union with God

But when Jesus comes to earth, he instates a fourth cup of consummation or blessing, and he doesn't drink this cup until he is on the cross. ...Wine on a hyssop branch in all the gospels, yeah no?! At the Passover, the Jews used hyssop branches to spread lamb's blood on the house.

So many things from the Old Testament are entangled with the New Testament. And both Testaments are entangled with our modern day Masses. It makes sense in a mysterious way... 

Ok, so here's the New Testament thing: Jesus IS the lamb! [The "lamb" with a capital L.] Handed over for our offenses, crushed and sacrificed for our sins. So as this fourth cup of wine goes up to Jesus's mouth, he says he's the Lamb of the new covenant. (Matthew 26 – “…this is the blood which seals my covenant…”) The old supper of the old covenant has finally come to an end. Look back to the Holy Thursday paragraph: "...if you didn't eat the lamb, you died..."  Jesus promises that participating in the Eucharist and eating the Paschal Lamb will give us everlasting life.

The Eucharist is the essence of Christianity, just as it is the new meal of Christianity.  Holy Week initiates all of these things, but we celebrate them every week.  I love that part of the video: "Every Sunday is an Easter. Every communion a Resurrection."

All of the Paschal mystery is quite a paradox if you think about it... In Jesus's ministry and most significantly on the cross, power is manifested by weakness. Ironic. God loved us so much that He became mocked and scourged. He loved us so much that He became death. "My perfection is yours and yours is mine." In 1 Corinthians, St. Paul says: "If Christ had not been raised, then our preaching is in vain and your faith is in vain." Christ died to free us from our bondage to sin, and he rose to give us salvation and new life. This is a huge gift and an amazing promise!

Back to Fr. Neuhaus's quote at the beginning... How are the aspects of your faith life entangled in these Holy Week mysteries? What do these symbols and sacrifices mean to you? :)

Happy Easter!!!  Know of my many prayers for you during this Holy Week!

Sending Easter love,
Bridget

- Toilets [Installed] -

The snow was pounding down all day, but it didn't stop us from making progress at the house. Biggest accomplishments: washer and dryer installed [see previous post] and toilets picked out and installed!

Every now and then, we took a break to look out the window! 

16+ inches accumulated in Mt. Olive today... When will the heat wave come? This girl is so ready for summer! 

- How Many? -

How many men does it take to fix a broken light switch??

....THREE! 

Only joking! ;)

- Washer and Dryer [Installed] -

The long-awaited moment is here!!! Never again will I tote 5 loads of laundry down 3 flights of stairs to a bunch of old janky coin-operated machines! So stoked. 

 Garett Fleming, I [officially, publicly] love you!!! :) 

[Now, if I can just train my sweet husband to do laundry...!]

- St. Louis Undy 5000 -

Sum-It-Up Sunday

In honor of Uncle Marti who is fighting colon cancer, a few of us walked the St. Louis Undy 5000 this weekend in Forest Park! Unfortunately, Brian and I didn't get there in time to get the awesome yellow and blue undies....... Cheers for Team Marti: "Busting Our Booties for Marti's Patooty!" 

Other week highlights:

-- I'm 24!!!

-- Brian's work gave us tickets to see War Horse at The Fox. We had a great afternoon and evening with Andy and Angie! So great to catch up. 

-- More house work... Lots of progress being made! 

- Celebrating 24! -

Well, I'm another year older and another year wiser! ;) 

First birthday as a married chick and also the first birthday I haven't gotten depressed about an oncoming mid-life crisis! ;) Haha just kidding. 

Who throws a birthday party at midnight? Only the BEST co-workers! I came out of my patient's room at 12:03 to a huge spread of food and a big cluster of nurses cheering. ...Only at Mercy... I love these girls! Oh, and I even got to ride the cleaning scooter with Sean. #birthdayprivileges 

 

After I woke up from work, Brian took me out for dinner [it felt weird that it was STILL my real birthday!?]. This guy really knows how to wine and dine his wife!  I'm treated like a queen every day, but especially today! 

Wine, chocolates, and flowers... Boom. 

We went to Gian-Tony's on The Hill and were seated and served by our friend Dionna!  Thanks for everything, D! You are great!

If you can believe it, the birthday festivities continued for a third night! My parents came to St. Louis to take us out for dinner. No meat is allowed on Fridays during Lent, so we enjoyed some delicious alternatives at PW Pizza.

We had Orange Leaf fro-yo and my mom's homemade red velvet cupcakes for dessert after dinner! 

Turning 24 is the best!  I am so lucky to be the birthday girl! Many many thanks to all who made me feel so special this week! 

Can it be my birthday again next month? :) 

"And in the end, it's not the years in your life that count. It's the life in your years." -Abraham Lincoln

- Happy St. Pat's! -

There's nothing quite like celebrating St. Patrick's Day in the heart of Dogtown.  One of our absolute favorite things about living in this area is being able to take part in the best Irish party in the city!  Although this year was cold and snowy, it hardly put a damper on the parade or street celebration! I guess the Irish know how to do it right! :) 

Brian was still a little sick from the night before, so his fun-loving siblings brought the party to the bedroom! ;) 

Bundling up and partying on! 

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

- The Promise -

Sum-It-Up Sunday

Another Easter season = another opportunity for The Promise cast to touch lives across the country! I was a little upset that I couldn't be part of the cast this year [trust me: it's hard to sit in the audience after 13 years of being on the stage!], but I was completely taken back by the awesome talent and the profound message. Unarguably, this year's cast was one of the best! Sweet friends: thank you so much for all your hard work and dedication to the message of Christ! You talented, dedicated, wonderful people really know how to spread the Easter hope! :) 

Sitting in the audience may've been tough, but you bet Mike and I were singing along to all the songs anyway! ;) We loved catching up with everyone during intermission and after the show!

Other week highlights: 

-- Cheers to Sean and Catherine! We were glued to the TV for all 180 minutes of the Bachelor's season finale! 

-- Happy St. Patrick's Day! Millions of thanks to my mom for coming down to help me clean/cook/decorate for the party this weekend.

- Toilets -

Earlier today, we browsed the market for new toilets...

...Any recommendations??? :) 

- Painting and Tiling -

THE PAINTING IS FINISHED!! We had lots of help this weekend and accomplished everything! Wowza.

While Ann and I painted the master bedroom, Lisa and little Ellybean worked on the guest bedrooms! 

Thanks for all your good help and hard work, sweet girl! :) 

Before we knew it, we were out meeting in the middle of the kitchen, family room, and hallways. Times flies when you have great helpers! 

Brian walked behind us to edge all the corners and fix all the [tiny] mistakes...

...and Petey stayed around to refill our paint buckets and supervise! 

While the girls were painting, the boys spent the day cutting and laying tile.

Both bathrooms and the utility room were all laid out by the end of the day! A little grout + some sealer = almost time for my long-awaited laundry machines to move in!  

Lots of hard work deserves a coffee break! 

I wanted to add in some personal [love] touches as we're finishing the house, so here's the first...

We had time to snap a quick picture before the paint dried a permanent heart on the wall! 

...And back to work! 

Of course, WE know that heart will be there forever! <3 Thank you, thank you, thank you EVERYONE who helped us so very much this weekend! There is no way we could make it through this project without you! 

After painting and tiling, we're definitely two big steps closer to having the home of our dreams!

...Goodbye house, hello home! 

- Hey there, Santa! -

Santa is visiting our new house in MARCH!!!

Oh, I guess it's just Brian... :) 

See you in December, Santa! 

- Katie's Birthday -

Sum-It-Up Sunday

Who loves a little birthday bowling?! WE DO! 

And we love it even more when it's glow in the dark AND when the birthday girl is Katie H!! Happy happy 26th birthday, you old woman... ;) 

Grab your balls, we're cosmic bowling! 

Loved this party! Love these friends! 


Other week highlights: 

-- All our new appliances were delivered to house, and all the painting is finished! YAY!

- Watch out! -

Painting in a teeny tiny bathroom with his back to a crazy wife...

This guy better watch out! ;) 

- Best Idea? -

Really?! ...Because I think this sounds like the worst idea ever. 

Thoughts???

- Master bathroom -

The makeover attention focused itself on the master bathroom today! 

Light holes...check.

Paint...check.

This little monkey is ready for a hot shower! ;) 

Goodbye house, hello home! 

- This is Love -

People say that only newlyweds think it's fun to paint together...

...We think it's a blast!!

So this is love?! :-*

- Supercross -

Sum-It-Up Sunday

If you know Brian even a tiny bit, you KNOW how much he loves dirtbikes and racing! He has been salivating over St. Louis Supercross for months now; this weekend it was finally here. We met up with some friends for lunch and then spent the rest of the day at the dome strolling through the pit and watching the racers practice. Needless to say, he had a great time!! [And aside from still being high from the fumes and deaf from the noise,] I had a great time, too! :)

Other week highlights: 

-- While Brian spent four days working in Green Bay, my dad and I met up at Home Depot to pick out and confirm all of the paint colors for the house. Swatches ready!

-- We ventured away from the normal tuna sandwich for [Lenten] Friday dinner this week; Buffalo Wild Wings fish tacos to the rescue! Mmmm. We met up with Bill and Kaylyn for drinks afterwards.

-- The house work continues! We are making so much progress!