Ash Wednesday

Thankfully, Lent starts late this year.  It gave me more chances to talk to my kids about what they are giving up or some sacrifice they are adding.  My mantra has been: "We're giving up eating out" in hopes that the kids will just accept it because they have heard it so frequently that it must be true.  This could back-fire and make my life worse during the next 40 days... My goal is more help with meal preparation from all family members.  Of course, I will also monitor the levels of patience and the kindness of everyone's words like I do year-round (seems a constant in a homeschool families).  Personally, I will try to love my enemies as myself.  I don't know which is tougher.