Back-to-School :: 2020-2021

"The spirit of adventure was rising in them all, and no one really wanted to be back at school." - Prince Caspian by C.S. Lewis

... but they were all ready for their back to school treats! 

Back-to-School Schultütes {Simplified}

with Patron of Students Back-to-School Treats 

I was questioning my younger self yesterday, as I assembled this year’s Back-to-School Schultütes... “WHY did I start these little annual traditions all those years ago?!?” I just don’t have the energy I had when I was younger... However they really didn’t take that long to assemble, and the smiles on all my children’s faces made it worth the extra effort!

I'm in love with our new school supplies from OOLY. I happened to discover them at my favorite local store, Pilgrim's Market in Coeur d'Alene, and had to get some for this year's Schultütes.

 

 

I had to get her the little fox... 

Last week she chased off a coyote, saving all but one of our chickens. 

We also celebrated with Birthday Cake for our Blessed Mother ♥

..Back-to-School Pictures..

 

Twinkle Toes :: 12th Grade 

 

Chiquita :: 10th Grade

Snuggles :: 8th Grade  

 

Rose :: 5th Grade

 

Bud :: 3rd Grade  

Grace :: Pre Pre-School ;) 

"Mama! Where's mine?!?" 

Our sweet little "Joy" was not too happy that her older sis wouldn't share... 

A is for Angel (not Anger) ;) 

A is for Angel: The Alphabet in Sacred Art

I also had a lovely new picture book for my children... 

... and a beautiful handmade wire wrap rosary from The Rose Picker to send to one of you! 

Update: For all those who are curios, the book, under the rosary, is my Roman Catholic Daily Missal (1962)

To enter the rosary giveaway simply leave a comment on this post! 

I'll randomly choose and then contact the winner on September 14th. 

Thank you to The Rose Picker for sponsoring this giveaway!

**Giveaway has ended - Congratulations, Patricia!**

P.S.  The Rose Picker is offering 10% OFF ROSARIES until October 1, 2020 

with coupon code: SHOWEROFROSES

On the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Bestow upon Thy servants, we beseech Thee, O Lord, the gift of Thy heavenly grace: that as the childbearing of the Blessed Virgin was the beginning of our salvation, so the solemn feast of her Nativity may bring us an increase of peace. 

Early morning Mass (for some of us), classes, then back-to-school treats, an extra decade of the rosary while lighting ten candles, and birthday cake for our dear Mother Mary! We technically started our new school year a couple weeks ago, at least most subjects-when online classes began for my high schoolers and the boys started their sophomore year at Christendom, but we officially celebrated today.

Happy Birthday, Blessed Mother!

St. Rose of Lima, Ora Pro Nobis!

"Without the burden of afflictions it is impossible to reach the height of grace. The gift of grace increases as the struggle increases."

- St. Rose of Lima

Mother’s Prayer to St Rose

Saint Rose, devout Virgin, fragrant rose in the garden of God, sweetly blooming amid the thorns of distressing tribulation and severe mortification, white as snow in the immaculate innocence of your heart, glowing in the love of God that consumed you. 

Your devotedness to your parents was so great that you laboured night and day to relieve their poverty, and most tenderly cared for them in their sickness.

Most grateful, most humble daughter, have pity on me and my children. Teach me, by conduct truly Christian, to deserve the warmhearted gratitude of my children. Teach my children to appreciate my love and the numerous sacrifices that I cheerfully make for their sake; teach them to repay the same by filial love and obedience, and chiefly by fervent prayers for me. 

Bless me and my entire family. May our hearts be intimately united even in adversity. Let us not place our happiness in temporal prosperity, but rather in the hope of a future, eternal blessedness. 

Pray, likewise, O sainted patroness of America, for all Christian mothers in particular, that Christian life and sentiments may everywhere be awakened among them. May these sentiments spread far and wide, uniting all families into the one great family of God, in which Jesus Christ may live and rule with God the Father and the Holy Spirit. Amen.

We'll freeze the rest of the cupcakes to decorate for her traditional feast day next weekend! 

August 23rd (New) and August 30th (Traditional) 

Christendom Bound :: A Cross-Country Road Trip

I was fine until I hugged them both goodbye... then the tears started falling! The last five months, despite all the craziness, has been such a gift and a wish come true to have all our children at home "just a little longer." We had so much fun together!

We went back and forth all summer on whether or not to send the boys back to Christendom College again this year, and then whether to have them fly or drive... We had flights, booked but on Wednesday (Aug 12th) we changed plans and decided to send them with a vehicle at the last minute. Our little ones all woke up extra early Friday morning (Aug 14th) so they could say goodbye just before the boys hit the road to travel from the West Coast all the way over to the East Coast. We already miss them so much! 

2700+ miles, 16 states, and approximately 42 hours plus stops = four days on the road! 

I kept a close eye on "find my phone" all day every day and they were also great about staying in touch and sending pictures to all of us back here at home... 

 

They said I could share some of the pictures with you all!

.: Day One - Aug 14th :.

Washington, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming

Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument

"This was a nice spontaneous little stop! Had NO clue that we would be passing this on our route and when John and I saw the signs we HAD to stop by!!"

.: Day Two - Aug 15th :. 

South Dakota, Nebraska

Mount Rushmore National Memorial

.: Sunday Break - Aug 16th :. 

Holy Mass and Spending the Day with Friends

Catholic Church in the Middle of a Corn Field

Sure love seeing these "kids" together again! When they were all younger we had so many great adventures together: Crater Lake, many trips to the Oregon Coast, Grand Tetons, and more! 

.: Day Three - Aug 17th :. 

Iowa, Missouri, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky

Carmel of Jesus, Mary and Joseph

... and a picture of THE DOOR!

From Deep in the Archives: *Almost* Excommunicated

The Gateway Arch

 

.: Day Four - Aug 18th :. 

Ohio, West Virginia, Maryland, Virginia

They made it!!

John was supposed to arrive at Christendom last Sunday night for soccer camp starting this pst Monday (his flight was supposed to be the 16th and James was going to follow on the 22nd) tomorrow and James’ was next Saturday) but the coaches said it was fine if he arrived a day or two late... James however was not allowed to stay on campus until Saturday, so after dropping John off he headed back to Maryland to spend four nights with his cousins. 

The boys are now both settled in their new dorm rooms. Classes begin on Tuesday!📚 

Holy Mother Mary, 

Who by virtue of your divine motherhood, 

Hast become mother of us all, 

I place the charge which God has given me, 

under your loving protection. 

Be a Protecting Mother to my children. 

Guard their bodies and 

keep them in health and strength. 

Guard their minds and keep their thoughts 

ever holy in the sight of their Creator and God. 

Guard their hearts and keep them pure 

and strong and happy in the love of God. 

Guard always their souls and ever preserve in them, 

faithfully, the glorious image of God 

whom they received in Holy Baptism. 

Always Mother, protect them 

and keep them under your Mothering care. 

Supply in your all-wise motherhood, 

for my poor human deficiencies 

and protect them from all evil. 

Amen. 

Queen of the Most Holy Family, pray for us!