The Year of the Priest Faith Folder Give-Away!!

"Pope Benedict XVI has declared a “Year for Priests” beginning with the Solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus on June 19, 2009. The year will conclude in Rome with an international gathering of priests with the Holy Father on June 19, 2010. With the announcement of this Year for Priests, the Pope has declared St. John Vianney the Universal Patron of Priests on the occasion of the 150th anniversary of the death of the Curé d’Ars."

In honor of the Year of the Priest, Lindy Meyer (an amazingly creative mother of 6!) over at Faith Folders for Catholics (Lapbooks With the Catholic Family & Classroom in Mind), has put together a lovely new Faith Folder: The Year of the Priest.

This Faith Folder is in recognition of the Year of the Priest as declared by Pope Benedict XVI from June 19, 2009 to June 19, 2010. Topics covered include facts about the Year of the Priest, St. John Vianney, discernment, vocations and lots of facts and information about the priesthood.

This Faith Folder features two inserted pages with lots of information, activities and thought provoking material. There are 26 mini-books included with this Faith Folder.

Several options are included for the various books. The activities are easily adapted for a variety of age levels. The Faith Folder is also easily adaptable to allow for personalization and creative style.

We have our copy and my boys can't wait to begin!

All of Lindy's Faith Folders are available to download as a pdf file for only $7.99 each. Right now she is also offering a Summer Deal, from June 26th to August 9th, where you can get a Faith Folder for free with the purchase of four others! (Enter the coupon code "5for4" at checkout.) Since my boys *LOVED* putting together their Advent and Lent Lap books, I am hoping to take advantage of this special for the coming year!

In addition, Lindy has kindly offered a FREE COPY of the The Year of the Priest Faith Folder to one lucky visitor!

For your chance to win, just leave a comment on this post and if you mention this give-away on your blog I will enter you twice! The drawing will close at noon on Saturday, July 4th, and I'll announce the winner shortly after. Good luck!

In Honor of St. Francis of Assisi

Last Wednesday we went to Marci's home for:

Summer with the Saints

She had decided to feature St. Francis of Assisi this time and the children all had a wonderful time! Here is an overview of our afternoon:

~ Coloring Pictures ~

Marci had this picture available for the children to color. I also love the one by Charlotte and the ones found in this book.


~ Making Holy Cards ~

~ Craft Time ~

Making Pine Cone Bird Feeders

~ Snack Time ~

Snacks were simple this week: Cookies, Raisins, and Punch. It made me laugh when Rascal said, "Look Mom! I made a smiley face with dried up lips!"

~ Group Photo ~

When we came home my children pulled out all of our books about St. Francis and we've been looking through them all week. I also keep getting asked if we can make some more Wolf Paw Cookies!

We have plenty to keep us busy for a few days:

• St. Francis by Brian Wildsmith
• Saint Francis of Assisi by Father Lovasik
• Legends of Saints and Beasts by Ann Marie Jauss
• The Good Man of Assisi by Mary Joslin
• Francis: The Poor Man of Assisi by Tomis dePaola
• Clare and Francis by Guido Visconti
• Saint Francis and the Christmas Donkey by Robert Byrd

St. Francis of Assisi ~ Pray for Us!

Wedding Highlights ~ The Reception

The reception was held in my parents back yard.

My parents have a gorgeous home (which was built by my dad) on 10 beautiful acres. It was covered in trees, brush, and poison oak when they bought the property about 18 years ago... Twelve children can come in pretty handy. ;)

The food was DELICIOUS!!!

In fact, I am still craving more of that yummy tri-tip and pasta salad! Yummmmm!!!

My parents are both from large families (My dad is one of 9 and my mom is one of 13). Unfortunately, very few of their siblings were able to make it due to the distance and other circumstances... A few of my dad's siblings were able to make it and it was SO NICE to see them!!!

Aunt Shannon, Me, Uncle Kelly

My Mom with my Dad's two sisters

Aunt Bridget, Uncle Kelly, My Dad, Aunt Shannon
(Shannon and Bridget are the oldest and youngest in my dad's family with 7 boys in between!)

~ The Guest Book ~

Their photographer put together an amazing guest book filled with some of Brian and Meagan's engagement photos. This is a picture of the cover...

~ Dancing ~

Some of the children danced more than others. ;)

~ The Cake ~

At about 9:30pm I asked my brother if they were planning on having cake... Yep, leave it to the oldest sister with pregnancy cravings to make sure the cake is served. ;) They had completely forgotten to set up the cake and the caterers were now gone. I found a few helpers and quickly converted one of the food tables to a cake table and called them over to cut the cake. It was very simple looking, but SO YUMMY!!!

I still can't believe that Brian is married now! He was only 13 when hubby and I were married nearly 10 years ago... We are so happy for them both and my children are hoping that God will bless them with children soon so that they can have some cousins that live nearby! =)

Wedding Highlights ~ The Sacrament of Holy Matrimony

~ Ring Bearer and Flower Girl ~

You'd never know that Chiquita's flowers had been forgotten and that her bouquet was actually a couple "extra" corsages that I tied together at the very last second, would you? ;)

~ Lighting the Candles ~

Mother of the Bride ~ Mother of the Groom

~ Trying to Smile ~

Chiquita was very nervous and so thankful to have her big brother at her side.

~ Awaiting the Bride ~

~ Brian and Meagan ~

~ The Newly Married Couple ~

~ Dad & Mom with the Bride & Groom ~

~ Another Family Picture ~

~ Uncle Paul with my Girls ~

~ A Couple More of my Favorite Photos ~