Outside my window… 
we must be having the annual “Fall Needle Drop.” There are pine needles everywhere!  Sean just showed the boys how to operate his Stihl Gas Blower and it only takes them a few minutes to clear the deck and driveway.  Yay! Now that the smoke has cleared from all the wildfires we are hoping to spend lots of time reading outside on the porch this fall and enjoying our beautiful weather!

I am thinking…        
about our school plans and the best way to fit everything into our schedule, yet still leave plenty of free-time for play and exploration.  That’s important too!

I am thankful… 
that our busy summer has come to an end!  It was so exhausting much fun but I am looking forward to more time at home, reading lots of great books with the children, and working on re-establishing good habits and routines.

Learning all the time 
Have I mentioned lately how much I love IEW’s Student Writing Intensive courses? They have been perfect for our children!  Last week Chiquita wrote her paper on Desert Tarantulas.  This week I think I will substitute the “Pillbug” assignment for a paragraph on Crater Lake.  I love that it can easily be modified to incorporate whatever it is we are studying.

Celebrating the liturgical year 
We headed back to the coast for another Latin Mass the Sunday before last.   All the traveling has been difficult (especially since we still don’t have a vehicle with enough seat belts for everyone – at this point I’m tempted to skip the big van and just go with a small motorhome!) but it has definitely been worth the extra effort.

From the kitchen… 
Apple Puff Pancakes, our absolute favorite breakfast this time of year!  I need to make sure and pick up some more apples the next time I am in town.

I am working on… 
responding to emails and comments.  It is going to take a long time to catch back up, since so many other obligations come before my time on the internet.  I’m doing my best.  Thank you all for your patience and understanding!

I am creating… 
back-to-school treats and a simple (much smaller) version of our usual Schultütes to give the children today, to celebrate the beginning of our new school year.  I’ll try and post a few more pictures later today or tomorrow.

I am going… 
to try and post some pictures from Twinkle Toes’ birthday this week.  We’ll see if I can squeeze it in…

I am hoping… 
to find an alternative to Scribd for document hosting, since so many of you have been having difficulty downloading my Little Flowers Documents.

I am praying… 
for Rascal’s godparents who are expecting another baby next spring, after an 11 year gap following their 5 boys.  We are all so excited for them!

I am reading… 
more about Crater Lake in B is for Beaver and M is for Majestic: A National Parks Alphabet!  

Pondering these words…
from the second reading at Mass a couple weeks ago:

“Endure your trials as “discipline”; God treats you as sons.  For what “son” is there whom his father does not discipline?  At the time, all discipline seems a cause not for joy but for pain, yet later it brings the peaceful fruit of righeousness to those who are trained by it.” 

I am listening…  
to The King of the Golden City with the children. Next we will move on to The Magician’s Nephew. Oh, how I love good audiobooks!

Around the house… 

trying to find homes for everything that had to be taken out of the old school room to make room for the little boys… sigh… oh, how I miss that room already!

One of my favorite things…  
sweet moments with my littlest ones. 
This week’s plans…

lots of studying, reading, and time spent at HOME, though I am hoping to make it to town for Mass on Friday.

A little peek at my day…
Snuggles has been starting each morning coloring pages in his Great Adventure Kids Bible Story Coloring Book, while waiting for me to work with him on Math and Language Arts.  Our older children used it as well, when we studied Ancient History years ago, and it is such a fun addition to Connecting with History for the little ones.  

10 Comments

  1. Donna Marie

    I actually re-sized Great Adventure coloring book and had it coil-bound with a clear cover so it would last longer. The oversized pages were driving me crazy.

    Reply
  2. Marie

    Chiquita is only just beginning 3rd grade, right? I saw that picture of her writing on Instagram and was blown away! Very impressive!!!!

    Reply
  3. Jessica Gordon

    Great idea! I love that the publishers allow reproduction of the pages for home use, even though I've purchased each of our children their own copy. They actually really like the oversized pages, and thankfully I have a bookshelf that stores them nicely. 🙂

    Reply
  4. Jessica Gordon

    Thank you! Yes, she is now a 3rd grader! Of all our children she enjoys writing the most.

    Reply
  5. Sandra Ann

    Yep I was going to second, her beautiful writing! I've just taken a peek at your school room post no wonder you miss that room!

    Have another blessed week

    San

    Reply
  6. Anonymous

    Are the hornets as bad down your way as they are up here in BC? Watch out for the buzzing creatures as you enjoy your patio! THEY are BAD this year! Thanks for sharing your daybook…it always brings me peace and joy to see how organized you are and how beautiful your family is! Kelly

    Reply
  7. Jessica Gordon

    No, we haven't had much of a problem yet this year, but my husband has been really good about setting traps and spraying any nests…. I guess we will see! It's always something, right?!

    Reply
  8. Shaina

    May I ask, if you know, what type or varietal that rose is in your first picture?
    It is stunning! We are planning the layout of flowers for the portion of our backyard we are turning into a Mary Garden and that rose would be a splendid addition to honor Our Lady!

    Reply
  9. Jessica Gordon

    I'm sorry, I do not know… I took the picture of that rose outside of the Church at the coast before Mass. It is beautiful, isn't it?!

    Reply
  10. Lisa

    Give Dropbox a try. Its so easy and a one stop shop! The public folder option would be easy to link to for your blog!

    Reply

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Father in heaven, grant me the grace to appreciate the dignity which you have conferred on me. Let me realize that not even the Angels have been blessed with such a privilege—to share in your creative miracle and bring new Saints to heaven. Make me a good mother to all my children after the example of Mary, the Mother of your Son. Through the intercession of Jesus and Mary I ask your continued blessings on my family. Let us all be dedicated to your service on earth and attain the eternal happiness of your kingdom in heaven. Amen.


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Hi! I'm Jessica, a Roman Catholic wife and home educating mother to our nine children. I was home educated myself, along with my eleven younger siblings. I have a special devotion to St. Therese, through whom I have been given much help and many blessings--the beautiful "Shower of Roses" that she has sent my way! Here I will record a few of the blessings I treasure. Please remember that what you see here is just a little glimpse at our lives, so please say a prayer for us, as we continue to strive for holiness.

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