On the Feast of Our Lady of Fatima

Our Lady of Fatima  •  Mother's Day Rose  •  Rosary Flip Book 

My God, I believe, I adore, I hope and I love Thee! 

I beg pardon for those who do not believe, do not adore, do not hope, and do not love Thee. Amen. 

{Prayer taught by the Angel of Peace to the three children during his first apparition in 1916.}

Marian Grotto Kits from Catholic Child, Sacred Heart Books and Gifts or Amazon

The Rosary for Little Catholics (reprint of the original 1952 edition)  •  Additional Books Listed Here

Our Lady of Fatima Puzzle from Naturally Catholic

Our Lady of Fatima, Ora Pro Nobis! 

Ladybug Warriors :: Praying for the Unborn

While many from around the country participated in the March for Life, I spent the afternoon at home teaching my children about the culture of life and praying for the unborn.

The Culture of Life Studies Program recently shared an awesome and FREE "Ladybug Warriors" mini-lesson for elementary students.  This unit study can be easily completed in an afternoon and teaches children about ladybugs, how the ladybug is named after our Blessed Mother, and how we can be warriors for Our Lady and pray for the protection of all preborn babies! 

.: Picture Book :. 

Last night I stopped at Barnes & Noble and picked up a copy of The Grouchy Ladybug... 

Of course, after discovering the book on the table this morning and recognizing the artist, my little guy insisted on wearing his Brown Bear t-shirt and pulling out the rest of his Eric Carle collection including: Brown Bear Brown Bear, What Do You See?, Polar Bear, Polar Bear, What Do You Hear?, The Very Hungry Caterpillar, and Around the Farm (a favorite birthday gift from his Big Red Barn Birthday)! 

.: Craft :.

After reading the story and discussing the book and the meaning of the name ladybug, we moved on to the suggested craft: Ladybug Prayer for Preborn Babies Prayer Cards. 

Craft Supplies:

• Red, Black, and Green Construction Paper (we used card stock)
• Ladybug Template & Hail Mary Prayer Card (download here)
• Hole Punch (for punching black spots out of paper/card stock to use as spots)
• Black Crayon
• Glue
• Googly Eyes (2 per child) 

This beautiful lesson also includes explanations for each of the Joyful Mysteries to share with the children while praying for the unborn. We also discussed spiritual adoption as suggested:

"As Ladybug Warriors, we can spiritually adopt a preborn baby and his parents as they wait for the baby to be born. Spiritual adoption means that you pray for protection for the baby every day so that he will be born happy, healthy, and holy. You can pray the Hail Mary prayer on your ladybug’s leaf as well as the rosary for the baby you are spiritually adopting."

.: Coloring Pages :. 

In addition to the Pregnant Mom Coloring Sheet (provided in the lesson packet) I also printed out a a couple copies of the Immaculate Conception Coloring Sheet from Catholic Icing. 

They all said they colored me as the "pregnant mom" (pregnant with them) and, apparently, they all interpret my hair color and highlights differently. lol I'm not quite sure what to think of that huge blond streak in the middle picture! I actually haven't had my hair cut or highlighted since last June.... It's time to make an appointment! 

.: Ladybug Snacks :. 

The lesson packet included a few snack suggestions including Red Punch or Strawberry Lemonade, Strawberry Slices with Chocolate Chips inserted into them to look like spots, and Ladybug Cupcakes.

Most of our kids are fighting colds at the moment so I opted for healthy snacks today, starting with some "Ladybug Appetizers" we made using cucumber slices, baby spinach leaves, cherry tomatoes, and black olives. We probably should have cut the tomatoes and olives in half to make them a little more stable, but they were quickly eaten so it didn't really matter. We loved how they turned out! 

I wanted to make the strawberry ladybugs, but organic strawberries were way too expensive last night at the store so I opted for raspberries instead. We used my favorite Enjoy Life Mini Chips (melting some to create the faces and adhere the spots) and even I was able to enjoy this treat! 

I definitely prefer these snacks to the Ladybug Cake and Ladybug Apples we have made in the past. 

.: Prayer :. 

We ended the lesson with some words from our Archbishop and a prayer for life. ♥

"Defend the unborn against abortion even if they persecute you, calumniate you, set traps for you, take you to court, or kill you." ~ Pope Francis

Mary, the Holy Mother of God

A blessed solemnity of Mary, the Holy Mother of God and happy New Year to you all! We have been enjoying our Christmas break and I have barely touched the computer the past couple weeks, but I wanted pop in real quick and share a couple pictures of my favorite Christmas gift...

My parents weren't the only ones who were given a new statue this year! Along with a few other thoughtful gifts (pearl earrings, a couple books, a new game, and some "Enjoy Life" chocolate!) my husband gave me a lovely statue of Our Lady of Fatima, complete with crystal eyes and a metal, jeweled crown! This is just like the statue (plus a little extra lipstick, which made me laugh since most of mine had just been stolen) that my Grandparents gave to my parents on their first wedding anniversary when I was just a couple months old. I loved that statue while I was growing up and have always wanted one similar for our family! She looks so much bigger in our home than she does over at my parents, but I'm sure we will find the perfect place for her soon. Isn't she beautiful?!

May the Mother of Jesus and our Mother always smile on your spirit, obtaining for it, from her most holy Son, every heavenly blessing. 

~ St. Padre Pio of Pietrelcina

A Statue of the Holy Family for Dad and Mom

Even though many of my siblings were not able to travel home for Christmas this year - it ended up just being three of my brothers and I out of the twelve of us, unlike last year when nine of us were together - I was still able to coordinate a special gift to give our parents when everyone came over on Christmas Eve! It was so much fun to plan and visit with all my brothers and sisters, currently spread out from Hawaii all the way to Australia, in a private group message on Facebook. It's been way too long since we've all been together!

With the health challenges my mom is currently facing it was so nice to surprise her and Dad with a special gift - an outdoor statue of the Holy Family for our own parents who have sacrificed so much for us all over the years.

Prayer for Parents 

from Mother Love

Infinitely good God, Thou who hast imparted to me through my father and mother, my maintenance, a Christian education, and so many other benefits, I thank Thee for Thy bounty. Grant me the grace to show them the obedience that I owe them, sincere love, and great reverence. Never permit that they should suffer chagrin and trouble through my fault; but keep and guide me in the way of Thy fear and Commandments, as I have been taught. Reward them richly for all the good they have done me. Be their protector in danger, their helper in every care and anxiety. Grant them long life, good health, and a blessed eternity. Amen.