On the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross

I was not very good about embracing my own little crosses...   The morning started out so wonderfully peaceful.  We had Eggos for breakfast and started our school day on time!  However, by afternoon everything seemed to be falling apart!  For example: Captain could not finish his Math or Phonics correctly. (After 3 hours I finally gave up and sent the boys outside for a break. We all needed one...)  I then realized that while I was working with the boys, the girls were having a little camp out in my bedroom and, in addition to the fort which had been made out of my bedding, I found smashed apple jacks all over the room.  While I was cleaning that up, Chiquita managed to break a first communion gift of Captains.   At nap time, Snuggles somehow got access to a blue permanent marker and decided to write all over his bedding and himself. (Thankfully he didn't write on the comforter, just the sheets.)  Hubby had to work a 16 hour shift (plus his commuting) and I kept finding myself losing my patience and getting completely overwhelmed...

Why was I letting it all get to me so much?  We ALL have our daily crosses and, compared to others I know, my own are particularly light right now.  I finally took a step back, said a little prayer, and calmed down.    I let the rest of the school work go for the day,  baked a (simplified) cross shapedcake like I had planned (but had all but given up on),  bathed the baby, and read the children the story of The Tale of Three Trees: A Traditional Folktale.   The day ended much better!

Prayer for all who carry their Cross

(from the back of a Holy Card)

O my God, I thank you for this cross you have allowed me to carry. Please give me the strength and faith to persevere so that I may bring glory to your name while withstanding the burden of its weight.  Thank you for offering me a share in your suffering.  I know that you have always been, are now, and ever will be at my side every step of the way.  Thank you also for every "Simon" that you have sent to help me bear this cross.  I have prayed so often that this thorn in my flesh would be removed, but I trust that your grace is sufficient.  Change my heart's troubled cry of - "How long, O Lord?", into words of trust: "However long, O Lord."  May I seek only to do your will and to unite my sufferings with your passion.  Help me to not get lost in my own self concerns, but may I find in these trials a way to greater virtue, a call to prayer and a path to trust in you alone.  Permit me not to waste my pain, but to make of these struggles a sacrificial offering for others.  Lord, when I am weary and I fall, exhausted under the weight of this cross, please give me the courage to press on as you did.  Lord Jesus, I embrace with love my cross, as a share in your own.  By your grace, may I carry it all the way to the vision of your glory.  I abandon myself totally to your will.  Christ Jesus, I trust in you.  Amen. 

Everything is Coming Up Roses!

YES, I keep finding roses everywhere this pregnancy!!!   ;) 

Chiquita has and loves this tea set.  However, when I saw that Schylling had come out with this new Rose Tin Tea Set, I decided it was time to order a tea set for Twinkle Toes (with an Amazon gift card I'd been saving).   I  think I will wrap it up with the little apron she'll be getting for Christmas... 

Isn't it darling!?!?!  It just arrived in the mail and it is even cuter in person!  

It even matches the girls little kitchen perfectly!!

My Daybook ~ September 14th

FOR TODAY: September 14, 2009  
The Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross

Outside my Window... it is still dark.  I am not usually up quite so early (It's only 5:30 am), but hubby just left to go back out on an engine again today and so I figured I should get up early too...

I am thinking...  about, and praying for, my brother and sister-in-law who just found out that they are expecting their first baby next May! My children are thrilled that they will finally have a cousin that doesn't live all the way over on the other side of the country!

I am thankful... that this particular fire assignment is local and that hubby was able to come home last night to sleep, even if only from 10:30 pm to 5:30 am.  We had a thunderstorm on Saturday night which sparked well over 30 fires in the area. Yesterday (he was called out after we got home from Mass) he worked on putting out 3 of those small fires and will be out looking for more today.

From the kitchen... a new (to me) KITCHEN AID MIXER!!! I was so surprised and thrilled when one of my friends brought it into the kitchen, after our Little Flowers Meeting last week, to give to me!  I have always wanted one and am really looking forward to learning how to use it!!! THANK YOU AMY!!!!

From the school room... The girls begin "E" week today, and will be learning about Eyebright, St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, Electricity and lots more.  Today the boys will be learning about New Jersey, the 3rd State and more about Colonial History.  The boys have also been LOVING working with the Math Balance this past week.  What a totally awesome manipulative!

Living the Liturgical year at Home... Since today is the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross, I am planning on serving Pesto and a Tomato Basil Mozzarella Salad for dinner, just like last year .  I am also thinking about baking a Cross Shaped cake this afternoon.  We'll have to see though... My energy levels really seemed to drop this past week/weekend.  (I can tell I am getting close to the 3rd trimester, and I might need to start slowing down a bit...)   

I am creating... a post for "D" week and finalizing our plans for "E" week.  Oh, if only I had a little more Energy! ;)

I am reading...  Jane of Lantern Hill.  I thought I hadn't read this book before, but once I started I realized I had read it when I was a child.  I don't remember it very well, and am really enjoying it once again.

I am going... to continue to try to catch up on my emails.  I seem to always be behind and I do apologize if you've been waiting (forever!) for me to get back to you!!

I am wearing... my pajamas still.  It's early! 

I am hoping... that  I do not have Poison Oak.  My face has been itchy ever since hubby walked in the door last night.  I am highly allergic and I am sure he was around quite a bit of it in the woods yesterday. Did you know that it only takes one nanogram (billionth of a gram) of urushiol oil to cause rash and that it active on any surface, including dead plants, for up to 5 years... Ugh!! For the longest time I would break out in Poison Oak just from driving hubby's car!  The last few times I've been able to ward it off with a little zertec...  Hope it works today! =) 

I am hearing... the hum of the computer, clicking of keys, and the tumbling of the dryer -- that's it.  It is still very quite in our home this morning.

Around the house... I am hoping to tackle the last pile in my bedroom, which was left over from changing all the rooms around.  I just hadn't found the time to get to it and I really need to either get rid of it all or find homes for the things I'd like to keep.   Perhaps if I work on it a bit each afternoon...

One of my favorite things... looking through Our Wedding Anniversary Memory Book.  I can hardly believe we will be celebrating our 10th anniversary in less than 3 weeks!

A Few Plans For This Week...  Not much planned for this week, other than school... I am hoping to have a chance to go see Julie & Julia with a couple friends one night, and on Friday we'll be going to Mass and Benediction followed by a doctor's appointment.  That's it!  

A picture thought I am sharing:

This was taken late Saturday morning... Someone was still tired! =) 

To see more Daybook's visit Peggy!

More Roses for Christmas

Last week, when I was in town for the Grower's Market, I decided to take a peek inside the little specialty baby shop...  I hardly ever go in there, since the prices are just so high, but I thought I might just be able to "look."  Well, I found the most precious little hat!!!  I know I probably have plenty of baby hats, stored with my older girls hand-me-downs, but it was the only one they had and I just had to have it for our little Christmas Rose.   Ooooohhhh!  I can't wait to try it on her little head... Less than 15 weeks to go!

Little Flowers Girls' Club ~ Mercy

This past Thursday we had our very first Little Flowers Girls' Club meeting for the new year!! This year the girls will be working on Wreath II and all of the meetings will be in the afternoon and hosted at my home. It's going to be a little cramped in my small home, with 12 girls, but that won't matter too much, right!?! Plus there is plenty of room for them to run around outside, after the meeting, unlike at the bookstore...

As the girls arrived I had various coloring pages for them to color:

Saint Faustina, the Divine Mercy page from Fenestrae Fidei,

and Charlotte's beautiful icon of the Divine Mercy

Just like last year, we began our meeting with the prayer to St. Therese and the Acts of Faith, Hope, and Love. We then reviewed a little bit about our dear St. Therese.

Next we had the lesson. I introduced the virtue we will be working on, Mercy, and read a short biography of the saint for this month, St. Faustina. We then talked about the various The Works of Mercy (using Father Lovasik's book as a guide - Amazon is still offering a 10 pack of this great book for only $1.50!!) and then I read the Helen's Special Picture. (It is such a sweet book! Amazon charges a small fortune for it, but I was able to purchase a copy from the Divine Mercy Gift Shop.)

Another great resource for this meeting (or for further review at home!) is Glory Stories Jesus I Trust in You! : The Story of Saint Faustina Kowalska.

Following the lesson the girls began making their notebook pages. I included the memory verse for Mercy, The Divine Mercy Chaplet Prayers, a quote from the bible, and the prayer to St. Faustina from the Little Flowers CD.

Here are the links to the St. Joseph's Lily and the image of St. Faustina that I choose, and my sample page:  (You can download my document here.)

The girls did a lovely job putting together their notebook pages. Here are their completed pages:

This year I decided to have the girls do an additional craft at each meeting. For this virtue we made Guardian Angel Bracelets, since Angel's are often messengers of God's Mercy.

And yes, I thought I was all prepared, ordering craft kits ahead of time... However, one of the other moms and I had lots of fun trying to use our fingers to make a loop out of the pin used to make the angel, since i didn't have a pair of needle nose pliers handy... Next time I will read the directions for our craft before the meeting! ;)

Update: For another idea, don't miss Lena's Handprint Lily Pen. They are SO cute!

Snack time was next. Just like last year I assigned the moms to help with the snacks. I took the first month, in order to have it done before the baby arrives... We had Divine Mercy Strawberry Shortcakes with Lemonade! (Lily Sandwiches would be another great option for this meeting!)

I realized a little too late that I missed getting a group photo of the girls... Perhaps in two weeks at our next meeting!

Saint Faustina, teach us of God's Divine Mercy.
Jesus I trust in You!

Saint Therese, the Little Flower, pray for us!

Special Dedication of the Year for Priests Faith Folder :: In Memory of Ryan Barrett

A couple months ago I hosted a giveaway for The Year for Priests Faith Folder.

If you have not purchased a copy yet, NOW is the time to do so!!  Lindy Meyer, owner of Faith Folders for Catholics, has dedicated this particular Faith Folder (Lap Book) to the memory of Ryan Barrett and will be generously donating 50% of the proceeds to the charities chosen by Ryan's family:

Many of you may already know the touching story of the Barrett Family. Their son, Ryan, suffered a grand mal seizure while on a father-son camping trip and passed away on August 13, 2009. If you haven't heard their story, please view the links below. Mary Ellen Barrett is a Catholic mom, wife, homeschooler, writer, blogger and has helped many through her writing. Ryan had a beautiful faith and was drawn to religious life. Despite his autism, many in his life wondered if he might have a priestly vocation. His death and the stories that have been shared since then are so touching and, to me, seem to reveal that this young man did indeed have a religious calling. I have been so touched by this family and their story that I am dedicating the Year for Priests Faith Folder in memory of Ryan Barrett and am donating 50% of all proceeds from its sale to the charities chosen by his family. Please visit the Year for Priests Faith Folder page for more information. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me. Please pray for the Barrett family as they grieve the loss of their son, celebrate his life and discover God's plan for their family.

Mary Ellen, Ryan's mother, said that "at the funeral Mass the Bishop who confirmed Ryan asked us all to ask Ryan in heaven to intercede on behalf of vocations. Bishop Libasci said that we should wait for miracles from our "little priest"."

My boys are looking forward to starting this Lapbook even more now, since they were so deeply saddened by Ryan's death, even though they had never met him.

So, what are you waiting for, head on over to Faith Folders for Catholics to place your order.

(The lapbook is only $7.99, for regular family use!)  

Please keep the Barrett family and all of the families that have recently lost children in your prayers.  Thank you and God Bless!

State-by-State Scrapbook :: Pennsylvania

"K is for Keystone State,

Pennsylvania is said to be.

Like the center stone in an arch,

it was the central colony."

~ K Is For Keystone: A Pennsylvania Alphabet

The boys were very excited to learn more about Pennsylvania, the second state in our country.  Especially since it is currently home to one of their favorite uncles! 

~ By Captain ~ 

~ By Rascal ~ 

The boys are loving making their State-by-State Scrapbooks!
Our next stop is New Jersey...

Small Successes :: September 10, 2009

"It’s important for moms to recognize that all the small successes in our days can add up to one big triumph. So on Thursday of each week, we do exactly that."

~ 1 ~

I have ALL of my Little Flowers Wreath II Notebook Pages planned, printed, and READY TO GO for this year, which began with our first meeting earlier today!   (The notebook pages are not part if the program, but the girls in my group really enjoyed making them this past year and they are creating such a nice keepsake.)

I also have the schedule finalized (including my little baby break scheduled in!), additional crafts purchased, the prize box stocked, Member's Guides and Patches purchased (well in advance this year. lol!), snacks assigned for each meeting, and 3 new girls who joined our group!  All I have left to do is finalize my lesson plans and look for a few more Saint Coloring Pages.    (Has anyone seen a Blessed Margaret Pole, St. Angela Merici, St. Teresa Benedicta, Bl. Mary of the Incarnation, and St. Elizabeth Anne Seton.)

I am so excited that I won't have that much more to do before each meeting, so as not to disrupt our school days!!!

~ 2 ~

Speaking of Little Flowers, our first meeting today went wonderfully and I am sure it is going to be another great year!  I also realized that no matter how much I plan ahead (see #1), it is impossible to get it ALL done on time.  ;)

Nevertheless, I was able to pull off the meeting/talk, 2 crafts, AND snacks (I assigned myself this month to get it over with!) even if I was still getting ready when the first girls arrived (30 minutes early!) and ended up needing to safety pin Chiquita's last two petals from Wreath 1 to her sash since I ran out of time to sew them on...  I did finish sewing the petals of Wreath 1 onto Twinkle Toes' sash though!

(I have more girls than last year, and more stuff to get done during the meeting, so it was harder to take pictures this year (compared to last year), but I will try and post a few soon.)

~ 3 ~

I have been plugging away at the Alphabet Path and we will finish our FORTH WEEK of School tomorrow!  The time is just FLYING!!   The girls just LOVE the Alphabet Path and I am so grateful to Elizabeth for her generosity in sharing this program with us all!  Here are some Highlights from our "A" Week, "B" Week, and "C" Week.   The boys are also right on schedule with all of their activities, though I haven't had much time to post what they've been up to... Hopefully I can post some pictures of their Pennsylvania Scrapbook Pages next.

What are your Small Successes this week?

Stop by Faith and Family Live to read more of this week's Small Successes.

Coconut Ice Cream ~ Dairy and Sugar Free!

I mentioned in the Highlights From "C" Week that we made some more Coconut Milk Ice Cream. Yummmmmm!!!  

Last year, after finding out that I am intolerant to just about everything dairy and becoming hooked on Coconut Bliss Ice Cream (which is expensive, but SO good!!) I decided to try and figure out how to make it at home. I purchased an Ice Cream Maker and experimented with a few recipes I found online. Basically it is just a base of Coconut Milk sweetened with Agave Syrup and then I just add whatever add-in's sound good. It's very easy to make and tastes so delicious and creamy!

I really need to get better about sticking with my food guidelines since I feel so much better when I avoid the things I shouldn't be eating  {sigh}  but recipes like this sure make it a lot easier! ;)

Anyhow, I have had a few emails asking for the recipe, so here you go:

Coconut Ice Cream
non-dairy, naturally sweetened

• 2 cans (15-16 oz) unsweetened coconut milk, chilled(not light)
• 1/3 to 1/2 cup raw agave syrup (depending on how sweet you like your ice cream) 
• 2 teaspoons coconut extract
  
• optional add-ins: shaved and unsweetened dark chocolate; toasted, unsweetened coconut; finely chopped nuts; small brownie chunks; a multitude of other possibilities  

Combine all ingredients (except add-ins) in blender. Blend thoroughly. Chill in the freezer to make sure it is all quite cold.

Add to ice cream maker, following manufacturer’s directions for churning. Add the add-ins during the last few minutes of churning.

For soft serve ice cream, eat immediately. For harder ice cream, transfer to an airtight container and freeze for several hours to a day, depending on degree of hardness desired.

Variation:  For Chocolate Ice Cream, substitute coconut extract with vanilla extract and add 2/3 cup cocoa powder (whisked into a small amount of the coconut milk).   

(The next time I make it I'll try and remember to take a picture to add to this post...)

Prayer of an Expecting Mother

Prayer of an Expecting Mother

Lord Jesus, I lovingly pray for this sweet hope that I keep within my womb. You have granted me the immense gift of a tiny little life, living in my own life, and I humbly thank you for choosing me as an instrument of your love. In this sweet waiting, help me to live in a constant attitude of self-surrender to your will.

Grant me a motherly heart that is pure, steadfast and generous. I hand over to you my own concerns; any anxious fears that may come, my own wishes for the little person that I still have no knowledge of. Grant that it may be born healthy in body, keep far from it every peril to its soul.

Mary, you have known the ineffable joy of a holy motherhood; give me a heart that can transmit an ardent, living faith. Sanctify my waiting, bless this joyful hope that is in me, grant that the fruit of my womb may open out in virtue and in holiness through your working with that of your divine Son. Amen.

I ran across this prayer yesterday, while online posting a few pictures of our Birthday Cake for Mary, on a website dedicated to The History and Devotion to the Maria Bambina.   It was just what I've been needing since I've been having quite a few "anxious fears" of my own lately.  (Even though everything has been going just fine!)   Anyhow, isn't it beautiful?!