FOR TODAY: March 16, 2009
Outside my Window… it is a misty, cold, rainy day. It seems sort of fitting, since tomorrow is St. Patrick’s Day.
I am thankful… for all of your prayers for my Grandpa and family!! THANK YOU!! I took the news of his death much harder than I thought I would… (He had been real sick for a few years.) Even though we will miss him dearly, I know he was prepared to go. I am also thankful that my mom was able to make it in time to see him again on Saturday, and that I was able to have a nice visit with him on the phone, less than two weeks ago, and told him how much I love him!
From the kitchen… another hot sugar-free chai tea. Yuuummmm!! Later today I am planning on letting the girls dip some Oreo’s and I will bake our cupcakes for tomorrow. For dinner we will be having Brown Rice Vegetable Casserole.
From the learning room… lots of Lap Books! The boys continue to work on their Lenten Lap books a bit each day — Particularly filling in the boxes on the charts with the sacrifices they are making and things they are thankful for. They also are each working on a Lap book for the special saints of this week. Captain is working on the St. Patrick Lap book, and Rascal really wanted to make one on St. Joseph. (I stayed up most of the night way too late trying to put resources together for him!)
Living the Liturgical year at Home… in addition to the lap books, we will be celebrating St. Patrick’s Day at the Park and doing a few other activities tomorrow. On Thursday, the feast of St. Joseph, we will bake St. Joseph Sfinge (Cream Puffs) in the afternoon, and then have an Italian Spagetti Dinner with St. Joseph’s Rocky Road Cake for dessert.
I am creating.. a Mini 3-D St. Joseph Altar with Rascal to go along with his Lap Book on St. Joseph. I also started painting my St. Patrick Wooden Saint, but I still need to finish him. I am also working on a little project with my friend Marci… I’ll share more on that later!
I am going… to start making plans to head to California later this week for my Grandfather’s funeral.
I am reading… “The Shack” which was recommended to me recently by one of our local priests. I had not heard of it previously. I, on the other hand, don’t recommend it. After feeling really uneasy about it, I searched online to see what other Catholics were saying and found this article. Interesting! On a positive note, I also just received the books Golden Legend of Young Saints and Olivia and the Little Way to review. They both look wonderful!
I am hoping… (and praying!) that my Grandpa’s wishes are honored and he is able to have a Latin Mass for his funeral.
I am listening… to a mixture of Celtic Woman, The Clancey Brothers, and Rifles of the I.R.A.. Nothing like good Irish Music to cheer you up! lol!
Around the house… Why does my house always seem to get messier when I spend so much time cleaning?? And where did ALL this STUFF come from?? I thought I had gotten rid of a lot LAST YEAR!
One of my favorite things… is looking through our family photo albums. ♥
Still working on the my Lenten Cleaning schedule and I have filled 13 bags for the 40 bag Challenge. I still have LOTS to do! I am hoping I can get a lot done in the next couple days since we are going to be heading out of town at the end of the week.
A picture thought I am sharing:
Jessica, I am sorry to hear about the loss of your grandpa. Praying for him and your family. I recently lost my step-dad … It’s so hard. May God give you comfort and peace. What a great photo of you and your grandpa! God bless your week!
I am so sorry for your loss and will be praying for your family and the repose of your grandfather’s soul. Have a safe trip and travels to California!
That is a fantastic picture of you two!
Best,
Sarah
PS – I second the non-recommendation of The Shack. Someone gave it to my mom and she couldn’t get into it and I tried to read it a bit and was quickly turned off.
that ‘shack’ book sounds quite new-agey from the article read. thanks for the ‘warning’ to be prepared, in case the topic should arise 😉
hope you’re doing well 🙂
Travel safely and may it be a time of loving memories and good company during this difficult time.
Continued prayers.
Oh, I know it’s so hard to lose a grandparent. My prayers are with you and yours, Jessica.
First, know that I absolutely will keep your grandfather in my prayers. My PawPaw was born Jan of 1920 and is currently battling protate cancer. Seeing your picture really touched me. Praying for you and your family…
Also, I read about 4 chapters of The Shack about a month ago. A co-worker read it over a weekend and highly recommended it. I must agree that it is not something I would recommend. The further along I got the more uncomfortable I became of the portrayals of the Holy Trinity. I eventually put it down and returned it to her.
Good decision! 🙂
Cute picture of Grandpa. I wish I could be at the service but I have a previous commitment. I’m really sad and conflicted about that. Are you going?
Someone recommended “The Shack” to me too. And it didn’t sound good to me at all. So I am glad to hear you didn’t like it because I KNOW I won’t.
Have you read “The Girl Who Could Fly” by Victoria Forester yet? You would LOVE that book. Great main character like Anne of Avonlea but with a little twist. It’s WAY clean too which is a nice bonus.
Love you!
Oh what a wonderful photo of you and your Granpa. Saying some prayers for you and you prepare to travel.!
Thanks for all the great St. Patricks Day ideas!!
Love the picture!
My daughter who is ten recently read Olivia and the Little Way and it has so inspired her! I read it too and thought it was good. I wonder why it never mentions Olivia going to Confession when she is obviously struggling, but it was still a good book for young girls.
Could you post some time about the St. Joseph altar? I am intrigued by the pictures I have seen but I am not quite clear on the purposes of it.
Please don’t feel you must do it soon. Just love and enjoy your family right now.
One of our catechist’s adult sons was killed last night in a car accident. Please say a prayer for Fran and family. Thank you.
I’m sorry to hear of the death of your grandfather. My own grandfather died in 2003.
I will pray for the repose of his soul.
God Bless
Robert
Thanks, Jessica, for the review of The Shack. It was recommended to me by an aunt (not Catholic) and I was interested but wary, so I was glad to read the article to which you posted a link. I think I’ll steer clear! 🙂
We will continue to pray for your Grandpa, for the repose of his soul, and for you, his family. I hope that the pain of his loss will lessen over time. I did notice that the first picture you posted of him was in front of our former parish (I’m pretty sure) and smiled when I saw where this picture was taken–nearby also. 😉 I hope that he will be given the honor of a Latin mass and that you will be there to attend! If you do, I hope that you have a safe trip.
Happy (belated) St. Patrick day. Hope you have a good week! 🙂
We had the best grandpa in the world, I'm going to miss him.
Love the picture so much, it made me cry, love you jess.
<3 mary