Instagram Recap

by | Dec 23, 2014 | Hockey, Instagram Recap, Theatre | 10 comments

“Time is but a shadow, a dream; already God sees us in glory and takes joy in our eternal beatitude. How this thought helps my soul! I understand then why He lets us suffer…” 
~ St. Therese

On Saturday evening, after a fun filled day with my family at the end of our “birthday week”, we went out to dinner with friends and I was telling them that I felt like I was finally turning a corner. My energy seemed to be starting to return and the painful rash I’ve been fighting for the past six months, since my miscarriage last June, seems to be healing. I was so excited for our Christmas break to begin! When I got in the car and charged my phone I had urgent messages from the mother of an old friend of mine asking me to call as soon as possible… Since then it has been a flood of emotions, tears, and memories from the past. My husband and I will be attending his funeral next Saturday. So many people are experiencing so much heartache and pain. Be sure to remember them in your prayers during this most blessed time of the year! 

December 20th:

Ending this day in prayer and with such a heavy heart… In your charity could you please offer a prayer for the soul of an old friend of mine who took his life this morning, and for the family and friends he leaves behind? May God have mercy on his soul and may he rest in peace+

Andrew (the older brother of one of our godsons, and godbrother to one of our boys) did such a great job!#teenmusicaltheater #achristmascarol

“Bah, humbug!”


A Christmas Carol the Musical



At the theatre with friends! It’s the final show and it’s sold out, the seats are filling up quickly!



Our boys are the two in the blue… It was such a fun game to watch! Their team just won 12 to 6!

Another Saturday morning at The Rrrink! This little guy’s hockey game is over (the goalie was having a bad day and their team lost 3 to 10!) and now we are watching the older boys play! Last game of the year… Our Christmas break officially begins this afternoon!

December 19th:

“Happy Birthday to youuu…” that was as far as we got before he leaned over and quickly blew out all three candles with one little blow! Hahahaha! This little boy loves candles and has been practicing all Advent – in fact, he beat his sister to some of her own candles on Monday! Of course we relit them so we could finish singing and he could blow them out once (or twice) again!

You can see a few more birthday pictures here. I hope to eventually have a chance to post the rest… and the pictures from Rose and Twinkle Toes birthdays as well!

December 18th:


O Adonai, et Dux domus Israel, qui Moysi in igne flammæ rubi apparuisti, et ei in Sina legem dedisti: veni ad redimendum nos in brachio extento. 

O Adonai, and Ruler of the house of Israel, Who didst appear unto Moses in the burning bush, and gavest him the law in Sinai, come to redeem us with an outstretched arm! 

#oantiphons #catholic #advent #catholiccuisine #gingerbreadhousecookies #madebythegirls #stillneedtobedecorated
Made with this cookie cutter and decorated the next morning.

December 17th:

O Sapientia, quæ ex ore Altissimi prodiisti, attingens a fine usque ad finem, fortiter suaviterque disponens omnia: veni ad docendum nos viam prudentiæ. 

O Wisdom that comest out of the mouth of the Most High, that reachest from one end to another, and orderest all things mightily and sweetly, come to teach us the way of prudence!

December 16th:


I finally had a chance to look through the photos from the feast of St. Nicholas and post some on the blog! I had a hard time choosing which of the pics to post of our littlest one on his Daddy’s shoulders, so I’m posting the other here!

December 15th:

Happy 5th birthday to my pretty little peacock!

December 13th:

I just finished watching the Nutcracker Ballet with my three girls for their first time! It’s late, especially for my littlest one, but she loved the performance! Half way through Act I she leaned over and whispered “Can I have a Nutcracker Birthday?!?” (Her birthday is Monday and I was out late last night grocery shopping and buying supplies for a completely different theme- which I know she will love!) Then, during the Peacock/Arabian dance in Act II, she leaned over and said “I really wish I could have a peacock costume!” (The first gift she has asked for!) Now THAT I can do! I just happen to have a whole peacock outfit – costume, tights, wings, wand, and headband- thanks to the Gymboree clearance sales after Halloween! I can’t wait to give it to her! And maybe I can come up with some “Nutcracker” fun for during the upcoming Christmas season!

Sean took all the younger children home from Hockey so I could take this quickly growing teen of ours shopping for some new clothes! It’s so nice to spend some time with just him. 

“Mommy, hold me!” It’s freezing cold here at the rink… I think it’s time to move to the fireside room for the rest of the boys game!

Darkness shall soon depart From vale and mountain She brings good news to us Light like a fountain Soon day shall rise anew Day-star is coming In skies of rosy hue Salvation’s dawning Maiden so sweet and fair, Bright candles in your hair, Santa Lucia, Santa Lucia!  Happy Santa Lucia Day!


I’ve been feeling a little overwhelmed lately and Thursdays are especially full from start to finish. I’m not complaining and it’s totally worth it, but homeschooling all these kids is HARD work! In between piano lessons and taking the 7 year old to the dentist I picked up a coffee to help get me through the rest of the day. I’m not sure what I love more… My favorite Coconut Milk Annihilator or the lid! #thanksforthepeptalk

Little Creatures… How do they Move? #homeschool#sciencelab #focusonbiology

December 10th:



Making rosaries to send to children in an orphanage in Nigeria for Christmas.

10 Comments

  1. Kathy@9Peas

    I love your recaps! I hope your family is enjoying this last week of Advent and wishing you in advance a very Merry Christmas.

    2014-12-23 21:52:45

    Reply
  2. jbc2789

    I'm so very sorry for your loss. This can be a really hard time of the year as well as a joyful one. Praying for peace and comfort for all.

    2014-12-23 21:57:27

    Reply
  3. Gail

    I'm so sorry for your loss. I'll keep your friend, his family and you in my prayers. Thanks for the review, and I think it's lovely you and your children are making rosaries for orphans in Africa. They look beautiful. With prayers, Gail

    2014-12-23 22:12:39

    Reply
  4. melanie

    I love all your pictures and will come back to see them again more slowly. I just wanted to say I am so sorry to hear about your friend. We will pray for mercy. God alone knows what was truly in his heart, which was obviously in pain.

    2014-12-24 01:11:25

    Reply
  5. Erin

    Prayers for your friend, Jessica. That is so very hard, I know firsthand… One of the most difficult things I will always think about in my heart is the suicide of an ex boyfriend of mine. There are no answers and it is very hard to make peace with it, and always those lingering questions of why, or what could have made things different, if anything? Hugs and prayers for you. his mother will likely take great comfort in your friendship and you sharing your memories of him. Learning about a suicide of an old friend and having a miscarriage in the same year is hard; I am right there with you. Hugs to you across the miles.

    2014-12-24 03:00:41

    Reply
  6. Christine M.

    I am praying and will continue to pray. May you and his family and friends find comfort in God's love and beneath Our Lady's mantle. May the souls of the faithfully departed through the mercy of God rest in peace. God bless! I am so sorrow for the hard moments.

    2014-12-24 08:22:14

    Reply
  7. tracybuasmith

    I'm so sorry about your friend Jessica. Just heartbreaking! Your pictures and family fun are so beautiful! Love that lid! I would agree you are awesome and you inspire me to be a better Catholic mom! Have a blessed and Merry Christmas with your beautiful family!

    2014-12-24 15:14:01

    Reply
  8. Valerie

    Heartfelt sympathy and prayers for you in this sad loss.

    2014-12-25 08:46:33

    Reply
  9. Jennifer H

    Jessica,
    Those mini gingerbread house are so cute! What type of icing did you use to assemble them? Hope you had a good Christmas. Thinking of and praying for you.

    2014-12-25 23:28:30

    Reply
  10. Genevieve

    Prayers for you in this most difficult situation.

    May I ask where you purchased your rosary making kits? The beads are so much nicer than the usual cord rosarys!

    2014-12-31 05:13:57

    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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Sean & Jessica, Captain-24, Ranger-22, Twinkle Toes-21, Chiquita-19, Snuggles-17, Rose-14, Bud-12, Grace-7 and Joy-5 (blog nicknames)

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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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