End-of-Summer Daybook

by | Aug 19, 2016 | Daybook, Lego | 0 comments

Outside my window…
It’s been a little crazy around here, but it looks so peaceful inside the LEGO cathedral that’s on the coffee table! #wishiwasaminifig {Master Builder: Ranger}

I am thinking…
I need to put together a post with pictures for “Phase 3” of the LEGO Cathedral project Ranger has been working on this past year! He’s still not finished, but he is getting closer. Here are the links to Phase 1 and Phase 2 in the archives.

I am thankful… 
for smokeless skies this summer!

Learning all the time…
The Driver’s Education course that Captain took at the local community college this summer was excellent! I can not even believe how much it has improved his (and my!) driving. He passed the final exam and his Behind-the-Wheel Driving test with a score of 96%. Now we are just waiting for him to rack up the rest of the hours he needs before he takes one final computer test and is issued his driver’s license!

 
{July 31st} “Lots of “firsts” for this guy today: Drive on the freeway, Drive at night, Drive-through Dutch Bros to celebrate! After telling the Dutch Bros barista about our driving adventures, I’m guessing the messages he picked for each of our lids were intentional”

Celebrating the liturgical year…
Monday was the feast of the Assumption of Mary! I took the day off work, dropped everything on my “to-do” list, and loaded up the van to drive (or rather Captain drove!) to the parish we have been attending on Sunday mornings for the noon Mass on the parish’s feast day.

It was such a beautiful Mass (ordinary form) complete with Latin Marian hymns and incense. The boys were asked to serve when we arrived. After Mass, as I was kneeling praying with my littlest ones, an older man who had been sitting in front of us, walked over and said “Are these ALL your children?!”  I have fun with that question, especially when I can answer, “No….” (pause) “I have two more! My older boys were the two serving Mass!” His mouth dropped and he said, “You have more!” He grabbed my head, kissed my forehead, and said “BLESS YOU!”  The girls both turned bright red and Snuggles whispered (after the older man had walked away) “Quick! Wipe it off!”  Hahaha! That was a first.

On the drive home we stopped to visit with some friends and stop at Dairy Queen for a special feast day treat in honor of Our Lady, Queen of Heaven!

The Assumption of Mary (Summertime Saints) • Rosary Rummy • Feasts of Our Lord and Our Lady

From the kitchen…
Better late than never, right? A few weeks ago I finally got around to printing out Summer Bingo cards for our kids. It had been a couple years, after spending last summer traveling. It’s been a great way to encourage them to get a jump start on their math for the school year, as well as a few other subjects.

After leaving them on the counter in the kitchen I heard one of the kids yell: “MOM! What baby?!?!?!” I knew there was a reason I needed to update those cards.

Oh well… It was quick and easy to fix! 😉

I am working on…
finishing up this year’s curriculum list and plans. I recently shared Our 2015-2016 Curriculum.

I am creating…
plans for a 13th birthday coming up at the end of this month. The soon-to-be-teen was having a hard time coming up with a theme, but I think I’ve come up with one that she’ll love!

I am going…
to the 5th Annual Catholic Women Rejoice conference! I really need a little break and retreat before the new school year begins. I’m especially looking forward to finally give Hallie a hug and check out her new book, On the Other Side of Fear: How I Found Peace.

I spotted a few familiar faces on my way over to the hall after Mass this morning! How is it possible that it’s almost August already?!? I need to figure out how to sneak away for a few days so I can attend Catholic Women Rejoice again this year! #CWR16 #rejoiceandbefree

I am hoping…
to make some time soon to try and catch up on some emails. I’m horribly behind. Email is always one of the first things to go when I’m struggling to keep up.

I am praying…
for perseverance, and for the grace to know where I need to make changes and simplify.

I am reading…
book lists and syllabuses.

Pondering these words…
from St. Catherine of Siena:

“Nothing great is ever achieved without much enduring.”

I am listening…
to the captivating Audio Dramatization (also available on Audible) of The Story of Civilization: Vol 1 – The Ancient World. Have you entered the giveaway I am hosting yet?

Around the house…
It’s been about three weeks since we’ve been able to eat at the dining room table… It’s been covered with books since starting the annual book sale. Still so much to do before our new school year begins!  Sometimes I really miss having Our Little School Room.

One of my favorite things…
stained glass windows, even if they are made from LEGO.

This week’s plans…
Three of my sisters just got into town (two from UT and one from CA) yesterday and I was so torn on whether I should still go to the conference or not, but I’ll get back in time for Julianna’s birthday on Sunday night and will finally get to meet her boyfriend. It will be another busy week at the office, with payroll and a few other things I’ll need to catch up.  I also have a 13th birthday to plan for the end of this month!

A little peek at my day…
This picture is actually from yesterday morning. Ranger and I got up extra early to attend the Orientation Session for his upcoming online Latin class!

I hope you all have a great weekend!

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Prayer of Mothers

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.


Our Family

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

A Little About Me

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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