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Back-to-School Blessings

Sep 9, 2013 | , , , | 10 Comments

Panoramic Picture of Crater Lake taken from the Observation Station with my iPhone

The first week of our 2013-2014 school year may not have included our usual “back-to-school traditions,” (perhaps we will get to those this week) but it sure was nice to spend Tuesday-Sunday with dear friends who happened to be visiting from the midwest!


We may not have celebrated Our Blessed Mother’s birthday this past weekend with our usual birthday cake, but we did visit the breathtakingly beautiful Crater Lake (the cleanest and bluest lake in the world) and pray the rosary for peace!



With a little planning ahead last Saturday and Monday (Labor Day), after hearing that our friends might be visiting, our older children got a jump start on their studies and they were still able to write their first papers for the year and checked nearly all the little boxes on last week’s checklists!  It might not have looked anything exactly like I usually would have planned, but it ended up being the perfect start to our school year!



Today we have been enjoying some much needed downtime and tomorrow will be our “official” first day of school for the new school year, even though the children are really learning all the time… One of the many benefits of homeschooling!


What a blessing it is to be able to home educate our children!  
I hope your school year is off to a wonderful and blessed start as well.


Prayer to Our Lady for Homeschooling Parents

Blessed Mother, as you so humbly and graciously accepted God’s will to bear and raise His only son, and to guide him in wisdom and virtue, help me in the instruction and education of my children. Pray to your Heavenly Son to grant me the grace and strength to assist in their learning, overcoming tiredness and discouragement. Assist me in the management of my home, so that I may be able to keep order and peace, despite the challenges of schooling within it. Intercede for me, imploring Our Heavenly Father to bestow upon me wisdom, not for my own sake, but so that I may form my children’s minds and hearts, so that they may grow into strong adults, helping to shape the world for His glory, and ultimately inheriting the kingdom of heaven. Call upon your heavenly angels to stand by my side, with their great intelligence, to help me understand that which I am instructing, and assist my children in learning of same. We humbly ask this through your beloved Son, Our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

A Quick Hello and a Giveaway!

Sep 4, 2013 | , , , | 158 Comments

I just wanted to pop in real quick to say hello and let you all know that I will try and answer comments/blog questions and emails (there are currently over 250 in my inbox waiting for responses from this past year… Even though I had it “caught up” to 60 at the beginning of summer.) as soon as I have a chance.  It’s just been a little busier than usual around here!  Thursday we had an Ice Cream Social at the park with friends, Friday we celebrated a 10th birthday (pictures coming soon!), Saturday included a visit with out-of-state cousins, Sunday we headed to the coast for a parish picnic, Latin Mass and dinner with friends (before a late night drive home), Monday (yesterday) I watched my little brother win the final round of a golf tournament (and setting a new record!), and today we have dear friends arriving for another visit and staying until Sunday!  I guess I really should have used pencil when I wrote “First Day of School” in my planner! 😉 

Dressed up and coloring pictures from Caroline’s Color and Craft on Twinkle Toes’ 10th Birthday

Anyways, while we are busy having fun with friends, it’s time for another giveaway here at Shower of Roses.  Over the past couple years I have purchased a few beautiful dresses for my girls from Cheri at Ashley’s Attic and she has offered to give an Apron and Bonnet set to one of my visitors!  You can see my girls wearing the Josefina and Kirsten dresses in the Josefina Birthday and An Early American Pioneer Birthday posts.  Twinkle Toes also received the Caroline Abbott dress last Christmas which she wore again last week on her 10th birthday!  I have been so impressed with the quality and durability of these dresses and look forward to purchasing more (perhaps a dress for Rose!) from Ashley’s Attic in the future!

The winner of this giveaway will receive a handmade Bonnet and Apron in their choice of either Regular (fits best 5 to 9 year old) or Large (fits best 10 and over).  The color will be chosen by Cheri, since this is an extra busy time of year for her as well.

If you would like to be entered in this giveaway, just leave a comment on this post, and make sure your email address is either linked on your profile or included in the comment so that I am able to contact you if you win.

For an extra entry visit Ashley’s Attic and then come back and tell me which dress/item is your favorite, or help me decide which dress I should purchase for Rose!  The “Wendy” dress is one of my own favorites… Isn’t it just darling!?! 🙂  (Ooh!  I love this one too, and it’s pink! So many beautiful choices, it is so hard to pick a favorite!)

Comments will be closed Saturday night and I will update this post and contact the winner next Sunday, which happens to be our Blessed Mother’s Birthday!  God bless you all! 

UPDATE: Thank you all for participating! Congratulations to texasgal!  I’ll be contacting you soon for your size preference and mailing information.  I hope your daughter enjoys her new bonnet and apron! 

Our 2013-2014 Curriculum Plans and Checklists

Aug 29, 2013 | , , , , , , | 45 Comments

Our new school year begins next week!   This coming year our oldest boys will be going into 7th and 6th grade, the older girls will be 4th and 3rd, and Snuggles will be in 1st grade.  Rose (3) and Bud (1) will have lots of fun with all sorts of “school time toys” and perhaps some of the Little Saints Pre-School themes.  The following is a list of our curriculum plans for 2013-2014:

Captain :: 7th Grade

Math:
Saxon Math 7/6
Various Math Games for Reinforcement including: Math-It, Equate, and Speed!

Language Arts:
Student Writing Intensive Continuation Course: A
Supplementing with: Ancient History-Based Writing Lessons
Phonetic Zoo, continue Level B
Fix It! (applied grammar – finish Tom Sawyer)
Editor in Chief B-1 (applied grammar)
The Book of Roots 
Novel Inquiries: Ancient Civilizations (The Golden Goblet, Tirzah, Hittite Warrior and The Children’s Homer)

History & Geography:
Connecting with History Volume 1: A Guide to Salvation History
Old Testament and Ancient Cultures

Maps Charts and Graphs Level G: The World
Continue/Complete State-by-State Scrapbook
Asia and Australia Continent Study (CCM Alpha)

Science:
Concepts and Challenges in Science Book 1 (Physics & Earth Science)
 and Concepts and Challenges in Science Book 2 (Metric System, Biology & Chemistry)
TOPS Learning Systems: Electricity 32 and Perfect Balance 31
Snap Circuits
Science Activities and Nature Sketching (CCM Alpha)

Latin:
Latina Christiana 1
Ludere Latin 1

Music & Art:
Lingua Angelica 1
Continue Composer Study
Meet the Masters Track A

Memory Work: 

Rascal :: 6th Grade

Math:
Saxon Math 7/6
Various Math Games for Reinforcement including: Math-It, Equate, and Speed!

Language Arts:
Student Writing Intensive Continuation Course: A
Supplementing with: Ancient History-Based Writing Lessons
Phonetic Zoo, continue Level B
Fix It! (applied grammar – Finish Tom Sawyer)
Editor in Chief B-1 (applied grammar)
The Book of Roots
Novel Inquiries: Ancient Civilizations (The Golden Goblet, Tirzah, Hittite Warrior and The Children’s Homer)

History & Geography:
Connecting with History Volume 1: A Guide to Salvation History
Old Testament and Ancient Cultures

Maps Charts and Graphs Level F: Eastern Hemisphere
Continue/Complete State-by-State Scrapbook
Asia and Australia Continent Study (CCM Alpha)

Science:
Concepts and Challenges in Science Book 1 (Physics & Earth Science)
 and Concepts and Challenges in Science Book 2 (Metric System, Biology & Chemistry)
TOPS Learning Systems: Electricity 32 and Perfect Balance 31
Snap Circuits
Science Activities and Nature Sketching (CCM Alpha)

Latin:
Latina Christiana 1
Ludere Latin 1

Music & Art:
Lingua Angelica 1
Continue Composer Study
Meet the Masters Track A

Memory Work: 

Classically Catholic Memory: Alpha

Physical Education & Other Activities:
Scouts of St. George

Download Rascal’s Color-Coded Checklist

Some of our Reading Selections for Ancient History:  Mystery of the Roman Ransom, Detectives in Togas, The Golden Goblet, The Cat of Bubastes, King David and His Songs, The Children’s Homer, The Riddle of the Rosetta Stone, Alexander the Great, Famous Men of Rome, Famous Men of Greece, Aesop’s Fables for Children, D’Aulaires’ Book of Greek Myths, Ancient Egyptians and their Neighbors, Ox, House, Stick: The History of Our Alphabet, Pyramid, Gilgamesh, The 5,000-Year-Old Puzzle, Archaeology, A Street Through Time, Shadow Hawk, Hittite Warrior, Victory on the Walls, God King, Herodotus and the Road to History, Archimedes and the Door of Science

Twinkle Toes :: 4th Grade

Math:
Saxon Math 5/4
Various Math Games for Reinforcement including: Math-It, Equate, and Speed!

Language Arts:
Student Writing Intensive Continuation Course: A
Supplementing with: Ancient History-Based Writing Lessons
Phonetic Zoo Level A
Fix It! (applied grammar – continue Tom Sawyer)
Handwriting
Roots of English
Additional Literature:

History & Geography:
Connecting with History Volume 1: A Guide to Salvation History
Old Testament and Ancient Cultures

Maps Charts and Graphs Level D: States & Regions
Continue 50 State-by-State Study with Baking and Notebook Pages
Continue American Girl Unit Studies (as time allows)
Asia and Australia Continent Study (CCM Alpha)

Science:
Focus on Middle School Chemistry with Laboratory Workbook and Teacher’s Manual
Focus on Middle School Biology with Laboratory Workbook and Teacher’s Manual
Behold and See 4: Human Anatomy and Health
Science Activities and Nature Sketching (CCM Alpha)

Latin:
Latina Christiana 1
Ludere Latin 1

Music & Art:
Lingua Angelica 1
Continue Composer Study
Meet the Masters Track A

Memory Work: 

Classically Catholic Memory: Alpha

Physical Education & Other Activities:
Piano Lessons
Irish Dancing
Sewing Classes and Sewing With Saint Anne

Little Women Hospitality Program – Year 1 with Student Companion (we didn’t have time for this last year, hoping to have the time this year… but not making any promises!) 

Download Twinkle Toes’ Color-Coded Checklist

Chiquita :: 3rd Grade

Language Arts:
Student Writing Intensive, Level A
All About Spelling  – Level 3 and Level 4
Wordly Wise Book C
Handwriting
Additional Literature Including:


 Latin:

History & Geography:
Connecting with History Volume 1: A Guide to Salvation History
Old Testament and Ancient Cultures

Maps Charts and Graphs Level C: Communities
Continue 50 State-by-State Study with Baking and Notebook Pages
Continue American Girl Unit Studies (as time allows)
Asia and Australia Continent Study (CCM Alpha)

Science:
Focus on Elementary Chemistry with Laboratory Workbook and Teacher’s Manual
Focus on Elementary Biology with Laboratory Workbook and Teacher’s Manual
Science Activities and Nature Sketching (CCM Alpha)

Religion:
The New Baltimore Catechism No. 1
Faith & Life 3 – Our Life With Jesus
Catholic Tales for Boys and Girls
More Catholic Tales for Boys and Girls

Music & Art:
Lingua Angelica 1
Continue Composer Study
Meet the Masters Track A

Memory Work: 

Classically Catholic Memory: Alpha

Physical Education & Other Activities:
Irish Dancing
Sewing Classes and Sewing With Saint Anne

Little Women Hospitality Program – Year 1 with Student Companion (we didn’t have time for this last year, hoping to have the time this year…) 

Download Chiquita’s Color-Coded Checklist 
Our Historical American Girl Lap Books – many are still in progress

Snuggles :: 1st Grade 

Math:
Saxon 1

Language Arts:
Primary Arts of Language: Writing and Reading
All About Spelling Level 1 and Reading Level 1
Supplementing with Explode the Code

History & Geography:
Connecting with History Volume 1: A Guide to Salvation History
Old Testament and Ancient Cultures

Maps Charts and Graphs Level A: The Places Around Me
Asia and Australia Continent Study (CCM Alpha)

Science:
Focus on Elementary Chemistry with Laboratory Workbook and Teacher’s Manual
Focus on Elementary Biology with Laboratory Workbook and Teacher’s Manual
Science Activities and Nature Sketching (CCM Alpha)
Apples, Bubbles and Crystals: Your Science ABCs  (with our Alphabet Path)

Religion:
First Communion Preparation
St. Joseph First Communion Catechism

Memory Work:
Classically Catholic Memory: Alpha

Arts & Crafts and other Fun Activities: 
Meet the Masters Track A
Continue Along the Alphabet Path   *If time allows – We only completed Aa, Bb, Cc and part of Dd last year.  As the other children get older, and their school work is more demanding, it is definitely more challenging for me to find the time for all the fun activities for my younger ones!  Apparently there is just only so many things I can add before some things have to go…  😉 I am really hoping we can at least continue this year.  We’ll see!  In the meantime, Snuggles loves loves LOVES PAL (Primary Arts of Language).  It is such an excellent program, very solid and yet complete with lots of fun and games too! 

My crate of file folder games for with PAL – Yes, I used black file folders.  I think they look so much prettier than regular manilla file folders, plus I have a whole case of them! 😉 

Family Work 
Z is for Zeus: A Greek Mythology Alphabet and Greek Blocks

As you can see from our plans, I do try and combine as many children for various subjects as possible.  We will all be studying Ancient History this year, using Connecting with History, and Chemistry and Biology using the materials from Real Science for Kids. I’ve also decided to try out Meet the Masters Track A (also available for a discount from Rainbow Resource and Home-School Buyers Co-Op).  Another new addition to our plans is Classically Catholic Memory!  I purchased my set from Sacred Heart Books and Gifts and have been so impressed with the organization and quality of the material.  I’m so excited to begin this program!

You can download just my Classically Catholic Memory Checklist here. 

For those who don’t want to spend the money on the complete set (though I do think it is worth the cost!), the Teacher Text would be a great place to start and a large portion of the program (minus the Geography and Timeline – though I suppose one could make their own set of timeline cards) can be completed with just this text. 

I have my Catholic Daily Planners all ready to go as well as my current Saints Calendar and Planner (you can purchase the new 2013-2014 version here).  I also have a few binders filled with all my lesson plans and checklists.  I use the actual lessons plans that come along with the Student Writing Intensive and Continuation Courses.  (I keep all the handouts with the lesson plans and give them to the children as they need them.)  Another binder has all the new daily lesson plans for Connecting with History!  (I am so excited about these!  The hardest part when we last used this program was trying to figure out what to do each day.  These will be so helpful to use as a guide.) And my third binder (my pretty Black Damask Martha Stewart binder) contains all the color-coded checklists!

Now I just need to assemble this year’s Back-to-School Schultütes and we’ll be ready to get started!

Our Little Saints Preschool

Aug 29, 2013 | , | 2 Comments

I’ve used Little Saints Preschool with all of our children.  

When our oldest was in Preschool (back in 2003-2004) I nearly burned myself out on homeschooling that very first year, trying to “do it all!”  I remember spending most of the summer in 2003 collecting all the books (all of our local libraries were closed down at that time due to budget restraints), art supplies, and cutting out countless pieces of felt and paper for all the activities in the program, combining Little Saints with Mother of Divine Grace from 2003-2005.

The following year (2005-2006) seemed like a breeze when I decided to just enroll Captain in Seton for Kindergarten, even though Seton (as a whole) ended up not being the right fit for our family… Since then I’ve continued to use bits and pieces of the Little Saints Preschool program with the rest of the children.  Of course, like everything we do, I love to modify and expand on the themes with some of our own ideas, books, snacks, and recipes.  The themes are a great place to start though, and the book is filled with all sorts of suggestions.  

Below you will find links to a few of the weekly themes that have made it on to the blog.  I will continue to add to this post as time goes on…. Perhaps by the time all our children my grandchildren have made it through preschool there will be links to all the themes.  However, I’m not making any promises! 😉

2008-2009 (Twinkle Toes and Chiquita)

I Belong to God (Theme #1)

Having Fun with the Alphabet  (Theme #2)

My Five Senses (Theme #3)

Number Fun (Theme #4)

Winter Fun (Theme #22)

2011-2012 (Snuggles)

I Belong to God (Theme #1)

Alphabet Fun (Theme #2)

Colors/Guardian Angels (Theme #9)

2016-2017 (Rose and Bud)

Alphabet Fun (Theme #2)

Fall Is Here! (Theme #10)

2022-2023 (Grace and Joy)

I Belong to God (Theme #1)

Alphabet Fun (Theme #2)

My Five Senses (Theme #3) 

Number Fun (Theme #4) 

Colors/Guardian Angels (Theme #9)

Fall is Here! (Theme #10) 

Other Links for Preschool:

School Time Toys

An Alphabet of Saints: B is for Blocks

{pretty, happy, funny, real} :: From My iPhone

Aug 29, 2013 | , , | 7 Comments

~ Capturing the context of contentment in everyday life. ~
{pretty}
We will be celebrating a 10th birthday tomorrow!  I haven’t had much time to prepare, other than placing a couple online orders for gifts for the birthday girl, but after rounding up a few things yesterday afternoon and a quick trip to the store I am hopeful that the “Caroline” party will come together.  Now to start baking and decorating a cake… 
{happy}

After trying quite a few samples, including some salmon/terra cotta-ish reds and a couple tans, I finally settled on the Cleveland Green.  I didn’t like it at first (with just a sample size spot on the wall), but ended up deciding it was the best of all the options.  Once I got the full wall painted I LOVED it!  It looks a little darker than the picture at some times of day, but even then it is beautiful. (The picture really doesn’t do the color justice.) I still have to touch up the edges and paint along the ceiling, once I can borrow a taller ladder from my dad, but that will have to wait for now… 
{funny}

Pizza, anyone?!  I had to use up that last gift certificate that Sean won at Vegas in the Valley by the end of the month.  Between the gift certificate and our Papa John’s App Rewards/coupon code our total was only $4.05 for 3 large pizzas, 2 boxes of garlic parmesan breadsticks, a box of chicken poppers and a 2-liter of soda.  The older boys were very excited – and all that pizza didn’t last very long!

{real}

From Instagram/Facebook last Sunday:  I couldn’t help but smile during Mass this evening (after nearly missing due to one more little cross- aka trouble walking/pinched nerve in my back) when I looked up and realized I was kneeling right next to the fifth station. I immediately recalled the encouragement from a dear friend this past week who said “Look ’em in the eyes (my crosses-we all have them!) and carry them even more resolutely now! Or Jesus will soon send you a Simon of Cyrene for a while;)” I think I’m about ready for Simon to show up… or at least another Advil! 🙂

I’m feeling much better this week.  Well, I can walk at least, and I haven’t been moving any more furniture.  I don’t know what I was thinking last Friday/Saturday when I decided, after a way too busy and emotional week, that I might as well give the schoolroom to Snuggles and Bud now, before our new school year begins.    It started with moving the crib out of the girls new room, and taking the toddler bed to Rose’s new room, which meant I needed to take down down one of the big girls old beds to make room for the toddler bed.  Then my desk (from the school room) was moved to my room.  The single bed in the boys room was taken apart to set up in the schoolroom (until we can purchase a bunk for the little boys, after Bud is a little safer around ladders). The two white desks from the schoolroom went to the older boys room, under the window where the single bed was before. The changing table/dresser (from Rose & Bud’s old room) went to the school room.  Then I reset up the twin bed and crib (as a toddler bed) in the school room for Snuggles and Bud.  Oh, I forgot the bookcases! A small wooden bookcase went from the big boys room to the little boys new room, and two of the white bookcases from the school room went to the big girls bedroom.   The stacking shelves went out to the dining area (our official new “school room”).  Yep, I was a little busy and pushed myself (with the help of our oldest boys) a little too hard.  I somehow managed to pinch a nerve and could barely walk by Saturday night.  I am still trying to find homes for some of the stuff that had been stored in the schoolroom, which is stacked and lining my hallway at the moment.   It is going to be a huge adjustment for me, not having that room anymore (it had started to function as more of an office/storage room for me), but we will make it work. 

The little boys are loving their new room and sharing it with each other.  The first night they slept in their new bedroom we walked by to see Snuggles standing over Bud.  Sean asked him what he was doing out of bed and he replied, “I just wanted to make sure “Bud” was covered up!” So sweet!
I’ll be back in a bit with our curriculum plans for this coming school year!

Visit Like Mother, Like Daughter for more pictures of contentment.

“C” is for Cookies, Corn, Cowboys, and The Church!

Aug 28, 2013 | , | 9 Comments

Cocoa and Constellations on Columbus Day, Catastrophes, Canonizations, Costume Parties, Costume Contests, Corn Maze Confusion, Carving Celtic Crosses, Crowded Celebrations (with more Costumes), and the Cemetery…  It’s been crazy around here Along the Alphabet Path but we finally completed the letter C!

…………..

I wrote the above and started this post back in November… Months later, right when we were about to Continue it was time for a Conclave!  After that we just Didn’t get much Done Along the Alphabet Path for the Duration of the school year.  We are hoping to continue this fall…
In the meantime here is what we Completed for Cc!

.: Letter Introduction & Formation :. 
“C” is the happy letter!  Start at the top and circle around, but don’t close it up! This is the happy cookie because somebody took a big bite!  /c/, /c/, cookie. – Primary Arts of Language: Reading


 Chocolate Chip Cookies and a Cat drinking Cream

 Snuggles colored this picture from My Book of Letters last school year…

I pulled out the rest of the activity pages for the letter C…

He sounded out the names of four pictures and figured out which three began with the sound “c.”  He also made the letter C with Wikki Sticks and our Wooden Letter Pieces.

We also read Cowboy ABC and B is for Buckaroo: A Cowboy Alphabet
(while wearing Cute new “Cowboy Clothes of  Course!”) 

.: A, B… Seas & Storybook Science :.


A, B… Seas Ocean Box :: C is for Clownfish
For the letter C Snuggles crafted a clownfish for his Ocean Box.
(The Ocean Box is one of the things we aren’t planning on continuing for the rest of the Alphabet since we are adding in a complete Science Course for Chemistry and Biology this coming year.  We will continue the coloring book and Apples, Bubbles and Crystals Science)

C is for Clingfish

C is for Crystals :: Crystal Creations

The suggested experiment in Apples, Bubbles and Crystals: Your Science ABCs was all about Crystals.

C is for Color

C is for Corn

Corn is Maize by Aliki
Corn by Gail Gibbons
The Popcorn Book by Tomie dePaola

We also went on a field trip to the Pumpkin Patch and Corn Maze…

… and Choose pumpkins to Carve

Crazy Cowboy!

.: Arts, Crafts & Additional Activities :. 

Create a Car 

For the letter “C” I pulled out this little lego set for Snuggles to Create a Car!




.: My Catholic Faith :.

 C is for Church
C is for Church 
Christ’s dwelling place here
I will visit Him, talk to Him 
feel Him draw near.
Show Compassion

Show Compassion is the theme for this week’s Writing ABC’s on Little Hearts by Pondered In My Heart. Snuggles colored the picture and added it to his book.

C is for Chalice

C is for Christ Child

Continuing Snuggles’ Bible Narrations and Picture Study for this year…    We read about the Christ Child from Classic Bible Stories: A Family Treasury.   After I read the story to Snuggles’ he narrated it back to me and then illustrated a page in his book based on the picture provided.

C is for St. Christopher

I converted the image from Picture Book of Saints into a Pencil Sketch and added text:

In addition to reading about St. Cecilia (An Alphabet of Catholic Saints), St. Christopher (An Alphabet of Saints), and St. Charles Borromeo & St. Catherine of Siena (S is for Saints)  we also read a few picture books about these saints:

Saint Clare of Assisi (Glory Stories)

.: A to Z Recipes :.

Cheesiest-Cheese Macaroni and Cheese

We made Cheesiest-Cheese Macaroni and Cheese
 from My A to Z Recipe Box: An Alphabet of Recipes for Kids.

Cut out Cookies
Cloud, Car, Crown, Church, Cat, Cupcake, and Cross all Coincidentally begin Commence with C! 

Indian Corn Cookies

… to Celebrate St. Kateri’s Canonization!  I posted the directions here. 

Well that is finally Done!   I do plan to simplify for the rest of the Alphabet, if I hope to complete the Alphabet Path before Snuggles graduates high school! 😉 

A Few Memories and a Childhood Treasure

Aug 28, 2013 | , | 8 Comments

“If you dear little girls would only learn what real beauty is, and not pinch and starve and bleach yourselves out so, you’d save an immense deal of time and money and pain. A happy soul in a healthy body makes the best sort of beauty for man or woman.” ― Louisa May Alcott, Eight Cousins
My absolute favorite thing to do as a child was read.  As the oldest of twelve children life was always busy, but I’d often sneak away and hide under my bed or in the closet with a flashlight and a book.  At one point I even remember intentionally trying to make my mom mad (soooo naughty of me!) so she would send me to my room just so I could spend more time reading.  This quickly ended one afternoon when I said something that resulted in a “Go to your room!” from my mom who then told my sister Jennifer to take over the dishes I was washing.  Jenny responded “That’s not fair! She wants you to send her to her room so she can read!” From then on my “punishments” were changed to additional chores, usually mopping the wood floors…
Earlier today I took a break from chores and lesson planning and was looking through some of my old treasures – favorite books from my childhood – trying to choose a few to share with our oldest daughter this coming school year.   Now that she is turning 10 this week I thought she might enjoy one of my old favorites, Eight Cousins by Louisa May Alcott.  It had been tucked away in my closet for safe keeping and I was so excited when I opened it and recalled that it had been given to me, by my Grandmother, 25 years ago on my 10th birthday, and had originally been given to my Grandma Jo Ann by her Aunt Viv on Christmas in 1940! 

I think I have shared a little about my Grandma (my Dad’s mom) in the past, but I can’t seem to find the post… She passed away just two years later (in May of 1990, at the age of 61), within two months of being diagnosed with cancer (right after Easter that year), which was also right after being sentenced (on Good Friday by a “Catholic” judge) to three months in jail for sitting and praying the rosary in front of an abortion clinic with Operation Rescue.  God had other plans for her… I loved her so much!  How I miss her and wish she could meet her great-grandchildren. Last week, when I was watching the kids play Mass, I asked God to please let her have a little peek through the clouds – I could just picture her smiling! 


Anyways, my copy of Eight Cousins is starting to fall apart, but I did order a new copy to give to our oldest daughter on Friday.   I love that the Penguin Classics Paperback version shows Rose ice skating on the cover!  It will tie in nicely to the “Caroline” themed birthday we are planning.  🙂

Seven Quick Takes From Our Trip Last Weekend

Aug 23, 2013 | , , , , , , | 5 Comments

— 1 —

Last weekend we were blessed to be able to travel to meet our newest goddaughter and attend her baptism and the 10th Anniversary Mass and Renewal of Vows of her parents! This sweet little girl was born last month following a very complicated delivery.  Thanks be to God both baby and momma are doing well!  

— 2 —

I had hoped to get out of town early Friday morning, but it ended up being nearly 11am before we left. When I asked my husband to stop in town, before getting on the freeway, so I could pick up some Moscato and Peach Schnapps he said, “Well that is a perfect Facebook update for you… ‘We are on our way to our new goddaughter’s baptism… First stop: Liquor Store!’”  Ummm, yeah… When you put it that way…

— 3 —

After arriving in town, and dropping off our suitcases and sleeping bags at the home of some friends who graciously offered to host us, we headed to the golf course to meet David & Ursula and their family for a fundraiser/bbq.   My older girls were so excited to see one of their own best friends again and it was the perfect opportunity for me to hold the baby!

We also got to see a couple other priests we knew, as well as meet the Bishop and Father Vuky, who would be concelebrating the Baptism Mass. 

— 4 —
After dinner we headed to back to Ursula’s new home (they moved this month and now live right next to the church!) to drink sangria and not worry about all decorations, food and desserts for the 200 guests! make a shopping list so I could go to Costco in the morning for food, drinks, and desserts for the reception, while Sean and the boys helped set up tables and chairs in the back yard.  The Peach Sangria was awesome!  Here is the recipe:

~ Peach Sangria ~
1 bottle Moscato
1/3 bottle Peach Schnapps
1 liter bottle 7up (or Sprite)
Sliced fresh peaches
Stir all ingredients (except 7up) together in the fridge and let the fruit sit to absorb all of the delicious flavors, then add sprite just before serving.  Yummm!
— 5 —
At that point it was getting really late and we headed back to the home where we would be staying.  Little did our hostess know when I gave her a Catholic Cuisine apron, and a couple other goodies as a thank you gift for her and her husband’s hospitality, that she would be wearing that apron all weekend long! 😉  
Alecia was amazing!  She stayed up late making some pasta salads to help with the party the next day, went shopping with me to Costco and Winco for the food for the party, made Chicken Salad Sandwiches to take as well, and also fed my own family amazing meals all weekend long! 
I originally met Alecia when I was fourteen.  She was my camp counselor (when she was about the age I am now!) at an MI camp.  The following year I spent the night at her home for the first time on my way to World Youth Day in 1993!  The rest of the group I was staying with was staying at a local gym, but I was weak from recovering from the flu and she took me home so I could sleep in a bed.  I also became good friends with a couple of her boys during those summer camps when we were teenagers, and one of her boys headed to Christendom the year after I attended.  So many great friends are made though Catholic Summer Camps!  
Alecia has always been so thoughtful and caring.  It was such a blessing to be able to take our children to meet her and they loved her just as much as I do!  In fact, one of the first things that Snuggles said when we arrived home was “I want to go back to that house where we slept!” 

— 6 —

I already posted a few pictures of the baptism, which was so very beautiful.  You can find them here.

Here is one more picture of my beautiful friend and new goddaughter!

— 7 —

Sunday morning we headed into town to attend a a Solemn Pontifical Mass (1970 Missal) which was part of the William Byrd Festival and featured Byrd’s Mass for Three Voices.  

The Celebrant was the Most Reverend Basil Meeking, D.D., who is the Bishop Emeritus of Christchurch, New Zealand.  

Following Mass our children erupted with cheers when my phone announced “Calculating Route to the Lego Store…”  Even though it wasn’t the way I had planned to surprise them with this first visit ever to a lego store, it was still quite the surprise!   
One of the employees let them all build a minifigure to take home, in exchange for sorting some legos, and I let the boys fill a little container from the pick-a-brick section.  Of course the older boys were the most excited to see the new Tower of Orthanc in person. 

After that we met up with David and Ursula at Red Robin before heading home… The waitress was wonderful and not at all overwhelmed by our “4 adults and 13 children!”

Originally I had hoped to head from the Baptism straight to Idaho so that our older boys could attend a summer camp at one of Sean’s brother’s parishes this week, but it was just too much to try and plan.  Honestly it has taken me nearly all of this week to just recover from the weekend trip!   Our summer has flown by and I still have so much I need to finish before our new school year begins on September 3rd…  I better get back to my planning!  I hope you all have a great weekend!

For additional Quick Takes visit Conversion Diary.

In nomine Patris, et Filii, et Spiritus Sancti…

Aug 21, 2013 | | 28 Comments

Yesterday afternoon I heard praying and singing coming from the girls’ bedroom and found all seven of our children (ages 13 down to 1) playing “Mass!”

My mom saw the picture above (posted from Instagram to Facebook) and called to ask if it had been staged. No, it was not staged!  If it had been staged I would have given my oldest daughter a sweater to cover her shoulders, grabbed the girls’ Mass veils from the van, and brushed everyones hair! 😉  They did this completely on their own, without any encouragement or help from me. 
It brought tears to my eyes to see that this was the way the children had chosen to spend their afternoon, after I had asked the older ones to watch the little ones while I was busy catching up on some computer work and preparing to paint.  The Mass kits hadn’t been pulled out much this year, but when I showed the pictures to my husband last night he pointed out that last weekend, while we were traveling, we had attended two very beautiful Masses (A Baptismal Mass on Saturday and a Solemn Pontifical Mass on Sunday that was part of the William Byrd Festival), in two gorgeous churches, celebrated by two different bishops. The beauty and reverence of the Masses did indeed inspire our children.  
After snapping that first picture (from the back of the “church” with my phone) I was asked to join them for the rest of Mass.  I did, but first I ran to grab my camera.  It was all so sweet!   I sure wish I would have video recorded, especially a little of their singing before they knew I was listening… After that it wasn’t quite as dramatic!
The top bunk was used as a “Choir Loft” for the “Monk” who came down to chant the readings. 
 
Yes, there was a little confusion in the “congregation” on whether to stand or kneel following the Agnus Dei…  We have been attending a mix of Norvus Ordo (our usual local Mass) and Extraordinary Form Masses (we’ve been recently blessed with one EF Mass a quarter in addition to our occasional trips to the coast for Mass), and the postures at different times of the Mass have been a little confusing for the younger children.   Even though the “general norm” is to kneel following the Agnus Dei, our (recently retired) last archbishop “determined otherwise.”  We usually kneel (at least when we can) and hope that our new Archbishop will make this the “norm” for our diocese!  We also continue to pray for more frequent Latin Masses… 
We were out of Rice Crackers, but the kids found some leftover Banana Chips in the snack bag from our recent trip.
So many precious moments… 
… perhaps all this extra practice will help our little man behave a little better the next time we attend Mass!  😉
He tried to escape during the recent baptism.
“My dolly came to Mass too, ’cause we both made our First Holy Ta-mmunnions!”  

Miniature Mass Set (older version) and Red & Green Vestments (no longer sold) from Our Father’s House 
(the older boys were given these in 2005) 
Folding Book Stand (similar to this)
Family Prayer for Vocations

O Divine Jesus, Who has taught us to pray to the Lord of the harvest that He send forth laborers into His harvest, be pleased to raise up many holy Priests and religious to work according to the intentions of Your Heart and to procure by their ministry the salvation of souls and the glory of Your Father. And if it should please You, O Lord to choose one such from our family kneeling before you at this moment, we thank You with all of our hearts on this earth and for all eternity. 
Amen.

Mary, Mother of all Vocations, Pray for Us!

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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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.

My Other Blog: Catholic Cuisine

Please Visit My Sponsors…

This Week's Popular Posts

Shower of Roses Affiliate Links

All About Spelling
All About Reading
All About Reading Pre-reading
All About Reading Giveaways
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Our Advent & Christmas Books

Shower of Roses Christmas Gift Guides

Looking for Something?

looking-back

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Posts About:

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All original photographs and written material are ©2007-2025 Shower of Roses. I'd love for you to link back to me, but please do not copy or take content from this blog without permission. Click here for my Copyright Terms & Conditions. Thank you for visiting!