My Daybook :: February 6, 2012
Outside my window… It has been sunny lately, but still very cold. I am so ready for spring summer!
I am thankful… that we finally found out the date that the boys’ Hockey season ends, and it is the day before Hubby leaves for a three week training session in Tennessee. I had really been nervous about how I was going to make those 3 extra trips to town with all the kids and a baby that doesn’t like his carseat. Whew!
I am thinking… that, even without Hockey, three weeks is a long time! Hopefully by the middle of next month I will be a little more adjusted to being a mom to seven, or at least have a chance to restock the pantry and freezer.
Learning all the time… Usually we are all feeling a little burned out by this time of year, but after preparing for a baby in the fall, Christmas, and adjusting to life with a newborn, we are all more than ready to get back to our plans for the year, with just a few changes. We are not as far along with my original plans as I would like, but American History remains the favorite subject this year and the kids have all moved on to Unit 3. I am hoping to have a chance to post pictures of their lap books and a couple projects from Unit 2 – Colonial Life sometime soon.
Living the Liturgical Year at Home… It seems like Advent just began, and now Lent is just around the corner! We are hoping to make some Valentine cards this week, and hopefully a couple more St. Valentine’s Day Mailboxes. I also picked up a box of Cocoa Pebbles so that the children can make another Grotto for Our Lady on Saturday. You can find other ideas for celebrating the feast of Our Lady of Lourdes in the archives.
From the kitchen… lots of meats, fruits, veggies, and nuts. I’ve been off of Dairy, Gluten (actually all beans and grains) and Sugar for 6 days now. At first I noticed a big change in the baby’s fussiness, but then he caught his first cold from his very loving older siblings. I, however, am starting to feel much healthier, if not rested. 😉
I am wearing… Mamajamas. I found them on clearance last fall at a local boutique. So comfy!
I am creating… a military-themed cake for Rascal’s 10th birthday. I figured if I got started on it this morning, I might have a chance to finish it by tomorrow!
I am working on… our tax-return, with the help of TurboTax.
I am wondering… if we should wait until fall to start soccer. Interestingly enough, the spring season begins the week after Hubby gets back from that three week training. Our children have always been interested in playing, and the sign-ups end tomorrow, but I am soooo ready for a break from sports…
I am going… to try and begin writing thank you notes. We are so blessed with such loving and generous friends, both locally and online! After they are finished I might get back to all the emails sitting in my inbox. I hope I haven’t offended anyone by my lack of response, but responding to emails and all the questions from readers is usually at the bottom of my “to-do” lists… I still hope that someday I will be a little more organized and able to keep up with it all! 🙂
I am hoping… to have a chance to post a review of a couple great items for Lent and Easter sometime this week.
I am reading… Why I’m No Homeschool Superstar. If you haven’t read it yet, you must!
I am praying… for Sarah, and her baby girl!
Dear God, You are the Creator of the Universe, yet You have shared with woman the ability to conceive and bear a child, and bring into the world a new life for Your Kingdom. Bless this mother about to give birth. Give her your strength and courage, that she may deliver her child surrounded by Your protection and provision. Embrace her with Your love and grace, we pray in Jesus’ name. Amen. (Mothers’ Manual)
Pondering these words… from St. Elizabeth Ann Seton:
I am listening… to various lectures given by Andrew Pudewa. We have been so happy with The Phonetic Zoo this year for the boys’ spelling program and I am really excited to start incorporating his Writing Program into our curriculum as well.
Around the house… new curtains in the dining and living room! They were my birthday gift this year and we finished hanging them up over the weekend. At first I thought I wanted white curtains, but I ended up choosing chocolate brown and they look so nice and cozy against the tan walls with white trim. I love them!
One of my favorite things… aden + anais Swaddle Wraps. I was so excited to see them on Baby Steals this morning!
A few plans for the rest of the week…
Same as usual for the children: Hockey Practices and Game, Piano Lessons, and hopefully the boys can serve Mass on Friday. As for me, I will pretty much be at home nursing my adorable little baby boy and trying to come up with some more foods that I can eat!
A little peek at my day…
{pretty, happy, funny, real} ~ Celebrating Candlemas
Links for February :: Month Dedicated to the Holy Family
February 1st ~ Feast of St. Brigid of Ireland
- In Honor of St. Brigid of Ireland (2010)
- On the Feast of St. Brigid of Ireland (2011)
- St. Brigid’s Day Arts and Crafts (2011)
- Celebrating the Saints :: St. Brigid of Ireland (2015)
February 2nd ~ Feast of Candlemas
- Preparing for Candlemas (2008)
- An Afternoon Tea on Candlemas Day (2010)
- Celebrating Candlemas (2011)
- {pretty, happy, funny, real} ~ Celebrating Candlemas (2012)
- Celebrating Candlemas (2013 – Candlemas Cookies with Drip Plates)
February 3rd ~ Feast of St. Blaise
- On the Feast of St. Blaise, Bishop and Martyr (2011 – Cookie Recipe here)
- February Daybook on the Feast of St. Blaise (2014)
February 11th ~ Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes
- Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes ~ plans and ideas (2008)
- Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes (2008)
- Ideas for the Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes (2009)
- A Grotto for Our Lady (2009)
- In Honor of Our Lady of Lourdes (2009)
- Celebrating. . . (2011)
- Celebrating the Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes (2013)
February 14th ~ Feast of St. Valentine
- Valentine Fun! (2008)
- LOVE-ly Valentine Memories (2008)
- Celebrating St. Valentine (2009)
- Valentine’s Day Treats (2009)
- St. Valentine’s Day Mailboxes (2011)
- St. Valentine’s Day Printables (2011)
- Celebrating St. Valentine’s Day (2011)
- St. Valentine’s Day Cocoa with Sprinkles (2012)
- Homemade St. Valentine’s Day Cards (2012)
- Celebrating St. Valentine’s Day 2013
- Bible Candy Valentines {Tutorial & Free Printable} (2014)
- Conversation Hearts Bible Verse Valentines (2014)
- Madonna & Child Valentine Cards (2014)
- St. Valentine’s Day Cards & Party (2014)
- Celebrating St. Valentine’s Day (2015)
- {pretty, happy, funny, real} :: Instagram Recap – St. Valentine’s Day and More (2015)
- Strawberry Hearts {a Simple & Sweet Treat} (2015)
February 22nd ~ Feast of the Chair of St. Peter
- 7 Quick Takes on the Feast of the Chair of St. Peter (2013)
- The Primacy of Peter :: A Papal Unit Study and Lap Book (2013)
Catholic Cuisine:
Links for Lent and Easter Preparation:
- The Lenten Season In Our Catholic Home
- Preparing for Lent :: Our Lenten Journey
- Easter- Pentecost :: From the Archives
- Our Lent & Easter Book Baskets
O Jesus, only-begotten Son of the Eternal Father, well-beloved Son of the Blessed Virgin and foster Child of St. Joseph, we most fervently implore Thee, through Mary Thine ever-blessed Mother and St. Joseph Thy foster father, take our children under Thy special charge and enclose them in the love of Thy Sacred Heart. They are the children of Thy Father in Heaven, created after His own image; they are Thy possession, for Thou hast purchased them with Thy Precious Blood; they are temples of the Holy Ghost, who sanctified them in Baptism and implanted in their hearts the virtues of faith, hope and charity.
O most loving Jesus, rule and guide them, that they may live according to the holy Catholic Faith, that they may not waver in their confidence in Thee and that they may ever remain faithful to Thy love.
O Mary, Blessed Mother of Jesus, grant to our children a place in thy pure maternal heart! Spread over them thy protecting mantle when danger threatens their innocence;
keep them firm when they are about to stray from the path of virtue; and should they have the misfortune of falling into mortal sin, oh, then raise them up again, reconcile them with thy Divine Son and restore them to Sanctifying Grace.
And thou, O holy foster father St. Joseph, do not abandon our children! Protect them from the assaults of the wicked enemy and deliver them from all dangers of soul and body.
O dear parents of the holy Child Jesus! Intercede for us parents also, that we may bring up our children in the love and fear of God and one day attain with them the Beatific Vision. Amen.
Prayers Source: This prayer is taken from Prayer Book for Religious by Fr. F. X. Lasance, S.J. (Benziger Brothers, 1904)
{pretty, happy, funny, real}
The Good Old Hockey Game
The tension grows, the whistle blows, and the puck goes down the ice.
The golie jumps, and the players bump, and the fans all go insane.
Someone roars: “Bobby Scores!” At the good old hockey game!
Its the best game you can name!
And the best game you can name,
is the good old hockey game!
Where players dash, with skates a-flash, the home team trails behind.
But they grab the puck, and go bursting up, and their down across the line.
They storm the crease, like bumblebees, and they travel like a burning flame.
We see them slide the puck inside, its a one one hockey game!
Oh take me where, the hockey players, face off down the rink,
And the Stanley Cup, is all filled up, for the champs who win the drink!
Now the final flick, of a hockey stick, and a one gigantic scream:
“THE PUCK IS IN! THE HOME TEAM WINS!” At the good ol hockey game.
Its the best game you can name!
And the best game you can name,
is the good old hockey game!
Mini Meatloafs
Still, when I saw Charlotte’s 3rd Pinning It Down post this afternoon, I decided not to let another week go by without joining in the fun. Since I needed to come up with something for dinner anyway, had a couple pounds of ground beef defrosted in the fridge, and had just pinned a recipe for Mini Meatloafs from My Blessed Life, I decided to give it a shot.
Actually, I decided to have Captain give it a shot, while I held the baby and snapped a few (blurry) pictures to share with you all! 😉
He was more than happy to learn how to make another recipe and did a great job! In fact, when he was finished he went on to make a batch of Outrageous Bar Cookies, which are almost ready to eat. I am so, so thankful for my big helpers!
The recipe is very similar to the one we made when I was growing up, except I loved that this one suggests making miniature meatloafs instead of one large loaf! We doubled the recipe for our family, making 20 mini meatloafs, which ended up being the perfect amount.
Delicious Mini Meatloaf Recipe
1 egg
1/2 c. milk
1 c. cheese
1/2 c. oats
1/2 t. dried oregano
1/2 t. onion powder
1-2 cloves garlic, minced
1 t. salt
1 lb. ground beef
ketchup, mustard, raw sugar {or brown sugar}
Before you get started, preheat the oven to 350 and lightly spray a muffin pan.
In a large bowl, combine egg, milk, cheese, oats, oregano, onion powder, garlic and salt. Add ground beef and mix well. {Take off your rings and mix with your fingers.}
Evenly divide the meat mixture in muffin pan. This recipe makes approximately 10 mini meatloaves. In a small bowl, mix ketchup, a tad of mustard and a teaspoon of sugar. Evenly divide the glaze over each mini meatloaf.
Bake, uncovered for 45 minutes or until meat is done.
My picture doesn’t look as good as the original picture, but the recipe was a hit with my whole family, even our pickiest eaters. We Captain will be making this again soon! 🙂
Our Little Man’s Baby Shower
Yesterday afternoon a couple of my super creative friends gave us the cutest baby shower ever to welcome our “Little Man!” It was actually a double shower for Amy and I, but Amy wasn’t able to make it due to some of her family being sick. (We missed you Amy!!!)
Our Baptized Baby and a Beautiful Baptismal Blanket
After our little man’s baptism this past Friday, I snapped a few pictures of him on his beautiful baptismal blanket, a gift from his Godparents. I realized prior to the baptism, that I didn’t really have any close up pictures of the baptismal outfit, which was also worn by two of his older brothers. I don’t generally like the little “suit” outfits for boys, but I think this one is darling!
And isn’t the blanket perfect?! I think I have a new favorite baptism gift for Godchildren! Even though the blankets had been on back order, it arrived just in time for the baptism, thanks to Catholic Embroidery who embroidered it as soon as the blankets were back in stop and shipped it express mail. (Thank you Mary!) The blanket is embroidered with the Ave Maria Symbol in dark blue and the baby’s name and baptismal date in green. (I really had no idea that I had chosen the colors of his Godfather’s favorite football team! lol!) It turned out so pretty!
Can you believe that Bud is a month old already?! This past month has gone by so fast!
{this moment} :: At the End of Their Special Day!
{pretty, happy, funny, real}
Preparing for Mass
It was a real blessing for Captain to serve Mass for his Godfather, especially since it may be his last trip to visit us before he enters a cloistered monastery in March! Please keep Father in your prayers.
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