Nesting Project #2
{this moment}
Small Successes: September 15, 2011
Yesterday afternoon I made the long trip to Home Depot, and picked up some closet organizers for our nursery! Like the older girls’ bedroom, which was also built with the intention to add a closet “someday,” I decided not to wait any longer and just create a “closet” along one wall. The toy box will have to go and the rest of the furniture needed to be rearranged (I’m still trying to decide how it will look the best), but I think it will be so helpful to have somewhere (other than just the changing table) to put both Rose’s and the new baby’s clothing.
Not only did I use a screw driver, hammer and drill to assemble the closet organizers last night and today to assemble the closet organizers, I also figured out how to use a Circular Saw (to cut the shelves) and a Hack Saw (to cut the metal rods which were too long – finished one, and have three left to go)! My husband is going to come home and wonder who I am and what I did with his wife! 😉
I plan to eventually purchase some Fabric Drawers
While I was working in the nursery, I also pulled out the jar of touch up paint (it’s sitting on the bookshelf in the picture below) and covered all the scrapes, scratches and marks all around the room. It is starting to look so much more ready for another baby!
The Flowers of Wreath III Cupcakes
For the past three years I have been leading a Little Flowers Girls’ Club for my girls and some of their friends. It has been such a rewarding experience and my girls have absolutley loved being Little Flowers.
In addition to the suggestions in the Leader’s Manuals, I started creating a series of Notebook Pages to go along with each virtue/saint, and also have really enjoyed coming up with snacks (or “Catholic Cuisine!”) that tied in the Saint and/or Flower for each meeting.
This past year, for Wreath III, I ended up sticking with a flower theme, and was able to come up with a cupcake for each of the 9 meetings. Sometimes I would have all the supplies ready for the girls to decorate their own cupcakes (which the girls loved) and other times I had the cupcakes pre-decorated. I’ve posted about them in my individual posts about each meeting, but I thought I would consolidate them all into one post as well, to share with you all here, as well as over at the Little Flowers Girls’ Club Blog where I was recently asked to be a contributor! Now to finish up my plans for Wreath IV before our first meeting later this month…
Our Complete Meeting for Eutrapelia
Black Eyed Susan Chocolates (using this candy mold and candy melts) and the options of green mint meltaways, green color mist and/or green glitter gel.
I then topped the cupcakes with Pink (the color for this virtue) Amaryllis Flowers (the flower for this virtue) homemade with Pink and Yellow Candy Melts. 
. They would be great to make this coming weekend for Mother’s Day, anytime this month for our Blessed Mother during her month of May, or in July for the feast of St. Anne. I posted the directions over at Catholic Cuisine!
. 
(I had purchased a few bags at 75% off in January from Hickory Farms and had one left) along with a little green frosting for the leaves. I also sprayed the white base frosting with a little green, before adding the candies. I thought they turned out cute, and they were very yummy despite the fact that my six year old pointed out that “the chocolate cake even looks like dirt!”My Daybook :: September 12, 2011
Outside my window… It looks like it is going to be another HOT day! We are in the peak of fire season here, but my husband hasn’t been able to be listed as available, and won’t be able to take an assignment until after he gets home from the two week training session he is began yesterday. As much as I hate to see him fighting fires, we pretty much rely on the overtime from at least one two-week fire assignment each summer to get us through the winter months, which means (if the fire season continues and he does indeed get an assignment once he arrives home) he could potentially be gone for at least 4 weeks over the next month or two. Sigh.
I am thinking… about everything I would like to get done while he is out of town. I haven’t even begun to get ready for this baby… In fact, I am still trying to figure out where to put Rose’s clothing. (I currently have a changing table/dresser that she is using, and I will need that for the baby.) I had hoped that we would be able to add a closet to that room, but perhaps just closet organizers (like the girls have in their room) would work for now. Someday we may get around to finishing the closets in those two rooms!
I am thankful… that my brother Paul was willing to babysit Saturday night so that Hubby and I were able to go out to dinner before he left on Sunday. We went to a restaurant in our little town and it made us question why we always thought we had to “drive to town” for dinner dates. I think we’ve found a new favorite place, and it is the closest restaurant to our home, only 3 miles away! It was so nice to have a little quite time away to talk.
From the kitchen… Smoothies for breakfast, and lots of veggies – including peppers, zucchini and tomatoes from our garden!!! I am trying to eat a little better since the weight is coming on faster than ever this pregnancy. I am also hoping to make a trip to the farm for some more locally grown peaches. A dear friend brought us a case a couple weeks ago and they were so delicious!
Learning all the time… Our second week of school is underway and so far everything is going great! Rascal even said Friday that he “loves ALL of his school books this year, and can’t wait to do more school work on Monday.” That made me very happy! Right now the boys are building some gliders for a science experiment from Zoology 1 and having so much fun. The girls are working on a mini-book for a Kaya lapbook while listening to the Kaya Audio Books
Living the Liturgical Year at Home… Today is the feast of the Most Holy Name of Mary! This afternoon the girls are planning on making “Kaya’s Dried Fruit and Nut Mix” (using Dried Blueberries, instead of Huckleberries, in honor of Our Lady).
I am creating… a Little Flowers Wreath IV Lapbook and I am so excited with how it is coming together. Our first meeting for the year is coming up at the end of this month and so I am hoping to finish it soon.
I am wearing… maternity clothes that are quickly becoming way too small. I had the most embarrassing incident happen on Saturday while grocery shopping, which I am trying very hard to forget! 😉 I just noticed that Old Navy is having a 30% off maternity sale (combined with the extra 2% cash back from clicking over from Ebates first, its a great deal – here’s an Ebates referral link in case your not a member, it’s free!) and I think I am going to purchase a few new things. They just don’t make clothing like they use to… Nothing seems to last!
I am reading… the Little Flowers Wreath IV Leader and Member Guides, as I try to prepare for this coming year, making modifications for my younger group of girls, lots of books about Explorers to the kids, and
Pondering these words… preached by St. John Vianney on yesterday’s gospel (Anger Does Not Travel Alone), and read during yesterday’s homily by a wonderful priest:
~ and here is one more interesting excerpt:
“If we encounter so many children who are wild and undisciplined, without religion, bad tempered and stunted in their souls, we need not – at least in the great majority of cases – search for the cause beyond the curses and bad tempers of the parents. .”
Noticing that… I still need to work on a new schedule for this school year. In the meantime, the checklists I started making at the end of last year and continued this year for each child, inspired by Sarah, have been so helpful!
Towards personal care… Despite the busy and hectic schedule, I am trying to “take it easy” and simplify where I can. A couple weeks ago I had to spend a couple hours at the hospital being monitored and having some tests done after cramping all day, before noticing a tiny bit of spotting. It really scared me, but everything was fine and the only explanation could be stress and/or dehydration. I’ve been drinking a lot more water, as for reducing “stress,” I’m not exactly sure how to do that! 😉
Around the house… signs of the new school year and the upcoming arrival of fall, my favorite time of year!
I am hoping and praying… for so many intentions. Here are a few:
For my Husband (in particular) who was so discouraged and disappointed to hear this past Friday that the much-loved assistant pastor who arrived only 2 months ago – who has a special love of the Traditional Latin Mass, and has allowed my Husband to serve some of his private Masses (permission hadn’t been granted for him to offer the Traditional Mass publicly, but he did come and offer Mass at the campground for us on both Saturday and Sunday while we were camping!!) and was an almost an answer to 12+ years of prayers to have the Latin Mass available in our area – is being transferred this coming Friday. We had just turned in a petition asking for the Latin Mass (which was promptly denied by the pastor since they were not going to “make any changes” for the next year) last month and then just this weekend his transfer was announced. We still haven’t been told why he is being transferred, and where he is being sent. It has come as a shock, not to mention heartbreaking, for so many of us.
For Father, that he will be happy at his new assignment, and allowed to publicly offer the Extraordinary Form of the Mass in our liberal diocese.
For my friend Julie who is hoping to adopt again and asking for others to join a novena to St. Therese (beginning today) for the intention of health, safety, peace and joy for all those involved in their adoption journey, and for the intention of bringing their baby home soon.
For Daisy as she continues to recover beautifully from her heart surgery.
For Charlotte as she continues to recover from her delivery.
In thanksgiving for the safe delivery and health of sweet little Cupcake (who is going to be our Goddaughter!!!!!!!) and that I might just be able to find a way to make the trip to Texas next month to be there for her baptism!
One of my favorite things… my Snoogle
A few plans for the week:
- School, school, school…
- Work on organizing all the hand-me-down clothing and the nursery
- Mass on Friday and Sunday
A Picture thought I am sharing:
Celebrating Mary’s Birthday
{pretty, happy, funny, real}
I thought this might be the perfect time to share some pictures from our end of summer family vacation/camping trip this past Thursday-Monday!
Please Pray…
One of the sweet girls from my Little Flowers Girls’ Club will be having Open Heart Surgery tomorrow, September 7th, around 1:00 pm (PST).
Could you all please keep her, and her parents, in your prayers? Thank you!
UPDATE – 2:15pm (PST): Amy just posted on facebook that she just went into surgery. Please continue to pray! The surgery is suppose to be about 4-5 hours long. I will be sure to post another update later.
UPDATE – 5:33pm (PST): Amy posted an hour ago that the “procedure is going well, they will let us know more in about 2 hours. They are repairing the hole as I type this.” Please keep praying!
UPDATE – 5:51pm: She is out of surgery and in recovery! Everything went beautifully and her parents should be able to see her in about an hour. Thank you all for your prayers!
Back-to-School :: 2011-2012
After a super fun weekend of camping (Thursday-Monday, though I headed home with a few of the little ones late Sunday night… It’s HARD to camp pregnant!), I wasn’t sure I’d be ready to start school today… The summer flew by way too quickly for us, but with another baby on the way it is time to get busy. Thankfully all that planning I did way back in July really helped today go smoothly, and we are off to a great start!
Just like last year, the kids all woke up to find Schultütes filled with snacks and school supplies, with the added addition of a cute “Patron of Students Treat” tied to the top. Before I would let them open them though, I took a few pictures and we headed down to the local coffee drive through to get myself a “Back-to-School Treat” as well! 😉
The kids are all so excited to get started on their new school books for this year, and hopefully the excitement won’t wear off any time soon!
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 you beloved Son, Our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.
Links for September :: Month Dedicated to Our Lady of Sorrows
Back-to-School
- Back-to-School Schultutes
- A Patron of Students Back-to-School Treat!
- Back to School Schultutes {Simplified}
- Priviledged
September 5th ~ Feast of Blessed Mother Teresa
- Our first Tea-and-Craft day! (2007)
- Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta (2007)
- The Feast of Blessed Mother Teresa (2008)
and 
September 8th ~ Birth of the Blessed Virgin Mary (New, Trad.):
- The Nativity of Mary (2008)
- Happy Feast of the Nativity of Mary! (2009)
- Celebrating Our Lady’s Birthday (2012)
- All Marian labeled Posts
September 9th ~ Feast of St. Peter Claver (New, Trad./some places):
September 12th ~ Feast of the Most Holy Name of Mary (New, Trad.):
- The Most Holy Name of Mary
- A Marian Titles May Crowning Luncheon (would also be perfect for the Most Holy Name of Mary!)
, Mary My Mother and Mary: The Mother of Jesus
September 14th ~ Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross (New, Trad.) and the Anniversary of Summorum Pontificum:
- Smoky Mountain Picnic
- Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross (Cookies and More)
- On the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross (Books, Coloring, Cake)
- Sundried Tomato Pasta Salad
, and The Legend of the Three Trees
(DVD)
- Celebrating the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross and the Anniversary of Summorum Pontificum
September 21st ~ Feast of St. Matthew (New, Trad.):
September 29th ~ Sts. Michael, Gabriel & Raphael, Archs. (New) and Dedication of the Basilica of St. Michael the Archangel, Michaelmas Day (Trad.):
- Plans for Michaelmas
- Celebrating Michaelmas (2008)
- Celebrating Michalmas ~ 2009
- Celebrating Michaelmas ~ 2010
- My Daybook :: On Michaelmas Day (2011)
- Celebrating Michaelmas (2012)
- A if for Archangel Craft (2012)
- Celebrating Michaelmas (2013)
- All posts labeled “Michaelmas“
and The Angels: God’s Messengers and Our Helpers
September 30th ~ Feast of St. Jerome (New, Trad.):
- A Week of Celebrating (St. Jerome, 2008)
- St. Jerome and the Lion (2013)
and 
OTHER RESOURCES:
- Catholic Cuisine : Recipes for September ~ Month of Our Lady of Sorrows
- Book Basket : Feasts & Seasons :: Our September Book Basket
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