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by Jessica | Dec 29, 2022

St. Joseph Memory Match Playing Cards

Mar 2, 2010 | Blue Knights, Crafts, Printables, St. Joseph | 29 Comments

My children love playing Mary Memory. (I’m sorry I can’t find a link… It is a Matching Game, using various images and titles of the Blessed Virgin Mary. It was given to Twinkle Toes by her Godparents.)

Since March is dedicated to St. Joseph, I decided to make a set of St. Joseph Cards for my children as well! Since he doesn’t have nearly as many titles as Our Lady, I wasn’t sure how many cards I’d be able to make. I ended up with 18 different cards, which is plenty for playing Memory Match and Go Fish.

If any of you would like to make a set of cards for your children, you can download my documents, print two sets onto cardstock, and cut them out.

Saint Joseph Card Set, Page One

Saint Joseph Card Set, Page Two

My Daybook :: March 1, 2010

Mar 2, 2010 | Daybook | 22 Comments

Outside my window… there is a big bucket truck that has been making it’s way up and down the road today, trimming any trees that are too close to the power lines. This has kept some of my children entertained for hours.

I am listening to… The Sheen Catechism: 50 Lessons in Catholic Teaching. Very inspiring!

I am thinking… about the 3 hour seminar I attended with my mom, last Tuesday night, on dyslexia. It was very interesting and I’m still thinking about all the info the speaker shared. Did you know that dyslexia affects 20 percent of Americans? Also, if someone is diagnosed with dyslexia in a family the other children have a 50/50 chance of having it as well. Our oldest son worked with a specialist for a year due to an Auditory Processing Challenge, a form of dyslexia. I guess that means there is a really good chance that a couple more of my kiddos have some form of dyslexia as well… Hummm….

I am thankful for… my mom! She offered to come over one afternoon each week during Lent to help me around the house. What a blessing!!

I am hoping and praying… that, if it is God’s will, Hubby will get the job I mentioned in my last Daybook post. His application has been referred to the selecting official as one of the most qualified, so that is promising!

From the kitchen… a new can opener!!! I have been fighting with my Pampered Chef can opener for years, and was just given a new one (a late Christmas gift) from my Aunt. I guess she is tired of fighting ours too, every couple years (or so) when she babysits while I’m at the hospital! 😉

It was actually pretty funny… She mentioned sending the gift home with Hubby, and said that “It’s just something practical. Your Dad said if I didn’t get it for you, he was going to.” I thought about it for awhile and called her back asking “So, is it a can opener or a car battery charger?” The can opener had come to mind first on the “practical” end of things, but then, I’ve called my Dad one too many times to jump start my car! 😉 She laughed and replied “Both! I can’t believe you guessed!” Thank you Aunt Bridget!

From the learning rooms… I am hoping to get back on a schedule by next week. I’m currently working on revising it to reflect our new baby, who likes to cluster feed in the morning and evening, as well as the couple curriculum changes we’ve recently made.

Living the Liturgical Year at Home… continuing our Lenten activities:

I am creating… St. Joseph Memory Cards for Rascal and Coloring books from our Jesus Tree coloring pages. I also spent a little time organizing our Lap Book Posts and Alphabet Path Posts.

I am ~~reading~~ watching… St. Teresa of the Andes. Despite the fact that it is in Spanish with English subtitles, it is one of my favorite movies of all time and has FINALLY been re-released on DVD. (I’ve been praying for years that it would!) My mother-in-law kindly sent me a copy, back in January for my birthday, and I couldn’t have been more excited. It is SUCH an inspiring movie!

Our little Rose… is sleeping so well at night! She falls asleep around 10pm and doesn’t wake up until about 6am. She then nurses and falls back to sleep for another hour or two. I could get use to this! 😉

Noticing that… March is going to be BUSY! First of all, there are a LOT of birthdays this month, seven in just our immediate families! (Hubby’s, one of my brother-in-laws, my father-in-laws, and four of my siblings.) I also have two Little Flower meetings scheduled, a Blue Knights meeting for the boys, Bunco on the 9th, Hockey every Saturday, a Homeschool Party on the 17th, Hubby has traffic court on the 15th and a surgery scheduled for the 19th, and Rose’s Echocardiogram on the 29th. Yikes!! Can we just skip March?

Towards personal care… in addition to walking a mile a day (on average – I missed a couple days and had to catch up!) I spent a couple hours this weekend “exercising” using Wii Fit. I just had to reclaim my 1st place status in “Soccer Heading.” Yep, I can be a tad bit competitive! 😉 My legs are still sore…

Around the house… I have a wash in the dryer that needs to be put away and then it will be CAUGHT UP, at least until this evening! A HUGE success! I am also making daily progress towards filling those 40 Bags. It’s been hard, but so very rewarding at the same time.

One of my favorite things.. the Traditional Latin Mass! How I wish we had one within driving distance that we could attend… During the homily, at Mass yesterday, our pastor had a 20 foot ladder (aka “mountain”) set up in front of the altar to climb and replaced his vestments with a florescent green jacket and a bright orange and black scarf with matching beanie (supporting his favorite football team) because “It is cold on the tops of mountains.” Perhaps I missed the point, as he tried to imitate the Transfiguration of Our Lord, but it seemed like a mockery to me and brought tears to my eyes. I asked Hubby after Mass if perhaps we could travel somewhere (anywhere!) for Easter.

A few plans for the rest of the week:

Resume “R” week with the Alphabet Path, since we didn’t have much extra time last week for a few of the activities I had planned.
Organize the photos on my computer! I just realized that my hard drive is out of room and that I have my pictures in two different folders. Deleting the duplicates will free up over 100GB of space. That should help!
Continue working on filling those 40 Bags.
Happy Birthday to my brother Paul (who turns 26) and sisters JoAnn and Mary who turn (18). It seems like just yesterday the twins were turning “7 on the 7th!”

A Picture thought I am sharing:

State-by-State Scrapbook :: Maryland

Feb 26, 2010 | State-by-State, State-by-State Scrapbook | 6 Comments

“A is for Annapolis–

It is the government seat

and our state capital

where legislators meet.”

~ B is for Blue Crab: A Maryland Alphabet

It has taken me awhile to get around to posting these pictures of the boys Scrapbook Pages for Maryland. (You can still see Christmas lights on the Mantel!)

One of my favorite parts of their pages is the additional artwork they add, inspired by the book. Captain focused on the “N stands for U.S. Naval Academy” (since one of his uncles graduated from that particular Academy before entering the seminary) and Rascal choose “L is for Lighthouse” (I especially love how he included the sun shine reflecting off of the ocean!). Good job boys!

In addition to reading the Discover America Books, and making scrapbook pages, the boys are also really enjoying doing some of the additional activities for each state from the publisher.

Anyhow, the boys have moved on and are now working on South Carolina!

Highlights from “Q” Week

Feb 25, 2010 | Alphabet Path, Alphabet Path (2009-2010) | 10 Comments

Learning Along the Alphabet Path

~ Letter Formation ~

In addition to making Q’s out of Modelling Wax, the girls also worked on making the letter Q using Handwriting Without Tears Hands-On Materials.

~ Queen of the Meadow Fairy Coloring Pages ~

From this Coloring Book
(While looking at the Flower Fairies Alphabet book and listening to the CD!)

~ Picture Book Science :: Q is for Quarks ~

We didn’t do that much with Science this week other than learn about Quarks! I didn’t have any picture books to read on the topic, but the girls really enjoyed this coloring book. It is also available to “color” online if you’d rather not print it out.

We also talked about Quarters!

~ Picture Study :: Q is for Queen ~

From Museum ABC and Museum ABC Nesting Blocks

“Q is for Queen, whose right is divine.

A heaven-sent ruler, and one for all time.”

While on the topic of Queens, we also read The Queen’s Progress, Queen of Hearts, and the Queen of Hearts Nursery Rhyme, then made Queen of Heart Tarts!

The Queen of Hearts she made some tarts all on a summer’s day;
The Knave of Hearts he stole the tarts and took them clean away.
The King of Hearts called for the tarts and beat the Knave full sore
The Knave of Hearts brought back the tarts and vowed he’d steal no more.

I found the recipe for the Queen of Hearts Tarts from Comstock, however we used one package of ready-made refrigerator sugar cookie dough. Using these cookie cutters, this resulted in 12 tarts.

~ Q is for Queen of All Saints ~

Our Painted Queen of All Saints
(aka Our Lady of Altagracia, since I didn’t have a chance to paint another…)
for with An Alphabet of Catholic Saints

The girls colored the Mary Queen of All Saints pictures from Our Saints Alphabet on CD and did some copywork from An Alphabet of Catholic Saints.

(You can print the one I made here.)

We also read the beautiful book Take it to the Queen, colored a Queenship of Mary coloring page, and did a bit more copy work from God’s Alphabet:

“Q is for Queen
of both angel and saint
Mary Immaculate
pure without
taint”

~ Q is for Quiz ~

Catholic Quiz 1, 2, 3, and 4

~ Q is for Quilts ~

I went a bit overboard checking out books about quilts from the library (in addition to the ones already on our shelves!) and we are still enjoying them! Our favorites (so far) have been The Quiltmaker’s Gift, The Quiltmaker’s Journey, and The Promise Quilt. In fact, they proved to be very inspiring towards filling those 40 bags of stuff for the poor!!

Quilt of Saints

I considered purchasing this kit or this kit, but since we already made blankets during B week, we just made Paper Quilts of favorite saints.

by Captain, Rascal, Twinkle Toes and Chiquita

Queen of All Saints by Chiquita

Petit Four Quilt
(Recipe from Heart to Hand: Quilt talk with Wendy)

~ Other Crafts ~

Q-Tip Painting

Q-Tip Dandelions

(This picture was taken before the girls added a cotton ball to the center… Looks like I forgot to take a final picture. You can see one at No Time for Flashcards.)

~ Serendipi-Tea time ~

We also enjoyed Quaker Oat Meal, Quesadillas, and Crustless Spinach and Mushroom Quiche!

After nearly quitting “Q” week, we ended finding lots to do and enjoyed every minute! Nevertheless, I was Ready to move on to “R”, and Roses, Rainbows and Red Raspberry Tea Sandwiches!

P.S. I’m not sure why when I publish this post, it is the only one that appears on my homepage? I had this same problem after my last Alphabet Path post…

A couple pictures…

Feb 25, 2010 | Baby "Rose" | 6 Comments

… of our little Qutie Pie …

… and her beautiful Rose Quilt!

I was hoping to have our Highlights from “Q” week posted by today, but I’ve been too busy enjoying all the smiles from Rose. Can you blame me?!

Perhaps I’ll have a chance to work on it this afternoon while she is napping. In the meantime, I hope you all have a wonderful day!

A Good Mail Day

Feb 25, 2010 | Holy Saturday, Just for Fun, Kids in the Kitchen, Magazines | 16 Comments

Do you subscribe to Faith & Family? It is one of the few magazines that I actually subscribe to, and definitely a favorite.

Earlier today, after receiving an email from a friend who had just received her copy, I sent the children out to check the mail. The Spring edition had arrived and I had them turn to page 82.

Do those little faces look familiar?

You should have heard all the giggles!! ☺

I have a feeling we will be hanging on to this edition!

As if I didn’t keep them all already! lol! I just wish the mailman would be a little more careful!

Exploring Creation with Astronomy Lap Book: Part 1

Feb 24, 2010 | Astronomy, Lap Books, Science, Solar Eclipse | 5 Comments

The boys have really been enjoying Science this year! They have been studying Astronomy using (and loving!) Jeannie Fulbright’s Exploring Creation with Astronomy.

In addition to the textbooks, I ordered the coordinating lapbooks. The boys just completed their first Lap Book (part one) based on the first six chapters: What is Astronomy, The Sun, Mercury, Venus, Earth, and The Moon.

They are very excited to move on to the next chapter (Mars), especially after seeing what Stephen and Nicholas have been up to this week! How fun!!

~ The Front Cover ~

~ Inside Folder #1 ~

God Used a Star; Do you know; Copernicus & Galileo; Color the Sun; Name the Planets; Revolve & Rotate; Solar Eclipse; Lessons 1-4 Vocabulary

~ Inside Folder #2 ~

Find Mercury; Why is Venus hotter; Mercury’s Craters; Mercury Facts; Find Venus; How many men have walked on the Moon?; Amazing Facts; What would happen if God had made the Earth with Less Mass?; Phases of Venus; Venus Facts; Twins?

~ Inside Folder #3 ~

Lunar Eclipse; Earth’s Layers; Phases of Our Moon; Neil Armstrong; Lessons 5-6 Vocabulary

~ Inside Folder #4 ~

What is Astronomy; Amazing Facts; Weight & Gravity; Perfect Earth; Why shouldn’t we stare at the Sun?; Copywork; Land Rover

~ Completed Lap Books ~

by Captain

by Rascal

Meatless Meals for Fridays

Feb 24, 2010 | Lent, Recipes | 0 Comments

There are a number of new recipes for fish over at Catholic Cuisine this week, including the delicious Grilled Tilapia with Pineapple Salsa I made for dinner this past Monday.

While you are there, be sure to check out all the

Recipes for Lent ~ From the Archives!

Young Hunters

Feb 23, 2010 | Favorite Toys, Pictures, Thank You | 4 Comments

My Daybook :: February 22, 2010

Feb 22, 2010 | Daybook | 10 Comments

Outside my window… it has been so beautiful for the past week. We spent quite a bit of time outside yesterday and I hope to get back out there this afternoon, before it starts raining again tomorrow.

I am listening to… Captain reading today’s Jesus Tree reading to his siblings. It is so nice to have his help this year!

I am thinking… about the finished house plans that were dropped off by the Engineer on Saturday and hoping that we are now able to get some estimates and figure out the financial end of everything.

I am thankful for… the kind gentleman, in line behind me at the grocery store last Friday, who unloaded my cart full of groceries and then bagged them for me, so that I could hold my fussy little baby. (Not to mention I only had 20 minutes to get out of the store, get gas, and make my way across town for Rose’s doctors appointment.) It seems that every time I go to town lately somebody offers to help me… The last four times I’ve been to Costco, both before and since Rose was born, I’ve been given help loading the groceries into the van. There truly are angels among us! May God reward them for taking a moment out of their busy days to lend a helping hand.

I am praying… for the soul of Mr. Jerry Hudson, my sister’s Father-in-law, who passed away on Saturday night. May he rest in peace!

From the kitchen… I pulled out a couple cookbooks this past Friday before heading to the grocery store, and found a couple new (*) Recipes to make this week. Here’s a look at the menu:

:: Monday – *Grilled Tilapia with Pineapple Salsa
:: Tuesday – *Rigatoni with Tuna and Sun-Dried Tomatoes
:: Wednesday – *Turkish Spinach and Lentil Soup
:: Thursday – Spagetti and Meatballs
:: Friday – Brown Rice Vegetable Casserole
:: Saturday – Orange Chicken

I’ve even made the Pioneer Woman’s Favorite Sandwich, with added Turkey Breast, this past weekend. Yum!

From the learning rooms…

::The boys are loving Teaching Textbooks. I purchased grade 4 and they are both doing great. In fact, they are usually up out of bed and have their math completed by breakfast! Now that we have the basics under control again, I am anxious to get back on a good schedule with the rest of their subjects.

::The girls have moved on to “R” week. Yesterday, to finish up “Q” Week, they baked Queen of Heart Tarts. Since today is also George Washington’s birthday, we had to make something with cherries, right?!

Living the Liturgical Year at Home… lots of Lenten Activities. Today is also the feast of the Chair of St. Peter and the one year anniversary of Rascal’s First Communion!

I am creating… our tax returns.

I am wearing… short hair. Although I love having long hair, hubby prefers it a little (or rather a lot!) shorter. He convinced me go in for a haircut and my hairdresser was able to squeeze me in Saturday morning. It is now 8-9 inches shorter and just past my shoulders. Here’s a quick picture… Can I put a bean in the jar?

I am reading… old emails and trying to respond to 5 each day. If I can keep it up I should have my inbox emptied by Easter. I recently read this post and am working on implementing some of his suggestions. My apologies to those of you that have been waiting many many months for a response.

Pondering these words… which are so very true! When I make sure to get the necessities done each day, it seems that I get so much more accomplished.

“Start by doing what’s necessary; then do what’s possible; and suddenly you are doing the impossible.” ~ St. Francis of Assisi

Our little Rose… had her 2 month well check-up last Friday and she is doing well! She already weighs 10 lbs. 10 oz. and is a long 23 1/4″! There is still no indication of her heart murmur, it’s been gone since her baptism, though her doctor would still like to do the follow up echocardiogram on March 29th. She is smiling and cooing and getting lots of love and attention from all of us!

Noticing that… I don’t think giving up any particular aspects of the internet/computer use is what God wants me to this Lent. What I do need to work on is balance and prioritizing, and limiting my computer time. Have you read Elizabeth’s post Disconnect to Reconnect? It was very inspiring.

Towards personal care… I’ve been walking 1 mile each day for Lent and completed my 5th mile this morning! I have lots and lots of weight to lose from this last pregnancy and hope that this little goal will get me started, as well as improve my energy levels. So far I’m down 2 pounds, 2 inches, and my energy most definitly has increased.

Around the house… lots of dust. Apparently something (we think perhaps a cat) got under our home and caused extensive damage to the insulation as well as to one of the heating and air ducts… We now know how that Black Widow got into the school room and under Captain’s desk. {{{shudder}}}

One of my favorite things.. sunshine and smiling children!

A few plans for the rest of the week:

Our Heating & Air System will be repaired (hopefully) tomorrow
Field Trip on Friday (if all goes well this week and it isn’t raining)
Hockey lessons on Saturday

A Picture thought I am sharing:

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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.