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My Daybook :: February 22, 2010

Feb 22, 2010 | | 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:


A Few of Our Lenten Activities

Feb 21, 2010 | , , | 14 Comments

~ Our 2010 Lenten Calendar  ~

A few changes for this year ::

::  I decided to write in the items (for the younger children to count) daily, rather than plan it all out ahead of time.  I hope to coordinate what I have them count with what I’ll be working on de-cluttering each day for the 40 Bag Challenge.

:: Our older boys will earn pennies by reading religious/saint books rather than counting various household items with the younger children.  For each page they read they will earn a penny for their rice bowls.   They were very excited about this change and have been doing quite a bit of extra reading each night.   Hubby said that perhaps we should have said per chapter instead of per page! 😉

~ Fast and Give Alms ~

Take one item from pantry each day for the Poor,
in addition to our 40 Bags in 40 Days
~ Lenten Reading for the Children ~


~ 40 Days and 40 Nights ~


~ Sacrifice Beans ~

“Nothing, how little so ever it be, if it is suffered for God’s sake, can pass without merit in the sight of God.” ~ Thomas a Kempis
~ Stations of the Cross ~

(That is, IF we can find time to assemble them… if not, they will be saved for next year.) 
Our Favorite DVD:

Favorite CD:
Glory Stories “The Passion For Children“
(You can even listen to the complete CD online!)

I also printed out the Pocket-Size Stations of the Cross (from Catholic Artworks) for the children to color sometime soon. 
~ The Jesus Tree ~

Weeks One, Two, Three, Four, Five, Six and Seven

Small Successes :: February 18, 2010

Feb 19, 2010 | , | 3 Comments

“It’s important for moms to recognize that all the small successes in our days can add up to one big triumph. So on Thursday of each week, we do exactly that.”

~ 1 ~
I’ve been thinking about an inspiring quote Elizabeth shared on Facebook earlier this week:

“Wisdom enters through love, silence, and mortification. It is great wisdom to know how to be silent and to look at neither the remarks, nor the deeds, nor the lives of others.” St. John of the Cross

I really need to work at being silent… Even though I am not planning on giving up blogging for Lent,  I will be cutting back, reading less, commenting less and staying off Facebook.   I’ve been needing to drastically reduce the time I spend online for awhile and Lent has presented the perfect opportunity.   It has been less than two days, and I am already noticing a difference in how overwhelmed I’d been feeling.

~ 2 ~

Spending less time online (and making sure to go to bed by 10pm, another goal for Lent) has allowed more time for prayer and exercise!

This morning, by 9:30,  I had said morning prayers, walked a mile, fed everyone breakfast, dressed the kids, the boys had completed Math and Language Arts, and the car was loaded for a quick trip to town to give my Dad his birthday present.  I don’t remember the last time I’ve been so productive in the morning!

~ 3 ~

I’ve been spending lots and lots of time snuggling with our little Rose, who is still coughing and congested, but getting better.  I’m glad that she has her two month check-up tomorrow and her doctor can listen to her lungs just to make sure.  

Isn’t she CUTE with all those DOTS and that precious smile!?!  
I do have some photos to post for Lent, but they will have to wait… My time is up!  The boys are off to Blue Knights and the girls and I have some Quesadillas to make, since we have now resumed “Q” week.    
I hope you all have a Blessed and Holy Lent!
Stop by Faith and Family Live to read more of this week’s Small Successes.

Miniature King Cakes for Mardi Gras

Feb 17, 2010 | , | 4 Comments

Since I never was able to get back to the grocery store this past weekend, and since I wasn’t about to try and make King Cake from scratch right now, I planned to just skip it altogether this year and just stick with serving Pancakes for dinner…
However, I went to get something out of the freezer this morning and noticed that I had a package of frozen cinnamon rolls I bought a few months back and never used.  I pulled them out and defrosted them to make miniature Quick and Easy Mardi Gras King Cakes!  I even happened to have green and yellow napkins in the cupboard… 
I just love it when our little activities, for celebrating the Liturgical year at home, just fall into place without much planning or effort. 
Now we are off to Hide the Alleluia and make those pancakes!!
(With the baby comfortably tucked into that cozy wrap.) 

My Daybook :: February 16th, 2010 (Shrove Tuesday)

Feb 16, 2010 | | 10 Comments

Outside my window… everything is still wet from the rain we had last night, but the sun is supposed to come out a little later today and even reach a high of 62 degrees!

I am hearing… the pitter patter of little feet running up and down the hallway… Shhhh Snuggles!  The baby is still sleeping!

I am thinking… about my plans for Lent which have been put on hold for now.

I am thankful for… the reassurance I received from the doctor at the Emergency Room last night (or rather early this morning).  Rose is most definitely sick but her fever is gone and the congestion has not dropped to her chest.  It was also reassuring to hear that the ER doctor wasn’t able to hear her heart murmur either!

I am praying…  “Not my will, but Thy will be done.”

From the kitchen… I had plans to make Apple Puff Pancakes for breakfast, since it is Shrove Tuesday (aka: Pancake Tuesday) but due to another late start this morning the children just had cereal.  If all goes well, we’ll have Pancakes for dinner!

From the learning rooms… we’ve been sticking with just the basics lately.  Lots of Math, Spelling, and Phonics.  Last week was “Q” week and we only made it a couple days before Quitting.  😉  We will continue when everyone is healthy and time allows.

Living the Liturgical Year at Home… the season of Lent begins tomorrow.   We are still discussing our plans for this year.  Perhaps at dinner tonight we can finalize those plans.

I am creating… antibodies for my baby and a quiet peaceful home.  The rest can wait.

I am wearing… my nice cozy pajamas and slippers.

I am going… to start walking again.  With how little I’ve been leaving the home, my energy levels have really dropped and I need to start exercising.  I’ve decided to walk 40 miles during Lent, one mile a day.  It’s not much, but it is a lot more than I am currently doing and yet should be achievable.

I am reading… from a big stack of picture books about Queens and Quilts.  Tomorrow we will begin reading a story each day from the life of Jesus, to go along with our Jesus Tree.  (For those that have emailed, you can purchase the Jesus Tree kit from Leaflet Missal.) I am also going to look through my own books to choose some Lenten Reading for myself.   Hummm… Any suggestions?

Pondering these words… which were shared by Jennifer in this inspiring post.

“Material goods are good since they come from God. They have been put by God at man’s disposal since creation began, for his growth and development in society. We are administrators of these goods for a time, for only a short term. Everything should lead us to love God – Creator and Father – and the things He has made and given us.”
Francis Fernandez, In Conversation with God, Volume 2, Lent and Easter, 16.1

I am hoping… that Hubby is able to get the job transfer he is applying for at work. It is the same job, but based out of an office that is only 15 minutes away, reducing his commute by over 30 minutes each day!

Around the house… As I de-clutter, I keep reminding myself to “LIVE IN THE PRESENT, and have nothing in my house that I do not know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful!”  I have already filled 20 bags of stuff towards my goal of 40 bags in 40 days, though this is where I think it is going to start getting harder and involve working on detachment.   It is going to be worth it though!  Already our home feels much more organized, even though I still have a longs ways to go!

One of my favorite things… Baby smiles!  I can’t believe our little Rose is two months old ALREADY!

A few plans for the rest of the week:

  • Ash Wednesday and the Beginning of Lent
  • Blue Knights on Thursday
  • 2 month Well-Child Check-up for Rose on Friday
  • Hockey Lessons on Saturday
  • My Dad’s birthday

A Picture thought I am sharing:

Apparently I am not the only one that could use a dishwasher! 😉 


On St. Valentine’s Day

Feb 15, 2010 | , , | 5 Comments

~ A Gift of Meals ~

Valentine Cookies, Banana Bread, Chicken Enchiladas, Vegetable Lasagna, 
Green Enchiladas, and Turkish Spinach and Lentil Soup all made
 by a local Little Flowers Group (as a service project) for our family!   
This was such a wonderful surprise and couldn’t have come at a better time.  
Thank you girls!!!  I can’t tell you how very much it was appreciated!
~ Fruit Smoothies ~

A fun, yet fairly healthy, snack for my recovering children.  
(We still have lots of coughing around here, and a somewhat congested baby. 
 Please pray that she gets better quickly and doesn’t get any worse…)
~ Valentine Treats ~

The kids made a batch of Valentine Dots as a gift for their Dad 
and I made little bags of White Chocolate Pop Corn (sprinkled with M&M’s and XO’s) for eveyone. 
~ Valentine’s Day Picture Books ~ 

If You'll Be My ValentineQueen of Hearts (Ann Estelle Stories)
Love Is . . .The Valentine BearsSaint Valentine
~ Roses ~ 

 Who needs real flowers when we have our beautiful little “Rose?”

However coffee is always greatly appreciated! 
Thank you Honey! 

“Spread love everywhere you go: first of all in your own house. Give love to your children, to your wife or husband, to a next door neighbor… Let no one ever come to you without leaving better and happier. Be the living expression of God’s kindness; kindness in your face, kindness in your eyes, kindness in your smile, kindness in your warm greeting.”  ~ Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta
Hope you all had a lovely St. Valentine’s Day! 

Pictures from Last Weekend…

Feb 14, 2010 | , , | 10 Comments

~ Hockey Lessons ~

~ Homemade Hockey Jerseys ~
I didn’t start making plans for his birthday last Sunday, until the day before, which resulted in a very late night.  (It is much harder to get things done with a little one who likes to eat all the time!)  Anyhow, when I ran out for a few groceries Saturday night, I found a couple red shirts on clearance and decided to try and make the boys a couple Washington Capitals “jerseys.”
I just printed the team logo, and a few numbers, onto iron-on transfer paper and ironed them on…
When I gave the boys their shirts after Mass, Rascal was SO SO SO excited!  He especially loved the fact that his had a number 8 on the back, which is also the number for his favorite player on the Capitals!
The boys put their new shirts on immediately and we all sat down to watch the Capitals game online.
The boys have been wearing them practically non-stop all week!  Since Snuggles really wanted a Hockey shirt too, we had to improvise… lol!  I was wishing I would have made him a matching shirt too… Next time!
~ Hockey Game and a Concession Stand Lunch ~ 
As soon as the game ended (the Capitals won!) I had lunch ready.
On the Menu:
Hot Dogs wrapped in foil
Nachos (with homemade cheese sauce)
Soft Pretzels
Sports Drinks
Served on black paper Hockey Puck Plates

~ Birthday Cake ~ 

The kids was so excited that their Grandma and two of their uncles (my youngest two brothers) were able to stay for cake when they stopped by with a gift. 

For the cake I just used a couple boxed cake mixes and decorated it with some guys from the boys Hockey game.  I did make a homemade Chocolate Hazelnut filling (using Nutella) which was so yummy! 
~ Opening Gifts ~

~ NHL Bingo ~ 
After cake we played NHL Bingo!
Originally I found these hockey bingo cards, but decided I wanted to use the team logos instead so I made my own using an online Bingo Card Generator.  You can print the ones I made here.  Black M&M’s make perfect little markers pucks for playing!
Everyone had lots of fun. 
Happy Birthday Rascal!  
We sure love you!

Small Successes :: Looking at the Bright Side…

Feb 14, 2010 | | 4 Comments

“It’s important for moms to recognize that all the small successes in our days can add up to one big triumph. So on Thursday of each week, we do exactly that.”

~ 1 ~
Our little Rose has not gotten sick, despite the fact that her Momma and five siblings have all been sick this week.   Thank goodness for all those antibodies from nursing!  And thank goodness that only three of us threw up!  Now if we could just get all the coughing under control…

~ 2 ~

I was not the one to bring home that $363 ticket for “not stoppping all the way.”
(Still, what a BUMMER!)
~ 3 ~
I realized I left my wallet at home before filling up the shopping cart at the grocery store tonight.
I guess I didn’t really need those groceries after all… 
or that White Chocolate Mocha from the coffee drive-thru while I was in town.

Here’s hoping that your Small Successes were better than mine!  😉

Stop by Faith and Family Live to read more of this week’s Small Successes.

Craft Basket Wednesday :: A Calendar for Lent

Feb 10, 2010 | , | 16 Comments

I thought, since I do have a little something I am working on, that it would be fun to participate in Amy’s Craft Basket Wednesday again today.  However, it looks like Amy and I are up to the same thing this week, making Lenten Calendars!

There are so many great ideas out there for making Lenten calendars (Charlotte always makes really nice ones!) but our family has been making the same type of calendar each year since Lent of 2005, when Captain was only four years old, and it has become a much loved tradition in our home.  I originally found the idea and directions in Guiding Your Catholic Preschooler and have posted about ours here and here.
I’ve been spending most of my “extra” time decluttering, went out last night (I finally ventured out for something other than Mass, groceries or doctors appts and went to Bunco!), then woke up with a cold this morning, so I haven’t made that much progress yet…

I still have a little time to finish the calendar, though not much!  Can you believe that Lent begins NEXT WEEK!!!

Have you started making plans for Lent?


Our Family

Sean & Jessica, Captain-25, Ranger-23, Twinkle Toes-22, Chiquita-20, Snuggles-18, Rose-15, Bud-13, Grace-8 and Joy-6 (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-25, Ranger-23, Twinkle Toes-22, Chiquita-20, Snuggles-18, Rose-15, Bud-13, Grace-8 and Joy-6 (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 Giveaways
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Our Advent & Christmas Books

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Looking for Something?

looking-back

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Shower of Roses Alphabet of Saints

A Papal Unit Study & Lap Book

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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!