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In Honor of St. Nicholas

Dec 7, 2009 | , | 6 Comments




~ Gifts from St. Nicholas ~


Gold Coins, Holy Cards, and our yearly “note from St. Nicholas” telling the children what they need to work on between now and Christmas.


New Picture Books and Slippers for all of the children.

Even a pair of new slippers for the baby!! Aren’t they darling?!






~ St. Nicholas Cookies ~

Speculatius (German Spice Cookies)


~ St. Nicholas Day Brunch ~


Our menu included:
Candy Cane Coffee Cake, Scrambled Eggs, Irish Oatmeal,
Orange Juice, Coffee, and St. Nicholas Hot Cocoa.






Happy St. Nicholas Day!!

O Antiphon House

Dec 5, 2009 | , | 15 Comments

I have been meaning to post a picture of our finished O Antiphon House all week, but haven’t had a chance until this morning. (I contracted for about 12 hours most of Thursday, from about 3 am until just before dinner, and then fell asleep right after dinner, exhausted! Thankfully I am still pregnant since I was NOT quite ready to deliver yet… On the plus side, it did get me to finally pack a bag for the hospital!  Though I am now horribly behind on emails, etc…)

Anyway, I am excited to add this little O Antiphon House to our traditions this year. In the past we have just hung an ornament on our Jesse Tree representing each of the O Antiphons and then presented the family with a special gift or activity each evening.

I was inspired to make this last year, from a thread on the 4 Real Forums.  The girls helped me spray paint the house and blocks during “H” Week and I finally finished it up in time for Advent.

I ended up keeping it very simple, but am happy with how it turned out.    I only wanted to have 7 empty slots for the 7 blocks (representing each of the O Antiphons), so I filled in the two side boxes with 7 painted wooden stars and the top with the words “Ero Cras” which means “Tomorrow, I will come!”

The Benedictine monks arranged these antiphons with a definite purpose. If one starts with the last title and takes the first letter of each one – Emmanuel, Rex, Oriens, Clavis, Radix, Adonai,Sapientia – the Latin words ero cras are formed, meaning, “Tomorrow, I will come.” Therefore, the Lord Jesus, whose coming we have prepared for in Advent and whom we have addressed in these seven Messianic titles, now speaks to us, “Tomorrow, I will come.” So the “O Antiphons” not only bring intensity to our Advent preparation, but bring it to a joyful conclusion.

For the blocks, I printed out an image of the O Antiphons reduced to 45% on Gold paper and (very carefully using Mod Podge) glued them to the blocks.

 
I think I may add the dates to the back, turn them around, and stack them in the side boxes with the stars until each day approaches, but for now they are just stacked next to the house ready and waiting for the 17th of December!
 
 

Celebrating the O Antiphons ~ Our plans for this year!

Dec 2, 2009 | , , | 12 Comments

There is an old monastic custom of providing special treats, representing each of the “O Antiphons,” leading up to Christmas. This has been a tradition in our home for a number of years now. It is such a fun way to teach the children about them and increase their excitement as Christmas gets closer! You can see what we have done the past couple years in either my Feast Day Plans post or under the “O” Antiphons label. There are even more great ideas over at Catholic Cuisine!

This year, since I don’t know if I will be home or in the hospital, I have tried to keep our plans fairly simple (read: can be done whether or not I am home). Other than a couple of things that will have to be done on the particular day, I am all set for this year. Here’s what I have planned for our family:

December 17th

O Wisdom that comest out of the mouth of the Most High, that reachest from one end to another, and orderest all things mightily and sweetly, come to teach us the way of prudence!

Since the symbol for wisdom is a book, this year I purchased a craft kit from Oriental trading for the children to make Christmas Bookmarks. Since we generally add a new Catholic Prayer Book or Catechism to our collection this day as well, this year we’ll be giving the children A Catholic Child’s Picture Dictionary which was originally published in 1956 but has recently been reprinted. I was flipping through it the other day, before wrapping it up, and it looks wonderful!

December 18th

O Adonai, and Ruler of the house of Israel, Who didst appear unto Moses in the burning bush, and gavest him the law in Sinai, come to redeem us with an outstretched arm!

The past couple years, we have emphasized the word “house” in this Antiphon, and have made our Gingerbread houses this evening. This year, I found a darling little village of houses made by Wilton which I purchased for the children instead. (I’ve seen it at both Wal Mart and Michaels for less than $10! If you use a coupon at Michaels, it would only be $5-6!) This way they will each get to decorate their own. Isn’t it cute!

December 19th

O Root of Jesse, which standest for an ensign of the people, at Whom the kings shall shut their mouths, Whom the Gentiles shall seek, come to deliver us, do not tarry.

I was so happy when I received an email from a visitor letting me know that the main provider of Poinsettia’s was removed from Life Decision’s boycott list! Yay!! So, this year we will go back to purchasing our Poinsettia today and we will also read The Legend of the Poinsettia. (Speaking of which, have any of you read The Miracle of the First Poinsettia? It’s not available at my library right now and looks good too!)

For dinner we will have Hearty Beef Stew, which is full of root vegetables. I even have it in the freezer, all ready to go into the crock pot, in case the baby has been born! And for dessert, maybe Carrot Cake.

December 20th

O Key of David, and Sceptre of the house of Israel, that openeth and no man shutteth, and shutteth and no man openeth, come to liberate the prisoner from the prison, and them that sit in darkness, and in the shadow of death.

Since this is initially a monastic tradition, and on this night, the monk in charge of the wine cellar would provide a special bottle of wine. We will also be having some special drinks with dinner. Costco has a great package of delicious fruit spritzers which I picked up.

I also plan to serve a Marie Calendar’s Key Lime Pie which is already in the freezer!

December 21st

O Dayspring, Brightness of the everlasting light, Son of justice, come to give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death!

For dessert I’m hoping to make “O Dayspring Ice Cream” inspired by a Blue Bunny recipe:

6 small tangerines, peeled
1 1/2 cups Vanilla Ice Cream
6 teaspoons orange marmalade

Place six freezer safe dessert plates in the freezer 30 minutes before serving. For each serving, gently pry segments of a tangerine apart. Place on dessert plate in a “spoke” like circle.
Place a 1/4 cup scoop of vanilla ice cream in center of tangerine “spoke”; top with 1 teaspoon orange marmalade. Repeat with remaining tangerines and serve immediately.

After the kids are in there pajamas, we will surprise them with a trip to town to see some of the Christmas lights! This is always such fun, and we all look forward to this little outing!

December 22nd

O King of the Gentiles, yea, and desire thereof! O Corner-stone, that makest of two one, come to save man, whom Thou hast made out of the dust of the earth!

There are lots of crown cakes to choose from over at Catholic Cuisine, but I think it would be fun to bake and decorate some of our Christmas sugar cookies as crowns!!

Needless to say, baking cookies, on December 22nd, probably won’t happen this year, so I also purchased the King of the Golden City on CD. I’d been looking for an excuse to buy it anyways! 😉 We do have the lovely cassettes by Simonetta, and the book and study guide from CHC, but I was so excited to see that Pro Multis Media has produced it as an audio dramatization with a talented cast of children actors! (It is also available from Catholic Child.) I can’t wait to listen to it!

December 23rd

O Emmanuel, our King and our Law-giver, Longing of the Gentiles, yea, and salvation thereof, come to save us, O Lord our God!

This is the last of the O Antiphons… Tomorrow will be Christmas Eve! The treat for today is going to be another new Nativity Set for the kids to play with during the Christmas season. I purchased two this year, one which I gave them on the first Sunday of Advent (saving baby Jesus for Christmas of course) and one for this day. I just ran across another children’s nativity set I love… I’m trying really hard to refrain from purchasing it as well!

You can also listen to the O Antiphons beautifully chanted in Latin here.

I am also considering purchasing An Advent Processions Based on the Great O Antiphons . Have any of you heard it before? Would you recommend it?

A Jesse “Tea” for Advent

Dec 1, 2009 | , , , | 11 Comments

Ever since our last Tea for Easter, my children have been asking when we could have another Liturgical Tea. The Jesse Tree has been one of our favorite Advent traditions since my children were very small, so when I ran across Alice’s Jesse “Tea” I knew it would be perfect!

Alice suggests having this tea during the last week of Advent, however I decided it would be a fun way to kick-off this Advent season after Mass on the first Sunday of Advent. Really though, you could have it at any time during Advent, or even serve a little something each day of Advent to go along with the ornament and reading for that particular day!

Since our children are now very familiar with all the Old Testament stories, we all sat around the table and, as we got to each menu item, they took turns telling everyone the story it symbolized. It was so great (and at times very funny!) to listen to the stories in their own words…

Here is what was included in the menu:

~ The Jesse “Tea” ~

A couple of us had tea and the rest opted for “Adam’s Apple Cider.”
~ Adam’s Apple ~
A Bowl of Apples with a gummi worm serpent!
“And the woman saw that the tree was good to eat, and fair to the eyes, and delightful to behold: and she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave to her husband who did eat.” Gen. 3: 6

~ Noah’s Ark ~

Alice suggested Celery and Tomato boats, but since most of my children do not care for celery, here is what I came up with:

Animal Crackers 2×2 ~ Deviled Egg Arks ~ Fruit Slice Rainbows

“And God said: This is the sign of the covenant which I give between me and you, and to every living soul that is with you, for perpetual generations. I will set my bow in the clouds, and it shall be the sign of a covenant between me, and between the earth. And when I shall cover the sky with clouds, my bow shall appear in the clouds: And I will remember my covenant with you, and with every living soul that beareth flesh: and there shall no more be waters of a flood to destroy all flesh.And the bow shall be in the clouds, and I shall see it, and shall remember the everlasting covenant, that was made between God and every living soul of all flesh which is upon the earth. And God said to Noe: This shall be the sign of the covenant which I have established between me and all flesh upon the earth. ” Gen. 9: 12-17

~ Abraham’s Stars ~


I wasn’t able to find Dora Star Cereal, but I did find some Brach’s Star Candy.
They are SO delicious!
“And he brought him forth abroad, and said to him: Look up to heaven and number the stars, if thou canst. And he said to him: So shall thy seed be.” Gen. 15: 5

~ Isaac’s Bundle of Sticks ~

I used string cheese to tie our little bundles of 8 pretzel sticks together.
“And he took the wood for the holocaust, and laid it upon Isaac his son: and he himself carried in his hands fire and a sword.” Gen. 22: 6

~ Jacob’s Ladder ~

Using the Isaac’s Bundle of Sticks, each person makes their own ladder.

“And he saw in his sleep a ladder standing upon the earth, and the top thereof touching heaven: the angels also of God ascending and descending by it.” Gen. 28: 12

~ Joseph’s Coat of Many Colors ~

These were very fun, and easy to make, following Alice’s directions.

“Now Israel loved Joseph above all his sons, because he had him in his old age: and he made him a coat of divers colours. And his brethren seeing that he was loved by his father, more than all his sons, hated him, and could not speak peaceably to him.” Gen. 37: 3-4

~ The Burning Bush ~

Broccoli Florets dipped in Thousand Island Dressing

“And the Lord appeared to him in a flame of fire out of the midst of a bush: and he saw that the bush was on fire and was not burnt. And Moses said: I will go and see this great sight, why the bush is not burnt.” Exodus 3: 2-3

~ Moses’ Tablets of the Law ~

I bought Milano cookies, as recommended by Alice, but added Roman Numerals I-X with chocolate icing. I love how they turned out!

“And after this he said: Hew thee two tables of stone like unto the former, and I will write upon them the words which were in the tables, which thou brokest.” Exodus 34: 1



~ Jonah and the Whale ~
When I saw a box of Whale Crackers I just had to buy them to add to our tea!
“Now the Lord prepared a great fish to swallow up Jonas: and Jonas was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights. And Jonas prayed to the Lord his God out of the belly of the fish. ” Jonah 2: 1-2

~ The Root of Jesse ~

Baby Carrots since they are a “Root” Vegetable

“And there shall come forth a rod out of the root of Jesse, and a flower shall rise up out of his root.” and “In that day the root of Jesse, who standeth for an ensign of the people, him the Gentiles shall beseech, and his sepulchre shall be glorious.” Isaiah 11: 1 and 10


~ David’s Star Tea Sandwiches ~
I just used two different sized Star Cookie Cutters to cut one star out of bread and a slightly smaller star out of cheese.
1 Samuel 17: 12-51



~ Bethlehem, House of Bread ~
A Basket of Rolls
“But they said to him: In Bethlehem of Juda. For so it is written by the prophet: And thou Bethlehem the land of Juda art not the least among the princes of Juda: for out of thee shall come forth the captain that shall rule my people Israel” Matthew 2: 5-6


~ John the Baptist’s Honey ~
I ordered a box of Honey Stix from Amazon for about $14.00, not realizing I would be receiving 384 of them (instead of 48)! What a deal!! Good thing my children liked them…
“And it came to pass, that when Elizabeth heard the salutation of Mary, the infant leaped in her womb.” Luke 1: 41
“For this is he that was spoken of by Isaias the prophet, saying: A voice of one crying in the desert, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make straight his paths.” Matthew 3: 3

~ Angelic Messengers ~

I didn’t have any luck finding the cookies Alice Suggested, but there are lots of Angel candies to be found this time of year. I purchased a little package of Lindt Angels for this tea.
“And in the sixth month, the angel Gabriel was sent from God into a city of Galilee, called Nazareth, to a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin’s name was Mary. And the angel being come in, said unto her: Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women. ” Luke 1:26-28
~ Flowers of Jesse ~
I thought about making Rose Cupcakes, but I (at 9 months pregnant) had already been on my feet long enough so I opted for Pepperidge Farms Verona Cookies which look like flowers.
“And there shall come forth a rod out of the root of Jesse, and a flower shall rise up out of his root. And the spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him: the spirit of wisdom, and of understanding, the spirit of counsel, and of fortitude, the spirit of knowledge, and of godliness. And he shall be filled with the spirit of the fear of the Lord. He shall not judge according to the sight of the eyes, nor reprove according to the hearing of the ears. ” Isaiah 11:1-3

Be sure to visit Cottage Blessings for more ideas, recipes and the shopping list!

My Advent Daybook ~ November 30th

Nov 30, 2009 | | 4 Comments

Outside my window… there are a few strips of purple spray paint on the grass from a little project I “prepared” this weekend. 😉

I am hearing… my children talking and laughing as they work on various projects.

I am thinking… about December and all of our plans. Sometimes I really wish I knew just exactly when this little one will arrive!

I am thankful for… my wonderful midwife. She has delivered all five of our children, whether or not she has been “on call.” She called me over the weekend, and again this morning since I had missed her call, to go over the ultrasound from last Wednesday. She wanted me to come in today to listen to the baby’s heart again, but since I have an appointment scheduled for tomorrow morning, it can wait until then.

I am praying… for Kelly who has just been put on bed rest at just 27 weeks pregnant with her little guy.
From the kitchen… Turkey Soup and lots of other leftovers from Thanksgiving. We spent Thanksgiving at our own home this year, with just our children. It was quiet but still really nice and very relaxing!

From the learning rooms… this is our last week of “full-time” school before our Advent/Christmas break begins. The boys completed their New Testament Lap Books last week for Unit 2-3 of World History, though they do have a little bit of reading to finish over their break. We will continue with Units 4-7 next year. I am hoping they are able to wrap up Science and American History as well this week… The girls are on “N” week and most of our activities will revolve around St. Nicholas, as we prepare to celebrate his feast day this coming weekend!

Living the Liturgical Year at Home… It’s Advent!! My husband blessed the wreath last night and lit the first candle. The rest of our decorations have been pulled out, and we’ve started our various Advent traditions. I just love this season of preparation for the Birth of Christ! This week we will also celebrate the feasts of St. Francis Xavier and St. Nicholas.

I am creating… the blocks for our O Antiphon House. Just one left to finish and they will be done! This “quick” project is taking me forever due to my own procrastination! Good thing I started when I did!

I am wearing… Mustela Instant Comfort Legs. It really seems to help!

I am going… to head to the library today. Apparently I have an overdue book, or two… {{sigh}} I am so thankful that our Christmas Book collection has gotten big enough to not have to worry about checking out any books this year!!!

I am reading… lots of picture books to my children.

I am hoping… that I deliver on the 12th. At first I thought the 18th would be nice, but with all the contractions I’ve been having, it just seems so far away! I’ll be 38 weeks on the 11th, and the 12th, being the feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, would be a great birthday, don’t you think?! Perhaps God has the same plans! 😉

Noticing that… I better start thinking about packing a bag to take to the hospital soon!

Around the house… lots of hidden Christmas gifts, all wrapped and ready for Christmas. It is so nice having almost all of it taken care of before Advent began!

One of my favorite things… the St. Therese Doll my friend Amy made for “Rose.” Isn’t she perfect!?! I keep telling Amy that she needs to put together a book of patterns for the various saint dolls she has made. They are all amazing!

A few plans for the rest of the week:

Still to do from last week:

  • Start writing Thank You cards
  • Work on creating an address database for our Christmas Cards/Birth Announcements (Can you believe I’ve been hand addressing about 150 cards every year?! It will be nice to have it all in the computer for once, if I can find the time to actually input them all.)
New plans:
  • Weekly OB Check-Up tomorrow morning
  • First Friday Mass and possible Home-School Event

A Picture thought I am sharing:

A sneak-peek at our Jesse “Tea”
I’ll post more about it tomorrow!

To see more daybooks visit The Simple Woman’s Daybook!

For the Advent Mantel

Nov 30, 2009 | | 9 Comments

This was such an easy craft and I just love how it looks on our mantel!  I think, while I still have a bit of purple spray paint leftover, I am going to use Elizabeth’s idea and pick up the letters N & T to change “PREPARE” to “REPENT” for Lent!! 

Our Plans for Advent…

Nov 29, 2009 | , , | 11 Comments

… in addition to welcoming our own new little baby at some point!!

Hummm… I wonder just how many of these “plans” I’ll be able to pull off! I tried to keep them fairly simple, without adding too many new activities, but I guess we will see!! Yesterday we pulled out all of our Advent Decorations, and (hubby and the boys) moved around the furniture in the living room to make room for our Christmas tree later in December. It’s all so exciting! I just love Advent, don’t you!?!

~ Around our Home ~
Advent Wreath and Prayers – This Sunday, the first Sunday of Advent, we will begin lighting our wreath every evening for dinner and family prayers, including St. Andrew’s Christmas Novena. On Christmas we will replace the four Advent Candles with our white Christ Candle (which we will make on the feast of St. Ambrose, to cover on the feast of the Immaculate Conception the next day). I’ve posted the Advent Wreath prayers we use here.

**photos from past years
Candles in the Window – All during Advent through Christmas Eve.

“The candle in the window, still a favorite traditional Irish Christmas decoration, it harkens back to that ancient Christmas Eve, when Mary and Joseph could find no shelter. It is a symbol of Irish hospitality, their way of welcoming Mary and Joseph…and any travelers who might happen to pass by looking for a warm place to stay.

In the days when it was illegal (and dangerous) to practice the Catholic faith in Ireland because of the oppressive Penal Laws, the candle in the window of Irish homes at Christmas also signaled traveling priests that this was a home where they would be welcome and where they could safely conduct the traditional Irish Catholic Christmas Mass.” Source

Advent Calendars – This is our favorite. I also purchased one Catholic Child had on clearance to add to our collection this year.

The Jesse Tree – In the past I have compiled posts with the readings and coloring pages for each day of Advent. This year, I happily signed my children up for Holy Heroes Advent Adventure! It should be fun!! I am also planning to incorporate a Jesse “Tea” at some point, thanks to Alice’s creativity!

A Nativity Set – Each Sunday, during Advent, we add a few figures to the set leading up to the addition of Baby Jesus on Christmas. The Wise men follow on the feast of Epiphany, as they slowly make their way across the room!

Baskets of Books – I just finished filling up a couple baskets with all of our Christmas Books! We will read one or two each day during the Advent and Christmas Season. In addition to the new books for the feast of St. Nicholas this year, I also purchased an Advent Storybook and Destination: Bethlehem to read each night at bedtime. Elizabeth also mailed me the most precious book ever!! It is all about a family Waiting for Noel, their new baby which ends up being born on Christmas! It is such a perfect addition to our Advent reading this year!!!!

~ Special Days During Advent ~

November 29th, First Sunday of Advent “Stir-Up” Sunday:

In addition to beginning all our Advent Traditions, I’m thinking we will be stirring up some yummy treat to save for Christmas, though probably not Plum Pudding… Perhaps the Chocolate Coconut Balls we made last year!


December 3rd, St. Francis Xavier:

In the morning, we will pray the Litany of St. Francis Xavier and then read page 20 of More Saints Lives and Illuminations. In the afternoon, I will let the kids watch Francis Xavier and the Samurai’s Lost Treasure by CCC. I don’t know if we will get to it or not, but we may try to make some St. Francis Xavier Ornaments as well.

Last year, for dinner, I made Xaver Suppe, but this year hubby has requested Albondigas (Spanish Meatballs), Spanish Rice, and Flan. I’ve never made Albondigas before, so it should be interesting! Also, since St. Francis Xavier is most often pictured holding a cross, I think I will either make the flan in a cross shape, or add a whip cream cross to the top.

December 6th, St. Nicholas:

I’ve already shared our plans for this year. I am hoping that most of our preparations for this feast will take place the week before, during “N” week! 😉

December 7th, St. Ambrose:

Since St. Ambrose is the Patron Saint of Candlemakers, we usually decorate our Christ Candle on his feast day. In the past we’ve just decorated a tall white candle with decorating wax or candle pens. This year, inspired by Jen, I am hoping to carve a little niche out of the base for a wax baby jesus figure.

For an afternoon snack I plan on serving tea with Honey Stix and a tray of Baklava I just picked up at Costco. We will also read the story of St. Ambrose on pages 5-11 Once upon a Time Saints.

For dinner I plan to serve Honey-Curry Chicken, one of our favorites!

December 8th, The Immaculate Conception:

Today after Mass, we will come home for a yummy breakfast of Blueberry Muffins and White Hot Cocoa. We will drape a Blue Cloth, or tie a blue ribbon, around the Christ Candle we decorated the day before, in honor of the Blessed Mother. On Christmas Eve the cloth comes off and reveals Christ. This candle then takes the place of the Advent Candles for the Christmas Season.

We will also read about The Immaculate Conception.

One of the special treats for the day is gingerbread… It is baked on this day because it reminds us of the passage in the Book of Sirach, 24:20-21 that describes Mary smelling like spices:

I gave a sweet smell like cinnamon and aromatical balm; I yielded a sweet odor like the best myrrh; and I perfumed my dwelling as store, and galbanum, and onyx, and aloes, and as the frankincense not cut, and my odor is as the purest balm.

This year I thought it would be fun to bake and decorate a Gingerbread Nativity Scene using a Nativity Cookie Cutter Set.

December 9th, St. Juan Diego:

We will read page 19 of More Saints Lives and Illuminations and Our Lady of Guadalupe by Father Lovasik. (I still can’t believe you can purchase a 10 pack of these books for only $1.50!!!) Then we will listen to Fresh Flowers in Winter: The story of Saint Juan Diego by Glory Stories while the children make St. Juan Diego Paper Dolls, and perhaps tilmas!

Since I have other plans for the feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, we will have our Mexican Fiesta for dinner on this feast day!

December 10th, Our Lady of Loreto:

We usually pray the Litany of Loreto as a family and I pint out an online crossword of the Marian Titles from the Litany of Loreto. I’ve always loved Alice’s idea to decorate a House of Loreto (using the Wilton Stand Up House Pan) for this feast, but I don’t think this is the year to start… We’ll see!

December 12th, The Christmas Rose Novena:
You can pray a novena to St. Therese at anytime, and there are a number to choose from, but one of my favorites is the Christmas Rose Novena which is prayed beginning on the 12th (12 days before Christmas), for 12 days, 12 times per day, to honor the 12 years of Christ’s childhood.


December 12th, Our Lady of Guadalupe:

I am hoping to be able to have another of Alice’s lovely Liturgical Teas in honor of Our Lady of Guadalupe. They are just so much fun! And, of course, we will also read The Lady of Guadalupe by Tomie dePaola.

December 13th, St. Lucy:

The girls have already started making their St. Lucy Crowns for this year. If possible I am hoping to bake another Saint Lucia Bread, but it that doesn’t work out, I may resort to round donuts with candles instead. We’ll see how the month goes!

The girls are loving their St. Lucy paper dolls from “L” week, and I saved Charlottes St. Lucia and Star Boy Coloring Page for this feast.

We always read Hanna’s Christmas (I was so excited to find a copy for our own collection this year!), and I also ordered Lucia, Saint of Light, which I am hoping arrives by December 13th!

O Antiphons, December 17th through 23rd – You can see my old O Antiphon posts here, though I am almost done with a post with this years plans. I also have “plans” to finish our O Antiphon House… lol! I think I will wrap up this post right now, and just finish it… I only have a few hours left to get it done before Advent begins!

Hail, and blessed be the hour and moment at which the Son of God was born of a most pure Virgin at a stable at midnight in Bethlehem in the piercing cold. At that hour vouchsafe, I beseech Thee, to hear my prayers and grant my desires. (Mention your intentions here) Through Jesus Christ and His most Blessed Mother. Amen.


Say 15 times a day from St. Andrew’s Day (30 November), ending on Christmas Eve

Shh! Don’t tell them…

Nov 29, 2009 | , | 2 Comments

… but here is a quick peek at the children’s Christmas gifts this year, since some of you have asked me to share.

Our tradition is that each child receives 3 gifts from hubby and I (in addition to their stockings from St. Nick and new pajamas on Christmas Eve) since Our Lord also received 3 gifts. Sometimes, I DO wrap up a few different things to make up “one” of those gifts, and occasionally the children will receive something that is to be shared, but ultimately resulting in 3 gifts for each of them to open.

I was very lazy uncreative when it came to making gifts this year, but I did try to keep things as clutter free (and plastic free!) as possible. I also have been slowly purchasing them since summer, which has made budgeting and watching/waiting for great sales much easier. I am still waiting on a couple of things that should arrive soon, but everything I have is wrapped and ready. It is so nice to have it done before Advent begins!

Here’s the list:

Captain and Rascal:

  • Cowboy Rifle with Ammo (I ordered two, one for each of the boys, during a summer sale with a $25 off coupon. They are wrapped separately – one for each of the boys.)
  • An Assortment of Rebels, Red Coats, Union Soldiers, and other Playmobil Figures (which I found at a local toy store, wrapped separately – one package for each of the boys.)
  • Active Life Outdoor Challenge(for both boys)
  • Franklin Street Hockey Set(for both boys)

Twinkle Toes:

  • Fairy Forest Lodge and Puzzle Base (I originally planned on painting this dollhouse for her, but, this pregnancy, painting has been at the very bottom of the list of things I’ve been up to doing. Well, when I saw this Fairy Lodge I fell in love with it and decided to let the painting go until later. Perhaps I will have the motivation before one of the girls birthdays this coming year!)
  • Mother Teresa Doll
  • Catholic Cuisine Apron (the ones I ordered are actually pictured there right now! Aren’t they cute!), Rose Tin Tea Set, and a little set of Wooden Play Food

Chiquita:

Snuggles:

Rose:
  • St. Therese Doll
  • Rose Footed One Piece and matching bow fruffle from Gymboree
  • When You Were Very Small (This is the same baby book hubby had as a baby, his was in blue.)
I also have a few gifts to give to the children on various special days during the 12 days of Christmas including The Priest Game and a Music Maker, in addition to a few other treats during the O Antiphons, which I’ll share soon.

A Very Happy Thanksgiving

Nov 26, 2009 | , | 7 Comments

… from our family to yours!

Thank you, Father, for having created us and given us to each other in the human family. Thank you for being with us in all our joys and sorrows, for your comfort in our sadness, your companionship in our loneliness. Thank you for yesterday, today, tomorrow and for the whole of our lives. Thank you for friends, for health and for grace. May we live this and every day conscious of all that has been given to us. ~ From The Catholic Prayer Book

35 weeks and 6 days…

Nov 26, 2009 | | 22 Comments

… and very thankful for reassuring ultrasounds!

Yesterday afternoon I had a regular scheduled appointment for my weekly OB check-up. At the time the appointment was scheduled, I tried to change the date, knowing all too well just how hard it is for me to go to the doctors on the 24th-25th of November, but it had been the only available time.

The beginning of the appointment went well. I spoke with my midwife about this cold I’ve been trying to get over, and she prescribed me some medicine to help reduce congestion. I got the Group-B Strep Test behind me (still waiting on the results). I measured the same as I did 2 weeks ago due to the baby having “dropped” some more and, by the looks of things, I won’t be making it until Christmas. Apparently all these contractions I’ve been having are making changes! (Thankfully a week from Friday I will be considered “full term!”)

However, when my midwife went to listen to the baby’s heart it didn’t sound quite right. We had noticed a little irregularity about a month ago, which quickly corrected itself at the time, but this time it was very obvious. She called it an arrhythmia (which means irregular heartbeat) and wanted me to go to (my least favorite) hospital to be monitored for awhile. I couldn’t believe I was headed back there… what timing!

When I first arrived the nurse couldn’t hear what my midwife had heard, but the baby had been sleeping and as soon as she woke up it was once again very noticeable. After a few hours they decided to order an ultrasound and were pleased with what they saw.

They said most of the time these things correct themselves as soon as the baby is born, or soon after. Nevertheless, what an emotional night it was! Please continue to remember us in your prayers. I am more anxious than ever to have her safely delivered and to hold her in my arms!


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

Shower of Roses Gift Guides

Looking for Something?

looking-back

  • ▼2026 (3)
  • ►2025 (31)
  • ►2024 (41)
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  • ►2020 (57)
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  • ►2012 (308)
  • ►2011 (297)
  • ►2010 (313)
  • ►2009 (486)
  • ►2008 (564)
  • ►2007 (148)

Posts About:

Shower of Roses Alphabet of Saints

A Papal Unit Study & Lap Book

Shower of Roses Easter Gift Guides



All Saints Party Printables

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!