+ Requiescat in Pace +
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| April 2018 – A couple photos from our trip to Arizona to introduce “Grace” to her grandmother. It’s been just over two years since my father-in-law passed away the day before I went into labor. |
On the Traditional Feast of Saint Jane
(God’s plan is so much better than our own… He knew we needed her!)
{pretty, happy, funny, real}
Instagram Recap: DMV, French Toast & Hello Sugar!
August 2, 2019
The women at the Sheriff’s/Driver’s License Office were trying their best to put me into labor this morning… I thought I arrived prepared right at 8am with my birth certificate, social security card, and proof of residency… I passed the test (barely) but then they sent me back home for a different copy of my birth certificate (apparently the one I brought was not certified) and a second proof of residency before they would give me my temp license… when I got back they realized that they also wanted to see my marriage certificate…. At that point the pregnancy hormones kicked in and the tears started falling… Each trip required signing back in at the end of the line. They came very close to not accepting my copy of our nearly 20 year old marriage certificate (despite the clerk’s signature, seal, and number) but eventually got approval from the main office in the capital. After that it was time to head next door (Vehicle Licensing is a whole separate office/waiting list) to start the process of registering all our vehicles (each vehicle had to be present to do that, so musical vehicles began)… After four hours it’s all done and we can finally check that off the to do list! Whew!
*They actually called us back a few days later saying they needed Sean and I to both COME BACK and sign MORE paperwork! Apparently they forgot to have us sign some tax exempt forms on the vehicles… It’s all taken care of and we finally have our new license plates and driver’s licenses!
After my crazy morning, I probably should have gone home and put my feet up, but there is so much to be done at home right now I decided to just skip it all and take a couple of my girls shopping instead!
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| Look at all the BabyLit Books! |
We could have easily eaten them all, but the girls each enjoyed two, I had the delicious seasonal “Huckaboo” flavor, and we brought the remaining seven back for the rest of the family, after finally making it to Trader Joe’s to restock the fridge and pantry. Now I’m ready for her to arrive tomorrow, just incase she decides to come 16 days early like our last two!
Saints Around the World :: St. Pio of Pietrelcina {Back-to-School Giveaway}
Have you seen the “Saints Around the World!” subscription boxes yet? Our family was recently sent one to review and not only was I impressed, but it was also a hit with our children!
When our older children were younger I included so many more crafts and activities when it came to celebrating feast days and teaching our children about the saints… I still try to do so, but it’s not as frequent as I would like, and definitely harder to fit in to our schedule with a wide family with infants to soon-to-be college students, especially with me working from home on top of homeschooling. During this particular season of motherhood it seems that reading picture books and incorporating Catholic Cuisine is the most I can manage each month…
Featuring a different saint from a new country every two months, this subscription is a perfect way for me to easily incorporate a little more theology and geography for my younger ones with very little effort! Plus my older children were all more than happy to join in and help too.
Oh, and with each box purchased, $4 is donated to the “Culture of Life Studies” program, another one of my favorite resources!
Each box contains a beautiful, kid-friendly, saint statue, a story about the saint’s life, various activities related to the saint, and a special fact card about the saint and his/her country or state.
Your first box also comes with a world map to track the saints and a special “Passport.” A certain little seven year old especially loved the map and magnifying glass and had so much fun searching for Italy.
Much to his delight, older brother stopped by for a bit and pointed out a number of other European countries.
Our box came with just one Passport booklet, but you can order additional when subscribing, if you’d like one for each child. I definitely need to get an additional Passport booklet so Rose and Bud each have their own.
The Saints Around the World boxes are shipped every two months. The 2019-2020 boxes are September/October, November/December, January/February, March/April, May/June, July/August etc. The box will arrive in that first week, at the beginning of the two month span. For example, you will receive the September/October box within the first week of September and the next box will be shipped at the beginning of November.
I’m going to try my best to host a few different giveaways this month leading up to the beginning of the new school year! To begin, Saints Around the World has generously offered to send one FREE “St. Pio” box to the winner of this giveaway!
Baby Updates & Online Baby Pool
I had a little extra time before yesterday’s ultrasound, non-stress test, and doctor appointment, so I decided to visit the hospital and birthing center so we have a general idea of where to head once labor begins. Seemed like a good idea.
I’ve been reading this book throughout this past week whenever I can find a little extra time and it is exactly the encouragement and motivation I’ve been needing. Thank you, Mary!
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July 10, 2019 – 34 Weeks
She had her arms covering her face for most of this morning’s ultrasound, but everything is looking good and she measured 5lbs 13oz.
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Our due date is August 19, 2019. For reference, here are all of the past stats:
Captain: 5 days early, 10:24 am, 7 pounds 2 ounces, 20 inches
Rascal: 7 days early, 11:19 am, 7 pounds 11 ounces, 19 inches
Twinkle Toes: 10 days early, 12:55 am, 7 pounds 4 ounces, 19 1/4 inches
Chiquita: 21 days early, 9:54 pm, 7 pounds 4 ounces, 18 1/2 inches
Snuggles: 3 days early, 10:37 pm, 8 pounds 5 ounces, 20 1/2 inches (He was also due on June 24th, 10 years ago, just after I started this blog!)
Rose: 10 days early, 11:49 pm, 8 pounds 1 ounce, 19 inches
High School Graduation Party {Class of 2019}
This past Saturday we hosted a graduation party for our two high school graduates! They actually graduated Kolbe Academy at the beginning of May, but we just didn’t have an opportunity to celebrate until now…
I planned the party as an afternoon BBQ Open House in our backyard from 1:00-4:00. Some guests came for the whole party and others popped in for a little while depending on their schedules. We grilled hot dogs and sausages, plus we had lots of drinks (including IPAs and Peach Sangria for the adults), snacks and desserts. To make it a little easier I asked everyone to “please bring a side dish to share if you are able” and we ended up with more than enough food.
The boys Diplomas and Tassels from Kolbe Academy had arrived awhile back, but I saved them to give them at the party. I love that Kolbe’s Tassels have a St. Maximilian Kolbe medal attached to them. (He is our oldest son’s confirmation saint!)
I also printed out all of their End-of-School Interviews from over the years to use as decorations!
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| The birthday boy and my dad |
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| Me with my mom, Father Gordon (my husband’s youngest brother and our oldest son’s Godfather), and my Uncle Tom (mom’s oldest brother) and Aunt Toni |
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| We definitely need a larger grill the next time we host a big BBQ! |
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| Father Rapoport, Father Terra and Father Flick (below) also were able to come to the party! |
Graduation Party Candy Buffet {Free Printables}
- “Aren’t You a Smartie” – Smarties
- “Book Worms” – Gummy Worms
- “So long Suckers” – Dum Dum Suckers
- “Reach for the stars” – Starbursts
- “Honor Rolls” – Tootsie Roll
- “Student Loans” – 100 Grand Candy Bars
I was going to use “You’re No Dum Dum” for the suckers, but one of my daughters insisted on “So long Suckers” instead. It cracked the boys up and they know we are all going to miss them dearly.
There are lots of additional options you can use as well:
- “Class Ring” – Ring Pops
- “Smart Cookie” – Mini chocolate chip cookies
- “Nerds” – Small boxes of Nerds Candy
- “oFISHally Graduating” – Swedish Fish
- “Thank you Kisses” or “Goodbye Kisses” – Hershey Kisses
If you’d like to use my signs, you can download them here.
I also made a little sign to go along with our Diploma Cookies made with Pirouettes and some of the leftover Cherry Twizzlers Pull ‘n’ Peel Candy from our Graduation Cap Cupcakes!
Graduation Cap Cupcakes
On Saturday we finally had an opportunity to host a High School Graduation Party for our two recent graduates! I’m hoping to share all the pictures soon, but first here are the Graduation Cap Cupcakes we made (inspired by lots of different online pictures) for the party. Didn’t they turn out cute?!
Ingredients:
- 1 box cake mix prepared (I used gluten free chocolate and made 30 cupcakes)
- 24 cupcake liners (in your school colors)
- 2 (16 oz) tubs white frosting
- 1/2 c. candy melts to use as “glue” for the caps
- 24 Reese’s Miniature Peanut Butter Cups
- 24 Ghirardelli Squares (I used an XL Dark Chocolate Assortment)
- 24 red M&;M’s candies
- 1 bag Cherry Twizzlers Pull ‘n’ Peel Candy (Use extras for decorating “Diploma Cookies!”)
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line 24 standard muffin cups with paper liners.
- Prepare cake mix and bake as directed on the box for cupcakes; cool completely.
- Using a piping bag fitted with a 2Around tip, pipe frosting onto cooled cupcakes.
- Pull Twizzlers apart, into individual ropes. Cut each rope into 2-inch long pieces. You will need 48 pieces, two for each cap; set aside.
- In a small microwave safe bowl, melt the candy melts on high for 1 minute, stir until melted.
- Un-wrap the chocolate squares and peanut butter cups. Place all the peanut butter cups upside-down on two trays. Place a dab of “glue” (melted chocolate) on top of each peanut butter cup and place a chocolate square on top to create the “cap.”
- Use another dab of “glue” (melted chocolate) to attach the M&M candies and Twizzlers “tassels” to the top of each “cap.” Let set.
- Top each frosted cupcake with a graduation cap.
On the Feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel
- Trader Joe’s Brownie Truffle Baking Mix
- Trader Joe’s Fleur de Sel Caramel Sauce
- Sea Salt
- Caramel Candies (optional)
Directions:
Prepare and bake the brownie mix according to the instructions on the box.
As soon as brownies are out of the oven and still hot, poke some holes in the top of the brownies and then pour the caramel sauce over the top (the entire jar). You won’t need to spread the caramel. It will even out on it’s own.
Allow the brownies to cool for about 20-30 minutes. Apply sea salt (to taste) right before serving. Remember, a little bit of the sea salt goes a long way in flavor…so start with a tiny bit and then add more if needed.
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