For Daddy on Father’s Day
On this special day for fathers, I’ve decided to let our children tell you some of the reasons that their daddy is so great! (I saw this idea on my cousin’s blog last year and loved it! Thanks for the inspiration Meg!)
I asked them each the following questions:
1. What is something your dad does better than most dads?
2. What is the memory you cherish of your dad?
3. What is your favorite thing about your dad?
4. Is there anything else you’d like to say about (or to) your dad?
Here are their responses:
- My Dad is really good at teaching me how to serve Mass.
- I love all the times we play board games together, like Battleship, Lionhart and Settlers of Catan.
- He reads stories to me!
- Happy Father’s Day!!
- He is a really hard worker and fights wildfires!
- Hummmm, the time we hiked Lower Table Rock together, that was really fun!
- He helps me shoot “Captain’s” Bee bee gun!
- I am so glad that he is my dad! He is a good baseball coach too, and always tells the other kids to stop when they are doing something bad.
- Daddy is really good at hugging me goodnight!
- I really loved the time we went camping and roasted marshmallows.
- My favorite thing is hugging him goodnight!
- Yes, I really like going somewhere with him!
- My daddy helps me make my bed!
- I remember the time that I picked flowers outside to give to daddy!
- He helps me get games down out of there [points to the closet].
- I really like it when daddy reads me stories!
- Looks at me with an “Are you talkin’ to me?” look.
- Shrugs shoulders.
- “One, Do, Thrrrreeeee!” (while signing)
- “Daddy!” (And runs to the front door to see if he is home!)
St. Joseph, guardian of Jesus and chaste husband of Mary, you passed your life in loving fulfillment of duty. You supported the holy family of Nazareth with the work of your hands. Kindly protect those who trustingly come to you. You know their aspirations, their hardships, their hopes. They look to you because they know you will understand and protect them. You too knew trial, labor and weariness. But amid the worries of material life your soul was full of deep peace and sang out in true joy through intimacy with God’s Son entrusted to you and with Mary, his tender Mother. Assure those you protect that they do not labor alone. Teach them to find Jesus near them and to watch over him faithfully as you have done. ~ Pope John XXIII
In Honor of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus
Today we headed to Marci’s home for this week’s:
The month of June is dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. In addition, the Solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus is celebrated on the Friday following the Second Sunday after Pentecost, which will be June 19th this year. So, this week’s Summer with the Saints was given in honor of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus.
Here is an overview of our afternoon:
Make our hearts like unto Thine.
Small Successes: June 18, 2009
“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 baked a double batch of Nestle Chocolate Chip Cookies, half with walnuts (my favorite!) and half without (hubby’s favorite!) to take to camp with us. I was so surprised when it ended up being 10 dozen cookies, EXACTLY what the recipe was suppose to make! I don’t think that has ever happened when I’ve baked cookies before.
I took the time and filled out the forms required to suggest a title (or rather 52!) for our library to add to their collection. This is only a small success since they only agreed to purchase one of the books I suggested. I haven’t given up yet though!
I know that was three, but do you mind if I just keep going?? After such an exhausting week, seeing some of what I have accomplished on “paper” really is motivating! Hummm… I bet I could possibly turn this post into a 7 Quick Takes!! I think I’m going to give it a shot… especially since I have a few BIG SUCCESSES I’d like to share with you all!
Last Thursday, since we were had a little time to kill in town, while waiting for Summer with the Saints to begin, I stopped by a glass store and finally found a can of A-maz!! I’ve been looking for this stuff for YEARS!!! (The company I use to purchase it from went out of business, and I was searching for Amaze online with no luck…) Anyhow, I didn’t know if their was much of a chance that I’d be able to get the horrible water spots off our shower door. However, after a good solid hour (at least!) of scrubbing it looked SO much better! Hubby gave it another quick scrub (or 3!) as well and was able to get even more of the spots out. This stuff truly IS amazing!
Before and After ~ Please tell me you can see the difference!
Speaking of spots, it took awhile, but I was able to get lots of Red Kool Aid out of Rascal’s favorite polo shirt. I didn’t think it was possible!!
I really dislike packing, to put it mildly! It seems to overwhelm me more than anything. The last couple times we have gone on a family “vacation” I have needed help to finish my packing so we could leave on time. Last time my friend Marci came and helped me before we traveled to CA for my Grandfather’s funeral, and last summer my mom and sisters helped me finish up the night before we left for our 3 week trip to Nebraska, then Arizona. I don’t know what it is, but packing is SO HARD for me… ALL the decisions!! 😉
Anyhow, we leave this afternoon for Family Camp, and I had my children ALL packed by last night; the food is ready to pack in the cooler; the sleeping bags and other supplies are on the coffee table ready for me to check through them one last time; my camera battery is charged; the kitchen is clean (dishes done, floor mopped); the laundry is all caught up; and once I have my own bag packed (which shouldn’t take long since I have so little that fits!) we should be ready to load the car and go. I can’t believe it!!
I survived the week and somehow found time to blog about it all some of what we did! I am really looking forward to the next few days. We will be away from all electronics and household projects, attending daily Mass, listening to talks given by great priests, and visiting with lots of other Catholic families. I hope you all have a great weekend!
UPDATE: Well, I now know why I was amazingly able to get most of the packing accomplished… I’ve spent the morning on the phone with our car insurance, mechanic, and am now waiting for the tow truck to arrive. I sure wish our children would listen when I tell them (DAILY!) to not leave their bikes in the driveway. That little scooter was just small enough not to be seem, yet big enough to put a hole in something under the car. I am just praying that it isn’t too expensive to fix and that we can still leave this afternoon.
Little Flowers Girls’ Club ~ Easy Craft Ideas for Wreath II
As I mentioned in a previous post, I decided to add another craft (in addition to our notebook pages) to our Little Flower’s meetings this coming year. To keep it easy, I decided to order actual craft kits from Oriental Trading. I thought I would take a second and share the craft kits I choose in case any of you are looking for some ideas.
I tried my best to link to each kit, but the links just wouldn’t seem to work. So, instead, I added a picture of each kit and made the name of the kit bold, that way you can use the search box over at Oriental Trading to find the actual kits. If you end up placing an order, be sure to search for a coupon code first. I ended up placing two separate orders since I had a coupon for $20 off a $69.00 purchase plus free shipping. (I also ordered quite a few prizes for the year including a great set of bible themed sticker sheets.) Using the coupon codes and free shipping really helps keep the cost down and makes it quite affordable.
Oh, one other thing… The kits come in sets of 12, so this works best with a group of about 8-12 girls. With more, you would need to order multiple sets, and with less, it probably wouldn’t be that cost effective.
Anyhow, here is a look at the crafts we will be making this year:
1. Flower: Lily ~ Virtue: Mercy ~ Saint: St. Faustina ~ Color: Cream
Since angel’s are often agents of God’s Mercy, I choose a Guardian Angel Bracelet kit for this meeting. Other options would include a Mosaic Cross Scene or Alice’s St. Faustina Spoon Saint.
2. Flower: Yucca ~ Virtue: Courage ~ Saint: Blessed Margaret Pole ~ Color: Pine Green
Blessed Margaret Pole was a lady in waiting. I thought the girls would really enjoy making Tiaras! I ordered the Tiara Assortment and Self Adhesive Jewels for this craft.
3. Flower: Tulip ~ Virtue: Joy/Mirthfulness ~ Saint: St. Clare ~ Color: Bright Orange
I had a hard time finding a pre-made kit for this meeting. However, after I realized that this meeting will take place in October, the month of the Holy Rosary, I opted for this cute little Rosary Box. We will also discuss the Joyful mysteries!
4. Flower: Daisy ~ Virtue: Generosity ~ Saint: St. Katherine Drexel ~ Color: Leaf Green
Since the flower for this month is the Daisy, I ordered the Daisy Stacking Candle for the girls to put together. I actually ordered 2 candles for each girl, that way that can make one to keep and one to give away as a gift.
5. Flower: African Violet ~ Virtue: Prudence ~ Saint: St. Angela Merici ~ Color: Violet Purple
I had a hard time deciding on a craft for this meeting. I ended up opting for the Wood Recipe Card Holders. I figure we can paint them to look like African Violets.
6. Flower: Iris ~ Virtue: Wisdom ~ Saint: St. Teresa Benedicta (Edith Stein) ~ Color: Silver
Since the virtue for this month is Wisdom, I thought a bookmark would be very appropriate! I ordered the Beaded Cross Bookmark and it is even silver, the color for this meeting. Isn’t it cute?!?
7. Flower: Aster ~ Virtue: Justice ~ Saint: Bl. Mary of the Incarnation ~ Color: Gold
The Wreath 2 Craft Companion suggested making a Shell Cross for this meeting since “God presented Himself as a sacrifice of atonement through faith in His Blood. He did this to demonstrate His justice… — Rm 3:25” I was excited to see that Oriental trading had a Seashell Cross Kit, perfect!
8. Flower: Poppy ~ Virtue: Loyalty ~ Saint: St. Lucy ~ Color: Poppy Red
Since the flower for this meeting is the Poppy, I ordered the Memorial Poppies with Poem . I plan to replace the poem with the memory verse for virtue of Loyalty, or some other corresponding quote.
Since the feast of St. Lucy is celebrated in December, I thought about moving this particular meeting to December and making Saint Lucia Crowns again, but since I am due at Christmas, I decided against having a meeting during December this year.
9. Flower: Lotus ~ Virtue: Perseverance ~ Saint: St. Elizabeth Ann Seton ~ Color: Peach
I thought the Flower Lei Craft Kit would be a fun one for our last meeting! We’ll just say that this particular lei is made with lotus flowers. I think the girls will love making them!
I also choose a second craft for our last meeting, a little something for the girls to make to give to their moms at the tea party. I’m not going to post a picture of that one, since some of the moms might see it here. 😉
It won’t be long now!
My mom just called, and it seems that my little sister Jamie is in labor with their 3rd child!! Her due date wasn’t until July 3rd, but I guess that’s only a couple weeks away, which would make her full term! I found the following beautiful prayer on Anne’s blog. Would you all please join me in praying it for Jamie?
I ask this grace through the Precious Blood of Jesus, God’s Gift of Love to us.
Saint Anne, obtain for Jamie through your own blessed child, Mary ever Virgin, the grace that no accident may befall her and that she may deliver her child safe and sound into the world.
I ask this grace through the Precious Blood of Jesus, God’s Gift of Love to us.
Mary, my Mother, I pray you to intercede before your Divine Son, Jesus, and obtain for Jamie the help and blessings of God so that she may patiently endure with joyful expectation the pains of delivery and that her child may receive the grace of Baptism.
I ask this grace through the Precious Blood of Jesus, God’s Gift of Love to us.
Amen.
UPDATE: No baby yet. It looks like my sister’s labor stopped during the night. Please continue to keep her in your prayers!
Well, I tried…
I mentioned last week, in my American History post, that I wished we had the
I then decided to try and convince my library TO PURCHASE the set! Well, no such luck. Here is a copy of the email I just received:
Hi, Jessica,
I received your request that we purchase the Discover America Alphabet series of state books. While the factual content of these books is certainly acceptable for a library collection, I was a little concerned about the publication dates on some titles in the series. We are actually trying to update our collection of books on the states because we frequently have requests from patrons who want newer information.
After discussing this with the [our town] branch manager, we have decided to look for a series that is more up-to-date to add to the [our town] children’s collection. [Our town] does have The World Almanac Library of the States which we hope will be a reasonable substitute for your geography curriculum.
We really appreciate your suggestions and I am ordering We the Kids by David Catrow.
Marian
So, do any of you know anything about The World Almanac Library of the States?
I’d love to hear what you use for teaching your children Geography!
End of the Season
Last week the boys played (and won!) their last game of the season and then had their pizza party on Friday night. Even though it has been a busy few months, we were all sad to see it come to an end.
It really was a GREAT season. The coaches were all wonderful! (Including daddy! 😉 ) The boys were excited to have been chosen by their old coach, from two years back (they didn’t play last year, due to our trip to Nebraska). He put together (they had to try out) a great group of boys this year. But then, with a name like St. Louis Cardinals, how could they not be a great team?!?
The boys will really miss their friends from the team. Especially the other two coach’s sons.
The main coach’s wife, who was also our “Team Mom” told me that her son asked her if he could spend the night at his best friend’s home. She, not aware that he had a “best friend” asked who that was and he replied, “(Captain) and (Rascal), OF COURSE!” I thought that was sweet! Now, we don’t really do sleepovers, but we will have to have him over to play sometime soon. =)
I LOVE the trophies! The Team Mom let us vote for our favorite, and I was excited to see that it ended up being the one I had chosen. Aren’t they great?!
Next year the boys will be able to move up to “Player Pitch” Little League. (This year the coaches pitched to the boys.) They are growing up so fast! It won’t be long till Snuggles will be playing too!
My Daybook ~ June 15, 2009
FOR TODAY: June 15th, 2009
Outside my Window… it’s sunny right now, and although the forecast says we may have some more thunderstorms this afternoon, this rest of the week is suppose to be gorgeous!
I am thinking… about Gabriel, the baby we miscarried last November at 11 weeks. My due date was this past Saturday, June 13th. I’ve had quite a few friends that were due around my due date, and even though I am so happy and excited for them, I can’t help but think about our little one when I see their babies. I was prepared for that, and I am sure the fact that we have a new little one on the way makes it much easier than it would have been otherwise.
I am thankful… that this pregnancy is going well so far, and that I get another little sneak peek at the baby during my appointment next Monday. I am also so thankful for all of your prayers!
From the kitchen… Captain is putting away the dishes, and Rascal is clearing the table and sweeping the floor, their daily chores for this week. (Last week I made up a new weekly chore sheet and hung it on our refrigerator. My children actually LOVE doing the chores listed. I LOVE that they are finally doing chores without me having to ask them all the time. Even though they aren’t done “perfectly” it is nice to have help!)
From the school room… school is out and the room is a MESS! The other day I piled up everything, that needed to be gone through, gotten rid of, or given a home, onto the school room table and have been chipping away at it a little each day… It isn’t quite as bad as some of the messes I have made in the past, but still plenty big! I’m still trying to figure out what to do with everything — I need my table back! Wish me luck…
Living the Liturgical year at Home… Summer with the Saints started last Thursday, and we are hoping to be able to make it each week. Since the month of June is dedicated to the feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, and since this coming Friday is the actual feast day, I think Marci is planning this week’s Summer with the Saints in honor of the Sacred Heart. Saturday is also the feast of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, which was one of the themes last summer. I am also thinking about making Cappuccino Mousse Trifle tomorrow, in honor of the memorial of the Capuchin Martyrs of the Concentration Camp and the anniversary of St. Pio’s canonization. If you are looking for a great movie about St. Pio, my husband posted a review on Padre Pio:Between Heaven and Earth
I am creating… lists, lots of lists!! (Chore Lists, Book lists for the Library’s Summer Reading Program, Little Flowers Craft Plans, Summer Activities, Camp Packing Lists, Curriculum Plans, Summer Birthday Plans, Christmas Lists, etc…)
I am going… to take my dear friend and her family dinner tonight. She delivered twin boys on June 3rd, and they are SO SO darling!!! We were so excited to get to meet them yesterday after Mass.
I am wearing… a mixture of maternity clothes and my regular clothes. I am 12+ weeks now, and although I have just gained a couple pounds, maternity clothes are so much more comfortable! I do have a little problem though… The maternity dress I purchased for my brother’s wedding (on the 26th) is still quite big in the tummy. Hopefully it will fit better in a week and a half! 😉
I am reading… lots of fiction. After finishing Regina Doman’s
I am hoping… to have a chance to start working through the 300+ emails in my inbox… They have all been read, but I tend to run out of time for responding! 😉 I have really enjoyed hearing from some of you though, so thank you for the emails, and hopefully I’ll be in touch soon.
I am hearing… an excellent sermon, by one of our favorite priests, titled: He Who Loves God Has the Holy Ghost Living in Him. Please remember to pray a Hail Mary for this priest if you click through and listen to the sermon. =)
Around the house… Happy Flowers!!! I was so excited when hubby let me redecorate my girls room on Saturday. It really did cheer me up and keep me busy! We still need to touch up the paint on the walls and hang some pictures. I am also thinking of adding curtains and some matching wall decals… We’ll see!
One of my favorite things… is Summer with the Saints! It is SO nice to be able to celebrate the saints and “just SHOW UP!” Thank you Marci!!
- NO BASEBALL!!!! (We had the end of season party Friday night!)
- Start packing for, and attend, Family camp.
- Summer with the Saints (On Wednesday this week, since Family Camp begins Thursday.)
- Celebrate Snuggles 2nd Birthday this weekend.
A picture thought I am sharing:
~ Happy Flowers ~
In Honor of St. Anthony of Padua
Saint Anthony of Padua, you endured much discouragement in your life before finding your calling. Help us to find patience in our own lives, and to trust God to lead us where we need to go. You preached by example; help us show others through example the truth of our faith. Amen.
I know, I know…
… I am seriously behind in responding to emails — not to mention the laundry! — but I’ve just been having too much fun painting!
Today the girls and I made a couple little girls to go with their princesses. We also found some nail art and decided to add it to their dresses. I am hoping that the sealer will prevent it from peeling off. I guess we will see!
Now, it is time for me to put away all the painting supplies, start the laundry, and get ready to go to the Cardinal’s “End of the Season” pizza party!
I hope you all have a great weekend!
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