In anticipation…
As Susan, you are mature and respectable, yet with your ‘motherly’ role you can be quite bossy. Still, you can always be trusted to be loyal and faithful.
HT: Danielle Bean
Preparing for First Holy Communion
Today Catholic Cuisine will be hosting its first From Thy Bounty Fair, with the theme of First Holy Communions.
I am so excited to see all the posts, especially since our oldest will be receiving his First Holy Communion on the 31st of this month, at his Godfather’s very First Mass!
We have been busy preparing.
In addition to his learning his catechism, we have been reading various First Communion Reflections of the Saints, as well as many wonderful books to further prepare him for this great Sacrament.
Here are a few of our favorites:
- Children’s Retreats
- My Mass Book
- True Stories For First Communicants
- First Communion Days
- My First Holy Communion
- The Seven Sacraments
- The Ten Commandments
- Little Nellie of Holy God
- The Little Caterpillar That Finds Jesus: A Parable of the Eucharist
- The Caterpillar That Came to Church: A Story of the Eucharis
- The Weight of a Mass: A Tale of Faith
- I Believe – The Creed, Confession & Ten Commandments
- I Believe: The Nicene Creed
Since we have been spending so much time in the car lately, we have been re-listening to a couple of our favorite Audio Stories:
- Let the Children Come To Me – The story of Blessed Imelda Lambertini
- King of the Golden City (You can even download a study guide from CHC!)
We have also been making a First Communion Notebook, using the one Meredith’s son made as a guide. In addition, we have been adding pages from a few great First Communion Coloring Books:
- Eucharistic Adoration: Coloring Book
- First Eucharist Story Coloring Book
- My Creed
- Saints of the Eucharist
- Come to Mass
- The Little Caterpillar that finds Jesus
- Let the Children Come to Me
He still has quite a bit of his First Communion Notebook to finish, so we will continue to work on it throughout the summer. Next time around, I hope to start earlier! 🙂
Now, since we will be traveling for this special day, we will be celebrating Fathers First Mass and Captains First Communion by going out for brunch! I hope to pick up a prepared cake, and add a few special touches.
In A Continual Feast: A Cookbook to Celebrate the Joys of Family and Faith Throughout the Christian Year
You can also prepare for a first communion or confirmation a large flat white cake (or any kind of cake), with a white icing. It can be decorated in any of the following ways (among others).
- With the words “Happy (or Blessed) First Communion (or Confirmation), ” plus the child’s name.
- With a short quotation from Scripture, such as “Blessed are the pure in heart; they shall see God” or another of the Beatitudes (Matthew 5), or from Psalms, perhaps.
- With the image of a dove, often a symbol for the soul.
- With an image of a chalice and a paten (the flat dish holding the sacred Host.)
- With the image of a standing person praying with arms outstretched (from early Christian art).
- With an early Christian image of two angels carrying a “sacred monogram” that is, the letters chi and rho (x and p), which are the first two letters of the Greek word for Christ.
I also ordered a little chalice to add to the cake, in addition to a few other special touches for his big day, including:
First Holy Communion Certificate- First Communion Candle
- Keepsake Personalized Holy Cards
- First Holy Communion Missal
- First Communion Wrapping Paper
- Black Suit and Tie
I am hoping that I might have time to make a few keepsake candles to use as favors, but I am known for trying to accomplish more than is possible! 😉
Oh! One last thing. If you have a First Communicant, a lovely way to wrap up their preparation, would be with a Novena! Margaret posted a beautiful one which Captain will be saying the nine days before his First Communion. UPDATE: Margaret has created a printable you can download here.
Please remember to keep Captain in your prayers, as well as his Godfather who will be ordained a priest the day before, by His Eminence Dario Cardinal Castrillon Hoyos. In fact, from what I hear, the ordination will be broadcast live on EWTN, Friday, May 30th at 10:00 am!
“Most Holy Trinity, I adore Thee, My God, My God,I love Thee in the Most Blessed Sacrament.”
I ask pardon for those who do not believe,
do not adore, do not hope, and do not love Thee.”
The Little Flower’s First Communion
As our oldest prepares to welcome Our Lord during his First Holy Communion at the end of this month, we have been reading various reflections of the saints, on their own First Communions.
My favorite is (of course!) St. Thérèse’s reflection. I thought I would take a second and share it with you all.
“At last the most wonderful day of my life arrived, and I can remember every tiny detail of those heavenly hours: my joyous waking up at dawn, the tender, reverent kisses of the mistresses and older girls, the room where we dressed — filled with the white snowflakes in which one after another we were clothed — and above all, our entry into chapel and the singing of the morning hymn: “O Altar of God, Where the Angels are Hovering.”
I would not tell you everything, even if I could, for there are certain things which lose their fragrance in the open air, certain thoughts so intimate that they cannot be translated into earthly language without losing at once their deep and heavenly meaning. How lovely it was, that first kiss of Jesus in my heart — it was truly a kiss of love. I knew that I was loved and said, “I love You, and I give myself to You forever.” Jesus asked for nothing, He claimed no sacrifice. Long before that, He and little Thérèse had seen and understood one another well, but on that day it was more than a meeting — it was a complete fusion. We were no longer two, for Thérèse had disappeared like a drop of water lost in the mighty ocean. Jesus alone remained — the Master and the King. Had she not asked Him to take away her liberty, the liberty she feared? She felt so weak and frail that she wanted to unite herself forever to His Divine Strength. And her joy became so vast, so deep, that now it overflowed. Soon she was weeping, to the astonishment of her companions, who said to one another later on: “Why did she cry? Was there something on her conscience? Perhaps it was because her mother was not there, or the Carmelite sister she loves so much.” It was beyond them that all the joy of Heaven had entered one small, exiled heart, and that it was too frail and weak to bear it without tears. As if the absence of my mother could make me unhappy on the day of my First Communion! As all Heaven entered my soul when I received Jesus, my mother came to me as well. Nor could I cry because you were not there, we were closer than ever before. It was joy alone, deep ineffable joy that filled my heart.
That afternoon I was chosen to read the “Act of Consecration to Our Lady.” I suppose they chose me because I had lost my earthly mother so young. Anyway, I put my whole heart into it and begged Our Lady to guard me always. I felt sure she was looking at me with that lovely smile which had cured me and delivered me, and I knew all I owed her; for it was she herself, that morning of the 8th of May, who placed Jesus in my soul, “the flower of the field and the lily of the valley.” (Cant. 2:1).
When evening came that lovely day, Father led his little queen by the hand to Carmel, and there I saw you made the bride of Christ. I saw your veil, all white like mine, and your crown of roses. There was no bitterness in all my joy, for I hoped to join you and wait for Heaven at your side.
I was very moved by the family feast prepared at Les Buissonets and delighted with the little watch which Father gave me. Yet my happiness was very tranquil, with an inward peace no earthly thing could touch. Night came at last to end my lovely evening, for darkness falls even on the brightest day. Only the first day of Communion in Eternity will never end.”
Excerpt from:
Story of a Soul: The Autobiography of Saint Thérèse of Lisieux
Wow ~ Week 11
Aaahhh! It has been a busy couple days, and I finally have a free moment to sit down at the computer.
First of all, THANK YOU for the prayers you all offered for our family, especially my hubby. The procedure went well yesterday… However, they did remove a “colitis” (I think that is what he called it) and sent it in for a biopsy. The doc will meet with hubby again in 2 weeks. I would appreciate any prayers you could send our way as we wait for the results. Thank you!
Last night was also Bunco night! (I had to take Snuggles with me so hubby could rest, but he actually did fine this time!) It was a blast! In fact, I actually won the prize for most Buncos! It was an awesome prize too — a Glass Margarita, including a pitcher and 8 glasses. I LOVE it! (I actually oohed and aahed over it the last time I was at Costco!) I don’t think I have ever won 1st place before… Usually I win the prize for the biggest “loser!” 😉
Speaking of being the biggest loser… This was my week!! Ok… So I wasn’t THE biggest loser, but it has been my best week to date for weight loss! I lost 2.5 pounds!! (Even more if I would have had to post last Friday’s weight!) I’m so excited!! And to think I was ready to quit last week.
Part of the 2.5 pounds is the weight I had gained over the last few weeks, but, with today’s weigh in, I have finally hit my last pre-pregnancy weight! Now to move on to the weight gained with the girls. 🙂
Unlike last week though, I am starting to feel like my goal is achievable, thanks to the Food Sensitivity Test I had done. Last Friday I received my results, and was amazed to see the list of foods that my body does not tolerate.
Almost every item that I had been eating the last couple weeks, fell into either my “Severe Intolerance” category, or into my “Moderate Intolerance” category. Here I thought I was eating healthy–for the most part, and was in actuality making myself a death drink for breakfast! 😉
I got off those items completley on Friday, and switched to eating whatever and however much of the items in my Green (No intolerance) category, and dropped close to 4 pounds over the weekend. It has got to be those foods causing my weight gain!
The challenge will be finding foods to eat that my body will tolerate. Dairy and Sugar are out for sure… I never realized how just about everything has sugar in it!
Well, speaking of food, it is time for me to go make dinner now. I hope you all are having a great week so far, and hopefully I will be able to catch up with you all soon!
This weeks summary:
- Week eleven progress: -2.5 pound
- Total lost in WoW: -5.5 pounds
Goals for this week:
- Continue eliminating the foods that my body doesn’t like.
- EXERCISE… It’s going to be a crazy week, so I am shooting for twice.
To see everyone else’s results, click here.
Prayer Request
I wanted to ask you all to please say a prayer for my hubby. This morning he will be going in for a diagnostic procedure. Please pray that everything will be normal, and that he is safe under the general anesthesia. Thank you!!
Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who fled to thy protection, implored thy help, or sought thine intercession was left unaided.
Inspired by this confidence, I fly unto thee, O Virgin of virgins, my mother; to thee do I come, before thee I stand, sinful and sorrowful. O Mother of the Word Incarnate, despise not my petitions, but in thy mercy hear and answer me.
Amen.
It’s been one year…
Exactly one year ago today I started blogging. So, I guess in the blogosphere, today would be referred to as my “Blogoversary!”
A year ago, I knew absolutely nothing at all about “html code” and very little about “blogs” in general! I had been enjoying reading a friends blog, so I decided I would give it a try. I was very shy at first, and didn’t tell a single soul about my new blog… In fact, I only posted twice last May, and both posts were quizzes! June was even worse with only one quiz. In July, with the arrival of the Moto Proprio, I branched out a little and posted one quiz and two videos! However, August arrived, and since hubby was off on fires, I rearranged my school room (imagine that!), posted about it, and finally told someone about my blog since she wanted to see pictures… She even left me a few comments! I was hooked!
Yes, a year ago, I didn’t know how much I would grow to love blogging!
- I didn’t know how easy it would be to share ideas, post pictures, videos (other than my own!), and prayer requests!
- I didn’t know that it would enable me to get to know some of my real life friends even better, and stay in closer contact with my twin sisters and a few of my cousins.
- I didn’t know that I would get to stay in closer contact with one of my best real life friends through her own blog.
- I didn’t know I would find so many new friends and acquaintances for whom I truly care about, and to whom I feel deeply connected, just not geographically! Real friends that I would love to meet any day if I could. (Or that I would even get to meet two of those new friends!)
- I didn’t know I would find, through reading blogs, so much inspiration, motivation, and thought-provoking topics, challenging me to become a better Catholic, Wife and Mother… As well as an endless amount of craft ideas for my children–and myself!!
- I didn’t know I would be blessed with giveaways like this.
- I didn’t know how generous people, including total strangers, could be. Thank you all once again, you are AMAZING!!!!
- I didn’t know how much of an addiction it would become, causing me to prioritize and re-prioritize my time. However, in all my re-prioritizing, I never omit blogging completely.
- I didn’t know how strange it sounds to non-bloggers: this thing called blogging, and how difficult it is to explain.
- I didn’t know how much I would come to hate the word “blog.” (Especially when my little brother Scott says the word!!) It is so ugly-sounding for some reason!
- I didn’t know I would spend so much time thinking about this blog wondering what to write next and how to word or arrange it, and enjoying almost every minute of it.
- I didn’t know how much enjoyment I would receive from other people’s comments. Family, friends, and yes, even strangers!
So, thank you to everyone that has made this blogging thing so fun, rewarding, inspiring, encouraging, and thought-provoking. Thank you to those of you who comment, to those of you that send me private emails, and to those of you who just lurk. Thank you to all of you who have given me advice, support, and friendship over the past year, you have been such a blessing!
Pentecost Sunday & Mother’s Day!
I hope all you mother’s had a wonderful Mother’s Day! Mine was! This morning I woke up to lovely cards made by all my children and a Belgian Waffle Maker from my hubby! I have always wanted one of those!!!
I didn’t take very many pictures, it’s just not the same without my Canon Rebel, but I did get one of most of the children blowing out the candles on our Pentecost Cake with a “mighty wind!”
Believe it or not, I didn’t have even one taste of that cake. I got my Food Sensitivity results back on Thursday, and that cake is totally out of the question. Not even one little lick of frosting! I did enjoy looking at it all day though! 🙂
With the list of Food Sensitivities/Intolerances that I have, it’s no wonder I have had low energy and a hard time losing weight! I hope to post about it soon, in the hopes that some of you out there may have some suggestions for me, but right now I need to get to sleep!
**OH! I just noticed that my sister posted a darling picture of my mom! You’d never know that she has 12 children and 7 grandchildren by looking at her, would you?!?! Love you Mom!
Thank you Mom!
Mary, on this day when we honor all mothers, we turn to you. We thank the Lord whom you serve for the great gift of motherhood. Never has it been known that anyone who sought your intercession was left unaided by grace. Dear Mother, thank you for your “Yes” to the invitation of the angel which brought heaven to earth and changed human history. You opened yourself to God’s word and the Word was made flesh and dwelt among us.
Dear mother, intercede for all of our mothers. Ask your Divine Son to give them the grace of surrendered love so that they could join with you in giving their own “Fiat.” May they find daily strength to say yes to the call to the sacrificial love- the very heart of the vocation of motherhood. May their love and witness be a source of great inspiration for all of us called to follow your Son.
On this Mothers day, Mother of the Word Incarnate, pray for us who have recourse to you…
In the Name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.
“May Mary stand beside you and may God Bless you all for the endless hours of love you’ve shown in so many ways!”
Speaking of Setting Goals…
…of rather, unrealistic ones…
I did it AGAIN!!
Last month 😉 my hubby and I purchased some furniture from my parents neighbors who are moving. Well, the rest of it arrived Thursday night! I was very excited, but not quite ready.
You should have seen the look on hubby’s face when my dad arrived with that trailer full of furniture! Where was it–3 more sections of bookshelves, a new table for the kitchen(we have outgrown ours), 6 chairs, a matching hutch, and a corner hutch–all going to go???
The kitchen was fairly easy… It is actually too much furniture for the size of our kitchen, but we hope to add on that dining room someday… Maybe this will be more incentive! 🙂
Before Pictures:
After Pictures:
So, what do you think?? Someday we hope to have the same flooring in both the kitchen and living room… But for now, we need to put something under one end of the hutch to level it out. I am excited that I will have more cabinet space now!!! It does make for a rather cramped kitchen though, and we don’t even have the extra leaves in the table!
Anyways, that was the easy part… The hard part was fitting the new book cases into our, already overfull, school room. It was going to be necessary to move, or remove, the wood bookshelves–that I recently convinced hubby to bring in from the garage just before Easter. He was not really willing, to say the least.
So — we added the bookshelves along the far wall where you see those desks, along with the computer desk (which you can see here) that had already taken those desks place. The room was packed to say the least.
Well, Friday I ended up staying home with the girls and Snuggles (since he has been sick) while hubby took the boys to Mass and to work with him for a few hours. I thought “I can surprise hubby and do it myself before he gets home!!!!!” ummm… yeah right!!!! That was a totally unrealistic goal!
I began by taking everything off the bookshelves and placing it all on the table in the middle of the room, as well as on the boys new desks. Then I thought — it sure would be nice to keep these book shelves in this room… I wonder if they would fit in the closet??? I measured them, and sure enough, they would just clear the ceiling. So, I then took everything out of the closet and added it to the middle of the room. At this point, the room was filled with stuff!
OK. At this point I had about 3 hours till hubby was due to arrive home. 🙂
I then called my dad, and he walked me through how to operate a power drill so I could unscrew the bookshelves from the wall. Yes, I am pathetic when it comes to tools. I actually used a fire poke thingamajig to pry the closet shelf loose. It worked!!
I inched the huge, heavy, solid wood, bookshelf towards the closet, and tipped it to try and get it in:
Here is where I got stuck:
Well, one of the benefits of coming from a large family, is that there is usually someone that you can call if you are really in a bind! My dear sweet brother Scott came to my rescue! THANK YOU SCOTTIE!!! Not only did he help me move all the bookshelves, he helped me move all the old furniture into the garage, took pictures of it all for craigslist, and organized it too! All before my hubby got home. Hubby had to agree that it looked much better, even though everything in the middle of the room needed to be put away!!!
Well, that was yesterday… Here are some pictures from today:
The School Room Closet:
With the extra shelves, I was able to add almost all the board games from the hall closet!! This will make them so much easier to get to!
Our School Room:
These were both taken from the doorway – New Table, Chairs and Desk.
The far wall. I’m thinking of hanging my world map there, but I’m not sure. Eventually I would like to get a white computer desk/armoire to finish off the room.
Here you can see the new bookcases. I LOVE THEM!!! Does any one have a good suggestion for making the most use out of a corner bookshelf, to where it still looks nice/organized?
And, here is a closer view of the boys new desks.
My Aunt Roxanne, who is also my godmother, gave me some of her art while I was visiting!! The boys wanted theirs above their desks, rather than in their room, so I hung the “Train” above Rascal’s desk and the “Boat” near the door. She is mailing me the “Airplane” for above Capitan’s desk! Aren’t they cute?!?!?!
(She also gave me this one for the girls room, and the Monkey, Giraffe, and Lion for Snuggles room. I love them all! Thank you Aunt Roxanne!)
Well, the school room has sure come a long way this past year. Once again, I am glad that tomorrow is Sunday. I better hurry up and get the groceries put away, make a cake, and then get some sleep. I’m exhausted!
I hope you all have a very Blessed and relaxing Pentecost Sunday!!
Making Music
Even though we haven’t been putting enough focus on music… Classical music to be exact… It doesn’t mean that my children don’t love music!! In fact, who needs instruments when you have: 3 stick horses, 1 stuffed football, 2 rolling pins and your big brothers belt.
Here they are:
(To turn music on, click audio button which is next to the play button.)
And since they insisted:
(I’m still having trouble uploading videos… I can’t figure it out!! Sorry for the low quality! I also couldn’t figure out how to prevent them from playing automatically… :S)
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