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by | Dec 29, 2022

Animals at the Zoo…

This is what DS2 drew yesterday, in an attempt to find “something to do.”
Includes: 1 Lion, 1 Tiger, 1 Flamingo, 1 Turtle, 1 Monkey, and 7 Bees.

Elizabeth Foss Article

I really love reading anything by Elizabeth Foss. She constantly gives encouragement, inspiration and awesome ideas to help in both daily life and homeschooling. Yesterday, Catholic Exchange posted an article by her titled Taking Note of Change. In it she says:

As a Christian community, as women who are called to nurture families, I think it critical that we watch for times of stress and change in the lives of our friends and that we take special care to treat them with love and with grace, much the way we would treat a mother after birth. Women need other women — they need the compassion and the empathy of creatures designed to nurture. We can be for each other the tender midwife who helps a mother welcome a strange, new life.

As mothers we are constantly going through different phases in our lives. It is so nice to know that you have the support and love of other friends and relatives. I have so many dear friends that are always there for me. I hope that I have been there for my friends when God has presented me with the opportunities. You can read the whole article here.

One More Reason

After a rather crazy morning, I sent my boys down to get the mail. 

They returned with a couple bunches of flowers for their mama. 

I just LOVE my boys. They know just how to make my day!

40 Reasons to Have Kids

Check out this GREAT post by Karen Edmisten called:

40 Reasons to Have Kids

It is quite inspiring! Karen wrote the post to combat a horrible article by a woman titled “40 Reasons Not to Have Kids.” How sad that anyone could possibly regret having children. Thank you Karen for clarifying all the joys and benefits of parenting!

Animal Sightings

In the fall we always have quite the assortment of animals to watch in the yard. Usually I am not quick enough to get pictures of them before one of our little darlings scares them off! But I got lucky today and was able to get these pictures to share.

This is just part of a herd of turkeys that live in the area.

These young bucks were RIGHT outside our kitchen door eating grass.

I wish I could get a few pictures of our twin fawns… They were playing in the back yard today chasing each other. It was so cute!

**Note to self**

NEVER make brownies thinking “Oh… It won’t affect my diet I will just have 1 or 2!” Yeah right! I might have been able to control myself had I not had ANY, but after that first taste… YUM! But with 100 calories each… YIKES! Well, I am off to make myself a mocha and start my Christmas Notebook while the kids are napping… I’ll start my diet again tomorrow. 😉

Building with Lincoln Logs

My oldest was so excited about his Lincoln Log creation that he asked if I would post pictures so that Grandma could see them! 🙂 This is one of the activities that keeps my boys busy during these rainy afternoons that we have been having.

Actually, since I am posting these, I think I will post a few pictures of another Lincoln Log creation… The boys and daddy made a miniature Sacred Heart Church!




Isn’t that cool! I love how Lincoln Logs encourage so much creativity!

S’More Fun

Yesterday we made these brownies that were SO delicious!! (Yes I ate two!) I thought I would share the recipe in case any of you want to try them. The kids had a blast making and eating them.

S’more Brownie Bites
From Pampered Chef’s Lets Eat! cookbook for children

Ingredients:

1 package (10.25 ounces) fudge brownie mix
1/4 cup vegetable oil
1 egg
2 tablespoons water
1/3 cup milk chocolate chips
1 cup mini marshmallows
48 bear-shaped graham snacks

Directions:

1. With adult help: Set the oven to 325 F. Spray the cups of the Deluxe Mini-Muffin Pan with nonstick cooking spray.

2. Put the brownie mix in the Classic (2 qt.)Batter Bowl. Add the oil, egg and water. Mix with the Bamboo Spoon about 50 times. The batter will be a little lumpy. Using the Small Scoop (1 tbs.), put 1 scoop of batter into each muffin cup. Each cup should be about 1/2 full.

3. With adult help: Bake the brownie cups for 13 to 14 minutes or until the edges of the brownie cups are set. Using Oven Mitts, carefully remove the pan from the oven and put it on a cooling rack. Gently press about 5 chocolate chips, 3 mini marshmallows and 2 bear graham snacks in each brownie cup. Let the brownie cups cool in the pan for 5 minutes, then remove them from the pan. Enjoy! Makes 24 brownie bites.

Here’s looking at me…

Amy has tagged me for this meme! This is the first time that I have ever been tagged with one of these… I am suppose to list 7 things that I like about myself. Hum.. This could be hard. Ok… Here goes:

1. I like, no…I LOVE being Catholic!

2. I love that I am married to my hubby and have survived been blessed with 8 years of marriage!

3. I love that I am mom to my wonderful children!

4. I love that I am able to be a stay-at-home mom and home educate my children, as difficult as it may seem at times.

5. I love that I am able to go to Mass most Fridays in addition to Sunday Mass! (This has the added benefit of being able to see my boys serve the Mass. It is so precious!)

6. I love that I am the oldest of 12 kids, even though it can be very stressful interesting at times.

7. I love that I am down 14 pounds since starting my diet and that I am finally beginning to lose a little bit of that extra baby weight. Yeah for me!

I guess that wasn’t so hard after all!

And now… I tag :

Regina

Hubby


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)
  • 2023 (30)
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  • 2021 (48)
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  • 2012 (308)
  • 2011 (297)
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  • 2009 (486)
  • 2008 (564)
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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!