No Greater Love – The Story of St. Valentine
“Searching for the perfect Valentine’s Day gift for a loved one? Whether it be your spouse, a friend or your children, you need look no further than this inspiring and heartwarming story about the saint whose self-sacrificing love and message of giving has come down through nearly 17 centuries and remembered every February 14th – Saint Valentine himself.
How this obscure Roman priest and martyr, who neither courted nor married, became the patron saint of lovers has led to many stories and legends about him. Yet this well-researched and magnificently produced play portrays Saint Valentine as he surely must have been – a humble, kind and selfless follower of Christ whose charity always sought out those who needed it most. Young and old alike will be both entertained and edified by this heroic story. Indeed a gift worth giving!”
Regina Martyrum Productions just released the story of St. Valentine – No Greater Love! I’m hoping to download it tonight so we can listen to it during our drive to Mass in the morning.
Marvel’s Avengers :: Thor Birthday Party
Yesterday we celebrated Ranger’s 14th birthday! FOURTEEN!!! Didn’t he just turn seven?!? They are sure growing up fast, but I am really enjoying this new season of family life with teens. Our older boys are turning into such amazing young men!
I asked our oldest son if he had any suggestions for Thor… He replied, “Ummmm, Pop-Tarts?” Great idea! We don’t usually buy Pop-Tarts (when I buy toaster pastries I opt for the Nature’s Path or Trader Joe’s brands) but we went with official Pop-Tarts for the birthday boy. Sean picked out the S’mores flavor and it was a hit. The birthday boy found the box on the kitchen counter in the morning along with a quote from the movie. Even though the “entire box” was for him, he still shared some of them with his siblings!
I decided to put together a snack and popcorn bar for our movie night, incorporating popcorn add-ins for each of the various Avengers!
Black Widow Bites: Dark Chocolate Pomegranate Flavor
A google image search provides tons of inspiration for Avengers themed party foods! I decided, for our teen’s birthday, to go with pizza.
I picked up six frozen cheese pizzas, a package of pepperoni, and some veggies Saturday night and they came together quick and easy on Sunday afternoon! The birthday boy was so surprised when he arrived home from getting his coffee to see them all assembled. I did have some help!
Captain America’s Shield Pizza: Pepperoni and Star Shaped Slice of Cheese
Thor’s Hammer Pizza: Red & Yellow Frozen Peppers and three slices of Turkey Lunch Meat (Canadian Bacon would have probably worked better, but we had this in the fridge and the kids loved it!)
Incredible Hulk Pizza: Lots of Green Veggies (we used broccoli, green pepper, green onions, asparagus, and sliced brussels sprouts)
Black Widow Pizza: Sliced Black Olives and a slice from the end of a vine ripened tomato
Iron Man Pizza: Pepperoni, extra cheddar cheese, two slices of mushrooms
I was going to grab some “Java Thunder” ice cream, since Thor (that hammer-wielding god associated with thunder) liked coffee so much, but the store was out so we went with “Chocolate Brownie Thunder” instead.
Homemade cards and book markers from his siblings, a card/gift from Sean’s parents, a gift certificate for an hour long golf lesson from my parents, a new track jacket (Costco has a great deal on these – Captain has the Dark Gray and we got Ranger the Gray), the complete trilogy of The Hobbit (Extended Edition), and lots of LEGO… He was pretty excited!
I had purchased The Louvre last Thanksgiving during a Barnes & Noble sale and ended up not needing it for Christmas. Ranger loves the Architecture series and this will be another great addition to his collection.
Ranger’s last gift was an even bigger surprise. It was another amazing deal I found last year, this one from Amazon, for a “like new but damaged box” LEGO Tower of Orthanac! He now has plenty of bricks to keep him busy for a long time at least another week or so… maybe a little longer due to the boy’s full high school and hockey schedule! Now if I could just find a great deal on some gray roof tiles for that cathedral…. 😉
Sponsor Love :: Quarterly Update & Current Specials {scroll to the bottom for a little giveaway!}
It’s time for another quarterly update on my sponsors here at Shower of Roses! I generally try to post these on the first of the month, at the beginning of each quarter, but I’ve been struggling to keep up now that I am working part-time outside of the home on top of home educating and our crazy (but fun!) hockey schedule. Life is FULL at the moment! 🙂
I have a few new and returning sponsors this quarter including Lent at Ephesus (De Montfort Music), Peanut Butter & Grace, and Keepsakes by Carrie, in addition to many continuing sponsors. Read below for updates and specials from all these great businesses and be sure to keep them in mind while looking for inspiring resources for Lent and beautiful, faith filled gifts for Easter.
Please welcome my new sponsors:
In addition to Lent at Ephesus, our family loves the rest of the CDs in the series as well which include Easter at Ephesus, Advent at Ephesus, and Angles and Saints at Ephesus.
“The mission of Peanut Butter & Grace is to help Catholic parents raise children who know and love Christ and his Church. We do this by providing digital and print resources that assist parents in forming their children in the faith within the daily life of their family. All of our products are made for Catholic parents—either to use themselves (think of 77 Ways to Pray with Your Kids), or to hand to their kids (think of the Illuminated Rosary prayer books).
Our primary audience is “middle pew Catholics”—parents who attend Mass regularly and want to do more to integrate the faith into their family life, but don’t know where to begin. They might even say, “I can’t teach my children about the faith because I don’t know how.” These parents are probably both working to support their family, living the crazy-busy lifestyle of the typical working- and middle-class American family.”
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| From Instagram: “I will sing always, even if my roses must be gathered from amid thorns; and the longer and sharper the thorns, the sweeter shall be my song.” ~ excerpt from Little Lessons from St. Thérèse of Lisieux This sweet book is available directly from Peanut Butter & Grace or Amazon |
I have really been enjoying looking through some of the books published by Peanut Butter & Grace, especially those in honor of St. Therese, and will be hosting a giveaway soon!
Read more about Peanut Butter & Grace here, like them on Facebook, and subscribe to The Bread (their weekly printable family faith formation planner) here!
Visit Keepsakes by Carrie for personalized prayer cards including Baptism, First Holy Communion, Engagement with an engagement prayer for the bride and groom, Holy Matrimony, Remembrance for deaths and miscarriages, Enthronement Keepsakes, Birth Announcements, Name day cards, and more!
Prayer Pillowcases are more than just a pretty place to lay your head! They’re a unique way to bring Catholic art and prayer into your home. And a practical way to share the Faith with your family and friends. Our distinctive line combines original art and favorite Catholic prayers that appeal to all ages and transform pillows from the ordinary to the divine! Honor a special occasion or make any occasion special with the gift of a joyful, lasting (and personalizable) Prayer Pillowcase. We’re always working on new designs and hope you’ll visit again soon to see even more ways to help your loved ones begin and each day with a prayerful heart.
Prayer Pillowcases will soon be offering three new pillowcases – they just need to add the prayers and Saints Peter, Anthony and Philomena will be ready to join their pretty, practical Prayer Pillowcases!
Catholic Child offers so many beautiful resources for lent including the Stations of the Cross Grotto Craft Kit (You can see us crafting ours here and our completed grottos here!), a Last Supper Puzzle (We put a similar one together back in 2011!), and many great gift ideas for Easter Baskets, First Holy Communions, and more.
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| Crafting our Stations of the Cross – kit from Illuminated Ink (also available at Amazon and from Catholic Child!) |
Culture of Life Studies has been releasing some great materials to help parents and teachers introduce the Culture of Life to our children. Last month we enjoyed the Ladybug Warriors mini-lesson while praying for the unborn. (Free download can be found here.)
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Jesse Tree Treasures
“Our shop provides families ornaments and tools to share the traditions of the different seasons of the church year, like the Jesse Tree, O Antiphons, Advent, Lent, Easter and other aspects inspired by Jesus. We create ornaments that would help others share their faith with their children and last for years to come.”
Gail Giron Designs
Gail makes such beautiful rosaries and faith-inspired jewelry, including these beautiful St. Therese Rose Earrings which I recently ordered for myself. So pretty!
Behold Publications, LLC
“Behold Publications, LLC is more than just a publisher! Family owned and operated since its founding in 1999, we have developed great Catholic clubs like the Little Flowers Girls’ Club and Blue Knights Catholic Boys’ Clubs for Catholic girls and boys ages 5 and up. What makes these clubs unique is that they are at their core faithfully Catholic. We don’t “tack on” Catholic identity as other clubs might, but begin and end with a Catholic world view. We also believe that local clubs best operate the way they see fit, so there is no national organization, policies, registration or dues. Groups can easily adjust the program to fit their local needs. Behold Publications also produce a line of historical fiction based on American history and American saints for ages 7-15.”
Audrey Eclectic
“A unique collection of American folk art created in the heart of the Oklahoma prairie. My inspiration comes from literary classics, spooky tales from the past, the pioneering spirit, my home town, Scandinavia and other lands far away.”
You can also follow Audrey Eclectic on Facebook and Instagram for updates!
Subscribe for emails or follow over at Facebook for sales and updates.
Note: They aren’t pictured above, but Naturally Catholic also included little ones with halos for our babies in heaven! ♥
Are you looking for a new veil? Robin creates such lovely veils for ladies, girls, and even dolls!
Almond Rod Toys
Almond Rod Toys makes Saint Blocks that are just the right size for little hands and can be used for imaginative play, building, stacking or collecting. The front has a print of original watercolor artwork. The back has a quote or a prayer chosen to inspire little ones and the one that cleans up behind them. The saint’s name, feast day and patronage are also listed; just enough to be a reminder and an inspiration for further learning.
We also really love all the Blessing Blocks from Almond Rod Toys including the Easter Blessing Blocks which you can see pictured in last year’s Lenten Dinner on Palm Sunday and Good Friday Lenten Dinner {on Holy Saturday}.
Art Angel jewelry designs are born of a love for art and faith. Owner and designer Raphael Fitzgerald holds an M.A. in Art History and specializes in vintage holy card jewelry.
Praying for Lizz
Lent begins next week and I just picked up supplies for our annual Lenten Calendar. Every year we “Pray, Fast, and Give Alms” for various special intentions. This year I want to ask you all to consider joining us in remembering the Lovett family in your own prayers and sacrifices.
I have never met Lizz in person, but we live in the same archdiocese, have exchanged emails, and she is a friend of our youngest daughter’s Godmother. I can not even imagine the heavy cross she is currently carrying and how hard it must be when a mother has to say goodbye to her children.
Please pray for and consider supporting Lizz and her beautiful family!
Candlemas Cookies
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| showerofroses: Even the high schoolers show up when there are cookies involved 😉 You can find our Candlemas Cookies with Drip Plates in the archives and over at Catholic Cuisine. |
Bargain Priced Books :: Saint Valentine
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| A Time To Keep • LOVE Is… • Saint Valentine • Cranberry Valentine |
We’ve owned a copy of this lovely book for many years, but I’m considering ordering another copy or two to give as gifts, or perhaps have them shipped directly (free with Amazon Prime!) to a couple of our Godchildren as a little St. Valentine’s Day surprise.
Ladybug Warriors :: Praying for the Unborn
While many from around the country participated in the March for Life, I spent the afternoon at home teaching my children about the culture of life and praying for the unborn.
Craft Supplies:
- Red, Black, and Green Construction Paper (we used card stock)
- Ladybug Template & Hail Mary Prayer Card (download here)
- Hole Punch (for punching black spots out of paper/card stock to use as spots)
- Black Crayon
- Glue
- Googly Eyes (2 per child)
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| They all said they colored me as the “pregnant mom” (pregnant with them) and, apparently, they all interpret my hair color and highlights differently. lol I’m not quite sure what to think of that huge blond streak in the middle picture! I actually haven’t had my hair cut or highlighted since last June…. It’s time to make an appointment! |
We ended the lesson with some words from our Archbishop and a prayer for life. ♥
Under Construction :: A LEGO Cathedral, Phase 2
Inside the cathedral, you can see the beginnings of the Stations of the Cross, seven on each side.
He then added pillars, making sure you could see each station in between the actual pillars.
38th Birthday Daybook
Outside my window…
Rain, rain, rain… lots of rain this weekend! In fact we currently have a flood warning. Our children keep hoping it will turn to snow, especially after seeing all the snow on the way to the boys’ out-of-town hockey game last weekend, but it’s too warm here in the valley. We’ve had more snow than usual this winter, but it never sticks around for long. It was the snowiest December on record up in the mountains around us!
I am thankful…
Even though Sean and our oldest two were out of town Friday-Saturday for the boys’ high school robotics tournament, I still had such a fun birthday with family and friends. We headed to the rink at 9:30 yesterday morning, for a game and practice. My brother and his family showed up to visit for awhile and then ended up having my five youngest over for the afternoon while I met up with a friend for lunch. After that we headed to my parents home for dinner. It was such a nice day!
It’s hockey season! Each week our eight year old is the first player suited up on the bench waiting for his game to start. He looks forward to his hockey game all week long!
Do you remember last year’s End-of-School Interviews? Well, our oldest daughter is getting her wish! The girls were so excited to start the Learn-to-Play Hockey Program last week. We are at the rink so much already, what’s one more hour a week, right? 😉
Celebrating the liturgical year…
I ordered extra candles from the Cloister Shoppe last October to save for Candlemas, but will probably order a few more beeswax tapers to have blessed this year as well. You can find and scroll through all our past Candlemas posts, including our Candlemas Cookies, in the archives here.
From the kitchen…
My mom asked if there was anything special I wanted for my birthday this year…. Yes, as a matter of fact, there is a special cake I had wanted to make for Thanksgiving or Christmas and never had the extra time or energy. I told her that was the only thing I wanted and I even had most of the special ingredients, including the arrowroot starch and unflavored beef gelatin. If anyone could pull it off it would be my mom! She is amazing in the kitchen, especially when it comes to cooking or baking healthy and healing foods.
Not only did she pull off the cake, she made a delicious dinner for all of us, and even had my dad pick up balloons. He wouldn’t agree to the “38 balloons!” that she requested (hahaha! I can not picture my dad picking up any balloons at the store, let alone thirty-eight…) but he did bring home eight!
I am working…
My birthday gift to myself this year? Hitting “Weight Maintenance Mode” for the first time in at least thirteen years! I only “maintained” my weight loss for about a day last time, finding out I was pregnant the next day with our oldest daughter, so really it’s the first time since I got married. It’s been a long, hard road, but I’m so grateful that I discovered the Autoimmune Protocol last March and have been able to start regaining my health, and losing all the extra weight as an added benefit!
Here is a little update from the various charts in my TargetWeight app this morning:
I am going…
to start going through all the clothes in my closet again soon. I have very few pieces of clothing that fit! Since last March I have dropped from a large to a small (or loose fitting medium) in tops, and from a size 12 or 14 to a 2 or 4 (depending on the brand) in pants/skirts… Crazy!
I am hoping…
I wouldn’t mind losing up to five more pounds, toning, and working on building muscle, but I really don’t want to lose any more than that and need to figure out how to get enough calories in my limited diet to maintain my weight… I’m also hoping that I will start having some success adding additional foods back into my diet. So far I haven’t been very successful and it’s been incredibly frustrating to say the least.
I am praying…
for so many intentions, including my mom. At this point she has decided to “wait and watch” to see if her tumor grows before scheduling surgery. Thank you to everyone who has been praying for her, and for my husband’s parents. We are continuing to pray that my mom’s tumor starts to shrink (she has been trying a number of alternatives) or that at least it doesn’t grow any more…
Pondering these words…
from a homily given by St. John Paul II back in 1979:
“In order that Christian marriage may favor the total good and development of the married couple, it must be inspired by the Gospel, and thus be open to new life—new life to be given and accepted generously. The couple is also called to create a family atmosphere in which children can be happy, and lead full and worthy human and Christian lives.
To maintain a joyful family requires much from both the parents and the children. Each member of the family has to become, in a special way, the servant of the others and share their burdens (cf. Gal 6:2; Phil 2 :2). Each one must show concern, not only for his or her own life, but also for the lives of the other members of the family: their needs, their hopes, their ideals. Decisions about the number of children and the sacrifices to be made for them must not be taken only with a view to adding to comfort and preserving a peaceful existence. Reflecting upon this matter before God, with the graces drawn from the Sacrament, and guided by the teaching of the Church, parents will remind themselves that it is certainly less serious to deny their children certain comforts or material advantages than to deprive them of the presence of brothers and sisters, who could help them to grow in humanity and to realize the beauty of life at all its ages and in all its variety.
If parents fully realized the demands and the opportunities that this great sacrament brings, they could not fail to join in Mary’s hymn to the author of life—to God—who has made them his chosen fellow-workers.”
I haven’t had much time to read to the kids this past week, but my dad has been reading to his grandchildren! He stopped by one afternoon, when he had a little break in his work day, with a book he has had since he was in kindergarten. Last night, as soon as we arrived to their house, he started reading from Winnie the Pooh. I loved it when he read to my siblings and I when we were growing up, and I love hearing him read to my own children even more!
Around the house…
Sean and the boys beat us home last night, and we ended up coming home to a warm fire, clean kitchen (I had left a mess and a sink full of dishes), homemade cards and pretty flowers on the island.
I sure love my large immediate and extended family and all my dear friends, including all my friends here at Shower of Roses. I’m so blessed to have you all in my life! I didn’t have time to respond to everyone, at least not yet, but it was so much fun to read through all the emails, texts, and messages thoughout the day. Here is one from my sister Jenny that put a huge smile on my face late last night:
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| “I want to wish my big sis Jessica a happy birthday! She’s one year and two months older than me so we had lots of adventures together as little girls. I bought my first car from her and she helped teach me to drive. She helped train me for my first real job when I was 16 and she was 17. We’ve worked in business together at various times and I’ve always learned a lot from her. She’s so smart and successful with whatever she puts her mind to. But most of all she’s the most incredible mother and teacher to her seven children that she home schools, as well as a wonderful wife to her husband. Thanks Jessy for inspiring me and loving me. Happy birthday!!!! xoxoxoxoxo” |
This week’s plans…
Mass, homeschooling, additional classes, tutors, work, hockey… pretty much the same as usual.
{this moment}
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