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by | Dec 29, 2022

Life Is Precious :: Miracle of Life Picture Books


Our new school year is off to a great start! I’m still trying to fine tune our weekly schedule (and figure out how to possibly accomplish all my goals for each week and keep up with everything I need to keep up with!) but at this point we are spending our Thursday afternoons studying science. We (the younger children and I) will be working our way through the beautiful Life Is Precious Unit Study this year, in addition to Focus on Geology for Elementary and Middle School, while the older boys attend their weekly Physical Science Lab. 

Note: Links to American Life League (ALL) are not affiliate links, but ALL is currently a sponsor here at Shower of Roses. I was given a complimentary copy of Life Is Precious in exchange for my honest review. It is such an excellent program and I am really enjoying using it with my children this year! 




My older girls asked if they could read the book aloud this week. Twinkle Toes read it this time and Chiquita will get her turn to read it to our little ones next week for Lesson 1, Day 3. As I mentioned last week, each Lesson is broken up into 4 days and I’ve decided to complete one of those days each week, spending a month or so on each lesson. 


After discussing all the questions provided in the unit study we moved on to the activity. The theme for this lesson is “Mother” and the suggested activity for reinforcement is The Miracle of Life flipbook. All the coloring pages you need to create the flipbook are provided in Appendix A on the included Companion CD-ROM. I ended up making a couple modifications to the project and had my children create Miracle of Life Picture Books instead, which include pictures of me pregnant with them and pictures from right after they were born! It was so much fun!!! 


Miracle of Life Picture Book Supplies: 
  • Angel in the Waters
  • Miracle of Life Coloring Pages from Companion CD-ROM
  • Crayons, Colored Pencils and/or Markers
  • Pregnancy and Baby Pictures (I just printed some digital photos on cardstock)
  • Blank Books, 14 sheets, 28 pages, 6″w x 8″h  (I purchase these from Rainbow Resource. You can also find a single book or 6 pack over at Amazon.) 
  • Self-Adhesive Laminating Sheets (one 9×12 sheet cut in half is enough for the front covers of two small blank books)

Note: I love the little blank books! I’ve used them for many projects in the past including my Wisdom of the Saints Journal and Primary Arts of Language Who/Which Projects (you can see Snuggles’ here). I’ve also used the larger sized blank books for Writing the ABC’s on Little Hearts and Bible Narrations and Picture Book of Saints



They were beyond excited when I brought out the picture of me pregnant with each of them, along with a few pictures from right after they were born.  


“MOM! Why you so FAT?!” 
His FACE when his older brother told him HE was inside my tummy.



Snuggles was really curious about the priest who was holding him at the hospital (and giving him a blessing) just after his birth, so I pulled up a couple photos from this blog post while telling him about Monsignor Cihak. 

 

He was pretty excited to see a few photos of this same holy priest next to the Pope:
 herehere and here


Next the children worked on coloring the provided coloring pages with images of the baby at different stages of development.




The older girls asked if they could “please make books too!” so I have placed an order for a couple more blank books! I need to (hopefully!) dig up some (pre-digital!) photos for them. In the meantime they have started their coloring pages while helping their younger siblings. 


Instead of using the provided cover photo, the children decided to use the photo of them in my tummy for their personalized Miracle of Life picture books. After gluing the picture to the cover we laminated it as well using half of a 9×12 Self-Adhesive Laminating Sheet



On the inside of the front cover they glued their coloring picture of the baby inside of Mother.


Appendix A also includes a list with the baby’s age and facts for each stage of development. My older children are writing the text in their books on their own, but for my littlest ones I created worksheets with the text for them to trace.  There is enough room in the book for them to use the last couple pages to include additional pregnancy and baby pictures for each of them. 




We didn’t have enough time to completely finish our Miracle of Life picture books and will continue this project next week instead of creating the additional Miracle of Life poster board (activity for day 3), before moving on to the final day (4) which is all about Guardian Angels just in time for their upcoming feast day on October 2nd! 


So… Have I convinced you to order a copy of Life Is Precious yet? 

I do have one more incentive for you! American Life League sent me a coupon code to share with my visitors here at Shower of Roses following the recent giveaway. On top of the awesome discounted INTRO PRICE you can also receive FREE SHIPPING for the next two weeks with coupon code CLSPLIPOrder your copy today so that you can begin this unit study with your children in October for Respect Life Month! 

Update – You can download my documents with the traceable text here: 

So… This happened today!

Congratulations on your Drivers Permit, Captain!

Grant me, O Lord, a steady hand and watchful eye, 
That no one shall be hurt as I pass by. 
Thou gavest life, I pray no act of mine 
May take away or mar that gift of Thine. 
Shelter those, dear Lord, who bear my company 
From the evils of fire and all calamity. 
Teach me to use my car for others need; 
Nor miss through love of undue speed
The beauty of the world; that thus I may 
With joy and courtesy go on my way. 
St. Christopher, holy patron of travelers, 
protect me, and lead me safely to my destiny.

St. Christopher, pray for us! 

Bargain Priced Toys :: Shining Light Dolls

A couple years ago I shared pictures along with the links to the sweet little Shining Light Dolls in a {pretty, happy, funny, real} post and Preparing for Christmas :: Seven Fun Finds for Advent. My little ones love these dolls. 
For TODAY ONLY, Shining Light Dolls is running a FLASH SALE and all dolls sold directly from Shining Light Dolls on Amazon are 50% off! 
“When our 50% off sale ran out of stock, we promised you we’d have a flash sale…It’s coming! The FLASH SALE will be this Tuesday, September 15th- one day only!- All dolls sold by Shining Light Dolls on Amazon.com will be half price- while supplies last! Last chance for half off!”

Now is a great time to stock up on a few dolls to give as gifts from St. Nicholas, Christmas gifts, birthday gifts, baptism gifts, baby shower gifts, etc… In addition to the dolls pictured in this post we also own Our Lady of Lourdes. I just ordered St. Patrick and Our Lady of Fatima of to complete our collection! 
Note: The discounted sale price didn’t show up until I added the dolls to my shopping cart and proceeded to checkout. 
Update: You can find the current remaining inventory available directly from Shining Light Dolls here. They are selling out quickly! 


{this moment}

“Happiness can only be achieved by looking inward and learning to enjoy whatever life has and this requires transforming greed into gratitude.” 
~ St. John Chrysostom 
It may not be nearly as frequent as we would prefer, but we are so very grateful that we are blessed with the Extraordinary Form of the Mass once every other month. Tonight’s Mass was so beautiful! Now it’s time for cake. A certain little someone has been waiting all day! 

Life Is Precious {Sponsored Review & Giveaway}

Earlier this year I was sent a review copy of the brand new Life Is Precious Culture of Life Unit Study for Elementary Students from American Life League!

“Life Is Precious is a resource for parents and their children and illustrates the basic facts of human development in the womb using scientifically accurate yet kid-friendly coloring pages and traditionally published picture books. In consultation with a former biologist, as well as veteran homeschool parents, we created this 4-week unit study to provide students with accurate information to enhance learning. Designed to complement any existing homeschool curriculum in grades K-2, Life Is Precious instructs children about the truth of human development while still respecting their innocence. It is perfect for the homeschool or co-op setting where parents are involved, and is a fun, easy way to learn about human development and the value of life. A version appropriate for classroom use in production and will be available in early Fall.”

I am so excited about this program and have included it in my elementary students curriculum for our new school year.

The Life Is Precious unit study is broken into four lessons featuring the following picture books which all explore age-appropriate culture of life themes while teaching the value of human life:

Each lesson is broken into four days (or classes). Realistically, I will most likely spend a month completing each lesson (one day per week) with my younger children since our schedule is so full at the moment. We will continue studying Angel in the Waters this month as we prepare for “Respect Life” month in October!

In the back of the comprehensive teacher guide you will find a companion CD-ROM which contains all of the printable appendices and coloring pages! The package also includes a 12-week fetal model and the Baby Steps DVD with live 4D ultrasound imagery of preborn babies in the womb.

.: Angel in the Waters :.

Day 1: Who am I?
 

Even my older children enjoy reading this sweet picture book! 

After going through the provided discussion questions, my little ones really loved examining the sweet little fetal model… 

… and then comparing the size of a baby at different stages to various foods, making a few substitutions based on what we happened to have in the kitchen. 

The teacher guide goes through 13 different stages of fetal development with fun facts to share. 
Here are a few examples: 

Creation: Life begins. The baby is a unique and distinct human being. 
Baby is as big as a poppy seed. 

Day 43: The earliest that scientists have recorded a baby’s brainwaves. 
Baby is as big as an apple seed.

Week 10: The baby sucks his thumb, swallows, squints, and frowns. 
Baby is as big as a grape. 

(Yes! Life IS precious! And so is this unit study! I am having so much fun using it with my children!)

Week 12: The baby can now move his thumbs, make a fist, and practice breathing. 
Baby is about as big as a lime. 

8 Months: The baby begins to feel cramped. Only one more month to go. 
Baby is about as big as a pineapple. 

Of course, all of this baby talk lead to the question “when are WE going to have another baby?!” 
That is up to God, little ones. ❤

“Just as you do not know how the life breath enters the human from in the mother’s womb, 
So you do not know the work of God who is working in everything.” – Ecclesiastes 11:5

.: Giveaway :. 

The Life Is Precious Unit Study is definitely worth the full retail value – I would have gladly spent the money to purchase a copy had we not been blessed with a copy for review – but right now they are offering it at a special introductory rate making it even more affordable! 

I also have a copy to give away here at Shower of Roses! I will send the complete package (you’ll just need to add the picture books or borrow them from the library) just in time for Respect Life Month in October. Good luck! 

Please enter the giveaway using the Rafflecopter Box below:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Happy Birthday, Blessed Mother!

Today, in addition to beginning our new school year, we also celebrated the feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary!

This year I baked a simple lemon cake in my Marian Fleur De Lis Bundt Pan, dusted it with powdered sugar, and topped it with our usual 10 candles representing one decade of the Holy Rosary. After dinner we prayed a “Hail Mary” as the children lit each candle and then sang Happy Birthday. 

Holy Mary, Mother of God, help me in all my problems. Teach me patience and wisdom. Show me how to train my children to be worthy children of God. Let me be kind and loving, but keep me from foolish indulgence. 

Pray for my children, dear Mother. Keep them from all danger, especially from spiritual danger. Help them to become virtuous citizens of their own country, but let them not forget the Kingdom of God. 

Jesus of Bethlehem, make my children love each other and their home. Help them to work and pray together in holy peace. 

Holy Family of Nazareth, be with us all, father, mother and children, every day of our lives. 

End-of-Summer Daybook

Outside my window
Sean and our oldest two boys were able to go and watch David (my youngest brother and Godson) compete in the Men’s Semifinals (top 4!) at the 86th Annual Southern Oregon Golf Championships this weekend! One of my other brothers, Kevin, has played in the finals the past four years, but wasn’t able to make it this year. Here is the link to an article in the local paper: OIT influence alive and well at SOGC

I am thankful… 
that Sean made it back home safely from his last fire assignment. Between the extra long night shifts, steep/hazardous terrain, and cougars, it was one of the more dangerous assignments he has had over the years. Thank you for the extra prayers!

 

Learning all the time
I happened to spot our oldest son listening to an audio book while coloring in one of his old World War II coloring books the other day while I was washing dishes. He sure loves the headphones he won during the National Pro-Life T-Shirt Week Contest this year!

Celebrating the liturgical year…
Birthdays are always joyous occasions in families. On September 8th, the Church, the Family of God celebrates the Birth of the Blessed Virgin Mary. We will be celebrating with another cake!

From the kitchen… 
lots of bananas, rice, applesauce and toast for the little ones and I’ve been drinking lots of broth. I especially like Pacific Natural Foods little individual servings for convenience when I haven’t had time or energy to make more of my own. The Chicken with Ginger is my favorite followed by the Chicken with Lemongrass.

I am working… 
While my husband was off fighting wildfires, I was also working overtime here at home… I was even able to sell our motorhome and purchase a new vehicle – the first car we have purchased since buying our Toyota Sienna over 10 years ago when our fourth baby was on the way!

My Dad helped us wash and detail the motorhome before selling it and I started to have second thoughts! Even though it was small for our family we made so many wonderful memories in it this past year and a half… I miss it already!

We do think it was the right decision though and our hope is that we will eventually be able to purchase a trailer for traveling and camping trips. In the meantime it is soooo nice to have a vehicle that fits our whole family again!

This picture was taken just before Sean left on his last fire assignment. We had met in town (it was taking two cars to get us all anywhere) and the kids and I had a little time to kill while he picked up some of his fire gear, so we went to the car lot across the street to look at and test drive the vehicle we had been looking at online. I had to snap a picture of all the children waiting patiently while I talked to one of the salesmen.  A couple weeks later, I was back at the same car lot (I was there a lot this past month trying to get them to come down on the price!), without any of the children, and one of the other employees came up to me and said “You were here a couple weeks ago, with a whole bunch of kids, right?” I replied “yes…” while bracing myself for whatever comment might follow next out here in our ultra-liberal anti-life state… He went on to say “I just want to tell you I have never seen such well behaved kids in my WHOLE LIFE! Good job, Mom!”

I am creating…
the updated and revised Little Flowers Girls’ Club Crafting Pages are all completed. You can now download them directly from Behold Publications!

I am going…
I took my boys to watch their good friend’s very first high school football game last week. (His team won 0 to 48!!!) It’s starting to sink in that I actually have teens starting high school this year…

I am hoping…
that we are finally starting to recover from the stomach bug that is making it’s way through our home. It hit me and the three youngest really bad and my husband is wondering if it was perhaps food poisoning of some sort. After many sleepless nights, and way too many loads of laundry, we are looking forward to everyone being healthy again.

I am praying…
for the Snodgrass family. Here is an update from Renee about their precious new little saint in heaven:

“Many of you already know, but I just wanted to personally make sure you all knew that our precious 25-day old miracle made it to Heaven. Patrick Gabriel Snodgrass took his last breath Wednesday, Sept. 2, 2015 at about 6:25am safe and comfortable at home in the arms of his daddy, with mommy and Nana Anna holding onto a hand. We are so blessed and grateful to have had him with us, even if it was for a short time. As you all know, he wasn’t even expected to survive in utero, let alone go term and survive labor, delivery and almost 3 weeks at home!!!!! He was a fighter and he put up a good fight, so we could be touched and moved by such a precious gift from God. Thank you all for your support and prayers and best wishes. We certainly have felt them all and are so grateful.”

August 16, 2015: Our children got to meet beautiful little Patrick Gabriel after Mass this morning! He is still here and was anointed with chrism oil during Mass. (He was baptized by his dad immediately after birth due to his health issues/trisomy 13.) I loved kissing his sweet head and smelling the chrism. My eight year old thought his extra digit was especially cool! Please keep the prayers coming for the Snodgrass family!

I am reading…
Teachers Manuals, Table of Contents lists, and Lesson Plans. Our new school year is about to begin!

Pondering these words…
about “Gratitude for the Grace of God” from Imitation of Christ. My husband sent me pictures of Chapter 10, which he had opened up his book to, shortly after hanging up the phone one day during his fire assignment while struggling to fall asleep. We had just been talking about needing to work on our patience and gratitude, after over a year of unsuccessfully trying to move. God seems to want to keep us here for now.

“Why seeest thou rest, since thou art born to labor? Dispose thyself to patience rather than consolation, and to bear the cross rather than to rejoice. For who is there among worldly people that would not willingly receive comfort and spiritual joy, if he could always have it? For spiritual consolation exceeds all the delights of the world and the pleasures of the flesh….” 
 “Be grateful then for the least and thou shalt be worthy to receive greater things. Let the least be to thee as something great, and the most contemptible as a special favor…” 

“Yea, though He give punishment and stripes, it ought to be acceptable; for whatever He suffers to befall us, He always does it for our salvation…”
I am listening…

I walked into the living room and my heart melted… Our eight year old was reading The Princess and the Pea aloud to his little sister while she rests her head on his shoulder and his little brother plays with his hair.

Around the house…
While I was busy creating the final sample pages for the Little Flowers Crafting Pages, the children were also squeezing in all sorts of last minute summer fun (despite the smoke filled skies outside, which have thankfully cleared for now after some much needed rain!) building bridges, painting pictures,  assembling puzzles, and dressing up.

 
“Good Mornin’ Mama!” 

One of my favorite things…  
listening to my dad play his guitar. Definitely one of the reasons I’m glad we are staying where we are for now. I would sure miss living near my parents.

This week’s plans

  • Monday: Labor Day Observed, Back-to-School Preparations 
  • Tuesday: Back-to-School Celebration and Photos, First Official Day of Our New School Year, High School Robotics (two oldest)
  • Wednesday: Math Tutor (for our two oldest)
  • Thursday: Tutor at our home (7am-1pm), High School Physical Science Lab (two oldest)
  • Friday: Rosary Vigil Service celebrating the life of Patrick Gabriel Snodgrass
  • Saturday: Catholic Funeral Mass for Patrick Gabriel Snodgrass+ 
  • Sunday: Latin Mass (once every two months), older boys serve, Sean leads choir

A little peek at my day…

from over at Instagram.

I’m sorting through school books, typing new checklists, and trying not to let myself get too overwhelmed at the thought of home educating six children from kindergarten through high school this year… technically seven if you count pre-school too! I had to stop and reread one of my of my favorite quotes from St. Josemaria Escrivá: 
“Don’t drag the Cross…Carry it squarely on your shoulder, because your Cross, if you carry it so, will not be just any Cross: it will be… the Holy Cross. Don’t bear your Cross with resignation: resignation is not a generous word. Love the Cross. When you really love it, your Cross will be… a Cross, without a Cross. And surely you, like Him, will find Mary on the way.” 
#catholichomeschool #newschoolyear
#dearLordpleasesendextragraces #ithinkimightneedthemthisyear


Little Flowers Girls’ Club :: Wreath I Crafting Pages

All of the revised and updated Little Flowers Girls’ Club Crafting Pages are finally completed and ready for download over at Behold Publications! 
It’s hard to believe that it has been seven years since I first started creating these supplemental pages for my own girls… My girls really enjoyed creating all these pages during our Little Flowers Girls’ Club meetings and still love looking through their completed notebooks!
The updated pages for Wreaths I and II now feature the same saint and flower images as the official Little Flowers Girls’ Club® Memory Cards, buttons, and stickers. I think the new Crafting Pages turned out pretty and really hope that you all like them too!

Little Flowers Girls’ Club :: Wreath II Crafting Pages

On Tuesday night I stayed up extra late and, with a little help from my husband (thank you, Sean!), I was able to finish the last of the sample pages for my updated Little Flowers Girls’ Club Crafting Pages! I sent all the final documents over to Behold Publication on Wednesday morning and they are now available for download!

Whew! So glad to finally have these all completed! #perseverancepaysoff #nowwecanstartournewschoolyear 😉
Visit Behold Publications to purchase the Wreath II Crafting Pages


Little Flowers Girls’ Club :: Wreath III Crafting Pages

This year I have been working on updating all my original Little Flowers Girls’ Club Notebook Pages and creating pages for the new Wreath IV!

The Wreath III Crafting Pages are finally completed and available for download over at Behold Publications! They are only $3.00 per wreath. (If purchased I will receive a 25% commission. Thank you!) They are also currently available to download for FREE in the Registered Club’s Site. The updated versions of Wreaths I and II will be available soon! You can find the Wreath IV Crafting Pages here.

Note: The Wreath III Crafting Pages feature the lovely saint illustrations by Michelle Mahnke, matching the coloring pages found in the Wreath III Member’s Guide.

It has been inspiring going back through all these pages again and rediscovering the quotes and prayers I originally chose to include for each virtue. I especially love this Prayer for Patience in Accepting God’s Will which is included on the crafting page featuring the St. Bathildis and the virtue of Patience. 
Lord, teach me to be patient – with life, with people, and with myself. I sometimes try to hurry things along too much, and I push for answers before the time is right. Teach me to trust Your sense of timing rather than my own and to surrender my will to Your greater and wiser plan. Help me let life unfold slowly, like the small rosebud whose petals unravel bit by bit, and remind me that in hurrying the bloom along, I destroy the bud and much of the beauty therein.

Instead, let me wait for all to unfold in its own time. Each moment and state of growth contains a loveliness. Teach me to slow down enough to appreciate life and all it holds. Amen.

Speaking of patience… Thank you all for your patience with me as I work on finishing the necessary updates. I’m about half finished with the sample pages for Wreaths I and II and am hoping to have them all completed by the end of this week. 
Visit Behold Publications to purchase the Wreath III Crafting Pages


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

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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 (1)
  • 2025 (31)
  • 2024 (41)
  • 2023 (30)
  • 2022 (48)
  • 2021 (48)
  • 2020 (57)
  • 2019 (61)
  • 2018 (90)
  • 2017 (128)
  • 2016 (148)
  • 2015 (172)
  • 2014 (227)
  • 2013 (238)
  • 2012 (308)
  • 2011 (297)
  • 2010 (313)
  • 2009 (486)
  • 2008 (564)
  • 2007 (148)

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!