A Lego Perplexus

by | Nov 8, 2013 | , , , , | 21 Comments

A couple days ago our oldest son informed me that there is just one thing that he would like for Christmas this year… a Perplexus.

I was quite perplexed myself, having absolutely no idea what he was talking about.  I didn’t pay much attention at the time, but eventually asked the boys a few questions and looked it up online.  I discovered that the Perplexus is the new “Bendy, Trendy, Can’t-put-it-down Challenge” GAME.OF.THE.YEAR. which they were recently introduced to at a friend’s birthday party…

Hmmmm… That does look like fun! I think I just might have to add one (of the four options – any suggestions on which would be the best to get – the Rookie, Original, Epic or Twist?) to my Christmas shopping list.  In the meantime the boys decided to create their own version with LEGO!

I know I am biased, but are they creative, or what?!

Here are a few videos of the boys attempting to “Flip, Twist, and Spin” the marble through their maze:

Maybe I should just skip the Perplexus and give them some more LEGO instead!  😉

{pretty, happy, funny, real} :: From Instagram

by | Nov 7, 2013 | , , , | 10 Comments

~ Capturing the context of contentment in everyday life. ~
{pretty}

Walking from the the church to the coffee shop, following Mass on All Saints Day…  
Someone was having fun with his big sisters! 
{happy}
This past Sunday night we hosted a dinner at our home followed by a meeting for our “Latin Mass Committee”  – which included our pastor who brought along a seminarian, the pastoral associate, Father Kotas who travels from another diocese to offer the Latin Mass for us (along with his mother who had just flown into town for a visit), the president of our local Una Voce chapter, and Sean and I – to review this past year’s masses and make plans for 2014.  Last year we were given Latin Masses once per quarter (4 masses total) and “happy” doesn’t even begin to describe our joy over that number being increased to six masses in 2014, one every other month.  It still won’t be weekly, or even monthly, but it IS a 50% increase over last year and such an incredible blessing.  Deo Gratias! 
And, yes, I couldn’t resist serving a Cathedral Cake for dessert! 🙂 
{funny}
Apparently our 3 year old figured out how to open the air vent in her room and thought it’d make a great place to hide the wrappers from the candy she has been sneakily eating! That little stinker!!!
{real}

Dress-up, Lincoln Logs, and the big kids were picking out a board game. I love relaxing evenings at home!  We are still recovering from our large All Hallows’ Eve party and the busy weekend that followed…. Speaking of which I do plan to post about this year’s party just as soon as I have a chance to sort through all the pictures! 
(Note: Here is the link to Rose’s darling Reversible Silk Crown and Rose Fairy Pocket Playsilk.) 
Visit Like Mother, Like Daughter for more pictures of contentment.

Feasts & Seasons :: Our November Book Basket

by | Nov 6, 2013 | , , | 14 Comments

November 1, All Saints Day (New, Traditional):

Can You Find Saints? : Introducing Your Child to Holy Men and Women
All Saints from Around the Year Once Upon a Time Saints

The All Saints' Day Party

An Alphabet of Saints
An Alphabet of Catholic Saints
S is for Saints

Saints: Lives and Illuminations by Ruth Sanderson
More Saints: Lives and Illuminations by Ruth Sanderson

Around the Year Once Upon a Time Saints
Once Upon a Time Saints
Once Upon a Time Saints Audiobook
More Once Upon a Time Saints

57 Storeis of Saints
Picture Book of Saints

Saints for Young People for Every Day of the Year  (2 Volume Set)

Saints for Boys: A First Book for Little Catholic Boys (see detailed pictures here)  
Saints for Girls: A First Book for Little Catholic Girls (see detailed pictures here) 
Note: These last two books are going in next year's Easter baskets.  In the meantime I have been enjoying reading them! 🙂 

Can You Find Saints? : Introducing Your Child to Holy Men and Women

November 2, All Souls Day (New, Traditional):

November 3, St. Martin de Porres (New, Traditional):

November 3, St. Hubert (New, Traditional):

November 11, St. Martin of Tours (New, Traditional):

November 13, St. Frances Xavier Cabrini (New):

November 16, St. Margaret (New):

November 16, St. Gertrude the Great (New, Trad):

November 17, St. Elizabeth of Hungary (New, Trad. on Nov. 19th):

November 20, St. Edmund, King and Martyr:

November 21, Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary (New, Trad.):
Mary, My Mother by Father Lovasik

November 22, St. Cecilia (New, Trad.):
Glory Stories CD Vol 5: Cecilia, Saint of the Catacombs - The Story of Saint Cecilia (Available from Holy Heroes)
Saint Cecilia from Lives and Legends of the Saints
Saint Cecilia from Saints: Lives and Illuminations
A Story of Saint Cecilia by Brother Ernest, C.S.C.

November 23, Bl. Miguel Pro (New):
Glory Stories CD Vol 12: Blessed Miguel Pro (Available from Holy Heroes)
God's Secret Agent by Daughters of St. Paul
Jose Finds the King – A Blessed Miguel Pro Story
Blessed Miguel Pro (comicolor saints)

November 23, St. Clement I (New, Trad.):
Clement from Once Upon a Time Saints

November 25, St. Catherine of Alexandria (New, Trad.):
A Story of Saint Catherine of Alexandria
Saint Catherine  (I posted more about this book here and here.)
Saint Catherine of Alexandria from Lives and Legends of the Saints
Saint Catherine from Saints: Lives and Illuminations

November 27, Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal; 
November 28, St. Catherine Laboure (Trad./some places):
Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal Coloring Book by Mary Fabyan Windeatt
Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal from Mother of God Coloring Book
The Miraculous Medal: The story of Our Lady’s appearances to St Catherine Laboure by Mary Fabyan Windeatt

November 30, St. Andrew (New, Trad.):
The Twelve Apostles by Marianna Mayer
The Apostles of Jesus by Father Lovasik
Andrew the Apostle by S.E. Danielski
Saint Andrew from Lives and Legends of the Saints

Ordinary Time: 
Brother Joseph, The Painter of Icons (study guide in Catholic Mosaic) 
The Ink Garden of Brother Theopane (I posted more about this book here.)

Other Links for November: 

Links for November :: Month Dedicated to the Holy Souls

Thanksgiving Stories

*It is going to take me a long time to sort through all the books on our shelves and list them by feast days!  I will continue updating this post as I find and/or purchase new books for our collection... And I hope to continue working on the rest of the year as well.

 You can find links to all my book lists here. 

√ Christmas Pajamas and Nightgowns

by | Nov 5, 2013 | | 11 Comments


$15 Jingle Deals + 20% coupon + 5% rewards discount = only $11.40 each!

I can’t believe that Christmas is next month… Advent will be starting in just a few weeks and I have some Jesse Tree swap ornaments to finish, books to wrap, and a few other things to prepare.
At least I can check pajamas and nightgowns off the list!

Our 8th Annual Mass at the Cemetery…

by | Nov 4, 2013 | , , | 3 Comments

… on the feast of All Souls!



   

*All Photography © Marc Salvatore – Used with permission.
Due to the cold and rain I ended up staying home with the two youngest, while the rest of the family attended the Mass this year.  We were so happy that the rain stopped long enough for the Mass to be held at the cemetery as usual, instead of being moved to the chapel. 

Eternal Father, I offer Thee the Most Precious Blood of Thy Divine Son, Jesus, in union with the Masses said throughout the world today, for all the Holy Souls in Purgatory, for sinners everywhere, for sinners in the universal church, those in my own home and within my family. Amen.

Celebrating the Saints :: Our 2013 Costumes!

by | Oct 31, 2013 | , , | 28 Comments

Celebrating the Saints – Our 2013 Costumes: Our Lady of Guadalupe, St. Juan Diego, St. Gregory the Great, St. John of the Cross, St. John Vianney, St. Elizabeth Ann Seton and St. Catherine of Sienna – All Saints in Heaven, Pray for us!

The excitement has been building all week in our home as we prepare to celebrate the feast of All Saints and welcome over sixty guests to our home this evening for our annual All Hallows’ Eve Party! (You can find pictures from last year’s celebration here.)

I am taking a little break from the final preparations to pop in real quick to say THANK YOU for the outpouring of support and encouragement!!!  I wish I could respond personally to each of you and want you all to know how very much every comment/email, along with all the extra prayers, is appreciated.  God bless you all!

Also, I wanted to share this year’s saint costumes!  I took these pictures on our way to our parish’s All Saints Costume Contest last Friday night and my children will be wearing them all again this evening.  We actually ended up coming home with two prizes!  Chiquita won 3rd place in the 0-10 age category and Rascal won 2nd place in the 11-Adult age category!    I am so thankful that I wasn’t one of the judges… There is no way that I would have been able to choose favorites.  I loved them all!

.: St. John Vianney :. 
Captain (age 13) dressed as St. John Vianney
 
Costume:  Reusing the cassock from Our Coats of Many Colors (these costumes are such a great investment and this particular one has been used in some way for four years in a row now!), Dad’s Surplus, a lovely purple stole made by a friend, a piece of black felt used for the collar, holding his crucifix, and white flour to add some “gray” to his hair! 
 
 
.: St. Gregory the Great :. 
Rascal (age 11) dressed as St. Gregory the Great
 
Costume: White gown from my childhood saint costume, a purple chasuble made by a dear friend (she will be opening an Etsy store soon!!), my brother’s old miter (which Captain also used in 2008 – it just needed a few repairs and ribbons added to the back), and a sheet of chant!
 
 
.: St. Catherine of Sienna :. 

Twinkle Toes (age 10) as St. Catherine of Sienna

Costume: white St. Lucia gown, detached white collar and wimple/veil from our past St. Therese and St. Clare costumes, a black rosary and cross – both gifts from her Uncle Father D.G., white lilies (from her St. Gabriel costume back in 2005!),  our lenten crown of thorns, and (red marker) the stigmata on her hands.



.: Our Lady of Guadalupe :. 

 
Chiquita (age 8) as Our Lady of Guadalupe 
Costume : homemade veil (made at the last minute last friday with green fabric, gold trim and iron on stars), a red dress (reused from the St. Margaret of Scotland costume in 2009), black ribbon and some white roses. 
 
.: St. Juan Diego :. 
 
Snuggles (age 6) as St. Juan Diego 
 
Costume: A white t-shirt of daddy’s, rope for a belt, brown sandals, a borrowed sombrero, a piece of fabric tied around his neck with a fabric image of our lady pinned on the front in addition to crocheted rosary roses.  I also used some of my eye liner for the little mustache and goatee he wanted! 
.: St. Elizabeth Ann Seton :. 
Rose (age 3) as St. Elizabeth Ann Seton
Costume: reusing the costume made by Grandma in 2006, a black rosary, and an American Cardinal Reader Primer (which can now be purchased from TAN! Yay!) 
.: St. John of the Cross :. 
Bud (age 1) as St. John of the Cross
 
Costume:  Once again using my little brother’s old St. Anthony costume from 1991 along with our homemade tonsure, a ivory cape from St. Therese’s costume, and a wooden cross from our vestment liturgical colors set. 
I was very happy that, other than a few supplies for Chiquita’s veil and a couple items that a friend made for me (more details on those soon!) all the costumes were pulled together with things that we already owned and from the costume box our children love to use year round!
Happy All Hallows’ Eve and Feast of All Saints! 

Little Blessings

by | Oct 30, 2013 | , | 88 Comments

It seems like lately, more often than not, I wonder if I should quit blogging, at least publicly. Is it worth all the time that it takes?  Is it worth all the negative/rude comments? (I moderate all comments now and usually delete any that are an attack on me, my family or my visitors.  Occasionally I do decide to respond.)  Is it worth seeing my family’s pictures taken without permission, even turned into memes and shared all over the internet?  Does the blog make a difference? Every time I start to pray about whether or not I should continue, God sends a little sign that it does indeed make a difference in so many more ways than I have even considered. Last week that sign came from the VP of Publishing at TAN Books! Here is a little excerpt from his email (which also included a generous gift card!) that totally made my day:

“…In my search to learn more [about Neumann Press’ titles], I stumbled upon your blog, filled with beautiful pictures of the titles. My entire team gathered around the conference room and our big screen TV and looked carefully at each picture you featured. I can not tell you how helpful this was. Your blog helped solidified in me a decision to reach out to the McCoy family and to learn about the company…”

I had absolutely no idea, but I am so glad that I was able to play a small part in keeping the treasures from Neumann Press available! God is Good!

And as of today Shower of Roses is officially an affiliate for TAN Books!  Have you pre-ordered any of the Neumann Press children’s books for Christmas yet?!   🙂

Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam!

All Saints’ Party Games :: Saint Themed Guessing Jars

by | Oct 29, 2013 | , , , , , | 31 Comments

A few days ago I happened to run across the link to some Saint Themed Guessing Jars at Catholic Inspired. I loved the idea and and was inspired to create a variation for our annual All Hallows' Eve / All Saints' Party which we will be hosting again this week!

I prefer to keep the games simple for the party we host at our home, focusing on mostly group games like our All Saints Scavenger Hunt, All Saints Bingo, and the All Saints Puzzle Races - leaving plenty of time for standing around the bonfire, roasting marshmallows, lots of great food and visiting with friends and family.  This game will be a perfect addition and something that everyone will be able to participate in, both the children and adults!  

When I was out grocery shopping this past weekend I picked up a few of the original suggestions, adapting and adding some of my own ideas as well.  I then created saint themed labels for each jar.

I decided to use my Wide Mouth Mason Jars with White Storage Lids. (I plan to dump the contents of each jar into a treat bag or ziplock for each of the winners.)

St. Therese of Lisieux: The Little Flower

St. Thérèse of Lisieux :: I didn't have much luck finding candy roses, but I couldn't leave St. Therese out of the game, so I used my rose candy molds and red and pink candy melts to make my own! 😉 

Our Lady of Mount Carmel and St. Elizabeth Ann Seton

Our Lady of Mount Carmel ::  I opted for individually wrapped Rolo's.  Not only are they filled with caramel, but they are wrapped in gold and look like little crowns, don't you think?  Regular caramels would work great too.

St. Elizabeth Ann Seton :: I thought the Cinnamon Schoolbook Cookies from Trader Joe's would be perfect for this dear saint who laid the foundation for what became the American parochial school system.

Holy Souls and The Holy Trinity

Holy Souls :: One bag of Jetpuffed Ghostmallows will represent the "Holy Souls" in purgatory, for whom we must always remember to pray.

The Holy Trinity :: Miniature "3 Musketeers" candy bars represent our one and the same God in three Divine Persons - the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

St. Francis of Assisi and St. Isidore

St. Francis of Assisi :: I also picked up the box of Animal Crackers at Trader Joe's, though any brand would work just as well for St. Francis of Assisi, Patron of Animals.

St. Isidore :: Any sort of fruit or vegetable shaped candies would work for St. Isidore, the patron of farmers.  I choose candy pumpkins.  If we do this again next year I might go with candy corn!

St. Anthony & St. Andrew

St. Anthony :: Colored Goldfish will represent the legend of St. Anthony and the multitudes of fish that rose out of the water to listen to him preach.

St. Andrew :: Rainbow Fish were our pick for St. Andrew, the patron of fisherman.  

I also created labels for Mary's Starry Mantle (Anything star shaped would work - Yogurt Stars from TJ's, Star Shaped Pretzels, or handmade Star Candies) and St. Nicholas (Costco has a large bag of Chocolate Coins that a friend is picking up - the extras can be saved for St. Nicholas Day which is coming up in just over a month!).

To keep each person's guesses secret I also created little sheets of paper for each contestant to write their name and guess, before folding it in half and dropping it into an empty jar with a matching label.

Our children are so excited and can hardly wait to start guessing!  

Printable Guessing Jar Labels
Printable Guess Slips

Update: All Saints' Guessing Jars {Printable Guess Pages}

You can find more All Saints Party Printables here.

A Trip to the Pumpkin Patch

by | Oct 29, 2013 | | 8 Comments

Yesterday morning, after Mass, we headed to the Pumpkin Patch!  Just like last year, we met my brother Brian and his family there, as well as my youngest brother David, Aunt Bridget and Uncle Shawn.  This year even my parents decided to drive out as well!  (I don’t remember my dad ever going to the pumpkin patch with us as children, since we always went with our homeschool group.)  It was such a fun day! 
Family Picture with my Parents and Youngest Brother
Our Little Family 🙂 
.: Pony Rides :. 
Most of the different activities at this particular farm require “tickets” so the children each choose a couple things each from the list.  Riding ponies was at the top of the list for Snuggles and Rose.  
Bud, on the other hand, wasn’t quite sure what they were and wouldn’t go anywhere near the ponies! He loved the tire swings though! 
.: Corn Maze :.
I didn’t have any plans to go in the corn maze again this year, especially after getting lost with Chiquita last year, but the workers ended up letting each of the older ones go in with a younger one so we had plenty of tickers and I decided to give it another shot.   
I was able to take one quick group picture (with Rascal’s bubble gum popping on his face) before they were off and left Bud and I in the dust. 
Here are a couple pictures I posted on Instagram while we were lost in the maze.
Bud and I were enjoying spending time together… 
… and just as when he was too tired to walk any further Daddy showed up to help us find our way out! 
.: Shooting Galley :. 
The shooting gallery was a blast! Our short little Snuggles was about a foot shy of the height requirements, much to his disappointment, but the older boys (all of them!) were having a great time trying to hit the pumpkin targets. 
Brian, Rascal, David, Dad, Sean and Captain – Ready, Aim, Fire! 
It was so much fun to watch Brian *almost* hit that moving target! 😉 
And I couldn’t resist giving it a shot.  I didn’t hit the pumpkin, but it did go through the middle of the tire!  So close… 
.: Cousins :. 
All the kids piled up on the wagon for a picture with their sweet little cousin. 
.: Pumpkin Patch :. 
While everyone else was searching for pumpkins, Rascal was busy creating a Pumpkinman! 
Unfortunately, just as we were about to decide on some pumpkins, the clouds rolled in unexpectedly, the rain started, and we all headed straight to the car without leaving all the pumpkins in the field.Instead we picked up a few at Trader Joe’s on the way home, following a relaxing afternoon eating pizza and assembling a puzzle with all everyone at Brian and Meagan’s home.  
Now we just need to decide what to carve this year! 

The Dolls’ Saint Costumes {with links to our children’s past Saint Costumes!}

by | Oct 25, 2013 | , , , , | 13 Comments

I’m not the only one who has been working on preparing costumes for our upcoming annual All Hallows’ Eve Party…  The older girls have been busy creating costumes for the dolls as well!  

Josefina is dressed as Our Lady of Guadalupe… 



… complete with a blue play silk veil covered with paper stars, and paper roses at her feet! 

Caroline is dressed as St. Cecilia…

… Kaya is dressed as St. Kateri…

… Kirsten is dressed for Lucia Day in honor of St. Lucy…
(She is wearing the original American Girl outfit and wreath, but I am dying to show you all a beautiful new option that a friend of mine has recently created… soon!)

… and Mia (as in ME-ah – Rose’s look like-me-ah doll) is dressed as Our Lady of the Rosary!
I always love seeing their creativity! 
Anyways, it is time for me to get back to helping the children assemble their costumes for this year, now that the girls have shown me how to thread the machine…. (I am so thankful I had them take that sewing class this past summer!)   We are headed to our parish’s party this evening and I will try to share this year’s costumes soon.  In the meantime you can browse through some of the children’s past Saint Costumes in the archives or by clicking the individual links below.  

.: Saintly Costumes From the Archives :.

Feasts & Seasons :: Our November Book Basket

Feasts & Seasons :: Our November Book Basket

by | Nov 6, 2013 | , , | 14 Comments

November 1, All Saints Day (New, Traditional): Can You Find Saints? : Introducing Your Child to Holy Men and WomenAll Saints from Around the Year Once Upon a Time Saints The All Saints' Day Party An Alphabet of SaintsAn Alphabet of Catholic SaintsS is for Saints...

√ Christmas Pajamas and Nightgowns

√ Christmas Pajamas and Nightgowns

by | Nov 5, 2013 | | 11 Comments

$15 Jingle Deals + 20% coupon + 5% rewards discount = only $11.40 each!I can't believe that Christmas is next month... Advent will be starting in just a few weeks and I have some Jesse Tree swap ornaments to finish, books to wrap, and a few other things to prepare.At...

Little Blessings

by | Oct 30, 2013 | , | 88 Comments

It seems like lately, more often than not, I wonder if I should quit blogging, at least publicly. Is it worth all the time that it takes?  Is it worth all the negative/rude comments? (I moderate all comments now and usually delete any that are an attack on...

A Trip to the Pumpkin Patch

A Trip to the Pumpkin Patch

by | Oct 29, 2013 | | 8 Comments

Yesterday morning, after Mass, we headed to the Pumpkin Patch!  Just like last year, we met my brother Brian and his family there, as well as my youngest brother David, Aunt Bridget and Uncle Shawn.  This year even my parents decided to drive out as well!...

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-24, Twinkle Toes-22, Chiquita-21, Snuggles-18, Rose-16, Bud-14, 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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