Celebrating the Saints :: Saint Anthony of Padua

by | Jun 14, 2016 | , , | 47 Comments

Two years ago today we lost our last baby when I miscarried on the feast of Saint Anthony. Seems like so long ago (so much has happened since then) but just yesterday at the same time... We miss you, little one. ♥

Today we celebrated the feast of St. Anthony! "St. Anthony of Padua is one of the most famous disciples of St. Francis of Assisi. He was a famous preacher and worker of miracles in his own day, and throughout the eight centuries since his death he has so generously come to the assistance of the faithful who invoke him, that he is known throughout the world." (Read more over at EWTN...)

We spent some time this afternoon celebrating his feast with an inspiring story, beautiful stained glass coloring pages, an outdoor scavenger hunt, and some fun "multitude of fish" themed snacks recalling the story of St. Anthony's sermon to the fish.

STORY TIME

Animals of God Vol One • Saint Anthony of Padua • A - St. Anthony of Padua (An Alphabet of Saints or from TAN)

The Hungry Gray Mule

Animals of God: Volume One by Susan Peek

Additional books about St. Anthony from our collection: 

St. Anthony (Lives of the Saints: An Illustrated History for Children) by Bart Tesoriero

Saint Anthony of Padua (More Saints: Lives and Illuminations) by Ruth Sanderson

Saint Anthony of Padua: Proclaimer of the Good News

St. Anthony and the Christ Child by Helen Walker Homan

St. Anthony of Padua Coloring Book

A Rich Young Man: A Novel Based on the Life of Saint Anthony of Padua

An Alphabet of Saints

Saint Anthony: The Wonder Worker of Padua

Our favorite audio stories about St. Anthony: 

The Hungry Gray Mule from Regina Martyrum Productions

Seeker of the Lost: The Story of Saint Anthony (Glory Stories: Volume VI)

Windeatt Audio Bundle from TAN Books

COLORING PAGES

Saint Anthony Coloring Pages from St. Anne's Helper

& Saint Anthony from Fenestrae Fidei

Dear St. Anthony, pray for me to the Little Jesus, whom thou didst hold so lovingly in thine arms. Obtain for me the grace to love Him with all my heart. Amen. 

(Prayer to Saint Anthony from Jesus Make Me Worthy)

Top: Twinkle Toes • Bud - Bottom: Rose • Chiquita 

ST. ANTHONY'S OUTDOOR SCAVENGER HUNT

"Saint Anthony, Saint Anthony, please come around:

Something is lost and needs to be found!!"

You can find the link to my "St. Anthony's Outdoor Scavenger Hunt" in the archives. 

CATHOLIC CUISINE

St. Anthony's Sermon to the Fishes Cupcakes 

Remember that batch of cupcakes I made last week?

I decorated 8 more of them today for the feast of St. Anthony!

Due to one of our daughter's allergies, I've been trying to find alternatives to food coloring when possible. Over the weekend I happened to notice the Scandinavian Swimmers at Trader Joe's. I picked up a bag thinking they'd be a perfect (dye free) alternative for this year's "A Multitude of Fish Cupcakes".  I used Fluffy White frosting and created little peaks on the top of each cupcake so the fish and other sea creatures could peak out of the whitewater to listen to St. Anthony's Sermon! 

Our local store didn't have the Smores Goldfish this year so I opted for the Vanilla Cupcake and Fudge Brownie. I posted over on Instagram that I probably shouldn't have doubled the recipe, but I forgot for a moment that I have teen boys living in my home... 😉 If somehow there ends up being extra we can save it for the solemnity of Sts. Peter and Paul later this month! 

You can find the recipe over at Catholic Cuisine. 

"A Multitude of Fish" Trail Mix

NOVENA TO ST. ANTHONY

Say once a day for nine days, especially beginning on June 4 and ending on June 12, the eve before the Feast of Saint Anthony June 13. Some pray a Novena to Saint Anthony on thirteen consecutive Tuesdays, according to Pope Leo XIII's instructions, or on all Tuesdays.

O White lily of purity, sublime example of poverty, true mirror of humility, resplendent star of sanctity, O glorious Saint Anthony, who didst enjoy the sweet privilege of receiving into thy arms the Infant Jesus, I beseech thee to take me under thy powerful protection. Thou in whom the power of working miracles shines forth among the other gifts of God, have pity upon me and come to my aid in this my great need.

(Mention your intentions here).

Cleanse my heart from every disorderly affection; obtain for me a true contrition for my sins and a great love of God and of my neighbor that serving God faithfully in this life, I may come to praise, enjoy and bless Him eternally with thee in Paradise. Amen.

Pray one Our Father, one Hail Mary, and one Glory Be. +

GIVEAWAY

Author Susan Peek has generously offered to send one of my visitors a copy of Animals of God Volume One and Animals of God Volume Two! The winner will be selected and announced in this post next Tuesday, June 21, 2016.  Please visit Susan Peek's website and sign up for her author newsletter!

Animals of God Volume One

Animals of God Volume Two

Please enter the giveaway using the Rafflecopter box below:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Saint Anthony, Ora Pro Nobis! 

End-of-School Interviews for 2015-2016

by | Jun 12, 2016 | | 0 Comments

Yesterday was officially the last day of our 2015-2016 school year! It’s been a full year and we are all so ready for our summer break. A number of years ago I was inspired by Sarah to start creating these End-of-School Interviews for each of my children and we’ve been making them every year since.  It’s so fun to look back through them (2011-2012, 2012-2013, 2013-2014, and 2014-2015) and see how much our students have grown each year and how their answers change. 
Here are this year’s End-of-School Interviews (revised with blog nicknames):
They may not have made it to state this year, but we were so proud of the boys for competing at the Regional/District level their Freshman year. Captain had his best two games at the District/Regional tournament ending up with the top score out of all his teammates! With lots of hard work and practice their coach thinks they will be able to make it to state in a year or two. We’ll see! 


Ranger’s Favorite Books: Redwall (Books 1-3), The Lantern Bearers and The Tournament at Gorlan
Last year Ranger was “most proud of” his test scores… He improved them again this year! In the fall he scored in the 91st percentile on the 8th grade state required math test, just before he was moved up to 9th, and last week he scored in the 96th percentile on the 9th grade state required math test! Saxon seems to be working. I’m so proud of all the kids’ hard work to improve their math grades! 
Twinkle Toes’ Favorite Books: The Paradise Project & Eight Cousins
The Paradise Project is such an excellent book. I loved it too! Twinkle Toes really enjoyed meeting the author, who graciously invited our family to her home to celebrate Easter this year while we were on the road traveling home from Arizona. Such a treat! 

Chiquita’s Favorite Books: Little Women & Riddle at the Rodeo

The summer before last Chiquita painted a lovely Chickadees and Lilacs Paint-by-Number. She asked for another paint-by-number for her birthday and she is doing a beautiful job painting her Goldfinches! I’ll try and post pictures soon. 

Snuggles’ Favorite Books: The Picture Bible, The Making of a Knight 
You can find pictures in the archives of his First Holy Communion from his Uncle last summer. 

Rose’s Favorite Book: The Virgin Mary Around the World!
(With all the matching Marian Shining Light dolls, of course:  ) 
Bud’s Favorite Book: Can You Find Saints?
He is amazing at Animal Tracks. He has memorized many of the tracks and can name and pair them with the matching animal without any help. I don’t know how he does it. 
Another thing Bud loves to say is “Ding! Ding! Ding, ding, ding!!!” when he is trying to get the attention ring for one of his older siblings servants. He is definitely a youngest child… 
Recently I asked him to pick a few things up off the floor. He responded that he “didn’t make that mess…” I told him I knew that he didn’t, but I wanted him to pick them up for me anyway and that it was going to be his “chore for the morning.” He turned to me and said, “I only have one chore. School!” The little stinker. We have a lot to work on this summer! 🙂 

I hope you are all having a wonderful and relaxing weekend, 
and that you have a fun and blessed summer!

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Golf Cupcakes Fore! PAR-Tee Time

by | Jun 10, 2016 | , | 0 Comments

Sorry, I couldn’t resist! 😉

Tonight we are headed to our high schoolers End-of-Season Golf Banquet & Award Ceremony. It’s going to be a family potluck at the local miniature golf course. The boys are really looking forward to a fun evening with their team!

Originally I thought I would bake another Golf Cake and make either some CLUB Sandwiches, BOGEY Hoagies, or Bar-B-Que BIRDIE to bring, but it’s Friday (meatless) and I had to go in to work today so decided to keep it simple and just bring cheese pizza SLICE(s) and these golf themed cupcakes. I already had everything I needed in the cupboard for the cupcakes and on the way we’ll pick up a couple pizzas. 

Supplies:

  • 1 batch of Cupcakes, cooled (I made chocolate cupcakes this time)
  • 1 batch of Whipped Buttercream Frosting mixed with Leaf Green Icing Gel for desired shade of green (see recipe below – or use store bought frosting) 
  • Decorating Bag with Grass Tip Wilton #233
  • Toothpicks with Flag created out of colored card stock and paint pen (I used green and black card stock with a metallic gold paint pen to incorporate the team colors) 
  • Celebration Pearls, Shimmer White (I have a jar of Shimmer Blue, Silver and White from the craft store and just picked out some of the Shimmer White candies)

Whipped Buttercream Frosting

Ingredients:

  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 2 cups confectioners’ sugar, sifted
  • 2 tablespoons milk
  • Leaf Green Icing Gel


Directions:

Cream room temperature butter with a hand mixer, or the paddle attachment of a stand mixer, until smooth and fluffy. Gradually beat in confectioners’ sugar until fully incorporated. Beat in vanilla extract. Pour in milk and beat for an additional 3-4 minutes. Add Icing Gel and beat until incorporated.

Fill the decorating bag with about 1 cup of frosting. Frost the cupcakes with the remaining frosting. Using the decorating bag with the grass tip, add “grass” to the cupcakes to create the rough, leaving an opening for the green.

We had fun placing the “golf balls” on each cupcake – some near the hole, some in the rough, and we even left flags off a couple cupcakes making them completely “in the rough!” I think the kids will enjoy them.


Celebrating the Saints :: St. Colum and the Crane

by | Jun 10, 2016 | , , , , | 0 Comments

Today, June 9th, is the traditional feast of St. Columba. He is also known as St. Colum and St. Columcille, or “Colom Cille” which means “Dove of the Church.” He is the patron saint of Scotland, Ireland, bookbinders, and against floods.

Our schedule happened to be nearly completely free today (other than an afternoon haircut appointment for our oldest daughter) so this morning I flipped through my Saints Calendar to see whose feast day it was today, pulled out some picture books from this month’s book basket, and quickly came up with a simple plan to teach my children more about St. Columba.

.: STORY TIME :. 

by Eva K. Betz

Additional stories about St. Colum found in our collection that I pulled out for the children to browse through and read on their own this week: 

Saint Columba (Saints: Lives and Illuminations) by Ruth Sanderson

(other stories about saints and animals, but not specifically St. Colum) 

St. Columba: The Exiled Monk (The Book of Saints and Heroes) by Andrew Lang

(illuminated manuscript) 

St. Columba: The Exiled Monk found in The Book of Saints and Heroes
Saint Columba found in Saints: Lives and Illuminations
.: COLORING PAGES :. 


Saint Columcille (Columba) from Fenestrae Fidei

(Across A Dark and Wild Sea and study guide in Catholic Mosaic)

Alone with none but thee, my God,
I journey on my way.
What need I fear when thou art near,
O King of night and day?
More safe am I within thy hand
than if a host should round me stand.

My destined time is known to thee,
and death will keep his hour;
did warriors strong around me throng,
they could not stay his power:
no walls of stone can man defend
when thou thy messenger dost send.


My life I yield to thy decree,
and bow to thy control
in peaceful calm, for from thine arm
no power can wrest my soul.
Could earthly omens e’er appal
a man that heeds the heavenly call?

The child of God can fear no ill,
his chosen dread no foe;
we leave our fate with thee, and wait
thy bidding when to go.
‘Tis not from chance our comfort springs.
thou art our trust, O King of kings.

Words: Attributed to Columba (521-597);
translator unknown; text in The Hymnbook, 1971

 

Top Row: Chiquita • Twinkle Toes  –  Bottom Row: Snuggles • Rose • Bud
.: CRAFT – ORIGAMI CRANES :. 

It was a challenging craft, especially for the little ones who ended up needing help with each step, but we read Saint Colum and the Crane together we made origami cranes! 

Supplies for each crane: 

Source: HOMESTHETICS

.: CATHOLIC CUISINE :.

The cranes made perfect cupcake toppers for a special feast day treat. 

One box of cake mix made 24 cupcakes. I left 8 out for today (one for my husband and one for each of the kids) and popped the remaining 16 in the freezer to save for a couple more special feast days later this month.

Whipped Buttercream Frosting

Ingredients: 
1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 cups confectioners’ sugar, sifted
2 tablespoons milk

Directions:
Cream room temperature butter with a hand mixer, or the paddle attachment of a stand mixer, until smooth and fluffy. Gradually beat in confectioners’ sugar until fully incorporated. Beat in vanilla extract. Pour in milk and beat for an additional 3-4 minutes.

.: THE PRAYER OF ST. COLUMBA:. 

Be a bright flame before me, O God
a guiding star above me.
Be a smooth path below me,
a kindly shepherd behind me
today, tonight, and for ever.
Alone with none but you, my God
I journey on my way;
what need I fear when you are near,
O Lord of night and day?
More secure am I within your hand
than if a multitude did round me stand.
Amen.

Saint Columba, Ora Pro Nobis! 

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{pretty, happy, funny, real}

by | Jun 9, 2016 | , , , , , | 0 Comments

~ Capturing the context of contentment in everyday life with Like Mother, Like Daughter. ~

{pretty}

This pretty little ladybug wanted to come home with us from the nursery along with the Red Riding Hood (Penstemon schmidel) and Pincushion flowers (Scabiosa) we picked up for the garden. 

{happy}

I was so happy to complete Track C of Meet the Masters before the end of our school year!
(Our high schoolers needed to turn in one more artist unit study/project to earn their credit for art.)
The kids were very happy that I pulled out donuts to celebrate! 

{funny}

Bud: “What are you using the soap for?”
Ranger: “I’m washing the car.” 
Bud: “(Ranger), what are you using the soap for?!” 
Ranger: “I’m washing the car!” 
Bud (yells): “Eeeerrrt!”
Dad: “(Bud), he is washing the dirt off of the the car with the soap.”
Bud: “I want (Ranger) to tell meeeee!”
Ranger (laughing): “I’m washing the dirt off the car!”
Bud: “CHA-CHING!” 

{real}

Everything is fine now, but our week got off to a rather traumatic start, just after midnight on Sunday morning, with a call to 911… My husband was one of the three who were sick on Saturday. He spent most of the day on the couch. Late that night, while (attempting) to walk from the living room to the bedroom, he leaned against the foot of the bed, said he thought he was going to pass out, and immediately fell to the floor. I’d never seen someone pass out before. He was pale/ghostly white and non-responsive. His eyes were wide open but motionless. It scared me to death. I yelled for the boys to bring me the phone while I tried to revive him and get him to breathe. I thought he was dying… My heart still hurts from the stress and anxiety! Thankfully he regained consciousness while I was on the phone with emergency services and seemed to be ok, but when he started to look like he was going to pass out again in the morning I drove him to the hospital. The vasovagal response was most likely triggered by dehydration and the stomach issues we were fighting. They hooked him up to an IV and kept an eye on him for most of the day. He went back to work today. I’m so very grateful that everyone is finally feeling better!

Thank you all for the prayers last Saturday… 
I had no idea how much we were going to need them later that night! 

{this moment}

by | Jun 4, 2016 | , | 0 Comments

Late Wednesday night I saw a light coming from the boys’ room and peeked inside.
I quietly took this photo with my iPhone, shared it over on Instagram, and went back to bed. ❤

It’s been a little overwhelming around here lately and I have been fighting burnout… Long hours at work for both my husband and I, writing deadlines, doctors/dentist/orthodontist appointments and bills, way too many assignments due for the children (especially our high schoolers who have been working non-stop to catch back up following golf season), the final week of school along with required state testing (including a question we were not happy to hear about on one of our 9th grade sons tests), the resignation of our amazing tutor from the local home-based charter we have used the past five years (we have lots to pray about and some decisions/changes to make for next year), a big rattlesnake right outside the front door, and a slow moving stomach bug which has been working it’s way through our family the past two weeks and has claimed another two three this weekend. Sometimes it all seems like too much, but moments like this make it all worth it. God is Good!

On the Feast of St. Joan of Arc

by | May 31, 2016 | , | 0 Comments

On the Feast of St. Joan of Arc - French Vanilla Fleur De Lis Cake (baked in this pan)

Recalling St. Joan of Arc's banner, "bearing at her request, the words, "Jesus Maria," along with a figure of God the Father, to whom two kneeling angels were presenting a fleur-de-lis, the royal emblem of France," we decided to bake a simple French Vanilla cake in my favorite Fleur de Lis pan for today's feast of St. Joan of Arc!  The kids also spent some time reading The Story of Joan of Arc. 

The Story of St. Joan of Arc by Maurice Boutet De Monvel • St. Joan of Arc from Naturally Catholic
 

Our son was given this beautiful book (an unabridged republication of the edition published by the Century Company, New York, 1912) following his First Holy Communion last summer at St. Joan of Arc Parish where his uncle is currently pastor.

"Maurice Boutet de Monvel's simple but moving retelling of her story features a series of imaginative illustrations that won the artist international fame. All forty-five of the images from his 1896 deluxe picture book appear here in full color, reflecting the saint's enduring symbolic power as well as her deep humility." - The Story of St. Joan of Arc

According to this picture book St. Joan of Arc and I share a birthday ♥

It's worth purchasing this book just for the captivating illustrations. So beautiful and inspiring! It's such a lovely addition to our collection. You can find the rest of our books about St. Joan of Arc listed in Our May Book Basket.

In the face of your enemies, in the face of harassment, ridicule, and doubt, you held firm in your faith. Even in your abandonment, alone and without friends, you held firm in your faith. Even as you faced your own mortality, you held firm in your faith. I pray that I may be as bold in my beliefs as you, St. Joan. I ask that you ride alongside me in my own battles. Help me be mindful that what is worthwhile can be won when I persist. Help me hold firm in my faith. Help me believe in my ability to act well and wisely. Amen.

St. Joan of Arc, pray for us! 

Meet the Masters :: Rembrandt van Rijn

by | May 24, 2016 | , | 0 Comments

“Practice what you know, 
and it will help to make clear what now you do not know.” 
~ Rembrandt

It’s been quite awhile since I’ve shared pictures from any of our “Meet the Masters” unit studies and art projects. The kids look so much younger in that last post on Claude Monet! I’m sure I will think the same thing when I look back at this post in a couple years… I have pictures to share eventually from the past seven or eight artists we’ve studied, but I’m going to start with our most recent which focused on highlights and shadows inspired by Rembrandt. 
Rembrant is the fourth artist featured in Track C. We used the lesson for ages 10-Adult, which worked well for all but our littlest ones. I ended up helping Rose with her art. So fun! 

.: Master Artist Introduction :. 

Rembrandt van Rign (REM-brant)

Dutch Painter (1606-1669)

Rembrandt developed a painting style using light and dark that is unlike that of any other artist. This “Rembrandt Lighting” creates beautiful contrasts in his etching and painting. He painted more self-portraits than any artist in history – a visual autobiography of his life in 17th Century Holland.

Art Activity Emphasis: Highlights and Shadows

Media: White Chalk, Black Oil Pastel, White Oil Pastel

Vocabulary: Light, Dark, Highlight, Detail, Portrait, Self-Portrait, Background, Shadow, Composition, Etching, Profile, Luminous

.: Art Supplies :.


One 12″x18″ sheet of newsprint (placemat)

One 12″x15″ sheet of black construction paper
White Dustless Chalk
Glue

.: Practice Technique – Shadows, Highlights & Rooftops :.



.: Art Project – The Mill :.

.: Additional Reading :. 

Chiquita also pulled out her Rembrandt card from her set of Usborne Famous Paintings
(The cards are currently overpriced at Amazon but you can order them directly from one of my current sponsors who is an independent consultant here if you are interested.) 


Burning Down the House

by | May 23, 2016 | | 0 Comments

A historic house in the heart of our little town was used for a “Burn to Learn” training this weekend. We headed into town to spend some of each day watching the burn.

The back, left, upstairs window was where my desk was located once upon a time, when I worked preparing taxes as a young pregnant and then nursing mother (with our firstborn rocking in his swing right next to my desk!) over fifteen years ago.

Downstairs was our favorite local restaurant. They had the best Grilled Burritos, Pesto Chicken Wraps, Raspberry Chipotle Chicken, amazing salads with homemade Cilantro Pesto dressing, and so much more.

Yesterday firefighters from a number of districts took turns lighting small fires inside and then more crews went in with hoses to put them out. Later in the afternoon the engines pulled up to the house and treated the training as if it was a real 911 structure fire call. Today it was burned down completely. It was sad to see it go but neat that it was used to help train firefighters!

“I want to be a FIREMAN when I grow up!!!” – Bud, age 4

I’m hoping I can find some extra time this week to pull out our fire themed picture books and maybe create some new Fire Safety Lap Books with my little ones.  It’s been almost 7 years since I made those with the older children… Time flies!

{pretty, happy, funny, real}

by | May 22, 2016 | , , , , , | 0 Comments

~ Capturing the context of contentment in everyday life with Like Mother, Like Daughter. ~
{pretty}
…Raindrops on Roses… 

This beautiful St. Therese doll arrived in the mail from Dolls From Heaven. I’m planning to give her to our youngest daughter later this year for either her birthday or Christmas… If I can wait that long! 
{happy}
Now both of the older boys have been featured as “Athlete of the Week” in our local newspaper!

The last two months our schedule was packed full with golf tournaments and other prior commitments, but this past Wednesday we were finally able to attend the Kiwanis Club meeting and the boys were each presented with their “Student of the Month Award” for March and April.  
{funny}

I told our high schoolers that if they were somehow able to complete and get As on their “Persuasive Speeches” by the deadline their language arts tutor gave them (despite their schedule the previous week which included three long days at golf tournaments, including the Regional/Districts tournament, daily team practices, other schoolwork, getting braces off for one of them, hosting Father Boyle for dinner on Saturday, and serving at our every-other-month Extraordinary Form Latin Mass Sunday evening) they might be able to persuade us to take them to a movie they wanted to see… 
I think they even surprised themselves when they pulled it off! 
We took them to see it last Sunday night, after celebrating a birthday. So much fun!
{real}

Our amazing tutor reading Focus on Elementary Geology to the three little ones. ♥
She is such a blessing! I don’t know how I’d keep up without her help each Thursday.

End-of-School Interviews for 2015-2016

End-of-School Interviews for 2015-2016

by | Jun 12, 2016 | | 0 Comments

Yesterday was officially the last day of our 2015-2016 school year! It's been a full year and we are all so ready for our summer break. A number of years ago I was inspired by Sarah to start creating these End-of-School Interviews for each of my children and we've...

Golf Cupcakes Fore! PAR-Tee Time

Golf Cupcakes Fore! PAR-Tee Time

by | Jun 10, 2016 | , | 0 Comments

Sorry, I couldn't resist! 😉 Tonight we are headed to our high schoolers End-of-Season Golf Banquet & Award Ceremony. It's going to be a family potluck at the local miniature golf course. The boys are really looking forward to a fun evening with their team!...

{this moment}

{this moment}

by | Jun 4, 2016 | , | 0 Comments

Late Wednesday night I saw a light coming from the boys' room and peeked inside.I quietly took this photo with my iPhone, shared it over on Instagram, and went back to bed. ❤It's been a little overwhelming around here lately and I have been fighting burnout......

On the Feast of St. Joan of Arc

On the Feast of St. Joan of Arc

by | May 31, 2016 | , | 0 Comments

On the Feast of St. Joan of Arc - French Vanilla Fleur De Lis Cake (baked in this pan) Recalling St. Joan of Arc's banner, "bearing at her request, the words, "Jesus Maria," along with a figure of God the Father, to whom two kneeling angels were presenting a...

Meet the Masters :: Rembrandt van Rijn

Meet the Masters :: Rembrandt van Rijn

by | May 24, 2016 | , | 0 Comments

"Practice what you know, and it will help to make clear what now you do not know." ~ RembrandtIt's been quite awhile since I've shared pictures from any of our "Meet the Masters" unit studies and art projects. The kids look so much younger in that last post...

Burning Down the House

Burning Down the House

by | May 23, 2016 | | 0 Comments

A historic house in the heart of our little town was used for a "Burn to Learn" training this weekend. We headed into town to spend some of each day watching the burn. The back, left, upstairs window was where my desk was located once upon a time, when I worked...

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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