Phew! That last post I wrote was a bit on edge and a bit serious. But, that is life and so there you have it.
Just to note, we had an awesome day today. Which, thanks be to God, was an answer to my prayers according to my last post, huh? God is good. He KNOWS what we need!!! Today was much needed.
Due to a major necessity, I managed to miraculously get out and about to a bunch of yard sales- even before the kids were all up!!! I made our usual homemade waffle mix, left it out on the table and motioned to my early bird hubby, who was busy doing the bills at that early hour, that I was off for the morning. (Oh how I love LOVE this man of mine!:P)
We go through high chairs like water. I stand in awe of other big families that have the same high chair for 3, 4, 5 kids in a row. Uh, how on earth DO they DO it?!?!?!? My big purchase was a new high chair. Well, new to us, that is. It was my #1 objective of the day and I conquered it by 7:30am!!! That is a huge accomplishment and I am so happy and so thankful. It is very sturdy so I am hopeful it will last for a while. The negative aspect about it is that is a big and chunky. I went online to see if I could find a picture of it and I couldn't. I guess that says how old it probably is! haa haa!!! :)
Along with my finds, I picked up about 10 more matchbox cars (a momma of boys can NEVER have enough cars) and 2 of the sweetest dresses for my lil' Lady. She is so darling in them. I love to see my girls in dresses and they love to wear them!
This afternoon was a great adventure for us. On the eve of Divine Mercy Sunday, we as a family, gave of our time-2 plus hours- by decorating and packing up boxes for the homeless, the poor, the needy and the elderly. It was something we could do AS A WHOLE FAMILY so we did it!!! Even my youngest 15 mo. old got in on the fun. She was putting soap in the boxes-it was so cute! All my kids were amazing. Never underestimate what a child can do, right? They are so driven when they see a need and act on it. They really did surprise my husband and I. They were the last ones there helping to pack up the truck and all. They counted 791 boxes to be distributed! It was beautiful and we are so blessed to have been a part of it.
We ended our day by stopping and actually eating IN chick-fil-a!!! What a treat! Usually, I don't have enough gutso to go IN so I normally do the drive thru. But with hubby by my side, we did it and the kids had a blast. What a great reward for all the help they gave.
This was a day that we all needed. To get out, think about others, be a part of something much larger than our 4 walls. God is so good to have allowed this to happen for us. I think it will make a great and memorable impression.
As my 3 yr old repeatedly told us the last 15 minutes of packing up the boxes:
"Oh how I love this day. I just love it!"
This 3 yr old reminded me how I need to say this EVERY SINGLE DAY. Out of the mouths of babes...
God bless,
Mary
Showing posts with label lent. Show all posts
Showing posts with label lent. Show all posts
Saturday, April 14, 2012
Saturday, April 7, 2012
Ready and waiting
Less than 12 hours.
We are all getting ready...
clothes laid out ready for 8am Mass....
Eggs colored ready for the Bunny to hide them.....
Watching "Jesus of Nazareth"....
Ham bought, potatoes bought, all not yet peeled and ready to be put on tomorrow...
but that is OK.
We wait and wait.
40 days of waiting.
And here we are.
Are you ready?
God bless,
Mary
We are all getting ready...
clothes laid out ready for 8am Mass....
Eggs colored ready for the Bunny to hide them.....
Watching "Jesus of Nazareth"....
Ham bought, potatoes bought, all not yet peeled and ready to be put on tomorrow...
but that is OK.
We wait and wait.
40 days of waiting.
And here we are.
Are you ready?
God bless,
Mary
Sunday, April 1, 2012
Friday, March 30, 2012
The SOUP is on!
So, Ma...What's for dinner?
Here's our menu for tonight:
Since it's Lent-the last Friday before Good Friday-can you believe that?--we are having soup again! My kids are not big fans of soup but don't mind it esp. if there are the yummy pretzels we make so they can dip them into it. That recipe is following the soup one down below.
Lentil-Veggie Soup
1 cup dry lentils (I used red lentils)
1 cup carrots (2 medium)
1 cup chopped celery (2 stalks)
1 chopped onions
2 cloves garlic
1/2 tsp dried basil
1/2 tsp dried oregano
1/4 tsp dried thyme
1 bay leaf
2 14 ounce cans veggie broth (or Chicken if not Lent or want to go vegetarian)=3 1/2 cups but I used 4 cups
1 1/2 cups water (I used 3 cups)
1 14.5 ounce (I used 24 ounce can)
parsley (they call for fresh snipped but I used dried)
Put all in CROCK POT on high for 5-6 hours.
Love Crock Pot recipes!!! (well, most of them....those meats all end up tasting the same to me but still easier to just put it on and let it cook w/out worrying about it! :)
THEN....
HOMEMADE PRETZELS
1 tbsp sugar
1 pkg of yeast or 2 1/4 tsp
1 1/2 warm water
1 tsp salt
4 cups flour
1 egg white for topping and to make the salt stick
coarse salt for topping the pretzels
Add sugar to water and mix, sprinkle in yeast and stir until it dissolves. Add salt and blend in flour and KNEAD until smooth.
Place in PAM sprayed bowl and let sit till it DOUBLES in size.
Roll pieces of dough into long thin ropes and twist into pretzels. Place in greased cookie sheet and brushw/the beated egg white and sprinkle w/coarse salt.
Bake at 435 * for 10-15 mins-depending on how you like them.
YUMMY and FUN! My girls did all the kneading so it was well worth the effort to make these. We like to do them on Fridays-perfect for dipping in the soup!
God bless your day,
Mary
Here's our menu for tonight:
Since it's Lent-the last Friday before Good Friday-can you believe that?--we are having soup again! My kids are not big fans of soup but don't mind it esp. if there are the yummy pretzels we make so they can dip them into it. That recipe is following the soup one down below.
Lentil-Veggie Soup
1 cup dry lentils (I used red lentils)
1 cup carrots (2 medium)
1 cup chopped celery (2 stalks)
1 chopped onions
2 cloves garlic
1/2 tsp dried basil
1/2 tsp dried oregano
1/4 tsp dried thyme
1 bay leaf
2 14 ounce cans veggie broth (or Chicken if not Lent or want to go vegetarian)=3 1/2 cups but I used 4 cups
1 1/2 cups water (I used 3 cups)
1 14.5 ounce (I used 24 ounce can)
parsley (they call for fresh snipped but I used dried)
Put all in CROCK POT on high for 5-6 hours.
Love Crock Pot recipes!!! (well, most of them....those meats all end up tasting the same to me but still easier to just put it on and let it cook w/out worrying about it! :)
THEN....
HOMEMADE PRETZELS
1 tbsp sugar
1 pkg of yeast or 2 1/4 tsp
1 1/2 warm water
1 tsp salt
4 cups flour
1 egg white for topping and to make the salt stick
coarse salt for topping the pretzels
Add sugar to water and mix, sprinkle in yeast and stir until it dissolves. Add salt and blend in flour and KNEAD until smooth.
Place in PAM sprayed bowl and let sit till it DOUBLES in size.
Roll pieces of dough into long thin ropes and twist into pretzels. Place in greased cookie sheet and brushw/the beated egg white and sprinkle w/coarse salt.
Bake at 435 * for 10-15 mins-depending on how you like them.
YUMMY and FUN! My girls did all the kneading so it was well worth the effort to make these. We like to do them on Fridays-perfect for dipping in the soup!
God bless your day,
Mary
Monday, March 19, 2012
Favorite pics of St. Joseph on his feast day today
Good Saint Joseph, PRAY FOR US!!!
Pray for my husband and my family! Help us and pray for us to be holy and get to Heaven!
God bless,
Mary
Saturday, March 17, 2012
Happy St. Patrick's Day!
Green pancakes w/real syrup
Mass with my favorite 5 yr old little man
then to the store to buy the corned beef and cabbage
back to make coffee for 2nd time
and organized our library of books we have! (put quite a few in a box to donate)
ate some yummy turkey and ham sandwiches for lunch
got 3 trash bags of trash taken out
got 2 trash bags of things (ahem...toys/books) to donate
and...about 50+ VHS videos to give to a friend!
Phew! That was a very productive morning, huh?
Now what?
About to put on our traditional Corned Beef and cabbage dinner and....
Getting ready for family confession!
Of course no big feast day of eating green things and wearing green would ever be complete with out doing a little coloring of our favorite picture of St. Patrick.
You can find it HERE.
And afterwards, if we can make it in time,
It surely is not a typical Saturday where it is so nice outside that the kids haven't come in except for lunch and that leaves hubby and baby and me to try to organize and spring clean out our home. Thanks be to God that HE is the one allowing this to happen. Thanks God!
God bless your St. Patty's day,
Mary
Friday, March 16, 2012
Crown of Thorns centerpiece
It's not too late!
Here are some pics of ours in the making and the result! Really fun and so practical for the kidos to understand.
 |
| Look at all those helping hands! |
 |
| Almost there.... |
 |
| TA-DA! Easy and Fun! We had some leftover dough and the kids had a blast playing with it with toothpicks-kept them busy for a huge chunk of time! Here is the recipe, in case you need it: (BTW, I made a big one last year and it was TOO big so I cut the recipe in 1/2 this year and it's the perfect size for our table.) 2 cups flour 1/2 cup salt warm water We also added some crunchy coffee grinds to give it some texture and a darker look. God bless, Mary |
Thursday, March 1, 2012
Signs of SPRING!!!
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| Family Hikes |
Spring, we're so happy you're here!
God bless your day,
Mary
Wednesday, February 29, 2012
Dare not to compare
I have to confess, I steal a lot of ideas from other homeschooling momma blogs. I know, this is a real shock, isn't it? Ha! :) I bet you do too...right?!?! :) I surely do not have time to try to invent something and why would I reinvent the wheel when I do not have to?
Well, that peeking into others' homes and their lives is a two fold, for me. Interesting, amazing and beautiful things is what I find but I also find myself getting frustrated at my lack of ability, patience, creativity and even 'order' that I see in their homes. I have a dear friend who does not even attempt blogs b/c of this very reason. Albeit, a very good reason. It gets depressing!
I try to remind myself that I do not see their whole life, and many do not blog about the negative aspects and hardships of a homeschooling family life. So, all that others see is this super good part of their lives and we think it's like that all the time. Which, when really thought about, is SO not true! No one or no family can ever be perfect! I remind myself that many of these large families come from large families themselves...they are accustomed to the craziness and loudness and messiness that a large family brings. They know how to adapt much more quickly than others (ahem...) and we can start to compare ourselves and our families to others, esp. if we do not even really know them! How foolish.
God knows our hearts. God knows what He is doing. God sees my efforts to do the smallest task and He sees my love that I do it with, for Him, and He blesses me with such graces. I can only imagine that this would equal all those others immaculate homes, those super creative art projects, those darling matching outfits their kidos wear, and those other things. To God be the glory!
But what a trap this is, isn't it?
Now, it's time for me to get another cup of coffee and think about that some more all the while I teach my kidos! Rainy days ALWAYS summon another cup! ;)
May God bless your day,
Mary
Well, that peeking into others' homes and their lives is a two fold, for me. Interesting, amazing and beautiful things is what I find but I also find myself getting frustrated at my lack of ability, patience, creativity and even 'order' that I see in their homes. I have a dear friend who does not even attempt blogs b/c of this very reason. Albeit, a very good reason. It gets depressing!
I try to remind myself that I do not see their whole life, and many do not blog about the negative aspects and hardships of a homeschooling family life. So, all that others see is this super good part of their lives and we think it's like that all the time. Which, when really thought about, is SO not true! No one or no family can ever be perfect! I remind myself that many of these large families come from large families themselves...they are accustomed to the craziness and loudness and messiness that a large family brings. They know how to adapt much more quickly than others (ahem...) and we can start to compare ourselves and our families to others, esp. if we do not even really know them! How foolish.
God knows our hearts. God knows what He is doing. God sees my efforts to do the smallest task and He sees my love that I do it with, for Him, and He blesses me with such graces. I can only imagine that this would equal all those others immaculate homes, those super creative art projects, those darling matching outfits their kidos wear, and those other things. To God be the glory!
But what a trap this is, isn't it?
Now, it's time for me to get another cup of coffee and think about that some more all the while I teach my kidos! Rainy days ALWAYS summon another cup! ;)
May God bless your day,
Mary
Tuesday, February 28, 2012
Crown of Thorns Lenten centerpiece
Recipe:
2 cups Flour
1/2 cup Salt
Mix and add milk to make a clay
Knead to get all bubbles out.
Roll out 3 'snakes' and braid them close together.
Put tooth picks in to give the look of thorns.
There ya go!
Last year we did this and took out the tooth picks as we did a sacrifice for Jesus. This year, however, I did not want to do that since last year they suddenly disappeared very quickly and it sat there just as a crown! Oh dear, so this year, we are keeping it as a centerpiece to remind us of Jesus' passion and the pain He endured for us. It looks great!
We also set up our Sacrifice Bean Jar yesterday. The kids were so eager to get those pinto beans into the jar that our house was spotless! All those nice and kind gestures of helping out was wonderful. But today, uh...let's just say I think they forgot all about that sacrifice bean jar! I think it is time to remind them!
If you have not heard of Holy Heroes Lenten Adventure....go check it out HERE and it is FREE!!! Who would pass up something that is fun and free and for kids? They have great downloads and video clips and Lenten ideas for parents too. It's really well done and we saw it advertised at our parish too. Good endorsement :)
Best go now.
God bless,
Mary
2 cups Flour
1/2 cup Salt
Mix and add milk to make a clay
Knead to get all bubbles out.
Roll out 3 'snakes' and braid them close together.
Put tooth picks in to give the look of thorns.
There ya go!
Last year we did this and took out the tooth picks as we did a sacrifice for Jesus. This year, however, I did not want to do that since last year they suddenly disappeared very quickly and it sat there just as a crown! Oh dear, so this year, we are keeping it as a centerpiece to remind us of Jesus' passion and the pain He endured for us. It looks great!
We also set up our Sacrifice Bean Jar yesterday. The kids were so eager to get those pinto beans into the jar that our house was spotless! All those nice and kind gestures of helping out was wonderful. But today, uh...let's just say I think they forgot all about that sacrifice bean jar! I think it is time to remind them!
If you have not heard of Holy Heroes Lenten Adventure....go check it out HERE and it is FREE!!! Who would pass up something that is fun and free and for kids? They have great downloads and video clips and Lenten ideas for parents too. It's really well done and we saw it advertised at our parish too. Good endorsement :)
Best go now.
God bless,
Mary
Sunday, February 26, 2012
Tuesday, February 21, 2012
Fat Tuesday fun times and Lent Ideas
Since our Valentine's day last week was rudely interrupted by a nasty stomach bug (uh, it was that bad....6 kidos plus hubby sick through the night-yeah, no fun for me :( I could really use that pity party b/c it was that bad.) we are finally getting to making our Valentine's day cookies that Kido #3's godmother sent to us! It was a super cute combo of heart cookie cutters and 6 different sprinkles. Thanks K~!
Today....we are having SUCH fun!!!
Lots of sprinkles all over us and the kitchen....made with fresh sugar cookie dough...lots of sprinkles and flour all over the kitchen too!!!
We had chocolate ice cream and hot chocolate for snack and we'll be enjoying these heart cookies for dessert tonight. Just trying to get rid of all this sweet stuff in our house before Lent begins tomorrow.
How can it be Lent already? WOW! That came fast!
At snack time today, we went over Lent and the different types of ways we can experience Lent to a deeper degree....offerings of sacrifice, almsgiving and prayer. I am so proud of my children and all their desires to offer up certain items.
Let me list them now...
Kid #1, boy, age 11--pray every morning
kid #2, girl, age 9--no lying
kid #3, boy, age 8--no bothering/teasing
kid #4, girl, age 6--no M&M's
kid #5, boy, age 5--no hot chocolate
kid #6, boy, age 3--who knows? I wish I could make a long list for him! haaa haaa
And me? Yeah, I knew you'd ask....well, I refraining from my favorite....ice cream! and no wine unless we have visitors. You like that second one? Well, since we live away from family I thought that it would not be very courteous if our company were the only ones who had a glass of wine. Makes sense to me! :)
I am going to print up or make up our annual Lenten Path---the kids love it and they look forward to coloring each day that we finished up the color purple as we get closer to Easter.
Then there's the Bean Jar. Each sacrifice we offer up to God, we put a kidney bean in the jar then on Easter- the Easter Bunny comes and turns it into Easter Jelly Beans! Kids LOVE this too!
And lots of Lenten pretzels....fun and yummy and they make great snacks and my kids enjoy making them so much.
God bless your Lent adventure,
Mary
Today....we are having SUCH fun!!!
Lots of sprinkles all over us and the kitchen....made with fresh sugar cookie dough...lots of sprinkles and flour all over the kitchen too!!!
We had chocolate ice cream and hot chocolate for snack and we'll be enjoying these heart cookies for dessert tonight. Just trying to get rid of all this sweet stuff in our house before Lent begins tomorrow.
How can it be Lent already? WOW! That came fast!
At snack time today, we went over Lent and the different types of ways we can experience Lent to a deeper degree....offerings of sacrifice, almsgiving and prayer. I am so proud of my children and all their desires to offer up certain items.
Let me list them now...
Kid #1, boy, age 11--pray every morning
kid #2, girl, age 9--no lying
kid #3, boy, age 8--no bothering/teasing
kid #4, girl, age 6--no M&M's
kid #5, boy, age 5--no hot chocolate
kid #6, boy, age 3--who knows? I wish I could make a long list for him! haaa haaa
And me? Yeah, I knew you'd ask....well, I refraining from my favorite....ice cream! and no wine unless we have visitors. You like that second one? Well, since we live away from family I thought that it would not be very courteous if our company were the only ones who had a glass of wine. Makes sense to me! :)
I am going to print up or make up our annual Lenten Path---the kids love it and they look forward to coloring each day that we finished up the color purple as we get closer to Easter.
Then there's the Bean Jar. Each sacrifice we offer up to God, we put a kidney bean in the jar then on Easter- the Easter Bunny comes and turns it into Easter Jelly Beans! Kids LOVE this too!
And lots of Lenten pretzels....fun and yummy and they make great snacks and my kids enjoy making them so much.
God bless your Lent adventure,
Mary
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
Holy Week
No, I have not forgotten you.
I have been struggling with what to write these past few days. Of course, it is the holiest of weeks right now which has provided a bit of a mental block for blogging. Not that I am complaining, though. It seems very appropriate for this time of the year. So, I am going with the Holy Spirit's inspirations and am keeping pretty low with the blogging deal.
What I do wish to mention is this awesome idea from a priest at Mass this past Saturday morning. He encouraged us all to pray a decade of the day for the week. Not only pray it but live it and absorb it and let it seep in. For example, yesterday, Monday, we focused it totally on the Agony in the Garden.
For today, Tuesday, we are focusing totally on the Scourging of the pillar.
Get the idea? So on Friday, we can focus on the Crucifixion. Easy and focused. My cup of tea.
Another reason I have not blogged lately is b/c of this book:
I have been struggling with what to write these past few days. Of course, it is the holiest of weeks right now which has provided a bit of a mental block for blogging. Not that I am complaining, though. It seems very appropriate for this time of the year. So, I am going with the Holy Spirit's inspirations and am keeping pretty low with the blogging deal.
What I do wish to mention is this awesome idea from a priest at Mass this past Saturday morning. He encouraged us all to pray a decade of the day for the week. Not only pray it but live it and absorb it and let it seep in. For example, yesterday, Monday, we focused it totally on the Agony in the Garden.
For today, Tuesday, we are focusing totally on the Scourging of the pillar.
Get the idea? So on Friday, we can focus on the Crucifixion. Easy and focused. My cup of tea.
Another reason I have not blogged lately is b/c of this book:
What? You have not heard of it? You HAVE to read this book! Got it? Fork out the $ and buy it. It will be on your most read and returning to read over and over and over again. I promise.
I won't be too hard on you, since I, too, did not read it until a friend sent it to me in the mail. (Thanks S!). I was way too lazy and once I started reading it, I wished I was not so lazy! What was I waiting for? There are some things worth the wait. This, my friends, is NOT. Go get the book...as in...now.
And here is my wish for you, this week...
I am wishing you a happy and holy HOLY WEEK. May God give you strength and courage to follow Him and accompany Him as he breaks the bread, carries the cross, and is crucified. May God give you the ability to see all you have as gifts from Him. May you be open to Him to allow His workings in your busy and chaotic life. May you seek Him in everyone you know, you encounter, you love. May you share your life and witness the light of Christ in this darkness of the world. May you have a wonderful holy week. May you rise ever closer to Him on Easter Sunday.
God bless,
Mary
Mary
Monday, March 28, 2011
Up at 4am!!!
Sometimes our guardian angel has to wake us up early.
No matter that the time is very early, as in 4am.
Wide awake I was, I'll tell you. And I am not an early morning- riser- happy- go- lucky kinda person. But today, I was awake without coffee for almost 2 hours!
Usually once I actually MOVE then the baby wakes up but not today. Thanks GA!!!
Wow, it was quiet and the things I got down were much needed...
...prayers....emails that were way overdue ...making my list of things I have to do this week....figuring out all this CAT stuff...changing around some toys, taking out ones that have been put in storgage for a while and putting away the ones they've been playing with....putting away snowsuits and gloves and hats.
Oh, yeah I didn't tell ya? We had some of that white stuff early yesterday morning and my kids had to enjoy the very last of it and my oldest daughter made this little cute snowman that I'll have to post a pic of once I download the pics. (So, check back! :)) It was all of maybe 1/2 an inch but they loved it and they got that fresh air they've needed :)
But now, I am ready for a nap and my kids are just waking up.
I declare it is coffee time and I'm putting my feet up:)
God bless,
M
No matter that the time is very early, as in 4am.
Wide awake I was, I'll tell you. And I am not an early morning- riser- happy- go- lucky kinda person. But today, I was awake without coffee for almost 2 hours!
Usually once I actually MOVE then the baby wakes up but not today. Thanks GA!!!
Wow, it was quiet and the things I got down were much needed...
...prayers....emails that were way overdue ...making my list of things I have to do this week....figuring out all this CAT stuff...changing around some toys, taking out ones that have been put in storgage for a while and putting away the ones they've been playing with....putting away snowsuits and gloves and hats.
Oh, yeah I didn't tell ya? We had some of that white stuff early yesterday morning and my kids had to enjoy the very last of it and my oldest daughter made this little cute snowman that I'll have to post a pic of once I download the pics. (So, check back! :)) It was all of maybe 1/2 an inch but they loved it and they got that fresh air they've needed :)
But now, I am ready for a nap and my kids are just waking up.
I declare it is coffee time and I'm putting my feet up:)
God bless,
M
Thursday, March 24, 2011
Lent thus far
My 4 yr old son walked up to me this morning and said "Me is feeling better today!"
Thanks be to God for our health getting back to normal and thanks be to God for super cute 4 yr old boys!!!
On another note...LENT...
Just as it was with Advent and (gasp!) no Advent wreath till the 4th Sunday of Advent (yikes!) and even when I actually DID get the candles I still forgot to put it up and light them!!!....here we go again with Lent.
I just put out our Sacrifice Bean Jar! For each sacrifice we offer up to God, we put a pinto bean in the jar. Then on Easter night, the Easter Bunny comes quietly and turns those beans into jelly beans or jelly eggs or chocolate eggs!!! YUM!
I have also decorated our walls with words: generous, kindess, helping others, obedience etc... all ways that are so very pleasing to our Lord and makes our home so much more at peace. Helpful reminders...we sure need them lately!
Here is a LINK to a really funny pic of yours truly 2 yrs ago and how I dealt w/Lent! We all were laughing when we saw it and the kids "Hey! I remember that!!!" LOL haaaaaa!!!!
Funny how the kids remember the craziest things, and those things that we'd like to forget quickly....
We also just did the dough crown of thorns yesterday...like THIS.
We used wheat flour which turned the dough a realistic dark color and the kids had a blast putting their 'sins' of thorns into the crown. It helps them understand how doing a sacrifice can lessen the pain and give comfort to Jesus by removing one of the thorns.
God willing, I'll post a pic soon!
Gotta go-I am a much needed Momma here :)
May you continue to have a holy Lent in whichever way God is allowing your Lent to be.
God bless,
M
Thanks be to God for our health getting back to normal and thanks be to God for super cute 4 yr old boys!!!
On another note...LENT...
Just as it was with Advent and (gasp!) no Advent wreath till the 4th Sunday of Advent (yikes!) and even when I actually DID get the candles I still forgot to put it up and light them!!!....here we go again with Lent.
I just put out our Sacrifice Bean Jar! For each sacrifice we offer up to God, we put a pinto bean in the jar. Then on Easter night, the Easter Bunny comes quietly and turns those beans into jelly beans or jelly eggs or chocolate eggs!!! YUM!
I have also decorated our walls with words: generous, kindess, helping others, obedience etc... all ways that are so very pleasing to our Lord and makes our home so much more at peace. Helpful reminders...we sure need them lately!
Here is a LINK to a really funny pic of yours truly 2 yrs ago and how I dealt w/Lent! We all were laughing when we saw it and the kids "Hey! I remember that!!!" LOL haaaaaa!!!!
Funny how the kids remember the craziest things, and those things that we'd like to forget quickly....
We also just did the dough crown of thorns yesterday...like THIS.
We used wheat flour which turned the dough a realistic dark color and the kids had a blast putting their 'sins' of thorns into the crown. It helps them understand how doing a sacrifice can lessen the pain and give comfort to Jesus by removing one of the thorns.
God willing, I'll post a pic soon!
Gotta go-I am a much needed Momma here :)
May you continue to have a holy Lent in whichever way God is allowing your Lent to be.
God bless,
M
Sunday, April 11, 2010
Happy Divine Mercy Sunday!!!
Happy Divine Mercy Sunday!
Here is some background info on this great feast day of Our Lord's great Mercy!!!
What is not to love about Saint Faustina?!?! What a terrific wonderful Saint! HERE is some info on her.
The kids will be coloring THIS, THIS picture and THIS one. For my oldest, I printed out a word find for Divine Mercy-very cute!
We'll be listening to Glory Stories THIS one of St. Faustina for the van ride today. If I cannot find it (which is not hard to do around here!) then we'll listen to it ONLINE from EWTN's kids website HERE.
This past year I have been really working hard on getting my prayers in daily. I mentioned in a past post about having my super waterproof watch that, besides being totally cool, has 3 alarms on it-each alarm coorelates w/my daily prayer time.
1st alarm is to wake me up at a ripe 5:37am (yikes) and have morning prayers/quiet time/meditation/coffee/devotion with our Lord (psssst...notice the coffee in there!! heee heee)
2nd alarm is at 12 noon for the Angelus to honor Mary
3rd alarm is at 3pm for praying the Divine Mercy Chaplet.
I love the chaplet for many reasons-the top one is how quick it is. Is that bad to say? whoops! But really, so many things in life with little ones right now take forever to see results (disciplining, parenting etc...). I love how I am set out to pray the Chaplet and before I know it, it is done. yipppeee. I am not trying to give you the idea that my praying is a checklist but it is nice to start and end something without being interrupted. Within my life right now that leaves a window of about, oh...6-8 minutes!!!, and that is how long the chaplet is. Get it now? Great.
Now, moving on....I have found a great refuge daily with this Chaplet. Our dear Lord has shown me how merciful He is, and how as a mother, I am called in a special way to show mercy to my little ones. It is not easy, but He is showing me slowly how mercy can change hearts. I have been pretty faithful in doing these 3 special prayers daily and for that, I am so thankful! What a miracle to get these prayers in, albeit only 3, but still! I have had different seasons in life where I struggled to get even one prayer in for the day.
"...Say unceasingly the chaplet that I have taught you. Whoever will recite it will receive great mercy at the hour of death..." (Diary, 687)
Throughout this year I have also noticed even though my life is a usual loud and my life is hectic and chaotic most days and my life is full of unpredictability...there is great peace in my heart and my soul.
"Tell aching mankind to snuggle close to My merciful Heart, and I will fill it -with peace. Tell [all people], My daughter, that I am Love and Mercy itself. When a soul approaches Me with trust, I fill it with such an abundance of graces that it cannot contain them within itself, but radiates them to other souls." (Diary, 1074)
So, on this awesome Divine Mercy Sunday, I am thanking God for his mercy on me, and I am praying for Him to shed His merciful love on our dear country.
May others find His peace and mercy and Him as their shelter in this storm of life.
"Tell sinners that no one shall escape My Hand; if they run away from My Merciful Heart, they will fall into My Just Hands. Tell sinners that I am always waiting for them, that I listen intently to the beating of their heart... when will it beat for Me? Write, that I am speaking to them through their remorse of conscience, through their failures and sufferings, through thunderstorms, through the voice of the Church. And if they bring all My graces to naught, I begin to be angry with them, leaving them alone and giving them what they want." (Diary, 1728)
God bless you,
Mary
Friday, April 9, 2010
Quick Takes-Easter Week Edition
Hi there. Anyone there? Remember me? Ya know, your slacker of a blogger buddy?!?!
Just checking. (heeee heeee!)
We have been blessed with some amazingly beautiful weather and for all those days, we are so grateful. We cut our school worksheets/workbook load in 1/2 and spent the remainder of those days outside enjoying the gift of those sunny and HOT days!!!
I mentioned in a previous post that we even filled up the baby swimming pool 1/2 way up! The kids were thrilled and I was too since they had to get cooled off somehow- it was a steamer of a few days of a rare 90* weather here!
With all the fresh air, that left me to little down time and little time indoors to check on my blog or FB or emails or whatever. It was nice to sort of 'get away' from it all for a bit right after Easter. It helped me to focus on The Resurrection rather than being caught up in needless chat or worries of the world that the internet can inflict on us without even knowing it.
Soccer starts up this week and my oldest 3 will be playing. 2 on one team and 1 on the older team. The good thing their games are on the same really big field. I do enjoy watching them, just not so much running after my little ones!
I am so not good at the decor of my house. We don't have a country flair or a modern touch. Nothing really. Some housewives are gifted in this but I am not and I am not ashamed to admit it. I'd rather my house be comfortable, somewhat organized and manageable and let others be comfortable too. I don't worry about not having the best furniture (that will be scratched or stained in 5 minutes anyway!) or actually having all the furniture match nicely (not that mine clash but it would be nice to have a theme going on). So, that is my next step and that is what I am up to lately. I am going to try to tie in the colors of my couch and paint my walls! (well, actually my hubby will be painting-he loves to paint!) I am thrilled to get rid of the neutral almond color that every single room has. I just need to pick out a color. Sounds not tough, right? But it soooo is, for me! What should I do? Duh! I called my mom. See, my mom has that gene and it skipped right over me! She is awesome and so helpful with this. What a gift and talent she has! I'll keep you posted on the color choice I pick, but I am leaning towards a warm mauve color for both my living room and dining room. I think it will look great ;) (I hope!)
It was a rainy day today and now I am back to this blog life and internet thing. I could be doing 199 other things right now but nope, I am here. See what this blog thing does every now and then!?!? argh. Good thing it is the weekend, I have a long to do list to get checked off!
Well, that's it.
I'll leave it at that.
Good Night, God bless you and Happy Easter!
God bless,
Mary
Just checking. (heeee heeee!)
We have been blessed with some amazingly beautiful weather and for all those days, we are so grateful. We cut our school worksheets/workbook load in 1/2 and spent the remainder of those days outside enjoying the gift of those sunny and HOT days!!!
I mentioned in a previous post that we even filled up the baby swimming pool 1/2 way up! The kids were thrilled and I was too since they had to get cooled off somehow- it was a steamer of a few days of a rare 90* weather here!
With all the fresh air, that left me to little down time and little time indoors to check on my blog or FB or emails or whatever. It was nice to sort of 'get away' from it all for a bit right after Easter. It helped me to focus on The Resurrection rather than being caught up in needless chat or worries of the world that the internet can inflict on us without even knowing it.
Soccer starts up this week and my oldest 3 will be playing. 2 on one team and 1 on the older team. The good thing their games are on the same really big field. I do enjoy watching them, just not so much running after my little ones!
I am so not good at the decor of my house. We don't have a country flair or a modern touch. Nothing really. Some housewives are gifted in this but I am not and I am not ashamed to admit it. I'd rather my house be comfortable, somewhat organized and manageable and let others be comfortable too. I don't worry about not having the best furniture (that will be scratched or stained in 5 minutes anyway!) or actually having all the furniture match nicely (not that mine clash but it would be nice to have a theme going on). So, that is my next step and that is what I am up to lately. I am going to try to tie in the colors of my couch and paint my walls! (well, actually my hubby will be painting-he loves to paint!) I am thrilled to get rid of the neutral almond color that every single room has. I just need to pick out a color. Sounds not tough, right? But it soooo is, for me! What should I do? Duh! I called my mom. See, my mom has that gene and it skipped right over me! She is awesome and so helpful with this. What a gift and talent she has! I'll keep you posted on the color choice I pick, but I am leaning towards a warm mauve color for both my living room and dining room. I think it will look great ;) (I hope!)
It was a rainy day today and now I am back to this blog life and internet thing. I could be doing 199 other things right now but nope, I am here. See what this blog thing does every now and then!?!? argh. Good thing it is the weekend, I have a long to do list to get checked off!
Well, that's it.
I'll leave it at that.
Good Night, God bless you and Happy Easter!
God bless,
Mary
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
So, you too? *updated*
...still vacuuming up all that Easter grass.
...still playing hide and seek w/ plastic Easter eggs.
...still eating chocolate kisses, chocolate bunnies, all things chocolate-yum! ( I can't believe we still have candy in this house!)
Hey, it's still Easter, ya know. Happy Easter Wednesday! and so... we're still celebrating!
*Update*: ...we even broke out the little baby swimming pool! I know, I know... can you imagine?! It is only April 7th and it is 88* right now! I did insist on no swimsuits, but I wish I caved in and just let them with all this laundry I quickly acquired. Oh well! Just last week this time, it was rainy, cloudy and cold. We are lovin' it! Thank You dear Lord, thank you!
God bless,
Happy sweet eating!
Mary
...still playing hide and seek w/ plastic Easter eggs.
...still eating chocolate kisses, chocolate bunnies, all things chocolate-yum! ( I can't believe we still have candy in this house!)
Hey, it's still Easter, ya know. Happy Easter Wednesday! and so... we're still celebrating!
*Update*: ...we even broke out the little baby swimming pool! I know, I know... can you imagine?! It is only April 7th and it is 88* right now! I did insist on no swimsuits, but I wish I caved in and just let them with all this laundry I quickly acquired. Oh well! Just last week this time, it was rainy, cloudy and cold. We are lovin' it! Thank You dear Lord, thank you!
God bless,
Happy sweet eating!
Mary
Sunday, April 4, 2010
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Stations of the Cross- kids and family stuff
Look what I came upon! Pages of the Stations of the Cross for kids to color or hang up (as we will).
CLICK THIS LINK HERE
I am thrilled. I have wanted to get ones that were big enough to hang up on our walls around our house so that we could do an actual walking around stations of the cross as a family at home. I will be hanging these up in our long hallway and wherever I can find room (but you can color them too!). It may turn out to be a little bit of a hunt to find the next station as we travel together, but what fun! I bet my kids will love it. Well, I hope they do! They'll learn their roman numerals too-a whole bag full of learning!
I also printed THESE up and will be cutting them up into little booklets for little hands to follow along as we walk, as a family, through the stations of the cross. I am so pleased! Of course I wanted to do these Stations sooner...as in the beginning of Lent (rrrr!), but better late than never, right>?!?! oh well. We'll have our big crucifix that my older sonswill fight over have to take turns using and learn to be patient. Then after we complete a station, each child will get to place a sticker on that station sign as we (*look around hastily for the next station somewhere in my house and while we look and walk and not run around, we hope not to loose any child in some other room, b/c the whole point is to do this as a family, right? I mean, it can't be that hard to do. So what that only one of my children knows how to read totally by himself. And the kids may scream and get bored and impatient and frustrated as we trudge from room to room to just find the next station*) head on over to the next station.
So...how are your stations of the cross going this Lent?
BTW, check out these Stations of the Cross put out by EWTN-now, that seems the type I'll be praying by myself.
God bless,
Mary
CLICK THIS LINK HERE
I am thrilled. I have wanted to get ones that were big enough to hang up on our walls around our house so that we could do an actual walking around stations of the cross as a family at home. I will be hanging these up in our long hallway and wherever I can find room (but you can color them too!). It may turn out to be a little bit of a hunt to find the next station as we travel together, but what fun! I bet my kids will love it. Well, I hope they do! They'll learn their roman numerals too-a whole bag full of learning!
I also printed THESE up and will be cutting them up into little booklets for little hands to follow along as we walk, as a family, through the stations of the cross. I am so pleased! Of course I wanted to do these Stations sooner...as in the beginning of Lent (rrrr!), but better late than never, right>?!?! oh well. We'll have our big crucifix that my older sons
So...how are your stations of the cross going this Lent?
BTW, check out these Stations of the Cross put out by EWTN-now, that seems the type I'll be praying by myself.
God bless,
Mary
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