OPEN HOUSE

Come over and visit our school. Visitors are welcome today!

More Lenten Preparations

BETTER LATE THAN NEVER!!!

I just found this at Matilda's and was impressed with this simple yet effective idea. So, although Lent has already begun, I HURRIED and made up a chart for our Lenten journey. I used a picture of the kids so they can "picture" themselves on this journey. I love Velcro.

I'll try to post pics of Lenten spots throughout our home later today. I shouldn't be blogging during school time right now!

Quick Post

I really don't have time to post but thought I would send you over to Michelle's. She speaks her mind on the continual problem of people not minding their own business when it comes to how many children one should have!

Thanks Michelle for getting that off my chest too! I feel better just reading your post. ;-)

Stations of the Cross, Montessori Style

I discovered this last year and did this project with our Little Flowers group. We have saved our boxes and plan to use them again this year. I can't begin to say what a difference this hands-on way of praying the Stations of the Cross has transformed our Fridays during Lent. My little ones now pray along eagerly and listen intently for the station so they can rummage through their boxes and find the appropriate symbol.

I wish I could remember where I got this idea from. Probably from my MODG Yahoo loop.





Here are the symbols that correspond with each station:

1st Station: Pilate condemns Jesus (ROPE)
2nd Station: Jesus Takes His Cross (WOODEN CROSS)
3rd Station: Jesus Falls to the Ground 1st time (BAND AID)
4th Station: Jesus Meets his Mother (ROSARY)
5th Station: Simon Helps Jesus (SAINT CARD OF SIMON HELPING JESUS)
6th Station: Veronica Wipes Face of Jesus (IRON ON OF JESUS' FACE ON MATERIAL)
7th Station: Jesus Falls 2nd time (BAND AID)
8th Station: Jesus Meets Women of Jerusalem (TISSUE)
9th Station: Jesus Falls 3rd time (BAND AID)
10 Station: Soldiers Strip Jesus' Clothes (PURPLE FELT)
11th Station: Jesus is Nailed to Cross (BIG NAIL)
12th Station: Jesus Dies on Cross (SMALL CRUCIFIX)
13th Station: Jesus is Taken from Cross (PIETA CARD)
14th Station: Jesus is Laid in the Tomb (BIG ROCK)

Obviously, you can use any symbol for the stations. I also got my boxes from Pay Less Shoe Store. They will give empty shoe boxes to teachers for free. We decorated them with purple wrapping paper and holy stickers.

I also typed up and taped the prayers for "before" and "after" the Stations of the Cross. This way they didn't need the booklets.



The bigger the nail the more it really conveys Jesus' sacrifice. DH found these big nails for me. I need to make one more box for Kolbe. He didn't have one last year.

Ash Wednesday

Lent has arrived and once again we have the opportunity to reflect on Christ's great sacrifice for us. We are also called to make sacrifices of our own. This Lent we will be making sacrifices as a family. I think Kolbe (almost 4) and Sophia (5) are now old enough to join us. As a family we are giving up something that is very dear to us ..... eating!! Well, not ALL eating. But we will be giving up desserts and eating out. A GREAT sacrifice. The money will go into their rice boxes.

How easily I indulge myself and forget the poor. Already I was thinking about where to go pick up a fish dinner tonight!! So, instead we're having baked potatoes. And after Mass on Sundays we'll be coming home instead of eating out. And no more quick runs because dinner hasn't been made.

After reading Michelle's post, I've resolved that we need to live simpler. This includes how we dress, eat, our toys and things, everything!!!

We'll also be doing a Lenten Cross, similar to a Jesse Tree. As well as covering our holy objects with purple cloth. And finally, we'll be doing our Friday Stations of the Cross.

My personal sacrifices include doing more!! Last night I watched Mass on EWTN with Fr. Mitch Picwa and I was wondering why I didn't watch everyday!! So every morning I'm resolving to watch mass (since I can't attend). I've always thought it was an all or nothing deal. I completely forget about spiritual communions. I'm also thinking about having the kids watch mass with me. Good practice for Sunday.

I'm also donating clothes and toys. I don't mean the broken, worn out things. I'm donating the good stuff! Mother Theresa said:

I believe it was St. Vincent de Paul who used to say to those who wanted to join his congregation: "Never forget, my children, that the poor are our masters. That is why we should love them and serve them, with utter respect, and do what they bid us."

Do you not believe that it can happen, on the other hand, that we treat the poor like they are a garbage bag in which we throw everything we have no use for? Food we do not like or that is going bad - we throw it there.

Perishable goods past their expiration date, and which might harm us, go in the garbage bag: in other words, go to the poor. An article of clothing that is not in style anymore, that we do not want to wear, goes to the poor.

This does not show any respect for the dignity of the poor; this is not to consider them our masters, like St. Vincent de Paul taught his religious, but to consider them less than our equals.

Overdue Haircut

I finally got my hair cut and styled, after growing it out for over a year!! I am throwing away my barettes! Or at least hiding them in a really good place. I think I'll continue to grow it for another few inches. But I'm really going to try to style it more often. I'll see if I can find a picture of the bride of my youth. She always had time to do her hair and would never have stepped out of the house or dorm room with out hair properly fixed and make up applied. Of course, she didn't have five kids she was homeschooling. Still, I miss her. So I think I might try a little harder. I know Craig appreciates it when I do!

Finally .... introducing our house!

I'm finally getting around to introducing you to our new home. I still can't believe we live here, so close to family!! And that we have so many "functional" trees. When we lived "in the woods" we were surrounded by pine trees. Now we have over 15 Live Oak trees, good for pinatas, tire swings, and children. Well, here she is:


I love the trees in the front yard!


Here's a view of the backyard. We have 3 islands full of trees, bushes, even a pomengranite tree. Craig was relieved that he wouldn't have to landscape this house!


I've always wanted a covered porch to protect us from the elements of Texas during the summer. Its been nice during the rain too!


This is Craig's area!


Perfect for grilling these today!

TGIF!!!

I'm so looking forward to the weekend! We used to get Mondayitis around here. Now, its Fridayitis because the kids and I can't wait to start planning the BBQ menu to share with family. Craig gets back later today. Since he wasn't going to be here for dinner, I invited my sister and niece and nephew over to eat (her hubby is out of town too). How nice!! Used to be that I wouldn't make dinner and the kids would eat breakfast for dinner (cereal, otameal, etc.). But now, I can just have someone over.

*Mom and Dad are coming too!! YEAH! I love being spontaneous. I guess that's why I was never good at having guests over. I'm ready to invite a few hours before dinner!

Still praying for that special someone to come into my life. If I were posting in the want ads this would be mine:

Catholic Married Homeschooling Mom seeks CMHM
Must like noise, non-judgemental about messes, be crafty, supportive, willing to talk on phone, meet for dinner/park dates, and love BBQ.
Must be avid reader. Curriculum junkies acceptable.
More girls than boys a plus.
All interested should email me.

You can see I'm not very witty or good at this!! I'm just praying for that one, wise, spiritual mom. I had one when I lived in Aggieland. She was wise beyond years and I learned soooo much from her and her brood. Actually, I made a pest of myself and was at her place all the time. I don't think she noticed though!

Gotta go, my dd is finished with her math test!!!

Links, Links, and More Links

My camera is out of batteries so I really don't have anything to blog about! However, I thought I would provide some links for your enjoyment.

This first link is to a website with modest yet stylish clothing. At least I think its stylish. Its actually pretty hard to find modest clothing without looking like you stepped out of Little House on the Prairie. And I'm tired of only wearing denim skirts. So this website has been a Godsend (although I've yet to actually order from them). And they have MANY items made in the good ol' USA!!!


This second link is for modest swimwear. I'm still not sure if I'm getting these for me and the girls. I REALLY want to but I'm afraid to admit I do care about what people will think/say. But then, I could be ordering these!! Definitely NOT stylish in my humble opinion. What do you think? I just want the girls to be able to enjoy going to Sea World and pools without being on display. Yet, I don't want them to gain too much attention because they look funny either. I think the first swimsuits are a nice alternative ...except for the price, but oh well.

For more modest clothing resources visit Colleen Hammond's.

*************************************************************************

Finally, yesterday I received some CD's I ordered from Breakaway Ministries. My old CD was badly scratched and needed to be replaced. When I went to their website they had ALL their cd's for $1. I ordered them on Monday and got them quickly and we've been enjoying listening to some of the best praise and worship music. Unfortunately, I don't see the deal on their website anymore? Maybe they changed their minds after I requested them? Now to find 11 O'Clock cd's. Those have been ruined too! I wonder if they still make them. 11 O'Clock was the awesome band at St. Mary's (in Aggieland) 11 O'Clock mass. Very original name huh?!

Enjoy the links!

Why I Am Catholic

Thanks to Veronica for sharing this inspiring video.

Please take a moment and go view it. It not only makes me truly grateful to be Catholic, but also deepens my prayer for unity in the Mystical Body of Christ.

VALENTINE CARDS

Its that time of year! When my kitchen is turned upside down with craft supplies for making Valentine cards. I was going to buy them this year (to make life easier) but my kids have a hard time letting go of tradition.

I have made peace with the mess by seeing it as an opportunity to sneak in school work. I FINALLY got Kolbe to color. Sophia traced her name on ALL 30 of her cards. Isabelle practiced some cursive. Anna cut, laced and stamped her cards. She also helped Kolbe color. AND ..... Craig helped!! This was his first time getting involved in this. He REALLY enjoyed it! His job was cutting and hole punching while talking with Isabelle. I think for now on we will do them on the weekends (instead of during school time) so it can become a family affair. Here's the final product:

ISABELLE'S (notice the pop out feature in the inside!!)





























ANNA'S (notice her fancy, curly penmenship!)





























SOPHIA'S



























KOLBE'S



I had to print alot of colored one's for Kolbe. His stamina for coloring is pretty low. In fact, this is the first time he actually enjoyed coloring. So today I'm printing TONS of Star War and Power Ranger sheets. I have to admit I only have pony, flower, princess and girl saints coloring sheets. No wonder he hasn't shown any interest!! He did enjoy putting the heart stickers on Yoda's hand!

Catherine didn't make any this year. She couldn't stay on task. She did enjoy ruining a few of her siblings' cards and spilling craft supplies on the floor!

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!!!!

Pictures

I'm back online!! I don't even know where to begin so here are some pictures from the last several days ..... House pics coming soon!!

Now that Belle and Anna attend a homeschooling co-op once a week, I'm excited to be able to have "Pre-school" with Kolbe and Sophia. Our Thursdays begin by rising EARLY to make 8am mass. The girls' classes are from 9am-2pm. So, after saying good bye to them we drive home. I still haven't done anything "fancy" with our preschool since I'm still unpacking and getting over another Strep illness. Last week we played with Play-dough (YEP! Me too!!) for about an hour. I then read to them. We then went to Grandma's house, picked her up and headed over to the McDonald's. If I can get over my germ-phobia we might make this a weekly outing. While Sophia and Kolbe were playing, Catherine entertained herself with ... FRENCH FRIES!! BTW, these are candid pictures.



Here are some pictures from Isabelle's birthday party. I made her cake because she doesn't like store bought cakes. One day I'll take a class to learn how to decorate them more "professionally." As always, no cake was left over!! This was a strawberry cake with strawberry frosting, her favorite. The pinata was a HUGE #9. Although Craig kept teasing her that he was going to hang it up upside down!





This is just to show off my good looking kids!! We had just returned from the park.



FINALLY, the secret to getting a whole hour of interrupted homeschooling!! Give the 1 yo a lollipop so she doesn't notice the 5 yo is dressing her up. Give the 1 yo another lollipop so she will allow the 5 yo to push her around in a doll stroller. Give the 3 yo and 5 yo lollipops and tell them to push the 1 yo around the kitchen and living room. A whole hour for only 4 lollipops. Not bad!!

Happy 9th Birthday Isabelle!!

I love you very much!! Just please stop growing so fast!

I never realized how much time I had for blogging before moving!!! Even though I am without internet (I'm borrowing Craig's computer), I don't miss it at all!! My days are filled with homeschooling, sweeping my new hardwood floors, visiting with my mom(-in-law) almost daily, and UNPACKING!!

And so, although I hope to return to blogging next week (after our internet is fixed by switching to a new carrier), I don't think I'll be spending as much time on it as I used to.

But here's what we've been up to: Belle and Anna started attending a homeschool co-op 2 weeks ago and LOVE IT!!! So do my parents. My dad was sooooo happy they were attending (he has fears about them not being properly socialized .. HA!!) and asked if there were any other co-ops they could attend ... maybe 3-4 times a week? YEAH!! Its called SCHOOL!!!

He didn't think I was funny. I don't think they get it ... homeschooling, that is!!! But he's my daddy and I love him!! In fact, I love him so much that after a recent visit and his near heart attacks at watching Catherine go up and down the stairs, we installed stair gates at his request. I had decided we weren't going to because I don't like how they look. And I figured at 16 months she's old enough to learn. But my dad called and asked if I would "consider" it.

I have a very stubborn streak and don't like to be told what to do. But he asked me so nicely and I did move closer to home so they could meddle, didn't I?? ;-)

So, we now have stair gates. BUT ..... the baby fits between the first set of spindles and is able to bypass the entire gate system!!!!!! She figured it out in less than an hour!! So now I have ugly stair gates and a baby who has completely mastered stairs, and a father that is so happy when he visits and sees the gates. He doesn't know she's figured it out. Its our little secret!!!

I wish I could upload pics!! Can't wait to have my own computer back next week.

And, my girls are finally learning Spanish!!! Thanks to the co-op! And grandparents. Even the baby can now say "SIT" in Spanish. Too bad she doesn't understand what it means!

Tomorrow we celebrate Belle's 9th birthday. We're taking her skating (her passion) and then coming home for cake, ice cream, presents, pinata, and lasagna. Family will be here and I'm sure she'll be fine!!! Her real bday is Sunday but we had scheduling conflicts with Superbowl. Who's playing anyways?

Love to you all!!!