Wednesday, February 28, 2007

Tuesday, February 27, 2007

Black nail polish - American Idol

What is with most of the girls on American Idol?
Are they sharing the same bottle of BLACK nail polish??? Doesn't a store in Hollywood sell another color?

I noticed it last week and then tonight. Yuck!

Google Reader

Wow,
Love to read blogs?
Can't remember which ones you have read?
Sad when you click on one and they haven't posted for weeks?

The ANSWER= Google Reader!
Yes it takes a little bit of time to enter your favorite blogs.......but the payoff! Well worth the few minutes.
It tells you who has updated their blogs in a list on the left and shows the blogs in the window on the right. (except you don't get to see all the headers and extra cute items we place in the sidebars of our blogs)

But for a quick update..........very helpful!

My internet time is so much easier and quicker for blogs I already like..... NOW i get to spend time finding new blogs!!

AND you can send Shared items to your own blog so that other people know what you are reading and you can Star items that you might want to remember, or re-visit later.

Monday, February 26, 2007

Happy Baptismal Day!


God Bless you God-Daughter on your Baptismal Anniversary!

activities today

Not much school work today. Everyone is feeling under the weather.

Katherine has been feverish since dinner last night.

So we read Aslan's Triumph and started Junie B.'s Boss of Lunch

Read through 5 chapters in Religion to catch up.

She and Derek read through the write & wipe books on ABCs and 123s

James is reading Augustine came to Kent and other work for the week.



Try Soul Scents

Paula Moldenhaur sends wonderful, thoughtful, Faithfilled emails every few weeks that make me really think about God and faith.

Today she sends out Ephesians 3: 14-21 "Prayer for Readers"
Prayer for Readers. For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, that he may grant you in accord with the riches of his glory to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in the inner self, and that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the holy ones what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, so that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.
Now to him who is able to accomplish far more than all we ask or imagine, by the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever, Amen. (Ephesians 4:14-21)

Sign up at http://www.soulscents.us/signup.htm

Wonderful Day!

Sunday, February 25, 2007

Feb 25th

I realized late tonight that last year on Feb 25th we held my Dad's funeral.
It was a very nice service, on a beautiful day.

As everyone exited we gave small white triangular boxes to everyone, formed a circle outside the church and opened the boxes to release butterflies! Very amazing.

Even later last night as I was thinking about Feb 25th, I realized that back in 1997 it was the date that the attorney called us and asked if we wanted to adopt a baby that was due on March 25th. OF course we said YES. And James was born on March 29th - Easter Vigil!! 9:16 p.m.

Saturday, February 24, 2007

Day 4 Prep for Total Consecration

Imitation of Christ, by Thomas á Kempis: Book 3, Chapters 40

........... This most assuredly, I may truly think and say: Lord I am nothing, I can do nothing of myself, that is good, but I am in all things defective and ever tend to nothing. And unless I am assisted and interiorly instructed by Thee, I become wholly tepid and relaxed, but Thou, O Lord, art always the same, and endurest unto eternity, ever good, just and holy, doing all things well, justly and holily and disposing them in wisdom.

Day 5 Book3, Ch 40

.... Let Thy Name be praised, not mine; let Thy work be magnified, not mine; let Thy Holy Name be blessed, but let nothing be attributed to me of the praise of men. Thou art my glory; Thou art the exultation of my heart; in Thee, will I glory and rejoice all the day; but for myself, I will glory in nothing but in my infirmities.

Friday, February 23, 2007

Very Hungry Caterpillar Day

Today's activities were based on The Very Hungry Caterpillar.
Katherine read the book to all of us.
I Printed out pages from Kiz Klub for Derek to color.
Well, first I asked him if he wanted color or black and white and I thought he said color so as those were printing he cried, "No, I want to color them" - but it is a lot of coloring for him.
(As proven - that he only made it through 3 oranges)

Then on to DLTK's sequencing cards -
Where I printed out enough for all 3 kids to make their own books.
I made Derek's booklet, but he glued the pictures where he wanted on each page.

On the last page of this book activity, I printed the days of the week out and glued onto black paper so Derek can learn the days of the week.
This page of numbers, I printed and glued to blue paper so Derek can sequence numbers.

And make life cycle circles for Caterpillars/Butterflies from Kiz Klub also.

Tuesday, February 20, 2007

Inward Inventory!

I have been carefully thinking about how to celebrate the coming Lent.
I was feeling a little desperate that tomorrow is Ash Wednesday and I still had not decided. I thought I should just start making a list of things I could do for my sacrifice and nothing really meant a lot to me… except exercising…….. YUCK a REAL sacrifice as I hate it a lot.
So that still may be a good one.

Finally found where I was reminded of St Louis Marie de Montfort’s Total Consecration.
That was the answer. Just what I needed.
I ran up to the linen closet (which is my library!!) and found de Montfort’s book Total Devotion to the Blessed Virgin. I brought it with me to the Y while the kids had gymnastics and Derek played at the park.
It is an awesome book, but not the book I needed that lays is out easily. Then I saw the back of the book and it showed the other book I have and need: Preparation for Total Consecration. It’s at home in the linen closet/library.
If you don’t have the books, you can follow this website at Fish Eaters
and it outlines how to do it, and the prayers to say everyday.
Looking at the chart, if you begin TODAY on Feb 20 it is perfect timing to make my Consecration on March 25th. The Feast of The Annunciation.
So it is my “sign” that I was supposed to find this today so that I can get started on the Start Date!

Gymnastics was followed by our trip to IHOP for dinner, in honor of Mardi Gras / Shrove Tuesday ~~ now known as National Pancake Day!?? Free pancakes! But they ask for a donation for Children’s Miracle Network. I was very proud; Kate dug in her wallet and gave a $1 and some change!

Back at home I found the book I need and want to share with all of you some more information for Lent.

In the bookshelf I found My Imitation of Christ and Wisdom’s Fool by Eddie Doherty for reading during Lent.

With the kids I’m going Lapbooks on the Simple Gifts Blog has list of ideas from other bloggers for Lent.

Derek does a headstand at the park



Derek is showing his headstand progress.

Since they are all in gymnastics they all practice all the time!

preparing for lent

I've been looking for activities for the kids for lent and finally came to Julie's site
where she has her entry for the Loveliness of Lent and Weekly calendars
which I'll be doing with the kids. Thanks Julie!

Spelling help

I'm researching spelling help for us today. We are several weeks behind in 4th grade spelling.
It seems we forget to do it everyday. Starting today, we do it first.
I like this FREE program at SpellingTime.com, but right now we need to stick to our assigned spelling words and catch up. This would be a great summer activity.

Coloring animal ears

Derek worked hard coloring and gluing this worksheet about animal ears.

Monday, February 19, 2007

Pope Benedict XVI's message for Lent

The following is the Vatican English text of Pope Benedict XVI's message for Lent 2007:
"They shall look on him whom they have pierced" (Jn 19:37)
Dear brothers and sisters!
"They shall look on him whom they have pierced" (Jn 19:37). This is the biblical theme that this year guides our Lenten reflection. Lent is a favorable time to learn to stay with Mary and John, the beloved disciple, close to him who on the cross consummated for all mankind the sacrifice of his life (cf. Jn 19:25). With a more fervent participation let us direct our gaze, therefore, in this time of penance and prayer, at Christ crucified who, dying on Calvary, revealed fully for us the love of God. In the encyclical Deus Caritas Est. I dwelt upon this theme of love highlighting its two fundamental forms: agape and eros.


read more at Catholic Online

Sunday, February 18, 2007

St. Joseph, Pray for Us

Praying for everyone named Joseph today;


and joining friends praying to St. Joseph for a new home.


St. Joseph, Prudent Guardian of the Holy Family, protect God's Holy Church.
Model of Righteousness, Solace of the Afflicted, Protector of Children, Hope of the Sick, Consolation of the Poor, Rescuer of Sinners, Model of Christian Workmen, Patron of Priests and Seminarians, Model of Men, Patron of a Happy Death, Guardian of Virgins, Safeguard of Families.
PRAY FOR US.

Saturday, February 17, 2007

2 more teeth out


The Tooth Fairy has been busy at our house

Kate lost 2 more this week.

the cheerleader


Kate has been anxious to be a cheerleader. Finally she took a workshop at the Y.

On the last day the parents were able to take lots of pictures.

Friday, February 16, 2007

Brown Bear Brown Bear

Kids' activity: Brown Bear, Brown Bear.

Katherine read the book to all of us.

Derek colored all of the animals!!
I cut them out and we glued them to craft sticks to act out the story.


Thursday, February 15, 2007

Jesus - Divine Mercy


This image of Jesus is that of "The Divine Mercy" which in the Catholic Church is venerated the Sunday after Easter, on "The Feast of Divine Mercy".
Here HE is bringing the message of Divine Mercy to all Catholics, whether they are practicing their faith or not. This a vehicle to bring them closer to GOD and give them HOPE of salvation.

There's a terrific web site that explains what we Catholics believe www.DivineMercySunday.com
The message he is carrying is very important and needs to go round. May God bless you as you do this - AMEN
Jesus is walking the World. Please pass him on so that he can reach his destination. Say a prayer then pass him on to bless others. This is really interesting how someone did this. Our assignment is to love and spread the gospel throughout the world. Have a blessed day and touch somebody's life today! I just did. He's walking around the world - via e-mail!! Pass it on so he can get there.

Wednesday, February 14, 2007

Happy Valentine's Day



From my wonderful Husband

roses

gerbera daisies

& starbuck's card

The kids got to choose toys at the toystore and we all went to dinner at On the Border.

Thursday, February 08, 2007

We Miss you Dad/Grandpa.


I can't believe it has already been a year since you left us for Heaven.

We love you.

We Miss you.

PHOTO from around 1971

Prayer for Souls

Prayer of Saint Gertrude St. Gertrude the Great is invoked for souls in purgatory and for living sinners. Our Lord told St. Gertrude that the following prayer would release 1000 souls from purgatory each time it is said. The prayer was extended to include living sinners as well.

"Eternal Father, I offer You the most Precious Blood of Your Divine Son, Jesus Christ, 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."

Friday, February 02, 2007

Feb 2nd

Full Moon

Groundhog Day

Feast of the Presentation of Jesus.

Mary Kay Clark writes, "It reminds us that we are to dedicate our children to God so that they can give glory to God and enjoy Him forever while witnessing to others concerning the grace of God. "