~ Life ~

~ Capturing the context of contentment in everyday life ~

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{pretty}

 

This crucifix qualifies as {pretty} special.  I hand held this all the way back from Assisi, Italy during our Altar Boy Pilgrimage to Rome.  It was hand-made from olive wood from local artisans. 

 

{happy}

 

{happy} Birthday Dinner & Dessert for my Father-in-law 

 

 

 

{funny}

 

Our friends asked if we would take care of their birds while they were on vacation...sure (I say).  In my mind, I envisioned this cute little bird cage...HA! 

 

Boy was I surprised when they pulled up with this...

 

It took up half my dining room.  :oD 
(just kidding, L ~  Love ya! xo)

 

My girls were ecstatic that they had these sweet birds to care for, and I have to admit...they were really sweet. 

Messy, but sweet.  {funny}, too!

 

 

{real}

In August, I took a group of teens, from our church Youth Group, to the First Ever Pro-Life Youth Conference Nor-Cal 2013...held at the Cathedral in San Francisco.

It was organized by P.L.M.R.  Pro-Lifers of the Mystical Rose which is a Pro-Life Youth-Led Organization.

The two day event was packed full of nine amazing  and compelling speakers, including the wonderful Sisters of Life,

The Sisters of Life is a contemplative / active religious community of women founded in 1991 by John Cardinal O’Connor for the protection and enhancement of the sacredness of every human life. Like all religious communities, we take the three traditional vows of poverty, chastity and obedience. We also are consecrated under a special, fourth vow to protect and enhance the sacredness of human life.
~ Sisters of Life

...the event also included live music, as well as an Info-Faire, books & media tables.

We experienced our first "Die-In Rally" and participated in a Peaceful Walk to the Civic Center Plaza led by the loyal and worthy Knights of Columbus.  Surprisingly, we had a great amount of positive reactions & support...and only one (maybe two) jeers. 

Several priests were available throughout the event to offer the sacrament of Confession & Spiritual Direction.

 The event was very well organized and the food (important when you have teens), which was included in the registration package, was superb!

Advocating the Pro-Life Cause and working towards the end of abortion is what the Pro-Life Youth Conference event is hoping to accomplish. 

We are looking forward to the 2nd Annual Pro-Life Youth Conference 2014!

 

 

 

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~ Catechism, Apologetics and Catholic Product Reviews ~

{pretty, happy, funny, real} ~ Saying Goodbye ~

~ Capturing the context of contentment in everyday life ~

Every Thursday at Like Mother, Like Daughter
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 {pretty}

 

We have had our share of pets. 
There are several "rules" that each child must achieve prior to getting their own pet.
1.  He/she must be at least 8 years old.
2.  He/she must be have good personal hygiene.
3.  He/she must be able to keep his/her room clean & tidy.
4.  He/she must do extra work around the house in order to "pay" (credit) for pet supplies.

I have always told my children that they need to be able to take care of themselves, before they can take care of another living thing.  Having good stewardship is important.  Everything belongs to God...even His little creatures.  Good stewardship encourages good virtues.

Another rule is, each child must gain responsibility through (proving they can) properly take care of another living thing.  So we start small; for example, a fish, (or a frog - which started out as a science experiment - over 5 or 6 years ago!)...then they can work their way up to a larger animal; like a guinea pig, or hamster.  (No birds or snakes - I draw the line there).

 

 

{happy}

 

 

Each of my children have shown good responsibility.  Do I still have to nag remind them about their duties & responsibilities - you bet!

 

But they have all learned good lessons along the way...and I have had plenty of opportunity to work on my patience.  O:o)

 

 

{funny}

 

 

Can you guess which dog is the alpha?

(hint:  it's the one with the toy, and the perky ears)

 

{real} 

 

This last part is a little sad.  Do not continue reading if you are faint of heart.

Butterfly lost her pet of nearly six years.  Princess was a guinea pig that was entirely sweet and cuddly.  She never bit or behaved wild or badly.  Princess was the perfect little pet.

 

I think we will all miss this little friend...

 

 Earlier today, Princess came out of her little house and laid down on her side.  Her eyes looked different...tired.

 

So, Butterfly gave her a nice warm bath and stroked her soft, silky fur...which Princess always enjoys and purrs with approval.

 

Several hours later, Princess, again, looked "different"...tired.

 

We knew it was just a matter of time.

 

So Butterfly placed Princess on her lap and stroked her gently...

 

There were some tears...we knew.

 

 Princess became more and more relaxed.

 

Her little breaths quickened, and she faintly squeaked a few last times.

 

 

It is always sad to loose a pet.  Even if it is the smallest of God's creatures.

They bring comfort when days aren't going so great...and they make us laugh with their silly antics.

 

 

Siblings are always there to give love and support.

Goodbye little friend. 

Thank you, God, for giving us these little creatures that make us smile and amuse us; that give us fond memories and help teach us to care for others...in so many ways.

"Ask the birds, ask the beasts and they will teach you."
~ Job 12: 7-10

“All praise to you, Oh Lord, for all these brother and sister creatures.”
~ St. Francis of Assisi, Canticle of Creatures


“Blessed are you, Lord God, maker of all living creatures. You called forth fish in the sea, birds in the air and animals on the land. You inspired St. Francis to call all of them his brothers and sisters. May we always praise you for all your beauty in creation. Blessed are you, Lord our God, in all your creatures! Amen.”

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~ Mini Pope-mobile ~

AP Photo/L'Osservatore Romano

Why do I find this article so endearing?

After reading this article, The Sermon on the Mount immediately came to my mind:

"When he saw the crowds, he went up to the mountain, and after he had sat down, his disciples came to him.  He began to teach them, saying:

Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.

Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.

Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.

Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.

Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.

Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are you when men revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account.

Rejoice and be glad,
for your reward is great in heaven."

Pin this...

~ First Days 2013, Continued ~

photo credit:  Abi Bell

Our First Days of School continue...

 

Last year, we chose The St. Francis Prayer to recite everyday.

We will continue to use this prayer during this school year as well.

 

Lord, make me an instrument of Your peace.

Where there is hatred, let me sow love;

where there is injury, pardon;

where there is doubt, faith;

where there is despair, hope;

where there is darkness, light;

where there is sadness, joy.

O, Divine Master,

grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console;

to be understood as to understand;

to be loved as to love;

For it is in giving that we receive;

it is in pardoning that we are pardoned;

it is in dying that we are born again to eternal life.

~ St. Francis of Assisi

 

+ Amen!

Conductor and Butterfly began a week earlier with their online courses...but our Official start date was Monday the 9th of September! 

We had to improvise, from last year, since Little Lamb was sick in bed on her first day back.  So we began with a little First Day Fare of her choice:

Egg easy over (I was a little hard on them) :o)
Waffles with jam
Fresh Fruit
Chamomile Tea with honey

She enjoyed her breakfast in bed, while the others worked on Chemistry and Writing...

I promised her that she could open up the "pencils" and Schultutes after breakfast, which I had just put together the evening before.  And thank you to all the wonderful ideas which were shared by other moms everywhere.  The pencil tutorial called for a Pringles (potato chip) can, but I just shopped for something cylindrical and "healthy", substituting the can.  This saved me a step (of eating all those chips - which I would have!) :o/

 

 

The First Day Frenzy

The First Day Frenzy Finale...

gets the thumbs up!

I thought this idea was perfect for capturing the school year, I am SO thankful for all the wonderful shared ideas...thank you, ladies!  May God continue to bless you!

Little Lamb, 4th Grade

 

Butterfly, 9th Grade

 

Conductor, 10th grade

Well, I am still organizing...in fact, I have taken several leaps a few steps backwards with my desk and shelves (rooms, floors, drawers,....) being a complete mess.  But we will forge forward and I will offer it all up!  (because having my things unorganized and my desk a mess is really not fun for me.).

Time for one of these!  :oD

Lord, make me an instrument of Your peace.

Where there is hatred, let me sow love;

where there is injury, pardon;

where there is doubt, faith;

where there is despair, hope;

where there is darkness, light;

where there is sadness, joy.

O, Divine Master,

grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console;

to be understood as to understand;

to be loved as to love;

For it is in giving that we receive;

it is in pardoning that we are pardoned;

it is in dying that we are born again to eternal life.

~ St. Francis of Assisi

 

+ Amen!

~ Back to School - Fall 2013 ~ {phfr} style

~ Capturing the context of contentment in everyday life ~

Every Thursday at Like Mother, Like Daughter

The ABCs of school...

Academics!

We have always started our academic year on or near the Feast of the Nativity of Mary (right after Labor Day).  It seems that everyone began weeks before us...I was starting to feel a bit late.
But, to tell you the truth, I was glad to have the extra days to plan and organize and even borrow fun ideas from other moms, like here and here.

Books!

I believe,  that for every home school family, this sight is cause to be euphoric!

{pretty} sight

Oh what a pretty sight!

The Books have arrived!!!! 

The Classics

Curriculum!

This year we are using a few more online courses and my children are loving it!  (and so am I). 



A Classical Curriculum

Biology with Lab, Chemistry with Lab, HS Latin I & II, Theology, Vocab. & Writing...

This is an exciting year for us!  Technology has taken designing our own classical curriculum to a new level!

{happy} heart

Books that make a heart happy!

We found these little treasures after visiting a few antique shops...The prices were not as good as our library or church book sales, but they were a steal nonetheless.

{funny}

credit:  Victor S E Moubarak

Victor S E Moubarak falls under {funny}; Why? 

Because he writes very funny posts.  If you would like to smile, laugh or ponder Godly thoughts, a quick visit to TIME FOR REFLECTIONS will not disappoint. 

He is the author of several books, including the captivating book "Visions"; perhaps you have read it?   Victor's latest book "More Time for Reflections" is now available, which you can download for FREE!  Or, for a nominal fee, receive it via Kindle.

But WAIT!  There's more...you can now listen to Victor's vintage radio program recordings entitled Reflections Soundtracks.  We plan to play a program during our afternoon school year teas...great discussion starters for our family talks!   Especially because both my teens are studying (more) theology.

You can read more about the author, here.  Have fun!

{real} busy

I am still organizing for our school year!!!

Books ordered.  check!

Classes scheduled.  check!

Back to School supply shopping.  check!

Organizing book shelves, desk area, learning room...

I will right be back!

Traditionally, we begin our school year on:

 

~ The Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary ~

 

 

This year will be slightly different...

 

...to be continued.

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