~ All For Jesus - Lent Challenge ~ Big Winners!

ARMA DEI ~ EQUIPPING CATHOLIC FAMILIES

and CATHOLIC ALL YEAR

Have announced the winners of the ALL FOR JESUS - LENT CHALLENGE...Go here to find out WHO won and WHAT prizes were given out!

Thank you, Monica & Kendra!!!

~ Pretty, Happy, Funny, Real ~ First Holy Communion May 2013

~ Capturing the context of contentment in everyday life ~
Every Thursday at Like Mother, Like Daughter

 

And Linking up to Catholic Bloggers Network ~  2013 Monthly Link-Up Blitz

How can a First Communion Day not be pretty, happy, funny (children always tend to lighten things up) and real (as in the Real Presence)...

{pretty}

Definitely Hand-Made with LOVE...

Pretty Beautiful...yes?  This lovely First Communion Cake was made by one of the First Communicant's sisters.  I just asked that she include the toppers we have used over the past years.  It tasted as heavenly as it looks...

{happy}

The parents were SUPER happy...Fifteen precious souls.  I hold the First Communion Retreat and Rehearsal the day before; where the day is 'active'.   But I know, from experience, that the day before is always somewhat chaotic.  (Or, it may seem that way).  But on the DAY OF, everyone is "game on"!
It helps to send them all to Confession on the day of the rehearsal.  :oD

{funny}

We combined the May Crowning with the First Holy Communion Day...I was just a teeny-tiny bit stressed; the logistics were a challenge.  Funny, although we have FIVE Marian statues (and two ladders), everything worked.  It helps to have a son that is meticulous, a pastor that is patient, and a husband that works behind the scenes...

{real}
 

Although, I am currently preparing for Butterfly's Confirmation...

I hope to do a full post on First Holy Communion...because it's just too wonderful not to!

Go to, Like Mother, Like Daughter, to find more contentment...

 

Linking up to Catholic Bloggers Network ~ 2013 Monthly Link-Up Blitz

~ Catholic Family Journal ~

~ Big News ~

BIG CLICK WINNERS...

 

http://www.catholicbloggersnetwork.com/2013/05/big-click-winners-joy-of-nine9.html

 

CHECK THEM OUT AT

 

CATHOLIC BLOGGERS NETWORK:

 

http://www.catholicbloggersnetwork.com/2013/05/big-click-winners-joy-of-nine9.html

~ Pretty, Happy, Funny, Real ~ "The Rose"

~ Capturing the context of contentment in everyday life ~

Every Thursday at Like Mother, Like Daughter

 

Last week, at my girls choir practice, the Confirmand whom I sponsored last year, brought me this rose.  I think it qualifies as Pretty, Happy, Funny & Real altogether!

Pretty, for the rose itself.
Happy, for the way it made me feel.
Funny, for how she lovingly had it wrapped in a wet paper towel and plastic zip bag to preserve its perkiness all through its journey and hours of sitting until it reached me...it was perfectly perky when I received it!  :o)
Real, now that is real love and thoughtfulness!  And I real-ly appreciate these acts of love...thank you, sweet young lady! xo

Go to Like Mother, Like Daughter, to find more contentment...

~ Charity ~

I would love to write an entire post on LOVE.  However, since I have absolutely no time...I will leave just a few words and a picture or two.

So, as I get ready for this beautiful weekend (my First Holy Communion class will receive Our Lord in the Eucharist), I leave a quick picture of one of the many events that have been taking place in our very blessed lives...

One of my First Communion students was recently diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor, that is inoperable.  He is a sweet, sweet boy.  His family generates love by their very presence...
I am not just saying that.  It is the absolute TRUTH.

So many lives have been touched by this little boy's suffering...Christ suffered and touched many lives as well...

Our pastor arranged to have him receive his First Holy Communion early...I arranged a reception to celebrate the glorious union.  Many families helped decorate, make flower arrangements, prepare the food...

His classmates were all present to kneel with him; his family, siblings, grandparents, uncles & aunts, and his church family were there as well.

 

Additionally, many of us families came together to put on a Family Dinner to raise funds for his medical expenses...it SOLD OUT.  Here is a tiny peek...

I placed Our Lady of Lourdes prayer on the program

Right now, he and his parents are in Lourdes, France. 

 

Please, I ask you, pray for a miracle. 

God's will be done.

~ Pretty, Happy, Funny, Real ~ Pre Mother's Day

~ Capturing the context of contentment in everyday life ~

Every Thursday at Like Mother, Like Daughter

So many pretties this week, I'm having a hard time deciding! 

{pretty}

While visiting with my parents, I took my dear mother out to visit some local thrift shops, antique shops, and home decor shops...at one of the antique shops I found a little something for my Butterfly's upcoming Confirmation.   

 

This is how they handed over my purchase...pretty.

My mother immediately said that she would copy make me an entire set, after I commented that they would make cute coasters.  I can just picture them under my teacups!
I love my mother and how she can just do these things...I need to learn!  Is there still time?  I turn the BIG 5-OH this year...

{happy}

This purchase made me happy...what a steal!

I just love the happy mosaic work...one of my children said, "someones child probably broke a plate...and the mom probably wasn't happy"

{funny}

I remember having one of these in our home growing up...it was in pink satin and (as a child) I used to love to play with it.  I would take all the pins out and make different designs or smiley faces...

My mom made this one, too.   She gives them out as gifts, I have my very own (but I would have liked it in pink satin). :op

{real}

This is real to me...my mother's hands.  I love how they have aged, yet, she continues to create lovely things...always something for her family or friends...in this case, her granddaughters friend's baby...each of my children have blankets, personalized with her work...
truly HAND-MADE WITH LOVE.

 

Go to Like Mother, Like Daughter to find more contentment...

~ Gentle Shepherd ~

We gave a toast to Pope Emeritus, Benedict XVI, while he celebrated his 86th Birthday...

Today (10:30PM Rome time), we continue to celebrate during our simple afternoon tea.  
 

Our hearts ....

and prayers....

are with Pope Emeritus on his birthday.  A gentle and loving shepherd...

This mornings Holy Mass was for his intentions...we offered our Mass for him.