My Own Copywork for the Feast of All Saints

Christians believe that a mysterious, spiritual solidarity exists among themselves and all other children of the same God. We call this solidarity the communion of saints; the efforts, merits, sufferings of each individual benefit the rest. A similar law exists in the natural order, and if we think about it a little, we shall be convinced that our words and actions have a deeper and more far-reaching effect than we often imagine. Therefore, it is an absolute duty for everyone who understands what "absolute" and "duty" mean, to say and do nothing that is evil or even indifferent, since there is no neutrality in matters of morality. From that arises the obligation to make a sustained effort on a daily basis to work at interior perfection, because, whether we intend to or not, the effect we have on others will be the reflection and expression of what we are within. Let us create an interior treasure of noble thoughts, energy, and strong, intense affection, and then we may be sure that sooner or later, perhaps without our being aware of it, the overflow will affect the hearts of others.
I am not hiding the fact that this is a difficult task for one who relies on reason alone, which is itself to some extent only a tool, and many circumstances may falsify it or impede its action. I have, however, total confidence in God's ways of working with each person, even with those who never address God personally, and yet offer genuine homage by their love of the good, the just, and the beautiful.
-Elisabeth Leseur (d. 1914), whose cause for canonization is underway

A Three Day Weekend Daybook

Starting off with several photos I'm sharing- Jude suiting up to play goal keeper, a new love for this season; John Paul lost his first tooth this week, he is also the family artist & so good with Mark, and Mary started smiling this past week (I rotate these pics but they don't post that way!?).

Outside my window... another beautiful fall day, although I haven't been out.

I am thankful for... a fun weekend at home, including fun dinners b/c we've had extra time w/ Dad and I feel relaxed. I'm always trying to make dinner a priority: good food & good time connecting, especially w/ Dad who isn't home all day & who is a big "dinner guy." It also makes it not the bane of my existence to get dinner on the table if I change the focus to raising the bar! Fri. night Jesse & I had a fondue date night at home after the kids went to bed, Sat. night we had a picnic in our back acre, and last night we grilled steaks & had the boys' friends over to eat with us.

I am hoping...to start writing more, especially prayers & things for Jude's 2nd gr. religious ed/faith formation class we are teaching and NFP articles b/c we are doing some promoting for friends who are NFP teachers here.

On my mind...where those old NFP articles, etc. are that I wrote, either digital copies or hard copies?

Noticing that...John Paul is a really special kid who loves to study his faith. I wanted to incorporate some workbooks into our learning, so I sought out specifically Catholic ones from CHC for him especially. Both boys love them and other materials from CHC.

A few plans for the week...soccer, more soccer. The big boys are playing a combined indoor/outdoor season. After a couple of rough nights of taking all the kids (which took me 40 min to pack up for!), we now alternate who stays home w/ toddler Mark and I do most of the indoor practices/games w/ Mary.

From the bookshelves...we're studying ancient Greece: D'aulaires' Greek Myths, Archimedes and the Door of Science, The Jungle Book, St. Dominic and the Rosary. Mark is obsessed w/ train books.

In the kitchen...some leftovers, I think...

On the Church calendar...Feast of St. Luke, St. Isaac Joagues , St. Jude! b/f the end of the month. We're focusing on the Rosary this month of the Rosary and Respect Life issues.

Adventures in Homeschooling: Sept.

The boys' own attempt at a ladder.

Dad to the rescue. Woodworking 101.

Fun with a red-eared slider. Demonstrating "plaston" for me.

And no, not a cooking lesson. Just a fun kick-off to bird watching with "Birds in a Nest" for breakfast.

For my sister, who thinks we never do any real work or lessons. It sure looks like we don't, doesn't it? :)

Mary Constance at 6 Weeks (aka I like lime green.)

She was about to start fussing as I took this picture earlier today (Weds. 9/29). It looks like she was smiling but she wasn't really!

This green dress below swallowed her the day she came home from hospital. The little bottoms would fall off! Then...

Now...

(These are for you, CM in San Antonio. She is beautiful in it. Thank you!)

B/c I'm busy tweaking next month's original school plans...

"Help us, O God, to enter into the secret of childhood so that we may know, love, and serve the child in accordance with the laws of thy justice and following thy holy will."

Maria Montessori

A Few of My Favorite Things

Mary's beautiful Baptismal gown bought for her by her godparents still on display in the dining room, the ladybug petit-fours (sp?) from her shower (now devoured), the sunflowers blooming along the highways right now, and my 2 cowboys in their matching hats.

The Birthday Boy

Presenting Mary (Constance), full of grace

Full of the grace of Baptism, that is.

It was a beautiful celebration of her life and God's love, at our parish's vigil Mass last Sat. Lots of family and friends made it now that we are so much closer to everyone. For the first time, I was prepared and focused enough to have it arranged within the first few weeks. (It helped that we did not have to take the parents prep class again, although we felt lost at times b/c we had not even seen another Baptism at our new parish.) As always, it began with her anointing with holy oil, when the parents and godparents also mark the baby's forehead with the sign of the cross, claiming her for Christ and his Church. Our family and that of her very holy godparents were part of the entrance procession into Mass. After the Liturgy of the Word was the actual Baptism, when the holy water was poured three times over her head and she was baptized in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Immediately after, Fr. put the ancient-type white garment on her chest (this one also went around her back) to make outwardly apparent her new inner purity and life in Christ. Then she was anointed with the beautiful smelling chrism oil and her little baptismal candle was lit from the huge Paschal/Easter Candle. Christ is the true Light of the world, may she always know and follow Him.

Afterwards, we had a big family dinner at our house before her godparents had to head home. The next day we continued celebrating with a bigger party, including new friends from church, to mark her Baptism and Mark's 2nd b-day. It seemed appropriate to combine the celebrations b/c Mark's own Baptism was basically private at the time and I feel like including him in the party somehow completed the public celebration of his own Baptism as well. He is one joyful & charismatic toddler. "He draws you in," as our Mimi says. More pics of him in another post!

A 38 Weeks! Pregnant Daybook

Outside my window...I can see one of our crepe myrtles & the struggling cacti we transplanted near our POOL!.

I am thankful... for a quiet weekend, finally, spent washing baby clothes & getting her room ready and finally feeling settled in to our new house. Was it getting ready for baby that I've been waiting for? Another post on the move later. And pics- if I can ever find that camera cord!

I am hoping...for a safe delivery for us both after this very hard pregnancy.

On my mind... all the special friends & family I want to keep in better touch with now that I'm completely home again. And homeschooling ideas, always.

Noticing that...the father/son haircut outing took a long time yest & 2 out of 3 kiddos are sleeping in this am or I still wouldn't have gotten around to posting!

A few plans for the week... eagerly anticipating spending the day w/ my sister for my b-day, a CCL NFP teacher training app w/ J, & new friends over next weekend for dinner, if I make it that long- which I should...

From the book shelf... LLL's Womanly Art of Breastfeeding for this lackluster lactater, lots of internet "research" on various things now that I have a reliable computer (b-day iPad!) again (Internet, computer, now camera/card & I'll be re-connected!). Kids are reading alot for school...

In the kitchen... leftover chicken fajitas from a Mexican feast last night. More Mexican on the menu tonight when we go out.

On the Church calendar... Feast of St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross (aka Edith Stein) today- my favorite patroness and Feast of the Assumption fast approaching. Edith Stein is one of those saints who found me and never ceases to amaze me the more I get to know her. More on her later, maybe.

A 26 Weeks Pregnant Daybook

Outside my window...another hot, humid day I am avoiding as much as possible, until an outside party w/ the boys tonight.

I am thankful for...again, the way everything is coming together for our move. We've found a great house on the outskirts of town w/ lots of space and fun outside for the kids. (Read POOL!)

I am hoping...that I keep feeling better after a relapse last week.

On my mind...all the things I need to do b/f we move: final purging & organizing b/f the packers come- possibly next week!, gathering medical/Baptismal/work records from our time here, continuing paperwork for new house...

Noticing that...I'm glad I did a lot of reading & shopping for our homeschool year earlier b/f everything started happening. Still plenty left to do but a good start.

A few plans for the week...it will be a busy one- half-days start for the kids next week, we will be at a "K Graduation" this time next week & then headed to the Coast for my husband's family reunion over the holiday weekend, all right b/f the movers pack us up & take our stuff & we camp with friends for a couple weeks while my husband finishes at work.

From the bookshelf...The "baby" has been saying "Bi-bull" and wanting to read from our little Children's Bibles, big boys just reading AR books for school right now, I'm working on scrapbooks w/ a dear friend- creating some Birthday Books for each of the kids & another special gift one. Oh, and a great British book Choosing and Keeping Chickens. For a future family project.

In the kitchen...lots of our favorite foods for the weekend: chicken salad & pita bread, hummus, strawberries!

On the Church calendar...Pentecost Sunday this Sunday remembering the descent of the Holy Spirit on the Apostles & Mary. We'll miss the annual Mass our Archbishop celebrates w/ the Movements present here to mark the gift of the Holy Spirit inspiring the different charisms of these works of the Church. My boys love the pictures of Pentecost showing the Holy Spirit coming down as tongues of fire on the heads of those to whom it was sent.

A picture I want to share...but I can't find the cord!...is of the beautiful girl bedroom in our new house- PINK & green & yellow fabric covered walls. Precious & the combination of colors I wanted to use. Not too much pink (remember the wedding scene in Steel Magnolias- blush & bashful...).

10 Reasons I am especially excited to have a GIRL!

10. Sharing the girl classics: Little Women and all of L.M. Alcott's works, Anne of Green Gables,...

9. In a few years, someone else should be able to find things around the house, too!

8. a dollhouse

7. a tea set

6. Christmas dresses & Easter hats

5. the classic-Disney Haley Mills movies

4. Ballet lessons?(if she's interested, unlike her tomboy mother, but I realize their value now after being not-so-graceful for all my life...)

3. Hair bows & head bands

2. Sharing my love for the great women saints: Catherine of Siena, Therese of Liseux, Theresa Benedicta of the Cross...

1. The chance to watch my husband be a daddy to his daughter.