7 Quick Atrium Takes

This afternoon I begin my third training weekend of the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd. Here are seven quick takes on the atrium:

1. Children gather in a room specially prepared for them, called an atrium, which contains simple yet beautiful materials that they use to draw near to God. In the early church, the atrium was the place where the catechumens were prepared. For the child, the atrium is a place of preparation for involvement in the larger worshipping community.

2. Older children who read often copy parables from the Bible, put in order the prayers from the rite of baptism, or label a long time line showing the history of the kingdom of God.

3. In an atrium the child can ponder a biblical passage or a prayer by taking the material for that text and working with it – placing wood figures of sheep in a sheepfold of the Good Shepherd or setting sculpted apostles around a Last Supper table.

4. The Catechesis of the Good Shepherd is the result of a long period of careful observation of children by Sofia Cavalletti and her Montessori collaborator, Gianna Gobbi, in Rome.

5. The Catechesis of the Good Shepherd has grown and spread amazingly. At last count it is in 32 countries: Australia, Austria, Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Croatia, Ecuador, Germany, Guatemala, Haiti, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Mexico, New Zealand, Norway, Pakistan, Panama, Peru, Poland, Puerto Rico, Serbia/Bosnia, Slovenia, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, Uruguay, and the United States. In the United States there are hundreds of atria in Catholic and Episcopal settings, as well as several other Christian churches.

6. There are three levels of courses, focusing on children ages 3-6, 6-9, and 9-12

7. The atrium is a place where children fall in love with God.


All information provided can be found at the CGS website

Our Lady of Altagracia - Lapbook

Snuggle Bug and I enjoyed working on this lap book together.

Some books we read for this study were:

What a sweet acrostic poem!

WoW - Week 1

Well, I'm very pleased with my first weeks results. I know every week won't be this drastic. I'm feeling sooo much better having cut way back on the sugar and white, processed foods. I love Walk Away the Pounds and look forward to it each day. I feel so much more energized!!



So..... here are the results from week one:

weight: -5 lbs.

inches: -2" (waist)
-1 1/2" (chest)
-1 1/2" (hips)
-1 1/2" (thigh)
-1 1/2" (arm)
Grand Total =
8 inches!!!!!! WOW. I do give myself a +/- 3 margin of error since I measured myself the first time. I had help today :)


Plans for the week:

' Continue to Walk Away the Pounds with my family
' Continue to research low glycemic foods and make good eating choices.

Visit Regina's blog for more WoW results.

History - Perfect Timing

The Snuggle Bug and I are headed off on an adventure. Can't wait for all of the library books to come in.

We've been loosely using How America Grew (by Sharkely, Margaret, Furlong)
However, we get burnt out quickly, sticking with one text. So you can imagine how blessed I felt to have Elizabeth over at Serendipity
post this unit study yesterday. She also blogs at In the Heart of My Home, which is one of the blogs I follow on my sidebar.

This just happens to be the exact chapter in history Snuggle Bug just finished reading.
God Is So Good!

My Daybook Entry for Jan. 26, 2009

Outside My Window...

A new day has begun. The birds are singing, squirrels are scampering, and I'm feeling blessed to be here.


I am thinking...

About seeing so many wonderful friends yesterday at our home school faculty meeting.


I am praying for...

My close friends who have life growing within and those who did and now have given that life back to God.

I'm creating...

A list of books from the Mater Ambalis site. I'm also starting a list of wants/needs for next year.


From the kitchen...

Sugar free French Vanilla liquid creamer in my coffee. It's a BIG change for me to give up the sugar. However, the results are worth it! I feel like a new person. My family's wondering about me. "Whys mom up at 6am????"



I am going...

To stay home Mon-Thur this week and get things in order for the weekend. My next training session for The Catechises of the Good Shepherd start Friday afternoon.

I am reading...

The Religious Potential of the Child: Experiencing Scripture and Liturgy with Young Children, How to Get the Most out of the Eucharist, For the Love of Literature


I am hoping...

My dear Sister in Christ, Lynn, has good news today



Around the house...

A few sniffles. Otherwise all is well and hopefully tonight we'll continue to Walk Away the Pounds together.


One of my favorite things...

Family Rosary by candlelight


A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week:

Dig into our schoolwork, catch up the laundry and keep it going. Stay away from sugar and exercise. Then my "mini" retreat begins on Friday.


Here are a few pics I'd like to share...











Finally the computer recognized the camera and uploaded the pics. The first one was done by Snuggle Bug, the next ones are The House Cat's Christmas lap book. Good work girls!

Baga Fries

So what are Baga Fries? Well, I would have never thought of this - but I got the recipe from my new cookbook Saving Dinner the Low-Carb Way: Healthy Menus, Recipes, and the Shopping Lists That Will Keep the Whole Family at the Dinner Table. They weren't too bad. Kind of a sweet french fry.

If you want to give it a try here's what you do.

Preheat oven to 425 degrees.
Peel a large rutabaga and cut into french fries.
Spray cookie sheet with non-stick spray.
Toss the fries in a bowl with 1 Tbls of olive oil. Salt, pepper and garlic powder to taste.
Lay in a single layer on the cookie sheet. Bake 20 min, turn them over, and bake another 20 min.

Everyone ate them but Buck and Honeybee. Buck leaned over to me and said, "Mom, these aren't like dad's fries." Too cute.

Family P.E.

We had sooooooooo much fun last night doing the 1 mile workout video. Yes, EVERYBODY, did it and there were times I couldn't breathe for laughing. Great stuff!

WoW- Weight on Wednesday

OK so yesterday was not a pretty day - at least as far as the scale goes. UGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!
I've been putting it off long enough! So.... as all of you as my witness(so I don't change my mind in a week), I'm going to start WoW. Thanks Jessica for the idea/inspiration. I've also got a copy of Walk Away the Pounds-Complete In-Home Walking System on hold at the library.

I actually had a good check-up yesterday. Everything is normal Thank the Good Lord!

My WoW plans for Week One:

1. Cut out as much sugar and white processed foods as possible.
2. Start Walk Away the Pounds workout.
3. Read and plan meals from Saving Dinner the Low-Carb Way: Healthy Menus, Recipes, and the Shopping Lists That Will Keep the Whole Family at the Dinner Table.
4. Read Walk Away the Pounds: The Breakthrough 6-Week Program That Helps You Burn Fat, Tone Muscle, and Feel Great Without Dieting

Please say a prayer for me. Food is my weakness :(

Day of Penance

Today is a day of penance for the crimes against the dignity human life. Try to offer something to God today to make amends for the evil of abortion. Make sure to pray for the conversion of our new president and for all who are blind to the evil of abortion.

Saint Agnes / Our Lady of Altagracia

(I meant to post this yesterday :)

Today is the feast day of Saint Agnes. Catholic Cuisine has some neat ideas for lamb bread or cake/cupcakes. I'm going to skip these today. I got in a new cookbook yesterday and I'm excited about trying to limit may carb intake at supper. I'm going to see a new doctor today and am hopeful for a good report.

After lunch we'll read A Gift of Gracias: The Legend of Altagracia and enjoy some oranges.

Enchanted Learning

Just a quick post to share some links to Enchanted Learning's printable sheets we will use in talking about today's Presidential Inauguration.

Barack Obama

The US Presidential Seal

The White House

Bald Eagle

I'd probably go on to include Hawaii and Kenya but the printer just ran out of ink. Let's see.... No ink in the printer, digital camera won't download pics, no money in the home school acct. HUM... Time for our tax return to get here!!!!

Does this ever happen to you?

Do you ever get too busy doing something and leave out the most important thing you are trying to accomplish? Well, this is exactly what happened to me with my post on Sat. While we were having our supper and talking about Saint Anthony of Egypt, it occurred to me I had left out the source of his strength. In times of temptation he turned to God and MADE THE SIGN OF THE CROSS. He also said little prayers throughout the day while he was working. JESUS, I TRUST IN YOU; JESUS, MARY, JOSEPH HELP US; SACRED HEART OF JESUS, HAVE MERCY ON US.

Also, I missed an important step in making the bread baskets! The dough should be spun (on a flat surface) in a circular pattern: starting with a small circle and wrapping around and around forming about a 3" circle. Then press this out a little and drape over bottom of each muffin cup. We'll have to try this again soon. It got kinda frustrating trying to do it the way I had originally said. Oh well, live and learn. At least we get an A for effort.

Hope you have a blessed week and don't miss my new links for coloring sheets under the daily readings!

St. Anthony of Egypt - Supper Plans

A Treasure Chest of Traditions For Catholic Families suggest making Bread Baskets on the feast of St. Anthony, Abbot. 

To make these you ~

1. Take a tube of bread stick dough rolled out and braided. 1st spray the bottom (yes, the bottom) of a muffin pan with non-stick spray. Roll the braided dough around the bottom of the tins in a circular fashion. Place the muffin pan upside down in the oven and bake until the begin to brown. (check the tube for oven temp.) When cooked these will resemble little baskets.
2. Catholic Cuisine's post refers to a legend of how the devil often tempted St. Anthony in the form of a pig. Saint Anthony was always able to resist those evil temptations.So we'll make Granny's yummy Potato and Pork Chop Casserole. It's so yummy and sooo easy. And we'll talk about how God is stronger than the evil one and his temptations.

Potato and Pork Chop Casserole ~
Grease the bottom of a cookie sheet that has sides.

Wash, peal, and slice potatoes and place a single layer on the sheet.

I usually do about 1 per person

Season pork chops and place on potatoes. ( I use creole seasoning). 2 cans cream of mushroom soup and about a can of milk. Mix this in a small

bowl and pour over pork chops.

8 oz Shredded cheddar cheese over top.

Cover with foil and bake 45min to 1 hour.(It's ready when your potatoes are done.

Uncover and let cheese brown 10-15 min.

A New Project...?

This morning just before morning prayers I came down to find something for Buck and Honeybee to color. They've gotten use to coloring sheets during our readings after Advent, Christmas, and Charlotte's lovely saint drawings. So now that we are back in ordinary time, I haven't had much to offer them. There may be something out there like this already but, I couldn't find it. So here's a coloring sheet for the readings for the rest of the week. If you know of a link that already has something like this let me know.

Jan 15 Jesus heals a leper
Jan 16 Paralytic lowered through roof
Jan 17 the call of Levi
Jan 18 First ReadingGod calls Samuel
Gospel

Another Post on the Jesus Tree...

Hi everyone. Well I'm still trying to figure out why my PCs not reading my digital camera. So, until I do I won't be able to share the beautiful work the kids have been doing, :(

However, I am keeping busy with organizing our books and all that seems to fall into disarray during the holidays. I'm half way through with our progress reports and have ordered some new books/DVDs. I'm especially excited to have the DVD, St. John Bosco: Mission to Love on it's way. I'm hoping to have it by his feast day on Jan 31.

Oh yeah, I'm supposed to be writing about the Jesus Tree. We received the box last week, only a couple of days after I ordered it! I'm dying to open it - BUT- I'm determined to finish up my reports and organizing first. Boy, self-discipline doesn't come easy! I'm sure once I open it, I'm not going to want to put it down. Especially since I have two big helpers who love this kind of thing.
Jessica has an awesome post on this with all the info you need if you want to try to get one before they sell out.

Today is my grandfather's eternal birthday. I pray he is resting at peace with our Lord. I miss you Pap-Paw.

Daybook Entry Monday Jan. 12, 2009

FOR TODAY Monday January 12, 2009

Outside My Window... Jack Frost came to visit during the night.

I am thinking... I'm glad Ordinary Time begins today. I've really enjoyed the Christmas season but, I'm ready for some normalcy.

I am thankful ... My husband has a job to go to that provides so well for us all.

From the learning rooms... Morning prayer at 9 am then we'll dig in.

From the kitchen... Fruit and veggies and lean low fat meats. Time to cut back and shrink the waist line :)

I am creating... Progress Reports for 2nd qtr. and a plan for the next month.

I am going... To try a 4 day school week and leave our outings to Friday.

I am reading... Mother Love prayer book, The Religious Potential of the Child.

I am hoping...To find a doctor that can really help my mom with her arthritis.

I am hearing... The heat blowing, the kids talking and putting puzzles together.

Around the house... A green candle today for "the growing time" Ordinary Time.


Here is picture thought I am sharing... Unfortunately, I'm still trying to get my pics to download???????????

Last nights meeting

Last night we had our monthly meeting of The Confraternity of Christian Mothers. It was great to see so many wonderful women there. We were also blessed by several precious babies. Congratulations to those families! A special congratulations to my dear friend, Lynn, who shared with us that she is expecting their 4th!

The priest were on retreat, so we didn't have Mass and Benediction. We also learned our dear priest will no longer be able to be our spiritual director. We will all pray the prayer to Our Mother of Sorrows from our Mother Love prayer book for a new spiritual director.

Also for all of you, including me, who desire to have another child Elizabeth shares this prayer with us.

Prayer to Our lady of La Leche for Another Child
Lovely Lady of La Leche, most loving mother of the Child Jesus, and my Mother, listen to my humble prayer. Your motherly heart knows my every wish, my every need. To you only, His spotless Virgin Mother, has your Divine Son given to understand the sentiments which fill my soul. Yours was the sacred privilege of being the Mother of the Saviour. Intercede with Him now, my loving Mother, that, in accordance with His will, I may become the mother of other children of our heavenly Father. This I ask, O Lady of La Leche, in the Name of your Divine Son, My Lord and Redeemer. Amen.

Novena to Stop FOCA begins Sunday!

If you are opposed to abortion then there is bad news on the horizon. For those of you who do not know, the Freedom of Choice Act (FOCA) is set to be signed if Congress passes it on January 21-22 of 2009. The FOCA is the next sick chapter in the book of abortion. If made a law all limitations on abortion will be lifted which will result in the following:

1) All hospitals, including Catholic hospitals will be required to perform abortions upon request. If this happens Bishops vow to close down all Catholic hospitals, more then 30% of all hospitals in the United States.
2) Partial birth abortions would be legal and have no limitations.
3) All U.S. tax payers would be funding abortions.
4) Parental notification will no longer be required.
5) The number of abortions will increase by a minimum of 100,000 annually.

Perhaps most importantly the government will now have control in the issue of abortion. This could result in a future amendment that would force women by law to have abortions in certain situations (rape, down syndrome babies, etc) and could even regulate how many children women are allowed to have. Needless to say this information is disturbing, but sadly true. As Catholics, as Christians, as anyone who is against the needless killing of innocent children, we must stand as one. We must stop this horrific act before it becomes a law.

The Plan
Pray a novena along with fasting starting on January 11th.
For Catholics, the prayer of choice will be the rosary with intentions to stop the FOCA. For non Catholics pray your strongest prayers with the same intentions, also for nine consecutive days. The hope is that this will branch and blossom as to become a global effort with maximum impact.

Please add this information to your own blog or link back to this one so as many people as possible will pray. Remember that with God all things are possible and the power of prayer is undeniable.


Another prayer that we may use:Begin with Three Hail Marys

Let us pray…

Heavenly Father, your Son Jesus Christ condescended to share human flesh by the Blessed Virgin Mary, and took the form of an unborn child in his mother’s womb. We pray that the leaders of our nation will have compassion on the unborn and work to stop the crime of abortion in our land. Especially we pray that hearts will be converted and minds enlightened so that the Freedom of Choice Act will be abandoned, and with it the culture of Death. This we pray through Christ our Lord. AMEN

Conclude with the Our Father…(with a focus on the phrase ‘deliver us from evil)

Crown Cake for Ephiphany

We had a great time making this fun cake!

Happy Epiphany Sunday everyone!

Jesus Tree for Lent

I just ordered our Jesus Tree for Lent this year. We enjoyed our Jesse Tree so much this Advent. I can't wait for us to do this during lent. I ordered the materials through Scripture Trees (651-426-2174) if you're interested. The cost was $16.80 which included S&H. Thanks again Jessica for sharing this with us. You truly are an inspiration!

Seven Quick Takes on Baptism Anniversaries

Today is Bucks 5th Anniversary of his Baptism. So Happy Christian Birthday Buck!

Here are 7 quick takes on celebrating:

1. Thank God for this gift.

2. Make a special meal to celebrate - Buck's favorite. Pancakes and Bacon. YUM




3. Light the baptism candle


4. Renew your baptismal promises

V. Do you reject Satan? R. I do. V. And all his works? R. I do. V. And all his empty promises? R. I do. V. Do you believe in God, the Father Almighty, creator of heaven and earth? R. I do.

V. Do you believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord, who was born of the Virgin Mary was crucified, died, and was buried, rose from the dead, and is now seated at the right hand of the Father? R. I do.

Do you believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Catholic church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and life everlasting? R. I do.

V. God, the all-powerful Father of our Lord Jesus Christ has given us a new birth by water and the Holy Spirit, and forgiven all our sins. May he also keep us faithful to our Lord Jesus Christ for ever and ever.

R. Amen.

5. Look at pictures/video from that special day.

6. Talk to or invite godparents or baptizing priest over for a visit.

7. Enjoy being together as a family on this day. Make sure to continue to emphasize how important this day is. Rejoice! You Are A Child Of GOD!!

Thanks Jessica for sharing this fun way to share.

Happy New Year and Holy Day!

What an awesome way to begin a new year! The church in her wisdom sets aside this day as a holy day dedicated to Mary, Mother of God. Why is this important? Mary said YES to God's call to bear his son and save us all from ourselves. She is the first Christian and we honor her just as we honor our mothers here on this earth.
Surely our Lord listens to His mother's requests in heaven. So, I ask her to pray for all those who have been and will follow my blog. May your year be lived for our Lord. Living the liturgical year has enriched our lives beyond description. He is so good to all who call upon Him. Trust in His will and be Blessed!

Mary, Mother of God
Pray For Us!