Mission to Love

It's a great day to begin watching this wonderful movie
and begin praying the Novena for Purification.
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7 Quick Takes from my week

This last week flew by!  Snuggle Bug's been telling me, "Mama, you need to post!"  So here are a few things we've been keeping busy with since my last post.

1. The snow and ice hung out longer than I can ever remember it doing so.  Being a southern girl, I enjoy it for a day and that's about it!
2. My hubby asked me out for a date last Friday night.   How fun that was!!!  I wish we could do that every Friday night!  
3. Saturday was spent organizing our new master grocery list.  This is one of the time saving tips suggested in Homeschooling with a meek and quiet spirit  which we are reading in our book group.  My honey also put together a new bookcase for "my books" to go in our bedroom.  You can never have too many books! 
4. Sunday we began studying T3 - The Teen Timeline, Thy Kingdom Come, the Gospel of Matthew from Ascension Press, in our PSR class.  My honey and I are really enjoying sharing our faith with these wonderful 7th graders!
5. Monday my honey helped me organize Buck's room.  Boy, he sure is different than the girls!  We labeled bins and made a place for everything.  Now if we can only keep everything in it's place!!!
6. Tuesday, we went and painted for my mom.  The kids all helped and we got 'er done!  She had new carpet put in on Wednesday.  I can't wait to go and see! 
7. I've also been working on finishing up our 2nd Qtr. Progress Reports and making a plan for 3rd Qtr.  I ordered this horse study for Snuggle Bug yesterday.  The House Cat continues to write and has been published in the new Homeschool Literary Quarterly.  Buck is a Star Wars junkie and Honeybee... well, she's still sweet as sugar when she wants to be.  But, look out for her sting when she's tired!  :)  I'd say we had a pretty normal week around here ~ Staying Busy With our Blessings~

God Bless you all and visit Conversion Diary for more quick takes.

Wordless Wednesday ~ Icy Leaves in the South!

Visit WW for more wordless fun!

7 Quick Takes towards living in Ordinary Time

It's that time again...ordinary time.  One may be inclined too think this is a just a drab, numbered time.  Oh, but it is so much more!  The church in her wisdom knows what we need.  We need continual growth ~ Spiritual Growth!  So now we begin this time of "growing".

I've been extremely blessed by the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd training I've had.  I learned sooooo much during the classes!  One lesson we share with the children is on the liturgical colors of the church year.  This lesson shares with the children the colors of the liturgical year and the significance of each..  Ordinary time is called "the growing time" and is green.  Of course this is the time where we all take steps to grow closer to Our Lord during this ordinary or non-feast time in our year.

Last night at the supper table I posed the question, "Let's all think of a way we can grow closer to God during this "growing time." 

Here are our 7 quick takes on growing loser to God during this "Ordinary Time."

1. Exercise temperance through diet and exercise. (Dad)
2. Keep your hands to yourself.  (Honeybee)
3. Family prayer time after supper BEFORE the TV is turned on. (Snuggle Bug)
4. No name calling. (Buck)
5. Consistent bed time for all so that mom and dad can have time together.  (House Cat)  8:30 for Buck and Honeybee and 9:00 for House Cat and Snuggle Bug.  The older two can read in bed till 9:30.
6. More couple prayer time.(The Magnificat, Daily Prayer for our Children)   Just mom and dad - praying for our marriage and our children.  Try to do this after dad's home for work before supper.(Mom)
7. Make time for weekly adoration.

Dear Lord, please strengthen our family.  Help us to grow closer to you during this ordinary time.  Help us to loving serve you by serving one another cheerfully.  Protect us from the wickedness and snares of the devil!  We pray for our children's vocations.  Please help us to lead them to love You more than anything else in this world.  Amen.

visit Conversion Diary for more quick takes

Our Centerpiece on the Feast of the Lord's Baptism

Tonight we used some of the shell candles we made last year to decorate the table.  Buck and Honeybee also placed some sea shells about that we collected at the beach one year.  I knew I'd use those one day ! :)  It was a simple, quick and beautiful centerpiece!

Epiphany ~ 2011

The Magi arrived

Gifts were given

The House was Blessed 

A great way to begin the new year!