![Getting Dressed All By Herself]()
by Catherine | Feb 24, 2014 | Family
Ever since her 4th birthday, Miss Jane is all about picking out her own outfits. If it’s a day when she has preschool, she insists on wearing her uniform all day. Otherwise, she wants to put the outfit together all by herself. Lately, she asks, “May I have privacy, please?” for the outfit selection process. When she emerges fully dressed and coiffed, she likes to ask me to take a picture of the finished product. Little brother Walt likes to join the photo shoot, too. Here are a few of the wardrobe choices from last week:
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| I love the poses. |
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| “It’s all blue, Mama!” I think the Sofia the First Halloween costume amulet and Hello Kitty socks pull the look together. |
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| Did you know this season is all about monochromatic looks? “It’s all black, Mama! Walt, I’m wearing your Thomas hat!” |
So, the rest of you parents, I have some questions for you just because I’m curious. I’d love to know what limits you place on your kiddos’ wardrobe choices at this age. Are your rules dependent on whether or not you’re leaving the house or have company that day? Do you try to correct fashion faux pas? When do you insist on a wardrobe change? Are the kids allowed to go to the grocery store dressed as a fairy?
We had a “leggings are not pants” lesson last week. This raising girls stuff is going to be tricky in the clothing department, huh? I loved school uniforms as a student, and I think I’ll love them even more as a parent.
* * *
This is my 1st of 7 posts in Jen Fulwiler’s “7 Posts, 7 Days” challenge. Come on over, join in the fun link-up, and read some great blogs!
![7 Posts, 7 Days]()
by Catherine | Feb 22, 2014 | Everything Else, Family
Starting on Monday, I’m joining Jen Fulwiler’s “7 Posts, 7 Days” link-up. Just like it sounds, I’ll be writing 1 post everyday for 7 days from Monday, February 24 to Sunday, March 2. This link-up is exactly the motivation I need to write short, imperfect posts, but to keep posting on a regular basis.
I’m drawing up our Boucher Family Rule of Life this weekend. My goal is to have it completely squared away by Ash Wednesday (March 5). In the meantime, I’ll probably be writing about putting it together and anything else that comes to mind!
If you want to join in the fun, come on over to the link-up here. C’mon, you know you wanna join in! Do it!
![One way that I’m gearing up for Lent]()
by Catherine | Feb 21, 2014 | Faith, Family, Marriage, Uncategorized
Lent is nearly upon us, and I’m not ready–yet. It sneaks up on me every single year, but this year, I am doing some prep work so that I can enter into the season deliberately. I want to have a game plan, and I know that I’ll desperately need one this year. We’re listing the house March 3. Without a plan, I know I’ll let myself and our family get into a rut of being in survival mode, focusing on house stuff instead of the whole Jesus dying for our sins stuff.
Philip and I started our own Happiness Project last year, but we took a hiatus from it because of my post-partum depression, the Christmas season, and life in general. I’ve been wanting to revisit our Happiness Project, but I want to give it more focus. When I was thinking about revisiting our Happiness Project, I came across Jen Fulwiler’s post, “Admitting that I can’t do it all…or even half of it.”
Jen wrote about the overwhelming burden we place on ourselves when we create impossible do-it-all to-do lists. In the post, she mentions Holly Pierlot’s A Mother’s Rule of Life. Have you read the book? Do yourself and your family a favor, and read it!
The book centers around one Catholic mama’s desire to bring order and peace to her home. To do so, Holly created a mother’s rule of life modeled after the daily schedule of the Missionaries of Charity (Mother Teresa’s order). Holly wisely realized that the daily schedule for the Missionaries of Charity allows them to have peace, order, and ample time to accomplish only that which needs to be done for the day.
Daily Schedule for the Missionaries of Charity
4:30-5:00 Rise and get cleaned up
5:00-6:30 Prayers and Mass
6:30-8:00 Breakfast and cleanup
8:00-12:30 Work for the poor
12:30-2:30 Lunch and rest
2:30-3:00 Spiritual reading and meditation
3:00-3:15 Tea break
3:15-4:30 Adoration
4:30-7:30 Work for the poor
7:30-9:00 Dinner and clean up
9:00-9:45 Night prayers
9:45 Bedtime
The focus of the day is a healthy balance of prayer, work, and rest. The Missionaries of Charity keep this simple schedule without overburdening themselves with all of the extra stuff. By keeping their priorities in check, they are able to work with God to multiply their time doing what needs to be done and cutting the rest. The schedule clearly shows that the women trust that God will help them to accomplish all that needs to be accomplished.
I’m nearly finished with A Mother’s Rule of Life, and I am chomping at the bit to create my own Boucher Family Rule of Life. I’ve decided that creating our Family Rule and implementing it will be my big Lenten mission. Our family will need order and peace as we list the house and prepare to move. I want to have those habits in place before the chaos enters the scene, and I want to start living with order and peace now.
Philip and I will work together (with a whole lotta prayer!) to discuss our family mission and how best to accomplish that mission. I plan to finish the book this weekend and start drawing up our family rule of life. To create our family rule, I am going to examine the “5 Ps” from A Mother’s Rule of Life:
- Prayer
- Person
- Partner
- Parent
- Provider
I’m ready to abandon what the world says is best for our family and start deliberately living out what God is asking of our domestic church. Throughout Lent, I’ll be posting snippets and reflections on the various components of our Boucher Family Rule of Life. I look forward to hearing how you structure your days with your family and how you are bringing peace and order to your home. Now, I’m just praying for the graces to actually do what I think God is asking of our domestic church. It’s going to take a very healthy dose of humility to really hear what God is asking of me as the spiritual heart of our home.
St. Joseph, our 2014 patron saint for our family, pray for us!
![One way that I'm gearing up for Lent]()
by Catherine | Feb 21, 2014 | Faith, Family, Marriage, Uncategorized
Lent is nearly upon us, and I’m not ready–yet. It sneaks up on me every single year, but this year, I am doing some prep work so that I can enter into the season deliberately. I want to have a game plan, and I know that I’ll desperately need one this year. We’re listing the house March 3. Without a plan, I know I’ll let myself and our family get into a rut of being in survival mode, focusing on house stuff instead of the whole Jesus dying for our sins stuff.
Philip and I started our own Happiness Project last year, but we took a hiatus from it because of my post-partum depression, the Christmas season, and life in general. I’ve been wanting to revisit our Happiness Project, but I want to give it more focus. When I was thinking about revisiting our Happiness Project, I came across Jen Fulwiler’s post, “Admitting that I can’t do it all…or even half of it.”
Jen wrote about the overwhelming burden we place on ourselves when we create impossible do-it-all to-do lists. In the post, she mentions Holly Pierlot’s A Mother’s Rule of Life. Have you read the book? Do yourself and your family a favor, and read it!
The book centers around one Catholic mama’s desire to bring order and peace to her home. To do so, Holly created a mother’s rule of life modeled after the daily schedule of the Missionaries of Charity (Mother Teresa’s order). Holly wisely realized that the daily schedule for the Missionaries of Charity allows them to have peace, order, and ample time to accomplish only that which needs to be done for the day.
Daily Schedule for the Missionaries of Charity
4:30-5:00 Rise and get cleaned up
5:00-6:30 Prayers and Mass
6:30-8:00 Breakfast and cleanup
8:00-12:30 Work for the poor
12:30-2:30 Lunch and rest
2:30-3:00 Spiritual reading and meditation
3:00-3:15 Tea break
3:15-4:30 Adoration
4:30-7:30 Work for the poor
7:30-9:00 Dinner and clean up
9:00-9:45 Night prayers
9:45 Bedtime
The focus of the day is a healthy balance of prayer, work, and rest. The Missionaries of Charity keep this simple schedule without overburdening themselves with all of the extra stuff. By keeping their priorities in check, they are able to work with God to multiply their time doing what needs to be done and cutting the rest. The schedule clearly shows that the women trust that God will help them to accomplish all that needs to be accomplished.
I’m nearly finished with A Mother’s Rule of Life, and I am chomping at the bit to create my own Boucher Family Rule of Life. I’ve decided that creating our Family Rule and implementing it will be my big Lenten mission. Our family will need order and peace as we list the house and prepare to move. I want to have those habits in place before the chaos enters the scene, and I want to start living with order and peace now.
Philip and I will work together (with a whole lotta prayer!) to discuss our family mission and how best to accomplish that mission. I plan to finish the book this weekend and start drawing up our family rule of life. To create our family rule, I am going to examine the “5 Ps” from A Mother’s Rule of Life:
- Prayer
- Person
- Partner
- Parent
- Provider
I’m ready to abandon what the world says is best for our family and start deliberately living out what God is asking of our domestic church. Throughout Lent, I’ll be posting snippets and reflections on the various components of our Boucher Family Rule of Life. I look forward to hearing how you structure your days with your family and how you are bringing peace and order to your home. Now, I’m just praying for the graces to actually do what I think God is asking of our domestic church. It’s going to take a very healthy dose of humility to really hear what God is asking of me as the spiritual heart of our home.
St. Joseph, our 2014 patron saint for our family, pray for us!
![Over at CatholicMom Today: No More Wasting the Bad Days]()
by Catherine | Feb 20, 2014 | Faith
Head over to CatholicMom to read my post today. It’s called “No More Wasting the Bad Days.” It’s about the morning I realized that God wants us to offer everything, even our silly little inconveniences, as offerings to Him.
“We’re getting ready to list our house in the next few weeks, and the flooring guys came to do some work on the main floor while the kids and I holed ourselves up in the basement. All. Day. Long. The day had a rough start, and I was about ready to throw in the towel by 10:00 a.m. I would rattle off the inconveniences and problems, but they would distract from and undermine the point of this post.” Read More
Note: At publishing time, a family in Missouri is mourning the death of their ten-year-old daughter, Hailey Owens. Please join me in praying for Hailey’s soul, her family, and her killer’s conversion of heart. Let us unite any of our suffering to the cross for Hailey, her family, and her killer.
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| Eternal rest grant unto her, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon her. May the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. |
![Small Success Thursday #8]()
by Catherine | Feb 20, 2014 | Family
Here are our small successes for this week:
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| Harry is 6 months old and more interested in playing peek-a-boo than packing boxes |
It’s been another wild week as we get ready to list the house. March 3 is the official day it goes on the market. Fortunately, that means having workers in the house is nearing an end. The bad news is that means showings are on the horizon!
Jane and Walt are both developing an appreciation for parenting. Yesterday, Jane sat in the nursery chair while I changed Harry’s diaper.
Jane: Oh, Harry has a poopy diaper, Mommy! When I am a kindergartener, can I change Harry’s diaper?
Me: Absolutely! Why do you want to help change Harry?
Jane: Because babies are so cute and tiny! I love babies!
When I ask Jane what she wants to be when she grows up, her answer varies. She has answered a doctor, a veterinarian, a nurse, a chef, a ballerina, etc. In addition to whatever her answer is, she always says, “and a mommy. I want to have a lot of babies!”
While Walt was admiring our painter working this morning, I asked Walt, “Do you want to be a painter when you grow up?” He said, “No, a DADDY!” He has such a sweet and loving disposition. He loves playing with Baby Harry.
My dear friend’s husband decided to get rid of some clothes that he wasn’t wearing anymore, and she asked if Philip would be interested. Philip is the lucky recipient of a few suits, dress shirts, a corduroy jacket, and several polos. Yay for a new wardrobe and generous friends!
We had a big weekend celebrating Jane and Philip’s birthdays with both sides of our family.
Sunday morning and early afternoon, we hung out with Philip’s parents, his brother, and his sister.
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| Walt loves Papa because he fueled him up with chocolate cupcakes |
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| Yay! Jane got a house for her new Critters! Thanks, Mimi and Papa! |
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| Uncle Connor generously gave Jane and Walt a ride. |
Sunday night, we went to my brother and sister-in-law’s to celebrate the February birthdays with my parents, siblings, and their kiddos.
![Grade School Valentine’s Day Memories]()
by Catherine | Feb 14, 2014 | Everything Else
I’m reminiscing about Valentine’s Day in grade school. So many memories!
I went to St. Robert Bellarmine Catholic grade school, and every year, we had a homeroom Valentine party hosted by the sweet “room moms” that volunteered to bring treats and organize games. Aside from the parties, I have some distinct memories.
In first grade, I was in Mrs. Walsh’s homeroom. Around Valentine’s Day, my seat happened to be right in front of my mega crush, Matt. My last name and Matt’s were right next to each other in alphabetical order, so we were often paired together. He was so sweet, smart, and funny, and I thought he was the cutest. In addition to whatever valentines I had made with my mom for all of my classmates, I had created a special construction paper heart valentine for Matt. As everyone was handing out their valentines, I mustered up my courage to deliver Matt my special pink creation. He was talking to his guy friends, so I was a little nervous, but I bravely interrupted their conversation, and I handed him my valentine. “Matt, will you be my valentine?” It took him all but two seconds to give me an embarrassed laugh and said, “Uh, no!” He just wasn’t that into me. Bummer. My little first grade heart was broken, and I remember telling his big sister all about my heartbreak after school while we waited for our rides. I told that story to Matt’s wife at a bachelorette party, but I can’t remember if I ever told him. If you’re reading this, Matt (and I doubt you are), you were such a heartbreaker back in first grade! I clearly still have issues from it. Ha!
In second grade, Mrs. Ryktarsyk’s homeroom (yeah, I had to spell that name as a second grader) had a Valentine box decorating contest. Some of the creations were huge and so impressive! I wish I had pictures of them.
In fifth grade, I decided to create a little mischievous entertainment. I thought it would be a good idea to stick a “Be Mine” conversation heart in my classmate Nick’s uniform sweater pocket. He had it hanging on the back of his chair, and I put it in the pocket when he wasn’t looking. I had completely forgotten about it until later that afternoon when he put his hand in his pocket, pulled out the heart, read it, and it became the hot topic in 5B for the rest of the school day. Who could have put a “Be Mine” candy heart into Nick’s pocket? I was so thrilled with myself for creating the mystery and intrigue! I probably had a crush on him at the time because I was beyond boy crazy.
At home, Mom and Dad put out a card and a present for each child at our seats at the kitchen table. It was always so exciting to wake up to those special treats! In 7th grade, our dog, Trev (named after Nebraska Cornhusker #34 Trev Alberts), got into the special treats overnight. At that point, only 3 of the 6 kids were living at home. Trev had jumped up onto the kitchen table, unwrapped the red cellophane wrap on all THREE of the Russell Stover boxes of chocolates, and ate every single one. He politely left all of the wrappers behind. The 12-pound Bichón Frisé was lucky he didn’t die from it, but we had to have the carpets professionally cleaned. My mom likes to tell the story of how my dad woke her up that morning when he was leaving for work. “Honey, Happy Valentine’s Day. THE DAMN DOG ate all of the kids’ chocolate and puked all over the house! Gotta run. I love you.”
What about you? What memories do you have from your childhood Valentine’s Days?
![Grade School Valentine's Day Memories]()
by Catherine | Feb 14, 2014 | Everything Else
I’m reminiscing about Valentine’s Day in grade school. So many memories!
I went to St. Robert Bellarmine Catholic grade school, and every year, we had a homeroom Valentine party hosted by the sweet “room moms” that volunteered to bring treats and organize games. Aside from the parties, I have some distinct memories.
In first grade, I was in Mrs. Walsh’s homeroom. Around Valentine’s Day, my seat happened to be right in front of my mega crush, Matt. My last name and Matt’s were right next to each other in alphabetical order, so we were often paired together. He was so sweet, smart, and funny, and I thought he was the cutest. In addition to whatever valentines I had made with my mom for all of my classmates, I had created a special construction paper heart valentine for Matt. As everyone was handing out their valentines, I mustered up my courage to deliver Matt my special pink creation. He was talking to his guy friends, so I was a little nervous, but I bravely interrupted their conversation, and I handed him my valentine. “Matt, will you be my valentine?” It took him all but two seconds to give me an embarrassed laugh and said, “Uh, no!” He just wasn’t that into me. Bummer. My little first grade heart was broken, and I remember telling his big sister all about my heartbreak after school while we waited for our rides. I told that story to Matt’s wife at a bachelorette party, but I can’t remember if I ever told him. If you’re reading this, Matt (and I doubt you are), you were such a heartbreaker back in first grade! I clearly still have issues from it. Ha!
In second grade, Mrs. Ryktarsyk’s homeroom (yeah, I had to spell that name as a second grader) had a Valentine box decorating contest. Some of the creations were huge and so impressive! I wish I had pictures of them.
In fifth grade, I decided to create a little mischievous entertainment. I thought it would be a good idea to stick a “Be Mine” conversation heart in my classmate Nick’s uniform sweater pocket. He had it hanging on the back of his chair, and I put it in the pocket when he wasn’t looking. I had completely forgotten about it until later that afternoon when he put his hand in his pocket, pulled out the heart, read it, and it became the hot topic in 5B for the rest of the school day. Who could have put a “Be Mine” candy heart into Nick’s pocket? I was so thrilled with myself for creating the mystery and intrigue! I probably had a crush on him at the time because I was beyond boy crazy.
At home, Mom and Dad put out a card and a present for each child at our seats at the kitchen table. It was always so exciting to wake up to those special treats! In 7th grade, our dog, Trev (named after Nebraska Cornhusker #34 Trev Alberts), got into the special treats overnight. At that point, only 3 of the 6 kids were living at home. Trev had jumped up onto the kitchen table, unwrapped the red cellophane wrap on all THREE of the Russell Stover boxes of chocolates, and ate every single one. He politely left all of the wrappers behind. The 12-pound Bichón Frisé was lucky he didn’t die from it, but we had to have the carpets professionally cleaned. My mom likes to tell the story of how my dad woke her up that morning when he was leaving for work. “Honey, Happy Valentine’s Day. THE DAMN DOG ate all of the kids’ chocolate and puked all over the house! Gotta run. I love you.”
What about you? What memories do you have from your childhood Valentine’s Days?
![Small Success Thursday #7]()
by Catherine | Feb 14, 2014 | Family, The Homefront
Writing this as quickly as I can and going to bed, so this is going to be the lamest Small Success Thursday post ever:
- Jane turned 4, and I think she’d say that she had a great day. More on our fun day another time!
- I survived another week of subcontractors and household disasters in preparation for listing the house. Yes, there are two streams of water coming out of that faucet.
- I got the kids’ Valentine presents weeks ago, and I actually remembered to set them out. Books, a puzzle, stickers, and spinning tops. Harry didn’t get a card because he’s 6 months old. Does that make me a bad mom?
- Philip got to have a man date tonight with a buddy, and he said he had a great time. Yay for Philip taking time for himself!
- This guy loves green beans, but he mostly loves wearing them. This was his first food other than rice cereal. Let the love affair with food begin!
Your turn! What are your small successes from the week? Come over to CatholicMom to join the fun and share! If you’re using social media, use the hashtag #SmallSuccess. Happy Valentine’s Day!
![Happy 4th Birthday, Jane Louise!]()
by Catherine | Feb 11, 2014 | Family
Dear Janie Boo,
You’re four years old! FOUR! Can you believe it?! Daddy and I can’t.
4 years ago, we were watching the Winter Olympic Games in Vancouver from our hospital room with you
and now you’re a big preschooler!
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| Preschool Christmas sing-along |
Now, we get to watch the Olympics with you and your 2 little brothers!
I love so many things about you.
You are so friendly and outgoing, and you want to make friends wherever we go–the neighborhood park, grocery store, library, and most recently, with all of the subcontractors doing work on the house before we move.
You are very sensitive to other people’s feelings, and you are always the first to offer a hug, a tissue, or wipe away tears. A few months ago, Walt hurt himself, and he was very upset. You grabbed a tissue and dabbed his tears. “Here, buddy. It’s okay. Blow.”
You are quite the little mother to Baby Harry, too. You love to tell me what you think he needs–a bottle, a diaper, a toy, some snuggling, and you’re always the first volunteer to do it all. Sometimes, I wonder how your big heart fits into your tiny body!
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| Helping Harry eat some rice cereal |
You always want to know what’s happening and what we are doing next. Like your mama, you like knowing the plan, and you agree that the anticipation of an event is half the fun.
You love little surprises like picnics in the family room, donuts on Daddy’s post-call mornings, or unexpected visits to your favorite places. More than that, you like doing the surprising. When you hear Daddy come home, you get such a kick out of hiding and either waiting for him to find you or jumping out when you think he least expects it.
On the days when you take only a catnap, I love our new tradition of “quiet reading time.” You snuggle up right next to me on the couch, and we read our stories next to each other.
You and Monty are inseparable buddies these days, and I love how much you two love each other. On the days when you go to preschool or take your nap, your reunions afterward are so precious. I am so proud of you for teaching anxious Monty how to be a happy dog in our home.
If you could have it your way, our life would be a musical. Well, I suppose yours already is because you sing all day about anything and everything! You pluck away on the piano keys, making up your own songs. I hear you singing in the bathroom, while you’re getting dressed, when you greet Harry in the morning with a lullaby, or when you’re dancing around in one of your princess costumes or tutus. My girl, I love your ZEST for life.
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| Just a princess bouncing on a trampoline |
One of my favorite things about you is how easy it is for you to laugh–especially at yourself.
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| Laughing when I pointed out that you had put your pants on backwards. |
You have taught me to stop taking myself so seriously and refocus my priorities.
You are so innocently open to people and experiences, and it’s such a joy to watch you take in the world around you.
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| Fearless on your first day of preschool |
You’re so great at expressing how you are processing everything as it happens–what you’re hearing, thinking, smelling, feeling, touching, seeing. I imagine your preschool teacher will tell me and Daddy at conferences that she needs to redirect you back to the task at hand because you are so curious and focused on whatever has your attention. Don’t tell her, but I love your curiosity and intense focus on the task at hand.
One of my favorite parts of being your mama is watching your faith develop. I love how good you are about asking all of us to join you in prayer. If you stub your toe, you’re the first to say, “Let’s pray! Dear God, please help my toe to feel better. I love you. Amen.” Or, you’ll ask us to pray for you through tears. “Mommy, can you please pray for my toe?”
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| Advent 2011 |
One year ago on your birthday, Pope Benedict XVI announced his resignation from the papacy. Can you even imagine the Church without Pope Francis at the helm right now? I’ll think about that moment every year on your birthday. It taught me that we usually have absolutely no idea what God has in store for us, but we must have faith that they are “plans for good” (Jeremiah 29:11).
So, my dear, I want you to know that I don’t know exactly what God has in store for you, but I know that they are plans for good. You are such a precious blessing to our family, and I am so proud of the little lady you are becoming. I am so honored that God entrusted you to our family, Janie Boo. I pray that you will continue to learn to know, love, and serve Him, and I pray that our domestic church will continue to reveal His Love to you through every member of our family.
We love you so much, sweetie! Happy 4th Birthday! Our Lady of Lourdes, pray for us!
Love,
Mommy
![Please give me your input on these 3 things before we list the house]()
by Catherine | Feb 8, 2014 | The Homefront
I have a few questions and random tasks I’d love your input on before we list the house.
1. How do I get this white stuff off of our bathroom counter?
Despite regular cleaning and some good elbow grease with all-purpose cleaners, I can’t get the white stuff to disappear. I suppose you’d call the countertop material laminate. Any tricks to share?
2. Our “wall of fame” photo gallery
Keep it, get rid of it, or switch out for “neutral images”? I know they say to depersonalize the house, blah blah blah, and I ordinarily agree, but I’d love to see something like this on a wall as a decorating idea for the home. What do you think? If you’re in favor of taking the pictures down, would you put up a large print (or something else) or just leave the wall bare?
3. The oven
How do you deep clean your oven without feeling like you took a year off of all of your family members’ lives from the fumes? Do the Pinterest posts with baking soda, etc. actually work? Let’s hear every detail of how you do it!
I’m sure I’ll have more questions as time goes on. Until then, please share your input on these 3 things!
![Small Success Thursday #6 (A day late!)]()
by Catherine | Feb 7, 2014 | Family
It’s been a whirlwind of a week, so I’m writing our “small successes” a day late. And, you know what? I’m going to call my small success #1 the fact that I don’t care that it’s late!
On to our other small successes for this week:
I’m gonna go ahead and call this the week of Harry successes because almost all of them are about him.
Even though I abandoned the baby books (for now), we remembered to capture Harry’s 5-month pictures in the laundry basket. By some miracle, I remembered to capture this pose and put all of the siblings’ pictures at 5 months side by side. Isn’t it incredible how much they look alike? (Left to right: Harry, Walt, and Jane)
My amazing brother and sister-in-law watched the kiddos for us overnight on Saturday. We didn’t know what to do with ourselves! We went to Mass, had a great dinner out at a delicious Italian restaurant (yay for coupon social sites!), and brought some dessert home. I think we fell asleep by 10:30, but that’s late for us, so, yay!
Apparently we have another big Thomas fan in the family. When Jane put this Thomas engine in Harry’s lap while I was cleaning up from lunch, he sat up! I’m sad to say that means we’re done with the bouncer, but Harry is happy as can be hanging out in his exersaucer instead.
Harry tried rice cereal for the first time, and he couldn’t get enough of it! Jane thought it was so funny, so she asked to help feed him. After each bite, he kept leaning forward for more, and he resisted letting go of the spoon. Let’s pray that means we’ll have another good eater in the family!
Using pipe cleaners and pony beads is helping to keep the kiddos engaged during family prayer time.
To help introduce the kids to Sacred Scripture, I introduced a “Memory Verse of the Week” on Monday. I’m using this Totally Tots site with a Bible verse for each letter of the Alphabet. The Bible verse for “A” is Psalm 17:8 “Keep me as the apple of your eye, hide me in the shadow of your wing.”
I put the verses up on the fridge where we will see them often. The kids and I say the verse whenever we think of it. We did a simple apple craft to help cement the verse in our memory. I am putting the verses and the accompanying crafts into a binder with page protectors for each kid. I am adding in activities we do for that letter as well. The kids love them, and they are so excited to have their work put together in a binder.
My new blog site is coming along nicely, and I’m planning to launch it by the middle of next week. Philip has done such a great job helping me put it all together. The new site will make it easier for people to share posts, write comments, and subscribe. Stay tuned!
Oh, and this cuteness happened:
That’s a success, right? I know, my definition of “success” is so broad, and these posts are truly just weeks in review, but it’s my blog, and I’ll blog how I want to!
I’ve been blogging long enough that I have a post to re-share with some activities we did to help us get into the Olympic spirit. Here’s a link with some things we did during the 2012 Summer Olympics.
Your turn! What are your small successes from this week? Come on over to CatholicMom to share and join in the fun. If you’re using social media, use the hashtag #SmallSuccess. Have a great weekend!
![Keeping The Kids Engaged During Family Prayer Time]()
by Catherine | Feb 5, 2014 | Faith
I love using social media to find practical solutions to everyday dilemmas. Last week, we noticed that the novelty of our family rosary time was gone for the kids, and they were getting really squirrelly. Jane and Walt would erupt into a fit of giggles by the third Hail Mary, and we would spend the rest of the decade trying to get them to stop giggling.
Instead of doing away with family rosary time altogether, I decided to switch things up a bit. Somehow, through all of my mental cobwebs, I remembered reading this post by Catholic Missionary Family called “The Rosary and Kids – Part 2.” They list some great tactile ways to keep little ones involved as you pray the Rosary. (Check out their adorable blog! There are a lot of great posts!)
I thought the pipe cleaners and pony beads would be appealing to Jane and Walt, so I went that route. While Philip was giving the kids baths, I set up the kitchen table for family prayer time.
Each night, we:
- Light two candles.
- Record each family member’s response to “What made you happy today?” on looseleaf. (We started this in November with, “What are you thankful for?” but the kids didn’t understand that question.)
- Introduce 1 mystery of the rosary with a picture.
- Pray that decade of the scriptural rosary from Rosary Army
- Close with bedtime prayers (“Angel of God” and “God bless Daddy, God bless Mommy, God bless…each member of the family by name”)
- Jane and Walt each blow out a candle.
Instead of setting out rosaries, I set out pipe cleaners and a small bowl with 10 pony beads for each kiddo.
I don’t know if you can tell, but I tied a knot at the bottom of each pipe cleaner. The idea is that the kids can string a bead onto the pipe cleaner for each Hail Mary without them falling off.
When the kids saw the pipe cleaners and beads, they were SO EXCITED! They quickly got into their chairs, and they started stringing the beads right away. They didn’t really grasp the concept of only adding one bead for each Hail Mary, so they were out of beads by the time we got started. I didn’t want to spend our prayer time correcting them with, “Just one bead for each prayer,” so I dumped more pony beads into each of their dishes and let them keep stringing as we prayed.
I decided we’d let them string as many beads as they wish for a week, and then we’ll try re-introducing “one bead per prayer” next week. We’ll see whether or not they’re ready for it then.
Even though their hands were much busier then usual, their minds were more focused. They said the words to the prayers very reverently, and we didn’t have to redirect them like we usually do. At one point, Walt dropped a bead that he was stringing. Without saying a word, Jane left her chair, picked it up for him, and resumed stringing her beads. Usually, an interruption like a dropped Rosary would throw everything off, but their focus on stringing their beads kept them chugging right along.
At the end, I asked the kids to put their beads down so that we could finish with our bedtime prayers, and Walt said, “One more bead, please?”
They were very proud of themselves and happily posed with their beads at the end!
I love Walt’s new-found phony smile and squinty eyes for the camera.
This is what’s working for now. We’ll see if we’re sticking with it next week or if it’s deteriorated into them throwing the beads at each other or eating them! We’re content to meet them where they are.
Apparently it’s all starting to sink in for them because that night the mystery we prayed “The Presentation of the Lord.” When Jane saw the picture, she said, “That’s Simeon!” Considering I didn’t know who he was until three years ago, I’d say we’re off to a good start around here.
How do you keep your kids engaged during family prayer time?
![The Day of the Little Way]()
by Catherine | Feb 4, 2014 | Faith
Image Books, a Catholic book company, is hosting The Day of the Little Way today. It’s an opportunity for people around the world to share in St. Thérèse’s “Little Way” with a 21st century twist. Using the 140 characters allotted on Twitter, people are supposed to share their own “#LittleWay stories, quotes, prayers, and inspirations all day long.”
Click here to learn more, participate, or find graphic images to use on your Twitter and other social media accounts.
St. Thérèse of Lisieux is the namesake of our own precious “Little Flower.” We have every confidence that our precious baby is interceding in helping our family move daily toward sanctity. As Jane says, “She is my sister and my favorite saint!”
Fr. Robert Barron, creator of Word on Fire Catholic Ministries and the Catholicism series, is participating in The Day of the Little Way. Here, he recounts how St. Thérèse helped his ministry, Word on Fire, and he shares a clip about St. Thérèse from the Catholicism series.
Visit Twitter, and search for #LittleWay to read other inspirational stories. What’s your “Little Way” story?
![Small Success Thursday #5]()
by Catherine | Jan 30, 2014 | Family
Here are a few of our small successes from this week:
We’ve had a bunch of delicious meals this week. I shared the recipes here.
We made it to Mass EARLY!
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| Quick pic with Harry and Jane before Mass |
These two are the best of friends and get along great. Here’s Jane doodling in her tutu, tiara, and jewelry galore, and Walt’s looking through a Thomas yearbook. I love how he sits.
I’m learning to “get ‘r done” and not let “the perfect get in the way of the good.” I decided our deep freeze needed some organization so that we would actually access all of the food. I am using some old cardboard boxes that I labeled to separate our frozen packages of chicken breasts, ground beef, chicken thighs, soups, etc. It might not be pretty, but it gets the job done.
I’m making it a daily priority to get down on the ground and PLAY! The kids love our imaginary playtime together, and I do, too.
Despite having a household full of sick kiddos for a good portion of the week, everyone remained in good spirits–including me. Poor Harry had the worst of it. Here’s his sad sick face. You know it’s bad if Happy Harry is sad! The Nosefrida (The Snotsucker Nasal Aspirator) saved the day!
I’ve been able to have some regular prayer time in the afternoons while the kids nap. I fear Jane might be outgrowing her nap (NOOOOOOOO!), so afternoon naptime might turn into girl time & quiet reading together.
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| Working on Bible Timeline |
Harry rolled over from his back to his tummy! I was able to snap this picture seconds after it happened.
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| “Now what do I do, Mom?” |
I’m getting stuff packed up and moved out to our storage center. We decided to make it a color-coded move to make unloading easier when we get to our house. Black is for storage!
Philip and I went to our first appointment with a Catholic clinical psychologist. I didn’t know what to expect, but, wow! Everyone should go! I learned some really helpful strategies to manage my anger and uncover what’s going on between my ears. We also learned helpful insights into our communication styles and how to help one another.
Also, I’m pleased to report that my symptoms from postpartum depression are nearly gone! I’ve been off of the progesterone shots & pills for nearly two weeks, and I’ve been getting along well without them. Hopefully, my body will keep doing its thing and start producing the appropriate levels of hormones to keep things in balance. In the meantime, we are all so grateful for this time of healing. I owe a lot of it to our little saint. I’m so thankful for all of your prayers and sup
port, too! Thank you!
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Your turn! What are your small successes from this week? Come on over to CatholicMom to share and join in the fun! If you’re using social media, use the hashtag #SmallSuccess.
