The Homeschool Mother’s Journal – First Week of Lent

The Homeschool Mother's Journal
In my life this week…
was average. We had a pretty normal week this week. We finished up a round of colds and began our celebration of Lent. We attended Mass and received our ashes. We have been working with the kids on the penitential nature  of Lent. They are learning about sacrifices and doing without. We had friends over one day, something I always enjoy. The kids get to play and I have adult conversation.
In our homeschool this week…
we have worked on reading. Karol has made leaps and bounds with reading. It is one thing to be able to read sentences but it another thing to understand what he is reading. This week I started asking him the meaning of what he had just read and he has been able to tell me the meaning, without using words in the sentence.

Places we’re going and people we’re seeing…
This week will be pretty laid back, not much going on as of this point, we shall see if anything comes up. I may call a friend to see about getting together to play.
My favorite thing this week was…
the beginning of Lent. Without Lent, we cannot have the Resurrection. Penance, sacrifice and hard word are good for the soul.

What’s working/not working for us…
Continuing to work slowly and without distraction of the two year old variety has helped productivity. I look forward to the conference I am attending in a few weeks, one of the talks will be about homeschooling different ages at different times so I hope to pick up tips from there.

Homeschool questions/thoughts I have…
Two questions today: 1. If you have an ants in the pants child, who always wiggles in his seat and stands up, sits down, stands up sit down, how do you handle it? 2. When Karol works on math problems, he will often times come up with the answer, but tell me before he writes it down, to see if it is a correct answer. I am thinking of just having him write down the answer,  without my input, to learn to deal with incorrect answers, but I wondered what other mothers did in the situation.
A photo, video, link, or quote to share…

For more journals, check here!

Filed under: Home Schooling

Thurday Chats

*Lent is upon us. I need Lent this year, badly. Lent sure took it sweet time getting to us too, didn’t it? Sigh. A day in and I am thanking God for this time of renewal, this time of penance and sacrifice. Deo Gratias!

*We went to Immaculate Conception for Mass yesterday and to receive our ashes. The kids were pretty spirited rotten, Caecilia had to be taken out a few times. Karol and Margaret were, well, Karol and Margaret. Benedict was awesome. Paid attention through the whole thing, especially to father’s homily, just like Sunday. We got there early and Joshua kept the big kids out side, running off steam and I went in to pray, for 10 minutes, only having to hold Benedict. Sigh, it was beautiful.

*After Mass we went to a seafood market in Moultrie, at the State Farmers Market. Joshua went in, while I waited in the van and fed the kids their lunch. I told him the budget, he stayed well below it and came out with fish for at least six meals. The fish seemed to be much, much cheaper than the local grocery store and it was fresh too. We had some tonight, baked and I didn’t have to drown it in lemon juice to eat, it was that good.

*Check out Family Hearth, for the recipe I created for the fish.

*Joshua stayed home from work today, so I took Karol and went to Noon Mass, then on some errands. We first mailed a package, then to the furniture store to look at dining room chairs, Target to pick up formula and the grocery store for some other items. If I were by myself, I would have done it all without stopping for food, but Karol had not eaten since breakfast and it was 2 pm,  so we stopped at Jimmy Johns. And let me tell you bean sprouts = penitential.

*I finally broke down and ordered Karol some dress shoes, on line. I ordered from 6pm.com. I had never heard of the company until this week, but I can say that they have a nice selection of boys shoes. We also ordered a pair of sandals for him too and both arrived on Wednesday.

*I also ordered some clothes for me from Jessica London. I don’t know about you all, but I have such a hard time finding modest clothing. Add the fact that I am plus sized and  there is not a whole heck of a lot out there. I must say, I look at the styles and think “What woman would feel comfortable it that?!” and as a plus sized woman, I can’t imagine sharing that much skin with the world.  It doesn’t help that after Benedict was born, my body shifted in ways I never expected, so everything just fits funny now. I ordered a few shirts, a long skirt, and two pairs of capri pants. Everything fits wonderfully. I wish the skirt wasn’t a clearance item because I would order more, in different colors.

*Tomorrow we are having lunch with some kids from St. Mary University Parish at Central Michigan University and their Pastoral Associate, Jeremy Priest (who is not a priest). Jeremy is a friend of our from the PCJ. I will have to apologize to them for the cold weather, lows tonight are in the 30s.

*I made banana nut muffins for breakfast tomorrow morning. I made them with coconut oil and yogurt, with some Georgia Pecans. I will share that recipe if they taste good. 🙂 Edit: They were good, a very filling breakfast! Click here for the recipe.

Filed under: Thursday Chat

Fr. Brett A Brannen,

author of To Save A Thousand Souls, was on EWTN Bookmark. This episode is 27 minutes long, but well worth it.

Though the book is written for  men discerning the priesthood, Father  Brannen tells of hearing from parents and grandparents  that the book has helped them in helping their children/grandchildren seek out their vocations.

An easy, yet fulfilling read, this book is, as I have said before, a must have for family and parish libraries!

Filed under: General Stuff

Nylons, Pantyhose, Tights…

…whatever you call them, do you wear them?

I used to, religiously, don  nylons each time I put on a skirt or a dress.  Then I started wearing longer skirts and the rule became “if the skirt is below my knees, I won’t wear nylons”. (I think this drove my mother crazy when learned that I didn’t wear nylons.) I didn’t  even wear nylons on my wedding day.

Later cotton tights became popular and I actually liked wearing those. In time, my skirts got longer and knee socks covered everything that needed covering, so I quit wearing nylons all together. I did try to return to wearing nylons, but I think pregnancy has removed any desired to have something tight against my belly ever again.

Now my skirts and dresses go well below my knees, I wear strappy sandal-y shoes most of the time and totally forgo nylons or tights. I think the not wearing of nylons may be something that many woman my age are in to. Am I right?  Do my northern friends wear them in the winter? I notice that women at church wear them in the winter down here,  (but then again, quite a few women down here wear boots when it is 60 degrees).

Filed under: General Stuff

Monday Musings – Pre-Lent

Right now…1020 am. The two older kids are bundled up and playing outside, it is a chilly 48 degrees today. Benedict is sleeping and Caecilia is pretending to talk on the phone.
This weekend…we did the weekend errands on Friday night. I drove Joshua to work after lunch, then went to the bank and the gas station. ($3.45 for the record) We picked Joshua up from work then went to the produce market for our weekly buys, then to Big Lots to look at a few things. Big Lots, why don’t I think of you more often? I bought my first sofa from there, many years ago and loved it. It was sturdy and comfy. We only got rid of it because we didn’t have room for it in our place in Illinois. We looked a sofa and their mattress selection to see what they had , then headed to the grocery store, then home.

On Saturday we were up and at-em early as we were having company over around 1230. We had invited the couple that we met after confession a few weeks ago over. We had a great time! I am glad, so glad, that we met them!

Sunday the kid woke up with runny noses. We headed to Mass and had sneezers all the way there. The kids were not very well behaved during Mass. C had an excuse, she wasn’t feeling well. Margaret however, would not turn around and face the altar and when I told her to do so, so said “Nuh, uh”. She also has lost the concept of whisper during Mass and was sassing in a not so quiet voice.  I should have taken her out and disciplined her, as she was that bad. I didn’t mainly because it had been so long since she has had to be taken out that I didn’t even think about it! Karol was mostly okay and Benedict won a gold star for being the BEST BABY EVER! during mass. During the homily, he did not take his eyes off of father. When Joshua was cantoring, he watched Papa with wide eyes.

For the Communion meditation hymn, “O Lord I am Not Worthy” was sung. Sigh. What a beautiful hymn and what a great hymn for mamas and papas who are trying to keep their kids corralled and not able to deeply reflect the gift they had just received.

After Mass, Margaret fell and skinned both knees! She cried and cried and cried because she was going to need to have a band aid. My kids hate band aids and well any sort of first aid for any real ailment. We headed home and just hung around for the day. We all took naps in the afternoon, then made dinner. We folded quite a bit of laundry and our room is presentable again. 🙂

Some plans for the week ahead: Make the covers for the couch cushions, to protect them from little kids. We also have Mass on  Ash Wednesday. I hope to go out to our little parish for Mass and hit the seafood market out there, but I am not sure if Joshua will have the day off. If he doesn’t, we will go to Mass here then. I also plan on making it Stations of the Cross during the whole of Lent with our family. The local parish has them at 730 on Fridays, so that would work perfectly for us!

If I find some time for myself, I want to…I don’t really expect any time. I am hoping to do some more spiritual reading this Lent and getting myself to bed by 9 to do it.

Prayer intentions for this week: For our clergy, that they may fully and faithfully live the duties of their vocations, even when it is hard and/or unpopular.
Something that makes me smile: Yesterday, before Mass, Karol asked to write a letter to Pope Benedict, when we we got back from Mass. Last night he told me what he wanted to say, and I wrote it down. (I convinced him to take out the part telling the Holy Father that; “you have been good and deserve a surprise, so I am writing this letter.) Joshua helped Karol write the it out in his own handwriting.

For more musings check here!

Filed under: Monday Musings

A Homeschooling Mother’s Journal

The Homeschool Mother's Journal
In my life this week…
Was a nice week. We watched a friend’s son two times this week, so she could go to the Chiro. She visited before and after and we talked quite a bit. She is an Air Force wife and a transplant to South Georgia, as are we, so we have that in common. She is also interested in starting a co-op too, and I am excited about that.
In our homeschool this week…
We pulled out the math book again and guess who figured out odd and even numbers? Yep, Karol. I think the key to it was, first not pushing the issue but I also wrote down odd and even numbers on two sheets of paper and hung them up on the wall. He was able to look at those during meal time and when doing things at the table, so it sunk in a bit.
We also worked on months and days of the week this week. Karol and Margaret are both very interested in “Days that Papa goes to work”, so we talked about those days a bit and spent a lot of time talking about Sunday and what we do on Sundays.

Places we’re going and people we’re seeing…
This past week was full of visiting and seeing people. This coming week starts Lent, so on Wednesday, we will be attending Mass and receiving our ashes. I hope to be able to attend stations of the cross too this week.
My favorite thing this week was…
Honestly? Getting the vacuum back from the repair shop. We have all hardwood, with some tile thrown in, but I vacuumed like a fool today!

What’s working/not working for us…
The not rushing things, getting a little bit done each day, taking random moments and making them teaching moments.

Homeschool questions/thoughts I have…
I am thankful that my husband and I are on the same page about homeschooling and have been since the first moment we talked about it (before being engaged).
A photo, video, link, or quote to share…

Notice her big fish in the background! Also, notice her expression “Take the darn picture”.
For more journals, check here!
Filed under: Home Schooling

Thursday Chats

*Today, Benedict rolled over from his back to his front. He did it like he has been doing it every day for his entire life. He has been army crawling for a while, but now he is attacking toys. The Lego box, Lincoln Log box and plastic animal box are all fair game as far as he is concerned. He grabs a hold of the top and pulls it over, then empties the contents. His older brother and sister are not amused when they have to clean it up.

*I am continuing to experiment with Quinoa. My second recipe was a major hit for both a meatless meal and with meat, using the leftovers.  Check for the recipe at Family Hearth.

*Our Steam-vac arrived today. I am looking forward to cleaning the sofas. Our vacuum cleaner was also ready to be picked up from the shop, so Joshua did that on his way home from work. It is nice to have it back, I missed it, no really, I did.

*Back to the Quinoa, I paid quite a bit for it at the local organic store so I checked around the ‘net to see if there was a cheaper way to get it and thankfully, I have. I also discovered that there is pasta made out of Quinoa and Quiooa flour. I have been reading about grains and how the grains we have available to us these days are not very good for us. I am not thinking about cutting out all of our grain intake, but maybe not eating so much. (Quite honestly, we do use a lot of flour around here, lots.)

*We are making the Pork Explosion this weekend and I cannot wait. Southerners do like their pork and I am trying to assimilate, don’t you know. Okay, not really, I will not drink sweet tea, ever.

*Did you know that it is Florida strawberry season? I have been buying some of the best strawberries I have ever had at the Farmers Market. The kids love them, I love them, we all love them, they are soooooooooo good.

*Since Margaret caught her big fish, she has been saying things like “I can do this because I am a big girl and I caught a big fish”. I turned it around on her today when she was not eating her lunch. I told her “Big girls who catch big fish eat all their food” and she started eating. Is this a bad thing?

*How does one keep clothes on her two year old? Caecilia will start out dressed then take her clothes off and run around, then fights when it is time to get dressed again.

*Did I tell you that on Sunday, when after Margaret caught her fish and we were walking back to our friends’ house, Karol ran in to clothesline? He had a nice looking bruise on his neck for a few days, thankfully it went away.

*Last but certainly not least, we purchased a Berkey Water Filtration System a while back. Our water has no tastes and now I drink more than the recommended eight glasses a day. Come the next baby, my midwife won’t have to nag me to drink my water!

*Speaking of Midwives, my midwife with Benedict moved to Atlanta. She was the only midwife in South Georgia who attended homebirths…the day she packed the u-haul to move north to be with her husband, she let her clients know that there was a person to take her place! Prayers have been answered.

*No, I am not pregnant again, not that I would have a problem with that.

Officially done now.

Filed under: General Stuff

Three Hundred!

This is post three hundred and in celebration of taking five years to get to this point I share this with you (something completely unrelated ;))

“Throw yourself into the arms of God and if He wants anything of you, He will fit you for the task and give you the strength.” St. Philip Neri.

Filed under: Quotes

Bad Mass = Weak Faith

No, this isn’t just my opinion (though it has been for years), this is also the opinion of Adam Cardinal Burke, head of the Vatican’s Supreme Court. He was speaking at the launch of a book written by Father Nicola Bux. Below I have pasted a copy of the article for your viewing:

Cardinal Raymond Burke: ‘Liturgical abuses lead to serious damage to the faith of Catholics.’

by CINDY WOODEN (CNS) 03/03/2011ROME (CNS) — A weakening of faith in God, a rise in selfishness and a drop in the number of people going to Mass in many parts of the world can be traced to Masses that are not reverent and don’t follow Church rules, said two Vatican officials and a consultant.

“If we err by thinking we are the center of the liturgy, the Mass will lead to a loss of faith,” said U.S. Cardinal Raymond Burke, head of the Vatican’s Supreme Court.  Cardinal Burke and Spanish Cardinal Antonio Canizares Llovera, prefect of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Sacraments, spoke March 2 at a book launch in Rome.

The book, published only in Italian, was written by Father Nicola Bux, who serves as a consultant to the Congregations for the Doctrine of the Faith and for Saints’ Causes and to the office in charge of papal liturgies.

The English translation of Father Bux’s book title would be: How to Go to Mass and Not Lose Your Faith.

Cardinal Burke told those gathered for the book presentation that he agreed with Father Bux: that “liturgical abuses lead to serious damage to the faith of Catholics.”

Unfortunately, he said, too many priests and bishops treat violations of liturgical norms as something that is unimportant when, in fact, they are “serious abuses.”

Cardinal Canizares said that while the book’s title is provocative, it demonstrates a belief he shares: “Participating in the Eucharist can make us weaken or lose our faith if we do not enter into it properly” and if the liturgy is not celebrated according to the Church’s norms.

“This is true whether one is speaking of the ordinary or extraordinary form of the one Roman rite,” the cardinal said, referring to Masses in the form established after the Second Vatican Council as well as the Mass often referred to as the Tridentine rite.

Cardinal Canizares said that at a time when so many people are living as if God did not exist, they need a true Eucharistic celebration to remind them that only God is to be adored and that true meaning in human life comes only from the fact that Jesus gave his life to save the world.

Father Bux said that too many modern Catholics think the Mass is something that the priest and the congregation do together, when, in fact, it is something that Jesus does: “If you go to a Mass in one place and then go to Mass in another, you will not find the same Mass. This means that it is not the Mass of the Catholic Church, which people have a right to, but it is just the Mass of this parish or that priest.”


Filed under: Church Laws