Raising (& Teaching) Little Saints | Catholic Homeschooling and Traditional Catholic

Raising Heaven-Bound Children: Dumb Saints Instead of Brilliant Sinners

2013-03-24T22:55:00.000-04:00

That’s right, I would rather raise a dumb saint than a brilliant sinner. Why? Because I am raising my children to be heaven-bound. Obviously there were many great saints who were brilliant, and intelligence and holiness are not mutually exclusive. As parents we should certainly help our children strive for excellence in education. However, the salvation of their immortal souls should be our PRIMARY aim. I will do whatever is in my power (through God’s grace, of course), to be certain that my children will thrive in this secular world. So how? How is it possible to raise children to be heaven-bound you ask?

When my first born was placed in my arms for the first time, fifteen years ago, it was both the happiest and the scariest moment of my entire life. No other joy in this world compared to the joy I felt at that very moment. At that moment, it dawned on me that I was personally responsible for taking care of this brand-new life. No other fear in this world compared to the fear I felt at that very moment. Forty-eight hours later, as I sat in the wheelchair and the nurse placed my little bundle of joy in my arms and waved good-bye, my heart sank for a second and I thought, “How on earth am I going to do this?” As I walked in the doors of our home, my concern turned to prayer and I said, “Help Lord, I don’t know what to do!” I felt the ginormous responsibility. My prayer was not necessarily for the physical needs of that tiny infant; my worry was more for the spiritual needs of my son. How was I, a sinner, going to do this incredible task of raising a child… a heaven-bound child?

The {Catholic} Homeschooling Socialization Myth

2013-03-24T22:45:00.000-04:00

A couple of years ago, in my local newspaper, there was a nice article about a homeschooling family with five children. They quoted the home schooled children and the author spoke statistics…when I saw it laying on my kitchen table, I thought wow how exciting and went on, with much enthusiasm, to read the article. Later on I checked my e-mail and saw lots of messages from local home schoolers who were outraged by the comments being left on-line regarding the article. I skimmed through those messages (a bunch had already been blocked by the paper) and noticed the one prevailing topic: socialization. Generalizations about any group of people is common among humans. So this was not a shocker. But when I read comments from other who have never walked in the shoes of a homeschooling family it made me think that they believe that we keep our kids in a closet (without windows) and don’t allow them to go out and be “socialized”.

Holy Week: Helping Our Children Walk with Jesus

2013-03-24T22:39:00.000-04:00

Holy Week is here! Do you feel like your children are ready for Holy Week? Are they ready to walk with Jesus? A couple of years ago, I had been stirring because I felt like my children were not really ready for Holy Week and the Crucifixion and, of course, Easter! Yes, we've been doing things all during Lent but I felt like now, they needed something more. One night I woke up in the middle of the night and the Holy Spirit gave me an idea! I say He gave me the idea because it was so perfect and brilliant that it could only be from God. So the next day, I put this together for our classroom! I am so proud of our children because they were so into our lesson as we talked about the days of the week and our Holy Week Journey to Easter Sunday! I really enjoyed making this and also loved its simplicity! What I wanted to accomplish with this was a visual of what Jesus, our Lord, went through during Holy Week. I wanted to help them walk with Jesus.

Homeschooling Methods 101

2013-03-05T15:21:00.000-05:00

If you have been following our series, I first wrote about the 10 Steps to Start Catholic Homeschooling and then on Goal Setting in the Catholic Homeschool, now we are going to discuss the different homeschooling methods available to you. So you’ve decided to Homeschool, you looked up the laws in your state, you contacted the local organization and even want to join a homeschool co-op. Now what? Well, now you need to decide what method you will use in your homeschool. First, I would like you to learn a little bit about yourself as a teacher and a former student.

READ MORE...

Goal Setting in {Catholic} Homeschooling

2013-02-24T01:00:00.000-05:00

Have you set goals for your homeschool before you began your journey?

Are you thinking about homeschooling your children but do not really know the reasons why?

Here is an easy way to set goals for your homeschool. Though a "dry topic," goal setting is very important for every family thinking about homeschooling or home educating already. Knowing them in your head just is not enough, you need to organize them and write them down.

I mean it's not a super exciting topic BUT a very important one because I truly believe that if you set your philosophy and goals ahead of time, you will not doubt nor will you feel intimidated by others when questioned about your family's decision to home educate, not that it really matters what others think BUT when you have well thought out reasons, it's a great feeling!

10 Steps to Start {Catholic} Homeschooling

2013-02-21T16:50:00.000-05:00

Recently, in a Catholic Homeschool group on Facebook, a mom commented about her doubts regarding homeschooling. My dear friend and blogger over at Totus Tuus Family, Allison, replied one of the sweetest and most perfect replies, she said,

“”If God leads you to it, He will lead you through it. I had MANY of those same doubts. I read lots of homeschool and Catholic homeschool books looking for those who had conquered the obstacles I perceived and that combined with prayer fortified me. Am I perfect at it? No, no one is…no education is perfect. Let God work on your fears, it sounds like He IS working on your heart.”

This got me thinking about my own homeschooling journey which is only four years young. How did I get here and what helped me stick with it? Then I wondered how many other moms out there on the fence about homeschooling and have not because of fear or lack of knowledge. Is this you?

READ MORE.....

RLS Joining forces with Catholic Sistas

2013-02-21T16:28:00.001-05:00

Good news!

Raising {& Teaching} Little Saints

is joining forces with

Catholic Sistas

and providing a new series entitled Catholic Homeschooling 101

by Raising Saints

Same great ideas, different blog address.

So find us now under their Domestic Church category as Homeschooling.

Keep LOVE in LENT

2013-02-05T17:02:00.000-05:00

Are you feeling pressured to have your holiest, Sacrifice and prayer-filled Lenten Journey this year? Do you ever find that you start out on Ash Wednesday with your ashes on your forehead and so many Sacrifice and prayer resolutions, but get discouraged by the second week because you can't stick to them all?

How about focusing on one solid resolution or Lenten program or one different challenge each week: one that our families might be able to stick with, will draw all of us closer to Jesus, and one that we can carry out with love in our hearts instead of grumpy Lent faces.

Do you want to share what your family is doing for Lent this year?

Then join us, Tina of Truly Rich Mom, and Erika of Raising (& Teaching) Little Saints, and Monica of Arma Dei: Equipping Catholic Families in the Keeping LOVE in LENT Blog Link-Up 2013.

We're also going to incorporate a totally optional Follow Frenzy feature for those who want to be inspired by other people's posts, with the added benefit of getting meaningful comments and new followers to your own blog.

A blog link-up is where we each write a blog post on the same theme. Everyone will get links to other bloggers’ posts to multiply your reach, and to help spread the message of Keeping LOVE in LENT!

You will have the option to participate in the Follow Frenzy, committing to visit and leave meaningful comments at 20 different blog-posts participating in the Keeping LOVE in LENT Blog Link-Up (and receiving 20 meaningful comments on your own blog-post!)

You don't have to participate in the Follow Frenzy, especially if reduced blog-time is part of your Lent!

The LInk-Up is open to all bloggers who agree with the its' goal, particularly Catholics and Christians of all denominations who observe LENT. You may write about anything that pertains to the blog theme, e.g. share tips on how you and your family keep LOVE in LENT: stories to encourage others to do so; books and activities (even recipes!) that help keep Lenten Observances of fasting, abstinence from meat on Fridays, extra prayer, cleaning and giving clothes away to the poor, special Catholic devotions and practices like extra weekday Masses or Stations of the Cross, etc.

To participate, please follow these steps:

1. Register by filling up the form at the end of this post or clicking here ON OR BEFORE Pancake Tuesday, February 12, 2012.

2. Write your blog post on the theme, "Keeping LOVE in LENT" in the first part of LENT and publish the blog post on February 19-20, 2013, filling out the form we send you with the direct address to your blog-post no later than February 20, 2013 at 9AM (EST). You will receive the complete list of Blog-post links by noon on February 20, 2013 (EST) for you to add at the bottom of your post.

At the beginning of your blog carnival post,

write the following as your introduction and include the Love in LENT button!

"I’m participating in the Keeping LOVE in LENT Blog Link-Up 2013, hosted by Raising (& Teaching) Little Saints, Truly Rich Mom and Arma Dei: Equipping Catholic Families. We'll be sharing different ways, tips, stories and real-life experiences that will help us focus on Lenten sacrifices, prayer and good deeds, and carrying them out with LOVE instead of a GRUMBLE. Please scroll down to the end of the post to see the list of link-up entries.”

The deadline for registration for the carnival is February 12, 2013 (Pancake Tuesday).

Posting instructions and Link-Up rules will be e-mailed to all participants on February 14, 2013 and the link-up will go live on February 20, 2013. PLEASE PUBLISH YOUR BLOG-POSTS no later than 9am EST on February 20, 2013.

PLEASE NOTE:

Kindly write about the theme provided. We do not moderate or screen posts but we do reserve the right to exclude your entry from the list of link-up participants should your post be offensive, irrelevant to the theme, contain personal attacks, off-topic articles, articles that are anti-Christ or are articles aimed to market products or services.

Important Dates:

1. REGISTER HERE your blog by February 12, 2013.

2. Publish your blog-post on February 19 or 20, 2013. (No Later than February 20 at 9am EST).

3. Send in your direct blog-post address (by filling out the form we send you)

as soon as you publish your blog-post, no later than February 20 at 9am EST.

4. Add the list of link-up participants to the end of your blog post by February 20, 2013 at noon. EST.

You will receive a list of link-up participants as I receive them on February 19, 2013 with the final list compiled for you to edit at the end of your blogpost by noon on February 20, 2013.

OPTIONAL FOLLOW FRENZY:

5. Specify in the registration form that you intend to participate in the FOLLOW FRENZY.

6. Receive your list of blogs to visit on February 20 by noon EST.

7. Visit, leave meaningful comments and hopefully subscribe or follow 20 newly discovered Blogs by February 24, 2013.

Thank you very much!

We're excited to read your entries and help spread the word on how to keep LOVE in LENT!

Jesus our King, the Son of the Virgin Mary

2012-12-25T01:50:00.000-05:00

From where the sun rises, to the furthest west, let us all sing to Jesus our King, the Son of the Virgin Mary.

The blessed Creator of the universe assumed the Body of a servant: that he might thus by Flesh deliver flesh, and save from perdition the creatures of his hands.

The heavenly grace enters into the womb of the Virgin- Mother: the young Maiden carries within her a Secret, which she knows not.

This chastest living Dwelling becomes, in that instant, God's own Temple: the purest of Virgins conceives the Son of God

She gives him birth: Him, whom Gabriel had foretold, and whom the Baptist, exulting in his mother's womb, perceived when yet unborn.

He suffered himself to be laid on the straw: he disdains not the Crib: and He who feeds the hungry birds, is fed himself on a few drops of milk!

The heavenly citizens keep glad choir, singing their angel-hymns to God: and the Shepherd, the Creator of the world, is looked at by shepherds.

Glory be to thee, O Jesus, that wast born of the Virgin! and to the Father, and to the Spirit of Love, for everlasting ages.

Amen.

Keeping Christ in Christmas Blog Carnival

2012-12-20T00:05:00.000-05:00

"I’m co-hosting in the Keeping Christ in Christmas Blog Carnival, along with Tina from Truly Rich Mom and Monica from Arma Dei: Equipping Catholic Families. We'll be sharing different ways, tips, stories and real-life experiences that will help us focus on Jesus as the Reason for the Christmas season. Please scroll down to the end of the post to see the list of carnival entries.”

Before even thinking about Christmas, as a Catholic we must first take the time to properly prepare for this wonderful Feast Day, the birth of our Savior. Understanding Advent and it's purpose within the liturgical year and our domestic church (our homes) is vital in truly living out and preparing for His holy birth and properly keeping Christ in Christmas. It's interesting that we only think of these things during Lent, while this to the human mind is understandable as one is the birth, a joyous occasion, and the other is the death, synonymous with sadness. Nevertheless Advent should be practiced much like Lent in many ways. This is another excellent opportunity for us to grow in holiness. So by keeping a Christ-centered focus this Advent, we must reflect on three things when seeking sanctification:

1. voluntary amendment of life,
2. acts of penance, and
3. works of charity.

So what are some examples of these three things?

By voluntary amendment of life I mean giving up those things that block you from sanctifying grace, namely the bad habits that surround us all the time and we have a hard time breaking. The goal is to get rid of this habit for good. I would begin by going to doing an thorough examination of conscience and then heading to Confession regarding this and if you are able to, to Communion. The graces you receive from these beautiful Sacraments will help us in our goal to amend our lives. Here are Fr. Z’s 20 Tips For Making A Good Confession o{]:¬) Dare I say to also replace these things with good things like participation in the rich traditions of our faith like:

Next is acts of penance. By this I mean to perform some kind of penance, the little things that will help strengthen your will in saying NO to some small items, like lets say giving up chocolate, or soda. Minor acts that help you with bigger temptations. You may or may not resume these acts after Advent but this little exercise of giving this little thing up helps you in the long run to avoid temptations.

Lastly, is works of charity. This is really important in our Catholic faith as we must do good and holy actions for others to strengthen our relationship with the Christ Child and Holy Mother Church. Christ gave us a prime example of the need for works by His actions while here on earth. These are great ways to start actions that might become good habits in the future (beyond Advent and Christmas). In our home we reinstated the daily family Rosary, going to Mass as often as possibly, spending more time focused on our children and less socializing, reading and celebrating the feasts of the saints (Advent is particularly a good time to start this in your homes as there seems to be a slew of popular saints during this time). On a personal level, I began reading a book about deeper spirituality which will definitely carry over after this liturgical season but will help my spiritual life in the long run. Part of this could also be to give others that are lonely during this time more of your time, and also sending Christmas cards to those that might not get as many cards as others. (don't forget your priests at Christmas either). Also, donating to charity, your Church or offering Mass intentions for others is a great way to do acts of charity.

The biggest focus or work of charity that our family is going to focus on as a whole is towards the priests involved in the situation in Newton, CT. Many of the wakes, funerals and burials for both the children and adults of Newtown, CT are being held this week. While many of us are looking for ways to reach out to the this community, prayer is the most powerful way we can help to sustain the victims’ families, the Priests, and the so many loved ones involved in this very difficult time. Our family is offering different prayers for that community specifically for Saint Rose of Lima which is the Catholic Church in Newtown, Conneticut. So I'm participating this activity as well:

Today, I caught a post going around on Facebook that was written by Father Suarez's (the pastor there) sister.:

My friends,
All of you, I am sure, have heard so much about the tragedy in Newtown, CT. Many of you have received emails from me about my younger brother, Father Luke Suarez, who is a priest at St. Rose of Lima parish, a Catholic church just down the road from Sandy Hook Elementary. He, and his pastor, Monsignor Weiss, arrived at the school within moments of the shooting, and have been caring for the community ever since. The picture I have included was taken at the school.

Father Suarez has an impossible task before him. His diocese is without a bishop right now, and there is very little leadership and assistance from above. Monsignor is older, went through a serious surgery recently, and is personally devastated by the losses. The parish is very large, and parishioners tend to be wealthy and somewhat ill-catechized. The rectory has received serious threats, and as my brother gave the homily Sunday at the noon mass, the church had to be evacuated by SWAT teams. After experiencing identity theft and online hacking incidents, he had to erase all of his internet accounts. After a weekend of endless media requests, notifications and vigils with heartbroken families, and little sleep, he now has two wakes and two funerals every day, until the fourth Sunday of Advent. Father Suarez has not even been ordained two years.

My large family has been trying to send Father Suarez our love and support from afar, and one of my brothers was able to visit with him briefly a couple times. All he asks for is prayer.
I have been wracking my brain, trying to think of a way that our beautiful, loving community could tangibly reach out to Father Suarez, Monsignor Weiss, and the St. Rose parish, to support them in this most awful of times. I have sent many prayer requests, and I am asking for more prayers again. But I also want to ask everyone to search their hearts, and if the Holy Spirit moves you, please consider sending one of your family's Christmas cards to the rectory, with a few words of love and encouragement.

My brother has said over and over again that without the prayer support he is receiving, he could not keep going. And this week is only the beginning. Everyone there is still in shock. Their peaceful home has been desecrated by violence. They will need to live with this sorrow forever.

But in our weakness is His strength. Grace abounds. Can you help me carry him through this time of trial?

On a hopeful note, Father Suarez did say that no media coverage has even touched the deep, beautiful awakening of faith that has occurred there. Their tiny church, where my children have received sacraments and where Father Suarez was ordained, has been full of people in prayer without ceasing since this tragedy happened. Love is stronger than death.
Please feel free to share the address with your family, friends, and community. An outpouring of love will sustain these good priests through their impossible ministry--impossible on their own, but possible with God.

I am so grateful to live in this community. We are all so blessed with one another. Every day, I see you all loving one another as Christ loved. Thank you for letting me reach out to you now
With humble appreciation,
{name deleted on purpose by me}

If you can make a monetary donation you can go to the Church's website to do so already.

As members of the Body of Christ, we join our hearts and prayers to remember our brothers and sisters in Newtown, CT. In addition, my children will be making snow flakes for the children of Sandy Hook Elementary, the PTSA there will be collecting them until the 12th of January, they want to surprise the children when they get back to school with them.

Please join us in keeping Christ in Christmas by taking the next five days and the week ahead in keeping this focus, remember Christmas ends on January 6th, the feast of the Epiphany, so there is still time to put these ideas to practice. God bless you and keep you in this Advent season.

Blessings,

Erika

Here are the links to the other blog carnival participants. I hope you'll take the time to visit them and leave a comment on their posts! :) The list will be updated throughout the day, so please do come back and check on them. God bless us all!

Homeschool Mosaics: Keeping Christ in Christmas

Joy: Keeping Christ in Christmas: Advent Interruptions

The Breadbox Letters: Interrupted by Glory

TwentyTuesdayAfternoons: Keeping Christ in Christmas/ The Season of Giving / A Wee Bit of Beach Holiday Angst

The Learning Basket: Staying With the Nativity Story

Tercets: Keeping Christ in Christmas

Rosary Mom: Keeping Christ in Christmas

Ate Maui: Hoping and Bringing Hope

Written By the Finger of God: 12 Traditions for Keeping Christ in Christmas

Dominique's Desk: Keeping Christ in Christmas

Felix at Fifty: What Jesus Wants for Christmas

Mommy Bares All: Birthday Cake for the Birthday Boy on Christmas Day

Between Now and Later: Keeping Christ in Christmas, I am trying...

Lique's Antics: Family Antics: Christmas Reflection

Life of Fortunate Chances: Our First Ever Christmas: Keeping Christ in Christmas

The Mommy Journey: Keeping Christ in Christmas

Roller Coaster Ride: How to Remind Your Kids of Jesus Christ This Christmas

Cymplified: Christ-Centered Christmas: Cymplified!

Mountain Grace: Keeping Christ in Christmas

Touring Kitty: Grown-up Christmas List

Mommy Chinkysoup for the Soul: A Very Special Christmas

City Girl, Country Home: Finding Jesus in a Flurry

Coffee Moments with Sam: Christmas Unwrapped: 5 Presents Our Kids Truly Deserve

Raising Lifelong Learners: Keeping Christ in Christmas

The Diary of a Sower: Keeping Christ in Christmas

Arma Dei: Equipping Catholic Families: Keeping Christ in Christmas

Raising (and Teaching) Little Saints: Keeping Christ in Christmas

Truly Rich Mom: The Greatest Gift of All This Christmas

Join the Keeping Christ in Christmas Blog Carnival!

2012-12-10T13:29:00.000-05:00

Are you feeling stressed over the "busy-ness" and "to-do lists" of our modern-day, mainstream Christmas? Do you feel like there's a need to reconnect to the true Reason for the season? Do you want to share about how you and your family are preparing for the birthday of Someone very special? Then join us, Tina of Truly Rich Mom, Erika of Raising (& Teaching) Little Saints, and Monica of Equipping Catholic Families in the "Keeping Christ in Christmas" Carnival for 2012!

This is a blog carnival that aims to share that — beyond the decor, the parties and the gifts — Christmas is a time for us to celebrate the birth of Jesus. A blog carnival is where we each write a blog post on the same theme. Everyone will get links to other bloggers’ posts to multiply your reach, and to help spread the message of keeping Christ in Christmas!

The carnival is open to all bloggers who agree with the carnival's goal, particularly Catholics and Christians of all denominations. You may write about anything that pertains to the blog theme, e.g. share tips on how you and your family keep Christ in Christmas; stories to encourage others to do so; books and activities (even recipes!) that help keep Christ in Christmas, etc.

To participate, please follow these steps:

1. Register by filling up the form at the end of this post or clicking here. (ON OR BEFORE DECEMBER 13)

2. Write your blog post on the theme, "Keeping Christ in Christmas." (ON OR BEFORE DECEMBER 18, i.e. the post should be LIVE by December 18)

3. At the beginning of your blog carnival post, write the following as your introduction.

"I’m participating in the Keeping Christ in Christmas Blog Carnival, hosted by Arma Dei/Equipping Catholic Families, Raising (& Teaching) Little Saints, Truly Rich Mom. We'll be sharing different ways, tips, stories and real-life experiences that will help us focus on Jesus as the Reason for the Christmas season. Please scroll down to the end of the post to see the list of carnival entries.”

The deadline for registration for the carnival is on December 13, 2012 (Thurs). Posting instructions and carnival rules will be e-mailed to all participants on December 14 (Fri) and the carnival will go live on December 18, 2012 (Tues). PLEASE POST YOUR CARNIVAL ENTRIES ON December 18, 2012, beginning 12MN (IMPORTANT: Please note that all dates/times are based on PHT or Philippine Time, i.e. UTC/GMT +8 hours).

PLEASE NOTE:

Kindly write about the theme provided. We do not moderate or screen posts but we do reserve the right to exclude your entry from the list of carnival participants should your post be offensive, irrelevant to the carnival theme, contain personal attacks, off-topic articles, articles that are anti-Christ or are articles aimed to market products or services.

Kindly note the deadlines and post your entries (i.e. make sure they are live online) on December 18. Please do not forget the deadline for registration, which is December 13.

Thank you very much! We're excited to read your entries and help spread the word on how to keep Christ in Christmas!

A Colossal Set of Resources for Advent

2012-12-02T02:00:00.000-05:00

Advent is the (roughly) 4 week season before Christmas when Catholic and other Christians commemorate the first coming of Christ and anticipate his second coming. The first Sunday of Advent can fall on any date between (and including) November 27 and December 3 of each year. This year Advent begins on December 2nd. These are the start dates for the next four years:
2013: December 1; 2014: November 30; 2015: November 29; and 2016: November 27

Liturgical Facts on Advent:
Liturgical Color(s): Violet (optional: Rose for 3rd Advent)

Type of Holiday: Season; Fast

Time of Year: Roughly 4 weeks before Christmas

Duration: 4 Sundays and their weeks ending at Christmas Eve

Celebrates/Symbolizes: Jesus' first and second comings

Alternate Names: None

Scriptural References: Isaiah 2:1-5,7:10-14, Jeremiah 33:14-16, Zephaniah 3:14-18, Micah 5:2-5a, Matthew 24:37-44, Romans 13:11-14

Catholic Encyclopedia: Advent

Awesome Ideas Around the Web for Advent

Jesse Trees & Ornaments:

O Jesse Tree, O Jesse Tree… How Crafty are Your Branches! at Catholic Icing
Jesse Tree Readings and Coloring Pages at Shower of Roses
Jesse Tree ornaments at Paper Dali
Jesse Tree Treasures for Advent at Shower of Roses

Calendars/Chains:

Homemade Advent Calendars: Links of Lightbulbs (6) at Arma Dei
Faith Activities for an Advent Calendar at Tercets
Our Favorite Advent Calendar at Shower of Roses
Advent Calendar Countdown with Activities (and Printable!) at the Three Sided Wheel

Wreaths:

Advent - a Time of Waiting Craft by Designs by Birgit

Easy Advent Wreath at Catholic Inspired

ADVENTuresome Family Fun at Catholic Sistas (Advent wreath instructions)

Make Pink and Purple Advent Candles at Catholic Icing

The Advent Wreath at Shower of Roses

Felt Advent Wreath at Happier than a Bird's Quilts (tutorial)

Advent Wreath Craft for Kids at Catholic Icing

Advent Log from at Sun and Candlelight

Advent Wreath Craft for Catholic Kids at Catholic Icing

Printable Advent Chain at The Catholic Toolbox

Printable Nativity Advent Chain at Catholic Icing

Nativities:

DIY Printable Nativity for Kids at Catholic Icing (hide Baby Jesus)
Bible Paper Toys :: Free Printable Paper Nativity Set at Shower of Roses
A Manger for Baby Jesus at Shower of Roses
Crèche Mania at Paper Model Kiosk
Putting Jesus in the Creche – A Family Tradition at Catholic Icing
Homemade Nativities: Links of Light Bulbs (7) + linky! at Arma Dei

Educational:

Celebrating the Liturgical Year with Children: Advent at RLS (printable)
Advent Adventure by Holy Heroes (sign up)
Happy New Church Year! at the Three Sided Wheel
Advent is Coming Lapbook at That Resource Site
Lesson Plan- (Pre K - K): Advent at The Catholic Toolbox
Planning a Simple, Yet Complete Advent at Training Happy Hearts
Nativity Sensory Bin for Christmas at Catholic Icing
O Antiphons at Catholic Cuisine
Advent Wreath- (file folder game) at The Catholic Toolbox
Advent: A Season of Joy and Preparation Faith Folder at Faith Folders for Catholics

Books & Book Baskets:

Books: Advent, Christmas and Beyond at the Careless Catholic
{Preparing for Advent} Book Basket for Parents at Three Sided Wheel
Advent and Christmas with Tomie de Paola and Others at In the Heart of My Home
{Preparing for Advent} Book Basket for Children at Three Sided Wheel
Advent/Christmas Books at Catholic Baby Steps
Favorite Advent and Christmas Books Link-Up at Shower of Roses
Toward Living Advent and Christmas at Wildflower and Marbles
The Miracle of Saint Nicholas by Gloria Whelan

Movies:

(THANK YOU FRIENDS: I want to thank all of you on our Facebook page that contributed to this list of Advent/Christmas movies): (shout outs for those who suggested these)

The Nativity Story (Jennifer D.)
Little Drummer Boy (Katie M.)
Nestor, the Long-Eared Christmas Donkey (Lindsey B.)
Veggietales: Saint Nicholas - A Story of Joyful Giving! (Erika D.)
Nicholas: The Boy Who Became Santa (Elizabeth B.)
Juan Diego: Messenger of Guadalupe
The Crippled Lamb (Martianne S.)
How the Grinch Stole Christmas (Mark Z.)
It's a Wonderful Life (Melissa G.)
White Christmas (Melissa G.)
Christmas Carol (Melissa G.)
Holiday Inn (Melissa G.)
Charlie Brown Christmas (Melissa G.)
Christmas Box (Melissa G.)
Garfield's Christmas (Elisabeth A.)
I want a Dog for Christmas Charlie Brown (Erika D.)
California Raisin Christmas Special (Elisabeth A.)
Miracle on 34th Street (Elisabeth A.)
Elf (Sarah G.)
The Very First Noel (Cristina O.)
Bells of St. Marys (Renee R.)
Going My Way (Renee R.)
One Magic Christmas (Erika D.)

General Posts:

Advent at Saint Augustine Classical Academy
Advent: Ideas, Celebrations, & Links at Paper Dali
Veni Emmanuel - Happy New Year! at Raising Little Saints
6 Ways to Kick Off Advent With a Religious Bang! And a Linky :-) at Catholic Icing
Celebrating the Birth of Christ at Hubbards Cupboard
Keeping Advent, Our family traditions at The Rosary Chick
On the Way to Bethlehem at My Little Flower
Preparing for Advent at Forever and For Always
Preparing for Preparing at Work and Play Day by Day

Prayers:

Christmas Novena to St. Andrew at Raising Little Saints
Epiphany House Blessing at Catholic Icing
Blessing Of An Advent Wreath at the USCCB
Christmas Novena to St. Andrew (Printable) at the Three Sided Wheel
St. Andrew Christmas Novena at Joy Filled Family
Christmas Novena at A Catholic Domestic Engineer
Christmas Anticipation Prayer at Joy Filled Family

Music:

Recipes:

Happy Birthday Jesus Cake with Nativity Cookies! at Catholic Icing
Starlight Cookies for the last week of Advent at Catholic Cuisine
How to Make Saffron Buns for St. Lucia Day at Catholic Icing
O Antiphons :: Incorporating an Old Monastic Tradition in the Home at Catholic Cuisine
Food Ideas for O Antiphons at Catholic Icing

Trustful Surrender to Divine Providence: Father Jean Baptiste Saint-Jure

2012-11-07T10:59:00.003-05:00

This excerpt comes from the book Trustful Surrender to Divine Providence by Fr. Jean Baptiste Saint-Jure & St. Claude de la Colombiere

"Nothing happens in the the universe without God willing and allowing it. This statement must he taken absolutely of everything with the exception of sin. 'Nothing occurs by chance in the whole course of our lives' is the unanimous teaching of the Fathers and Doctors of the Church, 'and God intervenes everywhere.'

I am the Lord, He tells us Himself by the mouth of the prophet Isaias, and there is none else. I form light and create darkness; I make peace and create evil. I, the Lord, do all these things.1 It is I who bring both death and life, I who inflict wounds and heal them, He said to Moses.2 'The Lord killeth and maketh alive, it is written in the Canticle of Anna, the mother of Samuel, He bringeth down to the tomb and He bringeth back again; the Lord maketh poor and maketh rich, he humbleth and he exalteth.3 Shall there be evil (disaster, affliction) in a city which the Lord hath not done? 4 asks the prophet Amos: Good things and evil, life and death, poverty and riches are from God Solomon proclaims. 5 And so on in numerous other passages of Scripture.

Perhaps you will say that while this is true of certain necessary effects, like sickness, death, cold and heat, and other accidents due to natural causes which have no liberty of action, the same cannot be said in the case of things that result from the free will of man. For if, you will object, someone slanders me, robs me, strikes me, persecutes me, how can I attribute his conduct to the will of God who far from wishing me to be treated in such a manner, expressly forbids it? So the blame, you will conclude, can only be laid on the will of man, on his ignorance or malice. This is the defense behind which we try to shelter from God and excuse our lack of courage and submission.

It is quite useless for us to try and take advantage of this way of reasoning as an excuse for not surrendering to Providence. God Himself has refuted it and we must believe on His word that in events of this kind as in all others, nothing occurs except by His order and permission."

Blessings and protection to you all,

Erika

Viva Cristo Rey y la Virgen de Guadalupe!

The Reconciliation Challenge

2012-10-29T07:00:00.000-04:00

What does your Confession look like? How are you teaching your children to go through their own Sacraments of Reconciliation as time goes by? What do your habits on this particular sacrament say about you? Have you grown in your faith, but forgotten this corner of it?

Does your Confession look like a checklist? I’ll freely confess I had planned on taking this format when I did my First Reconciliation a little less than a year ago. “Bless me Father for I have sinned. This is my first Confession. I've a, b, c, e, g, h, j, k, l, m, o, p, r, s, t, v, x, and y’d. For these and for all my other sins I am sorry.” Hold my breath until we get to the Act of Contrition and read that off a little card. Run for the door. Try to avoid ever having to do it again. Repeat as seldom as humanly possible.

I remembered sitting in the room with other parents of the children in my son’s Confirmation class the year before. We were preparing the children for their First Reconciliation and the teacher, Dianne, would for a portion of the class split us from the children and while they worked on a project without us, we would learn about the Sacraments, their origin, and all kinds of other amazing things. I loved the class. I was new to the Faith and like a sponge. I would stay after class and ask a million questions to Dianne who had the patience of a saint. She let me take home the videos we watched in class so I could review my notes and make certain I’d gotten everything out of them. I loved her. I still do.

The other parents and sponsors loathed it, deeply. They wanted to get in, get out, and get it over with.
One Monday when Dianne left us adults to our own devices after explaining to us what to expect on the day the children did their First Reconciliation, encouraging all the families and sponsors to participate as well. I was ecstatic. I was nervous. I was a wreck.

The other adults were terrified. Most started talking and comparing how long since they’d been to Confession. None had gone since their grade school years, high school at best. I was stunned. I’d just spent 8 weeks teaching my son that this was a beautiful Sacrament and that he should participate in it for the rest of his life! I mean, *I* didn't want to go…but he should! He must! What on God’s green earth were we there for if he wasn't going to participate in the Faith as soon as he got the excuse to stop?!?!

First Reconciliation for the children came. They were all nervous and rather intimidated. I was too! I’d planned my list (as stated above) and was ready to go in, just like the children, and do my First Reconciliation on the same day as my son. The children slowly went, one by one. I kept waiting for an adult or older sibling to go to the back of the aisle, but no one went. If I stood up I would look like an absolute fool. My son went last and held the door to the Confessional open for Father Joe afterward and they came forward. It was mixed emotions. Pride in my son, relief that I didn't have to go, and sadness that I’d missed the opportunity.

After transferring to a new parish for a host of reasons, Father Dan assured me that everything was “all good” and offered to take care of my First Reconciliation at the first available opportunity when we came to worship at Mass the next time.

I got there late. On purpose. I figured if Confession ended at 4:30 and Mass started at 5:00 I should be good to squeak in at about 4:45. Or not. Father Dan was leaving the Confessional when he saw me sitting in the pew. He walked right over, smiled at those sitting next to me and said, “Susan, would you watch her son for a minute?” and marched my happy butt back to the Confessional. I’d been called out. Now I was a complete wreck. I wasn't ready. I didn't have my list. I didn't have my Act of Contrition card. If I hadn't left my purse and car keys with my son I might have booked it for the exit.

As I walked through the door, he asked me if I wanted to sit face to face with him (oh the horror) or kneel on the other side. Seemed rather ridiculous to kneel and “hide” at that point, plus the chair looked infinitely more comfortable to a 5 month pregnant woman than the kneeler. Face to face it was.

I had nothing with me, but since he knew it was my first time he walked me through it. I started the way I knew I was supposed to, but when I got to the “listing my sins” part, my mind started to go blank. Where do you start when you were baptized at 1 month old and are in your (we won’t go there.)? I started to go backwards from the most recent issues I’d had with my struggles. Tears started rolling down my cheeks as I revealed things I wouldn't even tell my closest friends. I just laid it all out there. No pretty words, no hiding. Just me spewing all the horrible things I’d done that I could remember in one sitting.

At the end I felt amazing. Truly, it was unbelievable.

Today I went to participate in the Sacrament of Reconciliation for the first time in months. I’d found a million excuses before, but I was at the end of my rope and knew I needed to do it. I’d only gone to Confession that one time before. I’d planned that this would be different. I would be anonymous. I would kneel. I would go through my list and get out of there at the speed of light. And then I fell in the door of the Confessional and went sprawling with the baby onto the floor and he came running to help me up…and it was useless to try and hide again. So I began my second Confession while nursing a 6 month old in front of a priest who could see me. I’d planned on just getting it over and getting out of there. Instead I ended up a pile of tears again, and then cracking jokes as we talked about the fact that I’m not crazy. I left relieved. I was a normal mom with normal fears…who knew?

After getting the exact same feeling as the first time I couldn't help but think how impossible it would be to feel the same way if I’d hidden and used my x, y, z list of pretty words as a checklist. I wouldn't have had that unmistakable personal connection with Father Dan. I certainly wouldn't have been laughing.
What about you? Has your Confession life grown or are you like those adults in the Confirmation class – too scared or too busy to be bothered? Have you seen the inside of a Confessional in the past month? How about the past year? The past decade? Are your children learning to follow you in the Faith? What does your fear or nonchalance teach them?

We’re about to start a new Church year and are just around the corner from Advent. I’m reaching out to you. I’m asking you let’s make this a new start together. In case you didn't know, you don’t have to break one of the 10 Commandments to go to Confession. While it is a requirement to confess any mortal sins there is nothing wrong with confessing your other sins, especially if it is something you are struggling with and could use the value of spiritual guidance. Can’t we all use God’s hand more in our lives?

I’m going to ask you to make the Sacrament of Reconciliation available to your family at least once every other week. I don’t believe in nagging to Confession. I do believe in making the option available to those you love. It’s very hard for a child under the age of 16 to get to Confession without your help and summoning the courage to say “Mom, I need to go to Confession” might be too much for your children, no matter how much they know you love them no matter what. Make sure you make that option available as often as you can.

Since you’re already going to be there for your family, I’m asking you to join me. Until Easter I am going to go to the Sacrament of Reconciliation at least once every other week. Join me. Take the plunge. The Sacrament of Reconciliation takes less than 15 minutes out of your week. Take the time. Go to Confession with me. Then come back and tell me how much better you feel. Tell me how much your life is changing…and I’ll tell you about mine.

USCCB Resources for the Sacrament of Reconciliation: http://usccb.org/prayer-and-worship/sacraments/penance/

Bringing the Election Home

2012-10-23T06:00:00.000-04:00

I’m a firm believer that all families should participate together in the electoral process, particularly in Presidential election years. Since our oldest son was born in 2003 he has sat through every debate and been to the polls with me each time I voted. The last Presidential election in 2008 we pulled our son out of Kindergarten and made a whole day out of going to vote as a family. I even let him cast “my” vote for me in the booth so he felt more involved in the process. Afterward we went to lunch and then came home to prepare a buffet of appetizers to be consumed as we watched the votes come in from across the country.

Our active role in politics in our family has led to our eldest son being very interested in politics. He watches the debates and comments intelligently at the age of 9, no shock since at the age of 5 he had a better grasp than many adults I know. He’s even made his own protest signs defending his beliefs. He impresses me on a daily basis with his excitement about how our country works and his thirst for knowledge that comes from deep within his heart.

Each year we take the time to educate ourselves and actively discuss what we believe, even when we disagree, about the candidates and their stances. We watch our own state’s elections as well following very closely the races of Governor, Senators, and Representatives. Election night is something to celebrate, even when we don’t always agree.

There is nothing more precious when you live in a truly free country than having the ability to go out and exercise that freedom in voting. While many countries “vote”, their elections are fixed and those voting know their vote won’t count. There is outright cruelty at the “polling places” where people are blocked from voting if they are not going to vote the way of the current regime or the regime wanting to take over.

Each and every time we as a country vote, we make a decision to move one step closer toward our freedom, or one step further from it. If we choose not to vote, then that choice to move away from freedom is chosen for us in lieu of our choosing to fight for the freedoms won for us by generations of American blood spilled on battlefields around the world.

This year, our family is preparing. We've watched the debates and engaged in them together. Granted, the 6 month old’s job has mostly been to scream at the TV because there aren't any commercials on which are far more entertaining to watch. We plan to go and vote as a family on November 6^th. We plan to go and spend the day together. My husband is actually taking vacation from work so we can celebrate our country and her freedoms.

This year our son wanted to be part of the tallying process again. As the results roll in across the country he is responsible for coloring in the charts and keeping the family updated in who is winning/losing. We all watch the coverage together, but this gives him a special piece of memorabilia for each debate and helps him to see what happens. The first year we did this, in 2008, he tracked just the Presidential Electoral Votes – all 538 of them!

In 2010, we tracked as the House of Representatives and Senate seats were filled and filled in the same charts. Tracking two was a bit more of a challenge for him so I would write the numbers down on pink and blue sticky notes respectively so he could color in the right number.

This time we’re tracking all three simultaneously. To make things a bit simpler for you to follow along at home too, we’re offering this free PDF at Raising LittleSaints. All you need to complete the activity is a red marker and a blue marker. The Senate seats that are not up for vote are already marked for you. For those with younger children, I highly recommend using stickers. Either red and blue dots or even red and blue star stickers are a cheap “investment” for the return. Just so you know you will need 1,073 (538 electoral votes, 435 in the House of Representatives, 100 Senators) stickers to complete all three charts if you go all white so plan ahead! If you are using the already colored in version of the Senate chart you will need 1,006 (67 seats already filled and not up for election). I would plan on having at least 600 red and 600 blue on hand in case we see a super majority sweep on one side or another.

From our home to yours, Happy Election Day. Embrace your freedom. Rise above the partisan politics and see November 6, 2012 for exactly what it is: a living, breathing example of our Constitution in practice 225 years after it was signed by this country’s founding fathers. Be the King. VOTE.

Homeschool Schoolroom Make Over

2012-10-15T01:08:00.003-04:00

Year 4, five children, one room, six desks, what is a home educator to do with our school room?

Step One: Look around and PANIC because what you thought you had done, doesn't look to hot by week six of your homeschool year. It's year four and all and you *should* have this under control right? Right? No.

Step Two: Think of the kids, how the function, where you need more space, which direction are the windows, stop starring at the disorganized and incredibly FULL bookshelf in the room, and definitely STOP thinking that DH needs to finally build that really cool one you saw on Pinterest and want so bad.

Step Three: Keep Calm and grab some coffee.

This, my friends, was me last week on Friday. I thought I had organized the schoolroom for the 11 billionth trillionth time and that it looked good....but, but...once we started using the room, it wasn't functioning. So it was time to give our schoolroom a Make Over! I didn't want to go out to the dreaded Dollar Store, one more, time....so I worked with what I had in the house. Double brownie points for me in the end when the room looked FANTASTIC and I got to brag that we didn't spend one more cent on it. So here is our new school room, in pictures. I will caption each section describing in as much detail what I did and why I felt it made a difference. Enjoy!

This is our Word Wall.
As the children learn new sight words we add them to the word wall.
It's their "trophy" for conquering the new words.

This is a close up of the Letter Tt on our Word Wall.
I have chosen to BOX the letters so that the children continue to see the shape of the words.

These are the children's Workboxes. Each shelf has nine workboxes.
The ones on the left belong to our second grader, he uses all nine boxes.
The ones on the right are shared by our first grader who uses boxes #1-6
and our preschooler who has boxes #7-9.

This is our preschooler's desk.
Next to him are three bins (red, yellow, red) with the flash cards he likes to use.
Thankfully, he is not a daydreamer so facing the window isn't an issue for him. His desk and chair was a FreeCycle find....yep, they were free!

These desks belong to our first and second graders.
They use the little space under their seat to store their independent reading book,
their dry erase board tablets, and their daily journals. I place the old play rug under their desks so that it keeps the desks in one spot in the room plus it protects the wood floor. I got these two desks on FreeCycle (yep, for FREE)...they were dirty and written on so I cleaned them up and got them back into good and usable shape. I love free finds like these!

This is the corner next to our preschooler's desk,
the top of the shelf are items for the teacher/mom ONLY. ;)

This is the supply shelf, I used small coffee tin cans to store supplies like pencils, rubber bands, chalk, scissors, glue, etc. I covered them with a pretty paper I made, if you are interested I can upload them, just leave me a comment. The old wipe tub holds blank index cards which the kids use to draw on or to write notes to friends/family. The second shelf stores their flash cards. The first one is Religious ones, the middle one is Math and Science, and the right one is Reading. They are either in individual small ziploc bags or with rubber bands. Only one set per child is allowed out at a time.

I added the green curtains which my MIL gave me a while back and I didn't know which room to use them in so they were sitting in a closet. They match the containers in the bookshelf perfectly.

THIS is the main reason I started this Make Over, the bookshelf, it was such a mess...
what I did was use these little crates I picked up at the Dollar Store long ago...
I had them full of junk/toys basically and now they store books.
On top of the shelf I placed the supplies I do not want the children handling without my help.
The first shelf stores my books which I make copies from or I use as resources.
The second shelf has books from last year which I use to go back to when needed in addition to our Scholastic Readers Series. The third row has green containers from the Dollar Store which now have our easy readers in two, our little Father Lavasik religion books in another. The last two shelves have educational puzzles and games which we use frequently. Most Dollar Store or Marshalls finds.

This room has two entrances but no doors this is the view from the living room into the schoolroom and what I consider the front of the room. The student workboxes are in the front.
In the corner there I have little tables with papers, notebooks, construction paper, colored pencils, and other supplies for the toddler to use. It's his "desk" when he "does school" :)
The tables are big enough for him to work his little puzzles on which are located to the right of him.

This is the other view from the side entrance into the school room. Here you can see the children on the left. They are on the school room computer. You can see the front of the room here, the map, the calendar, our Morning Message Board, and our teaching board. On top of the boards is a line with clothespins to display the work of the children. On the opposite corner (on the left of this picture) is our eldest son's desk/computer. But recently, he likes to go to our dinning room table and spread his books out.

Here you can see our Morning Routine calendar and morning message, our prayers and our focus of the week.

This is the dry erase board I use for our Morning Message and also has the Letter of the Week for our Preschooler, the Feast Day, and our Count Down of the Week and Day of School. To the left of this is our calendar. I bought these dry erase boards on Craigslist for like $10 for two of them...the one on the right is the one I use for teaching.

Hope you have enjoyed our school room make over!

Thanks for stopping by.

Blessings,

ABC Catholic DVD and CD Product Review and Giveaway

2012-10-08T13:49:00.000-04:00

Learn to Count DVD
We have had the wonderful opportunity to review ABCatholic's DVD entitled "Learn to Count" this past Summer. It is a beautiful DVD geared for small children with an instructional Math component but yet still Catholic. The hostess, the little girl who sings the songs with the kids is adorable, sweet and friendly...my children love watching this DVD, even those that already know how to count because of the Catholic component and the fun tune. Here's a sample of the Learn to Count DVD:

PRODUCT DESCRIPTION: Teach your little ones to count on what really counts with ABCatholic’s Learn to Count! Geared to children six-months and up, this high-definition DVD features bright, engaging animations paired with live-action video to introduce your child to numbers and counting 1 through 10. Your child will love interacting with the children in this production!

To integrate early basics for mathematics and language skills, each number is introduced by:

Spoken Name

Quantity

Numeral

and Written Word

But you can count on ABCatholic to go a step further: Items and symbols representing each number have been carefully selected to establish early Catholic concepts. Learn to Count begins with:

1 Tabernacle

2 Rosaries

3 Bells

For the youngest child, this program is the ideal starting point for learning numbers. For older children,Learn to Count can be used to introduce to counting, spelling, and faith concepts. And parents can take heart in knowing they can trust ABCatholic to provide wholesome and holy tools for early education.

You can purchase the Learn to Count DVD for only $19.95 on their website.

* * *

Marian Lullaby CD
The second product we had the honor of reviewing this past Summer was the A Marian Lullaby CD. This came to our home at the perfect time! My six and seven year old love falling asleep with music on and the CDs we have had for some time, were seeing their last leg. Not only was this CD wonderful and perfect for night time music but it was an added bonus that it has a Marian devotion. Part of the CD has sung lyrics the other half has just the instrumentals This one came in handy for our music class since we can just play the instrumental part as we learn the lyrics to some of the most beloved Catholic songs.

PRODUCT DESCRIPTION: Lull your little one to peaceful sleep with this beautiful collection of lullabies honoring the Blessed Mother. During wakeful hours, your children will come to treasure these specially selected songs. This collection of hymns and original songs includes a variety of sung and instrumental pieces, arranged and performed by Matthew Torres and introducing Patrick Culbertson (Lovely Lady Dressed in Blue).

Listen NOW to samples from this collection by clicking on the links:

Remember Holy Mary – Sample Tiny Little Sheep – Sample Ave Maria – Sample
Classic songs in this collection include:

With Lyrics:

Hail Virgin Dearest Mary

Hear Thy Children Gentlest Mother

O Purest of Creatures

Remember Holy Mary

Tiny Little Sheep

Instrumental:

Ave Maria

Salve Regina

O Sanctissima

I’ll Sing a Hymn to Mary

Daily Daily Sing to Mary

Sow the seeds for an early love for the Virgin Mary with A Marian Lullaby.

You can purchase A Marian Lullaby CD for only $14.95 on their website

MORE!

In addition to the lovely DVDs and CDs on their website, I also love these alphabet coloring pages for Catholic kids over at ABCatholic....their videos and cds are awesome too! They post new FREE activity coloring pages every Monday on their Facebook page

They have setup a discount for our readers, yes, that's YOU! The promo code you should use is RLS2012 this will give you a 10% off discount for any order!

Do you love these as much as I do...you could WIN THEM ALL! Yes that's right, you can visit their Facebook page and sign up to win their entire collection of three DVDs and two CDs right now; here are the details:

Like their Facebook Page and you can win their entire collection!

Contest closes on October 31, 2012 at 11:59 PM. A winner will be chosen by a random drawing on November 1, 2012. Winner will be notified by phone and/or email. Please do not inquire via Facebook as to whether you have won. Prize includes one copy of each of the following: My Catholic ABCs DVD, Learn to Count DVD, Little Latin DVD, A Marian Lullaby CD, Sing Along Adventures of the Saints CD. Winner will be sent prizes within two (2) weeks of the contest ending. No purchase necessary.

If I don't win these, I can guarantee you that I have selected what I want to get the children for Christmas! The other two DVDs: My Catholic ABCs and Little Latin as well as the Sing Along Adventures of the Saints CD. Don't forget to use the promotional code to receive 10% off your order!

Enjoy! Blessings,

Welcoming Autumn and Loving Life

2012-10-07T18:00:00.000-04:00

I hadn't realized this but, October is really a busy month!

The trees are busy changing colors and dropping leaves.

The weather is busy getting cooler is some parts of the world.

People are starting to decorate their homes with Mums in warm colors like orange, reds, yellows and browns.

It's the Month dedicated to the Most Holy Rosary.

Also Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
{just, think before you pink as Komen supports Planned Parenthood who is pro-abortion}

It is also ProLife Month.

Found this image on
www.Facebook.com/247365Catholic

Our family loves the Autumn season! Sweaters come out and it's (like my seven year old calls it): "Hot chocolate season!" The awesome scent of soups and baked bread fills the house. The air gets crisp and the smell of burning wood fills the air from running fireplaces. It's my favorite season! I also love decorating the front of the house with Fall items like potted Mums and big, fat, orange pumpkins! My kids and I also watch for the return of many little creatures big and small that resurface after being super busy all summer with their little ones, teaching them how to fly, hunt, gather - we love nature.

We noticed that the Robins are back for a visit.

At our home we normally do not carve pumpkins nor decorate with witches and ghosts; it just doesn't match the rest of our beliefs and what we work so hard to teach the kids but instead like to focus on the beauty that God has given us, nature and what matters the most, LIFE! October is ProLife Month and I wanted to share that with the world (okay maybe not the world but my neighbors will be enough), so I was reconsidering the whole pumpkin carving idea. I have secretly loved these and have been collecting these pictures for the past three years (my apologies for those artists that created them as I didn't keep track of where I found them since I never thought it'd blog about it.) I totally love the the idea of incorporating the Fall pumpkins and the Pro-Life message! So here are some that I have found and plan on possibly trying out this year for a first time. I have created templates for all of them except the middle one. Click here for the Prolife Pumpkin Templates. Enjoy!:

Baby in the womb with a heart.

A mother with her baby.
(or as my 4 year old said, "Mary with baby Jesus")

"Occupy the Womb" with a baby sucking his thumb.

This is one of my favorite ones. Baby in the womb.

Holding a new born baby.

Many blessings from our family to yours this Fall season!

Click here for the Prolife Pumpkin Templates.

An Order of Milk to Go?

2012-09-30T17:00:00.000-04:00

Our family is preparing to take one of our trips to the Chicagoland area to visit family. My life has changed immensely since my last visit. I am no longer the homeschooling mother of one 8 year old boy. I am now the mother of two beautiful children.

Both of those children are fans of eating. They like to eat rather often. One of them I’ve been feeding in Illinois and Wisconsin since he was about 5 months old as we brought him on the “World Tour” from Germany to visit the family for the first time. By the time we came home, due to an emergency surgery, I was no longer breastfeeding and therefore was not concerned about feeding him in public. I don’t know of a single person kicked out of a restaurant for giving a child a bottle.

Breastfeeding in Germany when he was an infant was a very different experience than here in the United States. There women breastfed everywhere and it was culturally accepted with no hang ups. It was just part of your daily life: walk to the store, buy groceries for dinner, stop at the park and feed the baby, walk home.

While I have yet to directly encounter interference, I have to admit my trip to Yellowstone National Park this past month was a bit of an eye opener about how America views breastfeeding. Caught between the opportunity to see Old Faithful erupt and a very insistent 2 month old child I laughed and said to my mother “Well, no one will be looking at me anyway”, tossed a light receiving blanket over him, and fed him giggling to myself the entire time about the story I would later have to share with the world.

But unbeknownst to me people, men especially, were pointedly trying NOT to look. My mother also had the giggles from two men on either side of me staring dead forward trying to look in any direction but ours. I appreciate their respect, but it was rather funny to me. There was nothing for them to see out in public, no point of looking away. Perhaps it was my 6’2” tall husband standing over me staring down anyone who would dare question my right to feed my child that kept their eyes from meandering down that path.

Unfortunately the “bodyguard” I wisely married 10 years ago will not be traveling with me to visit my family. Someone needs to stay home to care for the dogs and chickens so he will remain here which leaves me without the big scary man to protect me. I immediately began having nightmares of people trying to kick me into my car, bathrooms, etc while on my road trip. I’m very good at standing up for other people’s rights but I hate making a stink about my own.

I wanted a way to kindly and politely tell them to go pound sand. I didn't want to engage or enrage them, I merely wanted to be left alone to feed my child in peace which is my legal right in both states.

I created the attached document here to print off and take with me. It’s a trifold brochure on breastfeeding, my rights, and where people can get more information about breastfeeding. I figure I’d rather educate the public than cower or confront. I also don’t want to embarrass my family or my older son with a public standoff. This way I can just hand whomever is trying to interfere a brochure, smile, and go back to whatever I was doing.

Here's the link to download the informational flyer

If you would like to print this off for your own purposes, please feel free to do so. I would be honored if someone needs one for their state. I have a list of the laws ready for all 50 states, Puerto Rico, and the US Virgin Islands. Just leave me a comment and I can share it with you for your particular state.

About the Contributor: Anna is our newest contributor on Raising {&Teaching} Little Saints. She is a homeschooling mother of two who lives in Montana. She enjoys reading and spending time with her children, her "body guard" husband of ten years, and her pets.

GREAT Giveaway Two $25 Amazon Gift Cards & KidsEmail.com Subscription

2012-09-28T17:15:00.000-04:00

YAY! IT’S A GIVEAWAY!

Raising {& Teaching} Little Saints has teamed up with DenSchool to giveaway one free year of service from KidsEmail.org AND a $25 Amazon Gift Card to TWO lucky winners! Good luck to all of the entrants.

Allowing kids to have an email is such a debatable subject. We don't want them to have free access to all the junk that's out there and lets not forget all the horrible spam emails that come in to our own. Have your kids asked you about having their own email account yet? Are you still telling them no? KidsEmail.org is a email monitoring service to keep your children's email account safe. With a variety of setting options, you can have emails sent to you for approval first and block certain content - even if it comes from a "trusted" contact!

Stop by DenSchool to read their full review.

Disclaimer: Raising Little Saints was not compensated for participating in this giveaway. Raising Little Saints was not responsible for prize shipment/delivery.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

These Women Can Speak for ME!

2012-09-19T12:55:00.000-04:00

Healing Autism Naturally by Becky Cash {A Book Review}

2012-09-18T05:00:00.000-04:00

No parent ever likes to hear the news that their child has some type of syndrome or illness, the initial shock of it all makes it hard to focus on the important and to find the necessary means to make life just a little better for your child. Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is just one of those symptoms that parents have to help their children work with all of their lives, and that is exactly what Catholic mom, Becky Cash has done since the diagnosis of her daughter. She has taken all the years of working with her beautiful girl through Autism and written a practical guide for all parents.

While I don't have a child with Autism myself, I have, as a Reading Specialist, helped children with Autism learn to read so I liked this great opportunity to review Becky's book and learn a little more about Austism. This book is packet with information, practical advise from a mom who has lived through it, as well as lots of encouragement for those first time moms dealing with ASD.

The lay out that Becky selected for this book demonstrates her knowledge of the subject-matter, she carefully crafted a well organized approach to learning, managing and working with Autism and Spectrum Disorders. The book was easy to follow and understand and her writing style was informative yet familiar; there was never a moment I thought the information was overbearing or boring; quit the opposite!

In this book you will find Nine Chapters:

Our Story
An Overview of Autism Spectrum Disorder
How Traditional Medicine Handles ASD
A Growing Body of Non-Traditional Approaches to ASD
Supplementation
ASD and Diet
ASD and your Family
How to Handle the System
Conclusion

There is also a Preface and Introduction by Becky and in the back you will find helpful resources. The Introduction was factual, full of information but short and to the point, which I thought was a great way to get to the information without loosing the reader. I learned a lot from the section on Supplementation and Diet for my own children. It was also a great eye-opener for me as a friend and teacher of children with ASD and their parents. I wish I would have read this book when I taught elementary school and ASD, I would have put a copy in every parent's hand handling ASD in their family.

Book Description: Autism is a journey. It need not be a journey without direction. The sooner our children and loved ones get the services and treatments they need and deserve, the sooner they can get on the path to healing. In Healing Autism Naturally, Becky Cash helps parents and caregivers sort through the options and map out a course of action for both immediate and long-term results. Healing Autism Naturally also serves as a much-needed guide that members of the medical and professional community can use and hand to parents. No longer are a sympathetic look and a pat on the shoulder the only tools that can be used to help parents. Healing Autism Naturally provides the answers that can help a family navigate the journey and get their children and loved ones help, faster.

In addition to this wonderful book, Becky runs an organization named ASD Perspectives. They offer nutritional consultations to families in the Autism Community. They have a Facebook page which was created to give information to families, parents, professionals and others interested in bio-medical and nutritional approaches to ASD. You can contact Becky directly for a Nutritional Coaching, Family Consulting and Complete Autism Family Assessment either on her FB page or her website.

You can order a copy of her book, Healing Autism Naturally on Amazon.

About the Author:

Becky Cash, along with her loving husband and their beautiful children, call Central Indiana home. After spending many years working with children and graduating from Bowling Green State University in Ohio, Becky began a career in Youth Ministry. In 2000, after the birth of their second child, Becky went home to raise her family. However, life did not slow down. The birth of their third child and the on-set of health issues led Becky into a career in nutrition and later, to the creation of ASDPerspectives, a consulting program for families living and healing from autism. Becky has studied and worked in nutrition for 8 years and feels strongly that no family should have to spend years finding solutions. There is hope for families diagnosed with autism. Becky consults and speaks with families accross the U.S. and abroad.

Blog Award to Receive and Give

2012-09-03T14:52:00.001-04:00

I was awarded the Liebster Award by Maria @ Four Blessings Academy. This is the Liebster Award (as near as I can figure out it is an "I love you/love your blog" award of coolness). It is given from one blogger to another and involves a number of random, cool things about them and you. If it is awarded to you, you have to post 7 random things about yourself, answer the 7 questions asked by the person who tagged you and tag 7 bloggers that you like and come up with 7 questions for them to answer. And it can only be awarded to blogs with less than 200 followers. It could also be just a fun game for the self promotion of small blogs--I'm okay with that! Now I'm supposed to answer Maria's questions and then I'll award seven bloggers and they will do the same:

Seven Random Things About Me:

1) I wasn't born in the United States, but I am a US citizen. Although, I do look Hispanic but for some reason when I am with my gringo DH, no one thinks I am Hispanic.

2) I like cross-stitching, though it's been some time since I've engaged in it. I might have to just teach my daughter to do it so I can get back into it again. :)

3) I love Sci-Fiction movies and HATE chick-flicks - gag! (DH is really happy about this!)

4) I am a reading specialist but as a teenager I hated reading. :p

5) I taught in Catholic, Charter, and Public Schools for 15 years before staying home with my kids and home educating them.

6) I love lesson planning and grading - yes, I am a dork!

7) I miss being a student, one day I would love to go back to school and get a PhD in curriculum planning. (shhh...stop calling me a nerd!)

Seven Questions Asked by Maria @ Four Blessings Academy:

1) What's your favorite breakfast food? Coffee. Okay that's not technically food but I really love a cup of coffee in the morning. I am not a breakfast food person but I guess I do love bagels with cream cheese or eggs, especially Huevos Racheros (a Mexican dish that is fried eggs with salsa on top served on a tortilla - yum!)

2) Do you prefer Italian, Mexican, Oriental, or another cuisine? I don't like Italian. I like Oriental. Mexican is my favorite both to eat and cook (and I'm actually pretty good at it. My pastor is of Mexican descent and when he came over for dinner I made him home-made Mexican and he loved it! Total compliment!) I do love me some Sushi though :p

3) Many people habitually sit in the same section every Sunday at church. We normally sit on the right side (facing the altar) & in the second row from the front. So, what is your seating preference...left or right; front, middle, or back? We love second row on the right too! Cute question. It's really important with little ones to be close to the altar for them to see Father and pay attention.

4) In your opinion, what does 1 + 1 equal? (Think outside the box!) 1 + 1 = 7, in our family, so far. Our love for one another has created more love - our five children, thus far (because we pray that the Lord blesses us with more babies! and NO we aren't crazy, just in love!)

5) Let's talk chocolate...Do you prefer dark, milk, or white? Of course I like chocolate and my favorite is white because I like fatty chocolate but I don't eat it as much because of this reason...but it is my favorite...so DH likes dark, so we just buy milk as a compromise. :)

6) What was your favorite school subject & why? My favorite school subject to teach is Reading (hence why I got a Masters in it, lol). My favorite school subjects to learn are Algebra & History. I love the logic behind Algebra (note not all Math makes sense to me, lol) and History is just amazing without it we don't learn what our future will hold because we learn from the past. Religion is my life so I don't add that as a subject ;)

7) Have you ever met anyone famous? If so, who? I have, I met Christina (the Hispanic Talk Show Host) and Alexis Arguello (RIP), a Nicaraguan boxer. But I'm not into glorifying famous people, never have been.

Now to nominate others (I wish I could do more than seven):

1) Monica @ Equipping Catholic Families

2) Alisson @ Totus Tuus

3) Laura @ Day by Day in Our World

4) Tina @ My Priceless Fishers

5) Birgit @ Designs by Birgit

6) Kerri @ My Life's a Treasure

7) Catherine @ The Harvest is Abundant

Questions for you? I'm going to copy the ones Maria asked me except for the last one, he he he. :)

1) What's your favorite breakfast food?
2) Do you prefer Italian, Mexican, Oriental, or another cuisine?
3) Many people habitually sit in the same section every Sunday at church. So, what is your seating preference...left or right; front, middle, or back?
4) In your opinion, what does 1 + 1 equal? (Think outside the box!)
5) Let's talk chocolate...Do you prefer dark, milk, or white?
6) What was your favorite school subject & why? (both to teach and to learn)
7) Who is your favorite saint? Why?

Back to School Pictures!

2012-08-22T22:24:00.001-04:00

This week was Cor Iesu Academy's first week back to school. Normally, I wait to start until September but a friend mentioned the idea of having an early summer and I hopped on it! This year we have a 9th grader, a 2nd grader, a first grader, a preschooler and a tot-schooler. My Freshman allowed me to take his photograph but made me promise I would not share it except with dad and grandma. The tot-schooler, aka "preschool tag-a-long" was napping during pictures so here are our three middle children on the First day of school:

I love how the pictures came out with the map in the background.

We also did Schultute's for the first time. {My dear friend Liz, blogged about them on the First Day of School Success post}. They were filled with their school supplies and decorated with each child's name and some cute stickers. I also stuffed them with the remaining stickers and some fun items as well. This year, I also color coded each child's school supplies, that way if a green pencil is on the floor, we know whom it belongs to. ;)

Did you start school yet? Did you take pictures? Have a blog? I'd love to see yours too! Have a blessed school year friends!

Congratulations to the Winner of the Music Box

2012-08-22T00:33:00.000-04:00

Thanks to everyone that entered our little giveaway of the beautiful music box from Catholic Family Gifts.

We have a winner:

Congratulations Laverne!

Thank you for participating and for being a loyal friend of Raising {& Teaching} Little Saints!