My First Guest Post!

I'm taking a short station break here so I may encourage you to visit Jen's place at Forever For Always No Matter What...Especially if you are looking for summer refreshment:) Believe me, I'm taking note, myself!

+Have a blessed summer+

Sacred and Immaculate Hearts Fruit Dessert

Happy Feasts of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and Immaculate Heart of Mary!

Oops, I thought I was taking a blogging break?;)

Well, just in case anyone is looking for ideas...Couldn't help but share these yummy (and easy) fruit dessert pizzas we made to celebrate.  Hint: It's just a roll of sugar cookie dough with the most amazing frosting!
These two back-to-back feast days are a couple of my favorites:)

+Check out the recipe...I shared it over at Catholic Cuisine+

Here's another one I made for a dear friend and her family, in thanksgiving for their hard work in coordinating our Parish VBS...They deserved a little treat for having the servant hearts of Jesus and Mary!

"In the Sacred Heart, every treasure of wisdom and knowledge is hidden.  In that Divine heart beats God's infinite love for everyone.  For each one of us individually."
~Bl. John Paul II~

School Endings...And Break Time!

It's the end of another school year and "break time" around our house!  Even though most of our children have been educated at home for the past 8 years, we have always taken a summer break.  Mostly, to be honest, because the teacher needs it!  I always seem to really need that summer break once May rolls around.

This year, I'm even taking a blogging break.  I just feel like it's one of those years that I have a lot of projects that I want to get done around the house and I really want to plan well as I start my 4th year of Kindergarten. Well, 5th, if you count my own:)  I'll only be educating 3 children at home next year (Grades K, 4, 6).  Then, we'll have 1 in our local high school and 1 in college.    I'm waiting until July to start my planning, as June will be devoted to house purging and projects:) If you are a homeschooler, when do you start planning?

We always try to close out the school year with some type of celebration.  This year, we had breakfast with Father M. after a Friday morning Mass and then headed to the lake for a little fun and R & R.

As a parent, it's one of the greatest blessings to have all of my kids together and witness them, as siblings, enjoying time together...

Of course they still bicker and the boys have their banter but I love it all the same!

College boy is happy to be home but NOT happy to find out he didn't get the job he wanted and hoped for!  Thankfully, he was able to scramble and get his old Lifeguarding position back after a quick recertification course. Whew!  A few humbling life lessons were learned right out of the shoot but he's we're thankful to have work:)  Needless to say, he's dreaming of his Semester in Rome coming up in August!

Ahhhh....Unplugging!

I'm hoping to do more of this in the summer days ahead.  Isn't it nice to just sit and ponder life and God's beauty?

There is NO cell reception here. 

Awesome.

Our future firefighter (above) just graduated from 8th grade!  He had been homeschooled {K-7} until this year.

Why? 
Well, long-story-short, it's a personal story;)

 Regardless, we are SO proud of him as he begins his High School journey! (Same school as big brother)  
So I guess that makes me a "high school drop out" as far as homeschooling high school goes!?  
Even after 8 years, we still take one year, one child at a time...Always open and mindful of God's plan for our family.

Now for the littles I'll have at home...Not so "little any more!"

Princess here just finished 5th grade and excited for 6th grade next year! 6th grade?

My goodness, where has time gone?

I'm so impressed that she sewed this whole outfit herself!  I have zero patience for sewing so she's my hero:)  

She's one gal that has no trouble unplugging!

Super Dude just finished 3rd grade and on to 4th grade he goes!  He could take it or leave it but I love this grade...California History is my favorite subject for field trips!  It's going to be a fun year ahead:)

As for him, he's just rather play outside all day and try every sport known to man!  

And finally, our Angel Baby is starting Kindergarten...sniff, sniff.  I am honored to be her teacher.  Or should I say that I am honored that she's my teacher!?

She'll be a fun one!

Keeping me popping?

Hence the need for a peaceful, prayerful, and productive summer break!

See you soon:)

A New Prayer For The Me In The Mirror

I just heard that we are about half way through our Year of Faith.  I've enjoyed reading the extra reflections from the Magnificat Year of Faith Companion these last few months.  Something that I have needed to hear, always seems to pop up.  This afternoon I was reading today's reflection and peeked forward to tomorrow's...Lo and behold, a beautiful prayer! 

I'm typing it out for my bathroom "bulletin board," right above the sink! I just love these kinds of discoveries and reminders to that Me in the mirror:)

+Just thought I'd share+

Teach me, my Lord, to be sweet and gentle in all events of life: in disappointments, in the thoughtlessness of others, in the insincerity of those I trusted, in the unfaithfulness of those on whom I relied. Let me put myself aside, to think of the happiness of others, to hide my little pains and heartaches, so that I may be the only one to suffer them.  Teach me to profit by the suffering that comes across my path.  Let me so use it that it may mellow me, not harden nor embitter me; that it may make me patient, not irritable, that it may make me broad in my forgiveness, not narrow, haughty and overbearing.  May no one be less good for having come within my influence.  No one less pure, less noble for having been a fellow traveler in our journey toward eternal life.  As I go my rounds from one distraction to another, let me whisper, from time to time, a word of love to you.  May our life be lived in the supernatural, full of power for good, and strong in its purpose of sanctity.  

~From Manual of Prayers,

Pontifical North American College