Wordless Wednesday

Are these my pants????

Blessings

,

Lost Socks!

Does this look familiar?

A basket full of paired socks, squashed down to hold all of them. Well it is a rare occurrence in our home to see this.
We continually have the socks not paired up and the odd sock bag (tell me you have one of these too) is often overflowing.

So to help us on our way this time I bribed one of the children with a roll of licorice to pair up the socks. It was an offer taken up very quickly.

But please don't ask me about the sock bag now!!

Blessings,

Beyond Imagination Tag and Favourite Blog Award

Vellvin passed this on to me as I said "oh that looks like a fun
Tag."

So here I go~

1. List 8 stories or books that you would like to live in (for two weeks?)

Inkheart Trilogy
Ranger's Apprentice
Belgariod Series
Little Women
Heidi
Anne of Green Gables
Nancy Drew (the old versions)
Little House on the Prairie
And I know this one isn't actually a book but any ofTasha Tudor's books, well actually her lifestyle.


2. List 8 other bloggers who deserve this award
Enyone who is intereted in this tag. I thought it would be fun just to see which books I would like to live in. I actually was unsurprised with the choices. These tend to be the type of books I like. And they are all quite different too.

3. Comment on their blog and tell them they won an award
I can't do this one unless you let me know you want to do it.


Thank you dear Vellvin,
I pass it on to any of the dear people who read my blog and would like to take this award

Blessings,

Hearts for Home-29th June ♥

In today’s busy and aggressive society mothers at home are not given much encouragement to be committed to their role in being home.

In my weekly 'Hearts for Home' post I am encouraging myself and others to commit to thinking about what 4-6 things we can do each week to bring our thoughts, prayers and actions to keeping our 'Hearts for Home'.

I am praying that a spirit of gentleness, generosity in thoughts and time along with loveliness and grace would lead us to be all that God wants us to be.

I pray also that each person involved in 'Hearts for Home' would also pray for any others involved as well.

May you be blessed by this initiative. I pray it brings you and your family many blessings.

So each week list 4-6 things you will commit to that will keep your "Hearts for Home'.
Please leave a you name and a link to your blog (if you don't have one just leave your list in the comment box) and perhaps a comment so we can all see and encourage each other.

If you would like, add the 'Hearts for Home' logo to your side bar as a reminder of your goals.
God Bless you this week.

♥ Please leave a link to your Hearts for Home Edition on the Mister Linky at the end of the post, so we can all come and visit.
I would also appreciate you linking back here too.☺ ♥ ♥

I also have decided I need to print out my list so I can constantly refer to it and therefore keep it in my mind. I also need to have it put up where I can see it constantly.

My list for the 29th June is ♥ ♥

1. Spend as much time outside as we can during the non-rainy, freezing winds and generally cold days.

2. Start our old 'bush rambles' again and look at the natural surroundings in this Winter light.

3. Continue on with my preparation for
St. Louis de Montfort's Way: Total Consecration on the Feast of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel 16 July.

4. Really concentrate on getting our learning back on schedule Including the Confirmation and First Holy Communion preparation. We decided after lots of consideration to have Moran prepare for First Holy communion as well, to the best of her ability. She is very excited by this.

5. Rising early for all so we can have family breakfast before Stephen goes off to work.

6. Try to have a better idea on our Feast days for the theme for month of July : Month of the Precious Blood. I was terrible in living the liturgical year last month with our family.

Blessings,

A Book's Value

What makes a book valuable?

This is a question I often ponder as I look at the many books we own.

Over the years we have been able to purchase books to add to our home library. Considering how little we had when we first started Homeschooling and how much we try to use a literary style of learning we have been very blessed to acquire all these.

It hasn't always been an easy task. Some books we have bought second hand but most we have bought new.
We chose to buy these books instead of many other things we could have done and the question I have asked my self as I look around is: Are the books worth what we have paid for the?

As I am pondering I asked Autumn what she thought ~ "the way they tell you things without even trying. The old musty smell from second hand books and fabric covers are an added bonus."

Some of our books are more valuable because of the author and or illustrator. I have a wonderful collection of Tasha Tudor books that I value greatly. Marguerite de Angeli and Elsa Beskow books are another correctable series I try to obtain.

But as I think of the value of books - I think of the content.

I know some people look at the number of pages and then the price, and compare the two to come up with an answer.
Some people only collect valuable books and like Autumn some collect old books (they have better binding and covers she says) but I believe there is value in just about any book.

We have so many types of books that I have enjoyed over the years. I have my homemaking books, mothering books, raising children books, books about our Faith and Saints, cooking and homesteading type books, and of course all the 'about homeschooling books.'

We also have children's, classics, factual and information books.

Some books I read and I think- that was a great book, I really got a lot out of it. It has helped me understand a concept or been an inspiration to me or just plain good reading for relaxation.

But what about those books we buy that sounded great or were recommended by some one we trust and admire. What about those books? Are they really not worth the money that was paid for them?

Well this is my opinion after thinking on this over time. I believe if you only get ONE piece of information you didn't know or one inspirational quote, that book has paid for itself. If you were able to relax when you needed to and have some 'time out' that book was worth it's cost.

I have had books that I was disappointed with, especially when money has been tight, when I have wanted it for so long and finally I was able to buy it. As I have read through it waiting for the book to finally deliver what I thought it would, only to reach the end, close the cover and well.....be disappointed.

But as I reflect on books lately, as I have been waiting for my birthday books to arrive. I really think that perhaps I should look back over the books I didn't think I got my money's worth for and look for the sunshine within.

Having said this though I don't think I have had many of these books. I can probable count maybe half a dozen if I tried really hard. Mostly I have enjoyed reading or learning from books we have bought, or if not been entirely happy I have found something I wasn't expecting and was glad I had bought the book.

So to answer my own question: What makes a book valuable? A books value is not measurable. A books value can only be determined by my own attitude and how teachable I am. I can only continue to get value from books as long as I keep an open mind and a love of learning.
And I do believe price does not come into the equation!

What do you think makes a book valuable?
Blessings,

Imagination!

Our children love to dress up and play many imaginative games.
Sometimes these are purely from their own imaginations or sometimes from favourite DVD's fr example; LOTR's or other times from books.

Mostly when it is from books it is a novel. Moran found this picture in a new for us, old picture book we bought recently.

She had to as close as possible resemble the girl in the picture. So she looked around and found clothing from our home to dress up and play the part. She even had to use my new basket.

She played this game for at least two days (yes she had to have the clothes as well) before she moved on to newer and better things.
I love it when our children use their time like this. I am sure it is so much better for their minds, hearts and attitudes.
Blessings,

They Grow So Quickly

I cannot believe our little girl has finally become a fully fledged walker.
Arwen has been a late crawler, well actually she never crawled at all, she bottom scooted as can be seen on a video below.
Our only other bottom scooter was Myffwyn.
In only a week she went from bottom scooting with assisted walking along the furniture to walking all over the house on her own, usually carrying a little handbag or other item with her.

Bottom scooting and standing to walk supported and unaided

Walking everywhere.
She even avoids the walking disasters by her siblings

Arwen ridding her little bike. This I think helped her get her feet moving in the right sort of way.

Blessings,

Winter Work Buster!

I have finally succumbed to the pressure of the Tasmanian Winter weather.
After having said that I think we can manage without a dryer (again). I looked at the rain again yesterday and the piles of clothes trying to get them dry and said 'yes, please can we get the dryer today.'
We have over the past winters dried our clothing around our home. It has looked like an old fashioned 'Chinese laundry' for so much of the year. Even in summer we don't get very long or hot days.
So I am hoping this will mean we can finally stay on top of our mountain of washing that comes from having a large family.

We have been blessed to be able to do this at the moment. Praise to God for the ability.
He does provide and I just need to keep the Faith.
Who says real men don't need instructions?
My very conservative and cautious husband still reads the instructions even though he know all about it.
A very sweet character trait ♥

Blessings,

Prayers for Children

I have been thinking about our children lately and how much we are blessed to have them.

Each night is has been my practise as I put the children to bed to say some prayers with them out loud and then they say their own prayers while I am with them.
I then trace a sign of the cross on each child's forehead and say "God Bless you and Protect you."

As an aside I have been for many years tracing a sign of the cross on each child's forehead as they leave our home or as I leave them at home. I think I remember reading of this custom in one of my Liturgical books perhaps Joanna Bogle, Mary Reed Newland or Father Francis Weiser. In any case it is a well established tradition in our home with the children reciprocating as well an to each other as they go to bed or away etc.

I then go to the next child or children's room.
The children then continue on with their own private prayers and bible reading.

I have done this with our children since our older boys were very little. I must admit at the moment I sometimes fall asleep, putting Arwen to bed before I say every one's prayers. I am hoping with Stephen home that wont happen as often.

Some of the things I pray for with the children is thanking God for our children and to protect them from evil and temptation. That they will grow in their faith and love and serve the Lord in whatever He guides them in.
That each child will be guided to the right man or woman that God has chosen for them (if that is his will for that child). That they will raise wholehearted children. That they will be guided in their vocations as well and that they will remain pure in thought word and deed.

These are just some of the nightly prayers I have prayed with them for their lives.

I am always interested in increasing my prayers for our children. Trying to listen to God's promptings for this in my life so I was very interested when I read the prayer below at Evolgia:

I think it says so beautifully what I feel~

Intercede with thy Son and God, O most Holy One, that an angel from heaven be sent to my children, just as to thee was sent a most mighty protector, the Archangel Gabriel; and vouchsafe me to cry to thee thus:

Raise my children to be earthly angels.
Raise my children to be heavenly men.
Raise my children to be thy servants.
Raise my children to cry out to thee: "Rejoice, O Full of Grace, the Lord is with thee!"
Raise my children (names), O Lady, to be made worthy of the Kingdom of Heaven and make them heirs of eternal blessings.

~Akathist to the Mother of God "Nurturer of Children," Ikos 1

Blessings,

Thrift Shop Finds!

Last week I went to an Antique shop in town where we usually try to find some second hand books.
They have so many other interesting finds and we have a found a few birthday presents here as well.
I was so thrilled to find not only these books but also some jelly moulds and this wonderful basket too.
We had a great time browsing throughout and took some interesting pictures of some of the children in the Pirate display that is there too. Half a pirate ship, with some gruesome gift ideas inside though.Autumn at the Antique Emporium....I must say I didn't take much notice of the background statue until I saw it in the photo.
One of our Jellies using the new mould.That is Arwen's hand touching the jelly. It was such fun to do 'wibble wobble jelly on a plate,' a favourite saying of ours.
The other one we forgot to pre-release and it didn't work out. We live and learn so next time I hope it is perfect.

Blessings,

A Lord of the Rings Funny

Saxon and Vellvin showed me this earlier this morning.
A very funny Lord of the Rings clip with music.

Enjoy ♥

Blessings,

Sacred Heart of Jesus

Dare I admit it !!
We haven't created much for the Month of the Sacred Heart of Jesus!

I have no idea where the time has gone or what we have done with it really.
Although, we have had our bookcase display up to remind us of this month, we haven't done any crafts or anything else to help us concentrate on this special month.

The only thing we have managed so far, and Autumn made this is the (non cupcake) Sacred Heart Cupcakes....cake cut into squares with cream and STRAWBERRIES (I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw them in Woolies I just had to get them for this cake) cut in half and placed on top.
Regardless of the ease of preparation It was well appreciated. Thank you Autumn.

I pray you all are enjoying the month.

Litany of the Sacred Heart of Jesus

Lord, have mercy on us.
Christ, have mercy on us.
Lord, have mercy on us.
Christ, hear us.
Christ, graciously hear us.
God, the Father of Heaven,
God, the Son, Redeemer of the World,
God, the Holy Ghost,
Holy Trinity, one God,

Heart of Jesus, Son of the Eternal Father,
Heart of Jesus, formed in the womb of the Virgin Mother by the Holy Ghost,
Heart of Jesus, united substantially with the word of God,
Heart of Jesus, of infinite majesty,
Heart of Jesus, holy temple of God,
Heart of Jesus, tabernacle of the Most High,
Heart of Jesus, house of God and gate of heaven,
Heart of Jesus, glowing furnace of charity,
Heart of Jesus, vessel of justice and love,
Heart of Jesus, full of goodness and love,
Heart of Jesus, abyss of all virtues,
Heart of Jesus, most worthy of all praise,
Heart of Jesus, king and center of all hearts,
Heart of Jesus, in whom are all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge,
Heart of Jesus, in whom dwelleth all the fullness of the Divinity,
Heart of Jesus, in whom the Father is well pleased,
Heart of Jesus, of whose fullness we have all received,
Heart of Jesus, desire of the everlasting hills,
Heart of Jesus, patient and rich in mercy,
Heart of Jesus, rich to all who invoke Thee,
Heart of Jesus, fount of life and holiness,
Heart of Jesus, propitiation for our sins,
Heart of Jesus, saturated with revelings,
Heart of Jesus, crushed for our iniquities,
Heart of Jesus, made obedient unto death,
Heart of Jesus, pierced with a lance,
Heart of Jesus, source of all consolation,
Heart of Jesus, our life and resurrection,
Heart of Jesus, our peace and reconciliation,
Heart of Jesus, victim for our sins,
Heart of Jesus, salvation of those who hope in Thee,
Heart of Jesus, hope of those who die in Thee,
Heart of Jesus, delight of all saints, have mercy on us


Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of the world, (spare us, O Lord.)
Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of the world, (graciously hear us, O Lord.)
Lamb of God who takest away the sins of the world, (have mercy on us.)
Jesus, meek and humble of Heart. (Make our hearts like unto Thine.)

Let us pray. Almighty and everlasting God, look upon the Heart of Thy well-beloved Son and upon the acts of praise and satisfaction which He renders unto Thee in the name of sinners; and do Thou, in Thy great goodness, grant pardon to them who seek Thy mercy, in the name of the same Thy Son, Jesus Christ, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee, world without end.
(Amen.)


Blessings,

Hearts for Home-22nd June ♥

In today’s busy and aggressive society mothers at home are not given much encouragement to be committed to their role in being home.

In my weekly 'Hearts for Home' post I am encouraging myself and others to commit to thinking about what 4-6 things we can do each week to bring our thoughts, prayers and actions to keeping our 'Hearts for Home'.

I am praying that a spirit of gentleness, generosity in thoughts and time along with loveliness and grace would lead us to be all that God wants us to be.

I pray also that each person involved in 'Hearts for Home' would also pray for any others involved as well.

May you be blessed by this initiative. I pray it brings you and your family many blessings.

So each week list 4-6 things you will commit to that will keep your "Hearts for Home'.
Please leave a you name and a link to your blog (if you don't have one just leave your list in the comment box) and perhaps a comment so we can all see and encourage each other.

If you would like, add the 'Hearts for Home' logo to your side bar as a reminder of your goals.
God Bless you this week.

♥ Please leave a link to your Hearts for Home Edition on the Mister Linky at the end of the post, so we can all come and visit.
I would also appreciate you linking back here too.☺ ♥ ♥

I also have decided I need to print out my list so I can constantly refer to it and therefore keep it in my mind. I also need to have it put up where I can see it constantly.

My list for the 22nd June is ♥ ♥

1. Treat this last week as the last 'holiday' week as we prepare for Stephen starting work on the 1st of July.

2. As I am able, to start to get into an exercise routine. I will try not to over plan this one and therefore end up not doing it.

3. Continue on with my preparation for
St. Louis de Montfort's Way: Total Consecration on the Feast of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel 16 July.

4. Look at all the different activities the children would like to do now we are staying in Tassie and value them according to our family priorities.

5. Make some of the lovely Fruit Bread Teena made while she was here and re evaluate how much 'comfort and homey' cooking I am doing for our family. Am I showing through this medium how much I love and appreciate them?

6. Enjoy the family time we are blessed to have now and re develop our old night time routine:
Bible, Rosary, picture books and family read aloud

Blessings,

Home Improvements?????

I wonder if any of you have watched this TV show. We own a few of the seasons of this and have enjoyed the laughs of the incompetence of Tim.

Last night we watched an episode with our visitors, who I am sure had not seen it before.
It was about Jill, the wife complaining about her husband's shaving mess in the sink and him saying to her he would put in a double sink for her to reduce the problem.
To make a long story short, 17 days latter the house is a disaster and she not only doesn't have a sink, but no running water as well as the disasters that have happened over the last 17 days.

Before our visitors arrived Stephen had noticed that our pump kept coming on even when we were not using water. This he suggested could only mean there was water running ....somewhere.
As our visitor is a very very good builder his services were almost immediately put into service.

On the first day they crawled under the house and found not 1 leak but 3 from at least one rat.
They ran into town to get the equipment they needed to fix it and came back and fixed it.
Of course they turned the water off for this and we had no water for hours.

They investigated further after this ( I can't remember why) and found a 4th leak that required running back into town for supplies to fix this. This was a t 4:45pm in the afternoon. The speed limit I have heard, just now, was not adhered to.
Of course this one was more difficult to fix and needed yet more supplies to fix and a very new tool ( the cost of purchase is a trade secret only available to those who were there)This of course you know means it is EXPENSIVE.
We are now running into the time of day know as the "Happy Hour" inside and failing daylight outside to go under the house. Bring out the big halogen lights now.

Finished finally but to late to check the other work. You Know what is coming, don't you?
This morning checking out the leaks the last and most expensive to fix is GREAT but the other three, big drum roll here were not.
So guess what another trip to town for MORE supplies.
Again the water was turned off, we were given some notice for some of the day and we couldn't work out why we still couldn't get water to fill up the jugs for drinking water.
This can only mean that our water tank is empty. Call up the 'water man" and see if he can come IMMEDIATELY.

While we are waiting for the water man our " Tim and AL" go up into the roof to fix the hot water problem we have had for...oh well ever since we moved in. We had the plumber from ....!
As we are getting ready for dinner and waiting for the water man, someone notices the water dripping down into the family room. This means that it has come from the ceiling of the roof cavity down into the girls room and down to the family room.
We rush up ( well I hobble as I am supposed to be resting my back) and discover the water on the floor having come through the ceiling down into the wardrobe through the girls clothes AND etc etc.

Are you tired of this yet? Because, yes there is more!!

In the quest to find all these leaks I now have three holes cut in my pantry wall, to find the leak, which was then found 4 metres to the left, as well as part of the cladding on the wall outside off.

Perhaps you can see why I refer to the Home Improvements show.

Only tomorrow will tell if we have been successful or whether we can beat the 17 day record on Home Improvements

Blessings,

The Tooth Fairy Visit's again!

We are going through the tooth fairy phase again. This time Myffwyn is the one to benefit from this monetary situation at the moment.
First she pulled out the front tooth and then she bumped the second one out with her toothbrush.
So now we have the double gappy smile and a delightful lispy talking girl.
so sweet

Blessings,

Hearts for Home-15th June ♥

In today’s busy and aggressive society mothers at home are not given much encouragement to be committed to their role in being home.

In my weekly 'Hearts for Home' post I am encouraging myself and others to commit to thinking about what 4-6 things we can do each week to bring our thoughts, prayers and actions to keeping our 'Hearts for Home'.

I am praying that a spirit of gentleness, generosity in thoughts and time along with loveliness and grace would lead us to be all that God wants us to be.

I pray also that each person involved in 'Hearts for Home' would also pray for any others involved as well.

May you be blessed by this initiative. I pray it brings you and your family many blessings.

So each week list 4-6 things you will commit to that will keep your "Hearts for Home'.
Please leave a you name and a link to your blog (if you don't have one just leave your list in the comment box) and perhaps a comment so we can all see and encourage each other.

If you would like, add the 'Hearts for Home' logo to your side bar as a reminder of your goals.
God Bless you this week.

♥ Please leave a link to your Hearts for Home Edition on the Mister Linky at the end of the post, so we can all come and visit.
I would also appreciate you linking back here too.☺ ♥ ♥

I also have decided I need to print out my list so I can constantly refer to it and therefore keep it in my mind. I also need to have it put up where I can see it constantly.

My list for the 15th June is ♥ ♥

1. Enjoy time with our special visitors this week. It will be very good to spend a week with the lovely people who Stephen stayed with while in Wangaratta.

2. Try to be more patient with the children and especially dear Moran, as we are still out of routine and this dose not help calmness in our home.

3. Be patient with myself as I try not to do all the things I want with a very sore back. Please pray for me in this.

4. Get some of my reading and crafts done during my 'free time'. I am re-reading the Inkheart Trilogy and enjoying it again.

5. Plan and start making the dresses for Eden and Vellvin's Confirmation. I am planning a Victorian style dress with medieval style sleeves and hand embroidery around the hem and perhaps the sleeves.

6.Help Saxon, Eden and Vellvin get through the amount of reading I have set them in preparation for Confirmation and Rogan prepare for First Reconciliation and First Holy Communion in July.

Blessings,

Confirmation and First Holy Communion Plans

On the 24th July Eden, Saxon and Vellvin will receive the Sacrament of Confirmation.
Rogan will receive the sacrament of First Holy Communion.

In preparation for this Sacrament the children have been busy preparing for the special day by using the plans I have worked out here.
This post is about the resources I have put together for them to use.

If anyone would like to add some ideas I would be very grateful. I am hoping this will be enough for them to learn, I certainly want the children to be well and truly prepared for their special day.

I would love to have our children make specific Confirmation and First Holy Communion Notebooks as I have seen on other blogs and forums.
Frankly, I just don't see how we would manage this with all our other responsibilities and lifestyle of a large family.

While I think these would be lovely memories for the children and a great 'show off' of what they have learnt, I just don't think the (hassle) I mean preparation and planning and providing of materials is something I can do right now.

So for Saxon, Vellvin and Eden's Confirmation plans I am expecting them to learn from these resources: I have only included books we own or on line resources that are free as I didn't want to buy anything new. Partly due to the fact I have to wait for it to arrive from over seas but also I do think we have a good variety of materials on hand. So everything listed is either on our bookshelves or printed matter from the Internet.

Some of these we have covered before as a family but I am now expecting some revision and reading on their own and then to be able to talk about what they have learned.
I haven't linked each book but have given enough detail for you to find them on any book buying site (I am slack this time, sorry)

Revised for Rogan and Moran's Confirmation  2014
I am adding to the list below
Confirmation for Young Catholics by Seton Press
Sacrament of Confirmation (Faith in the Family Catholic Catechetics) by Father Murphy

Eden, Saxon and Vellvin's list of books and lessons to be memorised~

From the Fisheaters site - facts Every Catholic should know-

The 7 Sacraments (The Holy Mysteries)
The 7 Corporal Works of Mercy
The 7 Spiritual Works of Mercy
The 3 Eminent Good Works
The 7 Gifts of the Holy Ghost (& the Charismata)
The 12 Fruits of the Holy Ghost
The 3 Theological Virtues
The 4 Cardinal Virtues
The 7 Capital Sins & Their Contrary Virtues
The 6 Sins Against the Holy Ghost
The 4 Sins That Cry Out to Heaven
The 3 Conditions of Mortal Sin
The 9 Ways We Participate in Others' Sins
The 10 Commandments
The 2 Greatest Commandments
The 3 Evangelical Counsels
The 6 Precepts of the Church
The Holy Days of Obligation (English)
The 3 Powers of the Soul The 4 Pillars of the Catholic Faith
The 3 Pillars of the Church's Authority
The 3 Munera (Duties of the Ordained)
The 3 Parts of the Church
The 4 Marks of the Church
The 12 Apostles
The 12 Tribes of Israel
The 8 Beatitudes
The 14 Stations of the Cross
The 7 Sorrows (Dolours) and 7 Joys of Our Lady
The 7 Sorrows and 7 Joys of St. Joseph
The 15 Mysteries of the Rosary
The Order of Creation
The 9 Choirs of Angels
The 3 levels of reverence
The 14 Holy Helpers
The 7 Last Words of Christ
The 4 Last Things (The Novissima)

We will only be using books we actually own: I didn't want to be buying new books for this so have retrieved these form our book cases to use~

The New Saint Joseph Baltimore Catechism - Book 2
Sacrament of Confirmation- Faith and Family Catholic Catechetics
Confirmation Preparation for Young Catholics - Seton Press
The Young Man's Guide or The Young Girl's Guide both by Father Lasance
The Lamb's Supper Scott Hahn ( Saxon esp)
Catholic Family Catechism - Rev B.J.H. Tierney
The Faith Explained - Leo Trese
The Mass Explained for Children - Maria Montessori
The Man who never Died -Rev Gerald T Brennan
Little Acts of Grace - Rosemarie Gortler and Donna Piscitelli
My Path to Heaven - Geoffrey Bliss, S.J.
The Sacramentals of the Church - Father Lovasik
The Seven Sacraments - Father Lovasik
The Eight Beatitudes - Father Lovasik
The Teaching of Jesus -Father Lovasik
The Precepts of the Church - Father Lovasik
The Gifts of the Holy Spirit - Father Lovasik
I Believe in God: The Apostles Creed - Father Lovasik
God The Father - Rev Jude Winkler
The Commandments of God - Rev Jude Winkler
The Ten Commandments: I Obey God - Father Lovasik
The Angels: God's Messengers and our Helpers - Father Lovasik
The Miracles of Jesus - Father Lovasik
The Holy Spirit - Father Lovasik
The Apostles of Jesus - Father Lovasik
The Feasts of Jesus - Father Lovasik
The Holy Trinity - Father Lovasik

The Fish in the Fountain: A story of Baptism - Susan Andrews Brindle, Miriam Andrews Lademan and Joan Andrew Bell.
My Guardian Dear: A Story f the Angels - Susan Andrews Brindle and Miriam Andrews Lademan
The Little Caterpillar That Finds Jesus: A Parable of the Eucharist - Susan Andrews Brindle, Miriam Andrews Lademan and Joan Andrew Bell.
Father Phillip Tells a Ghost Story: A Story of Divine Mercy - Susan Andrews Brindle and Miriam Andrews Lademan
The Little Turtledove Finds His Mate: A Story of the Sacrement of Marriage - Susan Andrews Brindle and Miriam Andrews
The Caterpillar That Came to Church: A Story of the Eucharist - Irene H Hooker, Susan Andrews Brindle and Miriam Andrews
The Butterfly that found her way Home: A story of Forgiveness - Susan Andrews Brindle and Miriam Andrews
Children's Stations of the Cross - Susan Andrews Brindle, Miriam Andrews Lademan and Joan Andrew Bell.
The Little Creatures Crusade: A Story of Confirmation - Susan Andrews Brindle, Miriam Andrews Lademan
Lovely Lady Dressed in Blue; and the Knights of Our Lady - Susan Andrews Brindle, Miriam Andrews Lademan and Joan Andrew Bell.

Specific Saints the children pick for their Confirmation Saints:

Saxon - St Gerard Majella and St John Vianney
The Cure of Ars:The Priest who outalked the Devil -Milton Lomask
The Cure of Ars- Mary Fabyan Windeatt
St Gerard Majella- Father Edward Saint-Omer, C.SS.R.
Gerado - Rev Fr William Frean C.SS.R

Eden - St Martha and St Philomena

Vellvin - St Agnes and St Catherine of Sienna

Added 2014
Rogan - St Maximilian and St Michael
Moran - St Dymphna

A Nine Day Novena- just need to ignore the dates on the link

Confirmation Novena~

God our Father,
complete the work you have begun
and keep the gifts of your Holy Spirit active
in the hearts of your people.
Make them ready to live his gospel
and eager to do his will.
May they never be ashamed to proclaim
to all the world Christ crucified,
living and reigning for ever and ever.Ever virgin Mary,
spouse of the Holy Spirit,
hold our Confirmation Candidates in your arms.
By your prayers, may they draw
ever nearer to your Son,
who is God with us.
Amen.

Rogan's First Reconciliation and First Holy Communion-
To Know off by Heart-

As it comes closer to the day of Rogan's First Holy Communion we will be praying this novena:
First Communion Novena

For personal reminder for myself to read this from Catholic Culture

My prayer for Rogan~

O Jesus, who hast loved us with such exceeding great love
as to give us the ineffable gift of the Holy Eucharist,
inflame us with a burning zeal to promote Thy glory
by preparing worthily the little children
who are to approach Thy holy table for the first time.
Protect, O Sacred Heart of Jesus,
these young souls from the assaults of evil,
strengthen their faith,
increase their love and endow them
with all the virtues that
will make them worthy to receive
Thee.
Amen.

John the Baptist, forerunner of the Messias, prepare the way for
Jesus in the hearts of these children.
Saint Tarcisius, keep safe the
children who are making their first Communion.

Read this site about St Gemma and talk with Rogan

Rogans list of books to read and lessons to be memorised:

The 7 Sacraments (The Holy Mysteries)
The 7 Corporal Works of Mercy
The 7 Spiritual Works of Mercy
The 10 Commandments
The 2 Greatest Commandments
The 8 Beatitudes
The 14 Stations of the Cross

The New Saint Joseph Baltimore Catechism - Book 1
The New Saint Joseph First Communion Catechism
My First Catechism- Father Lovasik
The Mass Explained for Children - Maria Montessori
Little Acts of Grace - Rosemarie Gortler and Donna Piscitelli
Just Like Mary - Rosemarie Gortler and Donna Piscitelli
I Believe - the Nicene Creed - Pauline Baynes
I Believe in God: The Apostles Creed - Father Lovasik
The Eight Beatitudes - Father Lovasik
My Jesus and I - Bishop Morrow and the Teachers Guide to use as well
My Path to Heaven -Geoffrey Bliss, S.J.
The Weight of a Mass -
The Sacrament of Reconciliation - Rev Jude Winkler
The Sacramentals of the Church - Father Lovasik
The Seven Sacraments - Father Lovasik
The Ten Commandments -Father Lovasik
The Holy Eucharist - Father Lovasik
Receiving Holy Communion - Father Lovasik
Going to Confession - Father Lovasik
My Picture Missal - Father Lovasik
The Mass for Children Rev Jude Winkler
God The Father - Rev Jude Winkler
The Commandments of God - Rev Jude Winkler
The Ten Commandments: I Obey God - Father Lovasik
The Angels: God's Messengers and our Helpers - Father Lovasik
A Child's Rule of Life - Robert Hugh Benson

Preparing for my First Confession- Helen Mills

Little Nellie of Holy God - Sister Mary Dominic
Patron of First Communicants (The Story of Blessed Imelda Lambertini) - Mary Fabyan Windeatt
Once upon a time Saints - Ethel Pochocki
More Once Upon a time Saints - Ethel Pochocki

For the actual Day I will print and laminate this card:
Prayer at a Child's First Communion ~

Lord Jesus Christ, in the Sacrament of
the Eucharist You left us the outstanding
manifestation of your limitless love for us.
Thank You for giving our child the
opportunity to experience this love
in receiving the Sacrament for the first time.
May your Eucharist presence keep him/her
ever free from sin, fortified in faith,
pervaded by love for God and neighbor,
and fruitful in virtue, that he/she may
continue to receive You throughout life and
attain final union with You at death.
Amen.

Some other great ideas for First Holy Communion~
Jessica and Lena

Of course the actual day will have it's own beautiful memories and traditions to help celebrate this blessed day

Blessings,

Birthday Dinner at theLucas Hotel

We had been promising our children a special night out at the Lucas Hotel for some time now.
Stephen suggested that we go for my birthday this year.

We enjoyed a lovely night out with everyone dressed up fr the occasion.
Boys in jackets and ties, very handsome indeed and girls in velvet and cord dresses and cloaks, very beautiful

My handsome husband looked very dapper as well.

We had a three course meal (we had fasted most of the day to accommodate this) and the servings were very generous. Which meant not each course , well except sweets was completely finished.
Even though our children have not been out much at all, and our younger ones not at all, their behaviour and manners were excellent the whole night.
Well done children!!

We didn't take a family photo but some snapshots during the evening and afterwards.
Corbyn and me
The mini grand piano was Autumn's favourite
Dearest love
Before we go ...waiting, waiting, waiting.
Rogan looking out
Arwen climbing on a chair after sweets. She had had enough by then.
Our end of the table
Fromt the far end
And again
Our end of the table
A very big night for our sweet little girl
He is just too cute!!
Some handsome lads


Blessings,