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Rose’s 14th Birthday

by Filed Under: Happy Birthday, Rose GFG

Heavenly Father,
We praise You for all Your gifts to us.
In a special way,
We thank You for Rose.
Bless her always in Your love.
Bless us too, Holy Father.
Help us all to praise You and give You glory
Through Our Lord Jesus Christ.
Amen.

Rose turned 14 today!!! She has brought us so much JOY and thanksgiving. She is truly a gift. Thank you GOD for Rose and the graces to say YES!!!! May you bless her with many FAITHfilled years and keep her in Your Light.

Her birthday was rather low key since we went to our 2nd Annual Mother-Daughter Birthday Weekend in January. We started this tradition when she turned 13. I hope to continue this tradition with all my girls. We attended a Marian conference and Rose was able to hear solid Catholic teaching from Fr. Mitch Pacwa, SJ., Fr. Andrew Apostoli CFR, Fr. Christopher Crotty CPM, Fr. Wade L. J. Menezes CPM, and Mother Regina Marie Gorman, OCD. My DH said it was the best birthday gift we could have given her. I would have to agree. She was sent home on fire for our Faith. PBTG!

We went to my sister’s (Rose’s Godmother) for dinner. Papa & Nana bought the cupcake. They also surprised her with another gem. Rose is pretty simple but she loves her rings. Papa & Nana bought her a diamond ring for her 13th birthday. She has dedicated it has her chastity ring. This year’s ring is her birthstone. Her sisters admired it all evening.

Sparkles gave Rose a toddler’s mite from her piggy bank. Sweetie offered to take her place for her birthday spankings. (That’s why we call her Sweetie…..that and she sneaks candy!) Rose also received the Come What May DVD. It’s a Fireproof type film for young teens-adults. She watched it last year during election time and fell in love with it. The movie is a PRO-LIFE film and provides a great courtship witness. She can’t wait to watch it over an over again.

Confirmation 2007 Communion 2003

Consecrated to Jesus, Through Mary, so that we might live for the Glory of God alone.

by Filed Under: Annunciation, Consecration, Mary Garden, The Annunciation

Mary’s Days are always a JOYous time for us. The Solemnity of the Annunciation is most special to our family. It is our renewal day of our Total Consecration. We attended Mass in the morning and renewed our consecration. Later, Sparkles and Sweetie acted out the Annunciation for their Nana & Papa. Rose made Angel food cupcakes topped with heaven’s clouds (whip cream) and strawberries. (YUMMY!) We also had goodies given to us from Father D. He is so generous with his gifts. May God Bless him and all our priests.
Later, we started our new Mary’s garden. For Sparkle’s 4th birthday we had a Mary party and all guests helped us plant a flower in our Mary garden. It was a sad farewell when we moved. Now at our new home, we’ve decided to add one flower for each Marian feast day. For the Annunciation we planted Marigolds (Mary’s bud) in a container. Yes, sadly the Mary’s garden will be in planters due to our lovely miniature yard that is not landscaped. We couldn’t wait another year! WE LOVE MARY!!!

Sparkle’s 4th Birthday – Mary Garden Party



The Our Lady of Guadalupe was found at Wal-Mart for $40.00!!!

A Mary Garden Prayer
Most Holy Trinity, Father, Son and Holy Spirit,As our hearts are raised to you in love and thanksgiving through the light, grace, fragrance and symbolism of these pure, blest, transfigured flowers of Our Lady – your direct creations, showing forth and sharing with us your divine goodness, beauty and truth – we commune with you in awe and rapture and pray that we and all our brothers and sisters may be opened to the fullness of the divine love of God and Neighbor, through which we are to transform the fallen world into the culminating earthly Peaceable Kingdom and Paradise, that all may be lifted up resplendent in the eternal New Heaven and New Earth of our Crucified and Risen Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen

An Evening of Blessings

by Filed Under: Praise and Thanksgiving

Rose and I went to the Ballet to see Romeo & Juliet. Rose’s Confirmation Sponsor was in the production. The evening was full of blessings.

We initially planned to attend at a discounted rate (that would fit into our budget) but we were running late and thought we would miss the rush ticket sales. We arrived and hurried through the rain to the ticket sales office. We waited and waited and……waited in line. I became a little anxious (patience is one of my many crosses). As I continued to wait, I was tapped on the shoulder and before I could turn around I heard, “Have you already purchased your tickets?” As I turned and began to inform this lady that I had not purchased my tickets, she handed me an envelope with two tickets. I couldn’t thank her enough. God is good!

We headed for our seats. I opened the envelope to see where we needed to enter. The tickets read, level 1 row 3 and had a $30 ticket price. God is very good!

Once we were seated Rose and I took a moment of silence to give praise and thanksgiving to Our Lord.


The ballet was splendid and enchanted Rose. After the ballet we visited with Rose’s sponsor/friend and family. We were glowing with JOY! Praise be to God for giving us this opportunity to be together for a JOYfilled evening.

On our 45min drive home Rose shared her most memorable event of the evening and began to analyze the story of Romeo and Juliet. After about 10 min on the highway we were interrupted by a beeping and flashing red light coming from the dashboard. It indicated that the car was overheating. We pulled over to the shoulder and gave a call home. Rose was a tad nervous since we were out so late with car troubles and no dad. This was my first time handling car troubles on my own without my DH or father available. Not to worry, God was with us. After all, he had given us a clear indication earlier in the evening that proved to offer us enough graces to sustain us through this minimal but real trial. After 1.5 hours, several failed attempts to open the car hood, and 3 different stops, we purchased the correct anti-freeze. The car became stable and we made it safely home. God is most graciously gooooooood!

Shrove Tuesday

by Filed Under: Lent, Mardi Gras, Shrove Tuesday

I know, it’s a little late. I thought I would post anyways. Our family, along with other homeschool families went to Mass, had donuts, visited the elderly at a convalescent home, and feasted in the park.

We brought the elderly Mardi Gras necklaces, wore crazy hats, performed our talents and listened to great Cajun music by L’Angelus.


Necklace bearer.

Yeeee Ha!

We all had a JOYous time and were ready to prayfully enter into the Lenten season.

My DH was able to see Sister O who taught him in grade school. Here’s a picture of my DH with Sister O and Papi with Sister O.

Crown of Thorns

by Filed Under: Lent

My GFG attended Mass and our parish’s monthly homeschool day. They always look forward to this date. It’s a great motivation tool for school work!

Sparkles and Sweetie made a salt dough crown of thorns. They embellished the crown with blood (red food coloring). Each thorn (toothpick) was inserted in anticipation of their sacrifices that they will make for our Lord throughout the Lenten season. Their goal is to remove all the thorns by Easter Sunday. They will then decorate the crown so it is fit for our King, Lord Jesus Christ.

Rose started a new art project. She is creating an Icon. She completed the 1st step (sketching) and is working on step 2 (painting). Her art skills have flourished with the wonderful direction of her instructor.

Papi was the supervisor and he dabbled in all projects.

Finally, Father M gave Lenten talks to all the children. Praise the Lord for our priests!

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