JOYfilledfamily BLOG

RMGS Meeting ~ Hospitality

September 16, 2012 by Lena {JOYfilledfamily} Filed Under: Embroidery, Hospitality, RMGS, RMGS 2012-13, Sewing

September 1 was the first meeting for the RMGS 2012-13 session. It was also the first meeting under new leadership since the inception of RMGS. Mrs. P and I were beyond excited to see familiar faces among a few newcomers.

We had a wonderful turnout of thirty-nine girls (out of 41). Twenty-six of the girls sat together for Mass.

All returned to the gym for the remainder of our meeting. Snacks were provided by LC, LG, and WG. Additional snacks were brought by EF and CP. Remember, all snacks are welcome!

The girls were then divided into six groups. Each group was given a name of a virtue that we will be covering this year – Love of God, Industry, Truthfulness, Humility, Piety, and Obedience. The girls will rotate into a new group at the start of a new skill.

The first meeting took on a different format than many were familiar with from the past. In fact, it was different than what we plan to conduct for the remaining meetings. We wanted the first meeting to be somewhat informal and to serve as a welcome back get-together. We covered majority of the housekeeping topics for the coming year. We also gave the girls an opportunity to get to know one another with a fun ice-breaker game, I know Something…

The girls received their RMGS – Hospitality Binder and a brief overview of the outline for the year.

RMGS mission is to help young girls grow in faith, virtue, and service, through hospitality, in union with the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass.

Calendar – found on eloop
Guidelines
Groups & Virtues
Prayers – first three prayers come from Fr. Lasance Catholic Girls’ Guide

Fr. S gave a splendid talk to the girls on our focus for the year, hospitality. He was charismatic and related to the girls in a way that I had not seen before. Deo gratias! We will miss him this year but look forward to our new Spiritual Director. The girls gave Father a birthday send-off (his birthday was 9.6) and he gave them a blessing.

The girls generated three lists of ways to show hospitality; in the home, at church, at other places. Each group contributed to the list. We will continue to add to the list throughout the year as we follow Fr. Lasance’s Catholic Girls’ Guide and grow in virtue. We recommend that each girl have their own copy of Fr. Lasance’s Catholic Girls’ Guide.

Next, the girls received a brief overview of our next skill to come, sewing. They briefly reviewed the sewing section in their RMGS – Hospitality Binders. The girls are to continue reading the sewing section and complete the sewing machine anatomy prior to our next meeting. We encourage moms to help them along with their introduction to sewing. We will sew an apron over the next three meetings.

Sewing:

Sewing Divider Sheet – made with image from The Graphics Fairy

Sewing Activity Sheet – to be passed out at the Oct. meeting

Embroidery Stich Book – printable

Sewing 101: Basic Sewing Tools and Supplies – printable

Anatomy of a Sewing Machine – blank printable for quiz

Anatomy of a Sewing Machine with Labels – printable

Sewing 101: Sewing Machine Parts – printable

Sewing 101: Threading Sewing Machine – printable

Sewing 101: Basic Stiches – printable

Sewing 101: General Sewing Tips – printable

Sewing Basics – printable

Sewing 101: Types of Presser Foots – printable

The girls were given instructions to complete an embroidered name tag using the split stich. The name tags were a simple task to allow the girls some hand sewing practice and help give us an idea of the skill levels that we have to work with. It was (and will continue to be) imperative that the girls follow the instructions during our meetings. We realize that the girls have many great ideas and their creativity is often endless but we want to keep everyone on the same page so that each girl can acquire a basic understanding of simple skills. We encourage the girls to expand upon the skills introduced (at the meetings) while at home.

The meeting ended with an overview of the meeting and sharing of projects. We closed with a prayer taken from Fr. Lasance, found on the RMGS Prayer Page.

PRAYER AFTER INSTRUCTION

We give Thee thanks, merciful God, for the instruction and direction which we have received. Grant us Thy grace that we may lay the lesson to heart and carry it into action, to Thy glory and our eternal welfare. Furthermore we pray Thee to pour forth Thy blessing upon our parents and superiors, our teachers and benefactors, and to recompense them abundantly for all the good which they have been the means of bringing to us. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Our Lady of the Mystical Rose, pray for us!

Thank you to all the moms and girls who gave a hand during the meeting for instruction and after the meeting for clean-up. We appreciate your help. The many hands meant light work and an early depart time for us. Thank you!!

Via Dolorosa

September 15, 2012 by Lena {JOYfilledfamily} Filed Under: 09 September, 09 September Saints, Marian, Our Lady of Sorrows, Seven Sorrows of the Blessed Virgin Mary

O God, in whose passion the sword of grief did pierce the gentle soul of the glorious Virgin Mary, thy Mother, that so might be fulfilled the word of thy Prophet Simeon : mercifully grant that we who here do call to mind her sorrows ; may be fulfilled with the blessed fruits of thy passion. Who livest and reignest with the Father.

THE SEVEN SORROWS OF THE
BLESSED VIRGIN MARY

SAINT NICOMEDES
Martyr

DOUBLE, SECOND CLASS / WHITE
Our Lady had the comfort of St. Joseph’s presence when Simeon prophesied to her, "Thy own soul a sword shall pierce" (Luke 2:35). The Provider was with her also during the flight into Pagan Egypt, and when they lost the twelve-year-old Jesus in Jerusalem. But it was after Joseph’s death that Mary bore the most tremendous of her sorrows: the meeting on the way to Calvary, the standing at the foot of the Cross, the removal of her Son’s body from the instrument of torture, the entombment. Mary’s boundless compassion for the sufferings of Jesus made her the Queen of Martyrs; and in her unspeakable agony she became the Mother of Christ’s Mystical Body.

Introit Jn. 19:25,26,27 – There stood by the cross of Jesus His Mother, and His Mother’s sister Mary of Cleophas, and Salome, and Mary Magdalen. (Jn.)Woman, behold thy son, said Jesus; and to the disciple, Behold thy Mother. Glory be to the Father. There stood…

Collect(s) – O God, in Whose Passion, according to the prophecy of Simeon, the sword of sorrow pierce the most sweet soul of the glorious Mary, Virgin and Mother; mercifully grant that we who with devotion honor her Sorrows, may obtain the happy fruits of Thy passion: Who livest and reignest.

Commemoration of St. Nicomedes – Stand by Thy people, O Lord, that they may profit by the glorious merits of blessed Nicomedes, Thy Martyr and so be enable through his patronage ever to obtain Thy mercy. Through our Lord.

Epistle Jud. 13:22,23-25 – The Lord hath blessed thee by His power, because by thee He hath brought our enemies to nought. Blessed art thou, O daughter, by the Lord the most high God, above all women upon the earth. Blessed be the Lord Who made heaven and earth, because He hath so magnified thy name this day, that thy praise shall not depart out of the mouth of men, who shall be mindful of the power of the Lord for ever; for that thou hast not spared thy life by reason of the distress and tribulation of thy people, but hast prevented our ruin in the presence of our God.

Gradual – Thou art full of sorrow and of tears, O Virgin Mary, standing near the cross of the Lord Jesus, Thy Son, the Redeemer. O Virgin Mother of God, He Whom the whole world doth not contain, beareth this torment of the cross, the Author of life made man.

Tract Lam 1:12 – Holy Mary, the Queen of heaven and mistress of the world, stood by the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, full of sorrows. O all ye that pass by the way, attend, and see if there be any sorrow like to my sorrow.

Sequence –

At the Cross her station keeping,
Stood the mournful Mother weeping,
Close to Jesus to the last.

Through her heart, His sorrow sharing,
All His bitter anguish bearing
Now at length the sword had passed.

Oh, how sad and sore distressed
Was that Mother highly blessed
Of the sole begotten One!

Christ above in torment hangs,
She beneath beholds the pangs
Of her dying, glorious Son.

Is there one who would not weep
‘Whelmed in miseries so deep
Christ’s dear Mother’s pain untold.

Can the human heart refrain
From partaking in her pain,
In that Mother’s pain untold?

Bruised, derided, cursed, defiled,
She beheld her tender Child,
All with bloody scourges rent.

For the sins of His own nation
Saw Him hang in desolation
Till His spirit forth He sent.

O sweet Mother! fount of love,
Touch my spirit from above,
Make my heart with yours accord.

Make me feel as you have felt;
Make my soul to glow and melt
With the love of Christ, my Lord.

Holy Mother, pierce me through,
In my heart each wound renew
Of my Savior crucified.

Let me share with you His pain,
Who for all our sins was slain,
Who for me in torments died.

Mix’d with yours let my tears be,
Mourning Him Who mourned for me,
All the days that I may live.

By the Cross with you to stay,
There with you to weep and pray,
Is all I ask of you to give.

Virgin of all virgins blest!
Listen to my fond request:
Let me share that grief of yours.

Let me, to my latest breath,
In my body bear the death
Of that dying Son of yours.

Wounded with His every wound,
Steep my soul till it has swooned
In His very Blood away.

Be to me, O Virgin, nigh,
Lest in flames I burn and die,
In this awful judgment day.

Christ, when You shall call me hence,
Be Your Mother my defense,
Be Your Cross my victory.

While my body here decays,
May my soul Your goodness praise,
Safe in heaven eternally.
Amen. Alleluia.

Gospel Jn. 19:25-27 – At that time, there stood by the cross of Jesus, His Mother and His Mother’s sister, Mary of Cleophas, and Mary Magdalen. When Jesus therefore had seen His Mother and teh disciple standing whom He loved, He saith to His Mother: Woman, behold thy son. After that He saith to the disciple: Behold thy Mother. And from that hour the disciple took her to his own.

Offertory Jer. 19:25-27 – Be mindful, O Virgin Mother of God, when thou standest in the sight of the Lord, to speak good things for us, and to turn away His anger from us.

Secret(s) – We offer unto Thee our prayers and O Lord Jesus Christ, and humbly beseech Thee that, even as in humiliter our prayers we recall the piercing of the most sweet soul of Thy blessed Mother Mary, so through the merits of Thy death, and the repeated loving intercession of Thy Mother and her holy companions at the foot of the we may share in the reward of the blessed: Who livest and reignest.

Commemoration of St. Nicomedes – Graciously accept, O Lord, the gifts now offered, and may the prayer of blessed Nicomedes, Thy Martyr, commend them to Thy Majesty. Through our Lord.

Preface – It it truly meet and just, right and for our salvation, that we should at all times, and in all places, give thanks unto Thee, O holy Lord, Father almighty, everlasting God: and that we should praise and bless, and proclaim Thee, in the Transfixion of the Blessed Mary, ever-Virgin: Who also conceived Thine only-begotten Son by the overshadowing of the Holy Ghost, and the glory of her virginity still abiding, gave forth to the world the everlasting Light, Jesus Christ our Lord. Through whom the Angels praise Thy Majesty, the Dominations worship it, and the Powers stand in awe. The Heavens and the heavenly hosts together with the blessed Seraphim in triumphant chorus unite to celebrate it. Together with these we entreat Thee that Thou mayest bid our voices also to be admitted while we say with lowly praise:

Communion – Happy the Heart of the blessed Virgin Mary, who without dying earned the palm of martyrdom beneath the cross of our Lord.

Postcommunion(s) – We have been filled with heavenly food and refreshed with spiritual drink, and beseech Thee, almighty God, through the intercession of blessed John, Thy Confessor, to defend us from the malicious enemy and to keep Thy Church in perpetual peace. Through our Lord.

Commemoration of St. Nicomedes – May the Sacraments which we have received cleanse us, O Lord, and through the intercession of blessed Nicomedes, Thy Martyr, bring about our release from all the bonds of sin. Through our Lord.

~~~

Resources

Mother of Sorrows, She Knows the Way – Domine, da mihi hanc aquam!
Feast of the Seven Sorrows of Our Lady – Transalpine Redemptorists at home
Latin Mass Propers Online Full Latin – September 15th, 2012 – DivinumOfficium.Com
Chaplet of the Seven Sorrows of Mary
Discourse IX Of The Dolours Of Mary by St. Alphonsus Ligouri
Meditation from Divine Intimacy
Feast of the Seven Sorrows – New Advent
Litany of Our Lady of Seven Sorrows
How to pray the Rosary of the Seven Sorrows
Rosary of the Seven Sorrows – Part 1 of 3 – You Tube Video
Part 2 of 3 – 4th – 6th Sorrowful Mystery
Part 3 of 3 – 7th Sorrowful Mystery
Stabat Mater – Various versions
English Propers for the Tridentine Mass
Mother Angelica on the Seven Sorrows – Click on the audio link for Sept. 15, 1998
Seven Sorrows of Mary Post from 2011 – JOYfilledfamily

Coloring Pages

Seven Sorrows – a page for each sorrow
Our Lady of Sorrows – Waltzing Matilda
Our Lady of Sorrow Crafts – Catholic Icing

Pictures

The Seven Sorrows of the Virgin
Pieta – Michelangelo
Pieta – Van Gogh
Pieta – Bellini
Presentation at the Temple – Various
Flight into Egypt – Various

Music:

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Litany of Our Lady of Sorrows

In Exaltatione Sanctae Crucis

September 14, 2012 by Lena {JOYfilledfamily} Filed Under: 09 September, Exaltation of the Holy Cross

“Lord Jesus, I have received the cross, I have received it from Thy hand: and I will bear it until death, as Thou hast laid it upon me. indeed the life of a good religious man is a cross, but it is cross that conducts him to Paradise.” ~Imitation of Christ, Bk 3

~~~

The Exaltation of the Holy Cross

GREATER DOUBLE / RED
This feast commemorates both the dedication of the basilica built by Constantine for the Holy Sepulcher, and also the return of the True Cross to Jerusalem by Emperor Heraclius of Judea during the seventh century. After Heraclius had recovered it by force from King Chosroes of Persia, he tried to carry it along the Via Dolorosa to Calvary, but was unable to make any headway. Bishop Zachary of Jerusalem, pointing to his luxurious clothing, said, "Attired in these rich robes, you are far from imitating the poverty of Jesus Christ and His humility in bearing His Cross." The Emperor caught the hint–and went on to Calvary barefooted and wearing a simple cloak, carried the holy Cross to the Basilica on Calvary [A.D. 629].

INTROIT Gal. 6:14
But it behooves us to glory in the Cross of our Lord Jesus Christ: in whom is our salvation, life, and resurrection: by whom we are saved, and delivered. — (Ps. 66. 2). May God have mercy on us and bless us: may He cause the light of His countenance to shine upon us, and may He have mercy on us. V.: Glory be to the Father . . . — But it behooves us to glory . . .

COLLECT
O God, Who on this day dost gladden us by the yearly feast of the Exaltation of the holy Cross: grant, we beseech Thee, that we, who on earth, acknowledge the Mystery of Redemption wrought upon it, may be found worthy to enjoy the rewards of that same Redemption in heaven. Through the same our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, who liveth and reigneth . . .

EPISTLE Philipp. 2:5-11
Brethren, let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus: Who being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God; but emptied Himself, taking the form of a servant, being made in the likeness of men, and in habit found as a man. He humbled Himself, becoming obedient unto death, even to the death of the cross. For which cause God also hath exalted Him, and hath given Him a Name which is above all names: [Here all genuflect.] that in the Name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those that are in heaven, on earth, and under the earth; and that every tongue should confess that the Lord Jesus Christ is in the glory of God the Father.

GRADUAL Philipp. 2:8, 9
Christ became obedient for us unto death: even the death of the cross. V.: Wherefore God also hath exalted Him, and hath given a Name which is above every name.
Alleluia, alleluia. V.: Sweet the wood, sweet the nails, sweet the load that hangs on thee: thou only wast worthy to bear up the King and Lord of heaven. Alleluia.

GOSPEL John 12:31-36
At that time: Jesus said to the multitudes of the Jews, Now is the judgement of the world: now shall the prince of this world be cast out. And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all things to Myself. (Now this He said, signifying what death He should die.) The multitude answered Him, We have heard out of the law, that Christ abideth forever: and how sayest Thou, The Son of Man must be lifted up? Who is the Son of Man? Jesus therefore said to them, Yet a little while, the light is among you. Walk whilst you have the light, that the darkness overtake you not. And he that walketh in darkness knoweth not whither he goeth. Whilst you have the light, believe in the light; that you may be the children of light.

OFFERTORY
By the sign of the holy Cross, O Lord, protect Thy people from the wiles of all our enemies that we may be able to do Thee worthy service, and that our sacrifice may be well-pleasing in Thy sight. Alleluia.

SECRET
We who are about to feed on the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ our Lord, by whom the banner of the holy Cross was sanctified, beseech Thee, O Lord our God, that since we have been found worthy to venerate that same holy sign, it may be ours to enjoy forevermore the salvation secured for us by its triumph. Though the same Jesus Christ, Thy Son, who liveth and reigneth .

PREFACE
It is truly meet and just, right and for our salvation, that we should at all times, and in all places, give thanks unto Thee, O holy Lord, Father almighty, everlasting God; Who didst establish the salvation of mankind on the tree of the Cross; that whence death came, thence also life might arise again, and that he, who overcame by the tree, by the tree also might be overcome: Through Christ our Lord. Through whom the Angels praise Thy Majesty, the Dominations worship it, the Powers stand in awe. The Heavens and the heavenly hosts together with the blessed Seraphim in triumphant chorus unite to celebrate it. Together with these we entreat Thee that Thou mayest bid our voices also to be admitted while we say with lowly praise:

COMMUNION
By the sign of the Cross, deliver us from our enemies, O Thou our God.

POSTCOMMUNION PRAYER
Be present with us, O Lord our God, and do Thou, who makest us to rejoice in honor of the holy Cross, defend us evermore by its help. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, who liveth and reigneth . . .

~~~

From a homily by St Andrew of Crete, Office of Readings for the feast of the Exaltation of the Cross.

If there had been no cross, Christ would not have been crucified. If there had been no cross, Life would not have been nailed to the tree. If he had not been nailed, the streams of everlasting life would not have welled from his side, blood and water, the cleansing of the world; the record of our sins would not have been cancelled, we would not have gained freedom, we would not have enjoyed the tree of life, paradise would not have been opened. If there had been no cross, death would not have been trodden under foot, the underworld would not have yielded up its spoils.

How great the cross, through which we have received a multitude of blessings, because, against all reckoning, the miracles and sufferings of Christ have been victorious!

~~~

Is the practice of this devotion of the Way of the Cross of great value?

Next to the holy Sacrifice of the Mass, and holy Communion, there is certainly no devotion which represents better to us the sufferings and death of Christ than the Way of the Cross. St. Albertus Magnus says: "A simple remembrance of Christ’s sufferings is worth more than fasting on bread and water every Friday for a year, and scourging one’s self unto blood." St. Bernard gives us the reason of this, when he says: "Who can consider the sufferings of Christ and be so void of religion as to remain untouched; so proud that he will not humble himself; so vindictive that he will not forgive; so fond of pleasure that he will not abstain from it; so hard-hearted that he will not repent of his sins?" And St. Augustine says: "What pride, what avarice, what anger can be cured otherwise than by the humility, the poverty, the patience of the Son of God? All these virtues are found in carefully meditating on that way of pain which our Saviour went, and along which we should follow Him." On this account several of the Popes, among others Clement XII. and Benedict XIV., have granted many indulgences to the performance of this devotion; indulgences which may be applied to the suffering souls in purgatory.

[For the manner of meditating on the sufferings of Christ, see the Instruction on Good Friday.]

~~~

Resources:

Coloring Pages & Crafts:

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Hail, O Cross, our only hope!

16 Weeks

September 6, 2012 by Lena {JOYfilledfamily} Filed Under: Baby, Pregnancy

This sono pic was a consolation for a brief cross that led me to the arms of my Blessed Mother, where I so desire to stay but often times slip away.

All is well – DEO GRATIAS!

May His will be done!

~~~

Our Lady, Help of Mothers

During Pregnancy

Dearest Mary, I look to you now for the help of your maternal love. You understand my trials as an expectant mother. You bore Jesus in your womb. You know the doubts and anxieties that beset me; you know the bodily suffering I endure. Like you, may I turn all these sorrows into joy. You overcame anxiety by a loving trust in God; you overcame doubt by gentle resignation to His will.
Your motherhood lifted your mind above earth and kept it close to God.
So speak to Jesus now with me, beloved Mother, as I seek prayerfully to learn to bear the trials of motherhood with joy.
Mother of Perpetual Help, Pray for me!

Called to Serve

September 2, 2012 by Lena {JOYfilledfamily} Filed Under: Girls, Little Flowers, RMGS

It wasn’t an easy decision to make but it was covered in prayer and brought to direction, I have moved on from leading Little Flowers. I spent a total of six years leading a Little Flowers group for my daughters and community. Ultimately, that’s why I do it, to fulfill my vocation as a mother to my girls to serve my community – ALL FOR! It has been challenging at times due to my many limitations but Dad and the kids support me in all ways possible. A break from all leadership roles has sounded ideal to me on more than one occasion. Yet, the good Lord, often times through my husband, encourages me on – to grow, to serve, and to love!

I was led this year to step down from one role to fill another. I will now lead Rosa Mystica Girls’ Society (RMGS), a group of girls from ages 9-13, forty-one girls to be exact. A dedicated and talented mother within my parish community created RMGS. She successfully led the girls in domestic skills, devotion to Our Lady, and a baby blanket ministry for the local pregnancy resource home for several years. She had to move on from leadership this year due to a new season in her life. Her shoes could not be filled without His grace, the grace that prompted me to rally a partner and serve once again.

It also helped to have early discussions with Margaret and Jessica. It’s my hope to share (on my blog) some of what my partner and I will be offering the girls in RMGS.

Sparkles is a member of RMGS, Sweetie will spend another year in Little Flowers, and Rose continues to be actively enrolled in Sodality. I’m praying for the grace and energy to persevere in this task that I have been called to.

Our Lady of the Mystical Rose, pray for us!

Blessed Mother Teresa Novena

August 29, 2012 by Lena {JOYfilledfamily} Filed Under: Blessed Mother Teresa, Mother Teresa of Calcutta, Novena, Pro-Life

“In the silence of our hearts, God speaks of His love; with our silence, we allow Jesus to love us.” ~Mother Teresa

August 28-September 5

Blessed Mother Teresa Novena

Mother Teresa was called from this world on September 5, 1997.

Father of Life,
You always defend the poor and oppressed.
In Blessed Teresa of Calcutta, You raised up
a voice for the voiceless
And a friend to the poorest of the poor, the unborn child.
She brought women away from the
despair of abortion clinics
To the hope of a loving community
That cared for her and her child.
She spoke the truth to men and women of power,
Asking them how we could tell people
not to kill one another
While allowing a mother to kill her own child.
Father, as we honor this humble and faithful woman,
We ask you to give us the grace To follow her example.
May we be bold in word and generous in action
To love and serve the unborn
And to awaken our world to know, as Mother Teresa said,
That the greatest destroyer of love and peace is abortion.
Fill us with love, bring us peace, and let
us share your life forever.
We pray through Christ our Lord. Amen.

~~~

Prayer to Blessed Teresa of Calcutta

Novena to Blessed Teresa with daily quotes/meditations from Mother Teresa

(Prayed each day of the Novena)

Blessed Teresa of Calcutta, you allowed the thirsting love of Jesus on the Cross to become a living flame within you, and so became the light of His love to all. Obtain from the Heart of Jesus (here make your request). Teach me to allow Jesus to penetrate and possess my whole being so completely that my life, too, may radiate His light and love to others. Amen.

Immaculate Heart of Mary,

Cause of Our Joy, pray for me.

Blessed Teresa of Calcutta, pray for me.

Poo-Free

August 24, 2012 by Lena {JOYfilledfamily} Filed Under: Hair, Natural Beauty

I finally did it! I went shampoo free a little over a month ago. I went pretty basic to start with, baking soda and water. I’ve been surprised with the results, good surprised. Yet, I’m still trying to find the right combo for my thick hair. It probably doesn’t help that I started during my pregnancy when my hormones are constantly changing.

Rose seems to have it figured out. The littles don’t seem to mind either way but they do miss the foaming suds.

I’ve been playing around a bit with castile soap in our hair solution mix. If anything, it’s been great for our skin.

I hope to try a new hair solution this month. Feel free to chime in with your advice for long super thick hair.

Poo-Free

August 24, 2012 by JOYfilledWELLNESS Filed Under: Hair, Natural Beauty 5 Comments

Rose seems to have it figured out. The littles don’t seem to mind either way but they do miss the foaming suds.

I’ve been playing around a bit with castile soap in our hair solution mix. If anything, it’s been great for our skin.

I hope to try a new hair solution this month. Feel free to chime in with your advice for long super thick hair.

{pretty, happy, funny, real}

August 23, 2012 by Lena {JOYfilledfamily} Filed Under: {phfr}

{pretty}

sisters dancing together at the Parish Pig Roast

{happy}

i’m back to blogging. it helped that I upgraded my picasa storage. blogger was blocking me from posting pics since I exceeded my storage capacity. the other part to the story is really bittersweet since it means that I have been experiencing some down time. I realize that down time isn’t a bad thing it’s only when it comes from not being able to function outside of my bed. offering it up!

~~~

indoor camp out with cousins

{funny}

the boys working hard during clean-up time.

the kids take a swim break at noon everyday. I don’t know what’s funnier, dragonfly with his snorkel goggles or the fact that they’re dads and he wears them on a regular basis.

{real}

I crawled out of bed last night to join the family for rosary time. this is where I found everyone. dad coordinated an outdoor rosary on the trampoline. ALL FOR!

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