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JOY{filled}family

striving to radiate Him always

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Snack, Meals, and Treats

August 23, 2012 by Lena {JOYfilledfamily} Filed Under: Dessert, Dinner, Lunch, Recipes

basic homemad chicken soup

simple homemade chicken soup – my staple meal these days

Marian GD blueberry muffins

gluten free blueberry muffins – in celebration of the Assumption of BVM

IMG_4244

gifted homemade bread made from unadulterated wheat & homemade jam– this bread was delish and enjoyed by all in a small quantity.  interestingly enough, it did not have any adverse effects on us.

egg salad avocado boats

egg salad avocado boats

late night cravings

my late night craving and dragonfly’s breakfast

At Home Hair Cuts

August 23, 2012 by Lena {JOYfilledfamily} Filed Under: GFG, New Look

7.21.12

The girls were due for another hair donation.  The deal was that they could get their haircut after swim season.  I find that it’s easier to magically maneuver thick long hair into a swim cap than to expect the swim cap to hold thick short hair.  Anyway, the time had come but I kept putting off the haircuts because the budget was too tight to justify such an expense.

Cutting their hair did not seem to be an option since I have only found one hair dresser who can properly cut our thick hair.  Not wanting to disappoint, I sought an alternative.  I found the CreaClip.  It’s price was slightly under what one hair cut for the girls would cost me.  Dad approved. 

creaclip

The CreaClip arrived shortly after I had ordered and it sat on the counter for about a week.  I said to the girls that I had to wait until I had my energy back but I think it was really more a matter of gaining courage to chop their hair on my own.  I watched online tutorials almost everyday to gain confidence. 

Finally, I found enough energy to pop out of bed.  We were all still in our PJs.  Rose helped prep the kids since Dad was away.  I started with Dragonfly.  We all favor his curls so I usually scissor cut his hair.  This wasn’t much of a deviation for him.  He’s a trooper as long as he gets his lollipop.

gio's haircut

Papi was next.  That was a BIG mistake.  He doesn’t have the patience to sit long enough for me to work my way through his massive head of thick hair.  He also has a real aversion to cut hair on his skin.  I’ve yet to find a covering that works for him.  I think I’ll stick to the trimmers when it comes to Papi and be certain to wait for reinforcement to be present.

gianhaircut

By this time I was ready to hop back into bed.  The girls were not having it so I carried on.  Dad arrived home and was surprised that I started without cleaning up myself or the girls and had not taken one pic.  So he did what any blogger’s husband would do, grabbed his cell phone and started snapping away.  (Side note, most of pics these days come from either Dad or Sparkles.  Both are bloggers at heart.)

Sparkles wanted to be first.  I was hesitant since she is very meticulous about her hair.  I had to prep her about perfection on this earth.  She understood were I was going with my talk and consented to move forward with the much anticipated cut.  She opted for an a-line bob.

clare's haircut

Sparkles quickly filled the seat.  She chose to have a slightly longer cut since she had enough to yield the donation without going above the shoulders.  Her style of choice was a long straight bob cut. 

elle's haircut

Both girls were thrilled with their new cuts.  That’s the benefit of making them wait so long for a hair cut, it doesn’t take much to please them.

I was on a roll and found my next guinea pig willing participant, Rose.  I ended up only trimming and layering her hair.  She too, was happy with the results.  I later turned the scissors on myself.  I needed a could cleaning up.  Dad was the overseeing stylist, keeping me in check so that I didn’t get carried away.  (The hair cutting rule applies to me, too.)  I loved being able to trim up my own hair at home without an expense.

Overall the CreaClip did it’s job.  If anything, it provided me with the courage to attempt the girl’s hair cutting at home.  Patience and some skill is still required to get the desired look. 

Better before and after pics are on their way.

Summer Day Trip

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

8.4.12

We ventured out to a local State Park only 30 min from home.

swim, hike, picnic, explore, sand, sunshine, rain, animals, uma, family…

IMG_4248IMG_4249IMG_4255IMG_4252IMG_4251IMG_4247

adventure all day long!

We ended the blessed day with a grand finale, the car breaks went out on the freeway.  Praise God that we were safe and were able to make it to Mass and the Parish Pig Roast the following day.

Snack, Meals, and Treats

August 22, 2012 by JOYfilledWELLNESS Filed Under: Dessert, Dinner, Lunch, Recipes Leave a Comment

basic homemad chicken soup

simple homemade chicken soup – my staple meal these days

Marian GD blueberry muffins

gluten free blueberry muffins – in celebration of the Assumption of BVM

IMG_4244

gifted homemade bread made from unadulterated wheat & homemade jam– this bread was delish and enjoyed by all in a small quantity.  interestingly enough, it did not have any adverse effects on us.

egg salad avocado boats

egg salad avocado boats

late night cravings

my late night craving and dragonfly’s breakfast

Growing in Holiness

August 19, 2012 by Lena {JOYfilledfamily} Filed Under: Homeschooling, Meditation

“…your chances to grow in holiness, your chances to conform your will to God’s, to unite your will with His, your chances to live and teach your children love, are about to multiplied.”

~~~

There are many reflections playing in my head and stirring my heart. Many of which center around my current state in life and need for refinement as my family gears up for a “new” school year.  Why Homeschool  is brief audio meditation from Luke 1128 for you to listen to as you embark on a new school year. It’s a short encouraging reminder to fight the good fight, to remain steadfast in peace, and to unite our will with His at all times. DEO GRATIAS!!

May you have a blessed school year that is fully united to His will!
Ad Jesum per Mariam,

~~~

“Remember success in homeschooling is not about reaching a certain goal or end but rather in the doing of it, and that is why it is so difficult – to strive especially when victory seems so far away or impossible. Be at peace and treat each moment as God’s precious gift for you.”

Summer Beverage of Choice

July 26, 2012 by Lena {JOYfilledfamily} Filed Under: Drink, Health, Herbal, Pregnancy 3 Comments

Iced Raspberry Leaf Tea has been my daily refresher.  It is a non-caffeinated mild herbal tea similar to black tea and it has many benefits. You can read about some of the benefits at WellnessMama.

summer beverage of choice

the glass pictured is filled with iced raspberry leaf tea and frozen raspberries

I can’t seem to keep up with the demand for this yummy drink in my home.  I’ve been brewing a large concentrated batch of tea every three to four days.  My initial supply came from HerbalKatie.  My next supply will come straight from Mount Rose Herbs. 

I’m beyond trilled that I have an excuse to drink this daily for another six months.

Guess What…

July 16, 2012 by Lena {JOYfilledfamily} Filed Under: Baby, GFG, Miscarriage, Pregnancy

I’ve been trying to come up with a clever way to share some blessed news but figured I’d let you find out the same way everyone else is finding out.

Take a look at the video.

Dad and I believe that this was a wonderful grace from our recent pilgrimage.  This is my eleventh pregnancy, first since a series of two back to back miscarriages. 

We’ve known I was pregnant since I was two weeks along.  The days have been slowly passing as I anxiously waited for the the six-eight week mark, hoping, praying for the opportunity to carry this beloved blessing to full-term.  The waiting has been a beautiful gift for me, uniting me closely to Our Lord and Blessed Mother. 

I heard the baby’s heart beat at seven weeks.  I’m nine weeks along, today – Deo gratias!

Lilypie Maternity tickers

May God’s will be done!

Pure Joy

June 29, 2012 by Lena {JOYfilledfamily} Filed Under: Beach, GFG, Joy, Our Lady of Bethlehem, Pilgrimage, Pilgrimage to OLB 2012, Pilgrimage to Our Lady of Bethlehem, Summer

 
Our Lady of Bethlehem (Post) Pilgrimage
Day 3: Sunday, May 27, 2012 – Pebble Beach
Father gave a beautiful homily to the pilgrims on Pentecost Sunday. He spoke about how our recent pilgrimage served several purposes. He emphasized a pilgrimage’s primary purpose—to better equip us for our true pilgrimage, our journey to our heavenly home.

Our post pilgrimage gathering was a beautiful glimpse into the beauty that awaits if we are graced to make it home—pure JOY.

~~~
 
 

 
 
 
~~~
Therefore, brethren, since we have confidence to enter the sanctuary by the blood of Jesus, by the new and living way which he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful; and let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.
~Hebrews 10:19-25
~~~
{pretty, happy, funny, real}
~ Capturing the context of contentment in everyday life ~
Every Thursday, here at Like Mother, Like Daughter!

In His JOY,

Love of Country Handprint Flag T-Shirt

June 26, 2012 by Lena {JOYfilledfamily} Filed Under: 07 July, Crafts, July 4th, Our Lady of Guadalupe, Patriotic

Love of Country Shirt

This shirt was another craft made in honor of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Patroness of the Americas.  Twenty-three little girls made this craft at my last Little Flowers Retreat.

craft inspiration

Love of Country Shirt supplies

Supplies:

  • red acrylic paint – $1-$3
  • blue acrylic paint – $1-$3
  • white metallic acrylic paint – $3
  • red glitter paint – $5
  • blue glitter paint – $3
  • white or silver glitter paint – $5
  • paint brushes (small foam brush used to paint hand and reg. brushes used for glitter) – $2/pack of 10
  • t-shirt – $1 at the dollar store
  • wax paper – $2.50

P6200322

Instructions:

  1. place wax paper inside t-shirt
  2. paint flag on hand with a generous amount of paint
    • right hand – thumb will not be painted
    • left hand – thumb will be the the bottom stripe of the flag
  3. reapply a coat of paint on hand to ensure that the paint as not dried
  4. apply painted hand to t-shirt at the desiredIMG_3568 location.  be certain that the blue area of the flag will be imprinted on the top left.  keep the fingers together and do not roll the hand—press straight down on the hand to ensure a complete imprint.  remove the hand straight up to avoid any smears.
  5. paint colored glitter paint over the corresponding color on the t-shirt
  6. let dry completely
  7. heat set painted flag with an iron.  place a lightweight pressing clothe over the flag.  set iron to the highest setting for your fabric.  press the iron over the painted area firmly for about 30 sec.  keep the iron moving over the pressing cloth to avoid scorching or burning of the shirt. 
  8. let cool
  9. remove wax paper
  10. wash and wear

Love of Country handprint shirt

Our Lady of Guadalupe ~ ora pro nobis

God Bless America Windsock

June 26, 2012 by Lena {JOYfilledfamily} Filed Under: 07 July, Crafts, July 4th, Our Lady of Guadalupe, Patriotic

God Bless America

This windsock was a craft made in honor of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Patroness of the Americas.  Twenty-three little girls made this craft at my last Little Flowers Retreat.

craft inspiration

P6190212

Supplies:

  • tin can (coffee can) – recycled
  • blue spray paint – $3
  • white contact paper (a roll can be found in the kitchen dept. of the store) – $5
  • white plastic table cloth (you can get enough strips out of ea. table cloth to make 16 windsocks) – $1
  • red plastic table cloth – $1
  • nail and hammer
  • twine
  • star craft cutter (purchased at JoAnns with a 50% off coupon and teacher’s discount) – $6
  • scissors
  • ruler
  • hot glue gun or permanent adhesive tape (1 role of tape covered 16 cans)  –  $3.50

Girls Retreat 6.20

Instructions:

  1. wash the inside of the tin can
  2. strip the wrapping off the coffee can
  3. punch two hole in the top of the coffee can with a nail and hammer
  4. spray paint the coffee can blue
  5. cut 4 strips* of white table cloth.  keep the table cloth folded as it was in the package when cutting.  use a standard ruler as your guide for the width.  keep the cut strips folded once at the top.  the strip should be 26 in long and about 1.25 in. wide.  this long length looks nice blowing in the wind but also comes in handy if the children assemble their windsocks unevenly and a trimming is in order.
  6. cut 4 strips of red table cloth.  (follow the above details)
  7. punch stars on the contact paper.  be certain to rest the punch on a hard surface so that you get a clean cut star.
  8. tie twine through the holes on the top of the can
  9. adhere stars as desired
  10. run the adhesive bond tape along the inside bottom of the can.
  11. adhere the strips of white and red table cloth along the adhesive, alternating colors.  be sure to put the folded part of the strip on the adhesive.  this will allow the strips to open in the wind and give a fuller look to your windsock. 
  12. hang your windsock

*4 strips of ea. colored worked for my small coffee can.  your number may vary.

God Bless America Wind socks

Our Lady of Guadalupe ~ ora pro nobis

~~~

Stash Bash

I’ve never met a crafter without a stash of some kind. This year my goal is to use up all the craft supplies I have spent money on that are taking up mental and physical space in my life.   

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Hi! I'm Lena, mama of JOYfilledfamily.
We are a traditional Catholic family striving to live for Jesus Christ in everything we do. We pray to completely surrender our will to His and to become His servants. Our mission of this blog is to share our JOY.

This blog serves as a journal of us making good memories, living the liturgical year, and our spiritual journey.

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