JOYfilledfamily BLOG

Homeschool Encouragement

May 8, 2012 by Lena {JOYfilledfamily} Filed Under: Homeschool Conference, Homeschooling

I attended a homeschool conference in April, Northern California Catholic Homeschooling Conference. It was somewhat of a last minute decision to attend since I had attended another conference in July. Praise God, I was given the grace to take my own advice.

I’m not willing to pass up spiritual opportunities that are offered in my backyard. My spiritual bank is full, thanks be to God, but I know how suddenly it can be emptied. I trust that this conference will yield a nice reserve in my spiritual bank. All food for the soul is welcome!

My bank is full! DEO GRATIAS!!!

~~~

Below is my outline from Laura Berquist’s talk from 2012 Northern California Catholic Homeschooling Conference, Encouraging Cooperation. You can also view/print/upload my detailed notes from here.

Encouraging Cooperation

Outline created by LF-JOYfilledfamily, based on Laura Berquist’s talk from 2012 Northern California Catholic Homeschooling Conference

1. Right approach

2. Clear direction

3. Observing limits

4. Keeping notes

5. Formation vs. Information

6. Keeping individuality of the child in mind

7. Training of virtues

8. Talk to children

9. Respect

10. Encouragement

Marian Procession ‘12

May 7, 2012 by Lena {JOYfilledfamily} Filed Under: 05 May, Marian, Pilgrimage, Procession

As are all flowers, the month of May is dedicated to the Mary, whom we celebrate as Queen of Heaven on the last day of this month. Early in May, a statue of the Virgin at church is crowned with a wreath of roses, and the same are laid at her feet. Little girls and boys dress up in their best, often in blue; one child carries the crown on a cushion to the statue and another child is chosen to crown the statue. ~ Fisheaters

May 5, 2012 was the Fourth Annual Marian Procession – a 3-mile pilgrimage through the city in honor of Our Blessed Mother, an opportunity to give public witness to our Lord, our Faith, and Our Lady.

Eighteen Little Flowers led the procession. Each girl wore a blue hat in honor of Mary and held a handmade fabric basket filled with flower petals. They tossed the flower petals for Our Lady.

Dad walked with the boys and Rose had to leave early to meet the Choristers in preparation for Mass.

The three mile procession led us to the Cathedral. A Solemn High Mass was held. It was followed by the May Crowning. A Little Flower (who will be receiving First Communion on 5.12) was selected to crown Mary.

We had planned to attend Mass but my allergies were at an all-time high – I was miserable and could barely breathe and see. Dad and I took the littles home and met up with Rose after the Solemn High Mass.

AVE MARIA, gratia plena, Dominus tecum. Benedicta tu in mulieribus, et benedictus fructus ventris tui, Iesus. Sancta Maria, Mater Dei, ora pro nobis peccatoribus, nunc, et in hora mortis nostrae. Amen.

7 Day Walking Challenge

May 2, 2012 by JOYfilledWELLNESS Filed Under: Fitness, Fitness with Kids, Walking 1 Comment

This challenge was created by a fellow EPLFer. It was inspired from this article.

7 Day Walking Challenge Rules:

1 hour of walking per day for 7 days straight.
1 hour straight is preferred
2 – 30 minute sessions are allowed
No excuses allowed!
Track each day – time walked and whether it was indoors or outdoors.

Winner gets reduced cortisol levels!

Love to Pray

April 27, 2012 by Lena {JOYfilledfamily} Filed Under: Blessed Mother Teresa, LMC, Missionaries of Charity, Mother Teresa of Calcutta, Prayer

Holy Family of Nazareth, give us strength of commitment and a heart of prayer – yes, loving to pray!

Meatball Madness

April 19, 2012 by JOYfilledWELLNESS Filed Under: Beef, Dinner 1 Comment

These baseball sized meatballs are packed with yumminess!

Fitness

April 19, 2012 by JOYfilledWELLNESS Filed Under: Fitness 1 Comment

My energy continues to wax and wane but I find that it is time to recommit to exercise. I have slowly started to reintroduce myself to some heavy lifting. I have even attempted some metabolic conditioning (metcons).

My goal is to keep my eyes on Him while I seek a level of fitness that fits within my state in life and will lead me to optimal health.

I recently came across an inspirational list, the Fit Female Credo by Rachel Cosgrove .

I decided not to tweak the “Credo” that Rachel listed. It’s too early in the game for that. I did, however, add my emphasize (in italicizes). I hope to make a printable version for my garage gym. I need the reminder.

—

Fit Female Credo

First and foremost, I will keep my eyes on Him!

1. Act as if you are a fit female.
2. Get out of your comfort Zone.
3. Fuel your body to be fabulous!
4. Train hard or go home.
5. Get hooked on feeling fit, not a number on the scale.
6. Be an early riser.
7. Make rest and relaxation a priority.
8. Obstacles will arise – anticipate them!
9. Keep a journal or blog.
10. Eliminate the negative people and surround yourself with positive people.
11. Think about your thoughts.
12. Manage your stress.
14. Put an end to body bashing and instead celebrate your strengths.
15. Don’t rely on will power. Have strategies.
16. Stop rationalizing and making excuses.

Go BANANAS

April 12, 2012 by JOYfilledWELLNESS Filed Under: Dessert, Fruit 2 Comments

Today, I used a Christmas gift for the first time – Yonanas.

Your yonanas maker will turn those over-ripe bananas into a delicious and creamy treat that looks and tastes like soft serve ice cream.

I doubt that I would have purchased this contraption but I’m glad to have it in my arsenal. The yonanas maker creates a fabulous naturally sweet treat. It’s our new ice-cream. It’s nothing like what is produced by the blender or food processor.

The yonanas maker is sure to become permanent fixture on my counter top once the weather gets warmer. (There was a storm warning in my area of N. CA today with the possibility of a tornado.)

The kids are rallying to save their weekly does of bananas – 5 bunches.

Nana has already committed to gifting the kids her frozen bananas.

We have all gone BANANAS for yonanas!

{pretty, happy, funny, real}

April 12, 2012 by Lena {JOYfilledfamily} Filed Under: {phfr}, Picture Recap

{pretty}

A family picture is always a pretty sight for Dad and I. It gives us all a visual to remind us to count our blessings – totally worth the discomfort I have when seeing myself in the photo.

{happy}

The chef is working overtime in Dad’s Café.

{funny}

~~Groucho Marx~~ Papi picked this out from the bank’s treasure chest. He doesn’t even know who Groucho is but he does a perfect impersonation.

Papi is always good for a laugh.

{real}

We have to put Dragonfly’s pjs on backwards since he prefers to sleep in his birthday suit.

~~~

{pretty, happy, funny, real}

~ Capturing the context of contentment in everyday life ~
Every Thursday, here at Like Mother, Like Daughter!

Dad’s Cafe

April 11, 2012 by JOYfilledWELLNESS Filed Under: Beef, Dessert, Dinner, Lunch, Recipes Leave a Comment

Dad’s been cooking it up. He even has a waitress, Sparkles, who waits and serves everyone. Today he pulled out the cook book, Everyday Paleo.

For lunch I had two BLT wraps. They were similar to the B.A.T. shown below, sans avocado and mayo.

Dad fixed Everyday Paleo Beanless Chili for dinner. YUMMY! I wish he made more for leftovers.

He even made up a healthy treat, Paleo Apple Muffins. It’s amazing how quickly our taste buds have changed. Butter on the warm sugar-free muffin, hit the spot.

—

Easter Sunday

April 11, 2012 by Lena {JOYfilledfamily} Filed Under: Easter 10 Comments

~~~

liturgical chalkboard with our Lent mottos, quotes from Bl. Teresa of Calcutta

The morning started with an Alleluia!

empty tombs,

and sacrifice beans turned alleluia beans.

The little’s had a hard time sticking to our “Jesus first” policy.

My Easter baskets were recycled from Sparkles bday last year. They were filled with up-cycled goods from the thrift store and my stash.

We took several outtakes before heading to a Solemn High Easter Mass.

The kid’s Easter clothes were all re-cycled clothing from the thrift store and my sis – Children’s Place, Nordstrom’s, Ralph Lauren, Chico’s, LOFT and other quality brands. The total cost of this year’s Easter Collection was $18!

Dad and I also wore thrift store finds. I had a brand new Liz Claiborne shirt, brand new Talbots sweater, and brand new Loft skirt – for a grand total of $11. Dad had a like-new suite and new shirt – for a grand total of $9.

~~~

We arrived at church an hour early, time for more pics.

We even met a fellow Catholic blogger, Tridentine Wife.

Rose with some of her friends.

All the littles were wonderful for the (almost) two hour long Easter Mass.

~~~

We headed home to prepare some side dishes, empty tomb eggs and stuffed mushrooms. Then we headed to my sister’s house to spend the rest of the day with relaxed family time.

We feasted on ham, prime rib, asparagus, salad, mushrooms, and no-potato salad.

My sis made up some healthy treats – chocolate dipped fruit and Tropical Macaroons.

Dad and Uncle hid the Easter Eggs and the fun began.

The kids cashed in at Papa & Nana’s Bank. That’s right, the kids get money instead of candy. Actually, they get paper money in their eggs. They are responsible for adding up their findings. Papa supervises the money counting. Then they get to cash it in with Nana. Nana distributes the cash. This year she plans to the kids open a new account.

Lastly, we watched a movie as a family. This was a nice treat since all TV use was offered up for Lent.

~~~

We will continue our family time of feasting and fun for Eastertide, all for Him.

ALLELUIA!

~~~

Easter Linky ~ Catholic Cuisine

This challenge was created by a fellow EPLFer. It was inspired from this article.

7 Day Walking Challenge Rules:

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