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JOY{filled}family

striving to radiate Him always

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A Master Bedroom & Birthing Suite

January 23, 2013 by Lena {JOYfilledfamily} Filed Under: 31 Days, Home, Pregnancy

Master Bedroom JOYfilledfamily Jan 2013My birthing suite (aka master bedroom) is complete.  It was not an easy task but it has finally come together with the help of my entire family.

Master Bedroom collage v2 JOYfilledfamily Jan 2013

Master Bathroom collage JOYfilledfamily Jan 2013

Prior to now, my master bedroom was serving as a storage room – a catch-all from quick cleans and all the other rooms in the house.  It was never my intention to live amongst clutter but it became easier to store it away than to deal with it.  Dad and I really never minded because having a clean room, a haven, has never been much of a priority.  We spend the majority of time as a family in the main living areas of our home.  Also, cleaning in itself is not the priority of my family (proof can be found here).  Sure, we have basic cleaning chores but anything beyond that is often reserved for special guests or yearly liturgical cleaning.  That’s the reality of our growing family who spends majority of the day together (dad, mom, and all five kids) homeschooling while trying to make due with my aliments. 

The hope is that my birthing suite will remain a haven for the remainder of my pregnancy (currently 36 weeks 2 days along), labor, baby G’s infancy, and beyond.  ALL FOR!

~~~

31-Days-of-reflections-from-a-pregna[2]

Learning Room

September 18, 2012 by Lena {JOYfilledfamily} Filed Under: Home, Homeschooling, Not Back to School Blog Hop, Schoolroom

Do not be conformed to this world but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that you may prove what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.  ~ Romans 12:2

~~~

Our learning room has changed with the new house. It’s a bit more simplified than last year’s version.

P9170490 schoolroom v2 ingrid

This is how our learning room looks when not in session.  The learning wall is covered with the curtains and our nice red armoire (Potter Barn find on Craigslist for $150) is closed to hide our book and supply storage.

Our learning room took the place of our formal dining room.  It’s connected to the formal living holy room and is seen by all who enter.

house 2012

Here’s a complete look at the formal dinning room and living room.

P9170480 schoolroom pic ingrid

The learning window is open.  I used small suctions to hang my learning guides on the window.  The guides range for grades K-4th. 

I hung last year’s school garland, made from addition flashcards.  It will soon be replaced by clear fishing line to hang all of my children’s artwork.

The books in the red armoire are organized by subject topic, not grade.  They are stored in magazine files and library metal files (found at the thrift store for $0.25 ea.).  The boys have their wood puzzles and manipulatives store on the lower shelves behind the doors. 

Our table (another Craigslist find) currently sits with it’s leaf installed.  I find that it works better when it sits six vs. four.  It gives the littles room to spread out to avoid conflicts.

Rose has her office/craft room to work in for her final year of highschool.

P9170485 schoolroom lesson wall ingrid

The learning wall consists of my learning window covered in teaching guides and a white board (that was purchased over ten years ago when we started to homeschool).  There is a second curtain rod behind the curtains.  This rod is used to hang additional teaching guides, posters, art work, or whatever we want on display. 

P9170488 schoolroom lesson wall v2 ingrid

The curtains rarely get closed on the learning wall but when they do, this is what it looks like.  I extended the curtain rod to cover the white board.  It keeps the room looking like a living room and gives the impression that there is one very large window. 

P9170482 schoolroom piano room ingrid

The piano sits right next to the white board, in the holy room.  It’s a beautiful sight to see, children learning, making joyful music, and others in prayer.

O come, let us sing to the LORD; let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation! Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving; let us make a joyful noise to him with songs of praise! ~ Psalm 95:1-2

~~~

JOYfilledfamily learning room 2012-13

~~~

Heavenly Father, you have given us the model of life in the Holy Family of Nazareth.

Bless our home and our learning rooms.

Teach us to see Jesus in the members of our families, especially in their distressing disguise. 

Help us, O Loving Father, to grow joyfully in your ways with all the opportunities that you give and take.

Immaculate Heart of Mary, cause of our joy, pray for us. 
St. Joseph, pray for us.
Holy Guardian Angels, be always with us, guide and protect us.
Amen.

~~~

Not Back to School Blog Hop

This is NOT Our Home

October 4, 2011 by Lena {JOYfilledfamily} Filed Under: Consolation, Home, Prayers

We have prayed to simplify all areas of our lives.  The Good Lord has answered our prayers in ways that we did NOT desire.  Yet, we remained steadfast in His providence and He has showered His mercy on us.

We have been brought, once again, to a place of physical and spiritual detachment.  It has been met with an outpouring of charity from family, friends, and strangers.

Through it all we have been reminded that this is not our home.

Do not love the world or the things in the world. If any one loves the world, love for the Father is not in him.  For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the pride of life, is not of the Father but is of the world.  And the world passes away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides for ever. ~ 1 John 2:15-17

We will be moving soon.

Please keep my parents and the S & P families in your prayers.  Their charity towards us was a sweet consolation that has brought us to our knees in thanksgiving.  Our God is a faithful God, He will never abandoned us.  Trust always in Him and be open to the gifts that He places right before you.  They are often in disguise and found in the most unexpected places.

Sancta Familia ~ Ora pro nobis

Keeping It Real

April 1, 2011 by Lena {JOYfilledfamily} Filed Under: Home, Humility, Keeping it REAL, Organization 6 Comments

I was feeling guilty for not having posted before pics for my Lenten cleaning.  I struggle with doing it all.  My home is usually the first to go.  I try to do a quick clean in between nursing, homeschooling, cooking…but my home seldom stays this clean for longer than a few minutes, and it almost never gets this clean for regular company, only special guests.

It’s one of my many crosses. I strive to do better each day but often come up short.  I’m thankful that I have a husband who always lends a hand and lifts me up to try again.
Here it is, my late night act of humility…..
keeping it real

Home Organization

March 30, 2011 by Lena {JOYfilledfamily} Filed Under: Home, Lent, Organization 4 Comments

It was part of our Lenten program, to have a Father over for dinner and to entertain friends that we have not seen in some time.  We hadn’t planned to have them all in the same visit.

One priest turned into two priests plus Sweetie’s Godfamily with five children.

Needless to say, we had a surge in our Lenten cleaning.

The pressure was on. We had less than a week’s notice.  And if that weren’t enough, Rose, my #1 helper was miserably ill.

Praise God, we were able to persevere.  With a couple of all nighters and a scurry in the eleventh hour, the house was ready for our special guests.

We are just about 50% done with our entire Lenten cleaning.

Here’s a peek at some of our progress, minus the before pictures. Let’s just say, I’m still working on humility.  : )

  entryway & hallwayJOYfilledfamily entry way

holy roomJOYfilledfamily holy room

schoolroom JOYfilledfamily school room

family roomJOYfilledfamily living room

kitchenJOYfilledfamily kitchen

high school schoolroom, craft room & office JOYfilledfamily high school space

~~~

You can see more about our Lenten cleaning program resources here.

~~~

I have also been watching some great Women of Grace episodes on the topic of organization.  I listed the links below.

Women of Grace Shows on Organization: 

Possessed by the Mess: Clean Up and Clean Out with guest Dale O’Leary – Some time ago we aired a program called “Saver, Collector, Hoarder – Which One Are You?” The viewer response was overwhelming and we just knew it was important to revisit this topic in more detail. Our guest is going to tell us why saving is not a virtue, and why, in fact, it could be detrimental to your soul. But she is also going to give us a four step spiritual approach to cleaning up and cleaning out.

Getting Organized and Staying that Way – Getting organized is one thing. Staying that way is quite another. How do we put our homes in right order and maintain a predictable environment for our family – one that yields security, hominess, comfort, and peace? Today’s guest has the answers for us. She is a professional organizer who has helped many people find the way to the joy that comes from a well-ordered home.

~~~

Here is an examination of Conscience for home cleaning, created by Dale O’Leary.

Possessed by the Mess

Getting the Heart Ready to Unload the House

Step 1: Examination of Conscience

  • Have I desired things that I didn’t really need?
  • Have I bought items I’ve never used?
  • Have I coveted things that belong to another?
  • Have I envied those who have more than me?
  • Do I trust God to meet my needs?
  • Have I failed to return items I have borrowed?

 

~~~

Whenever you begin any good work you should first of all make a most pressing appeal to Christ our Lord to bring it to perfection.  ~ St. Benedict

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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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