Adventures in preparing for your Second Reconciliation

   Part of the excitement around here is that the date for Liam's First Holy Communion is fast approaching. In addition to picking out cake flavors, and figuring out the guest list; we are also talking a lot about the Mass ~ specifically the Liturgy of the Eucharist.

   We also did a bit of backtracking this week preparing Liam for his second Reconciliation.  During an impromptu review session I discovered that he remembered the steps of the rite, but the idea of an Examination of Conscience was in need of a refresher.

As it happens, I had recently been given a copy of Kimberly Fries' book on that very subject.  The book takes a lovely, direct approach, encouraging the child to pray before a crucifix or the Blessed Sacrament and using the Ten Commandments as a guide ask themselves key questions.  Fries does a wonderful job aiming the questions at the early elementary age level; my 2nd grader who reads at grade level needed help reading a few of the words but understood what was being asked throughout. I like the framework and the creativity and sensitivity shown around the more 'adult' commandments such as the 6th.  Overall a wonderful addition to our library and one that will definitely get a lot of use.

I was provided a copy of Examination of Conscience for Little Ones in return for my honest review.

7 Quick Takes #276: Thinking about being Spring

1. Hello! Happy Spring! Weather-wise it is trying to be spring around here. No flowers yet but some shoots and buds can be seen; and I may be tempting fate but the snow shovels are back in the shed.
2. The warmer weather means we have pulled out the bikes! Liam having gotten a new taller bike has passed on his former to Caitlin and each are off to happy, if wobbly starts. Lisbeth has mostly been focused on mastering the caster board she received for Christmas. After consulting a couple of videos she got the knack and is having a blast.
3. Last weekend we traveled to N.J. to join in surprising Dr Daddy's uncle for his 80th birthday.  It was overall a great time with excellent food and a wonderful chance to catch-up with friends and family we don't get to see very often.  Given his St Patrick's Day birthday there was plenty of Soda Bread and Irish coffee to enjoy!!
4. In addition to prayers and remembrance; food wise we marked St Joseph's Day with pizza for the kids and kielbasa and peirogies for the grown-ups thereby covering both traditional nationalities. 
5. Last night we had the great pleasure of watching Lisbeth perform with the Archdiocesan Children's Choir; 5th-8th graders from all the local catholic schools are selected and perform together.  It was so nice to watch her enjoy the results of all their hard work and practicing this year.
6. This weekend Dr Daddy and I are presenting at Pre-Cana; please pray that the engage couples come with open hearts and minds to the information provided to them.
7. Have a wonderful weekend!

Please head over to Kelly's for more 7QT's!!

Open Book ~ March '19

The Wreath by Sigrid Undset (translated by Tina Dunnally) is the first book in a trilogy about a Norwegian girl Kristin Lavransdatter set in the fourteenth century. The book follows Kristin, her family and village from her early childhood, through her teens and evolving plans for marriage.  A lovely read which looks deeply into the thoughts and emotions of a young girl coming of age, falling in love, and seeking to discern if called to marriage or cloister.  Against this main story Undset provides tons of information about the geography and customs of Norway at that time; and Dunnally's translation provides all of this information without feeling forced or dry.

The Sun is Also a Star by Nicola Yoon is a wonderful day-in-the-life story in New York where two high school seniors having a bad day meet and find the support needed to face some tough choices.  A fast paced story with just enough backstory provided for a wonderful read about what it means to be a child of immigrants.

Crossing to Safety by Wallace Stegner a slow paced lovely story of friendship as two couples reflect back on a friendship which began in their twenties and has sustained them through the decades and the Vermont camp which they have all retreated to at different points in their lives. A wonderful reflection on marriage, and the strength it brings as life events change and alter our dreams.

Introduction to the Devout Life by Saint Francis de Sales is a book which began as a correspondence with a noble young woman seeking to understand how to live a devout life while in the world which became a book when the Bishop decided that this was a wish shared by many in the laity.  The advice he provides while first offered in the seventeenth century holds true in present day; I found almost none of it dated and so very much valuable to my life and vocation.  This was a book that I deliberately paced myself to better mine and reflect on its depth and wisdom.

Please head over to Carolyn's  for more Open Book.

Quick Takes #275: The difference a year makes!

1. Happy March! February was fun, busy, with enough snow for a couple of snow days and couple of memorable activities like taking the girls to Annapolis to see Snow White by the Maryland Ballet.
2. Later today we will be headed to Build.a.Bear to hopefully get Lisbeth a Light Fury and kick-off her birthday (How to train your Dragon) weekend which will of course include seeing the movie
3. Before I write these birthday posts I will look back on the previous post, and sometimes not much has changed except perhaps their favorite show.  Not this time; in the past year Lisbeth has grown so much. Literally ~ about 4 inches and figuratively in poise, maturity and ability to handle herself in difficult situations.
4. She received a box set of the first 5 books of the Wings of Fire series last birthday and has been inhaling the series (now 12 books & 2 graphic novel) ever since. While not my genre of choice it has been so fun watch her reading with such abandon.  Mythical creatures ~ particularly dragons are the current focus of much of her artwork.  
5. Some things have not changed ~ Math, Minecraft and Art continues to be her favorites things.  
6. It somehow feels very appropriate that my 1000th post on this blog is largely about little 9month old when I started this blog who has grown into such a lovely, bright, imaginative tween.  
7. Have a good weekend!! Please head over to Kelly's for more 7QT's!

Open Book: February '19

At Home in Mitford by Jan Karon was handed to me by a friend who was surprised that I had never read the series and I'm so glad she did. Mitford is a village in the western mountains of North Carolina and Father Tim is our tour guide as he cares for his parishioners, interacts with towns people and deals with challenges such as a larger than life dog and an outgoing new neighbor.  Karon's writing is lovely without being cheesy and while the pacing is a bit slow it is never dull. I very much enjoyed matters of faith discussed, but believe they are done respectfully enough that even a non-believer would enjoy this book.

Who does He Say You Are? by Colleen Mitchell looks at Scripture and what 12 women's interaction with Jesus can teach us about who we are and what virtues God may be calling us to grow and strengthen.  The stories were familiar, yet Mitchell highlighted aspects I had not previously noticed.
Not all chapters spoke to me, but likely that speaks to the diversity among all of us and our individual temperament.  The study questions at the end of each chapter makes this a good bible study option.

Please head over to Carolyn's for more Open Book.

What is saving my life currently; Winter '19

Happy February! After a week of single digit weather I'm happily linking-up with the 

Modern Mrs Darcy and sharing some of what is keeping the winter blues at bay for me.

• Reading always and forever amen! Reading blogs and feeling connected, reading deep books and feeling informed and strengthen, reading light books and finding a quiet corner amidst the chaos to feed my spirit. 
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• Coloring with my girls or journaling in my gratitude journal. 
• Seeking out a good series to binge watch a couple episodes with Dr Daddy in the evenings once the kiddos are tucked.  Currently Madam Secretary!
• Lighting a candle or two in the evening.
• Weekly visit to a local coffee shop and making a cup of tea as we start homework.

What is saving your life this winter?

7 Quick Takes #274: A Decade in the Making

1. Writing this very grateful for my warm house as we have been having crazy cold weather recently, while also acknowledging some of you have my area beat all-hollow so hoping wherever you are reading this ~ you are warm too!
2. After watching most of both National Championships games last week including overtime I'm a bit grateful for a football-free weekend. I am of course thrilled that the Patriots are Super Bowl bound and will of course be watching; but happy for a bit of downtime before the Championship.
3. The other excitement of last Sunday was the Great Wolf Moon turn Blood Moon turn Lunar Eclipse. Adding to the excitement was given the holiday on Monday we could let Lisbeth stay up for the eclipse. In reality it was so cold that starting at 11:30 we would go outside watch for a couple of minutes, come inside & color for a few minutes, repeat till about midnight. Still an amazing sight and a fun one to share with family.
4. Catholic School Week begins on Sunday and the kids are excited for all the fun activities planned by the school including various contests and a fun dinner-out at a local restaurant, and I'm looking forward to helping again with the Book Fair.
5. It is also Pine Box Derby time and Liam (a Wolf Cub) is hard at work with Dr Daddy in the design and creation of his car.  He made one last year but this is his first year entering a car in the derby which is adding to the excitement and fun.
6. This week marks 10 years since I started this blog which is a little beyond belief for me; but as the 9 month old I spent my days with then is talking about what she wants to do to celebrate her 11th birthday I am well aware that time has indeed been passing!!
7. The support, encouragement and fellowship I have received from you readers and fellow bloggers over these past 10 years (and 997 posts) has been amazing and I thank you all very much for coming along on this blogging journey with me.

Please head over to Kelly's for more 7QT's.