Books Clubs, Anniversary, First Communion, NFP class, and Babysitting

We've had a busy last few days. Nothing new for our family! As the title for this post suggests, there is a long list of activities that have kept us hopping the past few days.

The first activity was a children's book club for our home schooling group. The younger kids read the book The Weight of a Mass and then discussed the Mass and the Eucharist. It was a really great book, great for First Communicants and younger kids. It is a fairytale style story that has a really great message. The kids made monstrances as a craft to reinforce the importance of adoring and receiving Jesus in the Eucharist. They had lots of fun and they turned out very well.

On Friday, dear hubby and I celebrated our 10 year anniversary. We went out for dinner and then over to some friends' home to have an evening of adult conversation. After taking the babysitter home, we watched a movie before going to bed. It was a lovely evening.

On Saturday evening, dear hubby's God-daughter made her First Holy Communion. I had never been to an evening Mass for the reception of First Holy Communion, so I didn't know what to expect. I should have expected that the baby (I mean toddler) would be very cranky. But, cranky isn't severe enough a word! She was horrible and the Mass lasted 2 hours! I was either covering her mouth to keep her quiet, wrestling her into submission, or outside the church while she screamed nearly the whole Mass. However, at least the other kids behaved and dear hubby was able to be there to witness such a blessed occasion. Afterward we had dinner and the kids were able to play with their cousin and aunt.

On Sunday, we had our last NFP class for the series we've been teaching and also had Dear Hubby's grandparents (Ma and Pa) over. Ma and Pa came to till up our garden and then stayed for dinner. Dear Hubby's mom and sister also came over and enjoyed a nice roast with us. I was so exhausted by Sunday night I could barely handle writing up the kids lesson plans for the upcoming week, but I got through it and finally went to bed exhausted.

Monday morning I got a bit of a surprise phone call from our neighbors asking if we could babysit their four little blessings while they went to the hospital to deliver their newest bundle of joy. I was happy to help out and the day went rather smoothly until dinner time, when all chaos started to break out because the kids were exhausted from playing outside most of the day and not having their normal nap time. Thank goodness dear hubby came home about that time and was able to referee while I fixed dinner. All eleven of us were able to sit down to a nice dinner and in plenty of time for him to get out the door to his two meetings. After dinner, I realized how dirty the kids had gotten from playing outside and decided to give some quick baths. When that was all done, I finally got all the kids settled down and to sleep. Some took longer than others.

Easter Sunday Formal Pictures

These are our Easter Sunday pictures of us all dressed up for Mass. We traditionally take a family picture in front of the alter after Mass. This year I decided to also get an individual picture of each of the kids. I think I am going to be really glad I did this. It will be really neat to look back and see how much they change from one Easter to the next.

If you are wondering, my mom (Grammy) made the Easter dresses for the girls. She actually made them for the girls last year, but I told her to make them big enough for them to wear for two years. Thank goodness the girls cooperated and didn't grow too much. The baby's dress was a little snug and short, but seemed to look fine once I got it on her. Now what am I going to do next year? I guess we'd better start looking for fabric.

This last picture is of the kids with another NFP family that has five girls. So, the statistics are: two families, 10 kids, 9 of them girls, 1 boy. Needless to say, everyone is rooting for this next baby to be a boy. (Which, by the way, we should be having an ultrasound within the next two weeks to make sure the baby is doing fine, and of course, to determine the sex of the baby.)

Busy Week, Again

The past week has been busy like always. Last Saturday, Dear Hubby and I went to see Father Benedict Groeschel in the big city near us. He had so many good things to say. He is always so insightful. He spoke mostly about Pope Benedict XVI and his teachings. We are very blessed to have such a holy and intelligent pope, as well as, a good and holy priest in Father Benedict Groeschel. I think what also made the day so great was that we were able to have lunch with another couple we know at the conference. It is so important for older couples to mentor us younger, still struggling couples.


To add to an even busier day, we had friends over to play and have dinner. The kids were so wound up, but I think wore themselves out sufficiently because they went to bed and never said a peep.


Sunday was no different. We started teaching a new class series for NFP and were busy discussing things with the newly engaged couples for 3 hours. As soon as we got home, dear hubby took the older two to a basketball game while I took a much needed rest.


Monday was busy with school work. Tuesday we had school, voice lessons for the oldest, and then we did a service project at the local nursing home. The best part of the day was making the Valentines Day cards and chocolate covered pretzels with the residents. I think we really made their day. Wednesday was filled with school work, Mass, and chores. Laundry was threatening to take over, but I think we've won that battle for the moment. Thursday, thank goodness was a little of a break for me. I left the kids with Dear Hubby while I got groceries that night. Friday we had a marathon day. We attended Mass, did school work, went to the Catholic book club, and then went for a play date after that. By the end of it, I was ready to throw in the towel and I buckled under the pressure and bought pizza for dinner to feed the remainder of the family. (Dear hubby is on retreat for the weekend and our oldest is at a sleep over.)

Today, thank goodness doesn't seem to be too terribly busy... so far. I am excited to see Dear Hubby, of course to see him, but also because he is bringing home a piano with him! Our good friend from IL. is giving us a piano for the kids to use. Since dear hubby is on retreat only an hour away from the free piano, he is making a detour on the way home to pick it up! I am hopeful that after getting it tuned, I might be able to start teaching the kids how to play! LOL! I say that as if I know how to play! LOL! I only know a very small amount, but I am hopeful that they can quickly surpass my ability to play. If nothing else, this will be a way to encourage them to do some independent study. Maybe they can teach themselves how to play.

When the piano arrives, I'll be sure to post a picture.