Friday Finds

For All the Saints Artist Trading Card Swap
Kimberlee and family are hosting another wonderful For All the Saints artist trading card swap. When I asked my children who would like to participate in the swap this time, my youngest daughter responded, "I do if I can." Of course she can. I hope to participate with her and one or two of my other children. Please visit Pondered in My Heart if you and/or your children would like to participate too.

Doll Habits
My mother-in-law gave a doll in a habit to my oldest daughter when she was around 6. Needless to say, when I saw this doll habit on Jessica's website, I was excited. Visit Jessica's website to enter the giveaway for this habit.

Parenting
I enjoy Susie Lloyd's books and was happy to learn that she has a new title available. Mrs. Lloyd's latest book is Yes, God!: What Ordinary Families Can Learn about Parenting from Today's Vocation Stories. I am looking forward to hopefully reading this book soon.

A Pleasant Surprise

On Saturday, I received a package from Catholic Embroidery. When I saw who it was from, I commented, "I didn't order anything." When I opened it up, I was very thankful because I have been needing what I received. The box contained these wonderful notecards and a thank you from Mary, one of Catholic Embroidery's family members, for linking to them from my blog. I am not an affiliate of Catholic Embroidery; rather, I am a happy customer who is thankful for the products that they provide to Catholic families.

Catholic Embroidery is a small family-owned company that produces and sells a variety of quality, often custom-designed items that make great baptism, birthday, and Christmas gifts. Over the past few years, we have purchased a number of items from this great company to give as presents to family and friends. I have also received some presents that have been purchased through Catholic Embroidery. One of the items that we purchased was a beautiful, personalized baby blanket that we gave to one of my godchildren as a baptism present.

One year, our eldest daughter received a custom-embroidered missal cover as a present. She was happy to help us choose the image and words that she wanted on it, and was delighted with how the missal cover looked when it arrived (my husband and I were impressed). The missal cover still looks great after approximately four years of use and Catherine has commented more than once on how much she likes it.

Two of my daughters and I have also received embroidered aprons which look great. The aprons do a good job of protecting our clothes in the kitchen and they wash well. More importantly, we like them.

We also have a key fob from Catholic Embroidery that is invaluable to us. Our front door has a deadbolt and the key fob prevents us from losing the key. I have also been known to wear the key fob on my wrist when we play outside or go to the beach. Prior to getting the key fob, I am embarrassed to say that I locked our children and myself out of the house on more than one occasion.

Catholic Embroidery has many more well-made, Catholic-oriented items available. I look forward to using the pretty notecards and continuing to turn to Catholic Embroidery when we need a special gift for a family member, godchild, or friend. May God bless the wonderful family behind Catholic Embroidery and may their business continue to flourish!

When It Rains

Yesterday, my older sister called. During our conversation, she commented, "I remember Mommy saying, 'When it rains, it pours.'" I couldn't help but respond, "I think it's pouring, but I have so much for which to be thankful."

Thank you, God, for everything.

Pregnancy Thank You

Thank you to everyone for your comments and congratulations on my pregnancy.  My family and I really appreciate it. 

I pray that all of you have a blessed 2010!

1000 Gifts

I had wanted to share these on Monday, but I never got around to doing so.

Gifts #18-30

I am thankful for:

18.  the Catholic Church
19.  children who love each other.
20.  a pastor who visits his parishioners.

21.  homeschooling.

22.  an upcoming All Saints Day Party.

23.  the wonderful ideas that Jessica has shared.

24.  beautiful fall weather.  Our heater has only needed to turn on once.

25.  cavity-free dentist appointments for all five children who went in for an exam.

26.  opportunities that come with little mishaps around the house.  Scattered flour gives me an excuse to clean the floor.  Spilled milk does the same. :)

27.  a little girl who insisted on holding my hands and walking with me as I went to kneel at the altar rail and receive Communion on Sunday.

28.  the playground at our parish.

29.  the close-up photos of these 150-year-old vestments at http://www.catholicembroidery.com/   The vestments looked exquisite.  The volunteer seamstress and her helpers, along with www.catholicembroidery.com/ did an absolutely incredible job restoring them.  They all have amazing talent.

30.  my little rascal and his sister who took this photo.

 We have so much for which to be thankful.God has truly blessed us!



 Gratitude Community

Thankfulness

Continuing with last week's post, I am thankful:

1. for the breathtaking Mass my family and I went to on Friday evening at North American Martyrs.  Photos can be seen here and an article can be found here.  Archbishop Brunett, four FSSP priests, and two diocesan priests helped Fr. Saguto, FSSP celebrate the Mass.  Eighteen boys and young men served and approximately 700 people (diocesan clergy and Knights of Columbus included) assisted.  The choir sounded beautiful.
2. that my son served at the Mass on Friday evening.  He was one of the torchbearers.  He also met Archbishop Brunett and kissed his ring.
3. for a sister who shares her children's accomplishments.  My niece's (Kourtney) mural won first place for judge's choice at the Puyallup Fair.

4. for my father who calls and is very good about sharing his life with his children.
5. for a friend, Shelly, whose love for her husband and children is inspiring.
6. for being able to spend Thursday at the zoo with some of my children and one of their friends.  We are all looking forward to visiting the zoo again.  My husband and older children hope to join us next time.

This peacock walked right in front of me, stopped, and looked at the camera.

The children liked watching the sharks. Posing in the shark's mouth was an added bonus.

The tiger acted like he wanted to get out.  One of my children thought that he just wanted to eat us.

The polar bear is always fun to see.  He went swimming and ate apples while we watched him.

Gratitude Community

Gratitude

I am accepting Meredith's challenge.

Gratitude Community

Thank you God for:

1. a loving and understanding husband.
2. a little girl who is just starting to walk.  As we prayed the Rosary on September 16, she took one step and then four more.  She has taken a total of six steps without falling.  It is fun to see her clapping and saying, "Yeah!" after she takes a few steps.
3. a little boy with an incredible vocabulary who keeps us on our toes with the things that he says.
4. a son who celebrated his birthday recently and really likes his walkie talkies.
5. a daughter who enjoys helping me in the kitchen.
6. a daughter who likes reading and sharing what she has read.
7. a son who loves his youngest sister.
8. a daughter who makes me smile with her cute little ways and spontaneity.
9. a friend who will always be a friend even though we no longer go to the same parish. (Thank you, Peggy.)
10. another friend who has been incredibly helpful over the past two years. (Thank you, Peggy Sue.)
11. a very good start to our school year.  We are working on Week 5.  I credit the good beginning to morning prayers and some advice that I received from my pastor a few months ago.  The children all seem to be enjoying school this year.  Enrolling my eldest son in Seton (my husband's decision) has been very beneficial to him, so far.

Thank you, God, for all these blessings!