"Rooted in Love" - A Retreat for Catholic Homeschooling Moms

 I was blessed to be part of a beautiful retreat this weekend. More than 50 Catholic homeschooling moms gathered at our diocesan retreat center to begin the new school year with prayer, inspiration, and support.

On Friday evening we heard a powerful talk by a passionate young priest. He spoke to us about the devotion to the Sacred Heart. We had the joy of participating in Adoration, Benediction, and Confession.... without the distraction of our little ones. After that we had a great time visiting with old and new friends, snacking, and doing a bit of spa pampering. It was like a giant slumber party and we all stayed up too late!

On Saturday we listened to beautiful talks by two amazing homeschooling moms. They were so uplifitinng and encouraging. I really felt inspired and strengthened in my vocation. We spent time sharing in small groups, attended Mass, prayed the Rosary and the Divine Mercy Chaplet, and participated in breakout sessions with other moms who are in similar places on the homeschooling journey.

The "Rooted in Love" theme was based on Ephesians 3:14-21 ---

"For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, that he may grant you in accord with the riches of his glory to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in the inner self, and that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, rooted and grounded in love,m may have strength to comprehend with all the holy ones what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, so that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. Now to him who is able to accomplish far more than all we ask or imagine, by the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen."

We were reminded to stay focused on our MISSION as Catholic homeschoolers.... nurturing our families, forming our children in the Faith, practicing and joyfully celebrating that Faith as a family. Truly, it is Jesus - the tender, generous, faithful, awesome love of Jesus - that is the heart and root of who we are. Love of him surpasses all knowledge. For us, all that we do and all that we are is from him, through him, and for him.

All of the participants were divided into small groups for discussions. Each group was named after a patron saint (all of whom were related to motherhood or education in some way). It was wonderful to get to know new women and share our insights, experiences, and prayer intentions. At the end of the retreat we were each given a peg doll of the patron saint of our group! So cool! (I got Saint Thomas Aquinas.... and I also purchased a Saint Joseph doll, so I was able to give one to each of the boys.)

It was great that so many husbands took on the responsibility of watching their children for the weekend so their wives could get away. (We have some really big families! At one point we were trying to add up how many children we had among us as a group... it was a BIG number!) We prayed a lot for our husbands as well as for moms who weren't able to attend.

I just love this next picture of so many moms with babies! I have been on retreat at this center many times, but never with so many little ones in tow. It was beautiful to have the littlest ones with us.

And so, as Moms, we were blessed to be renewed and strengthened in our vocations. Thank you, Lord, for this special grace-filled time. I pray for all of my companions on this journey, and for all of our families as we begin this new school year.  

How Sundays Are Meant To Be!

What could be better than spending a beautiful Summer Sunday afternoon at this lovely house on a pretty little lake?

Spending it with awesome friends! We had a fantastic time at my friend Becky's parents' home in Chillicothe. It was a relaxed afternoon of cooking out, swimming in the lake, roasting s'mores, making ice cream, relaxing, playing, visiting, and sort of fishing.

We are so blessed to have family friends. The kids love playing together and the adults really enjoy spending time together too! I can't imagine raising my family without the love, friendship, and support of good friends. I am looking forward to lots more fun adventures in the future!

Here are some shots from the day ----



Picnic on the porch



Adam's wild find... a teeny tiny toad

Ryan and Adam preparing to dive from a platform into the lake!

Ray striking a pose before a fancy dive.

Action shot!

Bathing beauties!

Getting ready to roast marshmallows

Making homemade ice cream!

The dads took the kids swimming and then enjoyed talking football, wrestling, and who knows what else!

Christian - so serious with his serious marshmallow roasting device!

Lovely ladies (and Noah) at the lake

We tried some fishing as we were winding down and preparing to leave... just basically threw some poles in, nothing serious and didn't catch anything.... but the boys loved it.

What a catch!

 I really believe that this is how Sundays are meant to be.... Mass in the morning, families relaxing and being together in the afternoon. When we were growing up, we went to Mass and then to my grandparents' home for a big breakfast. After breakfast we played cards or sat and visited in the yard. I don't remember tons of errands and chores on Sundays. (Then again, I was a kid.) I hope to create some real Sabbath time on Sundays with our family. It's important.

We survived - and thrived!

We really ENJOYED unplugged week around here. We found lots of fun things to do. Adam was the only one who even counted down the days. I was especially impressed with Ray, who thoroughly enjoyed getting into some projects and activities that I know he would not have picked up if he had the option of watching TV. We read lots of books, did some art and some cooking, went on some fun outings, and enjoyed the beautiful weather.

Now we are transitioning into a school schedule with dramatically cut-back and controlled TV/computer time. I don't think it will be a problem though. We have so many fun things to learn and do. Here are some glimpses of the fun we had during unplugged week ----

Jon taught both boys to play checkers and they are even beginning to learn chess. Later in the week they got into a Marathon Monopoly game. However, Ray informed me yesterday that Adam was out of the game because he got "bank-robbed" (meaning bankrupt).

We discovered that the new fountain park at Scioto Mile  in Downtown Columbus is AWESOME!

Ray got out his Lincoln Logs and built an entire town.

Both boys began Karate classes at Team Karate Center. Adam is demonstrating a move he learned.

Jon and the boys spent a fun evening at Holy Spirit Parish festival while I hosted a committee meeting here.

Have YOU ever petted a flamingo?
The boys and I had a really fun day at the zoo.

Can't watch TV?
Might as well brush a goat!

Dippin Dots!

I can't believe they are big enough to ride the carousel all by themselves now! We are definitely in a new phase of family life.

Spitting dinosaurs! These zoo creatures were mechanical and they were a huge hit with my boys. They got absolutely soaked.

The one exception to the unplugged week challenge was movie night at the pool, the last one of the summer. Ray tired out too early, but Jon and Adam watched Toy Story 3 on the big screen on Friday night.

Even though we're starting school tomorrow, we're still going to enjoy lots more summer fun in the next few weeks!

"Unplugged Week"

Don't bother checking in here for the next week.... We have declared this "unplugged week" around here. We started today. (I just snuck up here to do this post... hope I don't get caught!)  The boys (and I) have gotten way too lazy this summer about watching TV at all times of the day. AND the boys have begun to develop quite the video game habit. (That's in their genes from their dad!) So, we returned the old Nintendo game to my dad. (We don't have a Wii or anything --- that would be too tempting for all of the males in the house at this point.) We literally unplugged the TV's and we're shutting down the computers.

Needless to say, this has been a less than popular move. We sat down and had a family meeting and explained why we're doing this. We want to clear out all our brains... drink in the fun of summer... do some other games and activities as a family... get some chores done around here... and get ready for school. I've brainstormed a whole list of projects, chores, activities, and field trips that we can do this week.

The boys whined a bit this morning, but I think we'll get into a groove and not even miss our electronic distractions. Our plan after this week is to adopt the strategy my friend Becky uses with her family -- "No TV or computer until 3:00." That way we can complete school and chores before fighting the TV/computer battle each day. They can watch and play during that crazy time of day when I'm tired and fixing dinner. Then our evenings will be free for other things.

So, I'll let you know how it goes. I'll post some pictures and reports from the week next Sunday. Have a great week!

** I will be checking my email, but only once a day! So, if you need to get in touch with me, be a bit patient or pick up the phone. Thanks!

A Great Day at the State Fair

Yesterday Jon left work at 3:00 and we headed to the Ohio State Fair. We met my dad, sister, brother-in-law, niece, and nephew there. It was a sunny, not-too-hot day. We had a wonderful time! This year the kids were way more into the rides and games than in the past. So we didn't see very many animals or exhibits, but we did have lots of fun. Here are some pictures from our adventure at the fair.

Can you tell who's more scared on the sky ride?

Hint: He's older than 6! ;)

Carter aand Adam on the alligator ride. We have pictures of the boys on this ride from the past three years. They are growing so fast. They'll probably be too big for it by next year!







The petting zoo is always a big hit!



Have YOU ever fed a kangaroo?



Pappy and his posse!



Ray and Ava going down the gigantic slide! Ray loved this! He went about six times. It was his first year of doing it all by himself.



Seriously!?!? Talk about fair food... cheeseburgers with donuts as the "bun." I actually saw people eating these!



The annual "butter cow."





And of course we had to play some games!



All the boys (with help from Pappy and Nee Nee) won prizes!

I got to ride this giant ferris wheel with my dad!



Colleen and I holding all the "stuff" while Jon and the boys ran through a fun house about ten times. (Colleen had just blown powdered sugar from her funnel cake all over me!)



Jon running through the fun house... what a good sport!

Can you spot the "monkeys" in this fun house?

As we were riding the tram back to our car, we even got to see the fireworks!