Pope's General Audience: The Church is Holy despite the sins of its members

Praise be God forever!
A post from my friend over at CatholicFire!

Pope's General Audience: The Church is Holy despite the sins of its members

take a look at chloes BLOG!

ok so take a look at www.acountrycatholic.blogspot.com to see what is happening on the Farm and more! I have all kinds of things going on and do not really have time to blog. so take a look (she is constantly posting new things!) i am really sorry! God bless you and your families!

photo update!!!! off of Chloes Camera

Elegance

Ladybug

these are some photos off of my daughters Blog
www.acountrycatholic.blogspot.com
you could be her first follower!!!

Chloe took these pictures with her camera!

our FILTHY pony Jake!

Chloes cat Raindrop on a shelf hiding from Marys dog!

me and my horse Elegance

Pat with the Cat!

Ring

the fence leading down to the barn!

grapes grow very well in georgia!

photoshoot with ring

Family alter lit up at night

chloe on her horse/pony Ladybug at a show

Pope Francis jokes with the Cardinals

Pope Francis jokes with the Cardinals

Saturday at the barn

A newcomer at the barn.

"For Phantom's Pleasure"  is the offspring of  "Elegance" an imported Hanoverian mare I am currently working with.  Phantom is owned by Black Forest Stables and is currently showing the jumper arena with Collen Acosta.

"Simply Patrick" is four year old yesterday.  He is loved and adored by his family and is currently running the show.

Do you know where you're going to?

My children see mostly the beauty outside the windows of life.  I don't know who said it or when I first  heard the quote "show them what is beautiful and they will see evil when they encounter it".  I try to remind myself of this when we are out in the world and I have witnessed it with my children.  Their instinct draws them to recognize God's creations.  In our homeschooling we use the Mother Seton curriculum (mostly) and the books have the most beautiful catholic artwork.  Each year the quality gets better.

Do you know where you're going to?  Seek what is beautiful.

We are currently packing our household into boxes.  Eating off paper plates and drinking from plastic cups.  I know we are blessed to be able to make this move in the times we live in.  Moving in and of itself is financially draining.  I was thinking about the movie "Fiddler on the Roof" last night.  Remember the part when they take all that is necessary and pack it on the horse drawn cart and off they go?  Wow....we have three PODS in the drive and are buying boxes...."hello".  Paying for boxes and plastic wrap.   Can you just imagine for a minute how attached we are to all this "STUFF".  I am struggling to just detach from all the "STUFF".  I am not kidding when I tell you I have taken 8 full loads of "STUFF" to charities and even had St. Vincent pick up furniture.  Please pray that I can muster the virtue of detachment and save us a small fortune on this trip.

What's in a name?

What to name the new farm when we move on the 28th of this month...YIPPEE.  We are all very excited (another post on that soon).  We have been for months now, trying to come up with a name with meaning and one that we can all agree on.  I think we may have it.  "Two Hearts".  We want to dedicate the farm and have the land consecrated to the Two Hearts.  For my protestant friends, we are talking about the Immaculate Heart of Mary and the Sacred Heart of Jesus.   Choosing a name is an important task and one we take seriously.  I will post more later today....now off to my teaching job.

Prayer, Penance, Almsgiving

Ash Wednesday 2013
Yep!  we did the salt dough.  We like this crafty and tactile way of beginning our lenten journey.  The products of our hands are crosses, a crown of thorns and a praying cowgirl.  These will serve as visible reminders of our invisible intentions.  Why invisible?  My girls are old enough to make secret sacrifices.      We do talk and make a plan and hope and pray we serve God better and keep our promises.  It can be tough for us all.  For me, Lent serves to remind me that I am NOT in charge.  My list is not typically in line with God's list for me.  So I think of Steven Curtis Chapman's song...."whatever".  It is perfect for Lent.  He talks about his list and God's list and finally says...."whatever you say, I will obey, because, You are my God....whatever".  Find this song.  Your going to love it and so will your kids.  It is upbeat with a great message.

Let the squish begin...

Rolling with a pencil......keep in mind our house is for sale and we will be moving in less than three weeks.

OH YES!  Then there was Patrick....WHATEVER!

We also made our Lent Journals!  Secret books for keeping track of ourselves and how we are measuring up.  I have been journaling for years.  My journal is more like my letters to God and Mary.  Very private and something I treasure.

This year thanks to my dear friend Donna we had some lovely blessed stickers to add to our covers.

I pray that your Lenten Journey is filled with Grace.  Open your hearts to receive the message God has for you"WHATEVER".  Try to make confession weekly if at all possible.  Offer your sacrifices, don't hold on to them,  simply in your heart offer them to God for someone.  Try each days to recognize your humanity and areas where you loose graces.   Try journaling.  On the right page I write my letter to God.  At the top I always write J.M.J. and on the left page I write my intentions for the day.  I like to write the names of the people and souls for who I am praying and that all children will know love.

Catholic Education in America: Homeschooling is Not the Problem - Homeschooling - Home & Family - Catholic Online

Catholic Education in America: Homeschooling is Not the Problem - Homeschooling - Home & Family - Catholic Online

WATCH the VIDEO and PASS it on!
I am so delighted to be wrapping up our 7th year of school at home.  As happy as that makes me, I am just as excited to begin the 8th year......after a nice long summer break.

Photo Update for my friends in Georgia

It's been one year since we moved back to Florida from North Georgia.  Although I and the children miss Georgia very much...we are quite at home here as well.  I miss YOU, my friends from St. Paul very much and keep you in my prayers.  We are trying to fit in a visit soon.  

Patrick the 3year old....

 Action Man

 Easter Sunday Family Gathering

My four blessings on Easter Sunday

after Mass 

The American Tribute 4H winners in their division.