Please give me your input on these 3 things before we list the house

I have a few questions and random tasks I'd love your input on before we list the house.  

1.  How do I get this white stuff off of our bathroom counter? 

Despite regular cleaning and some good elbow grease with all-purpose cleaners, I can't get the white stuff to disappear.  I suppose you'd call the countertop material laminate.  Any tricks to share?

2.  Our "wall of fame" photo gallery

Keep it, get rid of it, or switch out for "neutral images"?  I know they say to depersonalize the house, blah blah blah, and I ordinarily agree, but I'd love to see something like this on a wall as a decorating idea for the home.  What do you think?  If you're in favor of taking the pictures down, would you put up a large print (or something else) or just leave the wall bare?

3.  The oven  
How do you deep clean your oven without feeling like you took a year off of all of your family members' lives from the fumes?  Do the Pinterest posts with baking soda, etc. actually work?  Let's hear every detail of how you do it!

I'm sure I'll have more questions as time goes on.  Until then, please share your input on these 3 things!

Small Success Thursday #6 (A day late!)

It's been a whirlwind of a week, so I'm writing our "small successes" a day late.  And, you know what?  I'm going to call my small success #1 the fact that I don't care that it's late!

On to our other small successes for this week:

I'm gonna go ahead and call this the week of Harry successes because almost all of them are about him.

Even though I abandoned the baby books (for now), we remembered to capture Harry's 5-month pictures in the laundry basket.  By some miracle, I remembered to capture this pose and put all of the siblings' pictures at 5 months side by side.  Isn't it incredible how much they look alike?  (Left to right:  Harry, Walt, and Jane)

My amazing brother and sister-in-law watched the kiddos for us overnight on Saturday.  We didn't know what to do with ourselves!  We went to Mass, had a great dinner out at a delicious Italian restaurant (yay for coupon social sites!), and brought some dessert home.  I think we fell asleep by 10:30, but that's late for us, so, yay!

Apparently we have another big Thomas fan in the family.  When Jane put this Thomas engine in Harry's lap while I was cleaning up from lunch, he sat up!  I'm sad to say that means we're done with the bouncer, but Harry is happy as can be hanging out in his exersaucer instead.

Harry tried rice cereal for the first time, and he couldn't get enough of it!  Jane thought it was so funny, so she asked to help feed him.  After each bite, he kept leaning forward for more, and he resisted letting go of the spoon.  Let's pray that means we'll have another good eater in the family!

Using pipe cleaners and pony beads is helping to keep the kiddos engaged during family prayer time.

To help introduce the kids to Sacred Scripture, I introduced a "Memory Verse of the Week" on Monday.  I'm using this Totally Tots site with a Bible verse for each letter of the Alphabet.  The Bible verse for "A" is Psalm 17:8 "Keep me as the apple of your eye, hide me in the shadow of your wing."  

I put the verses up on the fridge where we will see them often.  The kids and I say the verse whenever we think of it.  We did a simple apple craft to help cement the verse in our memory.  I am putting the verses and the accompanying crafts into a binder with page protectors for each kid.  I am adding in activities we do for that letter as well.  The kids love them, and they are so excited to have their work put together in a binder.

My new blog site is coming along nicely, and I'm planning to launch it by the middle of next week.  Philip has done such a great job helping me put it all together.  The new site will make it easier for people to share posts, write comments, and subscribe.  Stay tuned!

Oh, and this cuteness happened:

  
That's a success, right?  I know, my definition of "success" is so broad, and these posts are truly just weeks in review, but it's my blog, and I'll blog how I want to!

I've been blogging long enough that I have a post to re-share with some activities we did to help us get into the Olympic spirit.  Here's a link with some things we did during the 2012 Summer Olympics.  

Your turn!  What are your small successes from this week?  Come on over to CatholicMom to share and join in the fun.  If you're using social media, use the hashtag #SmallSuccess.  Have a great weekend!

Keeping The Kids Engaged During Family Prayer Time

I love using social media to find practical solutions to everyday dilemmas.  Last week, we noticed that the novelty of our family rosary time was gone for the kids, and they were getting really squirrelly.  Jane and Walt would erupt into a fit of giggles by the third Hail Mary, and we would spend the rest of the decade trying to get them to stop giggling.  

Instead of doing away with family rosary time altogether, I decided to switch things up a bit.  Somehow, through all of my mental cobwebs, I remembered reading this post by Catholic Missionary Family called "The Rosary and Kids - Part 2."  They list some great tactile ways to keep little ones involved as you pray the Rosary.  (Check out their adorable blog!  There are a lot of great posts!)

I thought the pipe cleaners and pony beads would be appealing to Jane and Walt, so I went that route.  While Philip was giving the kids baths, I set up the kitchen table for family prayer time.

Each night, we:

• Light two candles.
• Record each family member's response to "What made you happy today?" on looseleaf.  (We started this in November with, "What are you thankful for?" but the kids didn't understand that question.)
• Introduce 1 mystery of the rosary with a picture.
• Pray that decade of the scriptural rosary from Rosary Army
• Close with bedtime prayers ("Angel of God" and "God bless Daddy, God bless Mommy, God bless...each member of the family by name")
• Jane and Walt each blow out a candle.

Instead of setting out rosaries, I set out pipe cleaners and a small bowl with 10 pony beads for each kiddo.

I don't know if you can tell, but I tied a knot at the bottom of each pipe cleaner.  The idea is that the kids can string a bead onto the pipe cleaner for each Hail Mary without them falling off.

When the kids saw the pipe cleaners and beads, they were SO EXCITED!  They quickly got into their chairs, and they started stringing the beads right away.  They didn't really grasp the concept of only adding one bead for each Hail Mary, so they were out of beads by the time we got started.  I didn't want to spend our prayer time correcting them with, "Just one bead for each prayer," so I dumped more pony beads into each of their dishes and let them keep stringing as we prayed.  

I decided we'd let them string as many beads as they wish for a week, and then we'll try re-introducing "one bead per prayer" next week.  We'll see whether or not they're ready for it then.

Even though their hands were much busier then usual, their minds were more focused.  They said the words to the prayers very reverently, and we didn't have to redirect them like we usually do.  At one point, Walt dropped a bead that he was stringing.  Without saying a word, Jane left her chair, picked it up for him, and resumed stringing her beads.  Usually, an interruption like a dropped Rosary would throw everything off, but their focus on stringing their beads kept them chugging right along.  

At the end, I asked the kids to put their beads down so that we could finish with our bedtime prayers, and Walt said, "One more bead, please?"

   
They were very proud of themselves and happily posed with their beads at the end!

I love Walt's new-found phony smile and squinty eyes for the camera.

This is what's working for now.  We'll see if we're sticking with it next week or if it's deteriorated into them throwing the beads at each other or eating them!  We're content to meet them where they are. 

Apparently it's all starting to sink in for them because that night the mystery we prayed "The Presentation of the Lord."  When Jane saw the picture, she said, "That's Simeon!"  Considering I didn't know who he was until three years ago, I'd say we're off to a good start around here.   

How do you keep your kids engaged during family prayer time?  

The Day of the Little Way

Image Books, a Catholic book company, is hosting The Day of the Little Way today.  It's an opportunity for people around the world to share in St. Thérèse's "Little Way" with a 21st century twist.  Using the 140 characters allotted on Twitter, people are supposed to share their own "#LittleWay stories, quotes, prayers, and inspirations all day long."

Click here to learn more, participate, or find graphic images to use on your Twitter and other social media accounts.

St. Thérèse of Lisieux is the namesake of our own precious "Little Flower."  We have every confidence that our precious baby is interceding in helping our family move daily toward sanctity.  As Jane says, "She is my sister and my favorite saint!"  

Fr. Robert Barron, creator of Word on Fire Catholic Ministries and the Catholicism series, is participating in The Day of the Little Way.  Here, he recounts how St. Thérèse helped his ministry, Word on Fire, and he shares a clip about St. Thérèse from the Catholicism series.  

Visit Twitter, and search for #LittleWay to read other inspirational stories.  What's your "Little Way" story?

Small Success Thursday #5

Here are a few of our small successes from this week:

We've had a bunch of delicious meals this week.  I shared the recipes here.

We made it to Mass EARLY!

Quick pic with Harry and Jane before Mass

These two are the best of friends and get along great.  Here's Jane doodling in her tutu, tiara, and jewelry galore, and Walt's looking through a Thomas yearbook.  I love how he sits.

I'm learning to "get 'r done" and not let "the perfect get in the way of the good."  I decided our deep freeze needed some organization so that we would actually access all of the food.  I am using some old cardboard boxes that I labeled to separate our frozen packages of chicken breasts, ground beef, chicken thighs, soups, etc.  It might not be pretty, but it gets the job done.  

I'm making it a daily priority to get down on the ground and PLAY!  The kids love our imaginary playtime together, and I do, too.

Despite having a household full of sick kiddos for a good portion of the week, everyone remained in good spirits--including me.  Poor Harry had the worst of it.  Here's his sad sick face.  You know it's bad if Happy Harry is sad!  The Nosefrida (The Snotsucker Nasal Aspirator) saved the day!

I've been able to have some regular prayer time in the afternoons while the kids nap.  I fear Jane might be outgrowing her nap (NOOOOOOOO!), so afternoon naptime might turn into girl time & quiet reading together.

Working on Bible Timeline

Harry rolled over from his back to his tummy!  I was able to snap this picture seconds after it happened.

"Now what do I do, Mom?"

I'm getting stuff packed up and moved out to our storage center.  We decided to make it a color-coded move to make unloading easier when we get to our house.  Black is for storage!

Philip and I went to our first appointment with a Catholic clinical psychologist.  I didn't know what to expect, but, wow!  Everyone should go!   I learned some really helpful strategies to manage my anger and uncover what's going on between my ears.  We also learned helpful insights into our communication styles and how to help one another.  

Also, I'm pleased to report that my symptoms from postpartum depression are nearly gone!  I've been off of the progesterone shots & pills for nearly two weeks, and I've been getting along well without them.  Hopefully, my body will keep doing its thing and start producing the appropriate levels of hormones to keep things in balance.  In the meantime, we are all so grateful for this time of healing.  I owe a lot of it to our little saint.  I'm so thankful for all of your prayers and support, too!  Thank you! 

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Your turn!  What are your small successes from this week?  Come on over to CatholicMom to share and join in the fun!  If you're using social media, use the hashtag #SmallSuccess.

Our Favorite Dishes From This Week

I thought I'd do a short & sweet one about food to mix things up!  Here are a few of our favorite recipes from this week:

Sauteed Chicken Breasts With Creamy Chive Sauce

With 
Olive Oil, Garlic, Chives, & Romano Cheese Mashed Potatoes

Notes:
I don't change anything with the chicken recipe.  Delish!
I substituted 2 heads of cauliflower for the potatoes recipe to sneak in some veggies.  It was a delicious & easy alternative to mashed potatoes.  I had some heavy whipping cream on hand, so I substituted that for the evaporated milk.

Pork Chops Piccata 

With Roasted Brussels Sprouts

Notes:  
I don't change anything in the pork chops recipe.  It has orzo & spinach in the recipe, so I treated that as a side.  To prepare the roasted brusssels sprouts:  cut off the ends, slice thin, place in single layer across baking sheet, drizzle with olive oil, salt, and pepper.  Roast at 350 for 11 minutes (or until lightly browned).  

Italian Meatballs

With
Whole wheat pasta (we're having bow pasta) & side salad

Notes:  It's still in the crockpot for tonight, but it smells like a winner!  I love how easy it is.  I made way more changes than I usually do to this recipe because our recipe allow us to shop at Walmart and not a place that sells "grassfed ground beef" or "almond flour."  I'm sure that version is delicious, though!  :)

Pork Roast With Sweet Potatoes, Apples, & Onions

Notes:  So easy and so delicious!  The kids loved it last night, and they devoured the leftovers today at lunch.  We didn't change anything to this recipe, and it turned out just like the picture.  I love these "one pan wonders"!  Hooray for easy clean-up!

Beef With Snow Peas

Notes:  I don't change anything in this one either.  It's from Ree (aka The Pioneer Woman), so you know it's gonna be good!  Yes, as I established in a previous post, Ree and I are on a first name basis.  This girl knows her food!

I serve it over brown rice.  

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Your turn!  What are your favorite dishes from this week?  Did you make a delicious but easy weeknight meal?  Please share!

"My sister and my favorite saint"

The kids and I were watching EWTN's footage of the March for Life on Wednesday.

I think about Thérèse often, but I haven't been able to stop thinking about her since watching the March for Life.  All of the images of the unborn are painful reminders of the precious baby I never got to meet.  

When we were watching the March, a young woman passed by the screen holding this image:

Jane said, "Mommy, what happened to that baby?  Why is it bleeding?"

I explained that the light going through the baby's arm made it look red, but that the baby was not bleeding.  I showed her how a flashlight made the same thing happen to my fingers.  I said that the picture was of a beautiful baby growing inside of her mommy's tummy.  

Jane thought about it for a few seconds.  She put her little hand on my hand and said, "Mommy, you have two daughters.  Thérèse is in heaven.  She is my sister and my favorite saint!"

Woah, Holy Spirit!  Thank You for teaching me through my children.  I blinked through some tears, and I hugged Jane as best I could because I was feeding Harry.  I said, "You're right!  We love Baby Thérèse in heaven, and she's always praying for us.  She loves you very much, too."  

Since that moment, I've been thinking almost nonstop about our little saint in heaven.  I've realized that my postpartum depression started on the anniversary of my miscarriage.  I'm still grieving the loss of our little baby.  I desperately love our sweet little Harry, and I've received so much healing through his precious life, but he will never replace Thérèse.

My dear mother-in-law "gets it" and gave me this necklace for Christmas.  All of our children's initials are on it--including Thérèse.

I wrote in a previous post that I was nervous about stopping my progesterone therapy for the postpartum depression.  Since I stopped my shots and oral progesterone last week, I've had some good days and some bad days.  

Since the March for Life on Wednesday, I've been asking our little saint, Therese, to intercede on behalf of our family.  I kicked myself for not thinking to pray to her to help heal me from my postpartum depression.  It brings me so much peace to know that our baby in heaven can help bring healing to our family on earth.  It's amazing to think that the baby I never got to hold can help me to be a better mother to the babies I am holding today.  

St. Thérèse pray for us!  I hope we're making you proud!