Marigold and Poppy taking pictures of each other out with Jack or Charlie (there is a debate going on what his name is.) If you recall, (which you probably don't), we found Jack at the bottom of a lake where we were swimming.
A bit of artwork by Eleanor.
A glorious sunset
Confirmation from a choir loft vantage point
(no one from our family)
I spent a glorious weekend on a silent retreat.
There are so many lovely statues and pictures absolutely everywhere and now with Advent upon us. there were lots of lovely decorations as well.
Infant of Prague
Apparently, Marytown was built in the style of St. Paul's outside the walls of Rome.
It really looks like it on the inside.
There is a magnificent set of relics and photos dedicated to St. Maximilian Kolbe.
This manikin is so life-like initially I thought it was a real man.
Rendition of St. Maximilian Kolbe's cell
Look how emaciated he was.
A painting of the man St. Maximilian Kolbe gave his life for.
Maximilian as a boy "Raymond
4 MILLION people suffered in Auschwitz alone. Sickening. But out of that arose a great saint... and probably many more unknown.
This just broke my heart! These are photos of children who suffered in Auschwitz. What a nightmare these wee ones must have endured.
If you don't know the story of St. Maximilian Kolbe it is an amazing one to read and well worth it.
A carving of the crucifixion scratched into the wall of one of the cells. What a beautiful way to unite one's sufferings to Christ's!
This is a good reminder that man has ceased to think of the value of human life. Each human life has immense value in the eyes of God, yet we often have our hearts and minds that treat people similar to these horrific acts. How often do we have ill thoughts or quick actions of evil towards others?
Imagine what this day of freedom must have been for these children but how much they must have suffered their entire lives. It's a reminder to be grateful for our beautiful lives and count our immense blessings.
*Squeal!* nun dolls! This was an amazing, huge, display of nun dolls.
In the Perpetual Adoration Chapel they have ever so many of these relic boxes.
The monstrance is glorious and measures 5'2" just a few inches shorter than me! It's so peaceful in there.
In the church is another shrine to St. Maximilan Kolbe. Here is a picture of the Sacred Heart scratched into the wall of a cell.
bunkers... never complain about your bed again!
On one wall of the retreat center was this replica of the rule of St. Francis.
Paintings of St. Maximilian Kolbe's life.
St. Francis of Assisi Crucifix
I took this for Frodo who enjoys woodworking. Out of one piece of wood was carved this statue!
Shrine to St. Bernadette.
On our ride home was a sign (which did not show up in the photo) to pray for the soul of a man named Jerry Bernard (I believe).
December it was 58 degrees (one of the kids took this, not me) but it was actually as high as 64 degrees. No complaints from here, it'll get to be 50 degrees colder pretty soon! :D
Juicing!
Advent is here! Of course as I type this it is already the 3rd Sunday of Advent.
This Nativity was started when some friends and relatives gave us a Fontanini Nativity starter set. We have added to it every year. We've been married 22 years. My mom and others have also given us pieces here and there.
We set it up at the beginning of Advent and add a couple pieces every day. The ideal system is that we rotate through the children and they are suppose to tell a story about each piece and how it has some reflection to the Life of Christ.
This book was recommended by someone and I seem to be on a WWII kick as he wrote these sermons while he was in a concentration camp prison. (and some written before he went in. We also will listen to Venerable Fulton Sheen on the true meaning of Christmas.
Christmas/Advent stories wrapped up for daily reading
When you are sick any ol' bed will do.
Happy St. Nicholas Day! We do stockings (since I wouldn't want to put anything in their shoes... not that they wear any...
Chocolate Gold Coins, Candy Cane, new toothbrush and a ticket to see Paddington 2 when it comes out. :D
I had lots of fun items found in my stocking :D
We open our new Fontanini piece on St. Nicholas Day. This year we got the boy with the pig (remembering the demons Christ sent to the swine), some copper pots and an ax in wood (perhaps a reminder that the boys need to chop some wood haha!)
Frodo had a band concert the same night as we were having a belt test so I went to a rehearsal.
before the hair cut.
We went to a homeschoolers deal for an hour and a half at sky zone. Even I did some jumping.
This picture of Eleanor cracked me up.
There he is again, upside down.
We've gotten a little bit of snow...
*little* bit.
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