Happy Birthday, Liam!

My first-born turned four today and what a momentous birthday it is.  In the past couple months we've seen him turn into a school-ready boy, alive with a eagerness to learn about other things than trains!  For two years, he lived, breathed and thought about trains morning, noon and night.  Even though he still likes trains a lot, he's realized that there is more to life. He's learning new things - like the alphabet, about God, French and numbers- even learning to write- something he really doesn't like, but tries hard anyway.  He's matured so much that he is no longer a toddler- he's officially a preschooler.  I never thought I'd be able to say that when he was born- it seemed like such a far off thing.  I am so proud of the boy he's becoming and I love him so much. Happy Birthday, Liam!!

E is for Eucharist and Elevation

Something you won't learn in a public school...

"E" is for Eucharist, Elevation and Egg!

While Eucharist doesn't make the short E sound, elevation does. It was in our Letter Practice workbook from Catholic Heritage Curriculum.  I explained what elevation means in reference to the Mass and then on Sunday I was able to point it out to Liam. Hopefully it makes Mass a little more meaningful to him.  I do love using a Catholic home school curriculum. There are so many opportunities for mini religion lessons.

Chalk Art in Downtown

Don't you love artists who take the time to spend a leisurely afternoon "painting" the streets with cool art?   I do. Especially when it's on a beautiful Sunday afternoon with my family in downtown Fredericksburg. Here are some pics of another fun time across the river.

A young artist working on his mermaid

The chalk drawing next to this one is very neat too.  Unfortunately the rain washed away most of the chalk art this morning.

The Fredericksburg Train Bridge

The rain made these appear very faded, but you can still see the wonderful talent out little city has.

This artist let a bunch of kids help her draw leaves and such.

The kids wishing their one of their favorite shops with the moving trains was still open. 

Some Quick Takes

Here are some updates on the Clay Rosary Girl

1. Homeschooling (four days of it so far) is going better and better every day.  I'm getting into a groove,  Liam and Analee are learning to follow the schedule, everyone is happy! We've zoomed through a letter a day, but those were letters I had already taught him awhile ago, so now I guess I'll have to slow down do a letter every other day or so. I would eventually like to get my day into a "rule" like Holly Pierlot suggested in her book, A Mother's Rule of Life, but for now it's a lose schedule which will be turned upside down when the baby comes, I'm sure. BTW, In confession last week, my priest suggested I read this book...kind of funny... and maybe about time I implement my rule...

2. The baby is doing well and I am drinking more fluids and trying to keep my feet up as much as possible. I think I found out why the amniotic fluid took a nose dive.  I was using a new glue that had xylene in it for some of my new jewelry pieces. I never thought it would be so harmful, but apparently it is pretty toxic and I should have used it outside or in a very ventilated room.  I'm praying that the baby is alright and I can carry him to full term.

3. My "nesting" before the baby comes is including organizing all the annoying drawers, corners, or shelves in my house that have become cluttered. I am going through them one by one and making them organized and clutter free so that my life will be simpler (according to Holly Pierlot, again).   So far, my pots and pan shelves are making me happier and my Tupperware shelves are looking good.  Now, I'm onto the 10 other trouble spots... I'm working my way toward household bliss.

4.  Home school Coop (on Wednesdays) is turning out to be one of the best days of our week. I get to chat with other moms while Analee plays with kids her age, and Liam is another room learning school and social skills.  I love it. One of the reason I like Virginia so much is the huge home school community. When I tell people I home school, instead of getting a weird face from them, they say, "oh that is becoming so popular now! Good for you!" I don't have to explain myself and or my reasons.  It's wonderful.

5. I am working on putting together a mailing list for Clay Rosaries (I know, about time, right?!). So if you get an email from me that you don't want, just email me back and I'll take you off the list.  In hindsight I should have had an option right off the bat whether or not people wanted to be on the list.  So now all the email address in my inbox of people who have inquired about clay rosaries, or who have ordered before, or who have expressed interest, are going to be on my email list.

6. I am reading Rome Sweet Rome, by Scott and Kimberly Hahn just for fun since it was on my shelf and have yet to read it.  It's so good that I have trouble putting it down and I am about go read it now!  Don't you just love when  non Catholics who hate Catholics start to realize that the Catholic Church has ALL the answers and then they themselves become have to become Catholic?! I'm lovin' it.  

Catholic Children's Jewelry Now Available

I now have a fabulous collection of children's jewelry in my store! As, I said before, it is girly to the max! My daughter approves. My son wishes there was something for him to wear. I keep telling him that I will make his some thing when I get the time- and I will.  So, the boys will have to wait, but for now, the girls will be happy! Here's a few things in my shop. Click on the caption below each image to view it in my shop. 

Child's Multi-Bead Bracelet

Immaculate Heart Jewelry Set

Immaculate heart Ribbon Necklace

St. Therese Jewelry Set

Miraculous Medal Necklace

Our Lady of Guadalupe Necklace

Kathleen's Catholic and I'm Honored!

I just read a beautiful little blog post from Kathleen's Catholic and she talks about how the chaplet she recently purchased from me is an inspiration to her.  Made. my. day. Thank you Kathleen for sharing!

Some Quick Takes

Here are some random things going on in the life of the Clay Rosary Girl.

1. We started homeschooling today! My son is almost 4, so I thought I'd give this homeschooling thing a shot. I figure I can't screw it up too bad- it's only preschool!  Seriously though, I've always felt a calling toward teaching, which is why I got my degree in elementary education. But after teaching in classroom for a couple years, I realized it wasn't for me and wasn't going to work out if I wanted to stay home with my children.  So, this is the best of both worlds- I get to teach and I get to stay home with my children! We are using the Catholic Heritage Curriculum mostly. Today didn't go as planned, but I didn't expect it to.  Liam had fun and learned- goal accomplished!

2. I had an unexpected hospital stay this past weekend. I was admitted on Friday and got out on Monday.  On Friday, I had a sonogram and found out the baby's amniotic fluid was on the low side and was admitted to the hospital right away. It was scary because I am only 31 weeks along and it could have meant an emergency c-section. Thankfully, after IVs and bed rest, the fluid level went up a bit and I was able to come home on strict orders to drink plenty of fluids and take it easy- oh and the perinatal doctor also *prescribed* milk shakes once a week at Carl's :D  I got one on the way home!  I am very thankful for my Mother in Law who was able to come and take care of my kids and the home while I was gone.

3.  I am very close to finishing up my new children's jewelry line. I have included new first Communion pieces, and many other fun jewelry sets. My inspiration for this line: my super girly 19 month old daughter. She raids my jewelry box all the time and anytime she sees a clay rosary, it's around her neck.  Now hopefully she can leave my stuff alone!

4. I am changing time frame for getting orders out.  I used to try to get orders out within one to two business days of a person ordering it.  Now it's going to be 2- 5 business days.   Doctor's orders!

5. I've finished Holly Pierlot's book: A Mother's Rule of Life: How to bring order to your home and Peace to your Heart.

It's about putting one's vocation into a rule (just like nuns and brothers in religious orders have a rule they live by).  So as a wife, mother, bead maker, daughter of God, I have certain things I am called to do.  By ordering my life into a rule (kind of like a schedule, but with much more purpose), I am free from a life of chaos, exhaustion, and feeling like I always I have too much on my plate.  Holly writes her book from the perspective of a homeschooling mother of five, but her words of wisdom are good for any mother to hear. 

I've made a very rough copy of a rule and I intend to work out the kinks as I go. I'm not sure how it's going to work with an infant, but I will try it out.   I really like the idea of giving every moment to God- and when I don't feel like doing something that is on my rule- like cleaning, schooling or laundry, I can do it anyway, knowing that this is God's will for me.