liturgical living // feast of the archangels

"It was pride that changed angels into devils; it is humility that makes men as angels."

-Saint Augustine

Happy Feast of the Archangels! We celebrated today, with an emphasis on St. Michael only because my boys are just all about battles, dragons, and warriors right now.

I'm going to share our day in photos with little tidbits throughout. Overall, it was such a good day! The boys loved celebrating and being able to participate in the makings of today. We did some crafting, ate some yummy food, read some good books, and as you can imagine, had random battling throughout the day.

Enjoy and pray your day has been blessed and filled with goodness!

Not-a-morning-person's breakfast guide for the Feast of Michaelmas:

Apparently you can do a lot with scrambled eggs, some bacon, toast with royal purple jelly, and honey!

Not-much-of-a-crafter's guide to St. Michael armor and shield:

The boys painted some paper plates a few days ago with water paint. I pulled out a few pipe cleaners and tape to put it all together and Voila!

Armor for days!

The boys played battle for a short while which quickly turned to battle in the form of sports and exploration of nature.

They had fun though.

Oh! And we found a flower! Pretty sure this little beauty is the only flower on our entire property (Haha. Like it's a big property..but still! We have no pretties around!). I really need to figure out how to turn my black thumb, green!

A luminary for St. Michael - Craft numero dos:

 The boys were pretty excited about played with glue and for being able to make our table decor for feast!

 I have to admit, the teamwork made my heart happy and I think it made theirs happy too.

THE FEAST:

Dinner Menu:

 (a la traditions and sweet Haley over at Carrots for Michaelmas)

Roasted Chicken

Roasted Carrots with Thyme

(+ potatoes and onion)

Toast

Blackberry Cobbler

 The boys made the cobbler and were so so so proud.

 Mama made all the roasted stuff.

 But the cobbler. Oh, that cobbler! So delicious!

Our table decor was fantastic and the boys were pretty proud about this too! So thankful to Mary for giving me the idea to pull this little craft together last minute!

 Would you look at this dessert! Pioneer Woman never fails! Also, only five ingredients!

Ending the night on a note that tasted so divine was just great! 

The boys and our whole little family really enjoyed celebrating the Feast of Archangels (with an emphasis on St. Michael, for today). And, now that we celebrated two years in a row, it's a thing! Woohoo! Color me excited! Can't wait for next year!

I'm thinking we'll be able to learn more about St. Raphael and bring him into the feasting more or perhaps just solely focus on St. Raphael and St. Gabriel since I think cognitively the boys will be able to grasp their stories better. We shall see!

St. Michael the Archangel,

defend us in battle. 
Be our defense against the wickedness and snares of the Devil. 
May God rebuke him, we humbly pray, 
and do thou, 
O Prince of the heavenly hosts, 
by the power of God, 
thrust into hell Satan, 
and all the evil spirits, 
who prowl about the world 
seeking the ruin of souls.
Amen.

For any and all explanations of foods chosen to celebrate this feast, head over to Haley's! She does a lovely job of sharing the history, traditions, and fun of old!

the present moment // blank stares, good reads, and il papa

Listening to: A classical music station on YouTube. It's been pretty soothing for both, myself and the boys. On our days home soothing is something I'm all for when you have a couple of boys who haven't been feeling well but still manage to have the desire for their normal energy levels of crazy. Yes, soothing is good.

Cooking: A few recipes that my neighbor suggested. She's from Italy, born and raised, so anything she suggests is always gold! Also, the two recipes she offered are her quick go-to dinners which is also a major win in my book. So far, the boys have thoroughly enjoyed one of the two, which sounds good to me. As for the husband and I, we thoroughly enjoyed both!

Praying for: Lots and lots o' prayer intentions, il Papa!, the St. Therese novena starts today, and the Litany of Humility because it's so so so so so so good.

In fact,

Litany of Humility

O Jesus! meek and humble of heart, Hear me.

From the desire of being esteemed,

Deliver me, Jesus.

From the desire of being loved...

From the desire of being extolled ...

From the desire of being honored ...

From the desire of being praised ...

From the desire of being preferred to others...

From the desire of being consulted ...

From the desire of being approved ...

From the fear of being humiliated ...

From the fear of being despised...

From the fear of suffering rebukes ...

From the fear of being calumniated ...

From the fear of being forgotten ...

From the fear of being ridiculed ...

From the fear of being wronged ...

From the fear of being suspected ...

That others may be loved more than I,

Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.

That others may be esteemed more than I ...

That, in the opinion of the world,

others may increase and I may decrease ...

That others may be chosen and I set aside ...

That others may be praised and I unnoticed ...

That others may be preferred to me in everything...

That others may become holier than I, provided that I may become as holy as I should…

Quote: A Papa quote that Haley from Carrots for Michaelmas shared on Facebook: 

"Hope speaks to us of a thirst, an aspiration, a longing for a life of fulfillment, a desire to achieve great things, things which fill our heart and lift our spirit to lofty realities like truth, goodness and beauty, justice and love. But it also involves taking risks. It means being ready not to be seduced by what is fleeting, by false promises of happiness, by immediate and selfish pleasures, by a life of mediocrity and self-centeredness, which only fills the heart with sadness and bitterness. No, hope is bold; it can look beyond personal convenience, the petty securities and compensations which limit our horizon, and can open us up to grand ideals which make life more beautiful and worthwhile. I would ask each one of you: What is it that shapes your life? What lies deep in your heart? Where do your hopes and aspirations lie? Are you ready to put yourself on the line for the sake of something even greater?" 

-Pope Francis

Welcome to America, Papa!

Can y'all believe he's here! So exciting! Excited for Holy Spirit and Divine Providence to share their goodness with our country. Lord knows we are always in need!

Loving Annie's quote share:

And this one:

"All the darkness in the world cannot extinguish the light of a single candle." 

-St. Francis of Assisi

Good Reads on the Web: 

Love is Patient: Mothering Little Ones by Do Small Things with Love

Life is Precious {A Review and a Giveaway} by Better Than Eden

From a Child of Divorce: What I Wish They Would Have Told Me by Blossoming Joy

When you just want to know it's all going to be okay by A Holy Experience

Learning to Love in All The Wrong (To Us) Ways by Better Than Eden over at Elizabeth Ministry

Something's Gotta Give: The Path to a Deeper Communion with God by Catholic Wife, Catholic Life

Reading: The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkein

Trustful Surrender to Divine Providence: The Secret of Peace and Happiness by Father Jean Baptiste Saint-Jure - Our current family bible study read (a group of 5 - 7 couples all get together to discuss current reading topics while two wonderful babysitters watch over the oodles of kiddos. Good times are these, y'all!)

St. George and the Dragon by Geraldine McCaughrean

Loving: I read St. George and the Dragon to the boys today and they a b s o l u t e l y loved. it. I can't even tell you how amazing it was to see their little mesmerized eyes and imaginations! It was all sorts of magical, really.

"Again, mama! Again! ..and, St. George, he was brave! ..and, and...he was so good, he made the dragon good too! ..and he won! because, he was brave and holy! Mama! ..and the dragon was bad! Really really bad! ...but then good because St. George was good!"

These boys are just drawn to adventure, chivalry, bravery, adventure, and virtue. The saints have so much to share and I just love how the stories of them just draw these boys into a world where evil can and will be conquered by good. Despite the youngest still feeling a little down from a bug that hit on Friday, these two can't wait to go out and play knights and dragons again and again and again.

Funny thing is, they've been playing knights and dragons for months now. We celebrated St. George's feast day last year, and since then the youngest has developed a love for all things dragons and knights and the oldest just loves to defend and battle with swords.

All this to say, I. can't. wait! to read them The Hobbit!! True story.

Round the House: Three loads of laundry down, maybe one to go, lots of cleaning that isn't happening but really needs to happen, and dishes. Oye! The dishes! Always...the dishes...

Captured:
"Mama, let's go outside and pick up allll the new acorns on the patio!!!!" ...he said.

"Das a gweeaaattt ahdeaaaa, doodsseffff!!!" ...the younger one replies enthusiastically.

"I know! We can use the empty water jugs!!!" ...innovatively replies the 4 year old.

"Yaaaaaaaa!! Gweeeaattt ahdeaaaa! Let's goooo!" ...enthusiastically shouts the 2 year old.

"For Daddy! He'll be soooo happy! Let's go, mama, let's go!" ends the 4 year-old.

Off we go with jugs and scoops in hand.

30/52 Bigfoot. 4. Thinker McThinkerson.

30/52 Linus. 2. Imagination Station.

How many acorns were accumulated during this service of love for their beloved Daddy, you might be wondering?

Zero.

"Boys, what happened? I thought you were going to pick up allllll the acorns for Daddy today?"  asks the mama who was actually pretty excited about possibly getting a cleaned up patio, free from acornagedon.

"...." blank stares.

Happy Tuesday! XO

the present moment // quickity-quick and our friends the saints

1// Joining for quick-takes because it's been foreeeever and I kind of miss it! I also miss doing little Currently posts and keeping up with my Project 52 but only with more time and life and grace will I be able to get back into the swing of those little lovelies. Only time and life and grace. True story.

For now, onto quick-takes!

2// We had a good week this week. The boys and I started a homeschooling hybrid program and are falling more and more in love with it as time passes and we see fruits and virtue and beautiful community. It's a good feeling to feel peace - the kind of peace that makes you think that you are closer to His Will for you and your family than further away.

29/52 Bigfoot. 3. Jokester.

29/52 Linus. 2. Pirate.

The weeks leading up to this week were all good too, just filled with more adjustment for little Linus and I. The first week or two of adjustment aside - because transitions are always tough anyways - I have to say, I'm so proud of both of them and how they're doing! And, extra points of happy in that I'm really enjoying my position as well which is such a blessing!

God is good and we are thankful.

3// Life on Insta has looked like this:

4// I'm pregnant. Still. Thanks be to God! Precious P is growing sweetly and the boys are starting to get more excited and pretty cute about their little sibling. I have all the heart eyes for any time either of them share some love with my ever growing belly.

Was 22-weeks in this photo. ;)

Twenty-three weeks of growing belly and precious baby, you've been good to me. Praying you continue to be as sweet in all the weeks that are still to come!

5// Be right back!

6// Welp. Nothing says Hello Weekend like some vomit and fever.

Today was declared a movie day once my oldest started complaining of his tummy hurting while at a playdate (SO sorry, friend!). We made our way home q u i c k l y, they both napped, and the oldest woke with a low fever and more tummy aches.

Low and behold the youngest started twisting around and briefly mumbled trow uppp. I quickly grabbed the bowl his older brother had been carrying around and caught all. the. mess. Oye! This parenting-gig is not for the faint of hearts! Nor stomachs.Which I tend to have both so feel free to pray for us till my better and stronger half makes his way home to tend to his little men.

Angels and Saints, pray for our little family and for the health of our little ones!

7// Speaking of Saints...

//Our Friends the Saints//

I was on a podcast! Yup, quite the segue, huh?

Never in my wildest dreams would I have thought I'd be one to do something like this, but the sweetest of sweets, Erin from Humble Handmaid, invited me to be a guest on her podcast The Right Heart Podcastand I'm so glad she did! She was so kind and easy to talk to and made the whole process so painless. My nerves were eased and she did such a great job guiding our conversation.

So click on the link above and hop on over and let me know your thoughts! And share how the saints have been a part of your faith journey in the comments. I always love knowing and hearing how these wonderful persons meet us all in our faith journey and in our daily lives!

Just because I heart this quote:

Okay, wrapping up! Quickity-quick, quick-takes on this lovely family evening. Pray yours is less sick-filled than ours!

And don't forget to head over to Kelly's for more quick-takes and fun!

the side of love // little bits of beauty

Beauty has been on the mind a lot lately. It's not too surprising given that Our Divine Artist has shared so much to entice our senses, but I also know my senses crave this when there's turmoil in the air.

26/52

There isn't necessarily turmoil in our home. But, I'd be lying to say what happens outside of our little home doesn't affect us as a family. The truth is, it does. It always does. And, it always will.

Life happens in our home and life happens outside our home. Right now there's just a lot of crazy, and not just crazy, but terrifying crazy happening on the outside.

26/52

Don't get me wrong. There is a time to discuss, act, and mourn the sadness, pain, and sin that is going on near and far. There is. 

But today, from my little corner, I'm wanting to share some beauty. Beauty that we had before we had some of the craziest months ever. 

27/52

The beauty and goodness we experienced the week before we came home from the island with the parasite that plagued my youngest was so good. So so good.

Despite my morning sickness and despite my crazy fatigue there was still so much good to take in. These photos are really just the tip of the iceberg to be honest. We had so many good moments filled with love, laughs, friends, and family.

27/52

These photos were just so easy to take, too. The colors were everywhere! The sights moving with the motion of the ocean, always giving us new glimpses of so much to absorb - so much to embrace and breathe in.

When your senses have experienced and seen these gifts, your soul just feels soothed with hope and calm no matter what is happening in your home or in the world.

Despite our inclination to stress or fall into all the struggles that surround each and every one of us, beauty is always there. Waiting for us to open our eyes, heart, and soul to her.

Beauty loves to hold us.

Beauty is always ready to be seen.

Never faltering. Never hiding. Always on the surface if we just take the time to look.

28/52

I love beauty and the story it shares. I love how it moves us closer to Him and shows us His Radiant Face.

28/52

Praying these little glimpses of beauty I caught a few months ago soothe your soul the way it has mine.

And praying that you are able to see and experience some beauty and goodness in your day today, too. I know there's a lot in the world that needs our prayer and action, but I also know that we must sustain ourselves however we can.

This is my little way to do so - finding and sharing my little bits of beauty.

twenty-four & twenty-five // horsetrack

Twenty-four/52

Bigfoot. He was 3 here. That smile. His sweetness. So good! Loves being silly, his Uncle Godfather who brought us all to this horse racetrack, and togetherness. 

Linus. 2. Silly, funny, and such a character. When asked to smile, this is what he does. Eye squint with a tiny tilt at one corner of his mouth. Loves loves loves horses, horses, horses. This horse racetrack was absolute heaven for him.

Twenty-five/52

Bigfoot. 3 here. Loves all things physically challenging, rough play, and the fact that the horse he bet a quarter on, won!

Linus. 2. Loved his experience at the racetrack, was excited his horse came in third, and to this day prays in thanksgiving for hosetwack every. single. night. Seriously, it's been three months of thankful prayers during family prayer time.

Slowly but surely, I'm catching up!