Time to get back to school (and this blog!)

I can't believe it's been so long since my last blog entry! Between swim team, soccer, music camp and all the other activities of summer,  I didn't have much time to post in July and August. Then September rolled around and we went full swing into school, dance class, birthdays, soccer, drama club and so much more!  But it's time to get back to it and I have 'lots to share!

Decisions and big changes
In late August we made a big change. We decided to transfer our sixth grade son from the small Catholic school he has attended since kindergarten to a larger Catholic school.  It was one of the hardest decisions we have ever made!  Have any of you ever made to make a tough decision to leave a school you really liked?

We like the school and love our parish, but I think the fit wasn't right, although we tried to deny that for at least the last two years. I spent many hours praying for guidance! Our son wasn't happy; he wanted to go to a larger school (for a variety of reasons).

The school couldn't really help our daughter, either. She had attended first grade there, but quit working mid-year because she was so overwhelmed. The school suggested we hold her back a year, but this didn't feel right to us. Although she's behind in academics like reading and math, she excels in anything that is physical. For example, her handwriting and drawing are probably at 4th grade level, she is a strong soccer player who was invited to play on a travel soccer team this year, and she won an 8th place ribbon at a regional conference for her breast stroke this summer (after only swimming that stroke for about 3 months).  But getting her to do reading and math is another story.

So I was hoping that a year or two of individualized attention at home would help her catch up with her peers.


Although my goal was to get her back into the small Catholic school with her brother, over the summer I realized that she would probably never fit into that environment. She needs multi-level learning opportunities, where she can work more quickly on the areas she's good at, yet slow down on the pace on the areas where she struggles.

Although I don't mind homeschooling her, I know that she is one of those kids who will work harder and perform better for others. When she's with me, her main focus is to battle for control over her life.  Her past experience (in the orphanage and before that) taught her that she can't trust adults and therefore must take care of herself.  I understand that it may take a long time before she can really give up control and trust me.

As a result, our school days drag on as she battles with me over who is in charge. It's not even a matter of "choosing my battles" and letting her "win" the little things. Doing that only makes matters worse!  It usually results in a major temper tantrum because she feels like I've let her down, since I let her make a decision. 

Anyway, we started looking for another school for my son and discovered that one of the Catholic schools in the area could also meet my daughter's needs.  It is a bigger school and has a full time special education teacher, plus several reading and math aides, plus teaching assistants in every kindergarten through fourth grade classroom.

It felt like a load was lifted from my shoulders!  Maybe there were some solutions to my schooling problems!

Fast forward to today: my son has been in the school a little over a month and loves it. My daughter has been tested by the school's special education teacher and we are working toward enrolling her in the school.  Unfortunately, she is still very behind, but the testing made us realize that we needed to look further into her overly high level of energy and her inability to focus. Our pediatrician tested her for ADHD and we learned that she is far more active and far less able to focus than a typical nine year old. So we have decided to try medication. I've resisted medication for so long, saying we could work with her behavior and would just take things slower. But over the last month I realized that behavior therapy would not work and unless we try the medication, she may just keep falling farther and farther behind.  So she will begin taking Strattera soon, and I'll keep praying that things improve and she can focus better. She's a smart little girl, but so easily distracted!

I would love to hear from any of you who have children with attention deficit issues.  Do you use any medication?  What other things have you done to help the child learn?  You can email me at caswrite at yahoo.com if you prefer not to put your advice in the comments section.

Please keep us in your prayers as we try to figure out the best way for her to learn.

In the meantime, I'll continue to homeschool her.  Will be writing another post about the curriculum we're using this year and how it is working so far.

I also volunteered to teach her CCD class at our parish.  They usually rely on workbooks, but I'll be incorporating alot of the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd (CGS) materials into our sessions.  So over the next few months I'll share ideas on how to make "workbook religion" more relevant and real to kids.

Now it's time to pick some tomatoes and enjoy the beauty of fall!

Blessings,
Cheryl

Pay It Forward: Two Great Blogs by Priests

The whole Father Corapi issue makes my heart weep. I listened to Corapi for years on Relevant Radio. His talks gave me a greater understanding of our beautiful Catholic faith.  So I weep now, especially as I read the comments by his supporters and his dissenters on many blogs and websites. So much anger, so many accusations, so much hurt.  I can imagine the devil gleefully cheering over the fact that he has again managed to scatter and confuse Jesus' flock.

I say, let's move on and not debate it any longer. Let Corapi and SOLT work it out. Our focus needs to turn back to Jesus. Let's spend time in prayer asking for heavenly intercession on this difficult and confusing matter.  If we aren't happy with the outcome right now, let's not turn from our Church, but instead pray, and then seek out some of the other faithful priests who can guide us. And let us guard against putting them on a pedestal or turning them into a celebrity. Instead, let's pray for them, too, so they may faithfully do their job of shepherding God's flock.

*************








Holly, who blogs at A Life-Size Catholic, recently invited me to participate in her "Pay It Forward Meme."  I thought the best way to do this right now -- especially in light of the Corapi situation -- it to share a link to blogs by two of my favorite priests.  I understand that both of these priests have appeared on EWTN, but I since we don't have cable TV, I haven't had the chance to see them there. However, their radio sermons and blog posts are very inspiring!

Father Robert Barron's Word on Fire blog
Father Barron is a theologian and professor at The University of St. Mary of the Lake/Mundelein Seminary in Mundelein, Illinois.  I've listened to him on Relevant Radio since they began broadcasting his sermons in 1999.  When his sermons come on the radio, I stop what I'm doing and take 15 minutes to listen. Really listen. Because each sermon is filled with many little gems about our faith.  I always walk away feeling refreshed and happy.  On days when I'm feeling a bit down, his sermons give me a positive new way to look at the problems of the world and remind me that God can overcome all obstacles. I hope some day to catch one of his sermons in person!  You can listen to his radio sermons here.

Standing on My Head by Father Dwight Longenecker

I discovered Father Longenecker's blog a couple of weeks ago, in the midst of the Corapi turmoil.  I think this blog appeals to me because Father Longenecker doesn't mince words. He tells it like it is. It's so refreshing!  In a world full of doublespeak and perfectly crafted speeches,  it isn't always easy to hear the truth. I think we desperately need priests who aren't afraid to speak the truth, even if they have to be blunt about it sometimes.

An example from my own life:
I once attended a parish where people would often arrive late for Mass, sometimes 15 minutes or more. One day at the end of the Mass, the priest gently reminded everyone about the importance of being in the pews before Mass begins. He talked about how disruptive it can be when people drift in after the processional. He kindly stated that he knew that some might have extenuating circumstances occasionally, but we should all try harder to be on time as much as possible.  Not a big demand, is it? Nothing in his tone was accusatory or angry; it was a helpful, gentle prodding. I was guilty of being late quite often; trying to make it to 7:30 a.m. Mass with a 3-year-old can be a challenge at times!  I didn't take offense but told myself that I must develop a smoother morning routine so we could be at Mass on time.

However, there must have been a lot of angry phone calls to the rectory that week, because the following Sunday the priest apologized profusely for upsetting some of the parishioners.  At the time, I remember thinking it was so sad that the priest could not make this simple request without taking a lot of heat for it.

Perhaps that's why I appreciate Father Longenecker's blog.  I might feel uncomfortable sometimes, but I bet I'll grow from the experience and learn something new about myself and God.  As a result, I'll also feel closer to God. And isn't that the job of a priest--to help us grow closer to our Heavenly Father?


Father Longenecker's blog is here.

First Friday Link up at Catholic Icing

Lacy's "First Friday" linkup is now up at her Catholic Icing blog.  I love this linkup; it's a great way to see some of the liturgically inspired projects that everyone has been working on for the past month.   As of today, there are links to:

- a printable priest paper doll (complete with colored chasuables)  provided by Nicole

- a free David and Goliath printable shared by Alicia

- a free July saints day printable game provided by Monica (a great way to recycle those metal tops from juice cans)

- a Holy Family story bag by Meadow

- Jesus Loves Me t-shirt by Lacy

...plus much more!  Check out all the links here:

Hands on Activity for Feast of the Sacred Heart

I've been brainstorming a hands-on way to teach my daughter about the Sacred Heart devotion. Although we could just read Father Lovasik's excellent book "The Promises of the Sacred Heart," I wanted to do a bit more.  So I dug around in my craft cabinet and found these items:

Small plastic heart boxes (purchased last February from my Dollar Tree), pink and red construction paper, and glue glitter pens in red, pink and gold, black permanent marker (not shown).

I decided to use the little boxes as a way to teach my daughter about the 12 promises.  I cut out little paper hearts that would fit inside the boxes.

Using Father Lovasik's book as a guide, I wrote a promise on each of the paper hearts.

Then I tucked each one inside a plastic heart box.

I took the cover of each box and wrote a corresponding number on it with a gold glitter glue pen.

I now have 12 boxes, each with one of the promises of the Sacred Heart.

How we will use the plastic hearts:
I will have my daughter select the heart with the "1" on it and open it. Inside, she will read the brief passage about the applicable promise (a great way to encourage her to read).  I will then turn to the matching page in the Father Lovasik book and read his meditation/prayer.  We can discuss each one, if she wishes, or just spend some time in silent prayer after the meditation.

We will be using these over the next few days in preparation for the Feast of the Sacred Heart (Sunday, July 1).  Can't wait to start!

Now you have a reason to buy those adorable plastic heart boxes at the Dollar Tree next February!

Favorite Find: Feast Day Learning Boxes

I've been fascinated by the Orthodox Christian faith since 2006, when my husband and I were in St. Petersburg, Russia on one of  trips to adopt our Russian daughter.  While there, we visited several Russian Orthodox churches and were able to experience Divine Liturgy.  The incense, the bells, the chanting and the reverence reminded me of my childhood Roman Catholic Church. Our pastor, Monsignor Lapinski, was slow to adapt to the changes of Vatican II, so I grew up with many of the church's older traditions. Church was an "other worldly" place; almost like a touch of heaven on earth.  You could not find that environment or ambiance anywhere else. The sole purpose of the Mass was to worship and glorify God, not to be entertained or amused or even "fed." (Not that there is anything wrong with being "fed" by the Word of God, but it seems that many people have lost their way -- they are most worried about what they will get out of Mass, not what they can give to God.)

The beauty of the Orthodox church and the reverence of the Divine Liturgy really touched my soul.  I decided that although we would raise our daughter as a Roman Catholic, I would try to expose her to the Orthodox faith occasionally.  It only seems right, since she spent her toddler years in a children's home sponsored by the Russian Orthodox church, and she was baptized in the Russian Orthodox faith.

Several months ago I discovered The Crafty Contemplative blog. Written by an Orthodox woman named Amy, the blog gives a wonderful insight into some of the feasts and traditions of the Orthodox faith. It's interesting to compare the similarities and differences between our two faiths.

I also discovered that Amy has a side business called Orthodox Christian Craft Supply. She specializes in "hands on learning for all ages."  She has put together a variety of inexpensive craft kits to help kids learn about their Orthodox faith.  (For my Roman Catholic friends: many of these can be adapted!) 

I purchased three of her "learning boxes" for these feast days: Ascension, Pentecost and the Feast of Saints Peter and Paul.  Thought I'd share a bit about the Saints. Peter and Paul box since their feast day is celebrated tomorrow (Wednesday, June 29).

Basically, the learning box includes a study guide and craft materials to make several different hands on projects related to the items in the study guide.  Amy's kits are wonderful -- they include everything you will need for the projects, except glue.  Each project is packaged in its own little plastic bag, too.  No need to sort through the materials and figure out which items go with which projects!  Here are some pictures of the Saints Peter and Paul kit contents:

Can you believe this kit only cost $8?  It would cost me alot more if I had to run around town to find all the components myself.  

The Saints Peter and Paul box has five different projects.  Each project is specifically detailed in the included study guide. The study guide gives you a Sacred Scripture passage to read with your children, then a meditation, then simple instructions for completing the related craft project. The five projects in the Saints Peter and Paul learning box include:

Project 1: Saints Peter and Paul -- read passages in Luke about Peter, then create little figures of the saints with the included wooden pegs.

Project 2: Rooster -- read about Paul in the Acts of the Apostles, then create a miniature 3-D rooster picture

Project 3: Great Light -- read about the early church in Corinthians then create a small sun

Project 4: Scroll -- discover how we can learn more about God in the Scriptures and create a small scroll

Project 5: Church -- create a small wooden church. (The church is an Orthodox one with the signature onion dome, but I think it could be adapted.) 

All of the completed items can be stored in the box, which can be used at home (perhaps on a home altar or in a prayer corner?).  Alternatively, the box is easy to transport to church, to keep little ones occupied in an appropriate way during Mass.

We have just started putting together our kit, so it probably won't be done by tomorrow.  So I'll share a photo of the finished kit from the Christian Orthodox Craft Supply website:

Isn't it an amazing little learning box?  I can't wait to finish ours and will post photos when we are done!

Stations of Light Prayer Gems

Back in April, I gave a brief tutorial on a prayer aid that I developed for my children, the Stations of the Cross prayer gems.  (You can re-visit that tutorial here.)  I've updated that prayer aid a bit, and adapted it to help my kids learn the Stations of Light. 

The Stations of Light,which are also called the "Via Lucis," or "Way of Light," or "The Stations of the Ressurection."  They are a relatively new devotion in the Catholic Church. It was first observed in Rome in 1990.

Like the Station of the Cross, it has 14 steps.  However, these steps focus on the appearances of Jesus and the miracles that occurred after He rose from the dead.  When this is prayed as a group, a paschal candle is carried instead of a cross.  It can be prayed anytime during the year but is especially appropriate between Easter Sunday and Pentecost.  You can find out more about each of the various stations at the Our Sunday Visitor website here.   You can also find out more about the devotion here at the Archdiocese of Detroit website.

I wanted to teach this beautiful meditation to my children, so I created some prayer stones similar to the ones I made for the Stations of the Cross, but using images that represent the various Stations of Light.  You can use the icon-type images on the Archdiocese of Detroit website (listed above).  I found some beautiful full color images on The Bookworm. 

After downloading the images, I pasted them into Microsoft Publisher to resize them to the appropriate size to fit my clear glass gems.   I printed them out, sprayed them with a light coating of hairspray (to prevent bleeding or smearing of the images), then attached them to the back of the gems with Mod Podge.  I then sealed the back of the images with a couple of coats of Mode Podge.

I also printed out a set of cards to use with the prayer gems.  I punched a hole in the upper left hand corner of the images and thread them onto a reclosable ring.

I used a cloth bag to store my Stations of the Cross gems, but wanted to try something different. I purchased a "Craftmates Lockables" 14-compartment box on sale at Joann's Fabrics and Crafts. The glass gems fit perfectly in the compartments. I glued a picture to each compartment and numbered them from I to XIV.  (A good way to help your children learn their Roman numerals at the same time!) Now we can meditate on each station while looking at the cards and putting the prayer gems in their appropriate compartments.

Here are a few photos of my Stations of the Resurrection prayer gems and their storage container:

These prayer gems are so easy to make and would be a perfect craft for a vacation bible school.  I can imagine using them to teach the rosary or almost any other prayer.  It's just a matter of finding the right images.  

Dancing Sun Cookies for Feast of Our Lady of Fatima

I was looking for a simple dessert that my daughter and I could whip up yesterday and serve at dinner to celebrate the Feast of Our Lady of Fatima.  I love the "Miracle of the Sun" cake posted by Anne on the Catholic Cuisine blog, but I knew that I needed something even simpler since we would only have about 30-45 minutes to create our dessert. Instead, I opted to embellish some plain vanilla cookies to make our  "Dancing Sun" dessert. Best of all, the most time consuming part of this project was the 15 minutes it took for the icing to dry on the cookies!

We used the following items to create our cookies: Vanilla wafers, white frosting, food coloring pens in red, orange and yellow; and decorating sugars in red, orange and yellow. Food coloring pens are often available in the cake decorating aisle of grocery stores or hobby stores. 

I originally planned just to use the food coloring pens to decorate the plain, unfrosted cookies, but the food coloring did not show up very brightly on the cookies, as you can see in this photo:

So, I decided to frost the cookies and then apply the designs. However, my daughter begged to use the colored sugars too.  So we decided to experiment with various techniques using the frosting.  I drew swirly designs (with frosting) on some of the cookies, then sprinkled then with the colored sugars.  My daughter frosted the whole cookie, then added dashes of orange, red and yellow sprinkles.  This is what they looked like:

Finally, we covered some of the cookies with white frosting and then let the frosting dry.  After it dried, we used the food color markers to create a swirly design with a red marker, then filled in the outline with the yellow and orange markers.  It was quite simple to do and the results are actually prettier than I can capture with my camera.  These two photos will give you an idea of the finished cookie:

I still have decorating sugars left, so I'm thinking about creating something similar for Pentecost featuring a "Holy Spirit" flame design.  And I bet the red decorating sugars and food coloring marker will come in handy for the Feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus...