Forgiveness and Why we should say Goodbye

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Weeping may remain for a night, but rejoicing comes in the morning.

Psalm 30:5

Can you imagine being in Dong Yun Yoon? You leave one morning giving you family kisses and saying goodbye and then tragedy strikes. BAM! You whole family is gone and you are left alone. You could get angry and blame everyone or you could be forgiving knowing that your family is with their Creator. Dong Yun Yoon can rejoice knowing that they are in heaven away from the pains and trials of this world. I wonder though, if I would feel this way if it were me. I would really have to turn to the Lord and have him be my stronghold.

The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit
Psalm 34:18

He is blessed to have the support of his pastor and his church. I am sure he also finds solace that when he left that morning he said his goodbye and gave his family kisses. Often time when we leave we leave in a hurry we don't take time to say goodbye to everyone. We are in a hurry to go out the door and get our day started and over with. I plead with all parents, spouses to make sure we say goodbye when we leave because you never know when it will be for the last time. I am sure you have known someone who has lost a loved one and wished they had had the chance to say goodbye.


**ORGINALLY POSTED ON THE BLOG "A DESERT FLOWER AND HER TRIBE"

Special Time

Hezzie at Costco

I like to spend special time with my kids. It can be hard sometimes with six kids at home, but it has to be done. This was last week after Hezzie's second day at PAL Camp. He had to be picked up early and we took him out of camp. We took him to get a big slice of pizza at Costco as he requested.
He saved half of the slice for Joaquin. Joaquin was happy. Us mothers and fathers of big families need to make time for each of our kids to feel special. It can be a cheap date at Costco or it can be a special dinner in the evening. Let the kids talk about things we may otherwise not want to hear about.These types of things are opportunities for bonding, and building trust. Yes, we need to build our kids trust.
When my oldest was much younger we used to take a lot of walks. He was a chatterbox, so I would let him talk the whole time. I got to learn what he liked and how he learned. I got to learn so much, and he developed a great expressive language and vocabulary. Of course, as a teenager he doesn't talk with me like that everyday, but he does talk to me about the important things.

Ideas For Special Time

Museum visits. Some museums offer free days. A bonus to these types of visits is they are always a good temperature.

Help with meal planning and shopping. I know this can be annoying when sticking to a budget, but kids will learn so much.

Lunch at the park. Go to a new park and have some fun.

Walks! One of my favorite things. You can get to know your neighborhood and chat while doing it.

Library events. These are almost always free and help foster a sense of community.

Costco pizza. Low cost and you get to feel your belly and your soul while talking and eating.

Adoration Chapel. Go pray or meditate in the presence of the Holy Eucharist. Afterwards you can talk about religious traditions and why you choose to pass them along.

Photo shoot. Take to a local historic location and take some photos with each other.


There are so many things you can do. Get creative and have fun.

Love,
Momma

4 of My Favorite Office Supplies

I have some office things I have picked up thrift shopping over the years and some I get usually on Amazon or at Staples.  Here is a list of my 4 favorite things. Some of the photos are clickable and will take you to Amazon. I am an Amazon Affiliate.

In no particular order:

1. Boston 2612  Paper Cutter.  I got this at the Goodwill Outlet for $2. They go on ebay for around $40 plus shipping.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   2. Scotch Thermal Laminator. You have no idea how happy I was when I got this a couple years ago. It still works good and it's so easy my kids can use it. It's nice because you can print worksheets you may use over and over again, and just print it once, laminate it and use a dry erase marker. Saves paper and money.
   
   
   
   
   
   3. Metal Baskets. I have three different sizes and rotate what I put in them. Here is one with some flash cards.
   
   

       4. Ibico Kombo Plastic Comb Binding Machine. This was a steal. I paid $30 at a thrift shop a few         years ago. They can go for about $250.

State Studies: Delaware pt. 1

 

Delaware Studies

The kids want to learn more about the United States of America. Awhile back we watched, How the States Got Their Shapes and it stuck with them. We will rewatch the first season and start the second season. 
I remember in fifth grade we picked a state to do a report on and we wrote a letter to the governor and requested info. I am going to suggest that to the kids and see what they think. It could be fun to collect information on states and have letters from governors. We have state collage boards that the kids will work on together. For Deleware I printed out a packet I found for FREE online as a base for what we learn on this topic.
A bit of a funny, because of Wayne's World one of my kids thought Delaware is a mythological state. No more of that nonsense.

 Crafts

 Hezekiah and some of the other younger kids made these catfish out of some great construction paper, glue, and sharpies. We are using school funds to help cover the costs of curriculum and supplies. Thank you Inspire Charter Schools!
We just got approval to keep on Hezzie's summer speech therapist. I am excited and think he can build a good rapport with her. She is amazing and very helpful. The change in service provider has been hard for him, but it always is. That just how Autsim works. I am hoping that occupational therapy services are worked out soon. He really needs that again.

More Resources For Delaware

 Lenape Worksheets

Native Americans in Delaware

Delaware Fun Page

Middle Colonies Worksheet

Delaware State Flower Coloring Page

Delaware State Bird

Delaware State Website 
History of Delaware

That is all for now.
Love,
Momma


P.S. Here is the link to the podcast episode of Catholic Stuff You Should Know with a shoutout to one of the kids for a birthday.