7 Quick Takes - where have I been?

It's been a few weeks since my last post, and here are the reasons why I have not been blogging too much lately....

--- 1 ---

Fall Fest fun - although this deserves a post on its own.  Hopefully coming soon!

--- 2 ---

We have had two weeks of soccer practice and games start tomorrow.  We haven't done soccer since Fone and Mario were in Kindergarten and first grade.  Neil coached them way back then.  And, now guess whose turn it is?  Melody, Ariel, and Max!!  And, Neil is sharing his love for soccer and his kids by giving of his time and coaching them as well - well at least two of the three of their teams.

--- 3 ---

We have our first Little Flowers meeting tonight and I have been coordinating the group for our area for the last four years.  What a big job it is and it takes hours upon hours and emails upon emails, but every ounce of it is worth it for the joy it brings my girls and all the Little Flowers.  

++St. Therese the Little Flower, pray for us, that we have a beautiful year of learning 

and growing in the virtues and drawing closer to Our Lord!!++

--- 4 ---

Screenprinting!!!   My wonderful hubby has taken up the hobby of screenprinting to make the shirts himself for a couple groups our kids take part in and save the groups money, rather than having them professionally printed.  He has had many late nights as he experimented with and made the shirts when kiddos were in bed.  They turned out very well and I am so proud of him for his hard work and generosity of time!!  Thank you, sweetie, for making these shirts with love!!

--- 5 ---

School, of course!!  This week completes our 5th week!  Things are going very smooth with the changes we made to make it a more simple year and doable with a new baby coming.

--- 6 ---

Kicking little Rose out of her crib and into a her own room and toddler bed, so that it's all ready for baby next month.  She is doing so well!!  Such a sweet little girl!  

--- 7 ---

On Monday, the boys' ConQuest group started up and Neil got to take all 4 boys!!  What a quiet house it was, dare I say?!!  Since Neil doesn't have enough to do with his time, so he also is the leader of the ConQuest group as well, and like Little Flowers, it requires a great deal of time to get the year going and set up.  But, he does it with love and joy and it pays off in the fun and learning the boys have with their friends.

For more Quick Takes, visit Conversion Diary!

Called to Serve Our Ladies

This was the invitation I received from Fone to come to a Girl's Night Out with fellowship, snacks & refreshments, and entertainment.  Fone's ConQuest group had been working hard and planning for this special night for all the special ladies in their lives.  What is even more sweet is that when this idea was brought up, there was no specific group suggested for them to invite - it was the boys who decided on their own to treat their moms, aunts, grandma's, and sisters.  Just warms a momma's heart!!  We all know how much our kids love piano, so of course, Fone was going to treat us to a little of his talent.  Fone also served as the MC and he did a fabulous job!  I was so proud of him.  And, what a lovely night it was.  Here are pictures of all the fun....

 (the junior's group snuck in to watch entertainment - who's that handsome man in black and that sweet kid in glasses?)

++Thank you, God, for boys who know how to treat the ladies in their lives, faith-filled friends, great Dads who are great examples to their boys, and an awesome program to help the boys learn about and grow in virtue!++

What is ConQuest??

"Conquest is based on Catholic principles of spiritual development. Its programs are designed to instill virtue, develop character and encourage spiritual growth, while offering its participants challenging physical, intellectual and spiritual activities within an atmosphere of adventure."  (from the ConQuest website)

Our boys have been in ConQuest since Fone (who is now a 7th grader) was in Kindergarten.  Once each week, Neil and all three big boys eat a quick dinner and take off to their weekly ConQuest meeting at a local church.  What once started as a group for homeschool boys and their dads, has branched out to now include all the local parishes.  It has been a wonderful experience for our boys in virtue training and forming good, holy friendships.  How blessed we are to have such an active group!!

Max is in the Father/Son division, which is for ages 5-7.  He tells me each week his favorite part is playing dodgeball, but mostly I think he loves running around with his buddies.

"The Father & Son Program provides an opportunity for fathers to participate in their sons' formation and to introduce young boys to God the Creator and Father. Stories of Biblical heroes demonstrate how God's heroes assist Him in His work. The boy is thereby motivated to become one of God's heroes."  (from the ConQuest website)

  Mario is in the Junior division, which includes ages 8-10...

"In the Junior Boys Program, the theme of Jesus as our Brother and Friend is used to inspire each boy to establish a natural relationship with Christ. Christ taught us how to love through his example of obedience to his Father. Using this example, the boy learns that obedience is good and that being obedient out of love for God will help him to become a better person. The program reinforces basic elements of friendship, such as trust, loyalty and sincerity."  (from the ConQuest website)

 Lastly, Fone's group is called the ConQuest Club, and this group is for boys 11 on up....

"The Conquest Club Program uses a very unique methodology (ECyD) that provides the boys with Experiences, which help them form deeper Convictions, which finally will help them make good Decisions the rest of their lives. In the Club, the adolescent finds a happy, healthy and attractive environment, where they will form themselves in the fundamental aspects of their personality. In order to complement the family, the Club Program develops an internal dynamic of intensive team life, made up of a youth group of friends. Through this environment they develop Catholic leadership and project themselves in works of social and cultural volunteerism, according to their age."

(from the ConQuest website)

FORGING IN VIRTUE

LIGHT THE FIRE WITHIN

CALLED TO SERVE

 ++Thank you, God, for faithfilled groups like ConQuest that help lead our boys closer to you and teach them how to love and serve you in their daily lives!++