Week 2 in the Tucker Household!

(Little Surprise at the end of this post. Make sure you turn the music off at the bottom of the page so you can enjoy it!)

This week was an odd week. Monday my nephew was with us so we skipped school. Which meant we schooled on Friday. No big deal that is what that extra day is for. Of course Bubba Joined in when ever he wanted nothing formal. We worked on B is for Butterfly.

Bubba Painting his Butterfly

EJ Painting her Butterfly

Both of my Beautiful babies painting their butterflies.

EJ working on Phonics

EJ coloring B is for Bethlehem

Bubba working on Pre-writing Practice.

EJ being silly like always. Advantage of homeschooling? you can wear whatever you want to the classroom... Even your Gymnastic Leo. No we did not have gymnastics this day she just wanted to wear it!

I am so Proud of EJ for all she has put in to her work! She still wakes up wanting to do schoolwork. She Absolutely Loves new things! The next three clips are a few prayers she has learned along the way. I hope you enjoy them just as much as we do!

EJ Reciting the Glory Be

EJ Reciting Hail Mary!

EJ Reciting Our Father

IHM Conference and Basilica (DC)

Two weeks ago my friend Jennifer and I were able to travel to Washington DC for the Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Home school Conference. It was a blast but very exhausting! I swear we didn't even have much time to eat the whole weekend. I totally forgot to take pics but the wonderful Lacy over at Catholic Icing got some great pics (Jennifer and I are in one!) and explained it wonderfully. So make sure to go check it out! I am glad I had a chance to go and glad that I was able to meet some pretty awesome people while I was there.

We cut out early Saturday afternoon and went to visit the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Heart of Mary. It was a wonderful experience that I will never forget! I took some pictures with my little rinky dink camera but Jennifer got some awesome shots so I will share hers instead! Also, all captions are by her as well. Our tour guide had a very strong accent and talked in a deep voice so with my hearing loss I wasn't able to understand much that he said. Luckily Jen Explained it all to me afterwards! The Basilica of the National Shrine is the largest Roman Catholic Church in North America and one of the ten largest in the Nation. It has over 70 Chapels throughout! This place will truly take your breath away. I recommend anyone visiting the area (Catholic or not) to check it out!

Depiction of Mary in the Book of Revelation. The Baby Jesus is being carefully taken out of harm's way by two angels. Everything is in mosaics.

The relief is 58' X 17' high and is made from a slab of Travertine Marble. It depicts the Universal Call to Holiness.

Jesus stares down at you while you are at Mass. His right eye is relaxed and looking upon you with love, his left eye is raised and he is looking upon you in judgement. His hands are 5' tall and his head is 7' tall. Everything you see is in mosaics. I think the 3 angels below Him represent Faith, Hope & Charity.

There are 5 domes in the ceiling of the Upper Church. The largest dome is the 2nd largest in DC - only smaller to the Capitol building.

Depiction of Pentecost

This is the gorgeous Blessed Sacrament chapel where the Eucharist is exposed for adoration and prayer. Everything was breathtaking.

This is the Eastern Rite chapel where Bishops & priests of the Eastern Rite can celebrate Mass.

Our Lady of Vietnam.Everything on the ceilings and walls are done in mosaics.

Multitude Monday

This week has been a very inspirational week. I fill as if my heart has opened up to my Lord more than ever. Between feeding the homeless, finishing an awesome book, confession, and our last RCIA class before we are initiated I am feeling overwhelmed with Joy that I can say I Love my God more than I did yesterday, and Tomorrow I will say the same. I grow in our relationship every single day!

12. Grateful for friends. especially the new ones from RCIA.

13. Grateful for calm after the storm. In our life and the real storms

14. Grateful for Education. That my children can learn in a controlled environment

15. Grateful for the Crucifix. Everyday we have a reminder of exactly what Jesus did for us!

16. Grateful for Siblings. They will always have a best friend!

17. Grateful for Vacation. Its coming in Four days!

18. Grateful for family pets. they keep my children occupied and our hearts warm.

19. Grateful for Nap time. so I can have alone time or even a nap on some days!

20. Grateful for Nature. That my children have a clean environment to play.

21. Grateful for our Military. They do way more than they our rewarded for!

This Post is linked up to A Holy Experience.

Humble

Are you Humble? I always want my Children to be. I want them to be helpful too. I have been pondering this a lot today and yesterday. My Children and I worked on baking a bunch of cakes to serve to the Homeless shelter last night. My four year old tagged along to help serve. She was wonderful! I was extremely proud of her at how sweet she was. I explained to her that day what we would be doing and that there were people in our community who weren't able to get food at the grocery store like we could. They didn't have a house to live in and no money to buy anything. I explained that when we cook for them we have to pray over the food that God might help these people have a home and all the things that we sometimes take for granted. She was very sensitive on the subject and said she wanted them to have food in there belly like her. As you Fast this Lenten Season and give up something special to you, remember why you do this. Remember that you want to lift up this food to God that he might give it to a needy person who needs it worse than you.

Thank You Jesus for Dying on the cross so that we may have the things we have! Amem!

Multitude Monday #1

Thankfulness is a gift. It is not something you have to do or be. It makes other more appreciative as well as yourself when you are. I know I am extremely Thankful for a ton of things in my life. Some of these things I take for granted at times. Thank You Jesus For Allowing me to be Thankful!

1. Thankful for the wonderful family I have.

2. Thankful for a roof over my head and Clothes on my body.

3. Thankful that we are all healthy

4. Thankful that I am able to stay at home with my kids and educate them how God wants me to

5. Thankful that we are able to share our love with others.

6. Thankful that my Stomach is always full

7. Thankful that my husband has a job that pays our bills

8. Thankful for two vehicles.. this is one we take for granted that we need to thank God for more often.

9. Thankful for Music. It calms your heart and lifts your spirit when you need it the most.

10. Thankful for my Parish Family

11. Thankful for the Man whom allows me to be thankful... GOD

What are you thankful for?

Linked up to Multitude Mondays 1000 Gifts at http://www.aholyexperience.com/

New Faith, New Additions, and more!

Lot's has happened in the past few months!!! Next month We will be attending the Easter Vigil at our new church and will be initiated as Catholics. This Journey has been a wonderful Journey that I am so happy God Led me on. I now know this is where our family belongs. We have made some new friends along the way and I cannot wait to keep leading our own children with their help in this new life!

Anastyn GettingBlessed by our Bishop

Another wonderful thing happened as well! Little Baby Judy-Anastyn was born! She arrived at 2:19am on January 14, 2011 weighing 6lb 10oz and 19 inches long! The smallest of the Tucker Clan so far! She is absolutely Adorable!

I am having a blast raising my tiny little family!

Happy Siblings!