Multiplication Game

A couple of my kids have really been struggling to get their multiplication tables down. I discovered this game yesterday and it has been very helpful already. You can download the free version (which is pretty cool in itself) to see if it is a good fit for your family. The free version actually has everything you need to learn all the facts, but if you buy the upgrade it provides more entertaining "worlds" that provide a little more excitement for the kids. It does have a bit of monsters bopping the characters on the head type of violence (nothing too bad) so you may want to preview it to see if you think it is too intense for some of your younger ones. I like the fact that it makes them repeat the problems they are struggling with until they have mastered them, and reviews all problems to make sure that they have retained what they have learned. This is all done in an entertaining way that makes them want to come back again and again. I have found that the promise of 20-30 min. of  play time with this game is a great incentive for them to get their other work done (and it is downloaded on your computer so it doesn't eat up online time if that is an issue for you). The upgrade is reasonably priced, and gives you the game forever for all of your kids. So many online educational games make you pay per child, and that just doesn't work for many of us with larger families.

It looks like they have an addition, subtraction, and division version in the works as well! And no, I don't get a commission for recommending this, but if you promise to tell a friend about the program (totally honor system) you do get a discount for the upgrade....just type in "ihelped" in the appropriate field when you checkout and you get $19.99 off the deluxe package.

It has given me a ray of hope that we will finally get these times tables memorized. I hope some of you find it helpful as well! 

Here is the link:

http://www.bigbrainz.com/

God bless,

Rachel

March for Life Olympia

A Note from a Friend: 54 Day Rosary Novena

The "54-day Rosary Novena" is an uninterrupted series of Rosaries in honor of Our Lady, revelead to the incurably sick Fortuna Agrelli by Our Lady of Pompeii at Naples in 1884. For thirteen months Fortuna Agrelli had endured dreadful sufferings and torturous cramps; she had been given up by the most celebrated physicians. On February 16, 1884, the afflicted girl and her relatives commenced a novena of Rosaries. The Queen of the Holy Rosary favored her with an apparition on March 3rd. Mary, sitting upon a high throne, surrounded by luminous figures, held the divine Child on her lap, and in her hand a Rosary. The Virgin Mother and the holy Infant were clad in gold-embroidered garments. They were accompanied by St. Dominic and St. Catherine of Siena. The throne was profusely decorated with flowers; the beauty of Our Lady was marvelous. Blessed Virgin said: "Child, thou has invoked me by various titles and hast always obtained favors from me. Now, since thou hast called me by that title so pleasing to me, 'Queen of the Holy Rosary,' I can no longer refuse the favor thou dost petition; for this name is most precious and dear to me. Make three novenas, and thou shalt obtain all."

Once more the Queen of the Holy Rosary appeared to her and said, “Whenever you wish to obtain graces from me, make three Novenas of Petition and at the same time recite the fifteen decades of my Rosary and then three Novenas of Thanks”.

The Novena consists of 5 decades of the Rosary each day for twenty-seven days in petition; then immediately 5 decades each day for twenty-seven days in thanksgiving, whether or not the request has been granted.

A laborious Novena, but a Novena of Love. You who are sincere will not find it too difficult, if you really wish to obtain your request.

Book Recommendations: Marriage

At our last beach day, I mentioned to Peggy Sue and Abby that Fr. Saguto, FSSP had recommended two books for engaged and married couples.  I thought that others might appreciate knowing about these books, too.

They are:

Covenanted Happiness by Cormac Burke

Three to Get Married by Fulton Sheen

I purchased Burke's book from Vercillos and was told that they could order Fulton Sheen's book.

FSSP Videos about Vocations

The Priestly Fraternity of St. Peter has produced a series of three informative videos on the topic of vocations to the priesthood. They are very well produced and feature excellent endorsements from several US bishops and His Eminence Card. William Levada. I commend these videos to you and know you will enjoy them. Most importantly, if you know of young men who may be interested, please let them know that the videos are provided on YouTube via this link:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=omJ83APSdXA&feature=related

Through Mary and Her Immaculate Heart,

 
 
Una Voce of Western Washington

In Honor of Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta

DO IT ANYWAY

(This poem was written by Blessed Mother Teresa and is engraved on the wall of her home for children in Calcutta)

People are often unreasonable, illogical, and self-centered;

FORGIVE THEM ANYWAY.

If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives;

BE KIND ANYWAY.

If you are successful, you will win some false friends and some true enemies;

SUCCEED ANYWAY.

If you are honest and frank, people may cheat you;

BE HONEST AND FRANK ANYWAY.

What you spend years building, someone could destroy overnight;

BUILD ANYWAY.

If you find serenity and happiness, they may be jealous;

BE HAPPY ANYWAY.

The good you do today people will often forget tomorrow;

DO GOOD ANYWAY.

Give the world the best you have. It may never be enough;

GIVE THE WORLD THE BEST YOU”VE GOT ANYWAY.

You see, in the final analysis, it is between you and GOD;

IT WAS NEVER BETWEEN YOU AND THEM ANYWAY.

4US

4US is Saturday, September 25, at Point Defiance Park in Tacoma.  Please make every effort to participate in and/or make a donation to 4US.  4US is a family-friendly event that raises money to purchase ultrasound machines for crisis pregnancy centers.  Please visit their website for more information.