A First Anniversary Giveaway

To thank you for your continued support of our business, we are hosting a give-away this week for a "My Catholic Saints" box for your collection of dolls. The winner can choose between the two colors: purple & blue.

There are several different ways to enter: First, link to this give-away on facebook. Second, follow this blog or our facebook page. Lastly, blog about how your children play with their dolls or how you have incorporated them into your family traditions and link to it in the comments to this post. Comments will be open until midnight on Friday September 23 and the winner will be announced next Monday September 26.

St. Luke's Brush First Anniversary

 Today we celebrated an important milestone. One year ago today, we opened St. Luke's Brush!

So tonight we celebrated with cake. Cake surrounded by some of our dearest friends.

 We included our children's patrons and some dear intercessors who have been with us each step of the way!

 Our littlest product tester was anxious to test the cake!

And then he quickly snatched "his saints" and rushed off to put them back in his box to keep them safe.

Thank you all for your continued support of our business!

First Day of School

Schultuete's ready for the first day.

 Sweet Sister ready for second grade.

 Biggest brother's first day as a 6th grader.

 Middle brother all smiles for 4th grade.

 Baby brother requested that this year his studies include "Thomas pack pack, painting AND dough." ;-)

 And our traditional pictures with their cones:

Soaking Up The Last of Summer

Yes, we are still here! We enjoyed the last days of summer at the pool. Now we are back into school and activities and such. Life has been busy and exciting and full of changes!

Seven Quick Takes

1. School officially begins one week from today. ONE WEEK! This week is all about finishing summer projects. We shall see how that works out.....

2. While grocery shopping over the weekend, Baby Brother was trying to grab magazines at the check-out line. Big Brother says "We don't read tabloids!" Baby shouts "YES, read TABLOIDS!" The checker's face was priceless. I wanted to let her know that really, we don't read tabloids to him. He just likes insisting on whatever his older siblings prevent him from doing. Really!

3. My sweet husband has taken a painting break the last three days to help me organize the house. Let's just say that I think he will be happy to return to his painting!  But I have a clean refrigerator and the coat closet has been purged.....you know, the necessities to begin a new school year ;-)

4. Baby Brother is still refusing a haircut. It completely covers his eyes. When Big Brother was this age I would have insisted. But ten years has given me enough perspective to know what is a big deal and what is not worth a battle. To me....this is not (and I secretly love the curls). One the other hand, to his dad and brothers, this is ridiculous and needs to be dealt with ;-)

5. Sister has been taking Irish Dance lessons this summer. She LOVES it! I think she has decided to give up her ballet and tap to just take Irish lessons. She would love to convince one of her brothers to take with her so she had a partner. I am not sure I think that will happen but she can be quite persuasive.

6. Middle Brother is starting his last year as a Cub Scout. He will join Big Brother's troop in February. They both are growing up way to fast!!

7. This will be our 7th year homeschooling!  Still so very, very worth it!

"I can say it certain now: All is grace. I can see through the woods of the world: God is always good and I am always loved. God is always good and I am always loved. Everything is eucharisteo. Because eucharisteo is how Jesus, at the Last Supper, showed us to transfigure all things-take the pain that is given, give thanks for it, and transform it into a joy that fulfills all emptiness. I have glimpsed it: This, the hard eucharisteo. The hard discipline to lean into the ugly and whisper thanks to transfigure it into beauty. The hard discipline to give thanks for all things at all times because He is all good. The hard discipline to number the griefs as grace...."
One Thousand Gifts: Ann Voskamp

I can remember the phone call like it was yesterday. I remember where I was standing in the kitchen, his calm voice, his reassurances....and I felt like the world fell out from under me. Darkness seemed to fall. I could see no grace. Only loss, betrayal, confusion and most of all fear. Never would I have believed the journey we would travel the next year. How foolish....I am old enough to know that God's plans are always far better than my own!  And so he packed up his office and came home that summer. We stumbled through, trying to find a normal for our sweet children.  And as a new school year got under way, an idea took form. All grace. A long buried talent brought out into the light.  And so our journey as St. Luke's Brush began.

I could focus on all of the hurts & disappointments of the last year. But each one has taught us. Each one has brought us closer to the family God is calling us to be. All is grace.