Now that I am (finally) through the first-trimester yuckiness that so many of us face - yes, I am pregnant (15 weeks) and we are very happy! - I feel that it is my duty to share a wonderful revelation that I had about 6 weeks ago. Truly, I should have figured this out about three babies ago, but perhaps by sharing I can help some of our readers who are still trudging through those difficult first few months of pregnancy! The revelation came one hot July afternoon when I was feeling at the height … [Read more...]

This summer, I have had a bounty of healthy green tomatoes which have rotted on the vine while turning red. This may be a blight, too much rain, or the fact that the fruit are low to the ground and not well staked. There are still about 20 green tomatoes left in my garden. Does anyone know if I would be better off just picking them now, while they are green? Will they ripen on the windowsill?Do you have suggestions for next year so that this does not happen again (scrap the whole thing and … [Read more...]

Once every year, my husband leaves for a week-long theology course and week of fellowship with other great Catholic men. That one week a year, and only that week, I am guaranteed some exciting new pest or rodent infestation. Two courses ago the mice moved in and set up shop for a year and a half.This year it's yellow jackets swarming my kitchen. Since yesterday evening, the bee body count has reached approximately 30. My husband's leather sandal is my reliable killing instrument. I'll let you … [Read more...]

While mowing the lawn this morning, the words from 2 Timothy rung loud and clear in my crazy brain, "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith." (2 Tim. 4:7) Rather profound for lawn mowing, eh? Profound until I tell you why I was thinking of this verse...Weeds.All over.We have fought hard against them and yet they are still there!Poor GG mowed the lawn a few weeks back and called me immediately while I was away in Ohio. "Honey, have you seen the weeds in … [Read more...]

Tomorrow is the feast of St. Monica, the day before the feast of her son, St. Augustine. I have always had a special place in my heart for St. Monica, but especially recently as our son was diagnosed with a disorder and will likely have long-term behavioral issues. When I feel overwhelmed and anxious about the future it is a comfort to turn to St. Monica, who walked a hard road with trust, abandonment and patience.How can a mother not love this saint who shed tears and implored heaven on her … [Read more...]

In the spirit of Mary Alice's post on Shared Milestones, here is a milestone of our own to share:My little boy started Kindergarten yesterday, and this morning he rode the bus to school for the first time - he'll be taking it home as well! Where has the time gone??? I can still remember dropping him off for his first day of "school" when he was 16 months old, and calling a friend from the car afterwards sobbing. I was in grad school at the time and needed the childcare while I completed an … [Read more...]

It was such a thrill when I met Danielle Bean last spring. After reading her first book in one session, I have been following her family for a few years on the internet. As I summoned the courage to begin to homeschool and to allow God to continue to expand my own family, her laid back style of large family Catholic motherin' has been an inspiration, and her sense of humor has helped me to keep mine.Along the way, our children are growing up, too. I read on her blog that she just celebrated a … [Read more...]

From the book of Ephesians (5:22-25)...Wives should be subordinate to their husbands as to the Lord.For the husband is head of his wifejust as Christ is head of the church,he himself the savior of the body.As the church is subordinate to Christ,so wives should be subordinate to their husbands in everything.Husbands, love your wives,even as Christ loved the church...It bothers me that verses as clear as this can have such a broad range of interpretation. Paul sets forth here the appropriate … [Read more...]

"Let us not grow tired of doing good, for in due time we shall reap our harvest,if we do not give up." Gal. 6:9Scripture like this has always made a great impact in my little world. It has not been by huge thunderbolts from the heavens. Nor has it been by God directly speaking to me and striking me with blindness like He did for Saul. When God breathed the sacred Scriptures into the hearts and minds of His writers, He left His Word to help guide and direct His faithful, His followers, even a … [Read more...]

For our breastfeeding mothers out there...Buy One Hooter Hiders Nursing Cover, Get Another For $5 Simply select two Hooter Hiders Nursing Covers in the online store, and use coupon code HHFOR5 during checkout. You will get $30 off your order! http://shop.bebeaulait.com/5-Hooter-Hiders Go Green and Save Green: Purchase a Simple Organic Nursing Cover, and receive a free matching 3-Pack of burp cloths. No coupon codes are necessary. This is a $24 value. http://shop.bebeaulait.com/Go-Green **Also, … [Read more...]