Building Cathedrals

My mother arrived last night to help with the pre-baby preparations...What is it that is so amazing about mothers, really?  Just having her here, knowing she's present is such solace to me.  She knows what I like and dislike.  We laugh at the same things.  She helps me see the humor in my sons' crazy antics.  She still knows what's best for me and orders me to take a nap and slow down.  She just gets me in a way that others do not.  And why?  Because she birthed me, raised me, scolded … [Read more...]

Gelcap, Capsule, or Tablet, I discriminate notSing me to sleep, oh Tylenol PM“Off” switch on my brain is malfunctioning againSing my mind to sleep, oh Tylenol PMSo my husband will be the first to hear the baby monitor all 9 timesSing me into a sound sleep, oh Tylenol PMTraces of you seep into my breastmilkSing me and my nursing baby to sleep, oh Tylenol PMLover of natural childbirth and natural remedies I am, yet I surrender to youSing me into drug-induced sleep, oh Tylenol PMWhat the world … [Read more...]

I'm a little late on this, but apparently there is a 50 point assessment test designed by Cambridge University to assess where an adult falls on the autism spectrum. Those in the autism community consider this a fairly accurate test. Average adult males score at or around a 17, average adult females score at or around a 15. 35 points or highter is associated with Asperger's Syndrome. I took the quiz and scored a 15, totally average for a female.h/t Rod Dreher … [Read more...]

Two weeks ago I did a post about Fr. Anthony, our beloved pastor, and the wonderful homily he gave to our parish. Today I'm going to do another shout-out to Father. I figure that we all spend plenty of time complaining about the bad priests out there, why not devote another post to praising the good things our priests do to shepherd the flock.Father has this wonderful little column, Pastor's Corner, in every bulletin where he instructs the faithful on all kinds of things, from his … [Read more...]

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I apologize for the delay on this, but I had to first get permission to publicize this letter and request for help. I have removed portions of the letter to protect the privacy of Captain Haslam.Happy Fourth of July from Baghdad, Iraq!I am proud to be serving the United States of America in the Air Forceon this great day. It makes me think of the words that PresidentKennedy shared with our country many years ago: "Ask not what yourcountry can do for you, but what you can do for your … [Read more...]

6 o'clock was an ugly hour in my house tonight. The neighborhood kickball game had been postponed due to traffic, and while my kids were eagerly awaiting the ring of the doorbell to let them know that the game was back on, I was dreading that it would come just after my mental cut off of 6:30 for getting them inside and on to the bedtime routine. Our dinner, honey nut cheerios in front of the TV, had been spilled all over the couch by one hyperactive 3 year old. As I was trying the nurse the … [Read more...]

Swimming in the bayBella: goes in too deep, loses her footing and falls slightly underwater, and decides she probably shouldn't be out quite that farBean: goes in too deep, loses his footing and falls underwater backwards, with only his eyes above water; watches me calmly from underwater as I race to pull him out; goes in deeper, stands up and then continues falling backward underwater on purpose to see what happensPlaying outside when a light rain begins to fallBella: runs into the rain, … [Read more...]