Here’s the thing about my domesticity: it has limits. Well, one limit really. That limit is drawn around this evil little contraption gathering dust in our closet, the iron. Doom It’s not like I don’t do chores I hate. I really do. For example, the porcelain finish on our apartment bathtub is still the original finish. It’s at least twenty years old, dull, pitted, and collects dirt and stains like my son’s neck rolls collect baby food. The tub is... Read more

I’m sad today. I spent all night and morning doing laundry and packing up Sienna and the Ogre (okay, mostly I worked on a bracelet till two and then slept while the kids played this morning, but the laundry was washing in the background), who headed to California this afternoon to attend the funeral of the father of one of our dearest friends. Could you keep them in your prayers, please? Not just the Ogre and Sienna, but our friend,... Read more

Today the lovely Betty Beguiles graciously asked me to guest post over at her place, so head over there to read Understanding Beauty. The post is interesting and all, but most importantly, you’ll finally understand why I used to throw wine glasses at the Ogre. Yippee! I know you’re excited. By the way, are anyone else’s Lenten resolutions unraveling around their ears? Mine sure are. Yesterday morning it became abundantly clear to me that I would either have to go... Read more

Thanks to Creative Minority Report for sending me in this direction. Here is a link for you to read if you want to spit your morning coffee all over the computer like I did. This briefly reports on the story of a mother whose baby girl was taken from her for five years because the mother refused to sign a consent form for a C-section, instead insisting that she would only consent if it became medically necessary. It didn’t. She... Read more

I’ve never really bought into the idea that gender is a construct that our society forces upon little, androgynous children. Why, you ask? Because I was once a little girl, with a little girl for a sister and two little boys for brothers. My siblings had certain weird, sometimes cross-gender preferences. Not me, though. I liked princesses, pink, Sailor Moon and every boy who happened to cross my path. My sister liked baseball and refused to wear a dress unless... Read more

Disclaimer: Please don’t watch the second video with your children around. It’s not for kids.  Here’s a couple of hysterical videos. The first one is for all you Dads in honor of St. Joseph’s feast day.  http://embed.break.com/MTkwMzY1Nw==It’s A Dad’s Life – Watch more Funny Videos This one is for all you pregnant mamas (or mamas who were once pregnant, or mamas who will be pregnant again, or really anyone because it’s hilarious). Please excuse the bad language…it’s worth it! http://embed.break.com/MTc4MjI0MA==She... Read more

Usually Fridays are full of a sense of freedom, lightness and anticipation. We try to do a few small family things on the weekends, like go ride the Carousel or at least take a nice family walk, but due to our mini-family-vacation this week, I’ll be spending the weekend trying valiantly to tame the laundry monster and conquer the messy house. The kids will likely be watching movies, reading books, and generally making up for lost rest, and the Ogre... Read more

I’m quickly interrupting the many things that are keeping our family hopping this week to write a brief post and let you know that I’m alive, I have not suddenly given up the internet for Lent (haha! yeah right), and I will be back, if not tomorrow, Friday at the latest and regularly thereafter. I’ll let you know all about the impromptu magic going on out here in the desert tomorrow. Today, in case any of you are as hysterical... Read more

These are really going to be the quickest of the quick takes, guys. Not even any pictures this time! Sorry about that, but it’s 9:07 here in Vegas and not only am I sleepy after a full day, I have a little man who  needs breathing treatments. Yes, again. It seems that Liam’s lungs are permanently in crisis mode, so that every time he gets a cold, some stupid little lung operator hits the panic button and he coughs, wheezes... Read more

Everyone I know (or blog-know) is happy that it’s Lent. Everyone is saying that it’s such a wonderful time in the year, and it’s lovely to be given forty days to work really hard at our sins, and to do it in community with others. I agree with all of those things. But for the record, on this the second day of Lent, I’m adding my own two cents. LENT IS REALLY FRAKKING HARD. It could be the lack of... Read more