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... 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... 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... 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,... 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... 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. 6:9 Scripture 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... 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, for any late night readers: Bebe... Read more

Recently, a reader asked us to speak about plans for paying for college when you have a larger family. I must admit, “how will you pay for college?” is one of the more personal questions, once strangers have established that they are all, indeed, yours and you do, indeed, know how “it” happens. Financing life with a large family is serious stuff, even long before college becomes an issue. We have found that finances have been an important area of... Read more

So, it is that time of year at church… CCD registration time. I have a near-kindergartner who is eligible to attend, but do I want her to? Our CCD classes start 20 min. after Mass lets out on Sunday morning and run for one hour. What is my issue? Well, twofold — 1) I am not convinced of the orthodoxy and formation of the adult volunteers teaching the classes and 2) If some of my fears related to #1 are... Read more

I am not “maternal” by nature or by nurture. Over the last four years, though, I have settled down and settled in and allowed my heart to wander where it belongs, to fall in love with my children. Thank God for the love of mother and child. We put in more than we think we can, and we get out more than we dreamed we could. My baby Angelina is 15.5 months old. She is starting to walk. She has... Read more