One of my children seems particularly affected by stress. This child tends to be pretty easy-going and slow-moving, so it often comes as a surprise when I hear the words “I’m so stressed out, there’s just too much pressure!” come out of this child’s mouth. Often, I cannot understand what is so stressful about the situation; in my eyes, everything is under control and we are just plugging right along. When I ask what is stressful, this child answers, “What... Read more
My New Year’s resolution has two dimensions. The first, very specific part of my resolution, is to floss daily. The second is to do the right thing all the time. The second part is ridiculous, unattainable perhaps, but shouldn’t it be all of our resolution, always? The means to get there, for me right now, is flossing. Flossing is attainable. It is unambiguous and clearly defined. You can’t fool yourself about flossing, because either you did it today or you... Read more
Questions, questions. We are starting a huge family undertaking tomorrow, and amidst a long to-do list and much bustling over the past weeks, our little miss started a new phase that is causing some pause in our home… Ok, actually it is terrifying me, but we’ve already been to the pediatrician once, so I’m canvassing experience.;) Over Christmas break there were a few instances where she stopped breathing after getting startled or scared. We freaked out each time, because, let’s... Read more
So there have been copious news articles recently surrounding the efficacy of vitamin supplements: see here and here. But I am wondering has anyone actually ditched their daily prenatals or multivitamin? Our family strives to eat whole, real foods and minimize processed foods, but even with much of our food budget going to organic produce, grains, dairy and meats, I have also read that the vitamin content in these foods is not what it was 50 years ago. We get... Read more
Sometimes it seems the way we bless one another best is just to be real and frank and forthcoming. Because this journey of life isn’t easy for any of us and sometimes its nice to know we’re not walking the road alone. I had the chance to keep it real yesterday when I hosted my young daughters’ playgroup here at the house. I ushered our friends through the front door, down the hallway, and there, in the middle of my... Read more
Pope Francis gave a fantastic Epiphany homily today in St. Peter’s Square, and you can read the text here. As always, the words of his homily are clear and to the point, yet he manages to make some profound statements that cause one to stop and think. For example, Pope Francis speaks of a “holy cunning,” which he says “consists of a spiritual shrewdness which enables us to recognize danger and avoid it…” This short piece is well worth the... Read more
Gratitude may be our family’s theme for 2014. I am reading a book on thanksgiving and inner peace, and these studies are all over the news. As someone who struggles with both postpartum and seasonal depressive tendencies, I’d like to try being much more intentional about giving thanks to fortify myself in joy and gratitude, before negative thought patterns take hold. The attitude of gratitude seems to rub off on kids as well. From the article linked above: The mere act of... Read more
Over Christmas this year, we were privileged to host several extended family members in our own home, which was such a thrill for us since we are usually traveling for the holidays. I knew that with 6 adults and 5 children to feed at various stages throughout the week, I would need to have a firm meal plan in place ahead of time, so I made a detailed grocery list and away I went. All in all, I think that... Read more
I know a child who has been picked on within a small group of boys, and I don’t have much experience with adolescent boy interactions. The boy tells me that his instinct is to hit the other kid, but he knows that is not right and that he will probably get in trouble. Someone else suggested that he not actually hit, but use his size to threaten. We joked about having younger siblings go over, including a 5 year old,... Read more
I don’t know about your homes, but out here we are all in some unfortunate phase of a nasty virus, smack in the middle of such a fun Christmas season. Of course we are most worried for the little one, and so this morning I’m offering up a prayer I found in a little prayer book given at my baby shower… For the Health of a Child Holy Mother, health of the sick and constant aide of those who pray... Read more
Building Cathedrals
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