Before I begin my post, a happy birthday shout out to my 91 year old Granny! At the beginning of the Year of Faith, someone sent me an email forward of a list which would send a daily email from the catechism. I signed up for the email list, and I have to say that I was really pleasantly surprised by the experience. As the list grew (over 100,000 subscribers), there were some issues with copyright and they wound... Read more
Growing up, I can remember teachers having us write down our favorites–“favorite color”, “favorite activity”, “favorite food”, etc. My answers always went something like this: blue, art/drawing, and potato filling. What in the world was “potato filling”? Most of my peers were writing “pizza” and I stood out, leaving others to question. The best answer I could provide was that potato filling was a cross between mashed potatoes and stuffing, mixed together with additional yumminess and baked in the oven... Read more
My first child was born and died on a snowy Michigan night 11 years ago. Last year, just after her 10th birthday, she spoke to me for the very first time. I listened. And this year, I'm truly celebrating her birthday for the very first time. Read more
It is an honor to post my very first “Thoughts for Thursday.” The tradition is long and distinguished here at BC, but it has been a while since the last Thoughts for Thursday post. Here goes…. What am I cooking? Tonight’s meal is a family favorite, a one-pan wonder that requires little prep: Greek chicken with potatoes and mushrooms. I use boneless thighs, cut back the oil to 1/3 cup, add water instead of broth, and it comes out perfectly... Read more
The Cosby Show is a major source of support and inspiration in our household. In the pilot, the Cosby family had four children, but they landed a new, oldest child by the time the first season began, and of course we love that she was at Princeton. I like the Cosbys because they are New Yorkers, because they introduce interesting cultural figures, and most of all because they have realistic, sometimes difficult, family interactions, and the parents are my role... Read more
I think that we just experienced our first migraine in one of our children, and it threw me for a loop! In part, the reason that I am posting so late today is because I had my daughter home with me, even though she would have been perfectly fine to go to school. She woke up happy and feeling great, whereas for the past 48 hours she had been miserable with a splitting headache. In retrospect, I think that she... Read more
I don’t know about you, but with Red’s annual Advent/Christmas post fresh in my mind, I’ve very much been thinking through what I need to do before Advent starts for our little family (thanks Red, very, very helpful as always!). But before we get there, we have wonderful Thanksgiving to prepare for and in my home this will mean family, dear friends, and two little Goddaughters coming our way for the holiday. While not a special season set apart like... Read more
Our house is just us. The nuclear AWOL Family is alone after a solid month of in-home company. Granted, the first three weeks were my mom and some dad time, but the most recent week we hosted my husband’s aunt and uncle. After these bouts of quasi-hospitality I find myself sitting in my quiet kitchen flabbergasted and wondering… “why would anyone come to visit us?” Most days were so loud, both 60+ men that stayed with us repeatedly stepped on... Read more
In addition to our wonderful collection of picture books that we like to read for Advent and Christmas, I was thinking of doing a more formal/structured devotional time when the little one is napping this Advent. Could anyone recommend any simple/gentle Advent devotionals for kids? Read more
I love Kellie’s annual Christmas post. Every year it inspires me to get it together and promises the fruit of my labor will be more time to adore Jesus in Advent. Win-win. Real, true, well-planned holidays are possible without stress and having a larger family does not preclude doing something well. Because really, in the end of it, it’s all about planning and doing it ahead of time. The more I live, the more children I have, the more I... Read more
Building Cathedrals
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