The stack of books I started the year with. A few of them I have only cracked open and paged through, while others I have had the chance to dive in. Hoping to read through each of them and add to the stack as the year goes on. I am not a regular bookworm. If I am found reading it is usually to my children. If I try to read after the little ones are in bed the only thing I end up reading are the back of my eyelids. Still, I see the importance of making the time, especially when it is so easy to do all of our reading on a screen. There is something about reading a physical book and turning the pages, the very reason ... view the post
The Things They Say
Happy Monday and we have almost made it through January! Only four more months until Spring! Lately I have been feeling like time is going by so quickly, the boys who used to be only five are now ten and eleven. The baby is now a toddler and Grace will be in Kindergarten next year. The days seem to muddle together and the weeks are soon months gone by and I am left catching my breath, more like trying to catch some sleep. If for no other reason, I write these down because I don't ever want to forget these days and these moments. Hopefully they make you smile too! Grace: The Lord is my shepherd, I will tell him ... view the post
Instilling Hope in Our Children
Prior to mom life, I was a producer in Catholic radio for eight years. It was my job to know the news, to keep up with the headlines and be aware of what was breaking. Every day I searched, scrolled and skimmed through news stories looking for what would make compelling and valuable content. The show I worked on presented the latest news and issues of the day through a Catholic lens. Five kids later and there are days I feel like a hermit. Days I don't leave the four walls of my house, other than school pickup when my children are not virtual. The T.V. is off during the day, other than the rare occurrence of Daniel ... view the post
Saying Goodbye to Resolutions
I am never very good at making New Year's Resolutions. They last probably the first three weeks and then slowly dwindle off. A few months later I have forgotten about them. Whether it is cutting out sugar, losing weight, keeping the house cleaner, or going to bed earlier. I try, but then tell myself this phase in life right now isn't suitable to make it happen. (I know, an excuse to get me off the hook!.) So this year I decided I am just not going to make one. No need to feel like I am failing, no disappointment in my lack of results. Sounds good, right? You may be thinking, that sounds like some serious lack of ... view the post
In This New Year
The countdown happened at 8:30pm at our house, complete with sparklers, fountains and noise makers. We rang in the New Year with kids laughing and yelling "Happy New Year!" Prior to the brief party we went around the dinner table and shared two highlights of 2020 and two things that were challenging from the year. During our family prayers that evening we decided to skip intentions and instead to solely pray in thanksgiving for all of the blessings we had received in 2020. There is no doubt 2020 was difficult and challenging. It stretched most of us in new ways, even at times what felt like to our limit. What we ... view the post