Why He Does What He Does

Yesterday, despite the fact that some of us are sick, we decided to head to the beach and finally take our Christmas photo. Prior to leaving the house, I told all of my swimmers that they were not to go in the water. Upon arriving at the beach, I reiterated my instructions. As usual, Patrick’s desire…

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Advent Recollections

I have been enjoying listening to these recollections: Advent Recollection 1: Silence Advent Recollection 2: Prayer Advent Recollection 3: Spiritual Life Enjoy!

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A Christmas Kit

Last year, Patrick’s godmother shared a beautiful means of preparing our hearts for Christ’s birth with me. Faith and Family has made it easy to share with others. It is A Christmas Kit that helps families and individuals to prepare a spiritual crib in their hearts for our Blessed Lord’s birth. The instructions for this beautiful…

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St. Andrew Christmas Novena

A friend, Lindsay, just sent an email reminding me that the St. Andrew Novena begins today. Hopefully, I will get a chance to post it in my sidebar, as I have done in years past, but for now, I am posting it below. Hail and blessed be the hour and moment at which the Son…

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Advent, Christmas and Winter Feast Day Books

One of the things that I like about this time of year is snuggling up with my children and reading picture books. A few years ago, I shared a list of picture books that we like to read during December and January. Below is an updated (and hopefully better organized) list. Advent Books: Annika’s Secret…

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Quiet Time

Laura Berquist once mentioned at a Northwest Catholic Family Education Conference that spending time in Adoration before God was vital to her homeschooling success. I think that I understand what she meant. I need quiet times with God to kneel and adore Him, or simply pour my heart out to Him.

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Testing Vocabulary Patrick Style

Patrick: “Mommy, can you please help me clean my room tomorrow morning.” Me: “Yes.” Patrick: “Good because otherwise I might get ‘roomatism’.” Me: “I don’t think so.” Patrick: “What is rheumatism?” Me: “I think its when you have sore bones.” Patrick: “Yes, if you don’t help me clean my room, then I will have rheumatism…

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When It Rains

Yesterday, my older sister called. During our conversation, she commented, “I remember Mommy saying, ‘When it rains, it pours.’” I couldn’t help but respond, “I think it’s pouring, but I have so much for which to be thankful.” Thank you, God, for everything.

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Timely Advice

On Sunday, October 9, my pastor gave me some very timely advice in the confessional. He told me to share the advice with my husband which I obediently did, telling him, “Fr. Saguto told me that I should take some time for myself.” Little did any of us know that my pastor’s advice would be…

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Melt My Heart

Out of necessity, my husband spent the last few days at home helping with the children. This morning, he returned to work. When Elizabeth woke up, she asked me, “Is Daddy home?” I replied, “No, sweetie, he went to work.” Her response melted my heart, “But I need him.”

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