A few of my siblings (JoAnn, Kevin, and David) have arrived home from college for their Christmas break! Last night my parents invited us over, along with my brother Brian and his family, my brother Scott, and Aunt Bridget and Uncle Shawn, for a spaghetti dinner...
O Christmas Tree
... A few pictures from Instagram and my phone. December 16th I think the kids might be trying to tell us something...December 17thI've been in survival mode lately, and keep forgetting to take pictures of the Wise Men... They had me laughing this morning when I...
Checking it Twice… {Christmas Gifts 2013 Edition}
So, how is your Advent going? Ours has been very difficult and challenging... First it was colds and poison oak (the poison oak on our oldest daughter's face is finally healing), followed by a snowstorm that kept us home for days, heartbreaking news from...
Santa Lucia Day
Saint Lucia SwedenNow in the winter nightGood folk are waiting.See now the maid of light,Darkness abating.Saint Lucia's Braided BreadInto our hearts she walks, Telling her story, Candles in shining crownLighting her glory.Symbol of love sublime,Moving o'er...
A Brunch on the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe
Happy Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe! I hope you all had a blessed feast! Originally our plans for the day included the tutor here for five hours followed by a trip into town for a fundraiser/dinner at Chipotle for some dear friends. . . Due to the...
My Daybook :: The Second Week of Advent
Outside my window... After all these years, my husband finally talked me into hiking the mountain in our back yard to watch the sunset! Totally worth it... (and hopefully all the poison oak is buried deep beneath the snow!)I am thinking... ...
Celebrating the Feast of St. Nicholas :: 2013
We had a beautiful snowy feast day this year! Eventually the snow was "well past St. Nicholas' miter!" Holy Bishop St. Nicholas lived farawayNear the Aegean Sea is where Turkey did lay.Travel back with us now to a time long ago.We will visit his country,...
My Daybook :: The First Week of Advent
Note: I meant to publish this post yesterday and didn't have a chance to finish uploading the photos before going out shopping with my mom all evening (before the snowstorm hit today)! I'll be back with a few pictures from today, but in the meantime - Happy...
Preparing for Christmas :: Seven Fun Finds for Advent
Advent has arrived and the Christmas countdown has begun! Tonight we will light the first candle on our Advent Wreath, draw names for our Christkindl just like we did last year, and unwrap our first book after our family Rosary and Christmas Novena!...
A Brand New Glory Stories CD – Secrets From Heaven {and a St. Mary’s Messenger Giveaway!}
I always try to have my Christmas shopping completed (at least mostly completed) before Advent begins and am currently working on checking off a few last items as I start to pull out and set up all of our Advent Decorations and Book Baskets! This year I've broken the...
Prayer of Mothers
Father in heaven, grant me the grace to appreciate the dignity which you have conferred on me. Let me realize that not even the Angels have been blessed with such a privilege—to share in your creative miracle and bring new Saints to heaven. Make me a good mother to all my children after the example of Mary, the Mother of your Son. Through the intercession of Jesus and Mary I ask your continued blessings on my family. Let us all be dedicated to your service on earth and attain the eternal happiness of your kingdom in heaven. Amen.