When I was growing up Advent was never a big deal. I went to Catholic school, but to be honest our Catholic education was lacking. I remember learning about Advent, but the beauty and necessity of readying our hearts and minds was never stressed to us. Our Catholic home was even worse. We prayed before we ate and we went to Mass each Sunday, but … Continue reading The Gift of Self: An Advent Tradition
With Advent just around the corner (less than a week away!), I thought this week I would share a few Advent traditions that we do at our house. It is important to me that during this time we make sure our children understand the true reasons we are preparing to celebrate Christmas. In a world where commercialism reigns, these little family traditions can help us … Continue reading An Advent Tradition: The Jesse Tree
We don’t live within city limits but instead live out in the county. While we love living outside of town, this means that we don’t have garbage pickup unless we hire someone to do it for us. Thankfully we have a wonderful couple that runs their own pickup service who has been gathering our garbage for 17 years now. On the occasion that we have … Continue reading To Joy Them Up
Today I witnessed something very shameful but very indicative of our society. There was a morbidly obese man in a motorized chair that came into the grocery store I was at. He was probably the largest man I have ever personally seen. Savannah, Emma, and I said hello to him as he passed us and asked him how his day was going. We spoke just a few … Continue reading A Shameful Encounter
Dear Mr. President, I know you are a busy man and that my problems may seem insignificant to you. I know you are worried about race relations, climate change, the Pope’s visit to our great country, international affairs, our economy, tensions with the Middle East, and a myriad of other issues. I can’t imagine the stress you are constantly under. But still, I beg you … Continue reading Dear Mr. President: An Open Letter From a Concerned Police Officer’s Wife
I wrote this piece back in November 2009 for my first blog. I had served for the first time as a Eucharistic Minister at Mass. It was a humbling and moving experience. In the years that have passed, serving as a Eucharistic Minister has continued to be a humbling and moving experience for me. My arms are often full with little ones and so I … Continue reading A Beggar’s Hands
Ah, every mother’s nightmare- a child is alone, in his bedroom, and is very, very quiet. Someone goes to check up on him and begins to scream. “Mama! Mama! You need to come here quick! You hang your head in despair because you know this will not be good. When you get to the bedroom you find it’s worse than you thought. There is poop … Continue reading Encounters with a Poopcasso
Leo was the lucky Fritz kid to get to draw the name of our winner…. Congratulations!! I will send you a message so you can get your Catholic Through the Year Planner bundle! Thank you to everyone who entered my first giveaway! Continue reading And the Winner is…
This is a very personal and painful post for me to share with the world. I put my heart completely in your hands today as I share with you pictures of our son William in a way I have never shared before. I have prayed over the decision to share this and I hope that he will help bring light and understanding to those who read … Continue reading Protecting Our Human Cubs: A Reflection on Cecil the Lion and Planned Parenthood
I’ve always loved planners and calendars. When I was little, my favorites were ones with puppies on them. I didn’t really have much use for them at the time but I still loved them. I’d flip through the months, oohing and ahhing at the cute puppies. I marked all my siblings’ birthdays down, even though I knew them by heart. As I entered high school … Continue reading A Giveaway! The Calendar and Planner for All Your Needs
tales from the side of the tub 