After Mass today we stopped at the cemetery to see William. Today is his birthday. We gathered around his grave and one of the kids asked if we could sing Happy Birthday. And so, we sang. Afterward, we prayed as a family. We talked abut how old William would be had he lived and a couple of the little ones asked me if I thought … Continue reading Singing Happy Birthday to Heaven
I don’t know that many words are necessary. This is what happens when you have an Advent wreath and 2 little boys who love to touch everything. This is the second set of candles they have gone through so far. I was frustrated at first, but then just had to laugh. I think we are just going to continue to keep it real and not … Continue reading Advent with Little People
The kids were excited last night to put out their shoes for St. Nicholas to come and fill with goodies. It is a tradition they look forward to each and every year. Our kids know that St. Nicholas is Santa and Santa is St. Nicholas. His feast day is December 6th and on that day he comes to remind them the reason we are preparing for … Continue reading St. Nicholas’s Surprise
It’s hard to believe that Chris, our elf, has been a part of our family since 2006. I saw him sitting in a little boutique in Marietta before he ever sat on shelf in Target. Not many had heard of him at that point, in fact, no one we knew had ever heard of him. I looked him over and worried about the cost. He was … Continue reading Just Elfing Around
I wish you could see yourself through my eyes. I wish you could see how beautiful you are; how strong you are; how giving you are; how amazing you are. I wish you could understand how proud I am of you. I wish, for just one moment, you could see yourself through my eyes. Last night you broke down in tears. You hated the way … Continue reading A Letter to My Daughter
Last night I decided to read a new book to the kids before they went to bed. It was entitled How Does Sleep Come? by Jeanne C. Blackmore. I gathered the kids in the living room and they spread themselves out all around. Some were lying on the couch, others were perched right in front of me, eager to see the pictures, and still others … Continue reading How Does Sleep Come?
Originally written on January 18, 2009, this is still an accurate description of what happens regularly at our house! We love Mrs. Butterworth and I love how she has inspired my kids’ imaginations over the years! At our house we go through a lot of syrup. We used to use a store brand of syrup until one day I got smart and bought syrup in … Continue reading Mrs. Buttersworth… a Kid’s Best Friend and Confidant
Oh Jake, you look like your father, you are built like your father, and you act like your father. But I know you are truly my son because you have a love of chocolate like no other child I have ever seen! Two days ago Emma brought Jake into my room and said, “Mama, you know what I caught him doing? He was out on … Continue reading The Boy Who Loved Chocolate
I remember as a child being so angry over something that I was determined to run away. I sat on my bed and thought about what I needed to pack and where I was going to go. I was determined to get out of there. In my young mind my thoughts turned to, “This will show them! They’ll miss me when I’m gone!” Of course … Continue reading The Day I Almost Ran Away
We were sitting at the supper table, everyone loud and silly, when Madison, who is 4, suddenly shouted, “Who’s the prettiest Mama in the world?” Everyone around the table yelled in response, “Our Mama!” I smiled and giggled a little, blushed, and told them thank you, but deep inside I was thinking to myself, “Are they crazy? Why don’t they see me the way I … Continue reading Through the Eyes of a Child
tales from the side of the tub 