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
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 don’t think I will ever forget the day I found out I was pregnant with Leo. I recall the overwhelming feeling of joy and fear mixed so thoroughly together. To know that I was pregnant so soon after almost losing my life with Jake and after being counseled to never have another child again, was terrifying. But, as I stood there, shaking and crying, … Continue reading For the Love of Leo
I was sitting in my room, folding clothes, when Caroline came and asked me a question. “Mama,” she started, “is Daddy going to die?” Her questioned startled me. “I don’t think so. Why do you ask that?” I responded. She looked at me and said quietly, “Because he’s a policeman and bad guys want to kill him.” I didn’t know what to say. We have … Continue reading The Other Side of the Badge
Dear Mrs. McSpadden, I’m sure you are wondering why I am writing to you. You may wonder what we have in common. After all I am a white woman living in the rural south, I am a stay at home mother to 11 children, and I homeschool. I am also married to a police officer. It may seem that we are worlds apart, both in … Continue reading From One Mother to Another: A Letter to Mrs. McSpadden
Have you ever looked at your hands and thought about all they have done through the course of your lifetime? I know that sounds weird, but really, if you think about all you do with your hands in a single day, the thought of what you’ve done with them over a lifetime can be mind-boggling! When I was little I loved to play in the … Continue reading These Hands That Held You
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
To say that this journey to this point has been hard is an understatement. We have worried and prayed, cried and rejoiced. When we first found out I was pregnant with Leo it was hard to even imagine this day and yet here we are. Leo turns one years old today! I can’t begin to tell you how blessed I feel to be able to … Continue reading The Miracle of Leonidas
A sweet group of Catholic friends of mine like to share each week the things their toddlers did during Mass. I suppose it’s like a mini support group for moms of little ones who may (or may not) have lost their little bitty minds while in Mass. We all know that our kids’ behavior can be downright mortifying and can make us want to crawl … Continue reading Tales From the Pews
Remembering the joy that we felt as we held little Leo in our arms for the first time as well as the relief that our worries were over… this is the letter I sent out to family and friends announcing the birth of our son and the miracle that we were blessed with. I look with great anticipation to his birthday coming in just a little … Continue reading A Miracle
tales from the side of the tub 