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This week on the Mama Prays podcast, I chat with Donna Marie Cooper O’Boyle, prolific Catholic mother, EWTN TV host, and mother.

Tune in and you will hear:

—The story of her friendship with St. Teresa of Cacutta

—How to walk with Mary in our motherhood

—How to find hope for trying times

—What’s so miraculous about the Miraculous Medal

Donna Marie generously shares her heart and her wisdom, pointing us to Our Lady and Her Son in this Jubilee Year of Hope!

You can find Donna Marie at https://www.donnacooperoboyle.com/blog/ and purchase the book at https://shopmercy.org/jubilee-pilgrims-of-hope-with-mary.html

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Listen to the wisdom of Tina Mayeux, sorority girl turned Carmelite turned stay-at-home mom.

Tina shares all about what drew her to the Carmelites, as well as the ordering principles of Carmelite spirituality that have shaped her motherhood over the years.

You won’t want to miss Tina’s tips for creating a peaceful, Christ-centered home!

You can find Tina at https://tinamayeux.substack.com/.

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This week on the Mama Prays podcast, I am thrilled to be bringing you this interview with Caitrin Bennett, Catholic homeschooling mother of 3 and author of the book Holier Matrimony. We had an incredible conversation and I can’t wait for you to hear it.

Tune in and you will hear:

— Stories of real saints who lived out holiness in their vocations to marriage

—How to denounce some of the biggest lies in our culture about marriage today

—How to connect with your spouse in an age of distractions

—How to strengthen your spiritual connection with your spouse

—The beauty of the graces available to us in the Sacrament of Matrimony

We have such a gift in the communion of saints, and Caitrin does a beautiful job of communicating their stories to us!

You can find Caitrin at https://holiermatrimony.com/ and purchase the book at https://shopmercy.org/holier-matrimony-married-saints-catholic-vows-and-sacramental-grace.html

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Where do the walls come from?

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What is God’s will for you right now?

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After guiding my hand to tie tiny apron strings around her, my daughter busies herself with miniature pots and pans. She is a flurry of culinary activity, feeding me magic soup and dandelion tea.

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My Favorite Garden Items from AmazonGardening has always been a passion of mine, and over the years, I’ve discovered some fantastic products that have made my gardening experience even more enjoyable. Here are my top picks from Amazon that I absolutely love:

1. Elevated Raised Bed

   • This elevated raised bed is perfect for those who want to garden without bending over. It’s sturdy, easy to assemble, and provides ample space for growing a variety of plants.

   • 8’x4’ Raised Beds:

   • These raised beds are ideal for creating a well-organized garden. They offer plenty of room for planting and are made from durable materials that will last for years.

   • White Picket Fence:

   • Add a touch of charm to your garden with this classic white picket fence. It’s easy to install and provides a beautiful border for your garden space.

   • T-posts:

   • These T-posts are essential for supporting garden fencing or netting. They’re strong, reliable, and easy to drive into the ground.

   • Above Ground Pool:

   • While not a traditional garden item, this above ground pool is perfect for cooling off after a long day of gardening. It’s easy to set up and provides hours of fun for the whole family.

   • Garden Netting:

   • Protect your plants from pests with this durable garden netting. It’s easy to install and can be used for a variety of purposes, including covering raised beds or fruit trees.

   • Adjustable Garden Stakes:

   • These adjustable garden stakes are perfect for supporting growing plants. They’re easy to adjust and provide excellent support for tomatoes, beans, and other climbing plants.

   • Mycorrhizae Root Growth Enhancer:

   • Boost your plants’ root growth with this mycorrhizae root growth enhancer. It’s easy to use and helps improve nutrient uptake for healthier, more robust plants.

   • Organic Liquid Fertilizer:

   • Keep your plants thriving with this organic liquid fertilizer. It’s made from natural ingredients and provides essential nutrients for strong, healthy growth.

   • Weed-free Garden Straw Mulch:

   • This weed-free garden straw mulch is perfect for keeping your garden beds neat and tidy. It helps retain moisture, suppress weeds, and adds organic matter to the soil.

   • Wood Trellises:

   • These wood trellises are perfect for supporting climbing plants like cucumbers and peas. They’re sturdy, attractive, and add a vertical element to your garden.

   • Buckwheat Cover Crop:

   • Improve your soil health with this buckwheat cover crop. It’s easy to grow and helps suppress weeds, improve soil structure, and attract beneficial insects.

   • Micro-clover Seeds:

   • These micro-clover seeds are perfect for creating a lush, green ground cover. They’re low-maintenance, drought-tolerant, and provide a beautiful, soft lawn alternative.

I hope you find these garden items as useful and enjoyable as I have. Happy gardening!

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Come tour our backyard garden and get a look at how we feed our family from our suburban homestead. We are slowly turning this typical backyard into an organic oasis of abundance, and I’d love to take you along to see how we’re getting creative with our space to increase production. This year has been a series of mishaps and heartbreaks, but we are learning a lot and I’d love to have you along for the ride!

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Harvest and dry herbs with me! In this video I take you along in the garden with me as I harvest and dry many of our perennial herbs for storage and use over the winter. I love eating my herbs fresh in the summer, but drying herbs has been a game changer in my kitchen! I’d love to hear: what are your favorite herbs to grow for storage herbal teas??

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Come along with us as we extend our growing space with vertical gardening using arched trellises. We built 7 DIY arched trellises using cattle panels in less than 2 hours, and it was so simple!

We used 16’ cattle panels from a local farm store, 4’ t-posts, and zip ties and the effect in the garden is simply stunning. Aside from adding interest to our garden design, beauty and space for David Austen climbing roses, these DIY trellises allow us to grow vertically, adding nearly 200 square feet to our growing space!

That is a HUGE deal when we are trying to grow all our own food in our 1/3 acre backyard homestead! We were able to get all the supplies for under $50 per trellis in 2024, making them by far the largest and cheapest options we could find. We hope you enjoy our video on how to build diy arched trellises, and get some valuable tips and tricks and ideas of how else you might use cattle panels to build cucumber trellises, tomato trellises, melon trellises, squash trellises, pumpkin trellises and more!

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Can we be self-sufficient in 1/3 acre of land in the suburbs? It’s a slow road to calling becoming worthy of the name “homestead” but we’re sharing our journey as we develop this space and the skills we need to provide as much food as we can for our growing family. We’re delighted to have you along for the ride!

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It’s that time again!

I am the quintessential nerd. I grew up with my nose perpetually in a book. Belle was always my favorite Disney princess. I adore the smell of newly printed books, and shopping for new school supplies was always a highlight of my year.

Is it any wonder, then, that selecting curriculum for the new school year has become one of my favorite pastimes? My one regret is having to narrow down all these amazing resources.

Of course, it wouldn’t be a good curriculum if it wasn’t manageable enough to execute elegantly, and so narrowed down they must be. With no further ado, here are our curriculum picks for the 2024-2025 academic year:

2-year-oldTo keep my little one occupied during school hours, I have gathered an arsenal in the form of busy bins. (For my best tips on homeschooling with littles, check out this post.)

PreschoolI am of the Charlotte Mason, free-range set who believe that no formal education in the preschool years is necessary, and what children at this age in fact need is lots of time outdoors, baking muffins, and snuggling up to great picture books.

However, as a mom of many little ones, I also recognize the value of each having his own turn, his own special time with mom as his older siblings. If I had all the time in the world, I would use My Father’s World preschool program. I love the social-emotional development and how well every little thing ties in, especially the Bible component. Instead, I just use the character book (a MUST!), a finger tracing book, and he will join us during family Bible time.

We will also use Kate Snow’s Preschool Math at Home, and from the Good and the Beautiful we use the handwriting and preschool program daily and continue with the kinder prep when that is complete.

KindergartenMy son has a late birthday, so he has actually already started kindergarten and is progressing with his reading very well. He is so self-motivated, even breaking out his reader to struggle through independently at night. The reader has been discontinued by The Good and the Beautiful, but you can still find it on ebay. I will say that it is not magic so much as a personality thing; my daughter is an avid reader now, but she fought me on that same reader tooth and nail when she was in kinder!

He will continue with The Good and the Beautiful Language Arts K, and I am still on the fence about Math. We switched to Math with Confidence last year, which was absolutely the right call for my 3rd grader (better organization and teaching instructions, better foundation of conceptual math), but my son is missing the fun and silly nature of The Good and the Beautiful, and at this age, that might be more critical. We will see. Either way, we will definitely switch to MWC by Grade 2.

He is loving the Magic Treehouse books and itching to be able to read them independently, so I am excited to see where he goes with it. He is also excited to begin writing his own stories, and spends hours building Legos. Such a fun age! I have a hunch he would really enjoy Minecraft, but I’m not sure what we’d be getting into.

Should we? Shouldn’t we? What are the pros and cons? Let me know!

Third GradeLanguage Arts Our third grader reads voraciously of her own accord, so I don’t assign any reading other than what we read aloud together. We have fallen in love with The Good and the Beautiful Language Arts, and I was really on the fence about whether to bump her up a grade as she doesn’t need the extra help with phonics at this point, but we are sticking with grade level as I think the writing component is more her speed, and why rush?

SpellingThe only thing we skip is the spelling component, as we both prefer a more traditional, straight foward approach (I actually didn’t even realize there were spelling rules until I started teaching this curriculum, and memorizing them felt burdensome even to me. I got nearly perfect verbal scores, graduated valedictorian, and became a published author all before learning of the existence of these rules, so I figure if I can make it work, so can she!). We use Evan-Moor for spelling, and I wouldn’t say she loves it, but she prefers it and does enjoy testing each week.

MathAs stated above, Math With Confidence all the way! I also love that I will only have to repurchase the workbooks, as the text and manipulatives will be the same.

Typing and HandwritingWe are using The Good and the Beautiful. I honestly love their handwriting and so do my kiddos. They don’t always do the extra little connect the dots, drawing and coloring, but sometimes they are drawn to them and it brightens the day and takes the fight out of homeschooling (which I will say G&B does shine in that arena in general). She will finish early and move on whenever she is ready, and we both like it that way.

I am not married to this typing program and still searching for something better (send your suggestions). I feel that electronic feedback would really help with this subject. Then again, I never actually took a formal typing class. I learned in the wilds of MSN Instant Messenger. If you have a suggestion (that isn’t an online chat or forum) let me know!

Family Subjects HymnsWe will be using a selection from this hymnbook. I absolutely adore the historical blurbs. We usually take one verse a week, and by the end of the month we are familiar with the chorus and melody, which is my goal for my kiddos at this age.

LatinWe are just dipping our toes in this year by learning our prayers in Latin using this beautiful book (honestly, I will buy anything by Kate Warner, sight unseen), which we will do during our morning tea time. They already know most of the essentials in English, so this year we are focusing on Latin (again, probably one per month — or however long until we know it well).

Read AloudsI am still compiling our official list, but they will all come from my American History Read Aloud booklist, which I promise to publish in the near-ish future.

Bible We have loved using Bible resources over the past few years. The Jesus Storybook Bible is still my favorite, and the kids enjoyed the Read Aloud Bible (even if I have some theological qualms with minor bits of content). The activities from this one were mostly hits, with some exceptions (and some issues of execution on my part for poor planning).

This year, we are diving into the Biggest Story Bible Curriculum from Crossway, which I will verbally edit for theological errors as I go, but am thrilled with what I have seen so far. You can read from the Bible, use their Bible storybook, or watch the stories on YouTube before diving into your lesson. I am honestly so impressed with the quality and range of activities that go along with this, and you can basically access all the content for free on their website. No, it isn’t Catholic (please, somebody, make a quality Catholic Bible curriculum!), but I feel pretty confident in my ability to adapt this to be theologically accurate. I know it isn’t that way for all parents, so I definitely respect those who stick to Catholic-created resources.

ScienceWe are finishing up our K-3 living books curriculum (let me know if you are interested in the booklist and lesson plans I created!), and headed into a new frontier with Noeo Science. I love that it is based on living books and the science experiments are simple and integrated — the kids learn the content by doing, not just adding on — and that it came with a kit so I am not scrambling for materials.

I am definitely going to have mine spiral bound. I also liked the example pages I saw on flip throughs, but that wasn’t what came. I emailed the publisher and they emailed me a PDF for free right away, so A+ for customer service! I’ll keep you updated on how we enjoy it, but I am optimistic!

History We are finishing up Notgrass 50 States, which was honestly a little repetitive for me, but the kids have declared it their favorite, and it has been fun to fill out our travel bucket list as we go. My oldest has become enamored of the Everglades and wants to hike to the top of Cadillac Mountain in Maine to be the first in the US to see the sunrise. It is helping to form our family culture to go through these together, so I suppose I can’t ask for more than that!

Once we finish, we will move on to Notgrass’s Star-Spangled History. I have flipped through it and I honestly love these stories. I am going to learn so much, and I am also a huge fan of the simple worksheets to check for understanding. My oldest will take the tests, while the littles will just listen along and complete the other activities. I am not going to use the literature component as I have a more ambitious, less realistic schedule of read-alouds in mind. I’ll let you know how it goes.

Supplements and ElectivesBoth our older kids take karate and piano classes. I love being able to outsource these as my skills, interests, and talents really all lie within the narrow range of academic subjects. Lucky for me as homeschooling mom, and lucky for instructors of the “fun” things I can pay them to teach my kids.

For writing, I am purchasing this little journal for my daughter and I as she is at the age of most intense interest in relationship with mom, or so my child development books tell me. We might also dive into this cute Writer’s Toolbox, and my son wants to write a book so we might get this kit for him as well.

As for the computer, my daughter adores Teaching Textbooks Math (which I attribute entirely to how wholly we have deprived our children of screens to this point), and plan to add Night Zookeeper which seems like a fantastic supplemental language resource.

We also get a monthly letter from Letters From Afar which is an absolute win for geography. If I had unlimited resources, I would add History Unboxed, Universal Yums, Saint of the Month, and The Mass Box to our subscriptions. But. I don’t. Hint, hint, gift-givers…

We might also add an art class or some kind of social meet-ups; those are all being formed and scheduled but still nebulous at this point. We will do what works with our schedule, with priority on forming friendships with other kids. If we don’t end up in an in-person art class, I will do art once a week with my kiddos based on this Usborne book that introduces different artists and has instructions for imitation and — what else? — living books.

I’m sure I’ve forgotten something. After all, we are living and breathing the education we give our kids. An atmosphere, a discipline, and a life. The most important lessons are often the ones we don’t even intend to teach, like how to calm down when we’re angry, and how to apologize when we lose our cool (if only someone could teach their mom how not to lose her cool in the first place…).

What are your curriculum picks this year??

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As a homeschooling mother of four, planning our homeschool year is a blend of prayer, research, and organization. Here’s a glimpse into my process:

Step 1: PrayerBefore diving into the logistics, I start with prayer. I ask for guidance and wisdom to choose the best resources and activities for my children.

Step 2: Choosing CurriculumSelecting the right curriculum is crucial. I spend time watching videos, trying out samples, and watching lots of flip-throughs on YouTube. This helps me get a feel for the materials and see if they align with our family’s needs and values.

Step 3: Selecting ExtracurricularsTo protect our calendar, I choose extracurricular activities that multiple children can attend. This not only saves time but also fosters a sense of community and shared experiences among my kids.

Step 4: Planning WeekI take an entire week mid-summer to sit down and finalize all the details, order whatever’s left on the list and/or supplies that need refreshing, and to organize all the printables and materials we will need for the weeks ahead.

Planning Week Checklist1. Highlight and Count School DaysUsing my Mardel homeschooling planner (an absolute MUST I could never live without), I highlight and count up school days in green. I mark my husband’s days off and planned trips in purple.

We usually plan for a 4-day week, taking all of Advent off starting Thanksgiving week to focus on Advent activities and studying Christmas around the world. We also take a week off in March for planting our spring garden and aim to wrap up by early May to enjoy the summer weather before starting back in August when it’s too hot to be outside.

1. Create New Chore ChartsI create new chore charts for the year, setting out our new rhythm to account for changes in age development and curriculum for our four kiddos. This helps maintain a structured yet flexible routine.

2. Schedule CurriculumI look over and roughly schedule out the curriculum subject by subject. Some subjects, like Math with Confidence and The Good and the Beautiful Language Arts, are truly open-and-go or low-prep. Others, like our new Bible and Noeo Science programs, require a bit of forethought, which is very worth it. I prefer a general overview and a quick Sunday re-check.

I also make a list of read-alouds, hymns, and prayers, taking the time we need with each and not rushing to stick to a strict schedule. I keep copies on hand and store them in order by subject in a crate folder system, along with my roadmap for that subject.

1. Seasonal Books and ActivitiesI make a list of seasonal books to buy or order from the library and have activities on hand for those (coloring pages or little crafts from Hobby Lobby or Oriental Trading). This includes our first day of school traditions, which add a special touch to our homeschooling journey.

By following these steps, I ensure our homeschool year is well-organized, flexible, and filled with meaningful learning experiences.

How do you plan your homeschool year? I’d love to hear your tips and tricks!

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The Lord then said to Noah, “Go into the ark, you and your whole family, because I have found you righteous in this generation....

Seven days from now I will send rain on the earth for forty days and forty nights, and I will wipe from the face of the earth every living creature I have made.”

And Noah did all that the Lord commanded him.

Genesis 7:1-5

My toddler is screaming, so it must be Tuesday. His face is scrunched, anger etching hard lines onto his normally round face. His complexion flushes red as he hisses out a frustrated, “No,” through clenched teeth.

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It isn’t a refusal to acquiesce to my request. Quite the opposite: his is a refusal to accept my refusal.

Except, I haven’t said, “No.” What I said was, “Not right now.”

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“Does the Lord delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices

as much as in obeying the Lord?

To obey is better than sacrifice,

and to heed is better than the fat of rams.”

– 1 Samuel 15:22

A pile of odds and ends, the leavings of the day, sit at the base of our stairs like a pile of rubble after a domestic avalanche of orphaned shoes, Hot Wheels, and broken pieces of chalk. This is the “go back” pile: the pile of items designated to be returned upstairs after I have whisked them off the floor in a speed clean session inspired by the Tasmanian Devil.

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Surviving a Road Trip with ToddlersEmbarking on a road trip with toddlers can be as unpredictable as the weather, but with the right tools and toys, you can turn potential chaos into a harmonious adventure. Here’s a list of tried-and-tested products that have made our family road trips more enjoyable:

Snack Time Solutions Snack Cups: Fill them with a mix of puffs and yogis. Not only are they perfect for road trips, but they’re also a hit on planes. * Dried Mangoes*: A favorite from Costco, these are not only healthy but also keep the little ones busy for a good while.

Entertainment Essentials Light Tablet: Ideal for drawing and tracing, keeping those tiny fingers occupied. * Magnet Board: A great way to spark creativity without the mess. * Memory Game: Though it may become a bit noisy, it’s a fantastic way to boost cognitive skills. * Sensory Toy: Engages the senses and helps with developmental milestones. * Water WOW: A mess-free painting experience that can be reused multiple times. * Pop Tubes: These provide a unique auditory and tactile experience. * Lacing Toy: Enhances fine motor skills and concentration. * Poke a Dot books: Excellent for keeping little fingers and eyes occupied * Pop Toy: Simple yet effective for keeping toddlers entertained. * Wiki Stix: Bendable, sticky sticks that allow for endless creativity. * Doodle Board: Encourages artistic expression without any ink or paint. * Switch Board: Offers a variety of switches and buttons to push and toggle. * Mother Goose Talking Doll*: While it can be a bit noisy, it’s a soothing alternative to the sound of fussing.

Tech Tips Portable Screen*: If you’re unable to set up a screen for baby songs or shows like Daniel Tiger and Cocomelon, consider burning them onto a CD. This way, you won’t have to worry about streaming in areas with poor reception.

Remember, having a rotation of activities and the ability to take breaks at rest stops can make a world of difference. With these products in your travel arsenal, you’re well-equipped to handle the journey ahead. Safe travels and enjoy the ride!

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I’ve never been one to wait idly. I’m methodical in my approach—thinking, researching, planning, and praying are all part of my process. But once I’ve made a decision, I’m eager to act on it. This was especially true when I decided to become part of the Catholic Church.

I kept calling to mind Harry’s line from “When Harry Met Sally”: “Once you realize that you want to spend the rest of your life with somebody, you want the rest of your life to start as soon as possible.”

That’s how I felt about receiving Jesus in the Eucharist. I wanted it — Him — immediately.

But God had other plans. He asked me to wait. The year I spent in the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) seemed unnecessarily prolonged. I didn’t resent the process; I respected it. Wise friends within the Catholic community advised me to cherish this preparatory phase rather than rush through it. Their counsel was invaluable, though following it was a challenge.

Throughout that year, I watched children receive communion and couldn’t help but feel that my understanding of the Eucharist was more nuanced, my longing to partake in it far greater. Yet, I trusted that God had a reason for this period of waiting.

The Gift of Waiting

Now, 15 years on, I can still vividly recall the intense desire to receive the Eucharist. That memory allows me to delve deeper into the mystery of the Eucharist, which, while still enigmatic, has become a familiar part of my faith. The wait wasn’t just a time of preparation; it was a gift—one that I hadn’t anticipated.

This waiting period created a touchstone in my memory, a sacred place I can always revisit in prayer. It taught me that waiting serves a purpose. Looking back, I can see God’s hand in the various seasons of waiting throughout my life. Sometimes, like during the final trimester of my last pregnancy, the wait felt interminably long. Even in hindsight, I don’t always understand God’s reasons for making me wait. But occasionally, He provides glimpses of His work—just enough to bolster my faith for the next wait.

Waiting to Be Home

Another challenging wait began after the birth of our first child. I yearned to be home with her, to pause my career and savor every moment. I counted the precious few hours we had together each week, feeling frustrated, sorrowful, and guilty. I wanted to be the one shaping her early experiences, not missing them.

The financial constraints seemed insurmountable, and despite my stubborn attempts to bridge the gap, I found myself further away from my daughter. It’s been nearly a year since I left my job, and this transition has been fraught with challenges. My perfectionism and drive for achievement, once nourished by my career and academic pursuits, now left a void as I entered the realm of motherhood.

In a world where accomplishments are measured by household tasks, I often struggle. The work of motherhood defies the simplicity of a checklist. It’s about presence over productivity. My children need my attention, my embrace, and my love more than they need a pristine environment.

If not for the waiting, the longing to be fully present in these moments, I might have only seen the chaos. But God’s plans are greater. Remembering my deep desire for this life allows me to appreciate the beauty in morning cuddles, building forts, and playful afternoons. I relish the sound of my children’s laughter and the wonder in their eyes as they discover the world.

God knows me intimately. He understands my flaws and tendencies. Like a physician setting a bone, He knew precisely what I needed to prepare for the journey ahead. Yes, it was painful, but it was necessary.

Faithful Waiting

The purpose of waiting is often obscured, which is what makes it so difficult. Enduring these uncertain times requires trust and surrender. In my experience, waiting creates a space for longing, and remembering that feeling opens a wellspring of gratitude. This gratitude breathes life into the joy that now infuses my faith and motherhood.

Like the unseen growth beneath the soil after planting seeds, something is happening beneath the surface during the wait. This knowledge doesn’t alleviate the anxiety, but it has taught me how to wait with faith. I may not know what lies ahead, but I’ve learned to trust that it’s there, and that this uncomfortable time is not in vain.

As I continue to navigate the journey of faith and motherhood, I am reminded that every season of waiting has its purpose, shaping us for what’s to come. In these moments of liminality, I invite Jesus to sit with me, to help me be present to the now. The next chapter will surely unfold – in God’s time.

Biblical Lessons on the Virtue of Waiting

In the tapestry of salvation history, the virtue of waiting is a recurring theme that teaches us about faith, perseverance, and God’s providential timing. The Bible is replete with stories of individuals and entire nations who waited—often for extended periods—for God’s promises to be fulfilled. These narratives offer profound insights into the nature of waiting as an integral part of the human experience and our relationship with the Divine.

Consider Abraham, called by God to leave his homeland and promised a multitude of descendants despite his old age and Sarah’s barrenness. Abraham’s wait for a son, Isaac, was not merely a passive passage of time; it was an active period of growing trust and hope in God’s covenant. His journey of waiting was marked by moments of doubt and human attempts to hasten God’s plan, yet it culminated in the miraculous birth of Isaac, affirming that God’s promises are never unfulfilled, though they may require patient endurance

Similarly, the Israelites’ 40-year wanderings in the desert serve as a powerful metaphor for the spiritual journey of waiting. It was a time of purification and learning to rely solely on God’s providence. The Promised Land lay ahead, yet the path was one of preparation and transformation. This period of waiting was a necessary season for the Israelites to develop a deeper faith and understanding of their identity as God’s chosen people.

Jacob’s love for Rachel led him to work seven years to earn her hand in marriage, only to be deceived into marrying Leah. Undeterred, he committed to another seven years of labor for Rachel. This story illustrates the lengths to which love and dedication can inspire us to wait. Jacob’s perseverance is a testament to the strength that can be found in waiting for the desires of one’s heart, even when the journey is fraught with challenges and setbacks.

The genealogy of Jesus, tracing back to Judah, the son of Leah, reveals the mysterious ways in which God’s plans unfold. Leah, the unloved wife, became an ancestor of the Messiah, a reminder that God’s purposes in our waiting are often hidden and surprising. The fulfillment of God’s promise through Judah, rather than the expected firstborn Reuben or the beloved Joseph, teaches us that waiting with faith can lead to outcomes beyond our understanding or expectations.

Embracing the Wait

These biblical examples of waiting are not just ancient stories; they are living lessons that resonate with our own experiences of anticipation and longing. They teach us that waiting is not a void but a vessel filled with potential for growth and revelation. As we wait for God’s timing in our lives, we are invited to trust in His wisdom and to find joy in the journey, knowing that the fulfillment of His promises is worth every moment of patient expectation.

In our modern lives, we may not wait for a child of promise or a journey to a physical Promised Land, but we do wait for the unfolding of our vocations, the growth of our families, and the deepening of our faith. Like the biblical figures before us, we can learn to wait with purpose, embracing the lessons hidden in the heart of each waiting period.

As we reflect on these stories, we are reminded that waiting is an active, vibrant part of our spiritual lives. It is in the waiting that we often encounter God most profoundly, as He shapes our hearts and prepares us for what is to come. Whether we are waiting for a personal transformation, the fruition of a dream, or the return of Christ, the biblical narrative encourages us to wait with hopeful expectation, knowing that in God’s perfect timing, all things will come to pass.

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As a homeschooling parent, keeping accurate records is essential. Whether you’re required to do so by state regulations or simply want to maintain a comprehensive record of your child’s educational journey, effective record-keeping ensures clarity, accountability, and peace of mind. In this post, I share my approach to homeschool record-keeping, including practical tips and recommended tools.

State Programs: Overture and Tech TrepBefore diving into the details, let’s address two state programs that offer unique opportunities for record-keeping:

1. Overture Learning: If you’re in Idaho, consider signing up for Overture Learning. This K-12 distance education program provides support, curriculum, and resources to homeschooling families. By submitting work samples, you can receive state reimbursement for non-religious materials, zoo admission, and more. Overture becomes your grade/school of record, making it an excellent option for organized record-keeping.
2. Tech Trep Academy: Available in several states, including Idaho, Tech Trep Academy offers personalized, tuition-free education (this is the option we use). While not mandatory, it’s wise to keep records even if you participate in Tech Trep. Their flexible approach allows parents to choose learning resources that suit their child’s needs. You’ll receive a supplemental learning fund to enhance your homeschool experience. Tech Trep also offers virtual classes, clubs, and monthly field trips, fostering a well-rounded education.

Essential Record-Keeping ComponentsRegardless of state requirements, here are the key components to include in your homeschool records:

1. Attendance Records: Keep track of the days your child participates in educational activities. Even if not mandated, attendance records provide a clear picture of your homeschooling journey.
2. Curriculum Information: Document the textbooks, workbooks, and online resources you use. Note the subjects covered and any unique materials you incorporate.
3. Samples of Student Work: Collect samples of your child’s schoolwork—essays, projects, artwork, and assessments. These demonstrate progress and achievement.
4. Correspondence: Save any communication with school officials, including letters of withdrawal (if applicable). These interactions validate your homeschooling efforts.
5. Portfolios and Test Results: Create portfolios as keepsakes. Include student work, progress reports, and any standardized test scores or evaluations.

The Mardel Planner: A Game-ChangerOne tool I highly recommend is the Mardel A Simple Plan Homeschool Planner. Here’s why it’s fantastic:

• Comprehensive Sections: This planner covers all bases. From lesson planning to attendance tracking, it’s designed to simplify your homeschool organization. As an added plus for large families, it has space for up to 6 kids!
• Versatile Learning Funds: If you’re part of a program like Tech Trep, the planner accommodates the $1700 learning fund provided per student. Use it for approved educational resources, technology items, and extracurricular activities.
• Virtual Classes and Clubs: The planner helps you schedule virtual classes and track club participation. It’s a hub for your child’s educational experiences.

Crafting a Homeschool Portfolio: A Time Capsule of LearningCreating a homeschool portfolio is more than just a record-keeping exercise; it’s a way to capture the essence of your child’s educational journey. While not required in Idaho, we choose to compile portfolios as cherished keepsakes, allowing us to reflect on the growth and accomplishments of each school year.

The Art of Portfolio CreationI love this video that offers a step-by-step guide on assembling a meaningful collection of your child’s work. This resource simplifies the process, ensuring that your portfolio not only serves as a record but also as a celebration of your child’s progress.

My Basic Portfolio TemplateIn addition to the video, I offer my basic portfolio template, designed to streamline your record-keeping. This template is a tool to help you organize work samples, highlight milestones, and create a tangible reflection of your homeschooling experience. It’s an easy-to-use framework that supports you in documenting the learning adventure you and your children embark on each year.

The Value of a PortfolioEven though portfolios aren’t mandated, their value is immeasurable. They serve as a time capsule, capturing the essence of your homeschooling days—every project, every lesson, and every discovery. As you flip through the pages, you’ll be transported back to those moments of shared learning, and you’ll see, in vivid detail, just how far you’ve come together.

A portfolio is more than a collection of papers; it’s a narrative of your homeschooling path, a story that unfolds with each added piece. So, let’s create something beautiful that you and your children will treasure for years to come.

Remember, even if your state doesn’t require extensive record-keeping, maintaining organized records benefits both you and your child. Whether you choose Overture, Tech Trep, or another approach, find a system that works for your family. With the right tools and a dash of creativity, you’ll create a meaningful record of your homeschooling adventure.

Happy homeschooling!

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“And how has it happened to me, that the mother of my Lord would come to me? For behold, when the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby leaped in my womb for joy.”

– Luke 1:43-45

“Then the dragon was enraged at the woman and went off to wage war against the rest of her offspring—those who keep God’s commands and hold fast their testimony about Jesus.”

– Revelations 12:17

“Mom, how big am I?” my son bounces on his heels, eagerly awaiting my answer.

“What do you mean, honey?” I ask. I am slow to look up from my reading, so I miss his gesture towards the wall.

“I mean, how much do I weigh?” he asks.

“We’ll have to go upstairs and see,” I reply, thinking of the digital scale in my bathroom.

“NO!” he replies with uncharacteristic force for my usually mellow 5-year-old. “You know,” he says with a meaningful look, and this time I follow where he is pointing.

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Summer is the perfect season to explore faith with your children, and what better way to do it than through a Bible study that’s engaging, educational, and fun? Whether you’re lounging on the beach or enjoying the shade of your backyard tree, these resources will help you and your little ones dive into the Word of God together.

Not Consumed: A Non-Denominational Treasure First on our list is Not Consumed. While it’s not specifically Catholic, it comes highly recommended for its universal Christian values. It’s a fantastic resource for parents looking to instill a strong foundation of faith in their children, regardless of denomination.

The Biggest Story: An Animated Adventure Next, we have The Biggest Story curriculum. This is a gem for visual and auditory learners. You can watch beautifully animated Bible stories for free on YouTube, which is a great way to bring the scriptures to life. If you prefer reading, the Bible storybook is available for around $20. The Biggest Story also offers activity pages, craft templates, and coloring sheets for FREE on their website—perfect for hands-on learning.

DK Family Illustrated Bible: A Visual Feast For those who love to learn through images, the DK Family Illustrated Bible is a must-have. It’s not only visually stunning but also comes with a nihil obstat, indicating that it’s free from doctrinal or moral error. This Bible is a fantastic tool for teaching your kids about the stories and teachings of the Bible in a way that’s both informative and captivating.

Marigold Hunt’s Story-Based Learning If you’re looking for a story-based approach, Marigold Hunt’s books are a wonderful option. She offers a Catechism adventure that’s both engaging and educational. Her works on the life of Christ and the book of Acts are particularly noteworthy for bringing these powerful stories to life in a way that resonates with young readers.

Crafting a Summer of Faith
With these resources at your fingertips, you’re all set to create a summer Bible study that your kids will love. Mix and match reading, watching, and doing to cater to your children’s learning styles. Remember, the goal is to make the Bible accessible and enjoyable, fostering a love for God’s Word that will grow with them.

So grab some lemonade, gather your little ones, and embark on a summer adventure through the Bible. It’s a journey that promises to enrich your family’s faith and create lasting memories.

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There is no such thing as “too busy to pray.” I know that life can be crazy, and there is real value in knowing our limits and being gentle with ourselves. This is not one of those posts. If you need one of those posts, read THIS instead. This is a tough love post, a “come to Jesus” post (literally!). This is an “I love you just the way you are but too much to let you stay that way” post. I know I need this list, and I think you do too.

For your kick-in-the-pants list of ways to prioritize prayer, read on.

• Pray first thing in the morning. If you make it the first thing you do every morning, you won’t ever run out of time.
• Pick a Scripture verse that inspires you. Write it on a post-it (or print it out) and put it on the wall in front of your toilet. Seriously. You spend several quality minutes sitting here in quiet each day. Make them count. Change the verse each time you clean your toilet.
• Take a social-media hiatus. Delete the apps from your phone. Every time you have the impulse to scroll, offer a prayer instead. Finally, a way to honor St. Paul’s call to “pray continually!”
• Use recorded prayers. Whether you have a long commute or spend time at the sink doing dishes each day, you can pray along with a recorded Rosary or Divine Mercy Chaplet as you go about tasks that do not require your mental attention. Check out the Family Rosary app, Together We Pray, for a recorded Rosary. It's free for iOS and Android.
• Listen to worship music. Set aside some time to create a playlist of songs that speak to you (or use one that’s already been curated on Spotify. Here’s a great one by Blessed Is She).
• Make a date with Jesus. Look up daily Mass, Confession, or Adoration times and pencil something into your calendar. You can’t sustain a romance with someone you never see.
• As you work, clean, or make a meal, offer a prayer of gratitude for the person who will benefit.
• Before turning on Netflix, take 20 minutes to journal, read Scripture, or relax with a good book. Pick something that will refresh you rather than merely helping you zone out.
• When you feel frustrated with someone, make a conscious effort to see and love Jesus in that person. If you are like me, this will provide you with ample prayer opportunities throughout your day.
• At the end of the day, review it with an examination of conscience like this one from IgnatianSpirituality.com or this one, shared by Loyola Press. Leave yourself a note on your pillow so you don’t forget. Ask God to help you see where He showed up, and how you missed opportunities. Sit in gratitude. Ask for help to do better next time.

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Homeschooling can be a challenging yet rewarding journey, and finding the right resources to keep your children engaged is key to a successful educational experience. Subscription boxes have become a popular tool for parents looking to enrich their homeschooling curriculum with hands-on activities and global insights.

Here is my curated a list of the top subscription boxes to complement your curriculum and spark joy in learning.

History:

• History Unboxed: History comes alive with History Unboxed. This subscription service offers a unique blend of crafts, stories, and activities that span ancient, medieval, and American history. It’s perfect for making history lessons more engaging and interactive.

Geography:

• Universal Yums: Explore the world through snacks with Universal Yums. Each box features treats from a different country, along with trivia and games, perfect for a tasty geography lesson.
• Letters from Afar: Isabelle, the fictional explorer, will take your children on a literary journey around the world with Letters from Afar. Each month, they’ll receive beautifully illustrated letters, field notes, and maps that explore different cultures and destinations. Pair this with Saints Around the World by Meg Hunter-Kilmer and Rick Steves’s travel documentaries for an immersive geography and cultural experience.

Faith:

• Mass Box: The Mass Box is a craft box that helps prepare kids for Sunday and Holy Day church services. It includes crafts, activities, and videos that correspond to the Bible readings, making it a great addition to religious education at home.
• Saint of the Month: Dive into the lives of the saints with Saint of the Month. Each box contains 4-5 gifts, a brochure, and a set of goals related to the featured saint, offering a unique way to learn about faith and holiness.

Science:

• Kiwi Crate: Kiwi Crate sparks creativity and innovation in children aged 5-8 with STEAM-based projects. From science experiments to art activities, each crate is designed to inspire young minds and develop problem-solving skills.
• Crunch Labs: Designed by former NASA engineer Mark Rober, Crunch Labs encourages kids to think like engineers. The Build Box and Hack Pack subscriptions provide DIY toys and robots that teach engineering principles through play. (This one is on my husband’s wishlist!)

For the Little Ones:

• LoveEvery: For the littlest learners in your family, LoveEvery provides stage-based play kits filled with playthings, books, and developmental guides. These kits support your child’s brain development and keep them busy while older siblings focus on their studies..

These subscription boxes are more than just fun; they’re a gateway to knowledge and creativity. Whether your child is crafting a historical artifact, tasting international cuisine, deepening their faith, or building a robot, these boxes will enrich their homeschooling experience in the most delightful ways.

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People were bringing little children to Jesus for him to place his hands on them, but the disciples rebuked them. When Jesus saw this, he was indignant.

He said to them, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.”

And he took the children in his arms, placed his hands on them and blessed them.

— Mark 10:13-16

One of the first blog posts I ever wrote was an earnest, idealistic piece on the importance of bringing our children to Mass. Several years and four kids later, those sentiments are as obsolete as that first blog. My own words pop into my head and my stomach churns — bloated from years of weekly humble pie.

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Ah, the eternal question: how to keep toddlers and preschoolers occupied during the big kids’ school time?

The pious answer? Pray.
The humorous answer? Drink.
The unhelpful answer? Get used to the mess and chaos.

I am fairly certain I have read every post and listened to every podcast episode that attempts to answer this question, and I can tell you one thing: they all fall short. None of them has the magic answer, and spoiler alert: I don’t either. There just is no easy way to homeschool in the middle of the chaos of toddlers and preschoolers.

There are, however, a few tips and tricks that make the roar quieter and the messes smaller. So, take solace in the fact that it is not just you; this is a tough season for everyone, and I am told by many a wise mother that better days are ahead. In the meantime, here is what is (sort of) working for us.

1. Pray. This is not a trite or pat answer. We have a later 9:00 start time precisely so I can fit in some nuggets of prayer while caring for my early risers (nursing the little one and entertaining my 4-year-old). Then, we start the homeschooling day in prayer. When things are going wrong, I abandon myself to Jesus in prayer like my toddler crawls crying into my lap after scraping her knee. Prayer is like oxygen; it is amazing what the simple act of breathing can do for a person.
2. RoutineHaving an optimized routine can help things to go more smoothly. I try to fill my little ones up before their schooling big siblings wake for the day —- with attention, and with plenty of snacks. We do art, science experiments, and other messy or involved projects while the baby is napping (anyone else still call their youngest “the baby” even though she’s nearly 2?). We have “tea time” with snacks and coloring pages while I do read alouds so their mouths are full and their hands are busy. Having everyone filled up also prevents hanger-induced tantrums, which is always a plus.
3. Busy BinsFor the longest time, I avoided giving them sensory bins because I didn’t want to deal with the inevitable grains of rice and stray beans on the floor. However, after scrubbing toothpaste and butt cream and paint off various surfaces, I reconsidered and changed the out-of-control messes for limited messes of my choosing. I realized part of the reason my wild child was getting into such trouble every time he was out of sight was because he needed that sensory input I’d been depriving him of. This is a great book on making your own busy bags, and I have a post dedicated to the themed bins that we rotate through. This is a variation on the advice to have toys that they can only access during school times, and it has honestly worked wonders and been a huge relief — totally worth the initial investment and a heck of a lot cheaper than the preschool tuition I’d been considering to solve the problem. The way I see it, these items are necessary parts of our curriculum.

A tip for managing the expense? Create an Amazon wishlist and let relatives know what you’re working on. Kinds honestly love these things so much, and it has been so much better to have toys and activities that actually occupy our kids and stimulate their creativity than another remote control toy or Barbie accessory. 4. Do Preschool.So, for a first or only kid, I am not a big fan of preschool. They get everything they need from storytime with mom, playtime in nature, visits to the library, and trips to the zoo — you get the picture. But as our family has grown, my perspective on preschool has changed. What this looks like will depend entirely on the interests and temperament of your individual little one, but having some kind of “school” for your little makes him feel like he, too, is special and a part of the action. This could be his own copy of the worksheet to scribble on alongside his siblings, or he might be ready for his own “table work” with mom. (We use The Good and the Beautiful’s preschool program and kindergarten prep along with Kate Snow’s Preschool Math at Home). We also use the books from My Father’s World. I’d love to implement the whole program, but it is too overwhelming for managing multiple grade levels). You make the call, but the more they feel included, the less they have to act out to garner attention. 5. Embrace it.I know I said this advice is unhelpful, but it is also a reminder I need constantly. THIS is the time for snuggles and silly picture books. THIS is the time to bake the cookies and have sweet conversations with our little ones. Especially as our focus moves to educating our older kiddos, it is so easy to lose touch with meeting the needs of our littlest. Remembering that this, too, shall pass, is both a great relief and a cause for sorrow depending on how my day has gone. Our time with our kids is so brief (one of the reasons we homeschool in the first place), and yet how often do I find myself rushing my kids onto the next thing or looking wistfully over the proverbial fence to those ages when the trials of this current stage will be long past?

This stage is sticky, cacophonous, chaotic — a never-ending avalanche of clutter to be swept and booboos to be kissed. But it is also filled to the brim with the sweetest snuggles and the wonder of discovery. GK Chesterton said that “The way to really love a thing is to remember that it may be lost.” So, take the time to remind yourself that these are the days that we will soon long for.

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Ah, the seemingly-eternal question: how to keep toddlers and preschoolers occupied during the big kids’ school time?

That is worth of a post in itself.

Here, you’ll find recipes with ingredients for themed busy bins, designed to be low-mess, independent, and engaging for those little hands and minds. Each has sensory, fine motor, building, and creative components and can be rotated on a daily basis to keep each activity fresh and exciting for your little one.

They don’t need to be themed (I just find buying to be easier and more fun this way), and if your little one enjoys some activities more than others, feel free to lean heavier on his interests!

Please let me know how you enjoy these! We have been having a blast so far. (Amazon links are affliliate links, so if you do purchase via these links, it’s like sending me a “thank-you for the idea” tip, at no extra cost to you.)

For each of these, I purchase and label a scrapbox bin for storing the items. I get mine for $5 on sale at Michael’s, but these Amazon options also work well. If a book doesn’t fit, I just store it on top of the bin, and if an activity has just too many pieces, I store just enough to keep those little hands moving in a little bag inside the box. The rest of the set goes into one of our regular play spaces for other times of the day.

FARM
Sensory: Bean bin with Montessori tools
Fine-motor: Melissa and Doug Hide and Seek Wooden Farm
Building: Duplo At the Farm Set
Creativity: Melissa and Doug Farm Water WOW
Puzzles: Melissa and Doug Cube Puzzle, Melissa and Doug Chunky Puzzle
Book: Melissa and Doug Poke a Dot Farm

OCEAN
Sensory: Kinetic Sand with Ocean Molds
Fine-motor: Learning Locks
Building: Plus Plus Ocean Creatures
Creativity: Melissa and Doug Ocean Water WOW, Crayola Color Wonder Magic Light “Watercolor”
Puzzle: Melissa and Doug Fishing Puzzle
Book: Peek-a-Flap Ocean

BEARS/FOREST
Sensory: Play Dough Fun Set
Fine-motor: Lauri animal foam and peg stackers, Lincoln Logs
Building: Magnatile Forest Animals
Creativity: Color Wonder Alpha Pets
Puzzle: Melissa and Doug Wooden Bear Family Dress-up
Book: Peek-a-Flap WHO

DINOSAURS
Sensory: Colored Rice and Dino Figures
Fine-motor: Skillmatics Foil Fun Dinos
Building: Infantino Sensory Blocks
Creativity: Melissa and Doug Water WOW, Melissa and Doug Reusable Puffy stickers, Color Wonder Dinos
Puzzle: Melissa and Doug Chunky Puzzle
Book: The Ultimate Book of Dinosaurs

ICE CREAM RAINBOW
Sensory: Kinetic Sand Ice Cream Set, (also baking soda, vinegar, and food coloring in muffin tins with dropper to disperse the vinegar into tins filled with baking soda)
Fine-motor: Skillmatics Magnetic Alphabet Rainbow, Magnetic Ice Cream Color Matching
Building: Picasso Tiles, Magnetic Montessori Blocks
Creativity: Melissa and Doug Play Ice Cream Store (store the pieces only in the box), Ice-cream scented dot markers
Puzzle: Melissa and Doug Ice Cream Magnetic Puzzle Set
Book: Ice Cream: The Full Scoop by Gail Gibbons, Let’s Lace

JUNGLE/SAFARI
Sensory: Safari creatures, rice, and sensory scoops
Fine-motor: Geo-Board
Building: Learning Resources Tangrams/Pattern Blocks
Creativity: Melissa and Doug Reusable Puffy Stickers, Melissa and Doug Safari Puppets
Puzzle: Melissa and Doug Jungle Book/Puzzle, Melissa and Doug Safari Jigsaw
Book: Peek a Flap Zoo

LIFE CYCLES
Sensory/Fine Motor: Water play and Learning Resources Fine Motor Tool Set with Life Cycle Set
Building: Brain Flakes Building Set
Creativity: Crayola Color Wonder Stamp Set
Puzzle: 5-Layer Wooden Frog Puzzle
Book: DK How Does a Frog Grow Board Book, DK Life Cycles

CONSTRUCTION/VEHICLES
Sensory: Lentils and construction vehicles, Construction play sand set
Fine-motor: ImagiMake Shape Vehicle Puzzle, Skoolzy Nuts and Bolts
Building: Construction Magnatiles, Magnatile set (worth their weight in GOLD)
Creativity: Melissa and Doug Water WOW
Puzzle: Melissa and Doug Chunky Puzzle, Melissa and Doug Construction Jigsaw
Book: The Ultimate Book of Vehicles, Richard Scarry Busy Box Set, Melissa and Dog Poke a Dot Contruction

SPACE
Sensory: Pop tubes and space sensory bins
Fine-motor: Skillmatics “Dot It” Space Sticker Activity
Building: Kapla Planks, Space Duplos
Creativity: Melissa and Doug Water WOW, Paint by Sticker
Puzzle: Learning Resources Magnetic Solar System
Book: The Ultimate Book of Space

PRINCESS/CASTLE

Sensory: Little People Princess Set and dried peas OR Unicorn Sensory bin with kinetic sand
Fine-motor: Tea Party Set, Disney Princess Magnetic Dress Up
Building: Magnetic Castle, Magnetic Princess Blocks
Creativity: Play Scarves, Melissa and Doug Reusable Puffy Sticker Sets
Puzzle: Disney Princess Wooden Cube Puzzle, Minnie Mouse Mix and Match
Book: Beauty and the Beast Classic Pop-up

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Everything We Used for Our National Parks Unit StudyWe are not campers by any means, and our version of hiking usually includes a stroller. However, we aspire to become people of the outdoors, and as such, we have made it a goal to visit all 63 National Parks as a family. Never one to pass up an opportunity for travel or to educate my kids by doing, I designed a National Parks Unit Study that we can dip in and out of as our visits to the Parks occur. This can also be used as a stand-alone unit study.

I am ever-inspired by Charlotte Mason’s description of education as an atmosphere, a discipline, and a life. As such, you’ll find resources below not only to educate your children about the National Parks, but to help them become an integral part of their imaginations and your family culture.

Spine:
We used both DK National Parks For Kids and USA: Lands of Wonder as a wealth of information and for their gorgeous photos. I also liked Wide Eyed’s National Parks Book for lovely illustrations and approachable descriptions. If I have to choose one, I pick Lands of Wonder, but honestly, why choose? Our local library has them all and I bet yours does, too (although I did invest in these as we plan to revisit them again and again).

Activities:
Our kids actually did all of these on our road trip to visit the National Parks. They loved DK National Parks Sticker Bookand the
National Parks Activity Book, but their favorite was this Sticker by Number book.

Read Alouds:
We have enjoyed the National Parks Mystery Series. The chapters are short and it has illustrations, making it a perfect fit for our morning time. I was a little bummed that the books didn’t match the exact parks we were visiting (we’ve been to Carlsbad, Hawaii Volcanoes, and Arches so far). I hear the author plans to make it a ten book series, so maybe your favorite park will be next! (Mine is Arches).

Games:
We have one day a week dedicated to gameschooling, and the kids also pull these out at random times for fun during the week. National Parks Trivia, Trekking the National Parks, and this gorgeous Parks Strategy Game are great for older kids. If you have a younger set, I recommend National Parks Bingo, National Parks Memory Game (also gorgeous), and what has probably been the biggest hit in our household so far, the Melissa and Doug National Parks Magnet Matching activity.

Pretend:
For igniting those little imaginations, you have to love Melissa and Doug’s Yellowstone Bear Set and Park Ranger Set.

Viewing:
America’s National Parks doesn’t feature every park, but it was the only series I found that held my kiddo’s attention. After viewing the episode on Hawaii Volcanoes, my 5-year-old was telling anyone who would listen that his favorite bug was a lava cricket — so I know learning was happening during all those leaps between couch cushions.

Ongoing:
As for the atmosphere part, I invested in this Wooden Keepsake Map for our family. It is beautifully made and comes with little green trees that press into the spaces to mark where your family has visited. I was also temped by this more affordable scratch-off poster which is still attractive but at a healthier price-point. I wish I had seen these National Parks Passports before we first embarked. I can’t find the ones we originally bought but am seriously thinking of just transferring the stamps we had into these because they are so lovely! (Also, I don’t have this throw blanket just yet, but it is on my wish list and my birthday is coming up! Hint, hint, husband!)

I also have to mention the Junior Ranger Program, in which the kids can receive badges for activites completed online or by visiting the Parks in person.

Happy hiking!

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When Jesus saw him lying there and knew that he had been ill for a long time, he said to him, “Do you want to be well?”

The sick man answered him, “Sir, I have no one to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up; while I am on my way, someone else gets down there before me.”

Jesus said to him, “Rise, take up your mat, and walk.” Immediately the man became well, took up his mat, and walked.

— John 5:6-9

Several months ago, I was enveloped in the deep blackness of my autoimmune disorder. I had lived for several years with minimal symptoms following my diagnosis, but this past fall, it sucked me under.

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This is the story of how I struggle to hold still and be present and peaceful in the midst of the chaos and demands of motherhood.

I invite you to join me in reflecting on the wisdom and grace of God, who invites us to be still and know that he is God.

…

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“What if the Catholic school in your area was just phenomenal?” a friend recently asked me. “If they did a fantastic job, wouldn’t you prefer someone else do all that work?” Her question surprised me, and I was grateful to have the chance to reflect. “No,” I answered, “Not at all.” The truth, I realized, was that there was nothing our local parish school needed to do better to lure us back. For us, homeschooling isn’t about running away from a bad school system. It’s about what we’re running to.

Opting out of a flawed system of conventional education probably makes the list for many homeschooling families, but I’d venture to guess that for most, the flaws that drive them away are not nearly as compelling as the benefits that draw them to homeschooling. And while those benefits might be readily apparent to parents who were homeschooled themselves as children, or to those who have a lot of exposure to homeschooling families, the rest of us “homeschool curious” are left with a conventional schooling experience and the intuition that there may be something of substance in this alternative approach. For parents who are feeling drawn to homeschooling, here are seven tips for making your choice.

1. Find your “why.”

It may be that you are reading this post because you’re running into problems with the school system and hoping for an escape. Between morally objectionable programs of sexual education, school shootings, or being denied the right to participate in your child’s education, there are serious and legitimate reasons to consider moving away from the school system. Still, fear does not make a great foundation for decision-making, and it probably won’t be enough to get you through the tough days (and there will be tough days!).

If you want to homeschool, it is essential to find your why. Is it more family time? Freedom to travel? The ability to customize your child’s education? It is absolutely essential for you and your spouse to find your reasons and write them down. Make a mission statement for your family that can serve to bolster your convictions during hard times and serve as a litmus test when considering how any particular curriculum or activity serves to further (or detract) from that mission.

2. Explore options and find inspiration.

When I was curious about homeschooling, I was blessed to attend a local retreat for Catholic homeschooling moms. Hearing their stories was transformative; it helped me understand concretely the beauty, blessings, and struggles I could expect if our family made this shift. If you can, find other families nearby who can help paint a realistic picture of what homeschooling can look like.

Kirk Cameron’s The Homeschool Awakeningis a must for all families currently homeschooling or in the process of discerning making that change, but it is especially helpful for those of us with little prior exposure to homeschooling to help expand our imaginations as to the many forms this educational alternative can take.

There is a wealth of examples of different homeschooling styles and philosophy on YouTube. While this can be overwhelming, it is also a great resource for ideas (and can save a lot of time and money in making curriculum choices!).

I’d also recommend reading Real Learning Revisited by Elizabeth Foss (start with the last chapter and then go back) and Teaching from Restby Sarah MacKenzie. “Read Aloud Revival” and “The Commonplace” are fantastic podcasts for ongoing inspiration.

3. Seek community.

It is not good for man to be alone. The same is true for the homeschool mom. We are made for community, and we need to walk with others along whichever road it is we choose to travel. Our family has been blessed to be a part of two different co-op communities, and have grown so much through those friendships.

As a new homeschooling mom, I found encouragement and connection. I learned so much from experienced moms about the practicals of homeschooling: how it looks at different stages, which curriculum to choose, how to set up our day, and how to conquer little setbacks and pivot when strategies aren’t working. I continue to find essential support from their wisdom and example.

It also helps to have other families with similar values trying to accomplish the same goals. When you’re swimming upriver, it’s nice to be able to turn to someone facing the same currents to remind you that your fight isn’t crazy (or if it is, that at least you’re not alone in trying to face it!).

1. Prioritize and customize.

One of the ways homeschooling really shines is the ability to tailor a child’s education. One of the less widely understood gifts is the ability to select your responsibilities as a teacher. You can outsource responsibilities via online classes, co-ops, art centers, sports, tutors, and even the YMCA or your local city parks and rec department. You can let go of the feeling that you have to “do it all” because 1) you probably can’t, and 2) you don’t have to!

Sarah MacKenzie recommends reviewing every 6 weeks. This ongoing evaluation serves the homeschool parent first by forcing a commitment for a period of time, preventing a constant shuffling of curriculum every time a roadblock comes up. It also allows flexibility and freedom to let go of something that isn’t working, without locking a family into that curriculum or program for a year or even longer.

1. Prep for the bad days.

Not every day brings sunshine. There will be storms, and occasionally a hurricane or two. As a homeschool parent, you don’t have to trudge on in the middle of a deluge. The schedule is your call. Stomach flu running rampant? School is canceled. Kids are crying and mom is impatient? Time for a dance party. Lean into the flexibility of managing your own schedule.

School kids get snow days; our family has spring “sun days” when the weather is finally warm enough to enjoy being outside. Homeschool kids can pause for popcorn and a movie, have a rainy reading day, or pop out for a quick hike or tide pool exploring just to reset the mood.

6. Embrace the “gaps.”

One of the common fears about homeschooling is the “gaps.” For the most part, parents are not trained as educators. What if we miss something?

First, try this exercise: List everything you remember about Ancient Greece. List the properties of matter. Write out the quadratic equation. How much of what you learned in school (or forgot you learned) has been critical? Conversely, how much critical knowledge do you plan to leave your children without? As a freshman in college, I remember teaching scholarship students how to do a load of their own laundry. The point is, every academic program will privilege some skills and let others fall to the wayside.

Even if you were presented with a perfect “gapless” education (were you, really?), there will be plenty you don’t remember, and even more still that you just don’t know. (It really isn’t even possible to learn everything). Families who school at home are generally less concerned with gaps in discrete knowledge and subject-specific skills, and more concerned with the gaps of conventional schooling: critical thinking, character education, and love of learning. These are areas that the conventional schooling model struggles to address, and that individualized attention from a homeschool parent is primed to focus.

7. Just do it.

I like to call this piece of advice discerning by doing. Sometimes, we can get so caught up in the fear of making the wrong decision that we end up making no decision at all (despite the fact that that, in itself, becomes our decision by default). If you are stuck on repeat, make the leap. If you’re feeling called to try it, try it! Trying it for a year doesn’t need to mean a permanent commitment. We have novitiates and engagements for a reason; sometimes we need to live a commitment (or near to it as we can get) before we can really understand what it is we are undertaking. The reality may be very different than we’ve imagined.

For us, homeschooling has been more beautiful, more fruitful, more freeing, and much, much less difficult than we’d pictured. It’s required a lot of adaptation and flexibility. But we never would have known any of it unless we tried.

Take it year by year, but as much as is possible, try to commit for a full year. This allows you to experience a fuller range of ups and downs, storms and fair weather. If you do feel like quitting, keeping that commitment can keep you from abandoning ship prematurely, as well as to help you determine whether there is a consistent pattern that needs addressing. Knowing that can mean the difference between constant second-guessing and feeling peace and confidence in deciding to expel your homeschooler.

One last piece of advice: keep discerning. The root of the word “discern” is “to sift.” If we think about discernment as a continual process of sifting through our days to find the specks of gold and let the grains of sand fall through, we will become experts at recognizing those “golden moments” that cue us into our deepest desires for ourselves. We can then bring these to God in prayer, seeking to follow where his voice might be directing our paths.

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At a recent panel on the Dobbs decision, Professor Roberto Dell’Oro, director of Loyola Marymount University’s Bioethics Institute, defended legalized abortion through the first trimester, identifying the ability to feel pain as the “threshold beyond which freedom to choose cannot legally go.” In his online talk, Dell’Oro offers an “outline of his personal position on abortion,” while failing to clarify that his opinion represents a dramatic departure from the teachings of the Catholic Church.

As a former student of the professor in question, a Catholic, and a woman to whom abortion is routinely sold as “essential” to my “freedom” and “moral agency,” I reject as unreasonable Dell’Oro’s arguments. I offer here a rebuttal that, by contrast, aims to think with the Church, that stands on a more authentically Catholic understanding of freedom, and that presents a vision of women’s autonomy that empowers rather than infantilizes them.

Read the rest at Word on Fire

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I’ve been dreading winter, but as my kids press their noses against the cool glass to watch the first snowflakes fall, their anticipation is catching. The frigid rush of air whooshing in through the back door announces to our cozy kitchen the arrival of something new and exciting. My kids scramble to greet it like a long lost friend, hobbling half-dressed through the threshold, returning for the forgotten scarves and fallen gloves littering the hall in their wake.

The snow charms me as well, in spite of myself. Maybe it’s the slow silence of the way it drifts in, blanketing everything in crisp white sparkles. Unlike its ferocious relative, the rainstorm, the snow doesn’t announce itself, nor does it assault its bystanders. Snow is the more contemplative cousin of the precipitation family.

The chill overcomes me, and I turn back to the warm glow of the kitchen, leaving my kids to the world of snow building, their imaginations made manifest. I return later to watch them, steaming mug in hand. As I sip, the hot steam reawakens the tip of my nose over its rim, and the patterns of frost on the window panes take hold of my attention.

If we look closely enough, each snowflake is made of sometimes thousands of snow crystals, each with its own intricate hexagonal structure (thank you homeschooling). Like fingerprints, each has its own unrepeatable microscopic pattern. These artistic flourishes with mathematical precision have fallen, unseen by human eyes, for eons.

As I scurry about the house this Advent, placing items just so – before the kids inevitably “perfect” my placement of all decor – frosting cookies that will scarcely be glanced at before they become sticky fingers and crumbs littered across the floor, and tying bows atop pretty paper destined to become piles of rubble brimming our overfilled trash bins on December 26, I can’t always account for the joy of attending to these tiny bits of beauty.

Then, an idea dawns slow and bright as the dawn peeking over the snow capped peaks in the distance. God has written beauty into reality, down to each tiny snowflake. When I attend to the little details of our home, the carefully tied ribbons and strung up lights are not worldly or trivial – they are sacramental. In beautifying our home, I act in the image of our Creator, who has beautified all of reality, down to the last microscopic snow crystal.

Untold billions of intricately designed snow crystals have graced our earth unseen, unappreciated. I’m struck by the joy and anticipation God must have had in the moment the first human being thought to catch a snowflake for viewing under a microscope. Almost immediately, my grumpy inner theologian chastises me: “God is outside of time. We can't think of him anticipating anything.” My inner poet shushes away those technicalities, trusting in the wonder and awe of discovering God's secret designs, and his patience as he waits for us to revel in them.

Our family recently traveled to Carlsbad Caverns National Park. Hidden beneath the unassuming desert landscape of New Mexico are miles of extravagant columns, flowing draperies, bottomless pools and cave pearls, floor to ceiling magnificent detail. All of this formed over thousands (millions? a better homeschool mom would know) of years. And in all that time, these features remained in total darkness, impossible to see. Not even the Native Americans had stumbled upon it (I do know that much; it was on the tour). It was God’s silent secret until a single cowboy decided to follow the trail of bats streaming out of the cave’s mouth one summer evening. Can you imagine being Jim White, discovering Carlsbad for the first time? What a gift God bestowed on him.

Marveling at snowflakes and musing on caverns, I’m reminded of the birds of the air and the lilies of the field. Jesus made this same point Matthew recorded 2,000 years ago, but like Jim White, I’m finally discovering it anew just now: God created us with no less detail than nature’s intricate wonders.

The caverns of our souls can be dark places with rough edges. When those same spaces fill with light, they become devastatingly beautiful. That is what Jesus does when we let him in. He brings his light to the spaces where we would stumble in darkness. Let us welcome in the light of Jesus this Advent, allowing him to brighten and highlight the beauty in even or perhaps especially the most precarious places of our lives. We might yet stumble upon the beauty he has hidden there, waiting for us to find it.

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The last few Christmases have been kind of a train wreck.

I’m not just talking about the disaster of a wrecked living room or a difficult Mass with overtired, sugared-up toddlers that I wrote about last year. For two out of the last three years, I have been waylaid by crippling prenatal depression. The year in between those? Covid.

This is the first year I’ve been able to really revel in the joy of the season in quite some time. Unlike last year, the gray of winter doesn’t seem like a metaphor for the blandness of my soul. Instead, I’m enchanted by the soft flutter of snowflakes and grateful for each tiny task that speaks to the particularity of this season. Still, I have 4 kids 6 and under. My 5-month-old is sleeping less than ever. And we’ve all had a cough for 45 years. In other words, this isn’t a great time for the hustle and bustle that is so often synonymous with this season

Far from being disappointed, I am perfectly contented. Cozy mornings at home by the fire, making cocoa for the kids while they sled down our neighborhood “hill” and make snowmen, and the slow unfolding of playdough story time are actually the stuff of my ideal days. I am not busy or rushed, and part of that is having chosen to make this a season of rest. Far more than the sunshine of a California Christmas, the weather here in Idaho reminds me to make time to simply be.

Intentionally keeping things simple allows us to enjoy the pause the Advent season offers. In forgoing new and creepier holiday embellishments (I’m looking at you, Elf on the Shelf) in favor of tried and true traditions, we have incorporated Advent into our regular rhythms. These traditions allow us to remember the season and keep Christ’s coming at its center. Below are the traditions that we have found help this time take on a special character without becoming overwhelming.

The Advent WreathEach night when we sit down to dinner, we light the appropriate number of candles and we sing the chorus of “Oh Come, Oh Come, Emmanuel.” I had the bright (pun intended) idea to teach the kids a new verse each week, but even that is too complicated for us right now. Maybe when the youngest is 6 instead of the oldest…

The Jesse TreeAs a convert, I actually taught high school religion classes for several years before I ever heard of the Jesse tree. Once I did, I knew it would be a part of our family life forever. I just had to have a family first.

For a couple of years, we used downloadable coloring pages to cut out an ornament each day and stick it on a paper tree I posted in the kitchen. That worked for a while, but I am so glad I invested in one of these sets from Esty. It’s a lot less work, and the kids are just dying to open the ornament of the day and read about Jesus’s ancestors. It’s a fabulous review of salvation history, and I have had a blast listening to their versions of the Bible stories we’ve read (think Drunk History, but with kids and no booze - for them, anyway).

St. Nicholas DayOn December 5, we put out our shoes.

Okay, I will admit that this one can be a little more stressful. We don’t always remember to put out our shoes, and we don’t always have the treats laying around to stuff into them. We can’t all be Jen Fulwiler running to the gas station at midnight because some of us obey our God-given biological bedtimes and power down involuntarily at sunset.

A couple of ways to make this less stressful:

1. Homeschool your kids. They won’t know what day it is and you can do St. Nicholas the next night after you see all the liturgical living posts popping up on Instagram.
2. Shop at Hobby Lobby. When I have a coffee date by myself, we like to get a Starbucks Americano and browse through Target, TJ Maxx, and Hobby Lobby. It’s nothing original, but there’s a reason all those stores congregate together, and Mommy usually comes home happy. Whenever I find myself at Hobby Lobby alone, I make it a point to pick up some gold foil covered coins. Anyway, this happens at least once a year, so then I am covered whenever St. Nicholas Day next rolls around again. Chocolate doesn’t go bad, right?

If I’m feeling ambitious, I’ll also order some cuties from Walmart. If not? St. Nick can just blame the supply chain.

The Advent CalendarThis is our 2-year-old sitting next to the Advent calendar after climbing onto the counter to pilfer all its Skittles. We plan to add this back in next year after our little pirate’s prefrontal cortex has added a few more cells.

In the meantime, we have found some great Advent calendars/homeschooling activities from Purple Cow on Amazon. Next year, I am thinking of wrapping up 24 of our Christmas books and tying that into our Jesse Tree routine. It’s ambitious, I’ll admit, but as long as I’m not pregnant again I think I’ll be up for it.

We also decorate a Christmas tree and the house. We might bake and decorate cookies, attend a party, or go caroling. We might drive around and see some lights. And of course we cozy up and watch our favorite Advent shows. These are all “extras” that can be added in here and there when convenient, without the added pressure of a lengthy itemized Christmas bucket list.

Honestly, true to my theme this year, I’m just happy to be here — and that is working out really well for us in this season of life.

Peace, joy, and hope to you. All is not calm. But all is bright.

Merry Christmas!

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“Can I watch a show?”

It is without a doubt the most-asked question in our home (at least it is ever since I made the rule that the kids have to ask Dad for dessert, not me). In our family’s routine, TV time generally comes in the afternoon following school and chores and usually gets preempted by playing with the neighbors. When we are off schedule and Mom is absorbed in the whirlwind of shopping, wrapping, cleaning, cooking, and generally doing all the additional (beloved, of course) that come with putting on the month-long production that is the contemporary suburban Christmas season (that’s Advent, for those of you who only speak Catholic), well, things can get a little thrown off.

Give them an inch, and they swim all over you. (Anyone else remember the good ole days when Disney was kid-friendly?)

On better days, watching these shows is actually an integral part of our family’s Advent rhythm. These are genuine bonding moments where we cozy up, switch on the fireplace (I like to think I’m a purist, but my love for convenience runs deep), sip hot cocoa and munch on some popcorn guilt-free (20 degrees is too cold to play outside, anyway. Don’t look at me like that, Michigan. I’m from Hawaii.)

If you’re looking for a list of kid-friendly, Catholic-mother approved Advent viewing material, here it is!

The Chosen's Christmas Special If you haven’t seen “The Chosen” yet, I beg you to forget all those terrible renditions of biblical stories you’ve seen over the years. Put your prejudice aside, and get ready for some binge watching that will actually feed your soul. This standalone Christmas episode is one I see becoming an annual post-Christmas-Eve-Mass tradition.

It's a Wonderful Life Hands down the greatest Christmas story since, you know, the actual Christmas story. This year my family forced me to watch it in color. Never again.

Saints on Youtube Youtube’s Saints Series is our favorite for just about everything (despite the strangely inconsistent accents, occasionally curious costuming, and overly realistic depictions of martyrdom). We watch these for the feasts of St. Nicholas (Dec. 6), the Immaculate Conception (Dec. 8), Our Lady of Guadalupe (Dec. 12), and St. Lucy (Dec. 13).

The Star The sweetest little story of the nativity, told from the donkey’s perspective

Angela's Christmas I’ll be honest; this one doesn’t quite do it for me. But it comes close to being a great Christmas story, so I’ll give it an honorable mention.

1. The Star - the sweetest little story of the nativity, told from the donkey’s perspective
2. Veggie Tales: St. Nicholas, a Story of Joyful Giving - worth watching, if not entirely educational
3. Youtube’s Saints Series is our favorite for just about everything (despite the strangely inconsistent accents, occasionally curious costuming, and overly realistic depictions of martyrdom). We watch these for the feasts of St. Nicholas (Dec. 6), the Immaculate Conception (Dec. 8), Our Lady of Guadalupe (Dec. 12), and St. Lucy (Dec. 13).
4. Angela’s Christmas - I’ll be honest; this one doesn’t quite do it for me. But it comes close to being a great Christmas story, so I’ll give it an honorable mention.
5. It’s a Wonderful Life - Hands down the greatest Christmas story since, you know, the actual Christmas story. This year my family forced me to watch it in color. Never again.
6. The Chosen’s Christmas Special - If you haven’t seen “The Chosen” yet, I beg you to forget all those terrible renditions of biblical stories you’ve seen over the years. Put your prejudice aside, and get ready for some binge watching that will actually feed your soul. This standalone Christmas episode is one I see becoming an annual post-Christmas-Eve-Mass tradition.

And yes, we love the classics, Rudolph and Frosty, and we watch all the Santa movies, too. I’ve explained before why we don’t see any spiritual conflicts between Santa and Jesus, and we don’t keep stringent lines between the celebration of Christmas and Advent in our domestic church (but hey, if that helps you to pray, by all means, observe that way in your home!).

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My voice comes out in a low hiss, dripping with venom. My daughter’s defiant stare is a dagger that pierces my heart. The somber tones of the “Sanctus” beckon us to prayer, but I am paralyzed. I’m done.

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It’s Pride Month, and controversies over gender ideology are raging. The release of the documentary “What Is a Woman?” by Catholic political commentator Matt Walsh is causing a stir, revealing deeply disturbing facts about the dangers of pediatric gender transitions. These dangers are the reasons states such as Arkansas, Ohio and Florida are moving toward bans of pediatric “gender affirming” care, with Texas even attempting to prosecute some cases as child abuse.

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Netflix’s recently released documentary “Our Father” follows the rabbit hole down just one of the new quandaries the fertility industry has introduced to parenthood. The documentary details the journey of Jacoba Ballard in her journey of uncovering the truth: that she and at least 93 others had been conceived using not donor sperm, but that of their mother’s fertility doctor.

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On June 1, the Ohio House of Representatives followed Arkansas’s lead in passing a bill that blocks medical gender transition for minors, protects parental rights, and prevents biological males from competing in women’s sports. While critics of House Bill 454 claim its passage will “threaten” the mental health of Ohio’s youth, there is reason to doubt these “experts” are considering all the facts.

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Do I love you enough to let you suffer? This road you walk is a painful one. Each of your wounds I feel in my own body. How, why, Lord, does it have to be this way?

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What did you feel when you saw him standing there, finally found? The rise of anger? The wash of relief? Was it then, in that moment, when you knew he was not yours to keep?

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Far from being a basic “right,” abortion is deeply damaging to women; it is not the means to a level playing field that its avid supporters believe it to be. This faulty perception relies on decades of accepting a poor societal “solution” to the “problem” of women’s fertility.

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After some trial and error in kindergarten, we have figured out what works for us (for now). I suppose you could classify our homeschooling style as “eclectic.” We are very intrigued by the Charlotte Mason ideal of education as “an atmosphere, a discipline, and a life.” We use a lot of what she would call “living books” for history and religion. We also really enjoy a traditional table-work setup for subjects like math and language arts, and we attend a classical co-op. So, I suppose you could say we do homeschool the way my husband and I do date nights: we order a bunch of things so we can have a little taste of everything.

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Not so very long ago, I found myself calling a friend, another homeschooling mom, in the grips of indecisiveness. Several months in, I was second-guessing our decision to homeschool.

Am I giving her enough? I wondered. Should she really be at school? Do I just want to keep her little?

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When we decided to homeschool, I devoured everything I could find on developing a philosophy of home education. I fell in love with Charlotte-Mason-inspired visions of our kids spending time in nature and being immersed in an atmosphere of education. I drank in the wisdom of Elizabeth’s Foss’s Real Learning Revisited and Sarah Mackenzie’s Teaching From Rest. I binged on the Commonplace podcast, determined to introduce my children to the good, true, and beautiful and so help them acquire a life-long taste for them.

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Even though our daughter was already enrolled in the parish school, I attended the Catholic Moms Homeschooling Retreat at our local cathedral this past fall. There was a quiet stirring in my heart drawing me to homeschooling. If nothing else, I thought, I might make a few new friends. I felt a twinge of impostor syndrome as I filled my disposable cup with bad coffee and nibbled on a crumbly scone that morning. My daughter was going to school. We had already paid the registration fee. My scone and its crumbs were meant for someone else.

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The following routine did not come easily. It was hard-won with lots of trial, error, screaming and crying (on both my part and the kids’). It comes after years of stay-at-home-momming through seasons successful and harrowing. It comes after much research and reading into how to do this mom thing better.

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I can’t visit her. I’m taking care of two kids and I’m pregnant. It’s too far, I brush the thought away, and she probably wouldn’t want the company anyway.

But you did.

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It’s quiet in the dark, except for the screaming. I hold my one-year-old, skin hot from fever, as he writhes against me. “No, no” he cries, little hands trying to force me away. He wants neither down nor up. I’m used to being the touch that soothes - a useless gift when everything hurts.

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I laugh as the line turns pink. Earlier this week, I told my husband that although we had been trying to conceive our second child for a few months, just one week of juggling night school, full-time teaching, and taking care of our 2-year-old daughter had made me reconsider.

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“Mommymommmymommy!” The breathless stringing together of my title is familiar, but the urgency with which my daughter calls is uncharacteristic. Her voice is laced with fear, so I rush into her room.

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When I open the door and see my mother-in-law standing there, something inside cracks and tears escape down my face. I’m not dressed. Toys and bits of food litter the floor.

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The heat is creeping towards 100 degrees today, so ice cream sounds like a good idea.

It could have been a good idea if my toddler had gotten her nap.

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Three days, they said on Pinterest, and even an 18 month old could be using the toilet. A day and a half in and my two-and-a-half year old is no longer wearing diapers - she is using our whole house as a toilet.

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“Watch me, Mommy!”

This is the single line of the chorus I hear all day long. Whatever task I am occupied by matters little to my daughter who burns to show me her latest accomplishment.

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“I hate you. I hate you!” my daughter screams from behind her door. Her words cut me, but this is hardly the first tantrum that we’ve weathered. I stand outside, deaf to the sound of kicks and screams. They used to break me inside; familiarity has numbed their sting.

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"Book!" says my toddler as he hobbles along, dragging a board book behind him. I take it from him and gather him onto what's left of my lap, shrinking away as the new baby grows within it.

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It’s December 27th and the house is as quiet as the snow that silently blankets everything outside of our windows in the predawn blackness. The only light in the room glows from our Christmas village where it sits merrily on the mantle, high above greedy fingers whose enthusiasm threatens to crack its delightfully delicate rendition of an idyllic Christmas. The sight the villagers look down upon, however, is another story.

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What do you get when you cross motherhood with perfectionism?

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Whatever happened to wonder?

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In January 2020, two couples in Los Angeles found themselves exchanging 3-month-olds after discovering that their embryos had been switched during in vitro fertilization (IVF).

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Why is trusting God so easy to say and so tough to do?

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In all things, God works for the good of those who love Him, right? But does that really include all our little imperfections? Is God working even in our body image issues?

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What mom doesn’t need a reminder that presence is more important than productivity?

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Pro-life and pro-choice circles alike are abuzz over the newest attempt to limit abortion in the United States. Texas Senate Bill 8 (“The Texas Heartbeat Bill”) prohibits abortion of a fetus with a detectable heartbeat. Pro-life advocates see the bill as a win, while pro-choice activists mourn what they see as an attack on women’s freedom.

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How do we continue to give when we are just plain exhausted?

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What’s it like to sit with Jesus in the dark moments of our lives?

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Why is it so easy to put self-care last on the list — if at all?

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How does silence help us better love our children?

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Can washing dishes and folding laundry really be a path to holiness?

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New life is waking up all around me. The first spring flowers yawn open. The bees pay a visit. A pink-headed hummingbird swoops down only to pause, suspended and in motion, so close I can see its feathers glisten. The green of seedlings planted weeks ago peek up from the blackness around them. All reminders of this simple fact: winter doesn't last forever.

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Here’s the rundown on the most fabulous Catholic subscriptions to give to loved ones this Christmas season. Feel free to circulate this list around to grandparents and godparents as your family’s official “wish list” this Christmas!

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How do we lean into seasons of waiting?

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Enjoy these tips for bringing a more contemplative spirit to your holiday preparations.

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Is it possible to taste God’s goodness, even in death?

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What’s bringing me unexpected joy this season? Read my story for the

exhalebloghop!

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What do we do when we just aren’t enough?

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What does Jesus really mean when he asks us to become like little children?

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What exactly does our Church have to say about how to live out the vocation of motherhood?

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When we’re called to abstain, how do we make it through? I share my thoughts as a high-risk mama.

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Dear Mama,

I can see it in your eyes and hear it in your voice: you are tired. Not just the daily grind of motherhood tired. Not even the loopy, delirious kind of tired that comes with having a newborn. You are exhausted. You are running on a treadmill that is set one speed too fast and you don’t know when the workout will end.

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In a tragic turn of events, the state of New York has recently legalized commercial surrogacy. While its citizens find themselves preoccupied with a state-wide shutdown, shouldering the lion’s share of the U.S. coronavirus burden, New York’s legislators have taken it upon themselves to pass the widely-battled legislation that feminists argue is harmful to women, children, and families.

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I sat on a large rock, knees pulled up, arms stretched behind me for support. The dry desert breeze whispered past as I gazed at the stars hovering overhead. Majestic and distant, they magnified the smallness I felt confronting larger-than-life questions I could no longer ignore.

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I’ve been hoarding my desires in prayer, bringing to the light only those things that I want most - protection from the virus, safe delivery of this baby, and not to be separated from him or my husband. I’ve prioritized these requests, and hidden away everything else.

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This past weekend, I let fear grip me.

For the most part, following the stay-at-home order has meant small sacrifices for us. We miss seeing friends and family, but have loved connecting in other ways.

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It's been one of those mornings. Actually, it's the afternoon now, so I guess it started out as just a morning but it got bold as it gained strength and it's threatening to take over the whole day.

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We’ve given up a lot this Lent, haven’t we? Mostly, I’ve been struck with gratitude for what we do have: a comfortable home, enough food to eat, a yard for the kids to run around, financial stability. Still, even for our family whose sacrifice in staying home is minimal – This. Is. Hard.

It’s hard to give up Mass. It’s hard to give up spending time with our loved ones. It’s hard to change our routine, to give up small comforts, and to adjust our lives so dramatically. It’s hard to wait in the anxious unknown….

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When I first stumbled across this quote several years ago, just a few months into my marriage, I found it comforting, inspiring, and even a little sentimental. “Is that all?” I remember thinking. “I feel like attaining world peace is much more complicated and difficult than that.”

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According to the March of Dimes, the premature birth rate in the United States has been increasing over the past several years. In response, researchers focus on the prevention of this issue, as well as on treatments and solutions. Among these solutions is the potentially life-saving artificial womb. Although it is still only a theoretical possibility for human gestation, artificial wombs have been successfully tested in animal reproduction…

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In 1933, Aldous Huxley imagined a Brave New World in which human reproduction was entirely artificial. No longer science fiction, the use of “artificial wombs” is news of the past. Researchers demonstrated the capacity to gestate animals in 2017, when a team at Children’s Hospital in Philadelphia published the results of their study growing fetal lambs in what they termed a “biobag.”

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Have you ever tried praying a daily offering? A few weeks ago, Samantha suggested adding these prayers to your Lenten practice. The Morning Offering, which seems to have originated in the 19th century, is both an easy and profound way to place God at the forefront of your mind when starting your day.

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Twenty years ago, I curled up in the backseat of my parent’s Nissan Quest and spent an eight-hour road trip with only one book: Little Women. By the time we returned home from visiting my grandparents in North Carolina, I loved the four March sisters as if they were my own.

Over time, the exact details of the plot faded, but the deep satisfaction I felt after finishing the novel never left me. When I heard that Greta Gerwig was remaking a film version of the story, I knew I had to re-read the beloved book before heading to the theater.

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Does God really need my help?

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Even before the age of Instagram, the impetus to present an idealized image of our lives to the world has been a pervasive temptation. Somewhere along the line, humanity bought into the lie that success and strength are products of independent self-reliance, rather than shared reliance on community. The more we buy into this lie, the more desperate the need to cover our wounds and hide our vulnerabilities becomes.

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One of the hazards of bearing a baby bump is the avalanche of advice on how best to raise your children. Friends and strangers suddenly feel the impulse to touch you without warning and share harrowing stories of traumatic birth experiences. And they always want to know, “Are you going back to work?”

For some mothers, this choice is easy, and their circumstances and desires align. For others, “choice” is dictated by circumstance. For many, this question is not simple, the answer is not apparent, their desires conflict, and the matter is never fully settled.

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Any woman who’s ever been visibly pregnant knows that her baby bump is an invitation. Whether she likes it or not, friends and strangers alike regard the bump as a signal. It alters the laws of social interaction, eliminating the concept of personal space surrounding the protruding area. The bump also elicits a flood of commentary on one’s personal appearance, amount of weight gain, parenting preferences, and – my personal favorite – unsolicited delivery horror stories.

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It was the middle of the night when I drove myself to the emergency room. My lungs were burning and I had coughed up a bit of blood. I tried to keep myself calm, to avoid panicking prematurely. If it was what I thought it was, there was a very good chance that I could die.

I don’t want to leave this all behind, I prayed, but if tonight is the end, please bring me home.

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The word discernment is like the word vocation. We hear it and immediately think of the priesthood or religious life - something specific and set apart. We do this even though we know that God is calling us, too. Yes, we are all called to a life of holiness, and some of us live that out by taking specific vows. But discernment is not only about hearing God’s call in the “big picture” decisions of lives. It is a much broader practice of becoming attuned to God’s call as it manifests in our everyday lives.

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Yesterday was the feast day of St. Catherine of Siena. She was a medieval mystic, and one of the first female Doctors of the Church. Her influential writing on prayer and politics transformed the Church of her time and continues to inspire us today. She even wrote letters chastising the pope and changed his mind. Basically, St. Catherine was a badass.

She also had issues.

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I stumbled over the toys strewn across the living room floor before sneaking into my daughter’s dark room to kiss her goodnight. I had looked forward to this night “off” all week, but now that it was over, I found myself coveting missed bedtime cuddles.

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I found myself crying in the dressing room. All I wanted was to find one thing I felt beautiful in, one thing that I could slip into and become that confident woman who used to lure her husband with a pair of stilettos and a bat of her lashes. Now, the mascara from those lashes was running down my face.

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Mere moments on Twitter are enough to alert us that our culture is plagued with demons. We live in a culture that responds to polarized politics and social values with contempt and hateful accusations that serve only to drive us further from one another, rather than seeking common ground. Even voices claiming to speak for our good God are raised in accusation and derision. Among so many voices and so much anger, through all the noise, how do we hear a God who whispers? Why doesn’t God speak more loudly, to be heard above the hate, or better still – to silence it forever?

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Today is the feast of St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross, a religious sister who died in a concentration camp in Holland on August 9, 1942. She began life as Edith Stein, a Jewish atheist, philosopher, and professor. After her conversion in 1922, Stein spent 11 years writing, teaching and living as a witness to her Catholic faith before entering a Discalced Carmelite monastery in 1933.

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My life is a little slice of paradise. Sitting in my chair for morning prayer, I look out the big picture window at our backyard. The primary colors of a big plastic slide bright are bright against the green of the grass. Hummingbirds, squirrels, and rabbits visit. Birdsong fills the air. My vegetables are finally starting to produce, and the butterfly garden is flowering. My prayer is one of peace and gratitude, but also of disquiet.

Is what I do enough? I ask myself.

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As I was preparing to embark on parenthood, I read several books and articles from reputable sources that offered a counter-intuitive piece of advice: don’t say “no” to your child.

“Don’t say, ‘no’?” I wondered incredulously. “Have modern parenting techniques really deteriorated so drastically?”

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Do you ever want to hold onto the moment so tightly that you miss it altogether?

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Could it be that mothers have more in common with Jesus than we realize?

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Pay attention. Soon, these days will be no more.

It’s easy to fall into the trap of surveying all that is left undone, and think: failure.  Dirty dishes, laundry wrinkling in the dryer, emails to be answered. It’s easy to fall prey to the lure of the checklist: each checkmark, validation.  The more checkmarks, the better – the better job I’m doing, the better mother I am. The better I am.

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I am not a person who waits. I take my time to think, to research, to plan and to pray. But once I reach a decision, I do not like to delay execution. When I made the decision to enter the Catholic Church, I did not want to wait. The image I have of my excitement is Harry’s line at the end of When Harry Met Sally: “Once you realize that you want to spend the rest of your life with somebody, you want the rest of your life to start as soon as possible.” I wanted to receive Jesus in the Eucharist as soon as possible.

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Which son am I?

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How do we learn that we do not have to grapple with shame alone?

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“I can’t clean up.”

I explain to my daughter that we must clean up before we move on to the next activity.

“It’s too hard,” she whines, looking at the array of evidence we’ve left scattered in our wake. This could be anything: colorful spills from watercolor painting, a mighty block tower crashed, pieces littering the floor, or a village of little people waiting to be returned to their proper home. Really, the stuff that makes up the mess isn’t important; if the mess is big enough, my daughter’s response is the same: “It’s too hard.”

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What do we do when we don't get the miracle we desperately need?

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Dear Priest,

When we met, I wasn’t Catholic. I wasn’t part of the people you are called to care for. But I came to you, and you spoke with me, I suppose because “even the dogs eat the scraps that fall from the Master’s table.” You did not give me the sacrament of confession. I was not prepared to receive it. Instead, you gave me the gift of your presence.

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“I’m sorry, Mommy!” My toddler said these words over and over again after having shattered a teacup she’d been playing with. She was so distraught. I wanted to comfort her and tell her it was alright, that we could fix it, and more importantly, that I wasn’t upset with her. I knew the teacup might break if she played with it, and I gave it to her anyway.

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If you’re anything like me, the journey into parenthood was rough. Beautiful, humbling, overwhelming, and rough. In the midst of sleep deprivation and struggling to assemble various baby contraptions, it can be difficult to remember the “why” behind parenting. It took me a while, but I remember realizing one day that I’d gotten so caught up in the minute details of daily caretaking that I had forgotten to attend to what I believe is most important: leading my kids to Jesus. I let the many tasks involved in parenting “my” kids overshadow the fact that, although God has given these beautiful little ones to me, they are not truly mine. I have the grand privilege of being invited into his work, to participate alongside him as he shapes them into what they will one day be.

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