He is Risen, Alleluia!! Squeezing in my Easter post on the last day of the Octave of Easter, just in time and we are still celebrating!! The anticipation of joy was palpable in the children on Holy Saturday as they counted down the hours and "one more sleep" until Easter. They were more than willing to help me with all of the food preparation and last bits of cleaning. It was a race who would be the first one awake Easter morning to say the "A word" Alleluia!! They came to the conclusion that of course it would be Mom awake first, making Grandma's pecan rolls and "trying" to get them right this year! (Well, in ... view the post
Holy Week and Easter at Home
Now a good three weeks into quarantine, we are adjusting to a new normal as much as possible. We are just days away from Easter, and what a Lent the past few weeks have been. While streaming Mass has become the new normal, celebrating the Holy Triduum without all of the smells and bells will be new territory. Just this morning my oldest kiddos were talking about how it won't even really be Easter and how they are going to miss the blare of trumpets Easter morning as we all joyfully proclaim Alleluia. I too am left missing being present at the liturgies during what is my favorite time of year, to enter into the ... view the post
While We Isolate
I pray you are all doing well, maintaining hope and able to keep your eyes fixed on Christ. When I first heard of the extent of the social-distancing, school cancelled for at least 3 weeks and then Mass being suspended I was filled with fear. My mind clouded as if there was just grayness around me and anxiety began to overwhelm me. How would I survive all of this? How long will this last? With no where to go, I began to fill my day with prayer. From morning prayer, the daily scripture readings, Divine Mercy Chaplet, praise and worship music playing in the background, the rosary to evening prayer. Connecting my ... view the post
Finding Perspective Amid Times of Trial
(source) I went to the grocery store Friday morning to buy my usual week’s worth of groceries for our family of seven, shocked and surprised to find the parking lot packed and only a handful of grocery carts available. Wow, I thought to myself people are really panicking. I could not believe how empty the shelves were and the number of crates in the aisles, because of the inability to keep up with the amount of merchandise being sold at such a rapid rate. Almost every cart filled with toilet paper and bottled water. The sight was something I have never seen. I could almost sense the tension and uneasiness as I went ... view the post
A Time to be Made New
I think Aaron wins husband of the year award or at least of the weekend! While I was away at a conference with Briella he held down the fort with the four other kiddos. Everyone was healthy and in good spirits when I left Friday afternoon. Then Saturday night happened when a stomach bug hit the house and Aaron was left cleaning up puke for over two hours. Sheets, blankets, carpet, curtains, toilets...you get the idea. I wasn't able to listen to the speakers much at the conference as I was attending as a vendor with my book, Nursery of Heaven. But I did hear the most beautiful song performed, Little Girl by His Own. ... view the post