I get frequent questions about and requests for updates on how we do Natural Family Planning. It’s ok, I really don’t mind. That’s what I get for running a long series on NFP. Because while you can read about statistics and methods all day, sometimes it helps just to hear about a real person’s experience. Does our experience look like everyone else’s? No. There’s definitely a spectrum and we fall … [Read more...]
8 Picture Books for Lent and Easter
I'm usually on the ball with having great picture books to read during Advent, but this is the first year I've intentionally sought out Lent and Easter reads for the kids. So head on over to your local library and check 'em out! 1. Tomie dePaola's Book of Bible Stories Lent is a great time to read passages about the life of Jesus. We usually read a bit of the New Testament section of this … [Read more...]
5 Ways to Jumpstart Change In Your Life
Do you read Olivia at To the Heights? You should! I've been an Olivia fan for awhile and when she recently posted the Total Life Overhaul series at her blog (so good!) I knew I needed her to guest post and share about the simple but wonderful ways her family has sought order in the chaos while they transition into parenthood. Enjoy! -Haley The kitchen table was sticky from stray honey that had … [Read more...]
Valentinesy Reading from Carrots
It's almost Valentine's Day. I'm not going to write a whole post about the whole 50 Shades of Grey thing because it's all been said, probably much better than I could say it. So I'll leave it at this: domestic abuse is not sexy. Glamorizing domestic violence is not ok. You know what is sexy? When your husband stays up late to help set up for the Daddy Daughter Dance in the Parish Hall, even … [Read more...]
9 Ideas for Observing Lent with Kids: Holy Heroes Review (and free coloring books for you!) {Sponsored Post}
This post is sponsored by Holy Heroes. Is it just me, or is Lent painfully early this year? I feel like I'm still recovering from Christmastide. On the other hand, I'm a big Lent fan. I love that the Christian Year offers us a time set aside to clean house. And no, I'm not talking about my dusty baseboards, although that would be a good thing to tackle during Lent, too. I'm talking about our … [Read more...]
You Don’t Have to Go to Grad School (to have a life of the mind)
“If you quit this program, you’ll become intellectually stagnant,” warned a professor, and fellow mom, who was urging me to finish my art history grad program instead of stay home with my 18-month-old son. After graduation, almost all of my college friends went on to grad school. I took two years off while my husband Daniel finished his degree and we had our first child. It never really occured … [Read more...]
Our Real Mommy Problem (Guest Post by Nicki)
Good morning, friends! I am under the weather with a sore throat and trying to avoid my nemesis, Tonsillitis (hence the quiet on the blog this week). But luckily, sweet Nicki is here to save the day with a guest post, so enjoy!-Haley This is a guest post by Nicki of Full Hands, Happy Heart. In case you missed it, “Our ‘Mommy’ Problem” was an opinion piece published recently in … [Read more...]
Why I Don’t Want to Be “Healthy”
Health. It’s a good thing, right? Our bodies matter. We’re not just spiritual beings, we’re physical, too. That’s how God designed us and ignoring that….well, it’s just silly. And gnostic. So taking care of our bodies matters. Seeking to nourish them with good food and maintain an active lifestyle has a deeply moral dimension. But you know what makes me really uncomfortable? When we turn diets and … [Read more...]
10 Ideas for YOUR Christmas List, Moms
When Daniel's parents ask for Christmas lists for the kids, I can rattle off several things right off the top of my head. But when I'm supposed to write down what I want....it's a different matter. I just stare at a blank page. I think other moms have the same issue. We spend our days focused on other little people and it feels weird to focus on ourselves. I just sit there for several minutes … [Read more...]
5 Favorite Ways to Not Hate Housework (or at least hate it less)
# 1: Start with a cup of coffee or tea. Before I do anything else, I turn on the electric kettle to make a cuppa. Instant mood lifter! That laundry mountain doesn't look quite as overwhelming as it did pre-caffeine! #2: Love your cleaning products. I recently have found two revolutionary cleaning motivators. I've never cared about cleaning products much (other than not wanting anything … [Read more...]
