Minnesota Mom

Lots of Coffee, lots of kids. It's a peaceful life.

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Am I dreaming or is this Portland?

by Filed Under: Family Fun, Minnesohta, Minnesota Me, The Dawg 16 Comments

So I don’t know what the weather’s been like where you’re at, but around here we’ve had nothing but rain, rain, rain. Rain when we’re standing outside at 6:00 a.m. (bleary-eyed and in need of a cup of coffee) so that the puppy can go potty; Rain when we’re taking the puppy out for her mid-morning promenade (because, you know, some dogs need a … [Read more...]

The door is open but God’s not knocking! On being Open to the both the “Yes” and the “No” of a New Baby

by Filed Under: Gratitude, Minnesota Me, Motherhood 16 Comments

Danielle’s post “Being open to life. Again.” has struck a chord with many women. Again.I am chiming in with my two cents and 5 kids’ worth of wisdom, because I definitely have opinions on this subject. I believe that being open to life means so much more than having as many babies as God sends. In my case, it also means being ready to accept God’s … [Read more...]

For Margaret Mary, with Love & Honor

by Filed Under: Gratitude, Living Liturgically, Minnesota Me, Spiritual Growth 9 Comments

In defense of the tongue-in-cheek title of my last post, I do not think I’m a bad mother.I think I’m a darn good mother, actually, though flawed. Very flawed.Is it my pride that makes me think I’m a darn good mommy? Or perhaps my vanity?No. Rather, it is my faith in the assistance of grace; my tremendous love of the people to whom I’ve been … [Read more...]

M in M is a very bad Mom.

by Filed Under: Family Fun, Food and Drink, Minnesota Me, Motherhood, Special Events 10 Comments

Or at the very least, a very bad cake decorator.My oldest daughter wanted me to make a cake like this for our 3-year-old’s recent birthday:Instead, they all got this:I call it my “Turrets in a Cloud” cake. Impressive, isn’t it?There was a time when I would stay up until 3:00 a.m. putting the finishing touches on an elaborately frosted, … [Read more...]

Calling Lois in Indy

by Filed Under: Minnesota Me, The Dawg 15 Comments

and all other dog owners of wisdom! (Paula, that means you, too.)My children need your help. The puppy thinks that they (meaning anyone 4 and 1/2 feet or under) are walking raw hides. My children don't like this game.My question is: What does one do about the nipping? The books I've read say to ignore the bad behavior and that what the puppy really … [Read more...]

Because I know you’ve missed them…

by Filed Under: Anecdotal, Minnesota Me 3 Comments

Here are a couple of cute kid stories that I dutifully saved while on my break:First, in the “I thought I’d heard them all” category, comes four-year-old Felicity and her plaintive:“Mommy, if I finish all my supper and my dessert I won’t have room for breakfast.”(Therefore she shouldn’t have to eat all of her supper to get dessert. Not bad for a … [Read more...]

I’m getting old.

by Filed Under: Anecdotal, Living Liturgically, Minnesota Me, Motherhood 7 Comments

And this is how I know: I slept in until 7:00 a.m. this morning!Should I call the doctor?Then—to my further embarrassment and shame—when I got to the coffee pot (which is always my first stop of the day) there was a note (which is always where my husband leaves them, because he knows that they’ll be SEEN) that read:Wake husband PLEASE.Which I would … [Read more...]