Minnesota Mom

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Circular Reasoning

by Filed Under: Homeschooling, Minnesota Me, Motherhood, Prayer 1 Comment

My 3-year-old is screaming bloody murder right now.Why?I've just put her in her room for quiet time.Why?She's been bouncing off the walls for hours and I needed to take a small break from her.Why?I've been trying to work in the classroom today and I feel frustrated that I'm not getting much accomplished.Why?We start school on Monday and I need to … [Read more...]

A Mother’s Love

by Filed Under: Minnesota Me, Motherhood, Prayer, The Faith 3 Comments

Or: On the 2nd Day of Two Great FeastsFrom In Conversation with God (Vol. VII):The example of St. Monica remained engraved on the soul of St. Augustine so that years later, perhaps recalling his mother, he exhorted: Do everything in your power to obtain the salvation of those in your family.And from Pope John Paul II:People said of St. Monica that … [Read more...]

Mammograms are unpleasant.

by Filed Under: Just Me, Minnesota Me, Prayer 17 Comments

I know. I had my first one at noon today.It was a routine exam--nothing serious--but man.I got squished and squashed and pushed on hard. Even better, I got to make small talk as it happened.“Oof,” I thought. “This is not fun.”I was dismissed by the technician whose eyes told me nothing. “If everything’s okay,” she said, “You’ll get a letter in … [Read more...]

On Sending My Son to Summer Camp for the First Time

by Filed Under: Joe, Minnesota Me, Parenting, Prayer 11 Comments

Joe leaves for a week-long Boy Scout camp on Saturday. I know I’ll ache with missing him but I guess they’ve got to grow up sometime.And so do we.Here is a prayer from a book I love: The Christian Mother by Reverend W. Cramer.Prayer in the MorningMost Merciful God! Thou hast given me this day that I may serve Thee and work out my salvation by the … [Read more...]

On the Feast of Ss. Peter and Paul

by Filed Under: Minnesota Me, My Boys, Prayer, Spiritual Growth Leave a Comment

Joe and Jem have a new addiction: my 4:00 a.m. holy hour on Sunday mornings. First it was Joe who asked to tag along; Jem joined in the following week.Apart from the weekend when we were up north, they have accompanied me every Sunday since.Well, I’ll tell you. I cannot for the life of me discourage this new hobby. My boys are hooked! They beg to … [Read more...]

Amazing Grace

by Filed Under: Gratitude, Minnesota Me, Prayer, The Faith 9 Comments

I saw this father and his son in the Boston Marathon, which ran right past our house when we lived in Natick, Mass. That was in '98, so clearly these two are still going strong.Scratch that. They have gotten even stronger.Philippians 4:13, indeed.Ad Jesum per Mariam,*Updated to add: For those of you who aren't familiar with the Ironman Triathlon, … [Read more...]

Covering One’s Bases

by Filed Under: Felicity, Hearth & Home, Minnesota Me, My Girls, Prayer 1 Comment

Or, in this case, one’s foundation!We’re having a bit of weather at present.Now, ordinarily the heavy rain and high winds would seem cozy; however, given the storms of a week and a half ago and the damage that they inflicted, we are instantly on guard at the sight of those dark clouds. We’ve done the drills; we’ve kept vigil in the basement. … [Read more...]

Memorial Day 2008

by Filed Under: Gratitude, Minnesota Me, Prayer Leave a Comment

~ To all our fallen soldiers withlove and gratitude ~You are gone but not forgotten.In Flanders fields the poppies blowBetween the crosses row on row,That mark our place; and in the skyThe larks, still bravely singing, flyScarce heard amid the guns below.We are the Dead. Short days agoWe lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,Loved and were loved, and … [Read more...]