Minnesota Mom

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To the Moon and then the Sun and Back

by Filed Under: Cultural Commentary, Minnesota Me, Motherhood, My Girls, Spiritual Growth 13 Comments

A little girl in a yellow dress sits on a cafeteria chair. Her snow boots are swinging slightly and her head is bent studiously over her notebook as one long lock of hair escapes from her ponytail scrunchie and comes to rest lightly on the white page.Her momma stands nearby thinking, “My heart is melting!”My daughter Cate had her First Confession … [Read more...]

The Movie Juno: a Review

by Filed Under: Cultural Commentary, Minnesota Me, Prolife, Reviews 9 Comments

The movie Juno is being called a mini-blockbuster and took third in box-office sales this past weekend. I’m not surprised; I dragged my husband to it a couple weeks ago (It was our anniversary; he was feeling amenable) and we both loved it.Well, “love” is a strong word for my patent attorney husband. He did really like it, though, as far as I can … [Read more...]

A Sacrament Most Holy

by Filed Under: Cultural Commentary, Marriage, Minnesota Me, Spiritual Growth 17 Comments

The most fundamental, the simplest, and the most effective form in which living faith becomes inspiring testimony will certainly always be found in the Christian family. (Father Karl Adam, Theologian) In honor of my wedding anniversary yesterday (12 wonderful years!) and on today’s happy feast of the Holy Family, I would like to say a few words … [Read more...]

Bonding with Boys

by Filed Under: Cultural Commentary, Homeschooling, Minnesota Me, My Boys, Parenting 10 Comments

My boys are far less about talk then they are action.While my three little girls can—and will—fill any given moment with more conversation than a coffee house, my slightly older boys prefer the silence of the sports page and the quiet intrigue of a game of Risk.When my girls go missing, I need only follow the sound of their voices and I will find … [Read more...]

Life is Beautiful and so is Bella

by Filed Under: Cultural Commentary, Minnesota Me, Prolife, Reviews 10 Comments

Ah yes, the movie Bella.Perhaps you’ve heard of it?I attended this movie on Sunday with a very good group of ladies. Before I launch into my review of it, however, I wanted to share with you a quick story.One hour prior to my leaving for the movie, I was holding a brand new baby girl. My neighbor had been caring for her all weekend, as the baby’s … [Read more...]

The Dilemma of Dumbledore

by Filed Under: Cultural Commentary, Current Affairs, Minnesota Me 32 Comments

I once fell in love with my travel agent.I was a 20-something college student on my way to Ireland. I did not have a ton of money to spare on extras, so I was grateful for the savvy deals on flights and hostels that he procured for me.I also liked the fact that he was so funny. I had never met him in person—he was in the Cities and I was 4 hours … [Read more...]

All I’m saying is, it’s been wet.

by Filed Under: Cultural Commentary, Current Affairs, Minnesota Me 1 Comment

I’m feeling the need to clarify something.The title of my last post has nothing to do with the brouhaha going on in Portland, Maine.I penned those words before I saw the story, and though I am greatly dismayed and disgusted by what is going on in King Middle School, I was not sending a subliminal message with that title.What I meant is that it’s … [Read more...]

A little clarity, please?

by Filed Under: Blogging, Cultural Commentary, Minnesota Me 12 Comments

Sometimes, for the sake of being “artsy”, I end up being clear as mud.Case in point: I received a couple of sweet e-mails after my Unsubscribed post just below, the gist being that I’d made my friends say “huh?”If you knew what I meant by that post, you can stop reading now.For the rest of you, here’s my explanation.Having given Pioneer Woman a … [Read more...]