Writing My Own Story
Posted by Arwen Mosher in Faith on Tuesday, October 19, 2010
I have several friends who like blogs, but don’t read ones written by other Catholic mothers.
“I can’t take the pressure,” they say. “Their lives look so perfect, and it makes me feel badly that mine’s not like that.”
Personally, I do read - and am inspired by - blogs by other Catholic moms. But I understand my friends’ point of view. It can be intimidating.
I’ve been part of the Internet community... READ MORE
Let's Communicate
Posted by Rachel Balducci in Family on Friday, October 15, 2010
Paul and I are speaking at an Engaged Encounter tonight—we’re talking about communication.
We have been presenting at these kinds of gatherings for over five years, and I was reflecting today that some of the things I included a few years ago I no longer do. In some areas, Paul and I have changed, Lord willing for the better. Part of that, I think, it just maturity and part of it is lessons learned. I used to think a big part of good communication was talking about everything. Now I realize that honesty is indeed the best policy, but that sometimes you can overdo it. Learning to let it go can be equally effective.
What about you? Can you pinpoint an area of married life where you or your spouse have had an A-ha moment—for the better?
Little Musicians
Posted by Arwen Mosher in Family on Monday, September 27, 2010
-300x202.jpg)
My daughter’s birthday is coming up, and she wants a drum.
It takes little to push me into audio-overload, so the idea of a drum makes me cringe, but I want to support her desire to have more music in her life.
(I hope she appreciates that I give her the benefit of the doubt and assume that it’s more music she wants. Even though, being almost-four, what she probably wants is not more music but more... READ MORE
Missing Kid Moments
Posted by Arwen Mosher in Family on Tuesday, September 07, 2010
We took the kids to the zoo on Friday and while we were watching the penguins, we lost Camilla.
I’d been standing behind her and moved a few feet away to get a better view. She must have turned around a second later and, unable to find me, taken off looking for us. I think I realized she was missing about two minutes later.
Fortunately we were in a dead-end area of the zoo, so there was only one way... READ MORE
How Big Is He?
Posted by Arwen Mosher in Faith on Friday, August 20, 2010
We were waiting to go to confession before Mass, and it looked like the line was too long for everyone to make it through in time.
Then one of the parish’s deacons, already vested, came down the row, whispering to us. “Father has asked that when you go into the confessional, you just list your sins. Don’t waste time trying to explain them. Keeping it simple makes confession better, and quicker too.”... READ MORE
Helping Hands
Posted by Arwen Mosher in Just me on Monday, May 17, 2010
My sister stopped by briefly this morning to drop some stuff off, and I could see that she was upset. Her mouth was compressed, and I was sure that her eyes were red behind her sunglasses.
She brought a couple small items into the house and I ran out to grab the other item, a heavy box, out of her van. I peered at her boys in their car seats and immediately diagnosed the cause of my sister’s distress.... READ MORE
Now Moments
Posted by Arwen Mosher in Family on Wednesday, April 07, 2010
The plan tonight was to go out to dinner. My sister had agreed to babysit. I was wearing a pretty sweater and big hoop earrings. We were looking forward to indulging ourselves, Easter-style.
Blaise started wailing as we headed toward the door. That’s normal, and he gets over it quickly. But then Camilla, our big girl who usually closes the door behind us with a smile and a cheerful wave, instead attached... READ MORE
Wake Up…
Posted by Arwen Mosher in Faith on Tuesday, March 23, 2010
They say it’s dangerous to pray for patience, because God will give you opportunities to build your patience, and you won’t get to choose what they are.
I’ve got my own new corollary to that idea: it’s dangerous to make a resolution to do better penance (and declare it publicly!), because God just might send you some serious opportunites. Ones you don’t want, at all.
Last night at 11:00 I was in the... READ MORE
Bowling Lessons
Posted by Arwen Mosher in Family on Monday, March 15, 2010
Babies are easily amused, which is useful. At Mass last week, I amused Blaise for half an hour with a tube of lip balm and an errant sock I found in the diaper bag. Put the tube in the sock, then dump it out… he was mesmerized.
The downside to this is that while it can be fun to take babies on outings, it often feels a bit pointless. Yes, we could pack up the baby and spend the day doing something... READ MORE
On Big Families
Posted by Rachel Balducci in Family on Wednesday, February 24, 2010
At the end of a very long day, where I felt outnumbered and outmatched and wanting to lock myself in the bathroom for as long as possible, I got a nice reality-check from Matthew Archbold on a few of the pros of having a large family.
Among his reasons: you learn “Life isn’t fair. Sometimes you just give it to the baby because you want a little quiet. Not all the time. But sometimes.” and also a bunch... READ MORE
