Page 497 – Archdiocese of Baltimore

We woke up and it was raining. It rained all day. Just when I thought it couldn’t rain any harder, the storm picked up, and the rain came down in sheets.A fall weekend can be the perfect time to play outside, enjoying brisk, dry weather.Instead we were all inside for

31 Days of the Little Way: The Case of the Missing Jacket

Before I met John, I never knew about train shows, which are sort of flea markets for toy trains and train accessories. Most times when John goes to a train show, he takes his dad or one of our boys.A couple of weeks ago John and Leo went to one

31 Days of the Little Way: A Connection from the Past

Sometimes when our children ask us whether something in the house belongs to Mama or to Baba, I remind them that everything we own isn’t “mine” or “his,” but “ours.”The story I am sharing today is John’s, but since I’m his wife, it’s ours—or, at least, he’s letting me tell

31 Days of the Little Way: Greeting Our Children at Mass

Last week we learned that our older son would be reading a petition at the school Mass today. So even though I had to slip out of work for a little while to go, I went.It was the third grade’s turn to assist with the Mass. They read and brought

31 Days of the Little Way: Packing School Lunches

I am not a morning person.If it weren’t for our 8-year-old son, I’m not sure when I would get out of bed. But he wakes up early—just like his father—and comes in to get me up to start the day.So I leave my warm, cozy bed and head to the kitchen

7 Quick Takes Friday: Roses and more roses, an elegant dinner, purple potatoes, celebrating Baba’s birthday, a prayer from St. Francis, and more

Contrary to what you might have thought, we didn’t celebrate the Feast of St. Therese of Lisieux in a grand way. I started my daily blogging effort for the month of October inspired by her Little Way, and I did mention to our sons that it was her feast day.For breakfast

31 Days of the Little Way: The Clutter on the Table

Many nights as I’m cooking dinner, I look at the table where we need to eat and realize it’s covered.No, not with a tablecloth or plates or forks.It’s littered with homework papers and toys. There are pieces of mail and magazines. There are field trip forms and report cards and

31 Days of the Little Way: Praise for the sandwich maker

Once a week I pick our younger son up from school to take him to an appointment. I feel rushed all morning, worrying I won’t get him in time.Then we race to his appointment and afterward—since it’s during his lunchtime—I take him for a quick bite to eat before we

31 Days of the Little Way: Making Dinner Without a Plan

It’s 5 p.m., and it’s time to make dinner.But I have no plan.I glance through the pantry and then the freezer, looking for an idea between the half-boxes of fish sticks and frozen waffles.Aha! Back in the corner is a package of ground beef.“Maybe I could make sloppy joes?” I

31 Days of the Little Way: Celebrating “Mass” in the Living Room

Our younger son has a bad cold, so we decided to keep him home and go to separate Masses.Not long after I told our boys the plan, they started setting up “Mass” for their stuffed animals in the living room.I can’t remember the first time we held a pretend Mass,

31 Days of the Little Way: Attending Parent-Teacher Conferences

It was parent-teacher conference day, and—don’t ask me why—but I signed up for conferences early in the morning.So, on a day off from school, the boys and I gulped down breakfast and dashed out the door to get to our meetings.Remind me to do that differently next time.Still, we made

31 Days of the Little Way: The Gift of Pokemon Hunting Time