Kid-friendly kitchen

This is Addie's table in the kitchen... which she doesn't use much... but which I envisioned her using diligently while I cooked and washed dishes... every now and then asking her help to stir something or other.

What really happens is she colors what I set up for her for about 10.5 seconds before furiously coloring the table or the chair... and me yanking the crayons out of her hand, saying "no! on the paper!" She mostly uses the chairs and the table as a means of getting on top of the bigger and more interesting table. Anyway. Someday. This is one of her first drawings.

Article at IgnitumToday

St. John Vianney and the Necessary


My husband and I know a wonderful priest, who we are blessed enough to call our spiritual director/confessor, who has really shown us God’s unconditional support and love for us in recent times. What is most remarkable about this priest is his availability for people.


Keep Reading at http://www.ignitumtoday.com/2015/08/12/st-john-vianney-and-the-necessary/

A more minimalist bookshelf... almost

This is as minimalist as I've gotten our bookshelf. I'm still not too happy with it. I'd like it to be less busy, but I haven't quite figured out what to do. Since reading The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up (it really was life changing!), I think about how to minimize things a lot more. Especially books. I printed out a quote from Anne's House of Dreams (that artwork is from Audrey Eclectic) that reflects how Id like my Bookshelf to be... each book is a friend.

Summer dreams

We have been going to the beach every weekend. I'm not a big beach fan... I guess I should admit it. But the hubby and Addie are HUGE beach fans. Plus, our pediatrician says it's good for her health so there you go.

I have been feeling overwhelmed by the things I am not able to get to, my slow internet connection, my lack to self-discipline, etc. No matter how many blog posts, articles and diary entries I write I never get it right. I guess it's a work in progress. I'm trying to focus on the important things, know I am weak and fragile and leave the rest to God. But summer is passing by too quickly. We still don't have our house in order, we haven't had enough picnics and I haven't attempted making blueberry and rasberry pies. And other summer dreams.

Article on Catholic Stand

Laudate Si and Birth Control

Julie Machado • July 31, AD2015 •

 

There is a fundamental difference between our generation’s world view, which is heavily influenced by utilitarianism and consumerism, versus the Catholic world view in which everything is given to us. This difference in viewing things touches upon all aspects of our spiritual life and earthly life.

Pope Francis mentions this again and again in his latest encyclical, Laudate Si, and I couldn’t help but make connections with everything I’ve ever heard or read about birth control, Theology of the Body and John Paul II’s (and the Church’s) view of the body and sexuality.




Continue Reading at http://www.catholicstand.com/laudate-si-birth-control/