I have several drafts of blog posts in the pipeline but I just couldn't publish any of them until speaking to the horrible clerical abuse in the PA grand jury report. I am heartbroken by it. I am sickened by it. It doesn't help to dismiss these crimes by pointing out that this doesn't just happen in the Catholic Church. That doesn't make it less awful. It doesn't help to note that most of … [Read more...]
Hildie’s Birth Story: Part II, The Wild Ride
This is Part II. You definitely want to start with Part I to hear about how I was sent home from the hospital and told I was "not in labor." Back at home I laid on the couch with one leg over a couch pillow while Daniel dozed on a yoga mat on the floor next to me, holding my hand through contractions. The contractions were becoming unbearable and I started to feel overheated during them and … [Read more...]
Hildie’s Birth Story: Part I, “You’re Not in Labor”
To arrive at our sweet girl’s absolutely wild birth story, the stage must be set. It was a rough pregnancy. 25 weeks of debilitating nausea due to HG followed by a third trimester of lightheadedness and the other perks that come with anemia. Then my midwife mentioned, “Hmmmm, looks like she’s breech. But don’t freak out because she has plenty of time to turn.” I did start to freak out and … [Read more...]
A Hospital Bag Checklist for the Catholic Mom
I am 38 weeks tomorrow. My baby girl continues to stubbornly stay breech and transverse in there so this week is chock full of chiropractor visits, more handstands at the pool, acupuncture, moxibustion, and if all that fails (as it has been) an external version at the hospital on Friday. I am feeling very not in control of much right now. But I can pack my hospital bag (and I plan to take it … [Read more...]
Our Chalk Paint Kitchen Cabinet Reno (And Free Stuff for You!)
We JUST put the finishing touches on our cabinet painting project! When we moved into our house in Waco two years ago the one thing I knew I HAD to change was the cabinets. They were an awful cherry stain that clashed horribly with the backsplash and floor tile. Ready for the before pic? See?! The bizarre combination of kitchen components made me wonder if the people who flipped the house … [Read more...]
Mystery and Motherhood: Is This Not Where Love Dwells?
The thought has crossed my mind lately that while I love the idea of pregnancy, the practical aspects feel nightmarish right now. At 36 weeks pregnant with my fourth baby, all the pregnancy discomforts are here in full force: the aches, extreme fatigue, pressure, acid reflux, feeling that I can’t take a real breath because baby is pushing up against my lungs, lightheadedness in the July Texas … [Read more...]
Liturgical Living at a Glance: July 2018
I’m always trying to figure out how to make it easier for families to observe the Christian Year because we felt so overwhelmed when we first started that journey (which is why we wrote the book we wish we had then). I thought it might be helpful for our family to have resources compiled for the month ahead so that we can plan in advance which special saints days we want to observe and I hope … [Read more...]
Good Music Monday: Summer Survival Tunes
Welcome back to Good Music Monday at Carrots! It's hot outside. And at 35 weeks I am feeling very DONE with this pregnancy. I'm dealing with the heat by buying 10 lb bags of Sonic's delicious ice and dying my hair purple. It's amazing how good a cut and color can make you feel when you're a million weeks pregnanct! I'm at that fun stage of pregnancy where I have all the … [Read more...]
My June Reading Stack (And Some Book Giveaways!)
So many books and so little time. Since I love chatting about books, I was thinking I might start sharing what we're reading around here on a monthly basis. Love the idea? Hate the idea? Tell me in the comments. Here’s a few of the great titles I’ve picked up lately: (This post contains Amazon affiliate links.) The Scandal of Redemption by Bl. Oscar Romero: I started learning more about … [Read more...]
I Tried Something Scary and You Should, Too
No, I didn't get a bunch of new tattoos. This isn't a photo of me, but I really love the message on the mug in this photo. Because this week I did something scary. A few weeks ago I was contacted about doing a freelance piece for a publication on a topic I love. I was excited and after I signed on, I looked up the journal to get more information. The style of the publication is more academic … [Read more...]
