It’s been a long three weeks. The quick update: Jacob is thriving in NICU (he’s 31 weeks gestation now, three weeks old) and soon he’ll be able to try nursing/bottle feeding. My milk has still not come in, so if you need something to add to your prayer list, pray for that to happen soon. […]

So I set this post to publish the morning of December 21…apparently something misfired.  And I have just now gotten around to checking on it.  So much irony.  But here it is anyway. If you have a few minutes in the middle of pre-Christmas craziness, stop over at the Mudroom and check out my post: […]

  A humble suggestion for an alternative “Bucket List” (courtesy of the Gospel reading for the Feast of Christ the King – Matthew 25:31-46): Feed the hungry Give drink to the thirsty Welcome the stranger Clothe the naked Care for the ill Visit those in prison

First, the irony.  I am a large five months pregnant, and was scheduled to lector this weekend.  [Which is now last weekend.  The whole no-internet-at-home thing seriously delays posting sometimes.  Or often.  Or always.]  In case you forgot, or were wrestling small children during the first two readings, the first was the bit from Wisdom […]

Coraline by Neil Gaiman My rating: 5 of 5 stars I put off reading this book for years. YEARS. I don’t particularly like scary books, so I thought it wasn’t for me. I’m ready to read it again tomorrow. Gaiman is a master story-teller, of course. I love that just when you think everything is […]

It’s been quite a weekend.  I have had the privilege of visiting the University of Notre Dame (also known as “my old stomping grounds”) for three days.  By myself.  It was great.   So before I gush about how excited I am to hug my kids again, you might want to know what on earth […]

Dear Recent College Graduate (and others seeking your way in life),   First, the disclaimer.  I am not a spiritual director.  I am not trained in the theology or methodology of discernment any more than any other semi-interested lay person.  I speak only from experience and reflection on that experience.   Also, the hope is […]

I fear this blog is digressing into writing conference memoranda and book reviews.   I guess it could be worse. On that note, my summer plans include a visit to South Bend for a Catholic Writer’s Conference: Trying to Say God So it turns out that I’m not just lacking in talent for finding Catholic […]

Kristin Lavransdatter by Sigrid Undset My rating: 5 of 5 stars I feel silly trying to review this book. Maybe not silly, maybe more like out of my league. This was my second time through (and if you haven’t read it, look at the page count and be impressed). It was good to read it […]

The Bear Who Wasn’t There by LeUyen Pham My rating: 4 of 5 stars I have to admit, I have a weak spot for books that are self-aware. It cracks me up when a book calls itself a book and laughs about it. Like The Bear Who Wasn’t There. You spend the whole book searching […]