Disclosure: A few of the links below are affiliate links, meaning, at no additional cost to you, I earn a small commission if you click through and place an order. It's an email I get at least once a week - people in search of the "just right" gift for the "just right" kid for a multitude of sacraments. Since we've celebrated six baptisms, five (almost!) first communions and one confirmation, we've seen and been recipients of some of the most meaningful and beautiful gifts. So I decided to dish - in one place - the best ideas I've got. And, please, if you're a business owner and you aren't mentioned here, leave your shop link in the comments! If you like winning free things, visit me over on Instagram where I'm giving away two huge lots of things, one for a girl and one for a boy first communicant. Any item marked with an * below is in the giveaway! Next Monday (April 30), I have a $250 shop credit from Minted to give away right HERE on the blog. I'll even be sharing how I used some of their things in our First Communion party and upcoming eighth grade graduation. It's your lucky … [Read More...]
How I Landed in the Catholic Church: A Conversion Story
It's no secret I love Jesus. I've never wanted that love of Christ to make people run for the hills. I always strive to meet people where they are, and sometimes they just aren't even in the pew. And that's okay. I grew up Protestant and I am deeply grateful to my parents for such a rich, varied and loving environment. We may have changed churches, a lot, but I can honestly say there isn't a … [Read More...]
Look Who’s 17! Happy Birthday Will.
March 27 is a good, good day. It's the day two of the most important men in my life celebrate life. My dad is 71 today and my oldest is 17. At 6 and 60 and 28 and 82 they share a reversed birthday. How fun is that? Seventeen years ago seems like such a short-long time ago. Does that even make sense? It's birthday letter today, so let's get to it. ----- Dear Will, Seventeen years ago I … [Read More...]
Lent…and the Thing We’re All Missing
There aren't many benefits to getting the flu, but I did find one. Time. Time on the couch, snuggled beneath two blankets, with a hot cup of tea and Grand Hotel on Netflix. Time to think. Time to rest. I don't get much uninterrupted time these days with six kids, 3-16. But this week, God gave me some extra hours to ponder and pray. And, if I'm being 100% honest, to scroll through … [Read More...]
The Best of the Best
If you've been around these parts for a while, you know that my heart sure does love Catholic schools. It's worth noting that both Scott and I are the products of public education and I'm the daughter of a public school teacher. No one school is perfect for every kid, or every family. I can surely attest, though, to the blessing Catholic schools have been in our family's life. Below, I've … [Read More...]
Happy 14 (!?) John Paul!
John Paul is fourteen. Repeat 5 times. Don't hyperventilate. These are the things I whisper to myself these days. All you mamas of littles, it happens faster than you think. I always love that I get to kick off a new year with a birthday letter to John Paul. Here goes, y'all. Dear John Paul, Since when are you an eighth grader? With Will it seemed like it took so long and with you, … [Read More...]
Master Bath: The Reveal
Oh man. Y'all have been so patient. This master bathroom has been a long time coming. 21 years, actually. We lived in apartments for several years after marrying, moved states, then built a house and then moved back to Texas into *the* cutest one-story house on the planet. It was a former spec home that the two of us had an absolute blast making our own. We worked so hard on that house. It's … [Read More...]
Master Bath: Under Construction
Before we get to the big reveal on Monday (I know, I'm squealing, too), I always think it's fun to see the guts of the project and just how far you've come. This is what happens when you're the daughter of a general contractor. My dad has been in the construction business his entire life, so I've walked more job sites than I can remember - from prisons to high-end residential. He instilled in … [Read More...]
