+J.M.J.+ Here are some wonderful resources for both adults and children that we use during this season of preparing ourselves to welcome Jesus at His birth! A Manger for Jesus We purchased a little wooden crate at Hobby Lobby which we fill slowly with yarn "hay" throughout Advent. Whenever someone offers a sacrifice, does a [...]
It's been years since I did a day in the life post on here, even though its something always requested when I ask for blog post ideas over on my Instagram. I decided to finally remember to take pictures throughout a day. This day was during my 37th week of pregnancy with this baby, alongside [...]
Every year now, my girls and I look forward to them choosing a saint to dress up as for All Saints Day. Our parish has a party, as does our homeschool co-op. Even if we didn't have those events, I still think dressing up as saints for the feast is a wonderful way to get [...]
Here we are, beginning another school year. Philomena is in second grade, and we are so excited to dive in. I primarily use the classical Catholic curriculum Mother of Divine Grace School (MODG). It is a very beautiful, gentle curriculum with incredibly age-appropriate expectations. The entire program is wonderfully suited to growing families as well, [...]
+J.M.J.+ After a long Advent full of anticipation and preparation, our family is so ready for Christmas come December 25th! In trying to make our home and domestic church mirror our actual church, we celebrate the Christmas season with full force, trying to make each day special. I find it helpful to map out Christmas [...]
+J.M.J.+ Incredible memories don't have to come with exorbitant price tags. I think Instagram posts showing families headed off to a beach vacation a few states away, or some big Disney Cruise can make us feel like a really memorable summer vacation has to be long, far away, and expensive. While these trips may make [...]
I have long wanted to make family photo albums - not fancy scrapbooks with all sort of fun stickers and notations - just plain old photo albums. My parents used to develop all of the film from the family camera once a year and do a massive sorting of the photos, putting them into albums [...]
+J.M.J.+ I am all for less-is-more with gifts. I'd rather find one or two quality items or experiences that actually bring joy or function to the recipient, rather than buying a bunch of random junk so there is "stuff" to unwrap. With inflation and instability rampant right now, remember that "things" may not be what [...]
+J.M.J.+ I am in the dreaded phase of postpartum dressing right now as Felicity is one month old. When it comes to clothes, I have four limitations: 1. Modesty matters to me because it matters greatly to Our Lady and the saints, which means I have certain standards in dress I maintain which are not [...]
+J.M.J.+ A year and a half ago, Ethan and I got rid of over half of our stuff, and we have never looked back. This is the story of our family reclaiming our home, and at the end a list of action steps if you need help starting a similar process. So. Much. Stuff. Despite [...]
The Natural Catholic Mom 