Christmas Heroes
Just a quick note to let you know I am featured over on Momma Be Thy Name today as part of her Momma’s Twelve Days of Christmas guest posts! My topic: Trying to find appropriate heroes for my kids to look up to. (Think fictional Christmas characters, Justin Bieber, and salvia-smoking teens.) Enjoy!
Countdown to Christmas
Sorry for the lack of posts. Seriously, I have about 10 ideas floating around up there, but I have been busy with the following: Arguing with Ephraim about whether or not it’s pajama day at school. Evidently “we didn’t get a note” does not fit in with the cognitive skills of a four year old. [...]
Beyond the Lens
I didn’t take a picture. Part of me wanted to document the moments, to catch the smiles on camera. But I also wanted to be in on the excitement, not an outsider looking through a lens. The children sorted all the ornaments on the living room floor while Steven wrangled the lights onto the tree. [...]
Here Come the (Not-So Happy) Holidays
The holidays are upon us. Time for turkey dinners, football games, wrapped presents under the tree, Christmas wreaths, parties, and, of course, family visits. All this is well and good, except when it comes to the dreaded argument – ahem – discussion Steven and I have about whose house we’re going to (and not going [...]
The Year of the Ordinary
(First of all, I want to thank all of my readers and supporters this year. I appreciate you all. Those of you who have just found me from Freshly Pressed, thanks for reading and you made my day!) I’ve spent the last day of the year being domestic. Grocery shopping. Doing laundry. Baking. Loading the [...]
This Silent Night
Warm hands of children carried me today. My daughter’s fingers in mine, my son’s touch on my face, my students’ hugs. Sorrow is at my door. My grandmother passed away last night. Grandmother Julia married my grandfather eight years after my maternal grandmother passed away. I was eight years old at their wedding. She was [...]
Advent Begins
“The people walking in darkness have seen a great light.” Orthodox Advent began yesterday. Just as we take 40 days to prepare for Christ’s death and resurrection at Pascha (Easter), we also take 40 days to prepare for Christ’s birth. So, November 15 is the day we put up our Christmas decorations. (All but our [...]
Christ is Risen!
And the Angel cried to the Lady full of grace Rejoice! Rejoice! O pure Virgin! Again, I say rejoice! Thy son is risen from His three days in the tomb! With Himself He has raised all the dead. Rejoice, rejoice, O ye people! Shine! Shine! Shine, O new Jerusalem! The glory of the Lord has [...]
Reflections on Holy Week: The Twelve Passion Gospels
Today He is suspended on a Tree who suspended the earth over the waters. A crown of thorns was placed on the head of the King of angels. He who wore a false purple robe, covered the heavens with clouds. He was smitten who, in the Jordan, delivered Adam. The Groom of the Church was [...]
Measuring Time
I’ve been thinking a lot about the way humans measure time. My four-year-old daughter, for example, keeps track of the year by the holidays. She knows that October brings Halloween and she’ll get to dress up, then that turkey day, then Christmas, when she’ll get gifts, then Valentine’s day, then her birthday, then Easter, etc. [...]
