Here’s what I’ve been doing in other spaces in the last week…

New Evanglizers

It’s a thought that’s been on my mind for many years and it became very true for me in an experiential way when I had my first child. She came to work with me just about every day from infancy until about age three.

It doesn’t just take a village: it takes a parish, it takes a FAMILY.

When I left my job in marketing and advertising for the parish office, I might have had a secret plan to bring some glamour to the three-bedroom house that then served as headquarters for the parish staff of three.

Now, eight years, three kids, and four additional employees later, I can laugh at who I was and what I thought then.

Join me there.

Integrated Catholic Life

I’m “Making the Case for Confession” in my column at Integrated Catholic Life this week.

Things were getting out of hand. I let them get that way, and it was time to do something about it.

So I did what I often do; I called my mother-in-law.

“Can you watch the kids for an hour or so? I need to go to confession.”

She agreed, because she’s wonderful that way. And then she said something that made me laugh, “What could YOU have to confess?”

Well, she’s right to assume I hadn’t killed anyone. At least… I hadn’t killed anyone in a literal sense.

See you there!

Mary Moment at iPadre

On this week’s iPadre, Fr. Jay shares some wonderful insights and history about Pope Benedict XVI. My Mary Moment is about spring.

It’s that time of year when I start to question my approach to productivity.

It’s that time of year when I remember why the outdoors is one of my favorite places to be.

It’s that time of year when I’m glad I live in a part of the world that has distinct seasons.

Listen here.

Tech Talk at CatholicMom.com

I have the Mary app for you!

Thanks to a tip from a reader, I recently downloaded–and fell in love with–the Mary app by the Marians of the Immaculate Conception. It’s free, though right now only available on iOS devices.

As we hover on the verge of Mary’s month of May, I wanted to be sure to share this app with you.

It’s a great way to foster your devotion to the Blessed Mother, whether it’s something you struggle with or something you embrace. You’ll find information, prayers, and much, much more.

Read it all.

Blog Talk at Catholic Writers Guild Blog

In which I share thoughts about blog design (realizing that, um, I’m not expert):

Does design matter? Yes. Yes, it does.

Let’s use the example of books, because if you’re here, I’m assuming that (a) you write and/or (b) you read.

When’s the last time you picked up a book with a terrible cover? Or, even worse: when’s the last time you picked up a book that had terrible interior layout?

Read the rest.

Naturally Fun Parties at CatholicMom.com

Anni Daulter and Heather Fontenot’s new book, Naturally Fun Parties for Kids, arrived in the mail and accompanied me in the car to my favorite crafty-friend’s house.

“Look,” I exclaimed, “A book you can use!”

“Sarah,” she said as she flipped through it, pausing to “ooo” and “ahh,” “This looks like a book YOU can use!”

Yes, that’s right, here is a book that the party-shy, glue-gun-hating, anti-entertaining Sarah Reinhard can not only use, but enjoy.

Read it all.