— 1 —

Lent is coming and I have a book that’s hot off the presses.

And guess what? It’s only $1.99.

So go to your local Catholic bookstore (or one of the many other places you’ll find it, if you don’t have a store locally). Parishes receive bulk discounts, depending on the quantity they order, and can call 800-325-9521 to speak to the sales department at Liguori about that.

— 2 —

Mary Moments are back! Thanks to Fr. Jay Finelli’s support, I’ll be producing a weekly Mary Moment segment on the iPadre show. This week: 3 reasons I love Our Lady of Lourdes. Listen to the whole show for a fabulous summary of the story of Our Lady of Lourdes, too.

— 3 —

What’s your favorite game app? I share three of my kids’ favorites in this week’s Tech Talk.

— 4 —

Remember how I promised a full review of Strategies for a Tech-Savvy Classroom? It’s up over at CatholicMom.com.

— 5 —

It’s hard to believe that Daria Sockey has been blogging at Coffee & Canticles for a year already!

In honor of her one year anniversary, she has a pile of giveaways related to the Liturgy of the Hours. Go on over and enter.

While you’re there, be sure to wish her well!

— 6 —

In case you missed it the other day, I’m giving away a ton of books. You can enter as many times as you qualify for until February 21.

There are new titles by Christopher West, Mark Shea, Lisa Hendey, and Anthony DeStefano, among others.

So what are you waiting for? Enter!

— 7 —

Been a big week for the Tooth Fairy around here:

Visit Betty Beguiles, our lovely sub hostess, for more Quick Takes!

When she told me she had read my blog, there was a thunk as I fell out of my chair.

Turns out, her sister and brother-in-law (my great-aunt and great-uncle, if you’re keeping track of the family tree) are logging her onto the computer.

Then she told me about how they had lunch with some girlhood friends of her sister’s, one of whom is Catholic and…get this!…has heard of me.

Let’s all pause for a good laugh, shall we?

Now, to encourage you to laugh more–it has tremendous health benefits, after all, and hey, it’s fun–here’s a look at my life of late. (These pictures are also to answer all of Grandma’s questions about the kids, who she misses a lot.)

This is the mancub, 13 months old and into everything. He is all boy.

Yes, he is walking now. And climbing. He especially likes stools. And the couch. And the recliner.

He is also a big fan fan of rocking.

The seven-year-old loves reading and math. She hates–with a passion–the reports she has to do about the books she reads for school.

I realized, when I compiled our photo calendar for this year, that I need to take more pictures of the seven-year-old.

Which is how I captured this moment:

And no post would be complete without the four-year-old, whose quirkiness and personality make us laugh hourly (and inspire hair-pulling episodes with equal frequency).

She likes to help. That makes her a good big sister, as you can see:

So there you go, Grandma, a post just for you! (And one that the other grandmas are all enjoying, too!)

(card via Shutterfly)

Around the house: Girls, pounding and playing and happy in the other room; boy, pounding and playing and happy across the room; husband, showering and feeling better (he was sick yesterday).

In my kitchen: We’re ready for Christmas feasting, I tell ya. I might even make a pie. From scratch. But we’ll see.

In my thoughts: Boy, do I some rambling thoughts today, most centering on my bad attitude and struggle through Advent.

In thanksgiving: For prayers and novenas and blessings.

Nose inserted: Women, Sex, and the Church: A Case for Catholic Teaching, edited by Erika Bachiochi and two–TWO!–manuscripts (one by Meredith Gould).

Links I like:

• If the Infant Christ was God, Why Couldn’t He Speak? – I am never disappointed by Marc Barnes’s writing. Though the whole thing is well worth reading (a must-read, I daresay), here’s my favorite part: “So in the last few weeks of Advent, embrace your weakness. Kneel before the manger and worship the Christ-child by imitation of the Christ-child. And never forget that if Christ’s humility is incomprehensible in his humanity, how much more must it be in his body and blood in the form of bread and wine. There, there is the ultimate helplessness. There the Christ deigns not only to be silent, but to be food. Sacrificed for our sake, his ultimate act of weakness is our ultimate source of strength.”
• The Pope’s 3 Wishes for Christmas – I find myself, once again, just in awe–and in love–with our dear Papa. What great wishes! And…well, it makes me rethink what I should be aiming for at Christmas.
• Tired Benedict Needs Our Prayers – I’m glad I caught this. I do pray for the pope, but this just strikes me heart in a special way.
• Gene and Alice and the Luminous Mysteries – A lovely piece by Deacon Tom Fox that captures so much of what’s important about marriage…and about prayer.

A favorite thing: Mass.

Food for thought: “Every time we say the Our Father our voices mingle with the voice of the Church; for those who pray are never alone.” – Benedict XVI, Angelus Address, July 25, 2010 (via BenedictEverday.com)

Worth a thousand words: With thanks to my photo-happy sister-in-law:

Don’t forget to send a picture of YOUR Advent wreath for tomorrow’s Advent Wreath Carnival!

— 1 —

Not only did I find my Advent wreath this week, but I set it up.

AND we have USED it.

— 2 —

In case I’m not the only person just getting started on Advent halfway through, I thought I’d host something fun next week…a link-up (or “carnival” to those of us who remember the days of such bloggy fun) of Advent wreaths.

This is inspired, in part, by the people who keep sending me messages with pictures of their Advent wreaths and my book.

For example, I received this from Larissa Hoffman this week:

Know what that book at the end of the table is?

Welcome Baby Jesus, by yours truly.

Talk about humbled.

So I was inspired: let’s have an Advent Wreath Carnival! We’ll exchange links, post pictures, and have all sorts of fun.

Let’s CELEBRATE Advent, shall we? Hope you can participate!

— 3 —

Part of what inspired me to actually find my wreath (which involved a special trip to the attic of our old house) was the encouragement of Greg and Jennifer Willits.

I had a chance to talk to them on Tuesday afternoon during their radio show, The Catholics Next Door.

It was great fun and yes, I’m feeling a lot like this about it (still):

— 4 —

Speaking of things that excite me, check THIS out:

That’s my newest book, Welcome Risen Jesus: Lent and Easter Reflections for Families. I don’t even have blurbs for it yet, but I have my author copies in hand. (The marketing of pamphlets/booklets is far different than what’s done for “real” books, I’m finding.)

Best place to buy it? Your local Catholic retailer. If you don’t have one, consider Liguori (the publisher), Aquinas and More, or The Catholic Company (though, admittedly, they don’t have it for pre-order). Or, yes, Amazon. But let’s keep our Catholic friends in business first, shall we?

— 5 —

Want a free book? OF COURSE you do!

And it’s not just any book…it’s Ellen Gable’s new book, Stealing Jenny, one that should come with a warning label. You still have today to enter to win one of the five Kindle copies we’re giving away at CatholicMom.com.

But wait…there’s more! Over at Amazing Catechists, the amazing Lisa Mladinich has organized a giveaway that lasts for ten days, and we’re only halfway through. Be sure to enter each day!

— 6 —

Speaking of Amazing Catechists, my latest column is up: Immacu-what?

I was standing at the front of the class, fresh out of Mass. I’d like to say it was a room of fresh-faced fifth graders, but the truth was, we were all tired.

I asked them who had been at Mass.

A few hands went up.

“And why were you at Mass? What were we celebrating?”

“Advent!” They were triumphant. They were confident. They were sure.

And they were WRONG.

Read the rest at Amazing Catechists.

— 7 —

And this post wouldn’t be complete without the obligatory mancub picture:

He’s trying to walk and he’s almost succeeding (with or without something to push). Maybe I should quit pushing him down every time he stands up: it’s just making him stronger and more determined (and goodness, we don’t need any more strong wills in this house!).

Visit Conversion Diary for more Quick Takes!

Around the house: It’s me and the boy. I finished doing the bills (which should have been done yesterday, but…weren’t, and I had a delightful reason why, too!) and nothing says “procrastinate folding and let the dishes sit a bit longer” like doing a weekend daybook, wouldn’t you agree?

In my thoughts: I have Mary on my mind. I’m struggling in an extra-special way today, and though I’m doing my best to put a good face on Advent, I’m sort of failing, and, well, Mary’s in my thoughts.

In my plans: Ah yes, my plans. They seem to be upended by a series of circumstances that could have me laughing or crying. I’m holding on to the reality that I can choose my response.

In thanksgiving: For work. For family. For chocolate.

In my prayers: Those who grieve, those who hurt, those who struggle with forgiveness.

Nose inserted: I’m juggling two books, though I have hopes of finishing one of them today: Ten Universal Principles: A Brief Philosophy of the Life Issues, by Robert J. Spitzer, and Fatima for Today: The Urgent Marian Message of Hope, by Fr. Andrew Apostoli.

Recent reads: Michael O’Brien’s The Father’s Tale. I’m planning to write a review yet this week about it. It’s one of the best books I’ve read this year (though it is, admittedly, VERY long).

Links I like:

• Advent History: The Nativity Fast – Now here’s something I didn’t know about the history of Advent. What would it be like, I wonder, to go through a Nativity Fast of 40 days, a “Lent” before Christmas?
• Feel the joy! – This picture of Mary and Elizabeth is one of my favorites. I almost made it the background on my desktop, it moved me so much. I love the Visitation, and this image is now the one I’ll be using and reflecting on when I’m praying.
• Mary’s Last Words – This column considers the depth and meaning in Mary’s last recorded words in Scripture, “Do whatever he tells you.” There was a lot I hadn’t considered before and, as usual with Dr. Ted Sri, a thorough examination of Scripture in a way that, I think, will change my prayer and approach to it. Amazing stuff.
• Gay, Catholic, and Doing Fine – I just came across this link this week, though it’s from a while back. Who says you can’t be gay and Christian? My experience (in other matters) has been very similar as what’s recorded here. Our pastor has worked with Courage, and I was shocked–SHOCKED!–when, as a new Catholic, I found out that the Catholic Church has an apostolate to help those who have homosexual tendencies. I consider this a must-read.

A favorite thing: Bare baby feet.

Food for thought: “Particularly in our faith, we do not stand alone; we are links in the great chain of believers. Nobody can believe unless he is supported by the faith of others, and conversely, through my faith, I help to strengthen others in their faith.” Benedict XVI

Worth a thousand words: The Birthday Boy

Eight years ago, we planned a big party.

Eight years ago, he waited for me at the end of an aisle.

Eight years ago, we knelt beneath the Cross and sealed our happiness with a Sacrament.

Eight years ago, we exchanged rings.

Eight years ago, we sealed it with a kiss.

 Eight years ago, we shared the first of many knives, the first of many cakes, the first of many great desserts.

Eight years ago, he looked at me, I laughed, and we began a lifetime together.

Eight years ago, we danced a moonlight serenade and I started practicing letting him lead.

Eight years ago, I took his hand, for better or for worse.

And one year ago, we celebrated our anniversary with the best gift we could imagine.

November 29th is one of my favorite days of the year.

Our Lady of Beauraing, pray for us.