Favorites « Doodle Acres

Perfectionism is the Death of Homeschooling!!!

That’s my new motto: “Perfectionism is the Death of Homeschooling!!!” What was my old motto you ask? I’d have to say it was, “Parenting is a humbling experience!!!” LOL

Over the last ten years I have read MANY, MANY books on homeschooling. Most of them have been helpful. Most of them have been inspiring. I usually [...]

If They Could Have Walked in My Shoes…

As some of you know, I delivered my daughter, Mary, stillborn over 5 years ago. It is an experience that I would never wish for anyone, friend or foe. However, on this day of great decision, as I await the results of the Presidential election, I am vividly reminded of Mary’s lifeless body sitting in [...]

The Downsides of Being a Homeschooling Mother with a Masters in Education

Often times when I meet someone and they find out that we home-school, I get the inevitable question: “Well are you a teacher?” I tell them “yes”, but usually explain that a teaching degree is not a necessity in this home-school journey. However, in spite of my explanation, it is plain to see that they [...]

Shepherd Me, O Lord

“Shepherd me, O Lord, beyond my wants, beyond my fears, from death into life.”

Thus begins one of my favorite hymns at my parish. And the line “beyond my wants” is particularly striking for me. I think that the lyricist was probably referring to “wants” as we might use the term in the phrase “a person in [...]

Warning: Parenting is a Humbling Experience!!!

Before I had my children, I was one of those arrogant teachers who thought she knew exactly what to do with children and would gladly offer you advice to help with your out of control kiddies. Well 15 year of parenting has knocked me down to size to say the least. My favorite saying is [...]

What Ill Behaved Brats They Have!!! Send Out the Hounds!!!

Upon returning from my weekly shopping trip to Costco, I was greeted at the car by my oldest daughter, Hope — also known as “babysitter extraordinaire”!!! She was stressed to say the least. Peter had gotten into the jelly and had decorated some of Lenny’s school books which had mysteriously escaped from their appointed place. [...]

The Loveliness of Romance – Now That’s Romantic!!!

After reading Mary Ellen’s post on romance and after receiving an encouraging email from Margaret, I have decided to chime in on the topic of romance. It has taken me many years to shed my teenage ideas about romance developed largely by movies I can’t believe my parents ever let me watch. We [...]

Our New Liturgical Calendar

I loved my liturgical calendar made from a large 2007 calendar but I decided that I wanted something that would be reusable. Katherine of A Living Education and I brainstormed some ideas. Her version is detailed in this post. This is my version. I pasted pictures of the saints from CatholicCulture.org onto shortened index [...]

New Year’s Resolutions – Part IIa – The Calendar Project

As far as my children are concerned, my major resolution concerns celebrating more fully the liturgical year and the feast days of the Church and becoming a more prayerful family. I see this taking several forms:

1_ Using both the picture books from Catholic Mosaic and activities from A Year with God: Celebrating the Liturgical Year, [...]

You Know You Have a Two-Year Old in the House When…

1- You come home from Christmas shopping, only to find your husband on his hands and knees looking for the pieces of your favorite rosary beads that your two-year old broke in his enthusiasm (Wonderful man that he is, he found every bead and [...]

Doodle Acres

About Us

ClustrMap