Sealed With a Cross

This article first appeared on CatholicMom.com 

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Cait Winters tells the story of how her kids cheer her on through the Sign of the Cross.

It was lunchtime in the middle of a typically busy homeschooling day. We had spent the morning on a hike at nature co-op and still had math, cursive and reading to cover that afternoon. Homeschooling can be hard on a home (and a homemaker!) because most days, aside from my hardworking husband, everyone is here all day long. I wouldn’t trade this time serving my family for the world, but it often means cooking three meals a day and constant cycles of washing and drying to keep up our well-loved, humble home.   

That morning I had overslept, being early-pregnant and tired and didn’t have a chance to unload the perpetual dishes. It was easy to leave and forget about the chores while on our hike but coming back to them was another story. The sink was half-full already, but I had hungry kids to feed, so I fired up the stove and sudsed up what I could. The smell of cooking was turning my stomach and everywhere I looked, my to-do list grew.   

I did a swat-like Sign of the Cross, blessing myself as I caught my breath and forged ahead. The Sign of the Cross is a quick way for me to ask for heaven’s help without even saying a word. I broke a sweat but got through the chores, finally setting plates and drinks out for the kids and calling them to the kitchen table. 

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Catholic Books for Younger Kids: 7 favorites on our bookshelf right now!

catholic-books-for-kids-prayersover-the-kitchen-sink

As parents we know that reading with our kids is important & research has shown that even the youngest children benefit from listening to their parents reading out loud. Not only does it aid brain development & refine language skills, it also introduces important concepts to kids in an age appropriate way. I am always looking for ways to incorporate spirituality into our daily routine & faith-based books for younger kids are a great way to do just that!

With St. Patrick’s Day coming up & Easter just around the corner these seasonal picks are perfect companions for chocolate coins & Easter baskets. Without further ado, here are 7 favorite reads on our bookshelf right now (& links to get them on yours too!)

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Family, Faith and Off-Grid Living in Rural Maine

Nowadays it seems like everyone is trying to live more simply. I believe its a sign of our advanced and often chaotic modern times that people are looking back toward a less complicated way of life. Many are taking living simply to another level by living off the grid! An estimated 180,000 U.S. families are living off-grid according to a study by Home Power Magazine. Whether your goal is to watch less television or adopt a whole new way of life we can all take a page of inspiration from writer and homesteading Mama Masha Goepel from Yisforhome.com as she gives us a glimpse into Yurt life!

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