#QuarantineCard

It's been awhile. Work, home school, and singing for Pascha kept me busy. But I will try to be back more frequently. I realized this is a good a journal as any and I'm terrible at writing in a physical journal with a pen. I have the best of intentions, but it never seems to stick. How many times do you need to do something to form a habit?

Porch Photo Shoot

Late last year, I decided to move our annual photo shoot to the Winter or Spring, rather than the Fall. We have a lot of family photos with colorful leaves and brown grass. I thought, "What fun if we do a Winter shoot in the snow!" Then COVID-19 hit. Needless to say, we didn't get photos taken.

Then, a neighbor posted her photographer would be in the neighborhood doing Porch Photos! Perfect timing, as we also needed a photo to submit for the Church montage for Pascha. Our photos turned out awesome, despite L having a small meltdown just as she arrived. Angela Rabbitt was amazing! She kept her social distance and got L to smile after a few last minute tears.

Photos courtesy la rabbitt photography

If you didn't get a card from us this past year, PLEASE don't remove us from your list! I promise there will be one coming next year.

We Made the Internet

Side note - about a month ago, the Minnesota Children's Museum asked for submissions for their blog to share how families were being creative at home. I submitted shots from when we painted our front window to brighten our street and celebrate Pascha. I had no idea if they would be accepted. Found out today that we were the post for the day!

https://mcm.org/diy-window-mosaic/

Can't say we broke the internet, but the Communications Director reached out to me to let me know she had posted it and the response was really positive with a lot of engagement. So glad that we could inspire others to be creative, too!

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The Protection of the Theotokos

The Cathedral's Patronal Feast St. Mary's Orthodox Cathedral - at the start of Vespers (courtesy Fr. Benjamin Tucci) Tonight was just what I needed - a calming evening in church with the boys to celebrate the Protection of the Theotokos. "Calming" and "with the boys" don't often go together, but tonight they were both so well behaved and the singing was a balm for the soul. M decided he was going to stand the entire service. I told him he could sit during the Old Testament readings, but he refused and stood the entire time. L worked on crossing himself correctly and pointed out each of the plagues on the Egyptians in his Children's Bible. Throughout the chaos of the world today, I just wanted to go to church. Yes, it was our feast, but something just drew me this evening. As we were driving down, we could see the storms rolling in with the lightning streaking across the sky. The first drops began as we raced into church. Once we settled in, a peacef...

Orthodox Holy Week Streaming

I have always wanted to share the experience of Holy Week and Pascha with my friends and those who inquire about Orthodoxy. Words cannot convey the beauty of the hymns, the depth of the sorrow as we lead the body of Christ to his tomb, the joy as we celebrate His resurrection! It is a journey that begins long before the raising of Lazarus or the triumphal entry into Jerusalem, and culminates in a procession by the entire congregation around the outside of the church at midnight. Bells ringing, choir singing, candles, banners, censers with bells - a joyous cacophony greeting the Resurrected Lord! Oh, and then there is Paschal Vespers on Sunday afternoon that nearly everyone returns for, as well. How does one explain that to be in church and truly experience Holy Week is the only way to do it - all the services! A quartet (Fr. Andrew and three singers) is not quite the same. But it will still be beautiful and joyful and perhaps we will find beauty in the simplicity this year...

Day One - COVID-19 School Break HELP!!!

It all started with my friend, Carrie, posting a list of things to do with kids at home. At the time, we had school called off two days. Nothing traumatic, but not awesome after having M and L home for Spring Break the past week. Maybe a good thing all those vacationers stayed home a couple extra days. Then came the announcement that school would be closed at least until March 27th. Wait, what? Our School Carnival was planned for a March 28th! (Separate issue) Sigh. What are parents going to do for at least two weeks? I’m supposed to be working from home. That does not happen efficiently or effectively with kids present. How on earth am I to keep them entertained?!?!? Enter a list of things to do. I was already doing one as church school coordinator for our church (now that church school and perhaps even Liturgy is cancelled for the foreseeable future). Why not add non-religious activities? Enter this blog. I’m going to do my best to keep the list updated with new resources for m...

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