http://www.faithandfamilylive.com/author/Rachel en paulandrach@comcast.net Copyright 2009 2009-07-04T01:24:57+00:00 http://www.faithandfamilylive.com/blog/cast_off Rachel Balducci http://www.faithandfamilylive.com/blog/cast_off#When:01:24:57Z ahhhhhhhhh | Just a quick note to thank you all for the prayers, support and encouragement you have offered my family over the last seven weeks (seven weeks, one day, six hours) since Henry broke his leg and got his cast. Henry had his cast removed this past Tuesday and everything is rainbows and roses, glorious and grand. What a relief! … Family 2009-07-04T01:24:57+00:00 http://www.faithandfamilylive.com/blog/the_case_for_large_families Rachel Balducci http://www.faithandfamilylive.com/blog/the_case_for_large_families#When:02:35:34Z Is it worth it? | Tonight we celebrated the birthday of my six-year-old nephew. Friends and family members converged at a local park for a few hours of fun, where we were all pleasantly surprised by the mild temps and gentle breezes. July in Georgia can be hot, and tonight wasn’t too bad at all. I have mentioned I’m the oldest … Family 2009-07-02T02:35:34+00:00 http://www.faithandfamilylive.com/blog/a_grand_ole_flag Rachel Balducci http://www.faithandfamilylive.com/blog/a_grand_ole_flag#When:19:39:04Z and a yummy one, too! | The following is an award-winning Fourth of July cake—I know this to be true because a few years ago I took second place in our neighborhood July 4th dessert contest! (Long-time readers will understand why I wept with joy upon hearing the news.) The cake comes to us by way of The Barefoot Contessa, Ina … Family 2009-06-29T19:39:04+00:00 http://www.faithandfamilylive.com/blog/t.v._or_not_t.v Rachel Balducci http://www.faithandfamilylive.com/blog/t.v._or_not_t.v#When:17:30:09Z that is the question | We are a one television family. Well, technically we are a two television family, but one t.v. is the ancient little number Paul and I bought as newlyweds. It is a small, two-ton unit that sits in a closet until we lug it out for movie viewing from time to time. Lately, that t.v. has been … Family 2009-06-25T17:30:09+00:00 http://www.faithandfamilylive.com/blog/dinner_company Rachel Balducci http://www.faithandfamilylive.com/blog/dinner_company#When:02:14:11Z the work of entertaining | Tonight we had our parish priest over for dinner. It was a really wonderful time. I’m one of those types of people who uses entertaining as an excuse to clean everything in sight. I work like crazy to clean all the nooks and crannies, knowing full well that the dinner company will almost certainly not see … Family 2009-06-25T02:14:11+00:00 http://www.faithandfamilylive.com/blog/show_your_boys Rachel Balducci http://www.faithandfamilylive.com/blog/show_your_boys#When:02:00:47Z or maybe don’t | From my friend who sends the jumping/biking/water-sliding videos, comes one with parachutes and cliffs! Thanks, FT. Family 2009-06-24T02:00:47+00:00 http://www.faithandfamilylive.com/blog/father_knows_best Rachel Balducci http://www.faithandfamilylive.com/blog/father_knows_best#When:13:00:32Z an interview with my dad | In honor of Father’s Day, I decided to pose a few questions to the best dad I know—mine! (I’m sure your dad is great too, of course!) Dad, thanks for taking the time to answer. Thanks for devoting yourself so whole-heartedly to your wife and children. That you enjoy being with us so much makes … Family 2009-06-19T13:00:32+00:00 http://www.faithandfamilylive.com/blog/tote_couture Rachel Balducci http://www.faithandfamilylive.com/blog/tote_couture#When:15:30:02Z In which Rachel Raves about a great product | For years, I would eye longingly those classic tote bags when my L.L. Bean catalog came in the mail. I’d give long and serious thought to buying one, and for whatever reason I never did. I’d notice people who had the totes, note that the bag seemed useful and classic—and then promptly … Family 2009-06-18T15:30:02+00:00 http://www.faithandfamilylive.com/blog/building_the_priesthood Rachel Balducci http://www.faithandfamilylive.com/blog/building_the_priesthood#When:19:30:36Z we can all foster vocations | Rebecca’s discussion of the upcoming Year of the Priest reminded me of an article I read in the National Catholic Register a few years ago. In it, Register senior writer Tim Drake looked at a recent surge in vocations, and noted several dioceses that seem to be especially thriving. Of course, one of the reasons … Family 2009-06-17T19:30:36+00:00 http://www.faithandfamilylive.com/blog/different_strokes Rachel Balducci http://www.faithandfamilylive.com/blog/different_strokes#When:03:08:26Z lots and lots of them | It is late Tuesday evening and we are just getting in from tonight’s swim meet. Do your kids swim? Did you have a meet tonight? Around here, everyone who does summer swim has meets on Tuesday night (like, even my friend three hours down the road). I never knew anything about the cult of swim … Family 2009-06-17T03:08:26+00:00 http://www.faithandfamilylive.com/blog/offer_it_up Rachel Balducci http://www.faithandfamilylive.com/blog/offer_it_up#When:20:30:16Z Our pain equals your gain | Two weeks from tomorrow, we go back to the doctor. Two weeks doesn’t sound like all that long unless you had been mentally geared up for ONE week. A few weeks ago, I got a call from the cast clinic to set up our next appointment. Six weeks from accident date would be sometime next … Family 2009-06-15T20:30:16+00:00 http://www.faithandfamilylive.com/blog/beach_livin Rachel Balducci http://www.faithandfamilylive.com/blog/beach_livin#When:13:30:00Z checking in from my remote location | We are on vacation this week in the beautiful Outer Banks of North Carolina. Internet has been spotty, and when I clicked on this morning and was connected, I decided to say a quick hello. Hello! Things are going well and this “retreat” has been good for body, mind and soul. I will tell … Family 2009-06-10T13:30:00+00:00 http://www.faithandfamilylive.com/blog/sweet_summertime Rachel Balducci http://www.faithandfamilylive.com/blog/sweet_summertime#When:12:30:01Z How does it feel? | This is our first week out of school. Some years I take a few weeks to just do “whatever” during the day—and that tends to backfire on me. This year, I have tackled the summer head-on by having a nice morning routine that encourages the much needed structure on which my boys thrive. This is not … Family 2009-06-04T12:30:01+00:00 http://www.faithandfamilylive.com/blog/important_news Rachel Balducci http://www.faithandfamilylive.com/blog/important_news#When:23:47:01Z Root Beer Lovers, Celebrate! | From my inbox: Dear Rachel, Sonic would like to thank our great customers for going to Sonic with Free Float Night. Drive in between 8 p.m. and midnight on Wednesday, June 3, and receive a FREE 10 oz. Root Beer Float.* While you’re there, feel free to take pictures and upload them at sonicdrivein.com for a … Family 2009-06-02T23:47:01+00:00 http://www.faithandfamilylive.com/blog/come_holy_spirit Rachel Balducci http://www.faithandfamilylive.com/blog/come_holy_spirit#When:00:35:00Z How was the Novena? | A belated Happy Feast of Pentecost! For the nine days before Pentecost, our family observed the Novena to the Holy Spirit (which Sr. Patricia posted each day here). It was a wonderful experience, and while some of our prayer intentions were more long-term petitions, I am confident our Novena was a “success” simply in the beautiful … Family 2009-06-02T00:35:00+00:00 http://www.faithandfamilylive.com/blog/life_with_spica Rachel Balducci http://www.faithandfamilylive.com/blog/life_with_spica#When:01:38:00Z a writer writes, always | I keep waiting for the day when I will begin to think deeply again, when my mind won’t focus all its energies on Henry and this cast and dealing with both. So far, that’s not happening. I’m aware of the outside world of course—I’m keeping up with current events and watching plenty of movies (of the … Family 2009-05-28T01:38:00+00:00 http://www.faithandfamilylive.com/blog/taking_a_stand1 Rachel Balducci http://www.faithandfamilylive.com/blog/taking_a_stand1#When:13:00:00Z even when it hurts | This story comes to us by way of my sister Joanna, whose very dear friend Anna Franzonello refused to attend her recent law school graduation—from Notre Dame. New Yorker and Notre Dame law grad Anna Franzonello prayed yesterday rather than attend President Obama’s commencement speech because of his pro-abortion stance. “I wouldn’t be able to approve … Family 2009-05-22T13:00:00+00:00 http://www.faithandfamilylive.com/blog/out_spokin Rachel Balducci http://www.faithandfamilylive.com/blog/out_spokin#When:02:24:00Z that video gave me a tic | I just finished watching the amazing bike video posted by Danielle earlier today. I’ll admit it left me with some complicated emotions, feelings that ranged from “oh my gosh that is amazing” to “oh my gosh what if my boys decide to try that one day” to “oh my gosh I need to go … Family 2009-05-19T02:24:00+00:00 http://www.faithandfamilylive.com/blog/cast_your_cares_on_him Rachel Balducci http://www.faithandfamilylive.com/blog/cast_your_cares_on_him#When:02:28:00Z Prayer is getting us through | Hello dear readers! This is a brief little hello from me, my son’s mom, who has been hard at work caring for my boy. Wow is this a full-time job! I have been so blessed by your outpouring of love, and am greatful for your prayers. They are working. There is grace to deal with … Family 2009-05-15T02:28:00+00:00 http://www.faithandfamilylive.com/blog/counting_on_mary Rachel Balducci http://www.faithandfamilylive.com/blog/counting_on_mary#When:02:52:00Z May is her month | Today has been a challenging day, and while that seems to be the tune I’ve been singing lately, this one was tough beyond the typical toddler stuff. You know, *real* issues. And I had this thought, as I was praying for grace and mercy. Mary. The Month of Mary. Ask for her help. I came across … Family 2009-05-08T02:52:00+00:00 http://www.faithandfamilylive.com/blog/simple_joys Rachel Balducci http://www.faithandfamilylive.com/blog/simple_joys#When:16:05:00Z Toddlers are complicated | Last night, Henry sat on my lap during family prayers. He can now fold his hands while we pray and as I peered down to see his chubby fingers pressed perfectly against each other, his thumbs neatly crossed, I had the same thought over and over. “Is there anything as delicious,” I marvelled, “as a toddler’s hands?” … Family 2009-05-06T16:05:00+00:00 http://www.faithandfamilylive.com/blog/days_like_this Rachel Balducci http://www.faithandfamilylive.com/blog/days_like_this#When:21:25:00Z Mama said we'd have 'em | I probably shouldn’t show you this picture, but it’s just such a good representation of the kind of morning we had around here. Feeling kinda blech, not running at a hundred percent, rainy-day ennui. Somehow this shot captures it all perfectly. We’re doing better this afternoon, but that kind of morning can really affect a … Family 2009-05-04T21:25:00+00:00 http://www.faithandfamilylive.com/blog/love_and_care Rachel Balducci http://www.faithandfamilylive.com/blog/love_and_care#When:21:39:00Z respecting life in all its stages | The video posted by Sr. Patricia below did indeed make me cry. What a beautiful reminder of the great circle of life. Sr. Patricia, it has been so wonderful having you here at Faith and Family this week! One of the things I love so much about getting your daily e-letter is hearing about … Family 2009-05-01T21:39:00+00:00 http://www.faithandfamilylive.com/blog/a_different_drug Rachel Balducci http://www.faithandfamilylive.com/blog/a_different_drug#When:02:23:00Z from my inbox | A clever newspaper entry that wonders if the old drugs worked best—being “drug” to Sunday school, to church, and to the woodshed for bad behavior! Thanks to my friend Lyn for passing this along. Family 2009-05-01T02:23:00+00:00 http://www.faithandfamilylive.com/blog/so_funny_so_true Rachel Balducci http://www.faithandfamilylive.com/blog/so_funny_so_true#When:18:30:00Z in case you’d like to laugh til you cry today | HT: Jennifer’s twittering! Family 2009-04-29T18:30:00+00:00 http://www.faithandfamilylive.com/blog/under_ruse Rachel Balducci http://www.faithandfamilylive.com/blog/under_ruse#When:20:05:00Z When do you say when? | Dear Abby, Being a lover of laundry (Hi! My name is Rachel and I like washing clothes.), I have been thinking about something for a while, a long while in fact. I have been putting off asking you about it, but I can’t wait any longer. Fair warning: this might be a discussion you just … Family 2009-04-28T20:05:00+00:00 http://www.faithandfamilylive.com/blog/swine_flu Rachel Balducci http://www.faithandfamilylive.com/blog/swine_flu#When:14:00:00Z How to stay healthy | There is a good, very basic article over at abc.com about how to protect yourself and your family from the swine flu. As is usually the case, preventive medicine boils down to common sense. “Simple preventive measures,” says the article, “such as washing hands frequently and avoiding people who are coughing or sneezing, can go a … Family 2009-04-27T14:00:00+00:00 http://www.faithandfamilylive.com/blog/the_shiniest_floors_ever Rachel Balducci http://www.faithandfamilylive.com/blog/the_shiniest_floors_ever#When:01:58:00Z E.E.O.Ohhhhh | This afternoon, I heard an odd sound, a kind of trickle coming from the kitchen. I walked in to find Henry standing in the pantry; he had somehow slightly twisted the top of my gigantic, insanely huge bottle of Extra Virgin Olive Oil and had tipped the bottle forward. There he stood, watching the fine yellow line that flowed … Family 2009-04-25T01:58:00+00:00 http://www.faithandfamilylive.com/blog/lots_of_legos Rachel Balducci http://www.faithandfamilylive.com/blog/lots_of_legos#When:01:40:00Z a website your boys will love | If you have boys, then you probably have Legos. If so, you might enjoy a Lego a day, a clever blog that offers a Lego-themed snapshot almost daily. Go check it out. And special thanks to Suzanne at Blessed Among Men for introducing the boys of Testosterhome to this fun site! Family 2009-04-24T01:40:00+00:00 http://www.faithandfamilylive.com/blog/earth_day Rachel Balducci http://www.faithandfamilylive.com/blog/earth_day#When:17:05:00Z Do you celebrate? | Today is Earth Day 2009, the day that marks “the anniversary of the birth of the modern environmental movement in 1970.” For a long time, I worried that such movements were beyond-tree-hugging liberalism at its finest. I love the Earth, of course, and I will admit that I get overly-emotional when I see forests being clear-cut for … Family 2009-04-22T17:05:00+00:00