Toddler Won't Stop Yelling

Dear Holly,
My 15 month old son usually keeps himself pretty busy during the 2-3 hours of housework I do, spread out over the day, but sometimes he doesn't. When he doesn't want to play next to me in the kitchen or wherever, he sometimes will just start yelling and yelling, grab onto my leg and stand in between me and the sink if I'm washing dishes (and yell). I try to head this off by taking a break to play with him or read to him, but it doesn't seem to help--he is only happy as long as I am playing with him, then when I try to go back to cooking dinner, he starts yelling again.

He is quite verbal for his age and sometimes instead of nonverbal yelling he yells "BOOK! BOOK!" or whatever it is that he wants me to do. I have tried explaining that I need to finish whatever it is, or chatting with him or singing to him while I work, or including him in what I'm doing sometimes, and I've tried ignoring the yelling. None of those things have seemed to work!

Toddlers are really a mystery to me. I have asked people for advice about the yelling/whining and looked in a number of books, but all of the advice seemed either too young or too old for my son. (Too young=just ignore the housework and enjoy bonding with your baby and doing whatever he wants--that was great in the first few months, but I want to create an orderly life for his benefit as well as mine and my husband's.) I love to play with him, read with him, go for long walks outside with him in the stroller, take him to the park, meet friends at the zoo, and all kinds of other fun things during the many hours of the day that he is awake and I'm not doing housework. I notice myself putting off cooking dinner or cleaning up because I am afraid he'll start yelling.
Labels: 4th P Parent

posted by Holly at 9:19 AM 2 comments

Monday, June 08, 2009

Successful Business Interferes with Family Life

Dear Holly,
For the past few years I've been building a network marketing business and I basically earn a decent income working part-time hours. Our family has made many sacrifices to build an organization which generates a full-time income. When I first started the business, we were in great financial need and my husband was very skeptical (anti network marketing and anti-sales) but our financial reality required that I do something to provide income. My struggle is what it has always been - having peace with what I do. I still need to earn income, although we no longer have the financial pressure which drove me as before. But this type of business is demanding, it requires continually personal development, dealing with people from all walks of life, religious beliefs, etc. It is also challenging to schedule. My office phone can literally ring from 8am to midnight with people who have urgent issues and are looking for help.

My heart is drawn to solitude and quiet, time for prayer and just to be with Christ. My reality is anything but... I desire to have balance and harmony through the day, but this business can be all consuming. And the truth is I am so drawn to do the business rather than tend to my home and family. Working with a team, strategizing, planning and facilitating events, is hugely energizing, exciting and tones of FUN!!! I love the social networking, thrive on the party atmosphere and have a hard time drawing my boundaries. I think it is natural to be drawn to this as it offers a contradiction to the monotony of home life. I don't say that in a negative way - just stating the obvious, homemaking is very rhythmical (which has a beauty unto itself) but my personality loves the excitement of working with others with common goals.

My tendency has been to go hard with business building and then to be overcome by remorse for the neglect of my children and home. At which point I drop the business and re-focus in my home and being faithful to the rule, only to find that the momentum with my co-workers slows down, issues crop up, personalities clash and people disappear. And it goes round and round. One co-worker shared how she has had to be consumed, to live and breath the business 24/7. I am however aware that my primary vocation is wife, and mother.

My husband tells me I need to make money and wants our business to generate a solid couple grand a week - that is going to take consistent energy and effort as well as self-discipline and focus on my part. As you can see I'm conflicted and wonder if you would consider sharing your perspective. I know you to be a woman of faith, committed to living God's Rule for your vocation. You have the gift of wisdom which has been of tremendous help and brought forth great graces for me in the past.
Labels: 5th P Provider

posted by Holly at 7:14 PM 3 comments

Thursday, June 04, 2009

Struggling with that 5th P

Dear Holly,
The five P's of the married vocation hit me over the head like a hammer this last time I read your book. It was a huge WOW for me. I couldn't start to work on improving my family life until I started to work on me. I couldn't teach or model something I wasn't living. I intellectually knew this but I never did anything about it. Right now I am working through P- prayer, P- person, P- partner. The more I work on prayer the stronger the person and the partner become. I am noticing little changes in my parenting as well, even though I haven't focused on that yet. The Rosary has been the best gift ever. It has opened my eyes to seeing I am not in charge, I am not the be all and end all, God is. I am seeing that doing things without keeping God in mind is pointless.
Yet I am still struggling with the practical implementation of day to day living. While I am so much happier than I was, things are still not getting done. Laundry piles up, bathrooms don't cleaned regularly, general things don't get put away. This doesn't bother me so much anymore but I do keep thinking that these things are important. These things of living need to be done and should have their place in my day. I just don't seem to know where to put them. How do you move into the practical side of what you talk about in the book. I have a very hard time making a daily schedule for myself let alone for my family.
Things have purpose now. I really enjoy waking up without a scowl on my face, without feeling so tired even if I have had a short sleep. I am coping so much better. The first P prayer has made an enormous impact on who I am. Will prayer lead to better organization of family and home? Is there a system to try following? Do you have any ideas on how to start to work on the physical aspects of day to day life. Having been unsuccessful in trying to plan out my days before I am nervous and unsure of where to turn.
Labels: 5th P Provider

posted by Holly at 10:44 AM 1 comments

Emergency Coping with a Depressed Husband

Dear Holly,
My particular problem has to do with my husband. I know that I need to make our marriage a priority, but I am not sure how to do that. We have been married for over a decade and we have 4 very young children. While I stay home with the kids, he works in a very demanding professional field and I respect the great strain and stress he experiences providing for our family. However, he's been severely depressed for years: He takes meds, has seen several therapists for a few sessions each (mainly just to placate me), is in poor health, and can't sleep most nights. His work is suffering and he's had a drastic pay cut due to poor performance. We've lost thousands of dollars due to the economic crisis and his irresponsible behavior, and he lies to me, over and over again. The only reason he has stopped is because we have no money left. Divorce is not something I will consider as I know it's not the answer.

My question is this: How can I be a good wife to a man who is so depressed, so intent on shutting me out? His job is hanging in the balance; he spends hours at the office doing nothing but procrastinating and worrying; and he refuses to talk to me about it. More than that, he gets stony and furious when I try. He only goes to church if I "make" him, and otherwise he sits at home and watches TV. My son is definitely catching on. I took my husband to confession once, and he shows no interest in returning. He is completely desperate and miserable, and I have read self-help books and prayed and cried and helped, having tried every tack that I can think of, and the whole situation just seems to be falling apart. The bottom line is that he is not happy, and he does not want me to be close, and to go about my business and pretend that we have the happiest of marriages. He has told me this. I welcome any insight you can offer.
Labels: 3rd P Partner

posted by Holly at 10:17 AM 6 comments

Bearing Fruit

Dear Holly,
I just wanted to share that this struck me this morning as extremely applicable to keeping up with our daily duties... "Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me.
I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in me, and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing."
Labels: 1st P Prayer

posted by Holly at 10:14 AM 1 comments

A Search Feature for the MROL Site?

Dear Holly,
There are many times I would like to see what you have at your web site, but I find it difficult. Is there any way you could add a search feature? I know that you discuss various books, prayers, etc... and if there were a search option, how easy they would be to find. Not to mention various topic: toddlers, husbands, rosary, a particular saint etc.....

posted by Holly at 10:09 AM 3 comments

Not Experiencing Any Real Free Time...

Dear Holly,
I have been rereading the MROL book as I prepare to adjust our schedule for our new school year. We will be starting again June 1. And every time I have read this book I am amazed at your writing that you scheduled everything and still had hours of free time. I just do not see that happening in my life. I am sure that many can relate to this. After prayers, feeding, cleaning, schooling, gardening/yardwork... well, I just don't have hours of free time. So here is my question -- is it an unreasonable expectation? I know my life is different from everyone's, but am I just trying to do too much? Or am I allowing too much time for the different items? Or maybe I should just not think about such things and move on.

Another question, somewhat in relation, is how to keep us all on routine and not too much out of the schedule. This has to do with child training. I have a couple of kids that are just so sloooooow in doing their jobs after each meal. How does one handle this? We have tried many different tactics over the years and none seem to really work.
Labels: About a Rule of Life

posted by Holly at 10:04 AM 1 comments

Friday, May 08, 2009

Feeling Out of Control

Dear Holly,
Thank you for writing your book. I've read it 3 times and agreed with it and tried to start but then things got in the way. I am the very fortunate mother of an almost 5 year old and an almost 1 month year old. I am a stay at home mom with a loving husband. I know I am blessed but I feel out of control. My days are constant reactions not actions. I feel very isolated from God, although I know this is only on my part not His. I feel overwhelmed and like I am failing at everything. Please pray that I can get out of my own way and do what God wants, especially praying! If you have any other ideas that could help me actually get on with setting up and LIVING my rule that would be great but I'd appreciate the prayers.
Labels: About a Rule of Life

posted by Holly at 10:02 AM 2 comments

Saturday, May 02, 2009

Workbook Purchase

Dear Ladies
For those of you who will purchase the workbook, would you please read the instructions attached on the Holly's Notebook page. I have been receiving email after email lately from women who purchase but do not get the workbook link because they have not followed instructions. Those instructions have been posted to facilitate your purchase and to eliminate the need for me to spend time dealing with these types of unnecessary administrative issues, given my busy schedule with homeschooling, family and Masters studies. I appreciate your understanding and cooperation on this matter.
Thanks
Holly

posted by Holly at 5:00 PM

Friday, April 24, 2009

Exhaustion of Another Kind

Dear Holly,
Since the birth of my 3rd child (now 3 yrs old), I have experienced severe insomnia (for approx. 1 yr-sometimes only able to get 2-3 hrs of sleep for nights on end), hypothyroidism since my first child--treated and on medication- and now, adrenal fatigue--in recovery--very slowly getting better. So, I've been dealing with chaotic emotions for a few years and extreme fatigue. My issue now that I'm slowly but surely recovering is this: Because I still have to pace myself physically, I'm not sure if I'm often giving into extreme sloth or if my body is still so tired. I feel guilty because I never do enough for my family or the home. Should I listen to my body or just will myself with God's grace to do what needs to be done? How do you think I should approach this?

posted by Holly at 8:12 AM 3 comments

Sunday, April 19, 2009

Another Exhausted Mummy...

Dear Holly,
My question is...How do you establish a rule when you feel as if you have no energy to stick to the rule? I desperately feel like I need order to my day, but my baby (8 months old) wakes every 1-2 hours per night leaving me feeling extremely sluggish, and unorganized the next day, and I literally feel as if I'm running on fumes. I would like to think that this will pass soon, but his sister who is three now was the same way and still gets up often throughout the night. Besides this, he is extremely demanding during the day, and so is his sister. This leaves me having to take my day as it comes in bits and pieces. My 9 yr old daughter is left homeschooling herself at times, but that hasn't been working out the best either as she tends to start cutting corners. I don't feel like a good Mother doing things this way, but don't seem to have a choice. Your book is wonderful, and it has the schedules that I dream of. I really want to try something, but don't know what that is.
Labels: 4th P Parent

posted by Holly at 2:57 AM 13 comments

Husband's Upset, Mom's Fatigued, Baby's Awake Again

Dear Holly,
This morning, my husband yelled "Well maybe I'll just leave!". He was referring to our incessant issues with our 11-month old little boy's sleep troubles. He wakes up about every 1.5 - 2 hours to nurse, and he has done this for pretty much his whole life. I've just brought him into our bed, and normally my husband is okay with it but I guess it's gotten really cramped for him. I am capable of functioning with much less sleep than would be optimal, but my husband has a very stressful job and really needs his sleep. On some nights I've just been sleeping on an air mattress in the basement with my child. I've read all of the sleep books, and my pediatrician and friends have recommended "cry it out" which I've tried a couple of times. Whenever I've let him cry in his crib for longer than 5 minutes or so he literally vomits the entire contents of his stomach and I feel terrible. I'll do whatever you advise. I'm at my wits end. If necessary, I'll just sleep in the basement permanently, which seems like a drastic scenario of placing the 4th P before the 2nd P in some ways because my husband gets sad when he has to sleep alone.
Labels: 4th P Parent

posted by Holly at 2:13 AM 8 comments

Friday, February 27, 2009

Feeling Too Overwhelmed to Start...

Dear Holly,
I am wanting to start a schedule and get some order in my life and my children's. The problem I am having is that my children's ages are 4, 3, 2, and almost one. So my schedule for them can't be too complicated. Also I am not very creative and have a hard time thinking of things for them to do. I could stay busy if I applied myself but I tend to put my attention where it doesn't belong. For instance I will spend too much time on this or that and not pay attention to kids. I have tried to work on this to no avail. Also my husband is working nights for about another week and a half and then will be having knee surgery, and then I am sure he will be home for a couple weeks and then back to working nights for probably atleast a couple months. So I have fallen into staying up too late and getting up way later then I should be and feel guilty every morning when we are eating breakfast at 10:00. So I want a big change but it is overwhelming where to start and how to incorporate this with 4 children under 4. So any advice you could offer would be wonderful. I ordered a little schedule book to help and will continue reading your book but I would like to start this for Lent. I know one thing I want to do is Stations of the Cross every Friday. So there is a little start.

posted by Holly at 6:59 PM 1 comments

Too Little for Much Independence

Dear Holly,
I just finished reading your book, and am still at the stage of needing a radical home transformation before I can move into "upkeep" mode. While I am working on home organization, I have a 2 1/2 year old child who really needs some new interests and challenges. I honestly think she's totally bored. She is an only child (so far), so I have no little helpers to play with her or otherwise occupy her. I am really trying to get her involved in things that she is capable of doing, but I still need her to sometimes be able to do something quietly by herself, which I am having a real problem with. So far, she doesn't even like to color! I can't seem to find anything that holds her interest for more than a few minutes, except for "watching", but I don't want her watching whenever I need some time to make dinner or whatever. She has always kind of ignored toys, except to spread them around the house and then leave them alone, and unless I am actively involved in another activity with her, she just doesn't know what to do with herself, and I frankly am not sure what to do with her either. If you or your readers have some ideas, I would be most grateful. I'd like to see her be happier during the times when I need to have her occupied alone.

posted by Holly at 6:47 PM 3 comments

A Perfectionism without Priorities is a Problem!

Dear Holly!
Your book was just recommended to me by my homeschool curriculum consultant whom I speak to several times a year. What a change it has brought to my life. I found that I had already implemented so many of the practical suggestions--my home has order, routine, a place for everything, etc. But I didn't have the 5 p's working for me. Being a scheduler, a perfectionist, a neatnik, without those P priorities in order--hopeless. The girl who appeared to have it all together burnt herself right out. Self reliance looks good, and it works for a while, but it fails. Even my prayer life flopped, because I was out there trying to control everything myself, instead of turning it over!

Your prioritization of the 5 P's was something I resisted for some time. I was in this trap: Provider (doing my jobbies first), Parent (interacting with my children, full of resentment), Partner (can he be serious!), Prayer (better sneak some in before I get blasted by lightening) and Person (aren't I just the most selfless creature you ever saw?). So that part, the ordering of my life with God at the top, followed by my person and then my husband's person, gave real spiritual life to all my schedules and lists and Rubbermaid bins.
Labels: 1st P Prayer, About a Rule of Life

posted by Holly at 6:40 PM 1 comments

A Very Sleepy Mummy

Dear Holly,
I have a 3 year old (that doesn't nap), a turning 2 year-old, and a 2 month old. The 2 year old naps for 2 hours in the afternoon, and the baby sometimes concurrently. I am exhausted by that time, and find that I like to pray and then need to take a nap. Of course, the three year old always ends up watching TV so that mom can take a rest, sometimes up to two hours. Is this acceptable? If not, any suggestions on what we can do so that mom can rest?

posted by Holly at 6:31 PM 1 comments

Mom's Two Lives...

Dear Holly,
We are a military family which makes our life a bit different from most. Currently, my husband works shift work: 1pm until about 1130pm/midnight. The kids go to bed, generally, around 9pm. I'd like to make that time, sharp. Not so variable but I don't know if that's reasonable at this stage. My husband and myself go to bed about 1:30-2am. The kids wake before us and we've tried to keep them in their rooms or upstairs with a baby gate but they've learned to climb that now. I don't want them going downstairs and getting into things or possibly going outside. We have a river outback. I wish we could get up earlier but we can't. When my husband gets home he just wants to do things that help him unwind. Watch T.V. or be on the computer. Sometimes we talk. I had to make him sit down with me not long ago to pick a baby name because we're so close to the end and there are many more things for us to get done. Also, we tend to stay up because my oldest has Type 1 diabetes and we have to check her blood sugar anywhere from midnight until 2am as well as take her potty. So going to sleep and waking soon after is hard. So..........should I go to sleep before husband gets home, so someone gets rest? I'm lonely here all day and look forward to being up with him. I really don't have many friends and the ones I have I see only at church/church functions. Should I try and just get up early, like 7am, even if I go to bed at 2am and nap during the day? I already nap most of the time, when kids do after lunch, but I can only nap as long as oldest naps and she obviously doesn't nap two hours like the younger ones. I hate running on coffee and stuff to keep me going. My day is not a day to me. I'm so tired.

posted by Holly at 6:19 PM 1 comments

Sunday, February 01, 2009

Getting in Spiritual Reading for Kids

Dear Holly,
Both my third grader and fourth grader are quite slow in their school work. They do good work, but they just work very slow. Their reading is somewhat slow too. This leaves them less time for the Spiritual reading like the lives of the saints, because they have to read books from school to be able to complete their reading counts tests. Oh how I wish that my good husband would open up to the idea of home schooling.
Labels: 4th P Parent, Homeschooling

posted by Holly at 10:12 PM 2 comments

Good Books For Kids

Dear Holly,
Are you familiar with the "Magic Tree House" books? My 4th grade son really likes to read them. He mentioned that they have sorcery in them, so it made me a little apprehensive. With my children going to the public school, I try to give them good reading books at home to help teach them good virtues. I always have them read chapter books on the Saints. The problem is, they have these reading counts tests that they take in the library. They have to read the books there in the library, and then take comprehensive tests on them. I tried to redirect him into looking to see if they have "Little House on the Prairie" books, or Boxcar Children books. Do you have any suggestion on this.
Labels: 4th P Parent

posted by Holly at 10:00 PM 1 comments

Tuesday, January 20, 2009

2009 Update

Dear Ladies
A very happy new year to all of you. I thought I would fill you in with an update of what is happening here and of my plans for this year.

I am just now beginning the second year of my Masters in Catholic Education from Maryvale Institute in Birmingham, England. It is a superb program which I find so enlightening that my heart is constantly moved to gratitude to God for His Wisdom and for the excellent work of all the Maryvale people in bringing such excellent courses to us. I have decided to concentrate my focus on education within the Catholic family and in the Catholic homeschool over the next year, and I have no doubt that, following the program, I will be able to share with you some very important things in the form of another book. But this must wait until I have completed the program.

In my personal life, I experienced the death of four close relatives last year - my father, an uncle and two aunts. My mother is now alone and I plan to be visiting her more this year as she does not live in my province. I have taken on new responsibilities in my homeschool, and my eldest daughter will probably be leaving the nest this coming fall to go to university. So, in addition to my Masters, it is going to be a very busy year. I would ask you for your prayers that I may offer the Lord my 5 loaves and 2 fish in fidelity to His Will (keeping in mind that my efforts still remain inadequate for the tasks in front of me) and that He may multiply my efforts.

At present, I am working into a new practical rule in order to deal with my duties in a balanced way. I regret that, at this time, this blog has had so little input from me. I will try to take time once a week, on Saturdays, to keep in touch with all of you - and I would appreciate your prayers to this end - after I get the rest of my schedule habitual. Thank you for your patience in waiting for email replies.

May God bless you in your family apostolate and I will pray for all of you. Please remember me in your prayers and keep in touch.
Blessings
Holly

posted by Holly at 8:16 AM

Tuesday, November 18, 2008

Defiant & Disrespectful Child Laughs at Mom

Dear Holly,
I have 3 girls, ages 4, 2 1/2, and 1. My oldest daughter is great when she's good (helpful, sociable, energetic, creative), but when she's bad, she's defiant, disrespectful, or just laughs at us when we try to discipline her. She repeatedly does things like go out of her room before we are awake and wreaks havoc. Despite serious consequences (eg. having to stay home from a fun activity, or losing all the toys in her room and having to 'earn' them back one at a time with good behaviour) she still keeps repeating the same misbehaviours. Any suggestions for how to get through to her? I am also very upset when the younger kids imitate her behaviour, and do bad things that they normally wouldn't. I am really hoping to address this issue before she starts school next fall, since our time together will be so much more limited after that. Finally, when I do put her in time out, she often screams and kicks the door/walls etc. I can tell that this really disturbs the younger ones, especially the baby who keeps trying to crawl over to her big sister.
Labels: 4th P Parent

posted by Holly at 5:14 PM 8 comments

Things Take Time...

Dear Holly,
I am finding it hard to schedule things for the rule because my children are all so young and need so much help. For example, if I want to take them for a walk, it usually takes 15-20 minutes just to get everyone with the appropriate coats/hats/shoes, used the toilet, put on a clean diaper etc. And then the same when we get home. This really eats into the day! Same with going to Mass etc. Any advice for how to handle this?
Labels: 4th P Parent, About a Rule of Life

posted by Holly at 5:08 PM 3 comments

Sunday, November 09, 2008

When Hubby Won't Stick to Agreements...

Dear Holly,
What do you do if your husband refuses to follow through with consistency-type resolutions that you've made regarding discipline? For example, my husband and I have time after time discussed that we will not use physical punishment until we have already done time-outs/ natural consequences etc. and the child is still defiant or thinks it's a big joke. So I struggle to maintain my cool all day, then after he's done work for half an hour, he's spanking the kids and/or yelling at the first negative behaviour they exhibit. I understand that their behaviour is extremely irritating, but it's just frustrating. Any advice?
Labels: 3rd P Partner, 4th P Parent

posted by Holly at 8:01 PM 1 comments

About Toys & Books Again...

Dear Holly,
I just had a question about rotating toys & books [in the bins from day to day] ... I have thought about doing this, to make cleanup time easier, and to keep them more engaged with their toys rather than just unloading them and spreading them around. But the concern I have is that they will learn to feel that they always need something new and exciting, rather than being happy with the same things. Do you have any advice?
Labels: 4th P Parent, 5th P Provider

posted by Holly at 7:48 PM 1 comments

Cute Little Noisy Kids in Church

Dear Holly,
My questions is, how do I get my little son 19 months old to behave in Church? He's a talker and loves to sing but most of all he is really active and sitting for Mass seems to be too much for him. I have tried everything, some things work for a little while than he is distracted and bored. It usually makes my husband insane with embarrassment because he feels that our little guy is distracting everyone. My way of thinking is, he's a little boy and it is a family Mass. By the end of Mass, my husband is mad and I am walking on egg shells. I really don't want the option to leave the baby at home and my husband and I attend two different Masses. What is your take on this?
Labels: 4th P Parent

posted by Holly at 7:19 PM 1 comments

Friday, November 07, 2008

A Newborn

Dear Holly,
I have read your lovely book given to me by my husband before we got married. I have not yet put it into practice but hope to soon. I'm now married a year and have newborn baby- 3wks old. I would like to ask you your thoughts and opinion about managing the house and getting a routine with a newborn as I have no experience as there were no other babies in my family.
My main difficulty is making her sleep during the day in her crib. She only gets to sleep in my arms and if I put her down she wakes up within 5 min. So I've been using a sling but I get back ache carrying her all day and she will be getting bigger. All my family advise me against carrying her as she'll get used to it and will never want to sleep on her own. Is this true? or should I just respond to my babies needs and hope that in her own time she will feel secure enough to sleep on her own. I would appreciate your thoughts on this.
Labels: 4th P Parent

posted by Holly at 12:09 PM 10 comments

Wednesday, November 05, 2008

A Missing Post...

Ladies
I removed a post recently about a mom who was still in her PJs at supper time, who raged at God for giving her the married vocation and who felt bad about her motherhood. It was obviously a bad day. Many of us have undergone such things, although not all mothers experience this.

Yet, in a desire to be merciful and understanding, I felt some of the advice being given by readers was heading in a problematic direction regarding the situation, and I did not want to get into a debate about it at this poor mother's expense.

So I removed the post, and I have commented on the importance of distinguishing between morality and psychology on the Thoughts for Mom blog - under the title of "CAUTION: Distinguishing Between Good and Evil in Psychology." Please take the time to read it, because it is important for Moms to know what we are and what we are not responsible for when it comes to our actions, our homes and our behavior.

posted by Holly at 11:11 AM

Sunday, October 19, 2008

When Disaster Strikes

Dear Holly,
At the beginning of this month Hurricane Gustav tore through Baton Rouge, Louisiana where I live with my husband and and son. We are fine and had only minimal roof damage. The rest of the city wasn't so lucky. There were trees down everywhere, no one had electricity, all the stores were closed, garbage pickup was stopped and there was curfew at sundown. We were without power for a week. My husband and I like to camp, so I tried to view the experience as a camping trip at home. I kept telling myself electricity is a luxury and I should be able to handle this, but honestly, I was over whelmed. The house was damp and dirty. I couldn't keep anything clean. We did still have running water and I was blessed to have family and friends at my house with whom to play board games, to help cook meals and who helped me wash dishes. We had to keep the windows open so the house wouldn't be too hot but it rained for several days after the winds died down, so rain came into the house. We put down towels that quickly became saturated and smelly. With no power there was no way for me to dry the laundry even if I had hand washed everything; it was far too rainy and humid to run out a clothes line. We also had to clean our yard, patch our roof, and help my mom take down a large pine tree that came down in her yard destroying her shed and landing on her carport. Ants even came in the house through a closed window and got all the way up onto the table where there was a cracker before they were discovered. I assume the storm had something to do with the ants because nothing like that had ever happened before.

Do you have any suggestions on how to keep house when disaster strikes?
Labels: 5th P Provider

posted by Holly at 1:40 AM 3 comments

Thursday, October 09, 2008

Kids Don't Get Out Much...

Dear Holly,
We homeschool and I find my children don't get outside as much as I would like. It seems there is always so much to do around here that I am not always able to get them outside. My oldest is old enough to go out alone, but my youngest (1) needs me to take her out. Do you have any suggestions for me on how to get them outdoors more without leaving things undone indoors?
Labels: 4th P Parent, Homeschooling

posted by Holly at 9:03 AM 1 comments

Saturday, October 04, 2008

When Mass & Homeschooling Seem to Conflict...

Dear Holly,
We are a homeschooling family. I want to get the children and myself to Mass more often during the week, but when we go not as much school gets done. How do you work the days that you attend Mass so that school gets it's proper attention?
Labels: Homeschooling

posted by Holly at 6:56 PM 1 comments

Thursday, August 28, 2008

Beating the "Overwhelmed" Feeling

Dear Holly,
I feel like I can make a list of what needs to be done, but when it actually comes to implementation, I kind of become overwhelmed and really feel like I don't know how to do it. Am I being too perfectionistic? Are my expectations too high? I get frustrated with my family, because I can tend to blame them for feeling overworked. I know that's not completely fair, as this is my vocation and my duty. I guess I just desire us to work better together, so that I don't feel like it's "me vs. them" all the time. My husband is very supportive and very hands-on with the kids, but I think he, too, gets overwhelmed with daily reality and then gives up on trying to implement any type of routine. I feel like I am a fairly organized person ... I plan meals, do one load of laundry everyday (although sometimes I get a day behind ...), keep up with kitchen clean up ... But that is about as much as I get to consistently. The rest of the cleaning happens when I can fit it in, which is not my ideal ... I can't get past this overwhelmed feeling, as if I'm running into a wall! Ugh!!

posted by Holly at 9:16 AM 3 comments

Wednesday, August 13, 2008

Overwhelmed About School Starting

Dear Holly,
Three years ago my husband came home with your book as a "pick me up" for me. He had read the back cover and thought it was what I needed (what our family needed). That year we finished our RCIA class and officially became Catholics. Since then I have quit my job as a teacher, last year tried my hand at homeschooling my then elementary children - one only lasted until Feb.) when I put my oldest daughter in a brand new Catholic school that was just starting up. My husband had a vasectomy reversal, I became pregnant and this past May had a beautiful baby boy! Oh, and we are trying to sell our house that we bought with 2 incomes and move closer to our parish. I thought homeschooling would be easy since I had been teaching and have a master's degree, but it was a disaster! I ended up trying to bring all my knowledge about education and school into my home and it just didn't work. Everyone was miserable. One of my children hated it and was so resentful and disruptive that I ended up putting him back in school in Feb. The public school curriculum was so easy that he was rarely challenged, but it made our home life more bearable for me and my 5th grader. I would try and develop fun and exciting things for her and she would hate them. I tried involving her in the process and when things got really crazy with the pregnancy and I needed to rest more she stopped putting forth her best effort. I swore I wouldn't do this again... and here I am. We can't afford to send all 3 "big kids" to Catholic school and believe it or not my daughter WANTS to be homeschooled one more year and she tells people, "if I do really well this year for mom, then she'll think about homeschooling for 7th and 8th grade too!"- I don't ever remember saying that!!!

I just don't know where to begin. School is just 2 weeks away for my other kids and I still haven't ordered curriculum for my daughter. Today I am battling a cold that is on it's 4th day, I've showered but am not fully dressed (it's after noon here) and have spent the morning rocking and nursing a fussy baby. And I'm just wondering... how am I going to do this?? I haven't started and I'm already burnt out. There is no order to my home, my prayer life is limited as is my ability to get to a gym and loose the last 10 pounds of baby weight I gained.

I am so overwhelmed. I feel like I am missing a huge piece of your message in the book and no matter how many times I've tried to write the rule or make a schedule (I love lists and routines and schedules) they failed. I've made charts for each room in my house and no one does the chores. I end up frustrated and angry and then I give up and nothing changes. I want my kids to learn and enjoy learning and I want to enjoy teaching them. That's what I missed the most about homeschooling was teaching- isn't that stupid?? But I did. I missed teaching and planning and working with kids and other teachers. I remember reading in your book about the first day of school and how sad you felt watching the children go by with their backpacks on and not being able to go with them. That's how I feel. Now, with that said, I hated being away from my house, and my family suffered because of my job. By the time I arrived home I was exhausted and not available emotionally to any of them. When they were sick, I'd feel guilty calling in to find a sub. When I was sick, I still worked. So I know that I need to be home and I would never leave this little baby. I'm having a hard time embracing and understanding really what my new vocation as a mother really means and requires. Having this new baby is like starting all over again except with a different attitude towards motherhood. And I must say, I am so attached to him. More than my other children. He sleeps with me and I nurse him all the time. I just can't get enough of him. I am enjoying him like I have not enjoyed my other children. I just don't know how to put all the pieces together which is why I keep re-reading your book. I know I must be close to figuring this out but I can't seem to put all the pieces together.
Labels: 4th P Parent, About a Rule of Life, Homeschooling

posted by Holly at 4:53 PM 1 comments

Confused More and More

Dear Holly,
The more I start to try to get ready for homeschool in the fall, the more confused I am getting. All my responsibilities are running around in my head, like you mentioned in your book about having a big brick wall you couldn't climb over. The more confused I get, the more I feel anxious and bordering on panic. Where do I start?
Labels: About a Rule of Life, Homeschooling

posted by Holly at 10:55 AM 1 comments

A New Phase of Motherhood

Dear Holly,
I am at a completely new phase in my vocation and am really struggling ... I am the mother of five--five years and younger. My oldest (5) will be in Kindergarten in the fall, and then I have a 4 year old, 3 year old and 9-month-old twins. Usually when I tell people that, they understand my feelings of being overwhelmed ;-) But I really desire more than to feel overwhelmed! I desire to answer God's call to the best of my ability and to be a good wife and mother for Him. However, I struggle with perfectionism (I need to do it all!) but I know that realistically I can't right now, and I need to learn how to lower my expectations. So, what can I live with? What is OK to let go of? For me, sticking to the basics is all I am doing, but is my list of "the basics" too long? Are there things on my list of basics that aren't really basics? You see what I'm getting at, right?

I also struggle with surrendering all of it to the Lord! This is ridiculous, but I feel like if I surrender it, the little bit that I do have going on with just fall apart like the rest of it, and things will be in worse shape than they are now. Talk about not trusting God! UGH!! I just don't know how to focus at this point. I know that my Ps need to be in a row, but right now the 4th and 5th Ps are taking over! How do I keep up with the work? How do I manage my children, train them and simply keep them from getting at each other all the time (I feel like I'm endlessly being the referee)? And this needs to come after maintaining a good relationship with the Lord, taking care of myself and being present to my husband! I believe in order. I believe we need order to live our lives well. I feel like I am out of order right now.
Labels: About a Rule of Life

posted by Holly at 1:09 AM 2 comments

Wednesday, August 06, 2008

Teenagerism

Hi Ladies
For a two-part article I have written on "Teenagerism" for the National Catholic Register, click:

Part One (July 27th)
Teenagerism -Not So Inevitable

Part Two (August 10th)
Teenagerism - The Unnecessary Rebellion
Labels: 4th P Parent

posted by Holly at 10:17 PM

Monday, July 28, 2008

Burning Out

Dear Holly,
I was looking forward to the summer break, but it only seems to be making me more stressed. The kids are out of their routine. I am feeling rudder-less without school to ground me. The house is a mess and yet I just cleaned it out in June. I am tired. And the school year, only 6 weeks away, looms large on the horizon and I feel pressured and burdened. Help!
Labels: 2nd P Person, 5th P Provider

posted by Holly at 1:17 PM 1 comments

Thursday, July 24, 2008

The Clutter Of Unwanted Gifts

Dear Holly,
What do I do about gifts that clutter our house? People really mean well and we have asked not to bring gifts or to go for things like books or crafts (things the children can use). Regardless, we still receive and own and store gifts, largely given to the children, that are perfectly nice but that clutter our house. I'm afraid the gift givers will come over and say "how do you enjoy your such-and-such" and then think we are ungrateful and don't love them when we say we passed it on to someone else in need.
Now that I write that it sounds completely ridiculous. But still this is my struggle. Any thoughts to help with the situation?
Labels: 5th P Provider

posted by Holly at 4:46 AM 6 comments

Sunday, July 13, 2008

Why Can't I Stick to Anything?

Dear Holly,
I wonder if you might be able to offer some insight for me. As I look at my life, I see a pattern of starting many things that I don't finish. Why? Pick any reason, and I've probably used it: boredom, unforeseen circumstances, illness, schedule change, sloth, loss of the importance of the thing, etc. I'm not talking about laundry or dishes or things like that as much as I am talking about life changes, trying to better myself. For instance, I might start a time of prayer only to have it upset by something or an exercise program or eating better or an entire rule of life! At the time that I stop the thing, it seems to be for a legitimate reason, but then it often takes me months to even start again.

I am very self-reflective, and I've struggled to understand the root, the core of this tendency. Is it lack of commitment? Yes, but why? Is it sloth? Yes, but it seems to go deeper than even that. I believe it has something to do with my perfectionist nature in that I fear the failure more than I want the thing, even though I know the thing is better for me. Intellectually, I can reason it all out, but I can't seem to get my heart in the right place long enough to form good habits in all areas of life. I am always working against my perfectionism in my spiritual life, and I feel like over the years-especially since I have had children-that I am making small in-roads. And while I see how I have changed for the better in small areas, it is still the big areas that plague me. I don't believe that I'm getting caught up in just wanting the immediacy of these things, but rather, I yearn for balance, which is what I struggle to achieve. Do you have an outside perspective that you could offer?
Labels: 1st P Prayer, 2nd P Person

posted by Holly at 3:48 PM 2 comments

Managing Double-Duty With Children's Schooling

Dear Holly,
I have a question following on from your comments on "How to Finish School in the Morning". How do you manage to stick to your time frame when you have two (or more?) children who need one on one instruction to complete their work? I have one child with special needs and another who is very easily distracted. Therefore they require much attention. They are 10 and 8. What you wrote about keeping academics in it's place resonated with me. I've been homeschooling for two and a half years. In that time I've devoted too much energy to curriculum and to ensuring we cover it all! Thank you for your wonderful book, and this encouraging blog
Labels: Homeschooling

posted by Holly at 2:45 PM 2 comments

Husband Frequently Interrupts

Dear Holly,
Your book gave me real hope, but I have not been able to really establish a schedule as my husband works at home and interrupts us several times a day. I might be able to deal with that except for that I am not good at pulling things back together, so after a few times, I fade... We have discussed this to no avail, and I can't figure out how to work around it as every time I adjust what
we are doing to reflect the times he commonly comes in, it seems like he changes what he does. He is very people-oriented and friendly, so I can understand why he does this, but it's hard on whatever we are doing. Please help or I too may end up screaming at the table!!!!
Labels: 3rd P Partner

posted by Holly at 2:28 PM 3 comments

Monday, July 07, 2008

Making Sundays a Re-Creation Day

Dear Holly,
I seem to have trouble figuring out what to do on Sundays. All week long I am busy, busy...homeschooling the kids (I have eight children, ages infant to 13 years old). So, I homeschool all week, clean all week, clean and try to catch up on "fires" on Saturdays. Then Sunday comes along and I have no idea WHAT to do. Everyone else seems to know how to relax. Why can't I? I have tried sewing and the little ones just end up tearing the pattern or scattering my pins and I end up frazzled and behind on all of my Sunday "work" which is really still there, right? (cooking, cleaning up after the kids and dishes etc.) I can't run off to town to shop since we are on a tight budget and gas is too high anyway. Do you have any tips on ordering your Sunday or have a good resource in mind (i.e. book) that spiritually deals with this issue? I thought maybe I am being selfish in wanting off time on Sundays and maybe I should be even MORE in the spirit of service with my family on this day. Also, when I do something that I want to do like order a closet, sew, etc. I end up feeling guilty for some reason. I am at a loss as to what a Catholic Mom of 8 should DO on Sundays at home since I don't want to just sit. I sit all week with school teaching and I just want to MOVE and clean and order my environment. Am I missing something here? Perhaps it is just a sinful temptation? I would love to hear ideas as to what to do on Sundays or how to relax. I have always had this problem with Sundays since I have been married with children. Any thoughts or suggestions? Do you have a rule suggestion? I guess part of me resents that everyone else CAN nap on Sundays, or play games and someone has to be "up" to watch all the little kids and that is always me. I feel terrible in saying that, but since I'm asking... might as well be honest. I think partly I am so tired I don't know just HOW tired I really am. So, I should take advantage of a "day of rest" but it doesn't seem to be my reality.
Labels: 2nd P Person

posted by Holly at 9:54 AM 2 comments

Tuesday, June 17, 2008

Too Many Variables Mess Up Mummy!

Dear Holly,
I love your book and have read it several times over. I have written out my rule which should work out well but I'm having problems here. It seems something is always happening and I can never even start the rule!! My husband works 3rd shift and has strange days off. On those days, I'm often up late with him and then we don't wake up until late and the whole day is off. Or we have doctors appointments, dentist, grocery runs to do, usually a once a week playdate with different friends, library books due etc. On the days we have nothing going on it seems I'm busy catching up- laundry, housework, emails etc. The phone is always ringing and at times I am just so lonely for adult conversation I pick it up for "just a few minutes" and before I know it 1/2-1hour is just gone and of course the kids (2,4,7,10) have long blown off what they were suppose to do because mom has. I feel like my choices are rigged and lonely or laid back yet chaotic and disorganized! How do you actually get into the habit? With shopping, errands or emails or phone calls I have a set time but then I feel like that is just hanging over my head and I want to get it done and out of the way as fast as possible and that in turn messes up the rest of the routine. I know I'm causing my own troubles here but I think I'm so caught up in it I can't see the solution. Any advice or if something like this has been answered somewhere on your site if you could direct me to it, I sure would appreciate it.
Labels: About a Rule of Life

posted by Holly at 3:04 PM 1 comments

Tuesday, May 13, 2008

The 5 Priorities Do Matter

Dear Holly and Others,
This morning I was trying to write out a schedule for us and I am feeling overwhelmed. I have written out many schedules, and we do have a basic plan, and I try not to be too nitpicky -- focusing on routines more than detailed time slots. But, as I was doing it, I just began to feel irritated. So, I thought I would write this letter and ask for advice and wisdom.

My husband works odd hours and odd days.The only days that are the same in our household during the week are T,W, and F. Plus, with him home most mornings, it is hard to do schoolwork (we homeschool). Furthermore, I just feel like there is so much to do -- housework, yardwork, gardening (we have over 3 acres to tend to), schooling, let alone the important stuff like prayers, confession, adoration, mass, spiritual direction.

I think what I am trying to communicate is that first, I feel like I have too much to do and not enough time (like a budget: too many needs and not enough funds), and second, because of my husband's schedule, it is hard to have a regular schedule at home -- I want to be available to him while he is here, and we wait on him for morning prayers (I confess -- I have to remind myself to be thankful that I have a husband who is striving to live for Christ and wants to lead us in prayers) and, well, it is just harder to get things done while he is here because I want to be here for him. I really like to do as much schoolwork before lunch -- at 11 so we can have a family lunch with my husband, because it is just so hard to get it done after lunch. But, a thought occurred to me today: my two older children stay up later than the others and they could do some of their "individual" work after the littler ones are in bed.

So, I wanted to put this out to see if there is anyone who could offer some tips -- perhaps someone else can look at it and see a possibility I have not seen. Perhaps someone could offer advice on how to get the things done.To be honest, most days I feel like there is just too much to do to get the house clean and tidy, along with yard work and prayers and just general living, and therefore not enough time to do schoolwork.
Labels: About a Rule of Life

posted by Holly at 11:54 AM 4 comments

Wednesday, April 02, 2008

When Siblings Battle

Dear Holly and other Moms,
I am at my wits end with the fighting that is going on with our older 3 boys. Their ages 11 to 5 and they are just at each other all the time. Fighting, name calling, etc. - and then saying they aren't treated fairly by my husband or I when we try to get some control. We waffle between trying to prevent them from breaking rules (like calling each other names - which is forbidden) and letting them work it out (which they don't without being physical with one another). We just arrived home from a family 'getaway' - a few days at an indoor water park. The bickering was unreal. Granted - 6 of us in one hotel room suite instead of at home with playroom, etc. - was a lot of togetherness - but - they were burning off energy!! I felt so disheartened and ANGRY with them when we arrived home last night I just went to bed and woke up early to go to mass alone. I just couldn't bring myself to go to the later mass with all of them - so my husband took them. I just wonder if it's something my husband and I are doing wrong in our parenting. Anyone else have any suggestions? I know it's part of growing up but I just want them to not act like they hate each other.
Labels: 4th P Parent

posted by Holly at 3:00 PM 5 comments

Friday, March 28, 2008

Overcoming Computer Distraction

Dear Holly and Others,
I struggle incredibly with the distraction of this computer. Most of the time I'm sure it's just pure laziness because I don't feel like I accomplish all that much on here, just lots of reading. I was wondering what others do to curb this distraction if they suffer from it as well. Sometimes I feel like the only thing I can do is just get rid of it and maybe that is what I should do. But my hubby would NEVER go for it (he is equally distracted I think in the evenings).
Labels: 2nd P Person

posted by Holly at 1:53 PM 2 comments

Thursday, March 13, 2008

Homeschooling Young Boys

Dear Holly,
I love your concrete examples from the post about Finishing School in the Morning! It's so helpful to see actual times attached to schedules. That's what I need, I am that kind of person! To go back to the original post...I have 2 fewer boys but their ages are the more troublesome...maybe. I have 3 boys, 1st grade, preschool and 3 years and I find I don't finish early either most days. Here is my problem: how do you keep the 3 and 5 year old occupied (read 'not fighting') when your 1st grade curriculum still requires a lot of engaged teaching time for a lot of subjects, and when your boy is so easily distracted. I feel like I am really neglecting my 3 year old and 5 year old because my 7 year old requires so much attention. I am trying to characterize the basic problem but I know there is much that goes into it including his temperament and mine, the curriculum and, in my opinion, a lack of discipline. I think he should be able to work more independently which means I have to send him to another room away from me and the other kids. Holly, what do you think about location of study for a 1st grader with a 5 and 3 year old in the mix?
Labels: Homeschooling

posted by Holly at 11:17 AM 3 comments

Friday, March 07, 2008

How Much Sports is Too Much Sports?

Dear Holly,
I am wondering what your take is on the sports issue. When our two oldest girls were young they played traveling soccer. After a few years of this I got a little smarter and saw how this was not good for the family to be running all the time. When they started high school we set a rule that they could play only two out of the three sport seasons. Well now my son is in high school and he wants to play three sports. After some persistence on his part I told him to write me a paper on why he thinks I should change the rule for him. He makes a good plea. He says that he needs to burn the energy. He feels that if he does not get the exercise that he needs, he tends to get irritable and not able to focus as well. He also feels that it is a good opportunity for him to evangelize to his class mates on the team by his good example. My husband thinks that we need to be able to change our rules according to where we are at and based upon the child. Of course he thinks we should let our son play the tree seasons of sports.
What do you think? To much sports or do I need to back off on this one?
Labels: 4th P Parent

posted by Holly at 3:08 PM 3 comments

Picture Schedules for Young Children Help Mummy

Dear Holly,
Maybe this a given but I just have to share. My kids are 5, 3, and one year old. The oldest since he was born has needed structure. He has always asked what we are doing next, even before I read MRoL. I have had a rule for almost 3 years now and lately I made a picture schedule(chart) for the kids. It has the hour in one column and each child (not the one year old) has their own column. It has made my life amazingly different. They aren't agruing about helping and everything is going so much easier. I asked my son why and he said, "I know I can go play next so I will help now,." even though I used to tell him that!! I guess now that he can see it, he really believes me. Anyway, I thought I would share because I thought the kids were a few years off from needing to see their parts in this.
Labels: 4th P Parent, About a Rule of Life

posted by Holly at 2:55 PM 3 comments

Monday, February 04, 2008

How to Finish School in the Morning

Dear Holly,
I've read your book and love it. I have 5 boys (grades 6, 5, 2nd, and a 5 and 3 yr old) and wonder how do you get your school done by 1230 p.m.? We always have to go to 2 or 3 p.m. What curriculum do you use? Especially for math and English/writing? Haven't yet set up my mother's rule schedule, because I'm afraid I'll fail. It seems I'm only doing school, laundry and whatever I can fit in...before it's time to cook dinner.
Labels: Homeschooling

posted by Holly at 4:26 PM 5 comments

Friday, February 01, 2008

One Reason Why A Rule Can be Hard to Follow...

Dear Holly,
I had a light bulb moment today, they don't happen often...:) I was standing in my kitchen and it came to me that I need to write down and work on what the spirit of my rule is. Now, I have to say that when I read the book Holly, I thought that yours sounded great and I thought ok, I'll do that when I get myself, kids, husband, home, etc in order. Well, that was two years ago and really will I ever be "in order". I think really I need to work on the spirit of my rule to help with the order, I keep falling away from my rule because I haven't had a written spirit so to speak. Something about having it written down makes it more real for me, more tangible. The starting point isn't just getting organized. So, I embark on an adventure, I think it will be part of my lenten
"project".
Labels: About a Rule of Life

posted by Holly at 10:50 AM 2 comments

Friday, January 18, 2008

A Teen's Prayer

Dear Holly (and other moms),
My teenage son is wonderful - generous to a fault, and with an ability to forgive easily and genuinely that leaves me breathless. However, he hates reading and the bulk of his Christian formation comes from attending Mass and listening to me read and teach. His own prayer life is non-existent. Whilst I can have him pray a family Rosary with us, once again it is with others....any ideas (starting small would be best) to develop good personal prayer and devotional habits for him??
Labels: 4th P Parent

posted by Holly at 8:22 PM 2 comments

Wednesday, January 16, 2008

Our On-line Monastery

Dear Holly,
How providential it was that I came across your book a few weeks ago! I am a relatively new mother; my son is now fourteen months old. I am adjusting to the reality of motherhood, with all its challenges and joys, and have repeatedly determined to embrace it whole-heartedly. Oddly enough, it was on retreat at a monastery that the Lord impressed upon me the importance of a willingness to embrace the vocation of motherhood. Since then, he has been gently and persistently growing me in this.

Recently, I thought how helpful it would be to have some sort of community of women to share a "rule" with as the brothers at the monastery I often visit do. Behold the wonder of the internet! How happy I was to search for monasticism and motherhood and come across your website. I have just finished your book and am deeply thankful for your willingness to share your journey and thoughts with us. Thank you very much. May the Lord continue to grow you in His grace as you receive His presence this new year,
Labels: 1st P Prayer

posted by Holly at 6:34 PM 1 comments

How do I Find "Think Time" ?

Dear Holly (and other moms),
I first joined the MROL discussion group about a year or so ago when I was trying to start my Rule after moving to a new town. Lo and behold, God decided that I was instead to spend my time battling horrible morning sickness! After that my attention was focused on caring for a newborn and preparing for the holidays. Now that my daughter is 5 months old and we've started a new year, I am really wanting to get a good Rule in place. My biggest problem seems to be finding the time to actually sit down and create one! Between homeschooling, dental/doctor appointments, sports/music lessons, and the endless amount of housework and laundry that 6 children and 2 adults generate.I feel like all I'm ever doing is trying to catch up with myself. How can I "force" myself to create a good working Rule of Life? Any ideas or suggestions -especially prayers!-would be greatly appreciated.
Labels: About a Rule of Life

posted by Holly at 6:07 PM 3 comments

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Tuesday, June 30, 2009

Computer & Email Break

Hello LadiesI will be taking both an email & computer break for the next few weeks. May God bless you and your families this summer. Please remember me in your prayers.BlessingsHolly

Sunday, June 21, 2009