Week in Review: A Retreat with Connections, St. Nick Came, NYC Fieldtrip, and What We're Watching

Happy Friday!  Happy Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe - go eat some Mexican food to celebrate :)

As the countdown in my kitchen yelled at me this morning, "Only 13 more days until Christmas!"  Ok fine, it didn't yell, it doesn't even make noise.  It's just wooden blocks, but it certainly feels aggressive when Brendan runs down to change the number each morning.  The countdown is ON, people.

On Saturday, I was able to attend a Women's Advent Retreat with my friend, Michelle.  It was hosted by the Diocese of Providence, Rhode Island and the speakers were two Franciscan alumnus, Heather Khym and Kristen Fisher.  Heather is famous for being one of the Abiding Together podcast hosts, and Kristen looked suuuuuper familiar to me.  I realized that she was from Maryland, and thought she looked like the wife of Phil's old college roommate, and when there was a chance to talk to her I said "You don't happen to have a sister named Andrea, do you?" She did indeed!  And she knew Phil because they graduated the same year with the same major.  Also my nephew and her niece dated for awhile.  Small Catholic world.  

Then I turned to Heather Khym and stumbled over my words (hey she's practically Catholic royalty) and told her that our sons were friends at Franciscan right now.  We also realized we both graduated in 2001, lived in the same dorm, and ON THE SAME FLOOR, to which I blurted out "I CLEANED YOUR BATHROOM!" and she laughed and said thanks for that and we took this photo:

Heather Khym and her former toilet cleaner and Michelle

Bet y'all didn't know that I worked in Janitorial Services for the 2.5 years I lived on campus to receive a $500 discount per semester.  It was worth it for the moment when Heather Khym called me hysterical :)

Anyway, the day was really nice.  Food was great.  Talks were meaningful. Songs were beautiful.  The Cathedral was breathtaking and we were able to have Mass, go to Confession, and pray for the Pope in order to receive the plenary indulgence of the Jubilee Year.  It was a very special day, and I am glad I forced myself to go and had a good friend who invited me. 

 

 

Our kin dated!

Our sons do SENT ministries together!

Keeping Christ in Christmas

 I recently read this post by Swistle about how she approaches the Christmas season as a non-practicing Christian.  The title is obviously clickbait, but the whole post left me with a yucky feeling.  I understand that Swistle and I disagree on a lot of topics, which has never stopped me from reading her posts that I have always considered to be well thought out and written.  She can write about the most mundane topic in such a way that makes it interesting and presents viewpoints I hadn't thought of before.  Even when I don't personally agree with her viewpoints, I have appreciated her thoughts.  But "Taking the Christ out of Christmas" feels wrong to even retype here.  Go ahead and read her post if you haven't already.  

OK, so here are my thoughts as humble and inadequate as ever.  Know thyself :)

If there was a religious holiday (let's say Hanukkah) happening but I did not believe what Hanukkah was about, why would I celebrate it?  Why would I light the menorah and celebrate eight days of a holiday that means nothing to me?  I wouldn't because that would be disrespectful, a slap in the face to Jews who fervently believe what they practice.  I can't just take the best parts of a religion without all of the other parts too.  That would be completely disingenuous.

And it goes deeper than just celebrating holidays of a faith in which we don't believe.  It's the concept of people belonging to a religion and trying to change it to suit themselves.  I see it all the time in my Catholic faith.  People who call themselves Catholics but then publicly live a life that does not align with Catholic beliefs.  Now I'm not saying we're not sinners.  Of course we are, and we mess up, but we should be trying to live a life in full agreement with our faith.  We are practicing Catholics, not fake Catholics.  When a "Catholic" politician votes for laws that go against church teaching, I'm not "judging" them, they are revealing themselves publicly.  

I have seven children, and I am trying to raise them in the Catholic faith.  We struggle and sacrifice to send them to Catholic schools from preschool through college because our faith is that important to us.  Some of their classmates in these schools are there solely for the quality of education, discipline, and family values.  But they aren't all there for the faith aspect of the school.  Then do you know what happens?  They complain about having theology as a subject, about having to attend Mass as a school, and they make fun of tenets of our faith.  

Can you imagine if we treated other religions this way?  If I sent my kids to a Muslim school and had them complain and refuse to follow the rules and practices?  If I called myself a Hindu publicly but then ordered beef every time I'm out to eat?  I would never disrespect those religions by mocking them in these ways.  

I don't know why people seem to have no problem doing it to Christians.

Is it because Christians are taught to love others?  To see Jesus in the hearts of everyone?  To turn the other cheek?  Has our faith been so watered down by the way others have treated it disrespectfully that we have lost our way a bit?  Are we afraid to stand up and say "Hey, that's not right" because we will be labeled a hater and cancelled?  Let us not forget that Jesus flipped tables when people weren't respecting his church, and he loved sinners but told them to go and sin no more.

I don't have all the answers, and I'm not even sure what advice I would give to non-believers who want to celebrate the fun parts of our holiday (Holy Day).  I think I would want them to first and foremost respect Christians enough to realize that Christmas (Christ's Mass) is a religious holiday all about Christ.  There's no taking Christ out of Christmas, just as there is no taking you out of your birthday celebration.  What else would we be gathered around to celebrate? On that note, would you show up to a friend's birthday party to have a good time and then ignore that friend the rest of the year?  Why do it with Jesus?

 If you want to participate in the secular aspects of doing good works, giving gifts, spending time with family...well those are all good things, and you should go right ahead.  Call it a family gathering, call it a celebration of lights, call it Festivus if you want.  But let's not redefine the true meaning of Christmas to rationalize a lack of faith.

image from The Nativity Story

P.S. If you are feeling confused about what to celebrate this season, or feeling nostalgic for a faith you have lost along the way, please consider reading the Bible and being open to God's desire for you to know and love Him.  I would also recommend the Catechism and a book about the faith.   He loves you and will always go after his lost sheep.  Please listen to His gentle calling.  I will be praying for you!  Merry Christmas!

Week(s) in Review: Turkey Trots, Babies Back, Card Cessation, and Spot the Song

Hi!  It's been a while since my last weekly update, so buckle up buttercups!

The Franciscan Men's Soccer team made it to the semifinals and played a game in New Jersey on the Saturday before Thanksgiving.  Andrew (a team manager) and some of his New England buddies who play on the team decided it would be stupid to travel all the way back to Ohio on the bus, just to turn around and come all the way back home on Tuesday for Thanksgiving break.  So they all talked to their parents, who agreed on the stupidity front, and bought plane tickets for a 30 minute flight to Boston on Saturday night.  I was so happy that I had spent the day cleaning the big boy's room, and moving the littles out and back to their room.  Just in time for Andrew to come home for a whole week!

Eleven Players Playing

Two Lads a' Lunching

After JP's last class on Tuesday, Eamon and cousin Tommy drove to Pittsburgh to pick him up and then they all drove home and arrived safely around 1:00 am.  While anticipating their arrival, Phil and I took the youngest three kids to see Wicked  for Good after school/work and we all enjoyed it, not as much as the first one, but worth seeing.  And then finally all of our chickadees were home from college and isn't that one of the best feelings as a mom?  Yes, yes, it is.  That first homemade dinner after a semester of college food just hits different: 

Eight Diners Dining

Having six sons certainly has it's perks:

Six Sons a' Raking

One Son a' Sleeping

For My Only Daughter, On Her Eighteenth Birthday

18 years ago, this little bundle of pink came into the world faster than her mom ever thought possible.  After the quickest 2 hour labor, a movie-worthy car ride to the hospital, and a frantic emergency call to the midwife to come catch, Maggie Rosemary Martin was (illegally) born underwater in the hospital jacuzzi.

She was supposed to be named Margaret (my middle name and my mom and grandma's name) Rose (after our White Rose love story) but when she was born, I had a strong intuition that she would be our only girl and wanted to add Mary for Our Lady to the mix, hence Margaret Rosemary.  I'm so glad God gave me that nudge!

Just feeding my baby

Her 1st American Girl doll

The princess who ruled us all

Full of sugar and spice and everything nice

How I still see you

Martin Family Gift List 2025

Happy Holiday Shopping!  Here are the gifts we have received or given over the past year.  

As always, thank you for shopping through my links, at no additional cost to you :)

Teen Girls:

Sephora Makeup collection - my niece loved this

Dainty Bracelets - Maggie is always on the hunt for more

Huggie Earrings - I wear them everyday and sleep with them

Ear Cuffs - when you're feeling edgy

Real Uggs - pricey but popular

Small Backpack - great for bopping around

Silk Pajamas - for the fancy girl who loves a nap

Comfy Wide Leg Jeans - these are for the moms too

Chunky Blanket - cold weather = gotta cuddle

Lamp - for that someone who hates overhead lights

Flat Socks - for gals and guys and kids!

The Boys:

Boys Pullover - so classy

Boys Slippers - just like grandpa

Celtics Shirt - cheaper than a jersey and more comfortable

Kids Eye Masks - bougie boys

Sports Bag - popular to hold the next gift...

Basketball Shoes - Declan gasped when he got these

Sports Crocs - how cute!

Kids Power Toothbrushes - a good stocking stuffer

Alarm Clock w/ Sound Machine - 2 machines in 1

Gatorade Water Bottle - always a popular choice

The Ladies:

Walking Pad - I use it while I watch tv

Kettlebell - strength training is a must

Women's Quarter Zip - runs really big, I ordered a Small and love it

Women's Casual Sweatshirt - Casual but elevated

Women's Cable Knit Sleeve Sweatshirt - I have these in four colors

Firming Lotion - I slather this on after a shower

Facial Hair Remover - embarrassing but necessary

Audible - the gift of reading!

Fake Birkenstocks - because sandals need to be replaced often

Oura Ring - I love it and wish I had waited for these prices!

The Men:

Silver Cross Necklace - every teen boy has asked for this at some point

Men's Casual Sneakers - white sneakers seem to be the only sneakers

Men's Cologne - my young men like this scent

Sea Salt Spray - for that tousled hair vibe

Adult Electric Toothbrush - dental health is important

Portable Hammock - popular with the college boys

Luggage - a great young adult gift for their future travels

AirPods - duh

Hydro Flask - because we all need a new water bottle ;)

In the Kitchen:

Meat Chopper - mine broke and I forgot how to cook hamburger meat without it

Personal Blender - great for protein shakes on the go

Instant Pot - we use our every week

Cold Brew Coffee Maker - the college guy loves his

Drinking Glasses - I replaced our glasses with this set

Sink Strainer - a must in our kitchen sink

Magnetic Cups - stick them on the fridge for water use = no more cluttered counter

Air Fryer - we use this almost every day

Coffee Maker - caffeine options!

For the Home:

Reed Diffuser Set - this was the scent at the Chateau Frontenac and I had to have it at home

Essential Oil Diffuser - we use it in our bedroom each night

Yankee Candle Wax Melts - a flameless way to create a vibe

WoodWick Candle - these candles crackle as they burn!

Shower Curtain Hooks - so much easier to replace a curtain or liner with these hooks

Soft Washable Rug - inexpensive, so soft, and you can wash them

Pillows - a bed refresh is nice every so often

Duvet + Cover - comfy and inexpensive and popular brand

Solar Outdoor Lights - we just put these on our front entrance

Blink Outdoor Camera - great for spying, I mean safety

Wedge Pillow - a gift to give the snorer or heartburner in your life :)

Toys:

Amazon Fire Tablet - always a great Black Friday deal

Walkie Talkies - still fun year after year

Smart Watch for Kids - Brendan loves his

Hover Soccer Ball - fun in the hallway

Basketball Cards - for the collector among us

Lego Sets - $25 for two cars to build!

Sound Effect Machines - kid favorite

Rubik's Cube - keep your kid entertained for hours by letting them watch a video on how to solve

Waterproof Cards - great for swim meets and around beverages

Whiteboards + Markers - I think I encourage these every year because of how often they are used

Books:

Paint by Sticker Book - such a great boredom buster that's not messy!

The Action Bible - the way my kids pored over this graphic Bible was intense

2026 Guinness World Records - we get the updated book each year

2026 Year in Sports - to give kids more "Did you know..." info

Harry Potter Wizarding Almanac - a certain someone will love getting this

Human Anatomy Coloring Book - for the nursing/med students and bio majors in your life

Set of Markers + a Sketch Book - classic!

Create Your Own Comic Book - we've filled these up and I just ordered more

There's also a Long List of Books over here

Week in Review: College Football, Mom in Training, Prayers for Ollie and Thanksgiving Pants

Happy Friday before Black Friday!  This weekend we will be happily preparing to welcome back home some college boys, which will require a room clean/switch up since the little boys have taken over the big boys room while they have been away.  I can't blame them because it is a much nicer room, but I do find it funny that instead of splitting up into into two bedrooms, they all wanted to move together to the big bedroom.  

While we were frolicking in Quebec last weekend, Eamon went with a group of friends to try and get on the Pat McAfee show before the Pitt v. Notre Dame game.  

The kid kicking missed his chance to win $100,000 but somehow (?) Eamon's group got the check and went all over taking photos with it (?)

They were only planning to go to the show and try to get on tv, but one of his friend's dad bought everyone a ticket to the game...how nice!  Go Notre Dame!