Why we are homeschooling this year (and which curriculum we picked!)

Dear Reader,

I apologize for my absence!  Three weeks is way too long, and I missed my little blog immensely.  Of course, it was for good reason - we have been working hard on room organizing (specifically my son's room), and setting up our new homeschool space :D (and lots of home reno projects, and decluttering and lifeeee).

So if you'd like to take a little peak into what that looks like (well, the beginning stages of it - there's still a few more things to do to make it look pretty!) - and see which curriculum we picked, and why, then read on.

                                           But first, save this pin for future reference:

My Honest Review: Mary Magdalene (2018) movie (and more!)

Dear Reader,

Happy Feast Day of St. Mary Magdalene!  Today the Catholic Church celebrates the "Apostle to the Apostles" and Christian Mystic, Mary Magdalene.  So naturally I felt it was a perfect time to finish the movie, staring Rooney Mara as the titular character, that I had started a few weeks ago.  Now don't let the fact that it took a few weeks to finish deter you - in my case, I wanted to prepare myself for the Passion of the Christ scenes that I knew were coming up, and with kids home, I couldn't really find the perfect time.

BUT before we dive into a full review, let me give a quick background of the actual Saint the movie is based on . . . right after you save this pin for future reference ;)

My Honest Review: Every Sacred Sunday - Catholic Mass Journal

Dear Reader,

Welcome to the "Spiritual Saturday's" section of my little blog.  I'm so thrilled to open up my (well used) mass journal, and help a fellow Catholic who might be on the fence about investing in one.  So let's dive into my honest review (which is the very first in a series of periodic reviews throughout the year), this one is for the Catholic Mass Journal, Every Sacred Sunday [ LINK ].

What the Catholic Church says about Racism

Dear Reader,

Yesterday was Juneteenth - an anniversary celebration of the end of slavery in America [ LINK ].  I am humbled to admit that I was not aware of this important date, and like many, many other people in our country right now, am becoming more educated by the day.  I am grateful for the opportunity to learn more about the struggles of our black sisters and brothers, because though I can empathize,

being white I can never fully understand what it must be like to live in a country where you can face a literal threat to life for the color of your skin.

I'd like to start this post about some of my own experiences, and some of the things I've been learning about lately - and then dive into what as Catholics we are supposed to do, and then some resources for those continuing to be educated and called to action.

But first, feel free to pin this image for future reference:

An empowering Beginner's Guide to Cycle Syncing (a precursor to NFP)

Dear Reader, 

Like many, many other women in America, I find the lack of open, clear and empathetic education regarding menstrual cycles alarming.  It's not (often) discussed in schools, and culturally speaking, is seen as something to whisper about - but not discuss openly.  Which of course leaves girls and women confused and sometimes even ashamed to raise concerns or questions about their cycles.

This is why I am writing a post about it.  To break through that silence, and help women feel empowered by discovering cycle syncing - what that means, why it helps us look within, and is a great precursor to learning about natural family planning (NFP).  Because when we remove the stigma, when we strip away the cultural shaming around it, we can discover the natural beauty behind a women's fertility.

But first, pin this image for future reference:

A Christian Perspective on Spiritual Bypassing (and why it will never help someone with chronic health issues)

Dear Reader,

As a Christian, most of us are aware that it is not a one size fits all.  In fact, there are over 40,000 denominations, and of that, there are independent churches with no affiliations.  And of course, anytime you have humans involved in anything - you end up with a full spectrum of things, both good, bad and everything in between.  But something that a lot of Christians engage in (and something I myself am working on!), is spiritual bypassing.

What is it?  Why do we engage in it?  Why is it so invalidating at best, and destructive at worst?  And if we should disengage in it, what can we say to people who are struggling, and suffering, with chronic health issues??

Well, before we get into all that, here's a pin you can save for future reference:

How the Catholic Church embraces the feminine

Dear Reader,

This is going to be one of those polarizing posts.  In fact, I would be surprised if this somehow answered to the masses (pun intended) - but I felt it was important to write about, because it’s probably one of the most common responses I’ve received/read about when I share about being Catholic:  

"But . . . the Church hates women."

Yikes! Where have we gone wrong, when that is the commonly held belief? I am hoping to write up an informative post, with resources, and links (as usual), but honestly as I began writing it I realized that down the road I'll probably even expand this post into a short eBook because really that's how dear to my heart this subject is!

But first here's a quick little overview before we dive in. In this post, I'm going to be talking about:

1.) Symbolism of the feminine within the Church, and the Sacrament of the Eucharist

2.) Symbolism of the Tabernacle and Veiling (Why some women veil, and why it isn't - and shouldn't - be a requirement . . . from someone who veils!)

3.) What Canon Law, Pope's and declarations have said about women

4.) What the Bible says, and why Eve was made from Adam's rib (versus head, or feet)

5.) Why NFP and Humanae Vitae are beneficial for women, not backwards

6.) How Catholic female Saints teach women that there is more than one way to be a holy, Catholic, woman. 

Powerful Ways To Be A Living Icon Of Christ (In Three Profound Steps)

Dear Reader,

As a Christian, we have an assignment - a job, a calling.  We are to be "disciples" of Christ, but the how, when, and where can get lost in the daily shuffle of life.  Or worse, we think that unless we go big, we go home, and shrink away from even bothering.  Not because we don't want to be disciples, but are afraid of messing it up. 

Our very human fear, gets in the way of His divine purpose for us.  

But if you keep reading, I'll share how you can be an Icon of Christ (and what that means), and even more important how you can fulfill that great purpose by treating others as Icons of Christ as well.

Pin this Image for future reference

Introduction

Hello dear Reader, 

My name is Katharina, and I'm a 30-something military brat, who's been married for 12 years to a Minnesotan, and have two amazing boys*.  Make sure to click the "read more" to see a little more in depth response to some of these bullet points (and pics!) ♥

For the general mission of my blog, check out the "start here" page.  For the disclaimers/terms of service/privacy policy, click here.

Don't forget to check out both my pinterest, and instagram for the blog for inspiration pins, and sneak peeks for upcoming blog posts.  Facebook group page coming soon ;)

Anyways, now onto the fun stuff (in no order) . . .

• half German, half American (and yet hope to semi retire to Ireland, who would have thought?)
• a Catholic (patron saint is St. Joan of Arc), as well as a Lay Dominican (what used to be called Third Order Dominican) - it means I love to study and pray, and share the fruits of that contemplation ;)  And I am also an Anchoress for our local Seven Sisters Apostate (which dedicates an hour a week of prayer in front of the Blessed Sacrament for the benefit of an assigned priest).
• a partial homeschooler (as in, summer and holiday break homeschooling, to keep the kiddos brains sharp)
• a bohemian, hippie, crunchy mama kind of gal who loves the traveling spirit, and the philosophy that we are strongest from within.
• a spoonie: chronic illness advocate, who has A1AT, asthma, and COPD.
• way too into personality tests: I'm an ESFP, 6w7, Scorpio Sun/Leo Moon (though I promise I don't read horoscopes, I just like the memes), and have done far too many "Who are you -?" buzzfeed quizzes (sshh - I'm a Luna Lovegood/Rapunzel/Jane Austen's Emma mix, just saying).
• I like to do all things art, but especially craft, and sing, and interior decorate.
• I love to read, study and research.
• I love to connect people, in all sorts of ways, including volunteering with my church, at my son's school, and helping to run my local MOMS Club chapter.

Read on to see more in depth answers, but this is a good and well rounded start :)