A Couple of Catholics

A blog about faith, intentional living and the joys and struggles of married life.

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We’re Now a Family of 4 – Watch Our Second a Day Video

We are thrilled to announce that just over a week ago we became a family of four ?‍?‍?‍?‍‍‍ ! Although we are exhausted, we are delighted to have a new little blessing!

When J was born, Nicole and I were inspired by other second a day videos. Of course, once we captured our nine-month journey of prepping for our first child we had no choice but to continue this tradition with our second.

(BTW, J is now a crazy toddler, amazing how time flies!)

Adjusting to life with baby M has been a whirlwind and the journey is only beginning. We couldn’t be more in love with her. The Lord has truly outdone Himself, overwhelming us with His Goodness.

So far toddler J seems to be warming up to her nicely, rushing to M’s side with a pacifier in hand at the sound of every whimper.

Thank God for all the beautiful women in my life… now I’m a dad to divas and am slowly getting used to having so much estrogen around. Cheers ? to all the great moments to come.

The Greatest Lesson I Learned From My Mom

It’s an understatement to say that we’ve learned a thing or two from moms in our lifetime. Maybe it’s our own mother or someone else’s, either way, there are countless lessons these nurturing women have taught us over the years. While some may be long forgotten, others have been burned into our memories forever. Maybe they are silly and of no consequence like the way she taught you to make your bed. Or maybe it’s a piece of timeless advice on how to treat another with love and recognize their dignity. Possibly it’s somewhere in the middle.

Whichever life lesson or silly habits you attribute to your mom, thank God for their beautiful witness to love and constant dedication to their vocation of motherhood.

Among the plethora of wisdom and counsel my mom passed along to me, one thing stands out above all the rest. It’s a simple gesture that can change an entire perspective. Continue reading

Lent Giveaway: Win A Copy of “Rediscover Jesus” & Mystic Monk Coffee

Here we are, just shy of two weeks from Ash Wednesday. Alas, Lent has snuck up on us again!

Now comes the spirit of sacrifice, but as we prepare for this Lent let us remember it isn’t just about giving up candy, coffee or Facebook. It’s about moving beyond our own imperfections and sin and recommitting ourselves to the Lord. It’s about conversion.

The Church has summed this up nicely by encouraging us to redirect ourselves to prayer, fasting and almsgiving. Over the years (at least in my own life) I regret to say that this season has often been watered down to “giving up candy.”

Still every year I recommit myself with a new fervor to truly growing closer to Christ and becoming more of the woman He desires me to be. That being said, I may begin on Ash Wednesday with all sorts of pious ideas and then about ten-ish days later I find myself struggling…doing the bare minimum of what I can and going through the motions.

But not this Lent!

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Our Daughter Turns One (The EPIC Party in GIFs)

Oh my gosh, how time flies…everyone said it would, but you just really don’t understand until you are trying to intricately place sprinkles into the shape of a one on your eldest child’s birthday cake. That’s right…we recently celebrated Johanna’s first birthday party and like all first-time mommies I made sure to take extra time to make this event special.

Johanna does love her brandy.

It began with a vision…

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How to Come Down from Your Pope High

It was bound to happen…the dreaded letdown after Pope Francis returned to Italy. We soaked in every moment of the journey: the weeks and months of unbridled anticipation of his coming, the countless hours we spent glued to EWTN hanging on to his every word, but then on Sunday it all came to a screeching halt.

And now here we find ourselves…a nation with no more pope fanfare…in a slump of depression, too tired from watching all the media coverage to even drag our weary selves out of bed in the morning.

Pope Francis left before I could get my commemorative papal selfie.

We knew it would come to an end because Christmas can’t be every day. Humph…and so time ticks on.

But fear not dear faithful, we have come up with a list of six things you can do to help you slowly come down from your papal high.

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6 Ways to Follow Pope Francis’ Visit to America Digitally

Pope Francis Motorcade

Image: ABC News

There are many ways to celebrate Pope Francis’ first visit to America. But what is the best, unfiltered and easiest way to follow Pope Francis’ visit? I thought I would share six ways I’m engaging online during his time in the US and how to get unfiltered, honest, non-secularized news and updates about his visit.

After all, the pope will mainly be speaking in Spanish while he’s in the states, so the last thing you want is something lost in translation.

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Praying With Your Spouse: A Step-By-Step Guide to Get You Through the Awkwardness

We hear it all the time…well at least in the crowds I roll with.

Pray with you spouse.

Yeah…okay, but what they really mean is to pray for my spouse.

Nope. Wrong. They actually mean to pray with your spouse.

Ugh…but that’s so awkward.

The truth is that you are exactly right. It is awkward…really awkward.

While there is an incredible benefit and need to pray for your spouse, I want to focus on the equally beneficial (and necessary) act of praying with your spouse. By sharing your prayer life with one another, you allow God another avenue to enter into your lives as a couple.

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