New Words on the Way
Posted by Arwen Mosher in Faith on Wednesday, November 09, 2011
Are you counting down? Just 18 days to go!
Until we switch to the new missal translation, that is. It’ll be implemented in American parishes on November 27th, the first Sunday of Advent.
At our parish we’ve already started singing the diocesan-mandated set of new Mass parts in preparation, but it occurred to me this week: we’ve only got two Sundays left to say the English words of the Mass I’ve always... READ MORE
Silly Kid-isms
Posted by Arwen Mosher in Family on Wednesday, October 19, 2011
Last night our two-year-old had a small meltdown, which is not unusual. He yelled “I don’ wan’ dat! I don’ wan’ dat!” over and over.
I ignored him (these things pass quickly) and then was suddenly sad when I realized what he was saying.
Blaise caught on to things like pronouns surprisingly early (unlike Camilla, who went around for months asking, “Pick you up?”) but has had trouble with negative syntax.... READ MORE
Are Easy Babies "Better"?
Posted by Arwen Mosher in Family on Tuesday, November 23, 2010
Recently, an acquaintance of mine was telling me about her fourth child and the joy and grace his arrival had brought to her family. I was eating it up - I love this kind of stuff.
But then she started talking about what a “good baby” he was. He never cried, he slept easily and often, he was mellow and easygoing. He was so “good.”
I bristled, a little bit. I’m not sure this is a fair reaction, but... READ MORE
An Unfortunate Choice of Words
Posted by Danielle Bean in News on Tuesday, August 24, 2010
Over the weekend, I blogged at our sister site, NCRegister.com, about Jennifer Aniston’s recent use of the “R” word.
I was intrigued by the discussion that followed my comments there.
I normally scoff at most forms of “political correctness” but I have to admit that the word retard, even when used in a joking or self-deprecating way—really does bother me.
This actually isn’t about Jennifer Aniston.... READ MORE
We'll Miss These Days
Posted by Arwen Mosher in Family on Friday, May 21, 2010
My youngest sibling is about to graduate from high school, and he’ll be going away to college this fall. My parents are about to be empty-nesters. Compared to a decade ago, their house seems quiet these days.
I, on the other hand, cannot go to the bathroom without a child pounding on the door.
Parenting young children is physically demanding, and life is busy for us. I always say that I bend over... READ MORE
Talking Babies
Posted by Arwen Mosher in Family on Tuesday, May 18, 2010
I am ridiculously excited about the word “ball.” I’ve heard it several times today, and on each occasion I’ve wanted to clap my hands with glee.
Why? Because Blaise is the one saying it.
He’ll be sixteen months old tomorrow, and he does not say much. He’s had the words “Mama” and “Daddy” for a while, and he hisses “pzz” while he swipes his hand down his chest, the sign that we’ve taught him for “please.”... READ MORE
Beyond Soda vs. Pop
Posted by Arwen Mosher in Just me on Wednesday, April 28, 2010
Not long before my sister married her husband, she travelled across the country to Idaho to meet his family. At one point during her visit, she got caught in a funny situation while conversing with two of her future sisters-in-law.
The topic of the conversation was gardening, and Sister A mentioned that she liked to wear thongs when pulling weeds. Sister B expressed her disbelief: how could this possibly... READ MORE
It's the Little Words That Count
Posted by Arwen Mosher in Family on Thursday, November 05, 2009
I love grammar and proper usage.
I come by it honestly; you should hear the members of my family correcting the others’ grammar. It’s obnoxious, actually.
For my children’s sake I’ve never wanted to be one of those mothers who hen-pecks her children when they talk. (I should note that my mother did not do this; it was my siblings and I who pestered each other as self-appointed grammar police.)
On... READ MORE
How Do You Say That?
Posted by Arwen Mosher in Family on Thursday, September 24, 2009
This time of year brings my school memories rushing back.
There were a lot things I loved about being in school, especially in college. I miss many of them. I do not, however, miss the job that comes to me and all the unusually-named whenever we are in new situations: explaining to a fresh crop of people how to pronounce our names.
I was in school before the Lord of the Rings movies came out, so... READ MORE
Please Don't Say That
Posted by Arwen Mosher in Family on Thursday, September 10, 2009
Yesterday Camilla and I were unloading laundry from the dryer when she suddenly said, “Stupid!”
I glanced at her, trying to play it cool, and as she began to repeat the word it became clear that she wasn’t using it as an adjective to describe either of us. She was just saying it because she liked the sound.
Still. “Stupid” is not a term we want our child using. I gently told her that she needed... READ MORE




