Being a Catholic mother has never been easy, but we face unique challenges in our current day. Finding community encourages and inspires us in our daily walk of faith, and that vital to the mission of Lace and Lilies Motherhood.

Before I introduce myself, I’d like to explain the inspiration behind the name, Lace and Lilies Motherhood. St. Zelie Martin, a canonized saint who also was a wife and mother, has really inspired me in my motherhood. In addition to being a mom, she also was an entrepreneur and businesswoman, owning a lace making company. This is what the “lace” part is inspired by. St. Zelie teaches us the value and dignity of work, and how that fits into God’s plan for humanity and especially for mothers. We should work diligently with the talents the Lord has blessed us with, whether we’re using them in or outside the home.

At the same time, we need to remember that we depend totally on God and we can do nothing by ourselves. This is where the “lilies” part comes in: Jesus taught us that the lilies do not work yet even Solomon was not clothed as beautifully as they. And if God cares so much for the plants, how much more does He care for us? This doesn’t mean we sit back in laziness. We still work diligently on our lace, whatever our particular “lace” is. But then we know that we lay that lace in God’s hands to be transformed into lilies, relying totally on Him. Lilies also represent purity and St. Joseph, somehow who also worked diligently with his talents but had total surrender to God’s Will. He has been a great intercessor for myself and our family.

That is the heart behind this blog! I’ve actually started many blogs before, but they were never centered around the Catholic faith. Over the past few years, I’ve followed a call to spread the Gospel in my own way, first as a wife struggling with infertility and now as a mom of three little boys ages 4 and under. With infertility, I discovered and spread the message of NaPro Technology, an ethical, dignified, and effective way of treating the underlying causes of infertility. After having NaPro surgery and treatment (removing endometriosis and clearing a fallopian tube), my husband and I were able to conceive our first son, Maximilian. We’ve since had two more boys in quick succession: Augustine and Theodore. We would love more if God so wills.

The transition to motherhood was something I always dreamed of but was also more difficult than I expected. The fear of pregnancy loss following infertility was a great cross to bear, and just two months after Max was born, the Covid lockdowns started. I also dealt with a terrible mental health struggle that was triggered by postpartum hormones, compounded by Covid-related stress.

Gus was born 19 months after Max, and Teddy was a bit of a surprise, born just 16 months after Gus. Then, two months after Teddy’s birth, Mark deployed to Iraq for 9 months. Yes, in addition to being a Catholic family we are also a military family! My husband has served on active duty for 15 years with the Army, and we’ve been married for 10. Currently we are stationed in Kansas but will soon be moving to Maryland for the next 2-3 years. It will be our seventh duty station together!

Perhaps you’re pregnant with your first baby or a young mom with a couple toddlers. Maybe you’re about to get married and excited to start this new life with your husband-to-be and future children. Wherever you are in your journey, but especially if you’re new at this, I want to be a source of inspiration, encouragement, and practical tips and advice for living our Catholic faith and vocations. While my angle is as a stay-at-home mom and future homeschooler, you don’t have to be a SAHM or homeschooler in order to find value here. We are all called to build up the Body of Christ in the individual ways God has called us.

I also welcome feedback and ideas! Please reach out to me via email, the contact form here, or via social media and let’s chat!

St. Zelie Martin and St. Joseph, patrons of Lace and Lilies Motherhood, pray for us!