Ministry of Mothering

  Our First Adventures in Ireland: Sleeping in a Castle and Beating Jet Lag After an 8.5-hour overnight flight, our family of six arrived in Ireland ready for adventure. Our first night was spent in a castle, our first full morning included a traditional Irish breakfast, and our first days taught us that traveling doesn't always go according to plan! Our First Night in a Castle! After months of planning, the day had finally arrived: we were in Ireland! For our family, this trip was especially meaningful. My mother-in-law had gifted our family plane tickets after my father-in-law passed away in 2025. He loved to travel, and we were so grateful for the opportunity to make new memories together as a family. Our flight was about 8.5 hours overnight, so by the time we arrived, we had already been traveling for quite a while. But we weren't heading straight to an ordinary hotel. Our first night's accommodation was Clontarf Castle Hotel in Dublin! How fun is it to begin your Iris...

  Our Ireland Adventure: Planning a Trip for 15 People Planning an international trip is an adventure in itself. Planning one for 15 people, including eight children? That takes a little extra coordination, flexibility, and a whole lot of communication! Our family’s trip to Ireland in July and August 2026 was a special one, not just because we got to explore a beautiful country, but because of the story behind how it all came together. Along the way, we learned quite a bit about planning a big family trip, finding accommodations, getting around a new country, and keeping everyone organized. If you’re dreaming of a trip to Ireland or planning a vacation with a large family group, I hope some of what we learned will help you prepare for your own adventure! The Gift That Started It All In July 2025, my father-in-law passed away. He loved to travel, and in the midst of grieving, my mother-in-law wanted to give our family something meaningful to look forward to: the opportunity to make ...

  San Antonio with Kids: 7 Practical Tips for an Affordable River Walk Getaway Where to stay, how to save on parking, and where to eat along the River Walk—with a few lessons our family learned firsthand! San Antonio is a wonderful destination for a family getaway. Between the historic Alamo, the beautiful River Walk, fun attractions for kids, and fantastic food, there is something for everyone. Our family of six recently spent a few days in downtown San Antonio celebrating our 15th wedding anniversary. We enjoyed exploring the city, making memories with our four kids, and sharing a special anniversary dinner. Along the way, we discovered a few practical tips that I wanted to pass along to other families planning a visit! If you're planning a trip to San Antonio, here are seven things we learned that might help you save money, avoid a little stress, and enjoy your visit even more. 1. Stay at Home2 Suites by Hilton San Antonio Riverwalk for Easy Access to Downtown We stayed at Home2...