Ministry of Mothering

  Our Ireland Adventure: Waterfalls, Blarney Castle, and the Beauty of County Kerry After exploring Dublin, Kilkenny, and some of Ireland’s fascinating history, we continued our adventure into the beautiful southwest of Ireland. This part of our trip brought us lush green scenery, a waterfall walk, a castle adventure, and one of my favorite experiences of the entire trip! We based ourselves in Killorglin, County Kerry, where we stayed in a renovated pub that gave our group of 15 a place to stay together. From there, we explored some of the surrounding area, including Killarney National Park and Blarney Castle and Gardens. Of course, not everything went according to plan. We also had to miss a historic site I had really wanted to visit. But that’s part of traveling with a big family: you make the most of the time you have, enjoy the experiences you can fit in, and sometimes leave a few things for another trip. Staying in a Renovated Pub in Killorglin One of the unique parts of our t...

  Our Ireland Adventure: Exploring Kilmainham Gaol and Kilkenny Castle As we continued our Ireland adventure, we had the opportunity to explore two very different historic sites: Kilmainham Gaol in Dublin and Kilkenny Castle in the charming city of Kilkenny. One gave us a moving look into Ireland’s struggle for independence, while the other let us enjoy a beautiful castle and its grounds—even when things didn’t go quite as planned! Kilmainham Gaol: A Tour We Won’t Forget Kilmainham Gaol was one of our favorite historical experiences in Ireland. We took a guided tour, and our tour guide was absolutely wonderful. He brought the history of the prison to life in a way that made the stories feel personal rather than just facts from a history book. Kilmainham Gaol opened in 1796 and held everyone from ordinary men, women, and children to some of the most important figures in Ireland’s fight for independence. Many leaders of Irish rebellions were imprisoned there, and fourteen leaders of...

  Our Ireland Adventure: Exploring Dublin Through History, Science, and Music From learning the science behind Guinness to exploring centuries of history at Trinity College and enjoying traditional Irish music, our first Dublin adventures offered something for everyone in our family! After months of planning a trip for 15 people, we were finally in Ireland and ready to explore! Dublin was our first opportunity to experience the country, and we wanted to make the most of our time there. We discovered a mix of history, culture, and fun experiences that appealed to different ages in our group. Some things were exactly what I expected, while others surprised me. And a few came with practical lessons I'll remember for future travels! Guinness Storehouse: We Came for the View! Neither my husband nor I drink beer, so visiting the Guinness Storehouse in Dublin might seem like an unusual choice for our family. But we had another reason for wanting to go: we wanted to visit the highest point...

  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 memori...

  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...

There’s something so comforting about coming home from church to a warm, hearty soup waiting for you. This Instant Pot Split Pea Soup with Bacon has quickly become a favorite in our house — it’s simple to throw together, full of flavor, and perfect for busy Sundays when you want a home-cooked meal without a lot of fuss. Ingredients: 1 bag of split peas About 1 cup of real crumbled bacon 5 whole carrots, peeled and chopped 6 whole garlic cloves 1 tablespoon Better Than Bouillon Roasted Chicken Base 8 cups of water Instructions: Add all ingredients to your Instant Pot. Set to Pressure Cook for 1 hour . Allow pressure to naturally release when cooking is done. Blend with an immersion blender until smooth and creamy. That’s it! Serve it with a side of crusty bread or a simple salad, and you’ve got a meal that tastes like it’s been simmering all day — without the extra effort. I love starting this recipe before church and coming home to the smell o...