family prayer time and Norwegian salmon

I was given really clear signs last week, that all told me one thing: pray as a family. I saw a good opportunity to bring this idea up to the children, and for the record, "good opportunity" means I had three of four kids in my sight, and only one was on their phone.

The oldest, was making breakfast.

And so I took a deep breath and I prayed that the Holy Spirit be with me.

"Hey guys, I think we need to pray as a family. How about once a week we all pray the Hail Mary together?" I figured baby steps, right? Because the last time Annie was held hostage in the car while Nick and I prayed the rosary outloud, I thought she would choke herself to death with the seat belt out of boredom, or fling herself head first out the window and onto I84. No one really responded, so I made it clear, "Just one Hail Mary, ok? Not the whole rosary and not every night. Just one Hail Mary, one night a week....I think it is important, don't you?"

"No, I think we are good." my oldest assured me, as he spread cream cheese on his bagel.

(oh Lord, we are not good....)

"Really?" was the brilliant reply I came up with.

"Well, I think we should because..." and before I could finish, my oldest interrupted, 'is this salmon Norwegian?"

We never said that Hail Mary. But yes, thank God, the salmon was Norwegian.