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Rita Buettner

Rita Buettner is a wife, working mother and author of the Catholic Review's Open Window blog. She and her husband adopted their two sons from China, and Rita often writes about topics concerning adoption, family and faith.

Rita also writes The Domestic Church, a featured column in the Catholic Review. Her writing has been honored by the Catholic Press Association, the Maryland-Delaware-D.C. Press Association and the Associated Church Press.

When your life is an episode of “The Floor Is Lava”

July 22, 2020
By Rita Buettner
Filed Under: Blog, Commentary, Open Window

If you’ve seen “The Floor Is Lava” on Netflix, you know how it works. A team of friends or family members races to get across an obstacle course decorated like a household room, working together and trying not to fall into the red liquid floor. Fall into the lava, and you’re out of the game. […]

The right place at the right time

July 19, 2020
By Rita Buettner
Catholic Review
Filed Under: Blog, Commentary, Open Window

Ordinary headlights. Ordinary moths. An ordinary evening. But together they formed an extraordinary moment of wonder. As I watched, the car turned off its lights, the moths disappeared, and it was over.

Every day is different, especially when there’s homemade apple pie, and more (7 Quick Takes)

July 17, 2020
By Rita Buettner
Catholic Review
Filed Under: Blog, Commentary, Open Window

It can feel that every day is the same. But take a look at the sunset, and you can’t help but realize that each one is so different.

Feathering a nest

July 14, 2020
By Rita Buettner
Catholic Review
Filed Under: Blog, Commentary, Open Window

Our little finch is making a nest. How does he know what to do? God must be whispering in his ear.

A new look, an old calendar, Tropical Storm Fay and more (7 Quick Takes)

July 11, 2020
By Rita Buettner
Catholic Review
Filed Under: Blog, Commentary, Open Window

Notice anything different? The website has been redesigned, so 7 Quick Takes has a new look.

A sign that God loves us

July 8, 2020
By Rita Buettner
Catholic Review
Filed Under: Blog, Commentary, Open Window

How deep is the love of our Father in heaven that He gives us so many little gifts—sweet or salty or amusing or loving—throughout the day. Sometimes it’s just a matter of recognizing that He’s in each and every one.

Good fun with badminton, cooking and cutting hair at home, and more (7 Quick Takes)

July 3, 2020
By Rita Buettner
Filed Under: Blog, Commentary, Open Window

We kicked off summer by ordering a badminton set, and it arrived this week. Our boys are quickly mastering the sport and surpassing me in skill.

Finches and freedom

July 2, 2020
By Rita Buettner
Filed Under: Blog, Commentary, Open Window

Freedom is a God-given gift for each of us, given to be used not just to let us grow and thrive, but to let us act and serve out of love for others around us.

Welcome to July

June 30, 2020
By Rita Buettner
Filed Under: Blog, Commentary, Open Window

July is my favorite month of the year. I love the fullness of the heat and the humidity.

Our first grill, a car parade from afar, a 49th anniversary gift, and birdcage liner (7 Quick Takes)

June 26, 2020
By Rita Buettner
Filed Under: Blog, Commentary, Open Window

In the excitement about getting pet birds, I have failed to acknowledge another significant change for our family. We got a grill.

Making a real hash of things

June 26, 2020
By Rita Buettner
Filed Under: Blog, Commentary, Open Window, Uncategorized

Maybe today you’re looking for something even more important than hash browns. Maybe you’re searching for hope or peace or comfort or an answer to a difficult problem.

Welcome to the summer of low expectations

June 22, 2020
By Rita Buettner
Filed Under: Blog, Commentary, Open Window

Most years when the school year ends, I take off from work for the first week of summer break. The boys and I have a week of fun. We hit arcades, eat and explore our way through the area, and sometimes throw in an overnight trip to see our cousins in New York. This year […]

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