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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.

Our Lenten prayer basket, tiramisu, The Crown, cake pops, and a surprise in the mail (7 Quick Takes)

February 20, 2020
By Rita Buettner
Filed Under: Blog, Open Window

Ash Wednesday is next week, so sometime before now and then, we will fill our Lenten prayer basket.

How to prepare for the best Lent yet

February 18, 2020
By Rita Buettner
Filed Under: Blog, Lent, Open Window

In these days before Lent begins, you—like me—might be trying to figure out what to give up or take on for the 40 days that lie ahead. I still haven’t decided, but these are some questions I am considering.

A Valentine’s Day proposal, chicken soup with rice, sending valentines, and more (7 Quick Takes)

February 13, 2020
By Rita Buettner
Filed Under: Blog, Open Window

Sixteen years ago today, John asked me to be his wife during a beautiful dinner at the Candlelight Inn in Catonsville, Md.

Small acts of love can mean the most

February 11, 2020
By Rita Buettner
Filed Under: Blog, Open Window, Uncategorized

I often think that the small actions, the little kindnesses, are the ones that touch your heart in a special way.

The $8 bridesmaid dresses

February 9, 2020
By Rita Buettner
Filed Under: Blog, Open Window

My mother and I still laugh about how she bought the dresses before we were even engaged—and without me or any of the hypothetical future bridesmaids there.

Our first dance: Can’t help falling in love with you

February 9, 2020
By Rita Buettner
Filed Under: Blog, Open Window

You give your whole life, your whole self, to each other every day—and you accept the gift of your spouse in return.

How I met my husband, sickness in the house, brownies, family time, my cousin Sheila, and more (7 Quick Takes)

February 7, 2020
By Rita Buettner
Filed Under: Blog, Open Window

Have I ever told you how I met my husband?

With the spread of the coronavirus, be on guard against racism

February 7, 2020
By Rita Buettner
Filed Under: Blog, Open Window

As coronavirus spreads around China and starts to reach other parts of the world, we need to be on guard not to let fear of a new disease translate into racist comments and actions against Asian-Americans.

When I grow up

February 4, 2020
By Rita Buettner
Filed Under: Blog, Open Window

It’s past bedtime, and our little boy should be asleep. But when I go to check on him, his mind is too full to sleep.

Popsicles before dinner

February 4, 2020
By Rita Buettner
Filed Under: Commentary, The Domestic Church

I have come to see that there are times when the best parenting move is the one that is best for the parent.

The Year of the Rat, meeting a friend in real life, plans for Lent, and more (7 Quick Takes)

January 31, 2020
By Rita Buettner
Filed Under: Blog, Open Window

Are you celebrating the Year of the Rat? We had some friends over last weekend to mark the Chinese New Year, and it was so good to be together.

A better sense of time

January 29, 2020
By Rita Buettner
Filed Under: Blog, Open Window

Every morning is the same. We’re hurrying through breakfast and lunch-packing and shoe-finding and rushing to get out the door to get to school.

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