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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.

How to pick a backsplash for your kitchen

September 9, 2019
By Rita Buettner
Filed Under: Blog, Open Window

So, you’re renovating your kitchen. Congratulations!

Back to school, kitchen renovations, the end of summer, and a big decision (7 Quick Takes)

September 6, 2019
By Rita Buettner
Filed Under: Blog, Open Window

We are officially back to school! I’m so grateful that both our boys seem to have transitioned back to school smoothly—even though we are all exhausted from the week.

Waiting for a trumpet

September 5, 2019
By Rita Buettner
Filed Under: Blog, Open Window

Have you ever waited and waited and waited for something?

Back-to-school emotions, staycation fun, and life without a kitchen (7 Quick Takes)

August 30, 2019
By Rita Buettner
Filed Under: Blog, Open Window

~1~ Our older son boarded the bus for middle school orientation this morning. I’ve been so focused on trying to make sure he was ready for sixth grade that I completely forgot to prepare my heart, too. His little brother and I watched him board the bus from our window because our mature sixth grader […]

The perfect end to summer vacation: A trip to the Maryland State Fair

August 28, 2019
By Rita Buettner
Filed Under: Blog, Open Window

When we see the Ferris wheel rise into the sky, we know it’s coming.

I can’t tell you what happened at the Spy Museum, but if I could…

August 24, 2019
By Rita Buettner
Filed Under: Blog, Open Window

The boys loved stealthily crawling through ductwork and looking for secret codes with magnifying glasses. I enjoyed seeing the spy disguises and watching the video aspects of the exhibits.

Launching a kitchen renovation, Gotcha Day celebrations, a memorable catch, and more (7 Quick Takes)

August 23, 2019
By Rita Buettner
Filed Under: Blog, Open Window

I haven’t blogged all week, and it’s because we are about to begin renovating our kitchen.

Orioles magic, cotton candy chips, cousin fun, love for pizza, and a sloth (7 Quick Takes)

August 15, 2019
By Rita Buettner
Filed Under: Blog, Open Window

The Orioles suffered a terrible loss on Saturday evening, but we figured you can only go up from there. And who wants to be a fair-weather fan? So, we headed to Camden Yards on Sunday afternoon to cheer them on.

Writing and self-doubt and a lesson from John Steinbeck

August 14, 2019
By Rita Buettner
Filed Under: Blog, Open Window

There is nothing as intimidating as the blank page.

Letting go of the guilt over screen time

August 13, 2019
By Rita Buettner
Filed Under: Blog, Open Window

I could definitely be a better mother. I fall short in many ways. But I choose not to feel guilty about letting our children have screen time.

Feasting on crabs and peach cake, decorating with flyswatters, and other summer fun (7 Quick Takes)

August 9, 2019
By Rita Buettner
Filed Under: Blog, Open Window

You can almost taste the end of summer. I can no longer complain about the ridiculously early back-to-school sales, even though I have yet to buy a single No. 2 pencil or accordion file.

When all you can do is pray

August 7, 2019
By Rita Buettner
Filed Under: Blog, Open Window

Every time there is a shooting—yet another shooting—I feel so helpless.

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