Lord, Make Me a Saint

Thankful Thursday

2012-01-26T16:59:00.002-06:00

Thankful we were able to Baptize Simeon,

it was in the evening and he's kind of fussy in the evenings...

Thankful for this beautiful Sacrament

It was small and private, and so very nice!

Thankful to add from our good friend Deacon Jim S.

(also known as Clay Rosary Girl's daddy)

"It is wonderful to see the photos of the Baptism of your precious gift. And good to see the many people gathered together with Deacon Frank presiding. The occasion might have seemed personal and intimate, but Baptism by it’s nature is always communal and not a private event. The Baptismal waters are the first part of the Sacrament, the second part that will take place later is when the child is presented to the church and becomes a member of the Body of Christ, the church. I am sure Jamie and Tom know this already, but I want to clarify this for other readers who also might want private home Baptisms. It should be known that because of health reasons, Simeon was not able to have a church Baptism.
As a deacon in the Catholic church, Baptisms brings me much joy because it is so good to see another person brought to Christ in the church. Our church is alive and growing!
Congratulations Jamie and Tom and welcome Simeon Thomas.
Deacon Jim"

Thank you Jim!

Thankful for his godparents, Jeff and Nicki

like I said, he was quite fussy and it was a quick nite, so this is about the best photo I got of him...

below, is our deacon/friend/fellow homeschooler and part of his family

(Frank and Laura, Emily and Maggie)

Thankful that Direct TV has music channels, we pick the dance ones and dance dance dance

on those days where it's too cold to go outside...

Thankful we've had lots of outside days though, this past week, full of snow, snow, snow!!!

(we have more snow now...but it's melting, high today was around 40!)

Thankful for our beautiful backyard hill, it keeps the kiddos entertained outside!

Thankful we finally got snow here in MN

(click on this picture and see Sweetie Pie's face, it's sooo cute)

Thankful 4 can fit on a sled!

Thankful she loves it outside and Thankful she has sisters who will take her outside to play in the snow

Thankful for beautiful rosey cheeked girls...

Thankful for boys who shovel...

and Thankful for boys who don't...

Thankful for blogging friends who "Yarn Along",

so I don't have to feel guilty for not knowing how to knit!

(OK, I still wished I knew how to)

Isn't this sweater beautiful?

It fits him perfectly, and he looks like a little man in it!

Thankful for quilting blogging friends who make "quilties" with duckies, just for us!!

Below

I had to show you that I took like 8 photos to get the "Wordless Wednesday" picture of Simeon!

Most were like this one...

Thankful for the miracle he is and always will be.

Thankful for all your prayers and the prayers of friends and family

Thankful for all the meals and gifts we've been and continue to receive,

I have a pile of thank you's to do...hoping to get to them sometime.

(this post has been done 5 minutes at a time all day!)

Thankful we have this time off school,

I can't imagine teaching yet...trying to figure how to fit that into our day

I have a little over a week left....

Wordless Wednesday!!

2012-01-25T20:53:00.001-06:00

Thankful Thursday--Our Miracle Baby!

2012-01-19T19:56:00.001-06:00

Simeon looks calm here, but believe me, he was not that calm for most of the testing today!

I have to say it was pure torture for a mama to be helpless to her baby's cries.

It was pure torture for the big brother and daddy too!

We took Jedi along with us, because he said he would worry more if he were at home.

Simeon had to lie flat like this for 50 minutes.

50 minutes?

I made the techs repeat this to me

Yep.

He had to have a catheter on and an IV, you can see the IV in his hand in the picture.

Simeon loves to have his hands up by his face, so this was really hard for him, and he cried a ton.

The techs said he would stop crying after a while and fall asleep, and he did.

(about half way through it)

The 2nd test was only about 15 minutes and a tech held his feet and legs straight,

I held his arms above his head

and they took several pictures of his bladder doing what it was supposed to do

He screamed through this whole thing.

I kept thinking, "God, I know You think I can handle this, but really, I can't"

"OK, God, give me the strength to do this"

I don't think any parent gets used to watching their baby in any discomfort or pain.

When the Urologist came in, he said with a big smile on his face

"Simeon will not need any surgeries for his kidneys"

I'll repeat the key words there...

will not need any surgeries for his kidneys

It's a miracle.

A true miracle

A big miracle!

He told us that his kidneys are both normal and working fine.

He will need to go to get ultrasounds done every 3 months to check on the kidneys.

Praise God!

All honor and glory to God our Father in Heaven!!

This is such a big relief for us all.

I thank you all for your prayers, Masses and sacrifices you've done for our family,

for the Poor Clare nuns and their prayers,

for our deacon and the Sacrament of Baptism,

(oh, the power of the Sacraments, and the power of prayer!!)

for all our friends and family who have brought us meals and gifts and sacrificed so much for us.

We were told when Simeon was still in my womb, that sometimes this

does correct itself, which is why they wait a couple weeks after birth to see if that happens.

At 2 weeks, he had his ultrasound, and it was diagnosed as "moderate to severe"

and had not corrected itself,

so these tests were ordered to basically get ready for surgery, to know where the

obstruction was and prepare to fix it.

Completely healed.

Our miracle baby, is so close to God.

I'll try to post some Baptism pictures soon!

Thankful Thursday indeed!
(Simeon is also back up to his birth weight, 6 lbs 1 oz!)

Prayers Please

2012-01-18T17:22:00.000-06:00

Tomorrow we go to the Minneapolis Children's Hospital for tests for Simeon's kidneys.

I'm actually looking forward to getting out of the house, this mama is used to going places!!

We are hoping to find out when surgery will be.

He's still so little.

We are thinking he's about 6 lbs now.

He's still in the Newborn size diapers and clothes, which are big on him.

He's such a little honey.

He has a dimple on his left cheek, like me, and another dimple on the same cheek, by his mouth,

like Ballerina Rosie.

He loves to hold my finger while feeding him

and he's so gentle always with his hands up by his face constantly.

He loves his cheeks kissed constantly, and this mama loves to kiss him constantly.

We are Baptizing him tonite.

Since we cannot take him out in the public, for fear of germs and sickness which can lead to

RSV, with his mouth and nose open to the air, we just cannot risk it.

We wanted him Baptized before any surgeries or even procedures like tomorrow will bring.

Our Deacon is coming tonite to Baptize him.

It's the quickest planned thing ever, Papa Murphy's pizza, a cake from Sam's Club

and many blessings coming his way.

It's a special day.

Thank you for all your prayers, they are precious and appreciated so much!

Thankful

2012-01-09T16:23:00.000-06:00

Thankful, just thankful, because I can't promise a post on Thursday.

Thankful for Simeon, he's perfect.

He seems so perfect, it's easy to forget he has an enlarged left kidney and needs surgery for that soon

We go for more tests on January 19th at the Minneapolis Children's Hospital to find out more.

Thankful for big brothers...

little big sisters....

big, big sisters

more big sisters...

and more big sisters....

all who love their new brother with all their hearts!

Thankful for my wonderful husband who went back to work today...

He did everything for me, let me sleep in, nap, cooked, shopped...

(you can see how little Simeon actually is in this picture compared to daddy)

Thankful Sweetie Pie is finally sleeping all night in her room, out of her baby bed,

in bed with Colette!!

Thankful for baby toesies....

Just in case you couldn't see them, here's a close up!

(she's still my baby, my baby girl)

Thankful for newborn outfits that almost fit him

(Thanks Christine)

Thankful we live in a country where I can feed my baby with a special bottle,

my breastmilk...

and Thankful there's always someone to kiss him (always)

and check in on him...

Thankful for games on my bed in the evenings while I feed Simeon....

Thankful I have a freezer full (this is the garage freezer, so pardon the dirtiness of it)

of breastmilk...I think I have like 70 four ounce bags of milk so far...

so much, I'm running out of room to freeze...

Thankful I do not have that enzyme thing with my milk, I can freeze my milk without scalding it first...

Thankful for a fridge full of breastmilk too...

Thankful we got our Epiphany King's cake made and devoured....

Thankful we homeschool and my kiddos are able to enjoy this time off with the baby,

to get to know him, to love him and be around him.

Thankful for the unseasonably warm weather we've been having here in MN,

40's today....

Thankful for all your prayers, gifts, help, and love we've received from so many of you!!

You are a blessing in our lives and we appreciate it.

I pray for you in return.

Simeon!

2012-01-01T20:07:00.001-06:00

Finally, huh?

I hesitate to even post these pictures,

because I feel kind of like it's exploiting him.

We love him so very much and I want to protect him from anyone who

would not love him for who he is, who God made him to be.

Love him, I guess, the way we do.

Which is silly, because no one loves any of our children the way we do.

But, it is because of blogs that I read that helped me when I first found out how special he was going to be.

And

so I hope this someday, helps someone else going through a similar thing in their life

to see this precious life and to love it and be so very thankful for this gift.

We are so very blessed to have the opportunity to take care of him,

to feed him special, to do the extra things we need to take care of him.

Our love just multiplies each day we get to take care of him and watch him grow and change.

We are so very blessed.

My argyle boys!

The kiddos are very excited to have a baby brother!!

Things are crazy around here, hardly time to do anything beyond

the bare necessities but we are surviving and each day gets a little better and a little

easier.

A little sisterly love....just a little, there's always someone who wants to hold him,

he is so very loved and blessed.

As are we, so very blessed, for our Christmas Miracle!

Thank You!!

2011-12-27T12:04:00.002-06:00

Thank you all for your wonderful prayers, blessings and wishes!!

His name is:

Simeon Thomas

and he's a miracle!
We actually both went home on Christmas Eve.
It truly was a Christmas Miracle
He was in NICU until that time.
I was with him as much as I could be, but no cell phones are allowed in the hospital, so if you didn't get a call,
that's why (or a text as some wanted)
He's eating and doing wonderful.

The mama, however, is not doing so wonderful.
Between pumping, feeding and trying to get some sleep, there's not much time for anything.
Plus, we have 5 appts this week regarding his kidneys

I don't even have time right now to unload my camera to show you a picture!!
He's beautiful.

I'm scared to death to try to figure out how to feed him in public. (and pump)
He, because of his nose being open to his mouth, can't be around other people's children or public places.
If we do go anywhere, he needs to be covered up in the carseat and then that blanket needs to be washed
when we get home! He could very easily get very sick.

I don't know when I'll be blogging again, it feels like a long time away. After I unload pictures from the camera (someday) I'll post pictures.

Thank you Margaret for posting for me!

Thank you again for all your precious prayers, they mean the world to us!

It’s a…

2011-12-22T18:48:00.004-06:00

BOY!!!

Weight: 6 lbs. 1 oz.

Name: T.B.A. by the Proud Parents

Excitement? Obviously!

Thankful Thursday, indeed. God is SO good!

Jamie, we are thrilled for you.

With much love & many prayers of thanksgiving,

Merry Christmas from Our Home to Yours Through the (digital) Years...

2011-12-21T21:01:00.002-06:00

2007 and 2008

2009

2010

2011

Just wanted to share out Christmas Card pictures over the past few (digital) years

(because they are all on the computer)

Always fun to look back on past years around the holidays

God bless you all for this wonderful Christmas,

May the peace, that only the Christ Child can bring, come to you

in a special way this Christmas.

*no baby out yet...I'll keep you posted if anything changes*

What's Going to Happen

2011-12-18T20:28:00.002-06:00

35 1/2 Weeks!

(my sweater is not dirty, the mirror is)

Ok, I made it to 35 weeks, which is good, really good.

After Thursday's ordeal, at the hospital,

my doctor wants me to get in ASAP tomorrow for another ultrasound.

If baby scores all 8 possible points for fluid, tone, movement and respiration,

then we will be fine, if not,

we are suspecting to deliver this week.

Our 15th Anniversary is Tuesday,

so Tom is betting on a Tuesday Anniversary date at the hospital.

I'd really, of course like to at least make it to after Christmas when I'm 37 weeks,

But

baby will come when God wants him/her to!

If it happens this week, I will let Margaret post an update for me so

I won't leave you hanging,

but after that, I will.

(leave you hanging)

I'll be busy, kissing that sweet baby

and

all my other babies.

And my husband

Just in case I'm not here (and I'm at the hospital)

Our 15th Wedding Anniversary is Tuesday!!

Oh, how I love this man.

With each day,

each child,

each smile,

each and every little thing that happens,

because in actuality they are not little things, but

big things in our life together.

Oh, the things I'd love to tell this young couple.

But then, they would not grow the way they have grown

with each other

and for each other.

To the love of my life,

I'll love you always forever.

Thank you so very much for all your wonderful prayers, they mean the world to us,

and pray for you in return.

(OK, last post for today, I posted 2 craft posts earlier too,

got all the laundry done, baby's crib ready, burp pads out, car seat ready,

clothes ready (for both sexes) and so I guess I'm nested)

****Update****
No baby today (Monday)
I got 8 points on the ultrasound today and
My fluid level was 8
We'll see what tomorrow brings...

More Christmas Trees!

2011-12-18T20:04:00.000-06:00

Here's another easy Christmas craft for the kiddos....but if you don't like glitter,

this might not be for you....

We are still sweeping it up and finding it in people's hair and pretty much everywhere!

It's a ripped paper tree, with a sticker star at the top, and glue, lots of glue,

and buttons, sequins, glitter (lots of glitter), and

squares of wrapping paper at the bottom to look like presents!

Easy and beautiful!

Easy Christmas Trees!

2011-12-18T12:27:00.000-06:00

Remember, if I'm showing it, it's easy!

Except, I was surprised how expensive yarn is!!

Maybe I'm glad I don't know how to knit...

I suppose Tom is glad I don't knit.

She actually glued about 10 of these on before burning her fingers by switching the puff ball into the other hand...poor baby and a very guilty feeling mama!

All you need is yarn, puffy balls, or beads, hot glue, cones, and some kind of star for the top!

All the girls loved this craft!

Thank You!!

2011-12-16T08:51:00.000-06:00

I can't thank you all enough for the love, prayers and sacrifices that came my way. Tears streamed down my face as I read each comment and Margaret's post for us.

I was released last night around 10:30pm because of a very nice, smart nurse who knew how much it would mean to go home early....she asked the doctor to do one more ultrasound last night, instead of this morning and if baby was doing ok, if I could go home. Baby was doing fine so I am home, exhausted, relieved and feeling so loved by all.

Thank you for all the support and love, I have no doubt it is why I am home with baby still inside.
Please be assured of my love and prayers for all of you.

Prayers, please, for Jamie & Baby

2011-12-15T18:47:00.004-06:00

Hi, everyone. It's Margaret.

Jamie has been admitted to the hospital, where the doctors will be monitoring her and her little one overnight. She has asked me to post a prayer request on her behalf...and I know that we will be sending up countless bouquets that all goes well.

I know Jamie. You know Jamie. The poor dear will be missing the rest of her family like mad.

Our Lady of Guadalupe, pray for Jamie & her family.

Good St. Joseph, pray for Jamie & her family.

Our Van Has Died

2011-12-14T17:47:00.001-06:00

Just this past month, I was thinking about how God has taken care of us with this old van.

How when we got it, it had seating for 8.

We will soon be a family of 8, how perfect, right?

Little did we know 11 years ago, when we got this van we would ever be that big,

only having Jedi at that time.

Well, Friday, Tom took the van in for some work,

only the work would have costed $4000

Yep.

It needs a new transmission, new alternator, new breaks and something to go with that,

and something else big....and the driver's window doesn't go up if it goes down.

And it's leaking antifreeze.

(The digital stuff hasn't worked in it since we got it)

You need to kick the side of the van to get the side door open.

SO....

We are going to sign papers for this type of van tonite.

They've been looking for a van like this for us since Friday.

The one we are signing for is a 2011, with 30,000 miles, 12 passenger....

for $21,000.

My husband got a raise last month....

See?

God is still taking care of us.
There's always just enough.

Margaret--Can you give me some driving lessons?

The dealership is picking it up within the next 5 days.

My husband gets to take me to the doctor tomorrow!!

Thankful!

2011-12-14T09:36:00.001-06:00

I am planning on doing a "Thankful" post instead of "Thankful Thursday" as I have doctor appts on Thursdays and need to teach school, and just can't seem to get it done!

These "Thankful" posts are not to show our "perfect" life, as it is so far from that, believe me, but, for me and hopefully others to look for the good, the things we are thankful for during our week, during the hard times, the busy, crazy times of raising children, and trying ourselves, to follow our Lord and accept His will, at all times.

If God were to tell us today, He was only going to let us keep what we've thanked Him for, what would we have?

Thankful for little girls who occupy eachother during school time...

even though, it leaves many messes throughout the whole house....

Thankful for those chocolate Advent calendar countdowns!

Thankful for some of our favorite Christmas books....

And Thankful I was finally able to go through all our books and donate a ton!!

Thankful for cuteness and Elmo girls!

Thankful for all our play Nativity sets that are joined into one big set,

the girls like to pick one baby Jesus and then, everyone else comes to visit Him.

Thankful for this great new place that came to town!

Cherry Berry

Do you have one near you?

They are fun and healthy!

I didn't have my own, I knew Sweetie Pie wouldn't eat all hers,

so I got her Strawberry flavored w/Nerds candies on top.

If I were to pick my own (will that ever happen?)

I'd pick Strawberry with fresh Strawberries on top!

The kiddos had some interesting combinations of flavors!!

Thankful to Kelly for sending us this beautiful headpiece to help us celebrate St Lucia Day yesterday!

After last year, (read it, it's a good one!)

I hoped this year would be better.

Oh, we ate earlier, but you can tell by the expression on Ballerina Rosie's face

(who wants to be called Rosie on this blog now)

that she had a crabby mama this particular morning.

I'm not a morning person, and add a day full of doctor appts,

(I left for the doctor at 10:30am and got out at 3pm!)

Well...I was crabby....and I crushed the spirits of this sweet girl

Everyone else was happy, after all, we were having cinnamon rolls for breakfast with hot cocoa!

But,

I plan to plan better next year and I should probably have coffee or something to help with

those morning crabbies!

Thankful for grandparents who came up from the Twin Cities to help with the kiddos

knowing I had all these appts, who made lunch and played with the kiddos,

and made homemade waffles for supper, so we all could go to Jedi's Band concert!

Thankful for the Sacrament of Reconciliation, (or Confession as I call it)

Mary Hannah made her first Reconciliation Saturday!

This sweet girl's soul is white as can be!

She was so excited to go and did wonderfully!

She really wanted a bible of her own...so she could highlight it....we are making her only

highlight with us though!

We also really stressed that the clean, white, sparkling soul, happens

EVERY time we go to Confession!!

Thankful God gives us the grace to work on those sins we confess!!

Thankful for Band concerts and for Jedi,

how hard he works at his trumpet and piano and how much he loves it!

Thankful for this little piece the Trumpets played for us last night!

Thankful for your patience with my terrible shakey video filming....

Hmmmm...can't get it to upload for some reason....I'll try to fix it!

Thankful my fluid level is at a 7 and am hoping to make it to Christmas!

(the 7 was hard for the Ultra sound tech to find, but she did it!)

Thankful my doctor thought there would be no reason our baby couldn't be in my room with me!!

Thankful we don't have snow yet, here in Minnesota! (Yes, I said MN)

With all these doctor appts, it's so nice to not have to worry about ice and snow...I'm not worried,

we'll get our share I'm sure!

Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe

2011-12-12T09:18:00.001-06:00

This is one of my very favorite images of Our Lady.

There is so much meaning to the image.

Like she is pregnant in this image, I remember reading it has something to do

with the sash.

And then there's the baby at the bottom of her feet, being held up by the angel.

The Patroness of the unborn.

It's a powerful image.

When we were in Mexico last year, I was sure to get a few things with this image.

(side note: My inlaws offered to take us again, with Tom's brother's family, but with a new baby,

we just can't. They are so very generous! I have to say, even though, Tom didn't care for Mexico,

he was sick most of the time, so who could blame him?

I would be very tempted to go without him though, I loved it)

There are so many wonderful, holy feast days this month!

Today is the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe.

I actually first made this recipe a very, very, long time ago. I was in 9th grade and had to bring a dish from another country for some class and I picked Mexico. Little did I know I'd be using it to teach my children some day so many years later!

My recipe spells the word this way: Sopapias, but I've seen it spelled as Sopaipillas, I think they are the same, Mexican fry bread.

Sopapias

4 cups flour

1 1/4 tsp salt

3 tsp baking powder

4-5 Tablespoons sugar

2 Tablespoons shortening

1 1/4 cups milk (or more if needed, I needed)

Oil (for frying)

Powdered sugar (for coating)

In large bowl, mix dry ingredients. Cut shortening into dry mixture with fork. Add milk, mix well. Here you will need to add more milk if you can't get the dough to form a ball. Next form the ball and cover bowl and let stand 30-60 minutes.

On a well floured surface, roll dough to thickness of 1/4 inch and cut into squares or whatever shape you'd like I guess, but I always do little squares.

Heat oil in pan and place dough shapes in the oil. Cook until brown on both sides, constantly flipping and checking. (I heat it to a med/high temp) The shapes will puff a little.

Drain on papertowel or paper bag and coat with powdered sugar. (I put powdered sugar in a baggie and shake the bread to coat) The kids really loved this recipe and it was really fun to make it again for my own children.

We'll make these again tonite to celebrate!

Shelly--maybe you can tell us if these are truly "Mexican" or not?

**I posted these on Catholic Cuisine a few years ago along with Mexican Crispas

If Mary and Joseph Used Facebook.mp4

2011-12-11T20:24:00.000-06:00

I don't even do Facebook, but loved this, found it at Conservamom!

Gaudete Sunday

2011-12-10T20:14:00.000-06:00

Tomorrow (Sunday) is Gaudete Sunday!!

It's the 3rd Sunday of Advent,

It's time to light the PINK candle,

pink stands for JOY

The joy of Christmas almost here.

Don't forget to wear PINK!

Thankful Pregnancy

2011-12-09T08:03:00.000-06:00

I'm interrupting the usual "Thankful Thursday" posts this week to post

a "Thankful Pregnancy"

This will be a funny, but true post, about the things that keep you going at the end.

(at least for me)

Thankful that in about 3 weeks:

I won't need to buy and wear these Poise liners anymore
Our toilet paper use will be cut down by about 3/4
No more constipation (at least not from me)
I'll be able to reach my "wiping parts" so much better, my arms just are not that long, I pretty much pull a muscle every time.
No more "Pregnancy Air"--every time I sit on the toilet, "air" comes out. My husband says it's a fart, but I tell you, it's air. It doesn't happen when I'm not pregnant...but it is loud. (and quite embarrassing) It's air, I tell you. Air.
No more going potty every time I sit and then stand again
No more going potty every time I pass a potty
No more getting up in the night to go potty
No more groaning and moaning every time I bend down or roll over or move.
No more puffy elephant ankles
No more fat sausage toes and legs (my legs are so tight, it's hard to kneel)
No more NO ENERGY
No more heartburn, or retasting my food all night long.
I'll be able to get up out of a chair without groaning or moaning and looking just plain ridiculous.
No more constant low blood sugars
No more 4-5 doctor appts/week!!
No more huffing and puffing the stairs
I'll be able to paint my toes--heck, I'll be able to touch my toes!!
I'll be able to put on my socks and pants without grunting and groaning
No more backache
No more "Pregnancy Butt"
I'll be able to park far away and walk fast into any store!
I'll be able to hold my sweet little baby and kiss that sweet little cleft lip-- and that is why these things are such things to be so very thankful for.

The Feast of the Immaculate Conception!

2011-12-08T08:01:00.002-06:00

"I am the Immaculate Conception"

I love that.

This is one of my favorite Feast days.

Well, any Feast day with our Lady is a favorite!

When I was a kid, I thought it was the Immaculate Conception of Jesus.

It is not.

It is the day to celebrate Mary's Immaculate Conception.

To celebrate that God chose her from the very beginning.

God knew she would say yes.

We will eat blueberry muffins, go to Mass tonight, color these

beautiful coloring sheets

******I met with the Perintologist today and it was very positive!******
He sees no reason to deliver any earlier than my scheduled date of Jan 3, unless my fluid drops below a 6.
Which could happen the week before, just like my last baby.
But as of now, the fluid level is at an 8!!
(the other day it was a 7 and last week was a 6)
He also was very positive and explained the kidney issue much better than any of the other 3 doctors we've had.
This is very common (so I'm told) and is just an obstruction in the ureter.
It's one of 2 kinds of obstructions,
either a piece of tissue blocking it or
2 of the nerves coming down, instead of them being behind the ureter, one would be in front and one in the back of it,
causing pressure on the ureter.
Both of these things can fix themselves after birth,
or
if it's a blockage of tissue, could need to be "flushed" out with a surgery,
not needing anything within the first 72 hours after birth.
He explained to me that the baby's kidneys can work much differently outside the womb than inside,
which is how it could fix itself.
Because there is urine in the bladder of the baby,
at least one of the kidneys is working,
possibly both, just the left one might not be draining completely, causing the backup.
make any sense?
It does to me,
which gives me much more peace of mind and heart.

Thank you God for small miracles.
They happen every day, don't they?

I have been an emotional mess since Tuesday worrying about this appt.
I'm feeling much better now.

Hoping to come back to do a Thankful Thursday post, but with school to teach,

Mass, and a doctor appt, no promises!

God bless you, happy Feast day!!

Santa Claus is St Nicholas!

2011-12-05T10:49:00.002-06:00

With the feast of St Nicholas coming up tomorrow,

I thought today would be a good day

to talk about him.

This is our sweet Colette above with St Nicholas.

Look at her expression and his happy face!!

Oh, the innocence of a child at Christmas, it brings tears to my eyes.

I know there is quite a controversial thing with Santa Claus among parents these days.

And some people get down right huffy about it.

(they are usually the same people who think nothing about celebrating Halloween though
We celebrate Halloween, I'm just sayin')

I just really think it has to be people and their experience with him, while they were growing up.

I know my brother and his wife don't celebrate "Santa" because she felt betrayed by her parents

when she found out, and I remember my brother running upstairs crying "Noooooo!" when he

found out about Santa.

They didn't want to lie to their children.

When I found out about Santa, my cousin Terry told me, right before Christmas,

I was in second grade.

I remember asking my mom about it and her sitting on the steps with me,

I remember her having that look of disappointment and well, she told me.

It was and is still the best Christmas I've ever had.

I couldn't believe my parents loved me that much to actually buy us "extra" presents.

I felt so loved as I helped her set out Santa stuff for my brother and baby sister.

Now, because of my experience, this is how we've told our kiddos.

My 2 oldest know and it was told in this way,

"Because we love you so much...."

I really don't think he takes away from the true meaning of Christmas,

at least not with us.

Jesus is the reason and my kids know that.

Santa is just about joy and the love he has for children and the love he has for Baby Jesus.

Santa Claus is St Nicholas, who lives in Heaven, and has no wife.

The kids think that is pretty funny how the world changes something that

started out so religious and has deep meaning, into something that is not.

We actually don't usually go to Santa and sit on his lap and tell what we want...

Because we don't focus on the gifts, I throw away all those magazines I get in the mail

each night...I'm not saying they don't look before I do this, because they do, but our focus is not just the gifts.

We buy the kiddos a couple gifts from us to open Christmas Eve

after we've gone to Mass

and

they get one gift from Santa Claus with stocking stuff Christmas morning.

(we happened to be at Sam's Club and there was no line, and it was free, and the girls looked at me

like "Can we?" Now, how could I resist? Then, we had to go back of course for Colette, since

she was not with me!)

We have a little statue like this sitting out for Christmas

And one of our favorite Christmas stories is this one about

St Nicholas in Heaven, with all the angels, getting ready for the birth of Christ.

Santa has his toys and his bag and his sleigh,

but he stops for what is most important first

to see Jesus in the Manger and kneels down in Adoration.

Life is totally what we make of it

and how it is portrayed, especially to our children.

Any huffy people out there?

What do you think and how is this portrayed to your children?

And

why do you believe and celebrate the way you do?

I honestly have no judgements here, I really think to each his own on this controversial Santa issue.

It's fun to see other people's traditions and why they do the things they do to make

Christmas special.

For fun ideas of how to make St Nicholas day special go to Catholic Cuisine, some of the ideas are even mine!

So tonite we will put out our church shoes (they are the cleanest ones)

and St Nicholas will come and fill them with chocolate coins and candy

and in the morning we will read about St Nicholas and his love for all.

Especially Jesus.

Diabetes

2011-12-01T09:24:00.003-06:00

I watched this video this morning at Aussie Therese's

It made me think of my own type 1 diabetes and how it's changed my life.

I've had it for so long that I can't imagine life without it. It has become 2nd nature to me.

It's funny, because probably most people would think of diabetes as a cross in life. I don't really

think of it as that, because of that 2nd nature thing. What I mean by that is that every time I take a shot, 5 times/day, or monitor my blood sugars, 5 times/day--8-10 when pregnant, or count carbs before I eat, I'm not thinking "Oh, I hate this" or "Why do I have to do this?" It's automatic. I don't even think about it. It's offered up in my daily offering and forgotten.

I "got" diabetes when I was 10 years old. My mom also has type 1 and she "got" it when she was 24. She had 2 kids at time, my brother and I, we were like 2 and 3 years old. She ended up going into a coma and was in the hospital for a month, us kids were not allowed to see her...wow, how things have changed, huh?

I did not go into a coma. Usually diabetes is triggered by some kind of flu, and the flu had gone around our neighborhood, (we were living in Santa Rosa, CA at the time) and after a week, everyone drug themselves back to work or school and got better. I didn't get better. My mom started thinking diabetes. Back then, they only tested sugars with urine. (SO INACCURATE) She tested me after nibbling on barely anything and my urine was "moderate" and then tested my dad, who had feasted on fried chicken and chocolate on the bottom cake and he was "normal".

I remember her calling the doctor and they said she could bring me in that night or the next morning. She asked if I could go into a coma, they said, "well, yes..." So she brought me in right away. I still remember that as such a funny thing about the whole situation. Anyway, they brought me in and I was in the hospital for a week.

Oh, things have changed over the years. (almost 32 years by the way) Back then, I took one shot in the morning, then after a few years, that changed to 2 shots, one at bedtime and one in the morning. Then a few years later, it changed to testing our blood instead of urine, by pricking fingers. This is still the case. It just amazes me how much more accurate it is now. I think it is most common to take a shot with each meal and at bedtime, which is what I do.

As a kid, don't get me wrong, I went through some things with it. It was hard. I hated it. The first year I was perfect on the diet, never even nibbling off the diet. Afraid if I did, I'd die. The next year, towards the end, (we had moved back to MN by now) we had a 6th grade end of the school year party, and there were chips and lots of snacks. I remember being tempted by them and gave in and ate some chips! I used to walk home from school...probably like 10 or 12 blocks and I cried all the way home, thinking I was going to die. You know what? I didn't die! I remember testing the waters I guess, from that moment on. Always taking my shots but not really watching it like I should have. Until I was an adult.

Now, it is the high blood sugars that are damaging to our internal organs. It is the high blood sugars that cause all the terrible things Diabetes can cause. That is why it is so important to watch those blood sugars and count those carbs!!

Once finger pricking started and taking insulin with each meal, I hated the attention I got from everyone. I have to admit, it's still something I try my best to avoid. Once I'd take it out, who ever was by me or around me would come over and ask (stupid) questions. I still, to this day, do not like having to educate everyone who asks, only for them to not really understand anyway. Type 1 diabetes, for some reason causes some kind of fog on the brain for people and they just don't get it. I find this so funny when I am in the hospital and the nurses don't get it. They always start out treating me as a gestational diabetic, then they always end up letting me take care of it myself and just tell them the numbers and amounts of insulin I took. It's like type 1 is so rare or something.

It's not that rare. It's not that confusing. My pancreas does not work at all. It does not produce any insulin, ever. SO, I take insulin to compensate for the food I eat. SO the food has to match the insulin. Over the years this has changed also. We used to count everything, fruit, vegetable, fat, meat, bread, milk. Now, it is carbohydrate counting, it's the carbs that make the blood sugars rise. Of course the others foods must be eaten too and in moderation, but it's a direct insulin/carbohydrate ratio, in order to monitor blood sugars.

Type 1 Diabetes is not caused because of poor diet, or obesity and used to be called Juvenile Diabetes, because it is usually diagnosed before the age of 30. It is controlled by diet, exercise and insulin management. I was always a skinny kid. I remember in 7th and 8th grade being a size 1 and having a hard time finding clothes. Our little Ben Franklin store had size one clothes!!

Type 2 Diabetes is caused by that poor diet, or obesity. In a type 2 Diabetic, their pancreas still works some of the time, just not properly. It is sometimes reversed by diet only, which is the hard way, but most often is controlled by pills or even insulin and diet.

The funny thing about people who do not have diabetes is they always say, "Oh, I could never take all those shots." or "How do you take all those shots?" as they shudder at the thought of it. I always tell them, it's not really the shots that are a big deal, it's the diet, the watching everything. But, you know, it's not anymore. It's really 2nd nature now. It can be a balancing act. It does make some things harder. I've found it really tricky losing weight, exercising and adjusting the insulin to do so.

I find myself embarrassed by the disease now, that I'm older and overweight. With each baby I've kept the last 10-15 lbs (I'm having my 6th baby, I'll let you do the math) I think people think I overeat or don't watch it, when in actuality, I am probably eating much healthier than they are. This is all because of the big growth in Type 2 Diabetics across the country, and the unhealthy risks associated with this.

Insulin is known to make a person gain weight. My insulin levels when not pregnant are around 6 units before each meal and around 24 of the bedtime insulin. Now, by the end of the pregnancy, those levels are unbelievably high, breakfast I'm currently at 42 units, lunch 22 and supper 18, my bedtime is split between night and morning and the total is currently at 86 units!! The insulin is daily rising and monitored. I'm eating the same amounts, it's the pregnancy hormones. In a normal pregnancy, your pancreas automatically does this same thing, it produces the right amount of insulin. In my body, I put it in there. The day I have the baby, those levels go completely back to normal.

I have very tight control of my diabetes. With each baby, especially by the 6th baby, I just know I am going to gain 50-60 lbs automatically. Which is humbling to say the least. Oh, I don't want to get off on diet, losing weight and exercise yet, there will be plenty of time for that once I recover from the

C-section!!

Diabetes is not controlling me. I am controlling the diabetes. I can do anything anyone can do. I can exercise, I can do sports (OK, I'm not good at sports, never have been, but I can do them!) People in my past have said things about my diabetes and not being able to have children, well, that was the wrong thing to say to me!! I can do anything.

This does not hold me back.

**We do not contribute to any research in order to find a cure for Diabetes, because their research involves unborn babies. I can live with this. I would never take a cure, so I could add a few years onto my life, by means of a baby losing their life. Aussie Therese also has information on her blog regarding this serious subject. (just fyi: Cancer and MS research companies, also have no qualms using aborted babies to do their research. We really have to do our own research before contributing to any cause)

Mommy Dates!

2011-11-30T12:28:00.001-06:00

All the kiddos are starting to ask for "mommy dates"

which means it's been a while....like I think since summer!

Last Friday, Ballerina Rosie told Tom and I she wanted a "mommy date" or "daddy date"

she didn't care, but she wanted to watch Prince of Persia after the others went to bed and

have popcorn and chocolate ice cream.

(which is a GREAT movie, by the way)

She has always been neither mommy or daddy girl,

having no special preference.

I think it's more about what she can get actually.

Hoping she remembers the time spent with us and not what she got to do so much....

*interesting side note:

Jedi--was always a mama boy til he turned 4...then something happened, he noticed his daddy

and I had to almost mourn the loss of him on evenings and weekends where he was glued to daddy's side.

I loved it, though, knowing it was what he needed and the importance of daddy.

Ballerina Rosie--neither, independent and strong willed!

Mary Hannah--always a daddy girl!! She literally only wanted me for my milk when she was a babe.

Colette--mama girl...still is!

Sweetie Pie--mama girl, but she really loves her daddy too, she might change over...

I think the kiddos know these "dates" need to get in before the baby comes,

so they are planning and trying to figure out times it will work out.

The others want to go to the Adoration Chapel,

which to me, is a little bit of Heaven to start our evening.

(Ballerina Rosie would have too, but our date was at home)

Jedi wants to then, go to the library where we can pick books out and sit and read,

then go out to eat....

Mary Hannah wants to then go get her pictures taken at Sears and then out to eat.....

(every time we pass a restaurant, she says, "Hey, mama we could go there for our "mommy date"!)

Colette, doesn't have any preference, she just wants a "mommy date"

Sweetie Pie...doesn't know what she's missing (yet)

Now, I do take different kiddos every other week when I go shopping and we do

different things with different kiddos, but this is special time, where my time and energy

is focused on them and not what needs to get done.

It's time, that I hope makes them feel special and not so lost in a larger family.

Time set aside to look them in the eye with no distractions

and tell them what I love about them and that I'm interested in them.

Christmas Novenas!

2011-11-29T10:39:00.004-06:00

I usually pray this St Andrew Novena, every Advent, it is so beautiful. This prayer card was made by
JOYfilled Family, you can get a printable novena card by clicking on her link! She did a beautiful job!
It starts tomorrow, the feast of St Andrew and goes til Christmas Eve!

This year, I decided to do the Immaculate Conception Novena too...click on it on my sidebar and you can
join me!! If you sign up, you can receive daily emails with the prayers, I really love what this man did to start these online novenas.

This one started this morning and I am praying for such personal things right now and am so emotional
that I cried through the whole thing! Yesterday and today, my patience are set on very low and my tears are
set on very high. I'm a blubbering baby right now.

We did get some good news last night. The Perinatologist (sp?) called last night, personally, from our
hospital here in town. He said there is no reason the baby couldn't be delivered here! We have a Urologist that comes up from the Twin Cities and would be here to do the tests needed when the baby is born.
It is all dependent on the fact that so far, the baby's right kidney is doing fine. If that changes, then it might change as far as where we deliver. This is such a blessing to find out one of my many questions. I did also
find out that the baby will be in the hospital longer than I will. Mostly because of the cleft lip/palate, because of feeding issues, learning how to suck for the baby and learning how to feed, for us. There will also be lots
of tests done because of the kidneys.

So much to pray for and so much to be thankful for, all at the same time.

My thoughts and worries are still the same with a few added things, like how do I go home and try to manage a family at home and a baby in the hospital, when in my heart of hearts, I won't want to leave the hospital
at all? I did go through this with my first baby, (he was a preemie) but, there were no others at home to
worry about. I only went home to sleep and pump breastmilk (because the nurses forced me to)

I feel like such a drama queen with all this deep stuff. I will get some more light hearted posts done soon!
Until then, will you join me in either of these novenas?

Thank you all again for all your precious prayers, they mean the world to me. I send my prayers back to you
for graces and blessings in your lives.

Quick Update:

2011-11-25T19:00:00.000-06:00

Normal Pregnancy fluid levels should be between 5-25

Tuesday I was at a 4 but that was because the cord was covering a pocket, so they couldn't count that.

Today I was at a 6

Low, but safe.

The baby's kidney issue does effect my fluid level.

Looks like I'll be delivering in December....

Short term goal:

to make it to 35 weeks, for a healthy, strong, lung developed baby!!!

I ended up having 6 appointments this week--in 3 days...glad this week is over!!!

For the last 3 ultrasounds, the baby had his/her head tucked in, towards his/her tummy, so we didn't get to see the face at all! Little stinker!

Thankful Thanksgiving!

2011-11-24T11:54:00.002-06:00

As flowers carry dewdrops, trembling on the edges of the petals, and ready to fall at the first waft of the wind or brush of bird, so the heart should carry its beaded words of thanksgiving. At the first breath of heavenly flavor, let down the shower perfumed with the heart's gratitude.

-Henry Ward Beecher

Thankful for big sisters who help little sisters in the snow!

I can't even zip up my coat, so this is a lifesaver!

(click on the picture, the colors are so bright and beautiful!)

Thankful no one broke their necks after sitting in this

"It's totally safe Mom!" sled.

(oldest daughter, aka risk taker)

Thankful for rosy cheeks and hot cocoa after playing in the snow

Thankful for tights and a little girl who will wear them!!

My big girls won't wear them because "they itch"

(they wear pants or leggings w/their dresses instead)

(I have no idea what my daughter is doing in the background)

Thankful for tights and for Walmart who sells them cheaply!!

$3 and they are a great quality!

Thankful (one of my favorite thankfuls this week)

for little girls who can say so beautifully

"I wuv uuu!"

(I love you!)

Thankful we finally made out Christ the King cake on Tuesday....

It's been a busy week...don't those M&M's look like jewels on a crown?

Thankful for turkey pictures galore...

Thankful for the deer visiting our backyard...eating the pumpkins we threw in the woods!
Thankful after today's temp of over 50 degrees, the snow is pretty much gone!

Thankful for this concert/play the kiddos have been planning all week and

the posters taped all over the house so we don't forget...

Thankful for my online friends and IRL friends who are praying for me and this baby,

it means so much and I am just overwhelmed and over joyed by your kindness.

Thankful for this baby and that in 5 weeks, 4 days I can change from "worry" mode

to "do" mode. Although, I'm thinking, now, with the low fluid, it will be sooner than that

(might make that little extra tax deduction this year after all)

Thankful for a cautious doctor, I have another ultrasound tomorrow to

measure fluid and the size of the baby's kidney.

(this will be my 5th appt this week)

Thankful my husband cancelled our guests for today (a couple weeks ago),
although, I was upset at first, (he knows the only way to slow me down is to force me)
after this stress-filled week, it turned out to be the best thing.

Thankful I've got my turkey in the oven and it's starting to smell heavenly...gotta go get

potatoes, green beans and noodles on....

Happy Blessed Thanksgiving!

Pots and Pans!

2011-11-23T10:15:00.002-06:00

These are the pots and pans I've had since I was first on my own.

(for like 22 years)

They work, but they are falling apart

They have now been donated to my husband's work

(he runs/owns a 90 day treatment home for men in recovery)

Way back in September, for my birthday, my husband told me to go get some new pots and pans.

Well...it's a big purchase and I never did it.

I never spend that much on myself.

The other day, he went to Sam's Club to pick up my pies

and came home with these.

He said they were for my birthday!

These are so nice, it's hard to use them.

My hash browns stuck last night and I caught myself wishing I still had my old pans,

because it wouldn't matter then.

The pans do matter though, I made perfect sunny side up eggs Sunday evening.

I've never done that.

I love my husband so much.

(and not just because of the pots and pans)

Now to figure out how to get hash browns to not stick....

For pots that mean a little more--go here!

Heartfelt Thanks

2011-11-23T10:03:00.002-06:00

Thank you all for all your wonderful prayers.
Graces and blessings are all around
I know this.
I can feel this.
It's all in God's hands.

Something is wrong

2011-11-21T14:37:00.000-06:00

I had another Level 2 Ultrasound today to check the baby's progress and growth.

Our baby is about 4 lbs 8 oz right now,

(give or take a 1/2 pound)

yes, I have 6 weeks left and

yes, I have good sized babies!

Remember when I mentioned something about the kidneys?

and a few weeks later,

the kidneys were supposedly not an issue anymore?

Well, they are an issue.

The baby's left kidney

(the doctor drew it backward, it's actually the baby's LEFT kidney, but the drawing helps to understand)

The left kidney is not working properly, it's not flushing out the urine down the ureter.

A normal kidney, the right kidney, is supposed to have those pyramid things in it and no blockage.

The left kidney is enlarged, and kind of jumbled up.

B is for Blatter.

The baby has Hydronephrosis and hydroureter

(not that I can pronounce those)

Which means another surgery.

They don't know when, maybe at the same time as the cleft lip surgery around 3 months,

maybe sooner.

When the baby is born, they will need to take x-rays and do an ultrasound to figure out the extent of it.

The baby will need to be put on antibiotics immediately also.

(bye bye immune system, right?)

The doctor is telling me "This is not life threatening, your baby is thriving and vigorous, this is fixable"

As I'm walking out, I'm feeling so torn,

my baby is healthy?

Well, I suppose in a medical way, it's all fixable.

But

In a mother's way, something is wrong with my baby.

I also have low fluid again.

This happened with Jedi,

(my water broke early, so actually, I had no fluid, but your body keeps producing it daily)

Then, with Sweetie Pie,

they took her 4 days earlier than the 38 week c-section, because of low fluid

Wish they could take some of the fluid out of my legs and feet and put in there.

We will have to meet with a Pediatric Urologist,

not sure if it will be before or after the baby is born

I have 3 appts tomorrow, so I'll hopefully know more tomorrow.

like, if I'll need to deliver in the Twin cities....

We live about 90 miles from there.

OH, I hope not, it would be so hard on the kiddos,

They wouldn't get to see me every day

C-sections are 4 days in the hospital.

My poor 2 year old, she'll miss her mama

(and her mama will miss her!)

I asked what causes this.

She said they don't know, it just happens and is quite common.

I told God, after the 2nd round of Lice

That I can't take any more

That this is enough.

He knows me better.

He knows what I can take, even if I don't think I can,

Even if I don't want to.

Because actually, I know I can take a lot

That kind of scares me and yet it doesn't

I trust Him.

I know whatever happens, is God's will

and I accept His will.

I need to run to Jesus in Adoration

and cry

and pray

and give it all to Him

My husband knows this and is home early to let me do so.

Secret Service Secrets

2011-11-20T20:24:00.001-06:00

A friend emailed this to me today...very interesting stuff about the past 5 presidents!

Minnesnoooowta!!

2011-11-20T10:39:00.000-06:00

Friday night, around 5pm, Miss Colette learned how to ride her bike!!

She was so excited!!

Then Saturday morning this happened...

and it happened all day....

Now, this is where her bike is....

Bye bye bike...see you next spring!!

(it's actually supposed to be in the 40's the next 10 days, so bye bye snow!!)

Hello bike!!

We only live about 15 miles from Christine, and look how much more snow she got than us!!

Thankful Thursday!

2011-11-17T20:30:00.001-06:00

Thankful for programs like this one--if you missed my last post,

Here it is!

Something so easy, yet can mean so much!

Thankful for this little snacker, she's such a fun baby...and that's it,

I'm going to have to quit calling her "baby", she may be small, but

she's full of spunk and soon not going to be the "baby"

(can you hear me sobbing?)

Thankful for silly orange monkey faces!

Thankful for hot cocoa and cute ~~babies~~ big girls who can sip like the big kiddos!

She loved it, even though I insisted she wear a bib (she doesn't like wearing bibs)

Thankful for some reason, the mail order catalog people think we are rich and they send me

beautiful catalogs like this one so I can wish and dream of ordering

(they really are beautiful clothes)

Thankful that I think I can call myself "an expert" on the topic of lice

(I think I'm thankful for that)

It has been a very long, tiring week, full of laundry, and cleaning and hair treatments,

but we cut all our hair with the summer baseball helmet lice, so no one had to lose

12 inches of hair or anything (4 of us did in June)

and I knew exactly what to do first.

Thankful for cold November days...changing of seasons is good,

it's crisp, it's new, it's a sign of God's unending cycle of life.

Thankful for big sisters and little sisters...

Thankful this little girl didn't give up on her mama.

I promised her a "tea party" on Sunday...then, Lice happened, so no time for a tea party.

You see, to her, a tea party means

homemade cookies and lemonade,

which she gets to help make and serve.

I hope my girls remember these days and not the crazy screaming mama days!!

Thankful for little girls and purses!

I love this stage, she takes her purse everywhere, even outside to play,

It's along for runs all around the yard and on her bike and to the store!!

Thankful for Advent books for me, the mama!

I ordered these last year and loved them!

I can't wait to start them again.

I'm also attempting to start this one....Signs of Life--40 Catholic customs and their biblical roots!!

Our faith is totally bible based and it reminds me of Bishop Sheen's quote:

"There are not over 100 people in the U.S. that hate the Catholic Church, there are millions however,

who hate what they wrongly believe to be the Catholic Church."

Thankful for cute ~~babies~~ big girls doing puzzles in curly piggy tails!

Thankful, so thankful-

31 weeks today!!

6 weeks, 4 days left

(c-section scheduled Jan 3rd)

See? Big as a house--all over!

Next week, the appointments quadruple.

I have 2 ultrasounds

1 appt with the nurse

1 appt with my O.B.

4 appts per week, til the end....

when I'm not at the clinic, I'll be doing

laundry, and trying to stay on track with school!

Thankful Thursdays

A time to remember to be thankful

A pause in the week for praise,

thanksgiving and thinking positively

in addition to the normal daily praise

we need to give God.

Have a great weekend everyone!

Holiday Mail for Heroes 2011

2011-11-17T18:05:00.000-06:00

I saw this over at Rosary Mom and think it is such a great idea and only takes a few minutes and maybe a few extra prayers for our soldiers. Join us? For information and where to send your cards go to

The American Red Cross!

Prayer Request!

2011-11-16T09:17:00.001-06:00

Please send your prayers up for Sarah's soul and her sister Adela and all involved in this whole situation.

Read here

And then, go hug your kids and tell them how special they are!

The Laundromat

2011-11-15T15:02:00.002-06:00

You might wonder why my sweet little girl is sitting at the laundromat.

Well...I was there yesterday afternoon,

for about 2 1/2 hours doing a whole weeks worth of laundry.

Which, I have to say, was actually a pleasant experience.

It felt so good to come home with all the laundry done,

in one afternoon.

All caught up, right?

Not exactly.

I had been busy non stop washing sheets, bedding, blankets, towels, coats and hats

since Sunday morning

and

I'm still at it.

And will be still at it for the next 2 weeks.

Have you guessed it yet?

Yep.

My oldest daughter (who will remain nameless--haha)

likes to get together with her friends a lot.

And they do, you know, girl stuff...

like one thing they do is

each other's hair.

and

Sharing each other's brushes.

LICE

AGAIN

Sunday morning, I cried (and Sunday afternoon and Sunday night)

I prayed like this:

(not knowing how we got this again)

"Why? Why would You do this to us again?

OK,

Why would you allow this to happen to us again?"

And like this:

"Please show us where we got this, so we can prevent it!!"

It was driving me crazy not knowing the "where?" and the "how?"

Believe me, after the baseball helmet thing back in June, we have been careful.

And it's always in the back of my head.

(the thought of lice, not the lice)

What are the chances?

I do know there is one of my blogger friends who said they had it twice in 6 months....

I remember reading that and thinking, "wow, I hope that doesn't happen to us!"

It didn't.

It happened twice in 5 months!!!

Then, yesterday morning my daughter's friend's mother called and told us to be on the lookout for Lice,

because they found it last week.

I told her we've already looked out and found it and thanked her over and over for calling!!

We knew the source!!

Thank you God!!!

Thank you for letting me know the "where?" and the "how?"

But, I also caught myself praying like this:

"OK, I'll accept this if You heal my baby of the cleft lip and palate, in fact, I'll gladly accept it!"

And

then,

I pictured God and the devil and the

evil one saying

"Let's see if she's still smiling after this again!"

(hear the devil laughing?)

and God

confident, because He knows I'll accept this cross,

big and fat and tired and sore,

up half the night with coughing girls and

with a husband who makes the beds,

comes home early so I can rest (or go to the laundromat)

and brings home pizza for supper

(so I can do laundry and not cook supper)

He knows I love and accept Him and this baby and

will try to accept my cross happily.

That's the hard part

happily.

I might have blamed this oldest daughter for

"always having to play with someone"

and

I might have said

"it's all your fault"

I might have done that yesterday.

But

I have apologized and am now

working on that

"happily"

thing.

Prayers appreciated.

Very much so.

and

a side note:

we are very clean people, lice like clean hair, really, they do!!

Also: I do happily accept this baby no matter what!

Captain America and The Avengers!

2011-11-15T14:25:00.001-06:00

A couple weeks ago, my husband and I watched this movie!

I have to say, I was not as excited as him,

but

I was wrong!

It was great!!

I knew nothing about Captain America and I loved it.

(I have seen the Iron Man movies and he's one of the Avengers)

This was done really nicely and old fashioned too

(no sex)

(I might have to watch Thor...my husband did, I chose not to)

Captain America leads the Avengers....

Which is coming to theaters in May!

And the Winners Are...

2011-11-14T17:32:00.001-06:00

Taking Margaret's advice, I used RANDOM.ORG and came up with my winners:

Winner Number one:

Suzie!!

and
Winner Number two:

Tammie!!

I know Suzie's address, but Tammie, could you please email me your address?

(jamiejo99 (at) gmail.com)

I ordered from Hillside Education and am sorry to say, the books are backordered, but

She thinks they will be in this week, so the countdown to Advent begins (for me)!

Thank you all so much for playing along!!

Don't be shy, say "hi" much more often!

Happy Advent and if you didn't win, please order this great book:

Destination: Bethlehem

Hallmark Christmas Movies!

2011-11-13T14:45:00.000-06:00

They started early this year, but they have to in order to fit them all in.

I love them!

If you have the Hallmark Channel, check them out!

Thankful Thursday

2011-11-10T17:20:00.001-06:00

Thankful for the bright yellow that has

illuminated our living room these past couple weeks!

We had a couple windy days though now so, the leaves are all off the tree!

Thankful for our trampoline!!

I still say it's the best thing we've ever bought!

So sad, it must come down this weekend, before the snow flies

(which will be soon I think)

Thankful I went through all my tons of cookbooks, you know the ones

that tempt you at the checkouts?

I have a ton of them

And I rarely use them

But I would have bought more if I wouldn't have looked through these

to remind myself that I don't need any more!

Like these Holiday ones, I gave them all away, I've never used them!

Thankful for toddlers that still fall asleep in my arms....I love that, I cherish it.

(yes, that's my boob there)

Thankful for Amish Friendship bread!

The kiddos think it's the best bread they've ever had....

I'm making more, in fact tomorrow, but not so sure I'll keep it going.

(I don't like the bags on my counter all the time!)

Thankful our redneck birdbath is actually empty now....this right before we emptied it,

see the ice? It's been getting pretty cold overnight here in MN

Thankful for running kiddos all over the yard and through the leaves!

Thankful for these last days of fall, the bright sunshine and beautiful leaves to play in...

And Thankful for warm soup to have in the evenings!

(I just posted the recipe over on Kitchen Blessings)

Thankful for Lite Brite!! Now that it's so dark, so early, it's a fun thing for kiddos to play,

we've used up all the papers it comes with, but we use construction paper cut into squares and they can

either make their own designs and then poke them or make it random!

Thankful I didn't explode when this full Blueberry smoothie went crashing out of one of the kiddos hands

splashing all over my leg, and every cupboard in the kitchen, and down the hallway and onto the

kiddos new winter boots!!

I actually smiled and grabbed my camera...

What else could I do?

We are still finding spots we've missed,

Oh, and did I mention this happened 5 minutes before we had to leave for Band yesterday?

Oh, it did.

Thankful my wedding ring still fits...my ankles and feet you could pop with a pin though!

I didn't think I'd retain water in the winter....I was wrong...

(Oh, gosh, look at my dry wrinkly hands!! I have my dad's side of the family's fat farmer hands!)

Thankful for cute, warm hats and mittens on little girls and

Thankful Sweetie Pie loves wearing them this year!

Thankful my roses are still blooming, even though they've lost their leaves!!

Thankful mostly that this week is almost done, it felt like a Monday today!

I am thankful for happy, healthy kiddos, even if they are all stinkers and drive me crazy most of the time!

Thankful I have

only

7 weeks, 4 days left

til this sweet baby comes out!

Thankful Thursdays

A time to remember to be thankful

A pause in the week for praise,

thanksgiving and thinking positively

in addition to the normal daily praise

we need to give God.

A Book Review and My First Giveaway!!

2011-11-09T09:04:00.003-06:00

When author Sharon Altman contacted me about reviewing her Advent adventure book,

which she wrote with her daughter Christine Winkelman,

I started thinking about how rich our Advents are

and how much we, as Christians and Catholics do to prepare

for the infant Christ.

She had me very excited and I didn't have to wait long,

I received the book the very next day!

I've read about half of the book's 24 chapters

and

am stopping myself to start over and share with my children when Advent begins

(18 days to be exact I believe!)

The book has 24 chapters, which is perfect for each day in December leading up to

Christmas Eve, but, I need that extra time for those times when we might miss a day!
(so I'm starting when Advent begins)

This book was a delight.

The chapters are short enough to do every night and not feel pressured to "fit it in".

At the end of each chapter, the authors wrote a page called

"Travel Guide to the Past"

where they explain customs and facts about the era of time and geography.

It's really interesting.

Another thing I really liked was, at the beginning of the book,

The authors came up with a list of 24 items, one for each chapter,

to be wrapped up and opened each day.

The items are mostly found in your home,

or are very inexpensive.

(things like the camel from your Nativity set, or the sheep, dates, pistachios, a pear or an orange)

I'm going to quote here from the back of the book so you have an idea what the story is about:

"Two boys, Isaac and Jediah, experience adventure while traveling through ancient Palestine.

As their journey unfolds, the boys find themselves at the heart of the Nativity Story and gradually

realize God's greatest promise, the birth of the Messiah, is at hand."

I would like to giveaway 2 copies of this book to you readers

(my very first giveaway!)

Leave your name and how to contact you in my comment box.

(email info)

I will have a drawing on Monday, November 14 and post the winners here!

Last chance to enter will be Sunday evening, November 13th

(So, if you don't win, you'll have a chance to order in time for Advent!)

THIS IS NOW CLOSED!
THANK YOU FOR PARTICIPATING!!
I'LL POST WINNERS TOMORROW!

Since It's Turkey Month

2011-11-06T09:17:00.000-06:00

I post these every year, but they are just too fun to not post!

Mini Cornucopia's

I picked up our supplies at Walmart yesterday, this is all you need:

Fun and easy for the kiddos to make themselves!

And so pretty!

Just put a little frosting on the open end of the Bugle and then dip in the Fruity Pebbles!

Cornucopia: A symbol of food and abundance dating back to the 5th century. In North America it has become associated with Thanksgiving and harvest.

Mini Pilgrim Hats

These, too, are very easy!

Fudge Striped Cookies, (upside down)

Frosting

Peanut Butter Cups

I've also seen them with some kind of little square candy in the front of the hat...

but we only do this!

My Apologies

2011-11-05T07:51:00.001-05:00

I must apologize to my good friend Karla.
I made a generalization in my last post about Mormons.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints does not practice polygamy.

These "Sister Wives" are a break off of the mainstream Mormons.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saint's Church's statement is found here

I, know, far too well, that among churches, there are many break offs and those break offs still call themselves what they are not. The Catholic Church is no exception.

That is why I clarify myself, as being "Roman Catholic" meaning I'm with Rome on all things.

SO, I hope my friend accepts my apology, it was not my intent to hurt anyone!

Pregnancy Dreams!

2011-11-03T12:57:00.002-05:00

OK, we all know that when we get pregnant, we dream crazy dreams, right?

Well, I do.

I know it's because of the non-existent deep sleep that should be happening.

It's like we are always in that Rem dream sleep. (that's what it's called, right?)

The other night, I dreamed between "Pregnancy Butts"

that my husband was a polygamist

and I was a sister wife.

The other wives faces were blurred,

but all the feelings were there

as if it were real.

It was a nightmare.

HE'S MY HUSBAND!!

I guess I've been catching this show sometimes on TLC

It's called TLC, because it stands for "The Learning Channel"

Which should be good, right?

Well, what do you think of the show?

I like some things and hate some things.

I like the women,

I think doing the show is doing what they want it to,

it is making other people aware and maybe accepting of them.

Notice, I did not say "their lifestyle"

It seems to me it is more about the wives than the marriage.

I like these women, because they are loving, kind and wonderful mothers.

I could see myself actually being friends with them,

but of course, disagreeing with their lifestyle choice, I guess religion choice.

AND

they are women.

there is jealousy and confusion and lots and lots of tears.

I don't like that the show could potentially make others fall into this lifestyle.

I think these women and the husband are trying to live up to their faith.

I just think they are confused as to what the TRUTH is.

I am so very thankful that I believe in the Blessed Trinity

(Mormons do not)
(I must clarify also that the "Sister Wives" belong to a different sect, they are not
Latter-day Saint Mormons, who do not practice polygamy)

Jesus Christ is True God and True Man

That I believe in the One True God,

and

that marriage is sacred, between one man and one woman.

One with God.

Now, I made sure to tell Tom not to go marrying another woman, I'm not looking for a Sister Wife

and he, of course said,

"You watch too much garbage!"

Yes, I probably do.

"Dirty Dishes" by Scotty McCreery With Lyrics

2011-11-02T20:53:00.000-05:00

How did he know my life?

If I can relate to this, I'm sure many of you can too. I just watched this at Tiffany's and bawled my eyes out, all these overwhelming feelings suddenly feel so worth it, as I know they will be gone in the blink of an eye!

Attention: Towers Family!

2011-11-02T00:16:00.000-05:00

Towers Family
Renee at Second Chances knows you and really wants to get in touch with you!
(she saw you in my comments yesterday and can't comment on your blog)
I hope you two can re-connect!
How fun!!

Halloween/All Hallows Eve

2011-11-02T00:08:00.000-05:00

I made these cookies for Monday for our first party....bad recipe!!

Jedi loved them, but not many others did!

They are cute, though, aren't they?

Our daytime Halloween homeschool party

We played games

We ate food

Then the costumed kiddos and mamas walked to the local nursing home

where the cute old people there loved seeing them!

Look at this cute old lady looking at my pumpkin!!

Afterward, the kiddos walked back and gave oral reports, skits, and piano recitals

Oh, and some 5 year olds told 5 year old jokes (like my 5 year old)

You know....

"There was a deer, who ran across the grass...why?"

"To pick an apple!"

I wish all you non-homeschoolers could see all these homeschoolers,

they are certainly not unsocialized, they have no inhibitions,

they just get up and do it with such confidence!

Duh

There are no bullies to give presentations in front of

They are confident because they are in positive environments all the time.

(excuse my little dig for homeschooling and it's benefits)

( I really don't think everyone should do it, I'm just defending our decision to do so)

Onto the All Saint's party that evening...

We have St Maxamilian Kolbe

(I stayed up til 1am painting that jacket!)

St Veronica

(wiped the face of Jesus on the way of the Cross)

St Joan of Arc

Mary, Queen of all Saints

as she says:

"St Mary"

and Mary, Mother of Jesus

both littles lost their crowns and props in the van never to put them on again....

Sweetie Pie really liked this little puppy (St Bernard!)

who really liked her baby Jesus....

Jedi is in band and he and the other trumpet players played "Oh,When the Saints...Go Marching In..."

about 15 times while all the homeschool saints marched around the whole cafeteria...

It was a great night!

Usually our group has each family bring one carnival type game and we run it...

This year, the family that put it on, planned all the games and had mostly teens run them...

All we had to do was show up with our kiddos, bring some kind of finger food

and provide treats/prizes for the games!

It was really fun!

Happy All Saints!

Pregnancy Butt

2011-11-01T10:31:00.000-05:00

I never even heard of this nerve until I was pregnant with my 4th baby!

I call it "Pregnancy Butt"

Who knew you need your butt to walk?

It has started

Some nights when I get up to go potty (every 2 hours)

I am crippled

literally

I move the limp, painful leg and try to just keep walking

I say a prayer under my breath

I make it to the bathroom

I pee

I make it back to bed

Only for it to happen again next time I get up

Anyone else get "Pregnancy Butt"?

9 Weeks Left!!

Last Minute Fall/Halloween Stuff

2011-10-30T14:15:00.002-05:00

If you don't have much time,

and have to bring something to a party

or just want to do something fun with your kiddos,

this is the snack!!

SO easy,

just melt white vanilla chips, (2 bags)

dunk Nutter Butters (1 package) in the melted chips,

and add mini chocolate chip eyes and mouth,

let set for about a 1/2 hour

That's it!!

They were a hit!

I did the dunking, the girls did the chocolate chips

and it only took about a 1/2 hour to make.

You could use these for All Souls day this week too.

One party down, 2 more to go!

Strike that Ninja, we had Darth Vader instead.

(got the costume for like $6 last year, after Halloween, the pumpkin,wig and tiger were only a buck!)

(we painted the orange shirt with black stripes for a tiger a couple years ago)

We saw this Art project here and had to try it!

We used regular white paper and made sure to color the colors first,

so the black would not bleed into the colors

They turned out great!

Thankful Thursday

2011-10-27T20:00:00.000-05:00

Thankful this is one of those church photos I will be so very thankful I was pregnant at the time and someday will no longer look like this....You know, I'll look back and say, "Oh, look how big I was when I was pregnant"

(key word will be "was")

This was the best out of many, many poses, but the only one where no one had their eyes closed.

Hey, it was free.

Thankful my good friend, Susie, showed up last Thursday with this beautiful vase full of flowers,

I, shocked, said, "What is this for?" She said, "It's Thankful Thursday!"

Then, I didn't even do Thankful Thursday!

Thankful for our little homemade redneck birdbath.

We never did empty the kiddy pool and now the birds love it!

Thankful for bloggers with great ideas!!

Thankful for dress deals at Old Navy for my littlest

Thankful for pumpkin seeds and kids who eat them all in one day!

Thankful our Pro Life Kids Club Bake Sale raised over $1300!!!

Thankful for littles with messy marker hands, and chairs and tables and walls

and

Thankful for washable markers

Thankful for yellow sunshine shining through the yellow trees

Thankful for kiddos who will run and hold hands....

just so their mama can get a picture!!

Now that's love!

(I love the above picture!)

Thankful for my loud, messy, unorganized life at this time

full of sticky kisses, poopy diapers and lots and lots of laundry,

because,

when the day is done....

ALL THE KIDS GO TO BED!!

Thankful Thursdays

A time to remember to be thankful

A pause in the week for praise,

thanksgiving and thinking positively

in addition to the normal daily praise

we need to give God.

Men and Pillows

2011-10-26T14:09:00.003-05:00

We recently ordered this comforter set

(it looks much nicer in the ad)

This summer when we had our lice thing,

(boy, it was a looooong summer with lice and chicken pox and nausea)

We got rid of our extra pillows and ugly brownish/paisley swirly ugly bed set.

Literally, my husband threw it in the dumpster.

He hated it.

Did I say it was brown?

Just not our style.

As if we have a style,

because we don't.

I plan to paint the walls white and get white sheer curtains...sometime

It's going to bug me til I do
(our walls are brownish--brown-ish)

My husband has been spoiled since summer, with no extra pillows,

no extra blankets, just a sheet and our one blanket.

When this came

he was like "What do we need all those pillows for?"

"Do we have to put all those on?"

"Can't we just use the comforter?"

I told him not to worry, I will take care of all the pillows.

he's not the one who makes the bed anyway.

He also hates the pillows on our couch.

Because, I suppose, they are always on the floor,

and I'm always picking them up and putting them on the couch.

What is it with men and pillows?

Or is it just my man and pillows?

(Can you tell which side is my side of the bed?)

I like to read.

(My hubby's wires on the side there are all for his breathing/sleeping machine, IPod, alarm clock and lamp)

You'll Love This!

2011-10-26T11:40:00.000-05:00

David Garibaldi: Jesus Painting from Thriving Churches on Vimeo.

Ramblings...

2011-10-24T18:30:00.003-05:00

I think I finally got this whole blog thing fixed. Man oh, man....I just don't have time to mess around with things like this!! I had that old border forever!! I looked through backgrounds and backgrounds til I finally found this one....not sure I like it yet, then had to mess around with fonts and colors of texts....After looking at many, many different backgrounds, I did find my old one and bookmarked it...what do you think? Should I keep this one?

Should I go back to the old one?

Last week, I didn't do my Thankful Thursday post. (not even on Friday) I wasn't feeling thankful I guess. I was feeling, umm, "Why does God think I can handle all this?"

I am, inside, a very organized person. But living with 5 kids (soon to be 6) well, it's just messy. Maybe not messy for some, but messy for me. My kids don't leave all the toys in the toyroom, no, they bring them all over the house.

This basket is full of toys that I found upstairs, that "belong" (in my mind) downstairs, in their correct bins.

My girls don't care about correct toys in the right bins. They like to mix all the toys together and play.

They constantly bring toys into the school room...this drives me crazy, like a pet peeve....

Certain 5 year olds in my house like to tape things to the walls....lots of things....

With lots of tape

Everywhere I look, there are messes.

There are piles

There are piles of messes.

Which is the way it is with 5 kiddos,

but

last week, it just got to me.

I was crabby, naggy, irritable, I felt like a failure and I felt very inadequate.

Little Catholic Bubble wrote exactly what I so often feel.

All I can do when I feel like this, is

fall to my knees

and

beg for graces and mercy.

And

God, in His Goodness,

gives it to me.

(the graces and mercy, that is)

You see, Blogs have a way of showing only a portion of people's lives.

Usually only the good.

They tend to make someone else's life seem a little better, happier, easier or even

perfect.

My life is far from any of these.

After I have times where I feel like this, I always come out of it

feeling more patient and more confident

which is God's Grace.

This past weekend was our Pro-Life Kids Club bake sale,

which means last week, I baked and baked....

The kiddos made the beautiful donation boxes!

The kids raise money for Pro-Life Across America (The billboard people)

Local crisis pregnancy centers in town and pro life stickers to pass out at a local 4th of July parade.

10 Weeks left!!!

(but who's counting...me!!)

I had 2 appointments today (one more on Friday)

and the baby's heart rate was 131....hmmmmm haven't had a baby with a heart rate that low

since Jedi.....

I'm saving my husband lots of money, not knowing the sex though, because I don't buy things for the baby...

OK, well, I did buy one girl outfit and one boy outfit

I am in love already with our cleft lip/palate baby, and his/her lip.

The true miracle is that even though this is a "defect" it does not effect the health of the baby

At All!!!

Our baby is healthy and my doctor is very happy with how the baby is doing!

My doctor also told me that insurance will cover a breast pump...

Yay!!!

(I'll be pumping all the time)

We have our All Saints Party on Halloween this year,
All Hallow's Eve, the eve of All Saints Day!!

The kiddos are planning on being:

St Maximilian Kolbe

St Joan of Arc

St Veronica

Mary Queen of all Saints

Mary, Mother of baby Jesus

We also have 2 Halloween parties to go to, one on Friday evening and one on Monday day...

The costumes the kiddos picked are:

Ninja

Pop singer

(even though she doesn't even know any "pop" songs, or any "pop" singers for that matter)

Girl Pirate

Tiger

Pumpkin (my pumkin' is going to be a pumpkin!)

Which means I have lots and lots of costumes to put together)

I'll leave you with a review....

If you like the X-Men movies, you will love this one!!!

My husband and I watched this last night.

It was fun to see Xavior and Magneto as young men and see the starts of so many other

X-men heroes and villains.

Gotta go cook supper....

Happy Monday everyone!!

What?

2011-10-21T09:55:00.002-05:00

My flowers are gone on my blog.
Can you still see them?

There's this little thing that appears on the screen and scrolls as I scroll down,
it says "Bandwidth Exceeded" And something about Photobucket.

I also can't change my header picture.....

Does anyone know how to fix this?

The Beauty of the Rosary

2011-10-19T18:39:00.001-05:00

October is known as the month of the rosary.

I've written about it before,(click here)

I've wanted to write about it all month,

but

when I actually sit down to write it,

I just can't do it justice.

I have it all in my head,

I've prayed about it.

Bear with me, I'm not that good with words.

Here goes:

First of all, I've never had a problem with Mary.

She is the Mother of God.

Period.

I'm going to quote from the above book:

A Catholic boy from a parochial school was telling a university professor who lived next door

about the Blessed Mother. The professor scoffed at the boy, saying: "But there is no difference between her and my mother." The boy answered: "That's what you say, but there's a heck of a lot of difference between the sons."

(I love Bishop Fulton J. Sheen!)

It is because Our Lord is so different from other sons that we set His Mother apart from all mothers.

We did not make her different; we found her different. We did not choose Mary;

He did.

He goes on to say:

It may be objected: "Our Lord is enough for me. I have no need of her."

But He needed her, whether we do or not. And what is more important, Our Blessed Lord gave us His Mother as our Mother. On that Friday men call Good, when He was unfurled upon the Cross as the banner of salvation, He looked down to the two most precious creatures He had on earth:

His Mother and His beloved disciple John.

The night before, at the Last Supper, He had made His last Will and Testament, giving us that which on dying no man was ever able to give, namely, Himself in the Holy Eucharist.

Thus He would be with us, as He said, "all days unto the consummation of the world".

Now in the darkening shadows of Calvary, He adds a codicil to His will. There beneath

the Cross, not prostrate, as the Gospel notes, "stood" His Mother.

As a Son, He thought of His mother; as a Savior, He thought of us.

So He gave to us His Mother:

"Behold thy mother".

I believe that the closer we are to His Mother, the closer we are to her Son.

I believe she only magnifies our love for her Son.

She points to Him.

As I pray the rosary, my favorite prayer of all prayers,

I meditate on the life of Jesus.

Even the "Hail Mary" is all about Jesus.

Hail Mary, Full of Grace

The Lord is with thee

Blessed art thou among women

and Blessed is the Fruit of Thy Womb, Jesus

Holy Mary, Mother of God

Pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death

Amen.

Only 3 lines are even about Mary,

and those lines are taken directly from the bible.

The other lines are about Jesus

and US!

I didn't grow up praying the rosary.

My dad tried during lent to get us to kneel down after supper to pray,

but, I only remember it happening a few times.

He always led.

(I was a lukewarm Catholic and only did what I was "supposed" to do, not knowing the "why?" we do what we do)
When I went through my conversion

and figured out why we Catholics do the things we do,

and how important praying the rosary actually was,

I had to teach myself how to do it.

NOW, I must say, there is no correct way to pray, the only way to learn how to pray

is to DO IT!

I got one of these FREE CD's

and prayed along and learned the mysteries.

You can also learn here

I have rosaries everywhere,

not because I worship Mary,

they are to remind me to pray,

they remind me of Jesus.

Mary is purifying my prayers, as any mother would.

I always picture her in an old story I heard a long time ago, it goes something like this:

There was once a peasant man who had to go to the King to ask for something.

He had nothing to bring him, except some moldy fruit and an old basket to put it in.

He brought what he had.

When he knocked on the Palace door, the King's mother answered,

listened to his pleas, took his fruit, and told him to wait.

Now, the mother of the King knew him very well, she was his mother!

She knew what he liked and what he didn't.

She replaced the old basket with a shiny silver plate and put all his favorite fresh fruits on the plate,

she presented it to the King.

The peasant man is us

The King is Jesus

The mother is Mary

The old fruit and basket is our prayers before Mary

The fresh fruit on the shiny platter is our prayers purified by Mary for her Son,

FOR US.

The beauty of the rosary, for me, is that it always leads me to her

SON.

When I picture God, the Father, God the Holy Spirit, and

God the Son in Heaven,

I picture Mary the Mother of God there with Him.

Not His equal,

His Mother.

Isn't Mary the next closest person who would be there?

Why is she so hard for people to understand?

This post is waaaaaaayyyyyy tooo long and I've probably already lost everyone,

but, I just can't do the Rosary and what it means and it's beauty in a short fluff post,

like most of my posts are.

(OK, my Thankful Thursday posts are long, but come on everyone, they are fluffy)

If you've never prayed a rosary, or it's been a really long time,

I challenge you to order a free CD and try it.

See how it goes.

It can only lead you closer to her son.

St Jude Novena Starts Today

2011-10-19T11:22:00.001-05:00

This novena starts today!
Will you join me?
Click on the picture, it will take you right to the novena!

Remembering Father Darin Didier

2011-10-17T18:37:00.000-05:00

We went "half way" between Fargo and where we live and met up with good friends.

We decided to meet at Father Darin Didier's gravesite.

He died of cancer just 6 years ago, shortly after being ordained to the priesthood.

His memorial site is here.

If you click on "petitions" you can scroll down and actually hear his voice praying all 20 mysteries of the rosary, it's truly beautiful and brought tears to my eyes, just hearing his voice again.
I did write my petitions there, but it has not been updated yet.

Darin was a friend of ours.

He was really good friends with my friend Sarah.

Mary Hannah was a baby when he was ordained and received his powerful first priestly blessing,

as did I.
A few months later, he passed away.
You'd never even know he was suffering, he hid it and carried his cross.

There have been miracles and healings around his gravesite and through his intercession.

We love this baby I'm carrying, and no matter what accept God's will.

But

being Father's grave was so close,
I, as a mother, had to go.

His parents have 2 of these marble/stone benches with a petition container in between them,

holding holy oil, prayer cards and a petition book.

We all signed the book and prayed some prayers asking God to heal my baby through

Father Didier's intercession.

It was definitely holy ground we were on

Many Masses have been said there at his grave.

Priests from all over the world have been there.

We let the kiddos play there for a couple hours,

Ballerina Rosie has the magic touch with sweet little Juliette here.

Eva and my Colette...can you guess which one is older?

My daughter is 9 months younger!!

I love how no matter how long it's been between our meetings

The kiddos are just like Sarah and I,

picking up where we left off

We had a picnic and found this great tree at a local park

This is the only picture I got all 9 out of 10 kiddos in (Sarah has the baby)

What a great tree!

Sarah and have one of those "sisters in Christ" friendships,

I will treasure forever.

Father Darin Didier, Pray for us.

Thankful Thursday (on Friday)

2011-10-14T16:06:00.001-05:00

Maybe I should just call these posts "Thankful" since I'm always a day late (and a dollar short)
I found somewhere another Thankful Thursday thing, but I'm sticking with mine, no signing up, or linking, just enjoy and remember to be thankful for the little things! I first saw "Thankful Thursday" posts about 3 or 4 years ago, starting in the fall, leading up to Thanksgiving (which is on a Thursday). I liked it and decided to keep it up. I enjoy how it keeps me thinking throughout the week about things, I can be thankful for, even in the thick of things. (You know, 5 kids, pregnancy yucks, laundry, messes, etc...) At the end of the week, the thankful things far outweigh the struggles we have.

Here goes:

Thankful for littles and middles who still like to do Art with me!

Thankful for Friday French Toast!

(I always use cinnamon bread, which makes it really good. I've never used plain bread)

Thankful for Elmo toddlers jumping on the bed!

She loves Elmo, it's really cute.

Thankful she is better today, yesterday she had some kind of flu,

throwing up and coming out the other end too, and only wanted mama, all day.

(which is why this is on Friday, this week)

Thankful for girls in curls....

funny girls in curls.....

for girls who want curls....

and big girls who let me braid their hair once in a while...

Thankful for boys....with 4 ~~screaming~~ girls, do I need to say more?

Thankful for blooms in October....

Thankful for little moochers....

and big brothers who give in...

Thankful for puzzle messes....

Baby tummies (lower part of picture)

My tummy bumps into things all the time now, this was not taken on purpose, it just got in the way!

and pictures with arrows (I doodle arrows too, wonder why?)

Thankful for girls in PINK!

Thankful for 5 year old Kindergartners that can READ!!!!!

I took her words from her handwriting and put them into a book,

she was so excited to actually read them!!

Thankful for schooling on the porch this past week, with highs around 80...

Those days are gone I'm afraid,

but I'm thankful for that too...cooler days are great, us Minnesotans want our fall!

Thankful for meeting half way and seeing good friends this past week,

Even More Fall Art (OK, last one for today)

2011-10-14T15:36:00.000-05:00

Water paint paper anyway your kiddo (or you) wish

We used regular kid paint and water in a bowl to water it down for a brighter effect.

We also used watercolor paper, which turns out better, but regular paper works fine too.

Painting and snacking on nuts....

OK, mine is the middle one, I admit, I love Art.

I always wanted to be a Kindergarten teacher, because of the Art!!

(my first grader also loves these projects though....)

The top row is an example of an Art project gone bad, but turned out OK in the end.

I planned on the girls using Elmer's Glue to outline fall leaves,

which they did,

the next step, after it dried

was to water paint in between the dried glue part.

BUT

while I chased after my 2 year old busy body...

(gone for literally 2 minutes)

They had gotten out the glitter and ~~it was everywhere~~

and filled in the glue.

It turned out pretty anyway and we never did do it the way I had planned!

More Fall Art!

2011-10-14T15:26:00.000-05:00

Ripped paper trees!!!

Just rip construction paper, in fall colors...

Glue on paper!

Fall Art

2011-10-14T15:21:00.000-05:00

Just remember if I'm posting it,

It's easy!!

Paint on a paper plate,

Q-tips for painting...

Trace or draw tree with no leaves with pencil,

Then have the kiddos paint....

OK, mama likes to paint too...can you tell which one is mine?

Products I like!

2011-10-12T12:06:00.001-05:00

I found this stuff!!
It's Maybelline ladies!

I admit it, I have dark circles under my eyes....I have for the past year or so

(I am over 40--I take vitamins)

I love it!

One swipe under the eyes,

Dark circles gone!!

What I want for Christmas!

Jedi wants me to get this for Christmas too.

When he was little, he loved dinosaurs (which is why I know how to spell that word)

He knew every kind and how to say them

Every time we made cut-out cookies, we always had to make dinosaur cookies too.

Valentine hearts and dinos

Christmas cookies and dinos

Fall leaves and pumpkins and dinos

Turkeys and dinos

I know if I get this for Christmas, we will change that "dinos" word to Star Wars Cookies!

Anyone get Greek yogurt?

My husband and just found out about this stuff!

Super high in protein.

Delicious!!

I only like strawberry.

I'm kind of picky I guess.

Too expensive for the kiddos.

I think it's going to help with my weight loss after this baby!

(along with lots and lots of exercise of course)

Emotions

2011-10-10T13:56:00.001-05:00

Holy cow!

This is how my emotions feel

This is the first time I've felt this way

(well, since my divorce/annulment 17 years ago)

(oops, did that surprise any of you?--sorry)

Anyway....I have had 3 days over the past week and a half,

where I find my mind wandering and tears streaming down my face.

It's uncontrollable.

It's a sadness

Today is a good day.

Is it pregnancy hormones?

Is it because of the baby and the cleft lip/palate stuff?

I accept God's will

I love my baby with all my heart

I feel very blessed and know I am blessed

why the tears?

Example:

The other day, we drove somewhere and I saw a mama and her looked like 3 year old and baby in a stroller, walking to the park. I said to the kiddos in the van "Next year, mama will be walking everywhere, and we will walk to the park with our new baby in a stroller"

Happy thought, right?

Yes, it started like that

then, my mind wandered to

"How will I feed the baby at the park?

Or anywhere for that matter, where I can't warm up a bottle?
Tears streaming down my face.
Silent tears.
Uncontrollable tears.

Example:

After grocery shopping for about 2 hours at the local Super Wal-Mart with 2 kiddos, one of them being a screaming, 2 year old (screaming to get out of the cart almost the whole time, drinking most of my water out of my water bottle, then proceeding to puke it up)

(I remembered why I don't bring the 2 year old when I grocery shop...how could I forget?)

Unloaded the groceries into the van,

happy to be done.

As I'm driving out of the parking lot,

tears start streaming down my face.

Why?

I was only thinking how tired I was and how good it was to sit in the van,

how, I made it the whole time without going potty, either me or Mary Hannah,

and how I was going to have everyone help unload, I was too tired to do so.

It's uncontrollable, I tell you, uncontrollable.

Totally not me

(because I'm always in control)

(haha!)

Thankful Thursday

2011-10-06T21:16:00.000-05:00

Thankful for Our Lady of the Rosary, feast day Friday!

I have a love for the rosary, it's gotta be my favorite prayer.

I love how I can pray it anytime, anywhere.

I can think about Jesus's life while my fingers move across the beads.

We'll be making one of these Friday...

Too hot outside for a hot cocoa marshmallow rosary!

Thankful for Christine and her hand me downs for Mary Hannah, she loves all of the clothes!

Thankful for my good friend, Sarah and her family!

They stopped in on their way to the cities from Fargo.

It was way too short, but so nice to see everyone!

There's someone for everyone to play with when we get together!

(above, my sweet goddaughter, Eva)

I didn't get a picture of the baby...or sweet Sophia, who celebrates her birthday on

The feast of the holy Rosary!

Thankful for apple orchards...

and babies who keep trying to pick up those pumpkins...

Thankful for cuteness...

and fall colors

Thankful for babies on tables while we try to school...

Even though we have a school room, we tend to gather around the table in the kitchen to work.....

Thankful for the 2 oldest getting along enough this week to play Baseballopoly!

Thankful Thursdays

A time to remember to be thankful

A pause in the week for praise,

thanksgiving and thinking positively

in addition to the normal daily praise

we need to give God.

Thankful

my doctor set a C-section date for me!!

January 3rd, at noon!

Fall Leaves

2011-10-05T12:59:00.000-05:00

Don't forget to save some of those beautiful fall colors!

Miracles

2011-09-30T08:14:00.001-05:00

After watching videos, especially like this one, and many more videos on the Operation Smile

site, I've come to realize something.

I've been praying for a miracle.

For God to heal my baby.

I've been praying novenas, and rosaries and special mother's prayers.

Those are probably the things that have given me the grace to see what I've realized.

All these people in all the other countries, where many poor children have

cleft lips and palates, and wait in line with a ton of other children for a surgery that will change their lives.

A surgery that is described as "a miracle" by all who are able to receive it.

A surgery that is automatic here, in the United States.

A surgery that my baby will have at only 3 months.

My baby won't have to wait years and be mocked and shamed from school.

My baby won't have to wait all day with 100's of other children,

only to find out that there's no more time or money for his/her surgery.

My baby will have his/her's mother's milk, pumped and given to him/her in special bottles,

waiting there at the hospital for us to use.

Our baby won't die because there is no way for us to feed him/her

like so many cleft lip/palate babies in other countries.

We've already got our miracle.

We will witness our miracle with every surgery our baby is blessed enough to have.

We are part of God's miracle.

I cannot even contain all the excitement I feel

that God would allow us to be a part of something so big.

Today

2011-09-29T10:54:00.003-05:00

We had another ultrasound today.

The baby is healthy and constantly moving, actually he/she got the hiccups...

You know that was an "awwwww" moment!

They were able to tell a little more this time.

Our baby has a bilateral cleft lip and palate

We won't know how much of the palate is effected until birth.

I am happy to know ahead of time,

I will not be nursing.

I can prepare myself (and get all my tears out now)
Like, I can barely talk to anyone today without tears streaming down my face.

We do have a cleft lip and palate cranial center here in our town,

and I've heard wonderful things about one of the surgeons that is a

wonderful Christian man, who goes to Guatemala often and does surgeries on children

and is really good.

Just the fact that he volunteers his time and talent to do this tells me so much about him.

Our baby will have surgery around 3 months and then again around a year,

and I'm unclear as to when the next surgery will be after that,

yesterday, when talking with the cleft/palate nurse practitioner,

she mentioned that there would need to be a surgery between 5 and 7 years for

the adult teeth and something about using the child's hip bone and putting it in his/her mouth....

That was where I got information overload and well...

I just need to process this all first, then worry about the hip/mouth thing later!

The fluid around the kidney's was the same,

which was great, because now that the baby is

bigger, it is no longer a concern.

(although, they will check it again in 8 weeks with another level 2 ultrasound)

Just wanted to give you all an update.

Thank you for all your prayers, they are much appreciated.

Feast of the Archangels!

2011-09-29T07:11:00.001-05:00

I have another ultrasound today to check the fluid around the baby's kidney's, on this

beautiful feast day, the feast of the Archangels.

I am praying this novena for the baby
(and the St Therese Novena)

St's Michael, Gabriel and Raphael, pray for us.

We will have to make a devils food cake and pierce it with our sword toothpicks!

Saint Michael the Archangel,
defend us in battle.
Be our protection against the wickedness and snares of the devil.
May God rebuke him, we humbly pray;
and do Thou, O Prince of the Heavenly Host -
by the Power of God -
cast into hell, satan and all the evil spirits,
who prowl about the world seeking the ruin of souls.

Amen.

"180" Movie

2011-09-28T10:48:00.000-05:00

My thoughts after watching this are Pray, pray, pray. If you do anything today, please watch this. This is so worth your time. I promise.

Book Club Tonight!

2011-09-27T13:16:00.003-05:00

This is the book we chose to read this time

So far, I, personally think, it's one of the most boring books I've ever read.

Christine is in book club...what do you think Christine?

I'm hoping it gets better.

I'm excited to hear what the other ladies think and what they got out of the first part of the book.

We'll be discussing it tonite at our home....

I'm sure the book will get better especially with everyone else's opinions and takes on the book.

Picture this basement room with only the furniture, nothing on the walls, and the floor covered with blankets,

bean bags, slippers and sweaters here and there, oh, and balls and doll clothes.

That would be the "before"

I still need to bring in folding chairs and move back the air hockey table...
(click on the picture, you can see it a little better...above the tv, which gets no tv and is only used for video games, is a crucifix and a clock)

I cleaned all yesterday afternoon.

This room is used for video game playing on the weekends, the kiddos are allowed

1 hour each weekend day. Daddy likes to play too, so once in a while, they get extra time with him.
Mommy has never played.
(and never will)
OK, I tried a racing game once and could not stay on the tracks.
Forget that.

I only spent $5 (on the candle) to make this room a little homier

I added flowers from around the yard and pictures I had not hung up yet

and a wreath a friend gave me for my birthday...

vacuumed the scraps of paper all over and dusted!
The girls wanted to know why we didn't do this sooner!

I hope it's homey enough for all the ladies...

Dreaming....

2011-09-26T20:23:00.000-05:00

Of thinner days....

Can anyone guess where this picture was taken?

There might be a prize...maybe a toy shark or something...

Sorry for the pictures of pictures...found these 2 last night and have been ~~thinking,~~

no, ~~dreaming,~~ no, wondering...if I'll ever be thin again.

Do I Dare?

2011-09-26T20:19:00.000-05:00

Do I even dare re-plant this plant I got for my birthday?

I'm not good with houseplants

See the yellow leaf?

It's already dying

If I re-plant it, it might live maybe a month...is it even worth it?

Thankful Thursday (on Friday)

2011-09-23T15:23:00.000-05:00

Thankful for St Therese paper dolls from a friend, whose daughter already cut out!

The girls played these all weekend!

Thankful it's actually Friday!

After not so a great week at school....let's just say the older kiddos just aren't liking

the more work thing, that the 2nd month of school brings.

We had to lay some ground rules and make a schedule.

I'm not that great at schedules...especially when I have to get up earlier.

Thankful for girlies who love to play in the dirt...

Thankful always thankful for cuteness...

Thankful for fall Sedum growing....

Thankful for babies who love babies and hugging and snuggling,

I still rock this baby to sleep for her naps.

OK, she's not really a baby, she's 2 now...but, but, she's such a baby to all of us still!

I can't resist, she loves it and she goes to sleep usually within

5-10 minutes.

She'll probably only be napping for another year or so....soaking all that love in while I can!

Thankful for my favorite kitchen tool....the hamburger masher!!

My husband likes his hamburger mashed into smaller pieces,

I grew up with bigger chunks of meat I guess and learned to do it that way.

I really like using this tool and he likes it too!

Thankful I finally got a new can opener!!

After making chili a couple weeks ago, and opening all those cans of beans,

I realized it probably was my opener that was bad, not opening the cans very good at all!

It's actually been like that for years. Terrible, I know!

I looked in the store and new ones are only like $6.99!!

Now, my cans open very nicely.

Why didn't I do that sooner?

Thankful my kiddos love these ~~very healthy~~ very quick and easy ramen noodle soup cup thingy's

Makes for a very quick lunch!

Thankful....OK for more cuteness...

Thankful for dried up hydrangeas that still look beautiful on the table...

and 2 little blooms I found the other day and put in my window, a little bit of summer leftover...

OK Thankful for a little more cuteness...

Thankful for big brothers who love their baby sisters and

baby sisters who love their big brothers!

Thankful I got tired of no bangs and at a weak moment cut some!!

Ahhhhhhhhhh!!!

Thankful they didn't turn out too bad!

Thankful for this clay pot from Jedi's friend, John, what a sweetie to give this to me!!

Thankful for our fall trees and for fall weather to enjoy...

And since it's fall, Thankful my husband let me order some much needed HUGE maternity clothes online.

They came in yesterday.

I think I ordered a size too big, but it's hard to tell how big I'll be in December!!

Thankful after taking the kiddos to Tae Kwon Do and getting out of the van,

and stepping right on a scooter,

(that was not put away)

(I admit it, my kids don't put their outside things away!!! Their idea of putting it away is somewhere in the garage...hence the scooter right outside my van door)

I didn't break my leg!!!!

I actually cut my big toe (I have a really big big toe, I know)

on the bottom, really, really bad, there was blood everywhere, literally.

All that kept going through my head

(besides the kiddos MUST clean this garage up this weekend)

was Thank God I didn't break my leg again.

(I know, I shouldn't be wearing flip flops, but if I hadn't been, I figure I might have actually re-broken my leg)

Because the toe was open, it caught the scooter and ripped.

Thankful Jedi is going to his first homeschool youth group meeting tonite!

They are going to make rosaries for the missions and have a huge bonfire and play outside games in the dark!

I made these bars found in my newest Taste of Home magazine

Make them like Rice Krispie treats,

but use these ingredients

and add 3 TBSP peanut butter to the marshmallows while melting them!

Perfect for fall...

You thought I was kidding about all those appointments?

Here they are!!

(it's actually on 2 pages)

I have 32 to be exact starting Oct 3rd.

It actually doesn't get too bad til the week of Thanksgiving, then I will be there for

3-4 appts/week, they combined some of them on the same days.

Thankful for these appointments, it is to monitor the baby and me and that is so important!!

It is so worth it.

Thankful for perfect bananas!!!

with the cooler weather, the bananas are lasting a day or two longer!

Our local grocery store has them lined up right by the registers, so they are so tempting and

I really love that they do that!

It's so much better than something else they could put there!

Thankful for remnants of summer....

And Thankful for fall all around!

Thankful Thursdays

A time to remember to be thankful

A pause in the week for praise,

thanksgiving and thinking positively

in addition to the normal daily praise

we need to give God.

St Padre Pio, pray for us

Rosario, a longtime reader, has a Tupperware give away, visit her today!

God bless you, have a great weekend!!

We have church pictures tomorrow....trying to coordinate 7 people to look semi match.

I don't like to do the typical all jean people or all white shirt people...

so the 2 youngest are in rainbow shirt dress thingy's and the 2 oldest girls will be in purple

and the rest will be in black.

We'll see how that goes!!!

Thankful this long post is over.

Pregnancy

2011-09-21T10:21:00.001-05:00

I'm fat
I've gained way too much weight already (like 28 lbs and have a little over 3 months left)
My back hurts
I can't sleep
I have absolutely no energy, even to walk across the room, seems too much.
The stairs are breathtaking now. (as in, they make me breathless to climb them)
My lap is disappearing
I have no winter prego clothes ~~that fit me, last time I was pregnant in the winter, I was 60 lbs less~~
No nesting happening here, I'm too tired
I leak
Anyone else ever leak when pregnant?
Not just when I laugh, it just happens, I leak when I'm pregnant.
I gotta wear those little liners every day
I'm getting too big for, um, let's call it "nighttime romance"
I have around 30 appointments scheduled for the next 3 months and that's just for me,
that doesn't count dentist, eye doctor and doctor appts for the kiddos that I need to make
I'm tired of having low blood sugar all the time
I'm tired of the 8-10 testings I need to do every day and 5+ shots and adjusting my rising insulin every week
I'm trying so very hard to not worry about the future surgeries this baby is going to need
I'm trying to not worry about whether I will be able to nurse or not, no matter what, this baby will get mama's milk
Funny how this 9 months is the longest, hardest of all, yet, the first 9 months of that baby's life, will fly by!
Baby
Baby
Keep your eyes on the prize
It's that baby that keeps me going,
it's that baby that makes it all worth it.
It's that baby that makes us all forget all the pains of pregnancy.
This sweet, little, innocent soul, and his/her angel are with me all the time
and that makes me happy.
so very happy.
With every kick and pain, I'm reminded of something bigger than me
So very blessed and honored to accept God's glorious gift
So blessed indeed
So very blessed.

The good far outweighs the bad!!!
The good is what keeps us going, isn't it?
I'm doing great everyone, really, I am!

Photo Contest

2011-09-21T09:53:00.000-05:00

I decided to enter another photo contest!

These are so fun!

Photo contest hosted by Johanna Grace

called

Sky, meet Earth

I actually took this picture last fall,

The kiddos picked this picture of my many pictures,

because that is our van in the background.

I couldn't decide which picture to enter

and they had such a simple way of deciding,

I had to go with it!

Reflections...

Marble Painting!

2011-09-19T19:34:00.000-05:00

Well, Colette waited so patiently all week and did finally get to marble paint on Friday!!

She picked the colors....I knew she'd pick yellow with something, oh, what a surprise!

Yellow and pink.

(her favorite colors, in that order)

First, dip the marbles in paint, as many as you want, we used like 5 I think...

Then, place your paper inside a box, and drop the marbles in with a tweezers, and roll them around!

If you are nice big sister, you will then, show you little sister how it's done!!

And your beautiful artwork will brighten the house!