Tuesday, September 29, 2009

GOOD NEWS...BAD NEWS...

I am embarrassed to even give anymore health updates, but here goes. After my incision leaked Sunday night...I was actually feeling better. Monday I went 13 hours fever free! Then come bedtime my chills/hotflashes and fever returned. The good news is they stopped at 2AM in the morning, being the first night in a week they didn't last all night. Woke up Tues feeling good and still fever free! Went to OB at 1 pm for 2 week check up and was told all was well, she squeezed more drainage out of incision and said it looked good. Still no fever and permission to drive!

Left there to take baby to get weighed and check bowels (hadn't pooped in 5 days). Weight was the same for the week...(better than losing), especially after all I had gone through this week. So I will be fattening him up this week. Then the doctor put on gloves put Vaseline on his pinky and gave my baby a little help to loosen his stools. As soon as he pulled his finger out...presto, poop problem solved.

Off to home still feeling good. Then a half hour later my wicked hot flashes/chills came back with my fever. So off to bed feeling like I had all week. Now I have a persistent cough to boot...not sure if I got it from my body temp changing so much ,or picked up a germ at the ER???

It is night and my fever is lower, so good news is coming...I just know it!!!

THY WILL BE DONE!!!+JMJ+

TOY REVIEW TUESDAY: join in...


LITTLE TYKES GROCERY CART...

how can any kid turn one of these down??? In the past 19 years we have had about six of these carts...I can say that the metal ones aren't as strong as the Little tykes ones, and the cheap ones are a waste of money. I would say kids one to seven can still enjoy these fun toys.

THY WILL BE DONE!!! +JMJ+

Monday, September 28, 2009

THEY SAY THIRD TIME'S A CHARM...


Hello all it is Monday afternoon and I have been fever free today!!! Still in bed, but feeling better. Yesterday was hopefully the last of my crazy Postpartum trip. I was feeling good and even got out of bed and ate a great dinner, was so happy that I hadn't had a fever for hours (a new record) and asked someone to hold the baby while I went to the bathroom. When I went to the bathroom reddish stuff started to squirt straight out (sorry for the detail) of my stomach like a geiser...where the incision was (a pin hole), I almost freaked out. Called Rob, he called his mom and we grabbed the baby and our already packed bag from the previous visits to the ER this weekend. I had been watching a bump on top of my incision for infection, three doctors checked it on Friday night at the ER, and it seemed fine...well it burst or should I say squirted.
You know it's bad when you walk into the ER and the nurse behind the check in desk say's, 'aren't you the lady with the 11 day old? You are looking better today." The doctor who checked me out is hopeful that is where my infection is/was and thinks this is a good thing it drained it self... So they sent me home watching it.


Never a dull moment...and it was like watching the exorcist, but today has been a great day...


THY WILL BE DONE!!! +JMJ+

MOVIE REVIEW MONDAY...




WOLVERINE: I though tit was creepy, gory, and very violent. I even had to close my eyes a bunch of times. But when you have been in bed for10 days and are lonely for your hubbies company---you'll watch anything to spend time with him+++
So-I guess teens and above.
SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON: Absolute classic!!! We have been watching this for over 10years!!! I think the kids could watch it once a month and never get sick of it!!! Maybe the little guys would be afraid of the pirates (not too scary).
We also love the audio tapes that are read by the author-some think it is too old fashion,but my kids love it!!!
THY WILL BE DONE+JMJ+

Saturday, September 26, 2009

A mom in labor...

Please pray for Ann who is in labor...

Thy will be done!!!+JMJ+

HOME!!!

Thanks for all your prayers...I went to the ER at 5 because my fever went to 104...of course once I got there it dropped down and I felt fine. My husband and I really thought they were going to admit me this time...but as the doctor said...I am a "PUZZLE" no other problems besides this fever and the chills/hot flashes...they did decide that the urinary track infection was getting worse...even thou I could feel no side affects to even having a UTI!!! Weird, they think that maybe when I got a catheter for the c-section it caused some problem and just took a while to show signs. They checked me like crazy and even did a sonogram to see if someone left something behind...all clear. They sent me home telling me to keep up the antibiotics and let my body fight the infection. THANKS AGAIN FOR THE PRAYERS+++

THY WILL BE DONE!!! +JMJ+

Friday, September 25, 2009

ARE YOU SICK OF ME YET???

5PM Friday heading back to ER fever getting higher again+
THY WILL BE DONE!!! PRAY FOR ME!!! +JMJ+

MENOPAUSE IS GONNA BE A HOOT!!!

Ouch-I am such a baby...the poor nurse. This was killing me...especially trying to nurse my babe one handed.

Tues had Kolbe.

Was home healing slowly, staying in bed...being pampered...

Saturday started showing signs of a low grade fever, no flu like symptoms, no soreness in chest or stitches.

Just weird hormonal sweats that make your clothes wet and out of controlled hot flashes!

Then when that subsides...the crazy chills start-so I hop into a burning shower for about 15min then start on the mother's milk tea.

Then we start all over again...

So Wed went to midwife's to leave a urine culture and get swabbed. They put me on antibiotic (please Lord no thrush) till they figure out what is going on.

Thurs. urine came back fine...fever got worse.

Thurs. 11pm midwife convinces us to go to the ER...wah!

Friday early in the ER...they decide that I have a rapid growing urinary track infection, and maybe something else. They will call when all my blood work comes back. Then they give me a stronger antibiotic.

So here I lay...day 10 in my bed going crazy as my kids and my house somehow survive thanks to my husband, mother in love, and teenagers!!!

Sorry gotta go the hot flashes are starting..

THY WILL BE DONE!!! +JMJ+ (Wahh, wahh!!!)

Thursday, September 24, 2009

Small Success Thursday...


My small successes this week are:


1. Stayed in bed all week (boring!!!)


2. Wrote 10 thank you cards...a big deal, I am so bad about this...so Thanks to all of you that I forget to tell you how much I appreciate what you do for our family...especially the prayers!!!


3. Shaved my legs...really tricky after a c sectioin and not very well but it is like summer here and I had to try!!!


4. Made party bags for my soon to be six year olds party this Sunday.


Share your Small Successes here!!!


THY WILL BE DONE!!! +JMJ+

Tuesday, September 22, 2009

TOY REVIEW TUESDAY: join in...

NOT MY BABY...


BOPPY PILLOW: pretty much the only thing I have used this week with my newborn. Used it for him to lay in and on my lap around my waist to protect my c section and bring baby up.

Don't buy one (unless it is a gift)...I have had about seven different ones...my girlfriends and I just pass them around since you don't use them too long and they are big.

THY WILL BE DONE!!! +JMJ+

FAVORITE BABY GIFTS...

IN APRIL I BECAME A MOTHER TO FIVE TEENAGERS...SO MY GIRLFRIEND GOT ME THIS...
IF YOU CAN'T SEE THE BOTTOM...IT SAYS MOVE OUT, GET A JOB, PAY YOUR OWN BILLS, DO IT WHILE YOU STILL KNOW EVERYTHING!!!




THIS IS FROM MY OLDEST DAUGHTER...IT IS CALLED THE DIRTY DOZEN...she was especially excited that it had 7 boys and 5 girls!!!


THY WILL BE DONE!!! +JMJ+

Monday, September 21, 2009

WHO WILL WIN THE FIGHT???

BABY E: AGE 2???

AKA: HUNTER: THREE YEARS OLD???
WHEN YOU ARE SIX DAYS POST PARDUM WITH STITCHES AND A SORE TUMMY, YOU WILL DO ANYTHING TO NURSE IN PEACE. SO AS I TRIED MY FIRST DAY OUT OF BED AND SAT ON THE COUCH TO NURSE MY NEW BABE...I WATCHED IN AMAZEMENT AS MY TWO AND THREE YEAR OLD ROLLED, JUMPED, WRESTLED FOR ABOUT A HALF HOUR, LIKE A BUNCH OF BABY TIGERS!!!I WAS SO HAPPY TO NURSE IN PEACE!!! SOMETIMES US OLD MOM'S DO ANYTHING FOR A MOMENT OF PEACE!!!
THY WILL BE DONE!!! +JMJ+

SHOULD I BE WORRIED???


It has been a long week...last Monday at this time I was in labor, my husband was with me every gripping step!!! He not only has had to take care of the other nine kids, but especially me and the baby. Come to think of it; the two who don't live here, have taken some brain space...buying plain tickets to come home, and answering my daughter's cooking questions as she experiences her first year in an apartment. (yes-she asks her dad-the cook)


So this morning after a very long sleep deprived week...he got to go to work!!! In our 20 years of marriage I have never seen him so happy to go to work. As I watched him leave I noticed a very large suitcase hidden in the bushes and he sped away;) Little does he know I have tracking devices in all his running shoes for times like this!!!


I will sit here on the couch counting down till four when my baby will be back home to take care of me and the baby!!!


THANKS HONEY-I TOTALLY APPRECIATE ALL YOU DO FOR US!!!


THY WILL BE DONE!!! +JMJ+

Sunday, September 20, 2009

Sunday's Gospel...

Mark 9:30-37

Jesus and his disciples left from there and began a journey through Galilee, but he did not wish anyone to know about it. He was teaching his disciples and telling them, "The Son of Man is to be handed over to men and they will kill him, and three days after his death he will rise." But they did not understand the saying, and they were afraid to question him. They came to Capernaum and, once inside the house, he began to ask them, "What were you arguing about on the way?" But they remained silent. They had been discussing among themselves on the way who was the greatest. Then he sat down, called the Twelve, and said to them, "If anyone wishes to be first, he shall be the last of all and the servant of all." Taking a child he placed it in their midst, and putting his arms around it he said to them, "Whoever receives one child such as this in my name, receives me; and whoever receives me, receives not me but the one who sent me."

God is so good to me...Sunday morning I was blessed to be brought communion. As I was listening to the above gospel, I tried hard to concentrate, I had tears in my eyes at the thought of Jesus coming to me. Then reality hit as I heard my four younger boys playing up stairs above me...all I could hear was the nine year old yelling..."Luke, Luke, I am your father!" They were playing star wars with the two year old...then I heard the three year old riding a truck in the other room pushing the buttons that made it sound like a mac truck backing up...

"Whoever receives one child such as this in my name, receives me; and whoever receives me, receives not me but the one who sent me."

Ok, Lord I will!!!
THY WILL BE DONE!!! +JMJ+

Friday, September 18, 2009

The Labor story...viewers discretion advised!!!


Labor story:
Sunday 13th (10 days late) started to lose plug!!! Finally something is happening!!!


Got my birthing room all set, bed double made, and stuff lined up for midwifes.

10:30 pm contractions started. Four minutes apart one midwife on the way around midnight and other is coming soon. Went for walk with midwife, husband left sleeping, college age daughter sees on facebook that midwife is coming calls and wakes up father to see I am gone, midwife stuff is here and door open. I am six centimeters; contractions stay four minutes apart with no progression. Other midwife is here and decides to sleep. I try some midwife tricks and a nap. Wake up around 6:30 and kids go to grandma’s thinking Monday is a good day to have a baby, kids all settled and house is quiet. Start walking again, resting, rocking, bouncing, hopping, showering, squatting, Spiderman crawl upstairs, and other tricks…nothing working. Four in the afternoon, I start pushing hard. Push for about two hours, no progression. Very uncomfortable, start pushing again, about 9 cm and I break very strong water…thinking baby will just come down…bad news baby is very happy in bad position. Coming brow first and once water breaks he jumps back up, making me 6cm again!!! I am totally spent and done at this point!!! Lost all strength, physically and mentally!!!

Midwifes have a meeting and decide I have a couple of options:
1. Go to hospital to get epidural and relax
2. Go to hospital and have a c section
3. Go to sleep and try later


It is like 9pm and I totally want to go to hospital and be knocked out and cut open!!! I don’t think they believe me because we drive to hospital-very, very, uncomfortably, with my water dripping all over me, the car, and the emergency room. My sister and midwife come too. They meet with the hospital midwife and they all decide I should take some drugs and relax so I can push later…I am screaming at everyone I see to put a mask on my face, knock me out, and cut this baby out of me. Baby is so happy in weird position, they think I really just need to rest and push later…hump-I have some sensations to kind of push and they cheer me on…I am not impressed, I just want to be cut open. I pretend about 3 more pushes, I am 10 cm dilated but baby is not coming down. They try to break the news to me and tell me I need a c section-duh!!! Hurry up. It is midnight and around one I am cut open, Baby Kolbe is out, I totally want to nurse him…dad is holding him, he screams for about 45min they stitch me back up bring me to my room and I nurse my baby!!! The nurses come in and tell me it is time to take him to the nursery…I say sorry I just got him and don’t want him to have any testing anyway…but they think that being 9lbs 11oz he should have supplements…I laugh-say he is my 12th baby and my last one was 11 lbs!!! They look at me with total surprise, smile and leave. They come back in the morning and take him with daddy for about 45min. I feel like it is endless…ready to come home…stay all day, Rob brings some of the kids…bed is crinkly, pillow scratchy, hospital loud, people keep coming in, I have allergic reaction to duramorph medicine and am itching like crazy…finally take Benadryl, not knowing my itching will get worse…take double dose later, nurses are kind and shocked by me…laugh that there are wanted posters of me around the hospital, because I am so “different” , hence the home labors…8pm have some more guests…sad that hubby will leave me alone with the baby and feel great. Ask over and over again for doctor to come talk with me. Pediatrician checks the baby out and he is great. Nurse comes in and I tell her I want to sign release for me and baby to leave…she is in shock and tries to talk me out of it. Sends in two doctors, I explain that my two midwives have scheduled to visit me for the next two days. I go home. Everyone is mad at me, I have tons of help here and my hubby changes diapers, carries me to the bathroom, and is very helpful. Then my pain med wears off and I am in a ton of pain, I start ibuprofen and alternate with Tylenol. I start feeling better in the morning, very sore tummy. The more I empty my bladder the better I feel.

So it is Friday now…both midwives have come. I am doing fine…still in bed for awhile. My five year old thinks I got it made, “mom everyone is cooking and cleaning for you!!!” My milk came in…lovely new pain.


So much for my beautiful labor story…it is because I am pleased to have this beautiful gift from God next to me. I guess I never should of posted this.

I am so blessed...we have never had so many people praying for us...priest, nuns, seminarians, sisters, families, and friends, as well as total strangers!!! It could of been totally worse!!!

THY WILL BE DONE!!! +JMJ+

Thursday, September 17, 2009

Small Successes Thursday...


Is it Thursday? It has been a long week...

1. had baby

2. not totally disappointed it ended in a c section

3. appreciate my amazing husband and all the family and friends who have been helping out

See more successes here.
Thy will be done!!! +JMJ+

Tuesday, September 15, 2009

He's here!!!

Yes its a he. My hubby was wrong. after 24+ hours of labor we ended up in the hospital with a C-section at 1am today. His name is Kolbe Peter and he's 9 pounds and 11 ounces

Monday, September 14, 2009

No Baby yet

Labor continues...Sam is doing great....

rob

Sunday, September 13, 2009

Midwife on her way...please pray!!!

Thanks for the prayers...I hope things go well-keep you updated!!!

THY WILL BE DONE!!! +JMJ+

I THINK I MAY BE HAVING THE BABY SOON...

PRAYERS FOR ME...I am 10 days late, have had no signs of baby coming...Today I think things are finally starting!!! No contractions yet.
Thank God, my spirits are really dwindling!!! Pray for me, very scared, nervous, and anxious!!!
THY WILL BE DONE!!! +JMJ+

DISAPPOINTED IN MEDIA TAKING OVER...


I have to admit in the past two years I have gone media crazy...Two years ago, I didn't know what a blog was. I now know how to blog (kinda), how to cut and paste, how to find pictures on line, and how to do things I never knew possible. I appreciate the Internet and all it has provided my family...but, lately two things have really affected our family.

The first thing that upset me was that I spent four months looking for a girls teenage catholic magazine for my daughter's 15Th birthday...when I couldn't find one I looked for the magazine my older daughter enjoyed called BRIO. At this time I couldn't find any...and BRIO went to an online magazine. To use my 19 year old's word's, "what is the sense of reading a magazine on line-magazines are for taking with you in the car, on the beach, or to the pool!" My sentiments exactly!!! I did finally find True Girl under a different link, ordered that...will let you know how it turns out!!!

The other disappointment is our evening ritual for the past 13 years has been to rush upstairs to listen to 7pm Adventures in Odyssey!!! The Christian radio station has changed it's programing and doesn't play Adventures in Odyssey anymore...because now you can go here and listen to the shows on line. When I called to complain, they said just have your kids listen to it online...well, my kids don't have computers in their room, and family time sitting around the computer just doesn't seem the same!!! There still is a Christian Radio station that plays it at 8pm...not part of our regular schedule, but we will deal with it.

Oh well, I will learn to deal with it and somehow we will survive!!!

THY WILL BE DONE!!! +JMJ+

Friday, September 11, 2009

I WON'T DO IT!!!

I got pregnant in December...I wear maternity clothes right away...it is just easier and more comfy...so I wore them in January!!! So, I wore all my winter clothes, then my spring clothes, than all my summer maternity clothes!!! Well, the weather has been beautiful here lately, but getting chilly...my summer clothes are not warm enough. I stood in front of my closet trying to find something to wear yesterday...and just couldn't bring myself to go to the attic and get out my fall maternity clothes!!!
I mean I am eight days late...I just won't do it!!!
Please continue to pray for me and my family as we prepare for labor and our new babe!!!
THY WILL BE DONE!!! +JMJ+

Favorite Books for Friday...


PANDA CAKE and FERDINAND (check out the amazon price for Ferdinand-$457!!!)

Some oldies but some goodies!!! Don't know if you are the kind of person who keeps library lists of new or old books to enjoy...I have been reading these to kids for over 20 years!!! To my own sweeties and when I did child care.

Another great reason to have lots of kids!!! It is great to revisit these great stories over and over!!! Today when I was reading them the "middle kids" were chiming in with the story!!! Gotta love the family classics!!!

THY WILL BE DONE!!! +JMJ+


Thursday, September 10, 2009

My husband thinks he's funny...

Check this out!!!

Small Success Thursday...



I am really pushing the success thing this week...


1. Started school on Tues., went really well.

2. Cleaned half of the refrigerator out
3. Got to 6:30am daily mass this week

4. Found and am wearing my green scapular*

* Dominic Savio (one of our favorites)

His mother's pregnancy:
On September 12, 1856, Dominic asked John Bosco permission to go home, saying that his mother was ill, though he had received no communication. Dominic's mother was then expecting a baby and was in great pain, and when Dominic reached the house, he hugged and kissed his mother, and then left. His mother felt her pain leave her and Dominic's baby sister, Catherine was born. The women assisting at the birth found that Dominic had left a green scapular around his mother's neck. His sister Theresa later wore this same scapular when she was in labour. She testified that it had been passed around to several other pregnant women and was later lost.

So maybe Sept 12th will be the day???

THY WILL BE DONE!!! +JMJ+

Wednesday, September 9, 2009

I'm Late for a very important date...


I wish I could run around like the rabbit from Alice in Wonderland!!! At this point I am pretty much waddling and complaining everywhere I go.

My real official due date was the 3rd...we told everyone Labor day, to give me some extra slack. It is the 9Th and no news, no signs, no baby!!!

Why is it bothering me so much this time? I am always late...I had my second 15 days late and my fifth 19 days late...this time I am so done, it's not a pretty sight!!!

Then when I finally do go into Labor...I will be freaking out about the pain...what a brat I am!!!

So lift up a little prayer our way...especially for my hubby and kids...I keep snapping at everyone.

THY WILL BE DONE!!! +JMJ+


Imitation of Christ-Meditation of the day...

The Fifty-Fifth Chapter
THE CORRUPTION OF NATURE AND THE EFFICACY OF DIVINE GRACE (part one)


THE DISCIPLE
O LORD, my God, Who created me to Your own image and likeness, grant me this grace which You have shown to be so great and necessary for salvation, that I may overcome my very evil nature that is drawing me to sin and perdition. For I feel in my flesh the law of sin contradicting the law of my mind and leading me captive to serve sensuality in many things. I cannot resist the passions thereof unless Your most holy grace warmly infused into my heart assist me.

There is need of Your grace, and of great grace, in order to overcome a nature prone to evil from youth. For through the first man, Adam, nature is fallen and weakened by sin, and the punishment of that stain has fallen upon all mankind. Thus nature itself, which You created good and right, is considered a symbol of vice and the weakness of corrupted nature, because when left to itself it tends toward evil and to baser things. The little strength remaining in it is like a spark hidden in ashes. That strength is natural reason which, surrounded by thick darkness, still has the power of judging good and evil, of seeing the difference between true and false, though it is not able to fulfill all that it approves and does not enjoy the full light of truth or soundness of affection.

Hence it is, my God, that according to the inward man I delight in Your law, knowing that Your command is good, just, and holy, and that it proves the necessity of shunning all evil and sin. But in the flesh I keep the law of sin, obeying sensuality rather than reason. Hence, also, it is that the will to good is present in me, but how to accomplish it I know not. Hence, too, I often propose many good things, but because the grace to help my weakness is lacking, I recoil and give up at the slightest resistance. Thus it is that I know the way of perfection and see clearly enough how I ought to act, but because I am pressed down by the weight of my own corruption I do not rise to more perfect things.

How extremely necessary to me, O Lord, Your grace is to begin any good deed, to carry it on and bring it to completion! For without grace I can do nothing, but with its strength I can do all things in You. O Grace truly heavenly, without which our merits are nothing and no gifts of nature are to be esteemed!

Oh Lord, forgive me for my downfalls. Help me be strong in time of great emotions and frustration. Help me call on the grace I need to fulfill Your holy will. Please bless the rest of my pregnancy and help me to remain calm.

Yesterday I was so grouchy and frustrated that I did something usually out of character...which made me all the more depressed...so off to confession first thing!!!

THY WILL BE DONE!!! +JMJ+

Tuesday, September 8, 2009

TOY REVIEW TUESDAY: join in...




This week I am making sure you all know about Apples to Apples. Regular and Junior version.

If you don't buy it asap...for fun, for a gift, or for someone else!!! All my kids love this game...our favorite is when all the teenagers friends come over and play with us. Join in and let me know your favorite game or toy!!!

Monday, September 7, 2009

MOVIE REVIEW MONDAY...


FIRST MOVIE: TITANIC


This week I finally watched TITANIC. Yes, the Titanic that everyone in the world watched over ten years ago...what a bust...I guess my expectation were way high...everyone I know loved this movie. I thought it was ok, but in such a long movie, which could of covered lots of stuff and people, it just covered one couple. Not appropriate for kids.




NEXT MOVIE: That Darn Cat


One of our families all time favorite films...we watch it about once a year. It is an oldy but a goody. A must watch if you can find it.

Friday, September 4, 2009

Guardian Angels...

What would we do without our Guardian Angels? I shudder to think of the many, many, mishaps I would of been in if it wasn't for my and my guardian angels. Not to mention the many months I have been pregnant and had an extra angel on board.

Years ago...probably more than 2o, a mentor of mine shared with me the importance of our guardian angel. So much to the point that we should name our angel. Through prayer I came up with Malachi. Many years later I found out that Malachi means: messenger of God. What a God thing!!!

I also learned and have used Padre Pio's suggestion of sending your guardian angel to others.

So again this morning like most others my Guardian angel woke me up for daily mass...usually around 6:10am I am awoken to get up and go to mass. The bonus this morning was the reminder that it was FIRST FRIDAY and I needed to go to the grocery store to buy applesauce for SOME. (the local food share program for the needy)

First Friday Promises:

1. I will give them all the graces necessary for their state in life.

2. I will give peace in their families.

3. I will console them in all their troubles.

4. They shall find in My Heart an assured refuge during life and especially at the hour of death.

5. I will pour abundant blessings on all their undertakings.

6. Sinners shall find in My Heart the source and infinite ocean of mercy.

7. Tepid souls shall become fervent.

8. Fervent souls shall speedily rise to great perfection.

9. I will bless the homes in which the image of My Sacred Heart shall be exposed and honoured.

10. I will give to priests the power to touch the most hardened hearts.

11. Those who propagate this devotion shall have their name written in My Heart, and it shall never be effaced.

12. The all-powerful love of My Heart will grant to all those who shall receive Communion on the First Friday of nine consecutive months the grace of final repentance; they shall not die under My displeasure, nor without receiving their Sacraments; My Heart shall be their assured refuge at the last hour
.

Thanks again Malachi!!! I love you!!!
BTW...Adventures in Odyssey has a great show about an angel named Malachi. Download it here. YOU can listen to other Adventures in Odyssey shows here.

THY WILL BE DONE!!! +JMJ+

Thursday, September 3, 2009

Small Success Thursday...


OK so it is Thursday and it is when mom's around the world share their small successes as a mom.


1. I didn't hurt my 3 year old for scribbling on one of my favorite family pictures. See more here.


2. Did my 6Th grade son's school calender for 2months


3. Bought my supplies for my home birth...ready to go-come on baby!!!




THY WILL BE DONE!!! +JMJ+

TO ENTERTAIN OR NOT ENTERTAIN...that is the question...

Many people don't like to have company over...some for a good reasons:

1. too much work
2. house is a mess
3. kids are too overwhelming
4. husband doesn't like company
5. they are too introverted or shy
6. don't have the money to really entertain
7. find people annoying
8. too busy

Well we have a little bit of all that in this house...I learned a great little word from the FLYLADY: C.H.A.O.S: which means Can't Have Anyone Over Syndrome!!!

I am social by nature...ever since I was a kid. My husband is a quieter soul who would be happy with a good book and comfy couch...not sure why he loves having all these kids!!! We have a very busy household...people coming and going all the time, friends, neighbors, people from church, new friends (even though, my husband announces to me at each place we go---no new friends today!!! ) I just can't help it, I am a magnet to people...I just want to meet new people all the time. I even have made some really close friends from blogging...my teens laugh and say, "mom, what did we say about meeting people online?" Great ladies like Mary and Jo, as well as many others.

I think it is important to have people over, our generation has lost the fine art of hospitality. If you struggle with a messy house like me...than try to keep your front room or hall way clean, so when someone stops by I can welcome them in...offer them a ear to listen or just relax. I also find that having a party big or small...it gives me a good excuse to do some cleaning that I would normally not do...like windows. Isn't it amazing how much we can do for company that we don't do for our husbands...I really try to work on that!!!

So start small and see where the Holy Spirit leads you. Have fun and enjoy your company.

THY WILL BE DONE!!! +JMJ+

Wednesday, September 2, 2009

WORDLESS WEDNESDAY...


My oldest son Br. Joshua in the seminary...oh how I miss him. He is in charge of the pantry...soda anyone?

Thanks to Jo for taking this picture for me!!!

THY WILL BE DONE!!! +JMJ+

Tuesday, September 1, 2009

What every nine month pregnant momma wants to hear...

From today's first reading: 1 Thes 5:1-6, 9-11:
...like labor pains upon a pregnant woman, and they will not escape.
If you would like to read the entire thing go here.
Thanks St. Paul for the encouraging words!!!
THY WILL BE DONE!!! +JMJ+

Imitation of Christ: meditation of the day...

The Fifty-Fourth Chapter
The Different Motions of Nature and Grace (part two)

The Voice of Christ


Nature has regard for temporal wealth and rejoices in earthly gains. It is sad over a loss and irritated by a slight, injurious word. But grace looks to eternal things and does not cling to those which are temporal, being neither disturbed at loss nor angered by hard words, because she has placed her treasure and joy in heaven where nothing is lost.

Nature is covetous, and receives more willingly than it gives. It loves to have its own private possessions. Grace, however, is kind and openhearted. Grace shuns private interest, is contented with little, and judges it more blessed to give than to receive.

Nature is inclined toward creatures, toward its own flesh, toward vanities, and toward running about. But grace draws near to God and to virtue, renounces creatures, hates the desires of the flesh, restrains her wanderings and blushes at being seen in public.

Nature likes to have some external comfort in which it can take sensual delight, but grace seeks consolation only in God, to find her delight in the highest Good, above all visible things.

Nature does everything for its own gain and interest. It can do nothing without pay and hopes for its good deeds to receive their equal or better, or else praise and favor. It is very desirous of having its deeds and gifts highly regarded. Grace, however, seeks nothing temporal, nor does she ask any recompense but God alone. Of temporal necessities she asks no more than will serve to obtain eternity.

Nature rejoices in many friends and kinsfolk, glories in noble position and birth, fawns on the powerful, flatters the rich, and applauds those who are like itself. But grace loves even her enemies and is not puffed up at having many friends. She does not think highly of either position or birth unless there is also virtue there. She favors the poor in preference to the rich. She sympathizes with the innocent rather than with the powerful. She rejoices with the true man rather than with the deceitful, and is always exhorting the good to strive for better gifts, to become like the Son of God by practicing the virtues.

Nature is quick to complain of need and trouble; grace is stanch in suffering want.

Nature turns all things back to self. It fights and argues for self. Grace brings all things back to God in Whom they have their source. To herself she ascribes no good, nor is she arrogant or presumptuous. She is not contentious. She does not prefer her own opinion to the opinion of others, but in every matter of sense and thought submits herself to eternal wisdom and the divine judgment.

Nature has a relish for knowing secrets and hearing news. It wishes to appear abroad and to have many sense experiences. It wishes to be known and to do things for which it will be praised and admired. But grace does not care to hear news or curious matters, because all this arises from the old corruption of man, since there is nothing new, nothing lasting on earth. Grace teaches, therefore, restraint of the senses, avoidance of vain self-satisfaction and show, the humble hiding of deeds worthy of praise and admiration, and the seeking in every thing and in every knowledge the fruit of usefulness, the praise and honor of God. She will not have herself or hers exalted, but desires that God Who bestows all simply out of love should be blessed in His gifts.

This grace is a supernatural light, a certain special gift of God, the proper mark of the elect and the pledge of everlasting salvation. It raises man up from earthly things to love the things of heaven. It makes a spiritual man of a carnal one.

The more, then, nature is held in check and conquered, the more grace is given. Every day the interior man is reformed by new visitations according to the image of God.

Lord, help me make many changes in my nature. Help me cling to Grace and grow closer to you.

THY WILL BE DONE!!! +JMJ+

PRAYERS FOR PREGNANT MOMMA'S...

PLEASE PRAY FOR THESE MOMMA'S!!!
THY WILL BE DONE!!! +JMJ+

TOY REVIEW TUESDAY: join in...


This week I am reviewing one of our favorite GAMES!!! Phase 10. It is one of our very favorites. It is very similar to Rummy. We have been playing it for over 6 years. I would say that it is good for ages five and over. You can pick up and play anywhere. It can take a long time or just play a couple of phases.
Remember, join in if you want...the more the merrier!!!

Enjoy!!!

THY WILL BE DONE!!! +JMJ+