Hibernating

I have pulled myself away from the 20 or so episodes of House and Flip This House marathons to write on this blog.

That is basically what I have been doing for the past week. In between TV shows, to keep my mind from turning into complete mush, I have been reading Crime and Punishment.

Big D has been on a two-week vacation. I don’t know what it is about having him home but our family schedule goes out the window.

We have definitely been hibernating.

Yesterday Big D and I made the decision that it was time to stop wading through the toys and boxes, so we really cleaned the house, the first time since Christmas morning. We are bad when we are on vacation, but everyone needs to do absolutely nothing once in a while.

I did go to a salon and have all my hair cut off. It looks ok. I will get a bug to get my hair cut short, and as soon as I get home I can’t wait for it to grow out again.

None of my clothes fit. I am showing early, I guess being pregnant five times will do that to you. I did venture out of my house to buy some maternity clothes.

The What Not to Wear marathon should be starting shortly and there is a place on the couch with my name on it.

I hope everyone had a blessed Christmas. Now if you will excuse me I have more hibernating to do.

Peace

Christmas All Year Long

My family and many others have been preparing our hearts during the Advent season for the birthday of our Lord.

It warms my heart to see all the giving, generosity, and love between families, neighbors and strangers during the Christmas holiday.

When the last present is opened, the last cookie eaten, and the last decoration put away, it brings me great joy in knowing that Christ remains.

I want to remember that the needy are still in need when Christmas is over. Grandparents and the elderly still need the company of visitors, neighbors would still find happiness in a plate of cookies left at their door. Just because Christmas ends does not mean our generous hearts and love should end too.

I hope that everyone has a joyful Christmas and that we keep our hearts open to be examples of Christ.

Lets see if we can keep the spirit of Christmas going all year long.

May your Christmas be full of love and blessings and I pray that we continue let the love of Christ guide us the whole year through!

Merry Christmas!

It's Almost Here!

My Christmas shopping and wrapping are done, Thank goodness. Now it’s time to bake about 20 dozen cookies or so.

I am going to cheat this year with the cookies. I am pregnant so I can!
The cookies will still be good and made with love; it will just be a little easier on mom.
Thanks Pillsbury for thinking about moms like me.



Christmas parties have started this past weekend. Big D’s family has a party for the kids and Santa comes and brings them all a gift. The kids love it!

There are a lot of children on my husbands side of the family so it is always fun when we can get all the kids together in one spot.

Here is a picture of some of the kids in front of the tree. This picture does not include the newborns or the toddlers that didn’t feel like taking a group picture.



We spent the rest of the night with my in-laws. My brother and sister in-law gave us one final present for the night; they kept three of our kids overnight. God bless them!

It is going to be hectic around here, the baking and parties have started, the holidays are rolling in. I hope everyone is having a wonderful time.

Peace and God Bless.

What political party would G.K. Chesterton belong to?

My husband is looking for opinions on what political party G.K. Chesterton would belong to.

Please go here and vote in his poll.

Thank you

Snow Day!

It has been snowing like crazy around these parts. About 6 to 10 inches of snow fell last night. It looks beautiful, and the kids are happy about it too!

Christmas Home Tour

The Blog BooMama is hosting a tour of homes. You can show off all you elaborate, beautiful or like me, simple Christmas decorations.

If you decide to do your own tour you can go to the above blog and join in. If you decide to do a tour let me know so I can come and see your home.

Here is my Christmas time tour.

The Tree



Mr. Snowman given to me by my Dad.



This is my grandmothers, Santa and baby Jesus. I love this one.



Our Jesse Tree with the Holy Family.



Santa train given to me by my dad. I think this has been knocked over at least one thousand times.


Jesus needs a stocking too.



You can't have Christmas without a tissue paper roll nativity.



This little guy gets a special place on our tree. My grandpa gave him to me on the last Christmas I spent with him.


I hope you enjoyed the tour, and I hope you continue to enjoy the countdown to Christmas.

Skipping Prenatal Testing

I had my first Doctors appointment yesterday. The baby should be here August 17th.

When I was pregnant with Oney the test for Down syndrome and Spina bifida came back positive, I was a wreck. I had an amino done and after the two weeks of waiting we found out he did not have any genetic problems.

I talked to some people who said the test for Down syndrome was unnecessary, that false positives were very likely to happen and all that would cause me was undo stress.

I spoke to my doctor about this and told him I would like to pass on this particular test because no matter what the outcome I would not terminate the pregnancy.

My doctor told me that skipping this test was not an option in his practice. He told me I must take the test and he would recommend further testing should the result be positive again.

He reassured me that there would be no talk about termination that the reason for the testing would be so he would know how to treat me and how the baby should be treated medically once born.

That made sense so I agreed to the testing.

I feel I won’t be as much of a basket case as I was the last time the test came back positive. Talking to the genetics counselor helped a lot. Being able to have the resources early on was another reason my doctor gave me for this testing.

I am asking for your prayers for the heath of this baby and for me to have the courage to accept Gods will for this baby whatever that may be.

Kindergarten

Bug will be starting Kindergarten next year. I am torn between homeschooling her and sending her to traditional school.

I remember Kindergarten like it was yesterday. I loved everything about it. Miss and Lil D loved Kindergarten too.

I remember when I started the first grade; I walked into the room and was disappointed. Where was all the colors and happiness of Kindergarten? I remember thinking first grade was missing color.

Back to Bug and Kindergarten, I am wondering if I should send her to school for Kindergarten and them start homeschooling her in the first grade. I don’t want her to miss out on everything Kindergarten offers. I don’t know if I will be able to give her that experience at home.

I also don’t want her to feel left out. Her brothers and sister will be home and she will be at school.

I don’t know what to do, or what will be best for Bug.

Oh Christmas Tree

My Dad is an over the top Christmas decorator. As a child our house was decorated to the max at Christmas time. Every piece of furniture was taken out of the living room and replaced with villages, snowmen, and motorized do dads.

One Christmas I will always remember is when my Dad decided that one Christmas tree just wasn’t enough. He brought home three full sized Christmas trees, one for my Dad to decorate, one for my brother and one for me. My parents live in a modest bungalow with an average to small size living room. It looked like a Christmas forest.

You can imagine my Dads shock when I started raising my own family and decided to use an artificial Christmas tree. I believe my Dad told me it was a sacrilege to put up a plastic tree. My Christmas decorations consist of a few Advent decorations, a fake tree and a couple of snowmen. My Dad is less than thrilled. (He loves me anyway)

To make sure my children our not deprived on Christmas, my Dad insists every year that my children go with him to pick out a real tree for my Mom and Dads house. This year was no different

I do enjoy picking out a Christmas tree and I even told my Dad that next year when we go to the tree lot I may even pick out a real one for our home. I think I saw a tear in his eye.

Here we are picking out a tree with my Parents, with my Dad in all his Christmas glory.

Zzzzzzzzz

I am one tired Mama.

Oney likes to wake up before the crack of dawn. After we finish school and eat lunch I can barely keep my eyes open.

I explained to my kids that when a baby is first growing it makes mom very tired and I need to rest.

For the past two days my wonderful children have let me do just that. I put Oney down for his nap after lunch and then I get in my bed for a little rest. My bedroom is in the basement. One side is our room the other is the kid’s playroom. Miss, Lil D and Bug all come down stairs and actually stay quiet and play nice while I nap!

There has been no fighting, no disturbances at all during this peaceful time. God is good, and so are my kids!

Yesterday Miss fixed all the covers and pillows on my bed so I would be more comfortable. She is so excited about this new baby and has poured her affection onto me.

It has only been two days of this much-needed napping bliss, I don’t know how long it will last but I had to write about how sweet my children are to me. God bless them.

Lucky Number Seven

Our family has received an early Christmas present. We have just found out that we will be having a baby!

I am very early in my pregnancy, and I am feeling pretty good so far.

The baby should be here some time in August I will have more details once I go for my doctor appointment.

I have so many feelings about this pregnancy, fist being joy and thankfulness.

When I first found out I was pregnant I looked around my three-bedroom house and thought where in the world am I going to put a baby? How am I going to deal with five children, can I do this?

As soon as these thoughts came to my head they were swept away with thoughts and feelings of instant love for this little one, love for my husband, and love for my growing family.

Every baby brings lessons. This baby is already preparing me to put my trust in God, take one day at a time, and to be aware of every blessing that comes our way.

No wonder a child is one of God’s greatest gifts, look at how much insight and love God sends with a new baby.

I would like to ask for your prayers that this little one remains healthy and that any anxiety that may creep in be lifted from our family.

Peace and God Bless

Memories, a Cherished Christmas Gift

Christmas and babies are a beautiful combination. When Christmas comes around and there are babies in the family it makes the holiday that much more endearing.

I think it is because Christmas is a miracle in itself and when you can ponder this miracle and can be around the miracle of a child it brings Christmas to a new level.

Some of my fondest memories at Christmas time are when my children were babies. At night when the house was quiet and the only light was from our Christmas tree I would sit and rock my babies. Sometimes I would have Christmas music softly playing in the back ground, other times it would be completely silent except for the breath of my sleeping child.

These were times when I could feel God so close to me and my heart was full.

I have a Christmas book that I checked out from the library for my kids. As I was looking through the book I came across this poem. It is a beautifully perfect Christmas poem that reminds me of my favorite Christmas memories.


The Mothers Song
Eskimo poem translated by Peter Freuchen

It is so still in the house
There is a calm in the house,
The snowstorm wails out there,
And the dogs are rolled up with snouts under tails.
My little boy is sleeping on the ledge,
On his back he lies, breathing through his open mouth.
His little stomach bulging round-
Is it strange if I start to cry with joy?


May your Christmas be full of miracles, memories, and the fullness of God.

Happy Days

A Catholic Mom Climbing the Pillars has tagged me for a meme.

According to the rules, I have to post six things that make me really happy ...

1. A box of Rasinetts and a Diet Coke

2. Alone time with my favorite guy. Whether we are having a simple uninterrupted conversation, a quiet dinner, or a vacation, it always makes me happy when he and I can be alone.

3. Watching my children grow into beautiful human beings. Enjoying how are relationship changes as each year passes.

4. Staying in my pajamas all day and feeling absolutely no guilt about it.

5. Going to the library alone with no time limit and finding all the books I went searching for.

6. Pants that fit in all the right places.



Now I need to tag some people…

Cathy from The Field of Blue Children

Just Another Catholic Mom

The Wheelz are Rolling

What’s in Sissy’s Head?

Shoved to Them


Let’s get happy!

Positive Thoughts Equals a Positive Person

I am always thinking about one thing or another. I am sure everyone does this.

For the past few days I have been practicing positive thought. Basically I am trying to be conscience of all my thoughts during the day and decide if this type of thinking makes me happy.

If it does not than I am supposed to drop the thought or change it in a way that makes the thought enjoyable.

(I will get into why I am doing this at a later time.)

As I was practicing positive thought, I was going over nice things people have said to me or genuine compliments I have received.

One time my grandmother told me that she wished I could have been her mother. This touched me because it was coming from the woman who raised four children of her own plus my brother and me.

Two compliments that I received that struck me as very genuine and really did the trick to help me be positive were from my parish priest.

Big D and I were making a NFP video along with our Parish priest for the Arch Diocese. I was getting my hair done before the taping. When the lady was finished I looked in the mirror and said, “I look old.” My priest very nonchalantly looked over and said, “No you don’t, you remind me of the women who used her hair to wash Jesus’ feet.”

Some may think this a strange compliment, but I felt radiant after hearing it. I did not feel beautiful on the outside (I still did not like my hair) but I felt so beautiful and pure on the inside. All my insecurities left and I felt wonderful.

The second time I was lifted up by a compliment was when the same priest came to our house for a visit. I was in the early stages of pregnancy with Oney, my fourth child. I felt worn out, fat, sick, and not sure if I could handle four children

My priest asked when I was due and I told him the end of November. He got a big smile on his face and said how lucky I was to be going through a pregnancy about the same time as the Virgin Mary.

This may not be a compliment, but anytime I am referenced with the Blessed Mother I take it as just that. I was filled with joy by his words. I focused on what he said through out my pregnancy and felt good inside.

What am I trying to get at with this post? I am not sure. I think I want to find a balance of feeling good about myself without being superficial or conceded.

I want to be more positive and shape my thoughts around things that make me happy while getting rid of the thoughts that give me anxiety.

Enough thinking for the moment.

God Bless and happy thoughts.

I am a Top Mama!

I am on the front page of Top Mama.

I need your votes.

Go here and click on my picture.

My picture is a black and white of Oney and Bug playing catch.



Thank you for the votes!

The Jesse Tree (Our Christmas Kickoff)

We had a wonderful Christmas kickoff weekend.

I have been too stuffed with Turkey and pie to make it to the computer. Big D makes our Thanksgiving dinner every year and does a delicious job. This year he out did himself. Everything was so good that I didn’t mind eating it for the past four days.

You know the holidays have started when it is perfectly normal to eat pie for breakfast.

My side of the family had an early Christmas party on Saturday. My aunt hosted and it was a great way to kickoff Christmas and get everyone in the spirit. There was food, drinks, more food, games, and a lot of love and laughter.

Bid D, the kids, and I started off the Advent season on Sunday by cranking up the Christmas music and decorating our Christmas tree.

This is the first year that we are including a Jesse Tree into our Christmas tradition. On Sunday Big D blessed the tree, we said prayers, and the kids hung the first ornament. Having the Jesse Tree along with the traditional Christmas tree helps us to stay focused on what we are preparing for as we wait for Christmas to arrive.

The Jesse Tree is named from Isaiah 11:1: "A shoot will spring forth from the stump of Jesse, and a branch out of his roots." It is a vehicle to tell the Story of God in the Old Testament, and to connect the Advent Season with the faithfulness of God across 4,000 years of history. The Branch is a biblical sign of newness out of discouragement, which became a way to talk about the expected messiah (e.g., Jer 23:5). It is therefore an appropriate symbol of Jesus the Christ, who is the revelation of the grace and faithfulness of God.

You can find many ways to make a Jesse tree on the Internet. For the symbols of the Jesse tree, Prayers, and Bible readings, we used the site called Catholic Culture.

Here is our Jesse Tree with our first ornament, a leaf, to signify the branch that will shoot forth and bring to us the Messiah.



One of my favorite Christmas decorations is my nativity. A lady on ebay made these dolls and I was lucky to be the one to purchase them. They are so sweet and well made. I think this is a cute representation of the holy family.



I hope your Thanksgiving was a good one.

Lets open our hearts this Advent season and make a place for our Lord to enter.

Happy Christmas Kickoff

God bless