5 Favorites - Best Gifts for Young Kids

Trying to keep it simple for my one blog post a month.  Here you go!  ;-)

In three weeks Augie turns 4.  One week later Catie turns 3.  Two kids birthdays and a week later...Christmas.  I have been filling up the wish list with some ideas for our families.  Today I stumbled upon this list, Top Ten Toys for the Active Child and it inspired me to create my own list.  Run down, I have one 6 year old princess, one 4 year old very active warrior, one 3 year old shy girl who still needs help with learning simple concepts...and a newborn (who is set for life)!

So, without further ado...my best gift ideas based on our favorites.

1. Peaceable Kingdom Cooperative Games
A few years back I stumbled upon this game on clearance at Barnes and Nobles.  It has been a favorite to play with the kids since then.  It was my first encounter with a "cooperative game".  When we have guests over they are still convinced they need to be the winner.  It takes some explaining to help them understand the concept is to work together to achieve the common goal.

We have also acquired Fish Sticks.  It is designed for 5 + year olds so we haven't played it with Augie & Catie with any success.  

I bought Feed the Woozle for my nephew's 4th birthday.  I heard from my brother that it was a hit.  

The Peaceable Kingdom website has lots of games along with video previews.  

2. ART SUPPLIES

We go through art supplies like crazy!  Crayons are frequently in short supply around here.  After 5 years of crayons in my home, I have finally decided Twistables are my favorite by far.  I have children that think breaking crayons is fun.  Otherwise they are unwrapping and leaving shreds of teeny crayon paper everywhere.  Note: leaving a pack of Twistables with a a two year old may result in twisted out crayons...but they are easy to fix!  

For the record after this unfortunate but epic episode a few years ago, I try to steer clear of markers and art supplies are restricted to public places. 

3. Learning Toys

Learning Resources is another favorite brand.  We have used many of these during therapy sessions.  I was recently gifted with Alphabet Soup Sorters. 

Lauri Toys Peg Sets are another that we love.  

The thing about these is you probably want to keep them stacked out of reach with the board games and bring them down for when you are playing with the kids.  Our Alphabet Soup & Pegs only come out with supervision.  And yet...I am still endlessly cleaning up pegs around the house.  They become swords (Augie) or Cakes & Candles (Rosie).  I find my kids prefer playing with the pegs to playing with Duplo blocks. 

4.  Books

We read every night and love when new books arrive on the scene.  Let me take this opportunity to plug a friend.  Anthony Destefano has become quite the author since I worked with him back in the day.  We LOVE his books.  Little Star is a perfect Christmas gift!  But I have to say I love all his children's books.  And that is not just spoken with bias.  

Dr Seuss is perfect for this age...and another favorite is Margaret Wise Brown.  If you do not yet have "The Moon Shines Down" it is a must have for your library.  

For my new reader we love Bob Books.  If you do not yet own these...please invest!!  

My favorite chapter books to read with Rosie are Laura Ingalls Wilder and Nancy Drew.  Note to the family, we do not own any of these!  ;-) I didn't learn until recently that quality chapter books for young kids are hard to find!  There are many many bratty characters or not-so-catholic themes (fairy's, magic, etc) to be weary of in early chapter books.  

5.  The gift of time, the gift of a sport (of $ towards it), the gift of an amusement pass, etc.  

My mom's growing up friend talked about taking her nieces out for whole day dates as a birthday gift.  I would love this for my kids!  A great godparent gift idea!  Also, we have some kid oriented amusement parks near by and that always seems to be a bit extravagant for the budget.  But, anything along these lines...a gift card for a special outing with mom, etc....we love these creative gifts!  

Have to wrap up to attend to other things...hopefully this will inspire some wish lists or givers.  

a birth story

I was due on September 23rd.  The midwife that delivered Rosie told us she would be on call the night of 9/22.  It sounded like a perfect time to have a baby.

Friday September 20th, I went to my cousin's football game with my mom & Rosie.  I came home and that evening started to feel contractions.  They never got stronger than 30 seconds and a minute apart and died down before the end of an hour.

Saturday, went with the family to the Padre Pio Shrine...no signs of labor.  The weekend ended and my due date (Monday) passed...and I waited.

I experienced contractions off and on through the week.  I had several sessions of timing contractions.  One night I almost woke up my husband.  I did lots of googling "are these real contractions?".  I considered calling the midwives to let them know I was in pre-labor....but everything that came, disappeared. I grew more disappointed and frustrated.

I tried many natural labor induction techniques.  I drank lots of red raspberry leaf tea and took Evening Primrose Oil tablets, a long walk...and other things.  On Thursday I finally worked up the courage to try Castor Oil.  1 tablespoon here and there, with the okay of the midwife.

Friday September 27th I went to the chiropractor and requested the "Webster" technique.  Though my baby was not breech, a doula friend recommended the treatment.  More contractions that night.  Stronger, but not more than 30 seconds and 3 minutes.

Saturday September 28th - some where in the very early morning I lost my mucus plug - Hallelujah!  I was super excited about that.  Morning contractions, some strong, but nothing terribly regular.  My husband and I made plans to go to the movies to distract ourselves. Around 1pm the contractions started to seem a bit more regular, I decided to call the midwife on the way into our 1:30pm movie to give her a heads up.  I timed them throughout the whole movie on a contraction app.  On the way out of the movie they were starting to get a bit more intense, but not over powering.  When we arrived home hubs informed my mom I was in labor and I retreated to the bedroom to rest,  sit on the birth ball and listen to a hypno babies session.  Just before 7pm I went to the bathroom during a strong/long contraction.  As I was sitting on the toilet my water broke with a "pop".  I had more bloody show.  The water was cloudy.  I texted my doula friend about when to go to the birth center.  Her response was when I loose my smile and can't stand to be around my children any longer.  That happened pretty quickly.  I told hubs to call the midwife.

at the birth center

The midwife on call was at a hospital birth.  She called her back up to meet us at the birth center.  We arrived about the same time she did, shortly after 7:30pm.  At this point contractions were regularly 1 minute long and 2 minutes apart.  We went in and she checked....6cm.

Incidently, this is the same room where Rosie was born.  With her, we arrived at 4cm at 10pm and delivered at 2am.  I don't recall how long transition lasted, but it was painful and I was in a little tub. 

This time, we planned a water birth.  As the midwife set up the tub, I labored with hubs.  I remember having an overall less intense laboring experience with Rosie.  This time it seemed more painful for longer.  When the midwife realized I was GBS+ (she misunderstood me the first time she asked)...she got me prepped for an antibiotic IV.  First attempt, in the wrist...fail....fluid accumulating in my wrist.  As this is going on, I am sitting on the bed having very painful contractions and not paying attention...this part of the account was from my husband.  Second attempt, she got the IV in my arm, but did not get the connection properly hooked up, she dropped something and blood was quickly draining onto the floor.  She fumbled to get a new connection piece and dropped that as well.  Finally, she got the connection in order and she and my husband massaged the bag to get the IV in me as quickly as possible.  I stepped over the large blood puddle and climbed into the tub.

At this point we set up the camera to attempt to video the birth.  I was chanting "help me Jesus, help me God."  And I remember a string of curses of the S variety.  The video clips hubs took of me laboring at this point were not pretty.  I am not sure when transition began, but I was in PAIN.   Around this time the midwife on call returned to relieve the back up.  The nurse arrived as well.  I was sitting in the tub, leaning forward on my knees, with our fan blowing on my face.  The midwife checked me and told me I was 9.5cm dilated and if I wanted to start to push through contractions I could.  I was still cursing through the contractions.  (((Please note here, I was not actually using hypnobabies...I never got into the program, but would definitely try to embrace the program should we do this again)))

The midwife checked me again.  Bad news.  She told me I was 8cm, not 9.5 as she previously thought.  This killed me.  There was lots of "I can't, I can't".  I asked the nurse about something to take the edge off the pain.  The midwife explained that if she would do that I would have to get out of the tub as sleepy babies can't be delivered underwater.  I liked the tub.  More pain and my first ever involuntary pushing.  I told her "I'm pushing, I'm pushing".  My feet had fallen asleep so I moved to sitting on my bum, with my arms spread out across the tub.  Looking at the video my husband describes this as my cruciform position.

I don't know how long I was in the position, but I got the okay to push again.  Some more pushing and hello ring of fire.  I kept asking for the play by play...but more like "how long is this going to take???  how much looooonnnger?"  I was getting more pushing advice...every time I felt like it should be it....but it wasn't.

Finally, on video, a really tough push - pain and I ask "push or relax?" Then I choose relax.  I got my final instructions "If I tell you to push, push; If I tell you to stop, I need you to stop, etc".  Aaannndd, PUSH - with EVERYTHING inside of me.  She was delivered underwater at 10pm...all 9lb 7oz, with her hand beside her face.  She was placed on my belly.  

I checked, said "it's a girl!" Then in a breathless wobbly voice I tell her "thank you for coming out".  As she lay on my belly, she looked up at me with the most beautiful of wide awake eyes.  Quiet alertness.  I held her like this as hubs cut the cord.

Hubs held her and I climbed out of the tub and onto the bed.  I only had a small tear that did not need to be repaired.  Then we got a detailed anatomy lesson on my placenta after it was delivered (at my request to see it).

I held her, nursed her and snuggled her skin to skin for a good hour or more before she was taken to be washed and weighed.  That I love about the birth center!  After she was cleaned up, it was my turn.  I showered and got dresssed in clean jammies.  And then we waited.  They like you to stay 4 hours after the birth for monitoring.  Same as with Rosie, we were counting down the hours and minutes until we could leave.  The kind nurse okayed us to leave at 1:45am.

We went through the McDonalds drive through (I am starving after birth) and fortunately they serve egg mcmuffins in the middle of the night.  I ate two.  We made it home and I laid for a few hours before I heard the kids wake up.  Roll camera again.

better than Christmas morning!

I have been contemplating what her blog name should be.  The formula used on our other kids, did not work for her.  I have a family member with a similar name who was always called "Joy" as a nickname.  I mentioned Joy as a possibility and another blogger commented that "God gave you Joy".  If you have read the blog this past year, Joy has been something I have pondered and sought.  Her comment, bringing light to that connection, made the name perfect.  So, for blogsake...baby Joy!  

not yet 1 day old

5 Favorites

Trying something new, and short, to "feed" my blog until I can get a birth story written.  Here we go!

1. This girl!

I can't get enough.  Especially now that she is smiling & "talking" to us.  She is 1 month, 2 days and sheer joy - with a little exhaustion mixed in.  I still have not quite figured out a blog name for her - but leaning towards "Joy".

2. These people:

Much to my surprise they are all awesome with her.  As I type Augie is on paci patrol (to replace when she spits it out).  Catie thinks she is the best baby doll ever.  Rosie is my supreme baby holder when I need 30 minutes. 

3. Best new baby product:

LOVE our Snuggle Nest!!  I am much too lazy to get out of bed, find baby & go to the nursing spot at 3am.  It has taken her a little bit to get used to sleeping in it, rather than next to me, but it makes for a much better night of sleep for me.  Peace of mind is so huge when co-sleeping.

4. Breast feeding

Such a joy - for both of us.  The look of a baby as they come off the breast...like a little drunk sailor.  Heaven.  Also, I think I have decided that this is the phase I like my body & hormones the most.  No PMS, no preggo craziness...I am even Steven mood wise.  Which makes me a better mama.  I  am enjoying all my kiddos.

5. A product every mama should have but pray they never need:

With school comes challenges like lice.  We had gotten a number of notices sent home about checks being done by the school nurse...and advising us to check our kids.  But how do you check if you have never experienced?  Experience will make you an expert quick.  Lice is something no family should have to deal with...especially with a newborn in the house!!

If I could step back 2 months, when the notices started coming home...I would have ordered this product & learned how to conduct thorough checks.  Shampoo, Condition & sit your child down for some meticulous combing.  One section at a time, each section from every angle.  If you see anything the size of a mustard seed, toothpick it out of the comb and use a magnifying glass.  Most likely it is fuzz, or dandruff - but if it is rust colored, translucent or has legs...be ready to battle.  I have learned combing is the best line of defense.  I will probably make this a monthly routine (but especially i will use it every time a notice comes home).

For the record this comb is far superior to anything in a lice removal kit.  Invest in this!

6. Okay...so cheating a bit...I can not wait for All Saints Day!  Highlight of my year & so much better than the evening that precedes it.  If only I could convince my hubby to give up trick or treating.

What was I thinking?

Just for the record I did indeed state that I would be attempting 30 days of Finding Joy in the month of October.  

So while I am stumbling upon Joy in my spiritual & emotional postpartum state...blogging is just not happening.  

I am so overcome with love & awe for this little girl.  I was overcome in Mass last night at the gift of her.  It has brought me to tears, again, at the fact that I missed this with Augie & Catie.  And my husband says "that is a good thing to recognize".  

The natural feminine reaction to birth is powerful beyond words.  An intense INTENSE desire to protect, nurture, provide, defend...love...intense love.  "No matter what" love. 

For my husband, the way our children came into our family is less significant because he has not experienced the same emotional response to birth.  The irony is that It took so much more to get him on board with adoption.  When in the end.... :-). I am grateful for this man who teaches me so much!

So - our children all adore their sister.  Rosie begs to hold her, Augie lights up around her and Catie just loves that she is an actual baby.  

Lots of love happening right now.  That is definitely a good thing!!

She is here!!

Born in the water after keeping her mama waiting!  Beautiful girl!  9/28 @ 10pm - 9lb 7oz - so far more peaceful...and more hungry than her big sister was.  

Overdue

Being on this side of a due date...the overdue side...offers a completely different perspective on the topic.  I heard someone say "library books are due...babies come when they come".

Being on this side of "due" there is lots of scary talk.  How many times have I heard "induction" this week?  Enough.  My midwives are  certainly in support of waiting - but are trying to prep me for everything the hospital staff will be saying (to scare me into induction) come Monday.  Also, if my water were to break without the start of labor...off to the hospital for...induction.

My husband mentioned that he had 9/27 in his calendar as due day.  That reminded me that 9/27 was my initial & LMP due date.  I wish I could have mentally prepared for that, rather than jumping on the 9/23 bandwagon after an early ultrasound.

Perspective is everything here.  

It is tough to check the days & nights off the calendar with no change...how many nights have I hoped?  Well, not going to lie, tonight I am going to bed hoping.

After many failed attempts with natural induction ideas...tonight I am trying something a bit more "aggressive".  Castor Oil.  Blech.  After discussing with two midwives...I am attempting a modified semi-gentle approach.  1 TB in OJ at 3.30 pm this afternoon.  I just downed my second helping a few minutes ago, at 10pm.  The first dose made me mildly sick.  So lovely that I should try again.

So, off to bed am I.  Hopefully a baby announcement will come before 10/7 (official induction date).  Thanks for the prayers!

due

Sep 23, 2013

The date I am due.  40 weeks of gestation, according to early ultrasound dating.  But early ultrasounds can be 5 days off.  If I had been charting...like a good practitioner...

So any how.  Some light contractions but no baby.

So...instead, happy feast of St Pio of Pietrelcina. I had the opportunity to visit his shrine with the family Saturday.

venerating the relic of his glove

He has been an intercessor in my life the last year +.  He has been my tough love in my journey.  If you are in need of some tough love...I highly encourage praying for his intercession. 

St Pio of Pietrelcina, pray for us!

7 Quick Takes- pondering joy (and publishing early)

Dedicating these takes to the topic of Joy.  I blogged about lost joy recently and had some fantastic comments and insights.

1. It is super interesting to hear different perspectives on the topic.  For me the height of (what I call) my joy, in my my perhaps juvenile understanding, was the end of high school & college, when I fell in love with Christ and the Catholic Church.  Steubenville retreats, college retreats...I even gave up dating during this period to focus on the Lord.  It was sunshine & flowers.

2.  Falling in love with my spouse was also pretty fantastic.  I know there is a difference between happiness & joy.  I don't think happiness adequately describes falling in love.

Of course the feeling of love is very different than actual love.  On our first date my husband went into a dissertation on this followed by the comment "I choose to love you." Yes, he said that on our first date.  Kat's wise comment was that "maybe joy, like love, matures and does not look the same as it once did."  I think there is something to that.

Mrs. Mike continued with "It was explained to me that happiness is a fleeting emotion but the Christian virtue of joy gives us the ability to smile through our tears when that happy state ceases. It's what sets Christians apart from the rest of the world. But it requires a repeated and conscious choice of the heart. Even for the more sanguine type, it takes years to develop the habit of living a joyful life."  

3. After college and falling in love...came marriage.

We were so excited to start our family that pretty soon after marriage came the realization of infertility.  I have had challenging periods in my childhood...but infertility was the first time I really suffered as an adult. That suffering did something to my joy.  After years of crying out to God and wondering if He heard me, my faith, my trust...my joy was tarnished. 

4.  The day my daughter was born was ah-mazing.  Answered prayers.  Being a participant in a miracle.  Knowing those tears were not for nothing.  

5.  And then...blessed parenthood.  With secondary infertility we became foster parents and two more quickly followed.  

So so so so so blessed that this was God's amazing plan for my life.  Looking back could I have imagined??  No!  But, it was a bit like being thrown into boiling water.  Suddenly everyone thought I was super fertile.  It was a drastic change from the first five years of married life.  And the reality of what it took to pull it off...enter the second phase of suffering.  Suffering sounds like such a selfish word to use here.  I think my children were the ones who started to suffer.  As the tidal wave of parenthood roared over my head...I became a mom far far from what I ever hoped I would be.  Enter favorite meme (adjusted as you see fit): 

6. The last year has been time to put on my big girl pants and really try to figure this out.  How do I reclaim joy?  Well...I have a feeling it has something to do with relearning the true meaning of joy.  Joy is not a feeling, it is a choice.   I was pleased to link back to one of Jennifer Fulwiler's blogs yesterday and find her thoughts on the topic.  "Joy is something different than happiness, and it’s a whole lot different than surface-level pleasure or physical comfort. It’s something divine in origin, not subject to the ups and downs of human emotions, a kind of ecstatic contentment and explosive peace that can only come from contact with the Source of all life and love himself."  It is crazy intriguing that she is finding her joy in the midst of family life.  

7.  I SO enjoyed 31 days of blogging last October.  I may be partially insane to imagine that I can pull it off again...but my heart is being pulled (obviously) to the topic of Reclaiming or Rediscovering Joy.  

Jennifer also said "the more intimately we know Christ, the more joy we’ll have…but Christ is the very embodiment of self-sacrifice, of pouring out oneself for the sake of others."  I hope to recognize this joy in my life.  Lord, help me learn to suffer well...so that I may be a light, rather than an extinguisher of light.  

7 Quick Takes

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1. So evidently after 38 weeks the clocks stop ticking & just move in sssssllllllooooowwwww motion. :-)  When I didn't think I could get bigger, I got bigger.  Just call me master of the waddle ...and a crane/forklift would be mighty handy for helping me us these days. Oh, blessed maternity!!

2. So, from the wisdom of other moms, I have learned that previous pregnancies are not the best predictors of when a labor will start or how it might progress.  In reflecting back, Rosie was due on 9/12.  On 8/31 my fluid began to leak.  She was delivered on 9/4.  (I did not realize I was leaking fluid until 9/2 & it was confirmed on 9/3).  The game changer between pregnancies was pertussis.  I suffered through my last trimester & there is a good chance all the coughing & vomiting weakened the sack.  So..who knows what things would have been like otherwise.  Who knows what lies ahead.  It is this unknown that makes us most crazy.  Who is good at waiting?  It must be a virtue.

3. I certainly feel like a watched pot right about now.  

4. Lets talk other kids.  They love school.  I am actually super pumped that Augie has this outlet right now.  He tells me far more about his time @ pk3 than I get from Rosie in K.  So far the  report from the teacher is positive.  It is amazing to watch them come from behind & do well.  Even Catie is doing well in therapy.  I am grateful she is overall an easier toddler than her brother was.

5. Getting the hang of early school mornings and the predictability of our weeks' schedule.  Glad to have a little normalcy before baby shakes us up.  

6. Netflix recommendation: In Plain Sight is what I have been killing time with lately.  There are several seasons a available so enough to keep me busy for a bit.  If not watching that, I am trying to listen to hypnobabies (not so much on board yet...it feels a little new agey) or trying to read a little Ina May birth prep.

7. 

while i'm waiting...

"I prayed for this child, and the Lord granted my request"

I still can't believe I get to do this all over again.  There is something so spiritual & beautiful about bearing new life.  To get to nurture someone straight from God...and to be able to nourish them from my body.  

I can look at this experience & reflect again on adoption as a higher calling.  It is challenging when you long to do these things for your child (or foster child, in our case).  The bonding has to take place in other ways.  More sacrifice & more supernatural grace are needed to forge that same bond.  

I watched this beautiful video sent by a friend today.  It brought tears to my eyes and I am so excited I get to share this new one with my big kids.  I am so excited they get to see nursing in action (a first for them all).   The beautiful thing is a new opportunity to teach them to love.  I pray that our love for baby C is a bit of a do-over.  Another chance to show then how to love better.  

In my husband's words...he is trilled our adopted kiddos will be sandwiched in love.  Lord, help us to love.  Teach is to love.  Teach our kids how to love. 

0-4 WW

Checking in at 38 weeks.  

Minus the random SHARP drops in patience, I have been doing pretty well.  The weather has been delightfully cool.  Tonight is the first night I have turned the AC on in a week.  

We just wrapped up the family celebration of Rosie's 6th birthday (a few days late).  Thinking back to her birth fills me with joy & hope for this next one.  I can only pray it goes as smoothly.

That said, there is some underlying fear of the worst case scenarios.  I offer my fears and little physical sufferings for all those longing for motherhood or praying to be blessed again. 

Sts Gianna & Gerard, pray for us!!

on lost joy

(Started writing on Thursday)

I am sitting in the quiet of the house.  Having just loaded Rosie on the bus and not yet awakened my two little crazies.  A theme has been circling my brain recently...a theme that comes up repeatedly in my life.  Joy.  Even trying to title this blog leads me to reflect on joy?  What is it?  Why did I have it once?  Where did it go?  How can I find it again? 

As I sat down to type, I decided upon a quick google search for quotes and stumbled upon many from CS Lewis.  A man who has clearly thought significantly more about this topic that I have.   In his book, Surprised by Joy, he writes:
"it is that of an unsatisfied desire which is itself more desirable than any other satisfaction. I call it Joy, which is a technical term and must be sharply distinguished both from Happiness and Pleasure. Joy (in my sense) has indeed one characteristic, and one only, in common with them; the fact that anyone who has experienced it will want it again. Apart from that, and considered only in its quality, it might almost equally well be called a particular kind of unhappiness or grief. But then it is a kind we want. I doubt whether anyone who has tasted it would ever, if both were in his power, exchange it for all the pleasure in the world. But then Joy is never in our power and pleasure often it."

Thank goodness for philosophers to make more sense of these things.  Joy is something I feel I once had and have since lost.  Being named Elisabeth I have always loved the image of the Visitation.  Within Elizabeth's womb, the infant, "leapt for joy."  Two years ago I had the opportunity to attend a conference and be prayed over by Neal Lozano.  He is an incredible man.  In his blessing over me, he brought forth that image and prayed for joy over me.  

(Returning to this writing on Saturday)

So, the elusive joy.  When I became a mother there was definitely a honeymoon period where I was so filled with joy.  I remember being tired...but I don't remember anger until my newborn became a toddler.  She was very VERY loud. I recal posting on an online forum about her manipulating behaviors.  Another mother challenged me that perhaps I was perceiving her as more advanced than she was.

With the transition to toddlerhood, came the loss of control.  With the loss of control, I began to experience the loss of joy. 

In my 6 years as a parent, there have been profound moments of gratitude...but limited moments of joy.  I could go back to giving birth vs adopting (where there were no happy hormones flooding my body)...but ultimately, I think if all my babies were from my womb, I would still struggle with anger & pine for joy.

It has been awhile since I spoke with Dr D.  As I mentioned the cost of two private schools has taken control of those funds in our budget.  One of the themes I was most interested in was the idea to "make your house a cloister".  The image of a cloister is one of peace, order, joy.  Perhaps the peace & order are impossible with children?  But I am for sure trying.  

Nesting is helping us declutter and bring peace to areas of our home that have been in chaos.  The energy to keep things clean is not present...but it is a prayer.  So...the home, is a big source of stress...but then, the kids.  

I so long to find joy in my children. I long to see them as God sees them.  I long to live in peace with them.  I long for them to have a mama that is filled with joy.  This...is where I pray for my miracle.   Parenting is suffering.  Parenting is laying down your wants, your life, for your children.  So...this elusive joy is only going to come from learning to suffer well.  

I am not quite sure how to do that...but every single day I have another opportunity to try.  I am a mama that is going to stay put.  And keep trying.  And...if joy is not meant for me in this life, I am so grateful it is available in heaven.

Wahhhhh!

First day of K is hardest on mama!!  Have a wonderful day sweet girl!! 

Quick Take Friday: back to school edition

1. On Tuesday we officially start year 2 of not-homeschooling. I have so many mixed feelings.  This is the blog where I attempt to work my way through those feelings.

2. As I think about things like sending my first born back into the world...and possibly via a big, scary school bus...all my confidences about school are replaced with thoughts about all the worst case scenarios that could happen to my precious 6 year old.  You simply can not protect them from everything.  That is scary.  That requires trust...and prayer.  

3. Today marks one month to go till D-day.  With an almost newborn, a 2 year old and a 3 year old - I am grateful that formal school will give our family a routine that I don't feel I could provide in this busy season of our life.  I do feel peace with our decision.  That decision, however, comes with a great cost. If the expense worth the routine?

4. Rosie is entering full day 5 day kindergarten at our parish school.  Augie is starting 3 year old two day half day pre-k at another church school.  Normally I would not send my 3 year old to school....but, in this case, I believe it will benefit us all in responding to his special needs.  Two private schools equates to adding a car payment to our monthly expenses.  Extra expenses...such as therapy and miscellaneous spending are not in the budget any longer.  I know the pastor uses the mantra you have to sacrifice to send your kids to Catholic school.  Catholic school....

5. Perhaps we are doing it from peer pressure.  The very large majority of our friends send their kids to the parish school.  Perhaps because if not homeschooling, it is the only other option for my husband.  Until recently I was not against public school.  But then....you realize....just how worldly even public elementary schools can become.  And recently, public school fell off my list of possibilities.  And so our options...teach or pay.

6. There are no homeschool co ops that exists within my parish community.  I am sure co ops exist...just none that I am aware of yet.  If I was surrounded by homeschooling families and a network of mentors, that would surely make a difference.  As it is, I am a public schooled mom married to my catholic schooled husband. No experience, no mentors, no homeschooling peer pressure...it is easier to take the path most traveled (here), in the midst of this stressful season.  I have a plethora of moms to help me navigate the parish school.

7. Year by year.  This year, this is the right decision for our family.  Rosie could not be MORE excited and as I snuggled Augie tonight...I started to reflect on what school would mean for him.  Being the middle child/second born...he takes a good amount of grief (not all undeserved ;-).  I had the thought "will I cry when I drop him off?"  A new challenge to my heart.  I am excited for the world before them...it is thrilling to watch the wide open eyes of my children.  Year by year, i will try my best to choose & provide what i feel is best for them.

First day pictures coming soon. 

Linking up with Jen: http://www.conversiondiary.com/2013/08/7-quick-takes-friday-vol-229.html

new pictures new pictures!

and an updated About Us page.

quick takes - on getting there

1. 34 w 5 d
difficult to breathe, challenging to get up from sitting or laying down, heart burn, reflux, can't stand too long, have to pee all the time...and holy smokes...I am having a baby!!!! so grateful to God for this gift of life within.  grateful for His trust and I am not worthy.  baby hiccups, kicks, head buts, tiny movements inside of me...and now the necessity to think in terms of getting this child out and holding a precious fresh from God newborn.  (not a tweeter...but hashtag grateful)

2.

a most beautiful and captivating book.  add to your wish list!

3. Wednesday I attended a Mass of Thanksgiving for a new Gianna Center affiliate opening in my diocese.  After Mass I had the chance to pray (once again) with St Gianna's gloves.  I placed them over my very large womb and prayed for a safe delivery.  Immediately after that prayer my prayers went towards all those I know who are still begging God for a healthy baby in arms.  My thoughts went to the last person I was fervently praying for while holding her gloves. For those who have suffered miscarriages, I prayed for you.  For those who have not yet conceived, I prayed for you. St Gianna Molla, pray for us!

4.  My husband's colleague mentioned something to the fact that "your wife is REALLY pregnant."  Why yes, yes I am.  Meanwhile my (almost) 6 year old declared me fat.   Starting to navigate some of these new conversations with her.  The world is pressing in and I am trying but not quite sure how to push back.  Lord, protect our daughters and help us teach them well.

5. On teaching her well...Rosie has made it through two whole rosaries this week.  She led 4 out of 5 decades in the car the other day.  She can also recite the St Michael prayer and told me she says it if she wakes at night scared.  So proud!

6. School.  As I watch many people post about school, about homeschooling, about getting ready...I am grateful that for now, we can afford catholic education.  Rosie will be starting K.  Augie will be attending a 3 year old pre-k 5 hours a week to obtain services from the intermediate unit.  I feel no pull to home school yet.  I can't imagine catholic education all the way through...but for now...we are here.

7.  Last weekend was Catie's half-sister's 17th birthday party.  Her first ever.  She entered into foster care last fall and we have been slowly building a relationship with her and her foster mom.  For T's sake, as well as Catie.  Today I received the most precious thank you note from a girl who is probably writing them for the first time ever.  It included the words "thank you for trying to play kick ball" (just picture that for a second, and yeah :-) .  I am very grateful she is in a good home.  I really can not see her in ours.  But grateful still for the opportunity to have a biological connection for Catie.  Wish I could share the sweet pics!

So I will leave on a note about Older Child Adoptions with THIS sweet story.

(yet another) quick take sunday

so..maybe it is just because the exciting parts only happen on the weekends?

1. Friday Night was amazing.  I was surrounded by lots of beautiful women very close to my heart for what has to be the most faith-filled baby shower ever.  The grace and gift of these women was so palpable for me.  I am humbled by their generosity and even more grateful for their presence in my life.  Four children equals four god mothers and they were all there.  The night was kicked off with the most incredible prayer...I am still waiting for a copy to share...but the part that struck me was "dear lord let me not harm these children in my care."

a gummy "craving" bar

yet another craving...there was much sugar to be had

the beautiful hostess

gifts from women of faith

2. Saturday.  Wedding day for one of the most beautiful brides I have seen.  There is just something about a Catholic wedding...especially when the bride radiates purity.  I have known the bride since before she was in high school.  She eagerly read my copy of "I Kissed Dating Goodbye" and made a commitment to not date, probably while she was in the 8th grade.  I was honored to be her youth minister and she soaked up everything.  Even when I only had two teens attending a particular bible study...she was committed.  She was with me in a small group of studying through Theology of the Body for teens.  And I was with her for her first Steubenville youth conference, where I witnessed her falling madly in love with our Lord.  I walked with her though years of discerning a religious vocation...she wanted to be cloistered (what teen thinks like that?).  When her parents requested she attend college first, I was thrilled when she selected Franciscan University.  I have been so honored to know H through the years and watch her mature into the beautiful young woman she has become.  I have loved getting to know her now husband, who happens to be a dear friend of a fellow blogger and long time internet friend.  While it was difficult to watch H's path stray from her passion for religious life...I could not imagine a more perfect fit.  M is very worthy of his beautiful bride and I look forward to watching them grow in holiness & love.  Also...jealous they live near Mrs Mike...and not me!  

loved seeing them pull into the gas station on our way out!!

3. Sunday.  Peaches!!

Last weekend was picking:

This weekend was processing:

Can not wait to enjoy them!  Right now, from the shower, we are still filled to the brim with sweets...so pies will have to wait.  The beauty of canning. 

4. As a result of #1 & #2 I was wiped.out today!  My body definitely rebels & lets me know when I do too much.  Grateful that even with canning peaches, today was a day of rest. 

5. I met with a new midwife who informed me in April my urine test was GBS+.  Since April I have met with 4 other midwives who have not mentioned it before, so not sure yet if I need to worry.  I will be retested at 36 weeks.  I am also borderline anemic, which means iron rich foods.  Top of my list are cream of wheat and liverwurst.  Organ meats are not my deal.  Finally, I got to see the birth pool at the birth center.  There are many reasons we would not be able to utilize it...but I am hopeful!  It looked like a lovely place to labor/birth.  Baby is doing well.  Oh, the (new/young) midwife also thought baby was posterior and recommended time on my hands and knees.  Not the most comfortable thing to do at this point so I am doing what I can while I await another opinion in a week and a half. 

6. I pulled out the baby girl clothes this week.  It is a bit ridiculous how YELLOW the stains turn while they sit in the bins.  After many washes, oxi soaks and a grass/sun drying...I think they look clean & new. Stains are usually not my thing.  My mother will come to town and purchase every stain remover known to man to fill my cupboard.  I can use each of those and still have no luck getting out stains.  My mom also purchased a book called Stain Rescue a few years back.  I am finally using some of the tips and was able to get felt tip marker out of Augie's church pants this morning.  That was kind of exciting.  Perhaps the bin of clothes being saved for my mother (the queen of all stain removing) will not be so big when she arrives.  

7. My in laws arrive tomorrow.  Looking forward to the visit and the help.