Service Project Disguised as Fun

My parents volunteer for a charity called Brothers of Peace where they help package food bags for local needy. The Brothers are trying something new and are putting rosaries in the food bags. They put out a request for rosaries and are getting them by the thousands. The rosaries then need to be untangled and put into little bags that can be easily distributed when filling the food bags. Pauly and Gabriella helped my mom package about 300 over the weekend, and tonight the busy beavers packaged 600 rosaries, untangled, and bundled a bunch more for filling once more little bags are bought. They had a blast. We love rosaries in our house, and they kept finding ones they wanted to keep, so needless to say we have plenty of rosaries in our home. When my mom brought the first batch back to the head Brother, he was shocked at the speed and even more shocked at the age of her helpers. He said that they could keep as many as they wanted and that he wants pictures.

Someone got a little note from me

Last night Paul and I were watching the local news and were shocked at the investigative report. We basically watched and listened to a story bashing many of our lifestyle choices. Paul watched as my body language and breathing changed to reflect my growing anger, and when the report was over he asks, "So, are you gonna email someone?" Yes, indeed. So here's the earfull this investigative reporter got from me.

"I am very disappointed in and offended by tonight’s one sided report. After seeing the title referring to Minnesota moms escaping their dominating husbands, I was prepared to watch a report of victims of abuse who were succeeding in escaping from their abusive partners. I was not prepared to view an entire segment bit by bit bashing many of the lifestyle choices that my husband and I have made and value.

While I have never heard of the Quiver Full movement and do not know all of their philosophies and teachings, I do know that my husband and I adhere to and believe in similar ideas. I do not believe the woman who was talking about her bad experience with the movement was a fair or full representation of the movement and it‘s beliefs, and the pastor and leader of MACHE was definitely not a fair and thorough defense. Trish did give a small disclaimer at the end attempting to validate all lifestyle and parenting styles, but by that point in the report people had already heard some very strong arguments against them and in no way provided for a balanced report.

Choosing to go against the grain of society is never easy, but a report like this is damaging and makes the arguments against so much stronger. I am proud to say that I support my husband as head of our house and in no way feel demeaned by it or less of a person for it; I choose to do it, and in return he respects me for the role I play in our home. Anyone who believes and teaches “wives be submissive to your husbands” also believes and teaches the counterpart “husbands love your wives as Christ loved the Church.” The respect is mutual and in no way demeaning.

I am also proud to say that we are a large home schooling family. You can ask any one of my children if they feel isolated, trapped, or lacking in friends and outside activities, and they will tell you no. In comparison to the young girl featured in the story proclaiming her freedom now that she is allowed to go to school and the fact that she has friends, my children will tell you that they are very much a part of the choice to stay home, and that they enjoy it.

As for the part of the story focusing on the promoted attire of skirts/dresses and birthing choices of women, why must is be seen as so derogatory that women would actually embrace there femininity and what our bodies were naturally created to do? There are many women who enjoy wearing longer/modest dresses; I have been surprised at the increase in courtesy especially from men when I am in a skirt. Maybe it’s because they can be a gentleman and be appreciated for it. As for homebirths, this trend is growing period and was given an extremely bad wrap. There is always risk for complications, and this woman’s story basically discredited the whole field dedicated to helping mothers bring their children into the world in the comfort of their home.

I would have hoped that Fox9 would have a more balanced story, and I think this was very irresponsible reporting. My husband and I were both offended and surprised and will be hesitant to return to your station for news."

Really?

So, I was out last night and got a phone call from Paul asking me when was the last time one of our kids cut there own hair. My heart sank as I aksed which one and sank a little more as he said Gabriella. He says he just wants to give me a heads up; thanks honey. I get to the front door, and Elizabeth greats me with this, "Mom, Gabriella's hair looks terrible." My heart sinks a little more, and then I meet up with the little monkey. And, this is what you get when you mix a curious, mischievous, adventurous 3 year old with scissors and being left alone for a split second?
And this...

Needless to say, the headband is the way to go for a while. Good thing she is so cute.

Pumpkins, more pumpkins, and our punkins

So here's a different kind of belly shot for you. We had a fun night of carving pumpkins. I am not however having fun with this new computer, so the pictures are out of order and some that I wanted to include are missing, but I don't have it in me to keep trying to figure it all out. Humor me and my anal retentive side and start from the bottom up- that way they will be in the order of events. If anyone would like to volunteer to help me get acquainted with this new computer I would love it.

Everyone got a chance to paint the belly a little but Daddy got to do the detail work. It was fine until the paint started to dry, and then it got very itchy.

The finished products; this is not one of the better pictures, but for some reason all my pictures didn't transfer from my camera- technology is a love/hate relationship with me. The kids all made drawings for Paul and I to look at. We drew on the pumpkins and then carved them out. Paul was definitely more skilled than me. I wish I could show you close ups of them all- maybe tomorrow I'll try again.

This is for Kristina- even I got into it; almost cut my swollen finger off, but I did it and had fun.

The chatter around the table was priceless as the kids all got out the junk from the inside of the pumpkins. Lots of "ick"s and "ew"s.

Tiring but a lot of fun.

33 Weeks and Counting

So, here are a couple profile/belly shots for you. Yes, I am starting to waddle, and despite the aches and pains, swelling and such, I am trying to enjoy these last few weeks of pregnancy- I still have a lot to do before she's here. I can't say that I am one who enjoys being pregnant, but I love the pay off for the sacrifice, and you just never know when it will be your last time to feel a little life growing inside you and participate in the creation of a little one.


Anyone care to guess how big our little belly bean is going to be? She has a little over 5 weeks left to grow which will put her at just over 38 weeks. Her increase in size is not affecting her activity level in the slightest; she is just as active as ever, and it sure seems like she is making sure to utilize every nook and cranny and make sure I know she is there. I thinking her length might be more of the issue than her weight, but we'll see. The kids are definitely getting a show and are already bonding with her. George is constantly kissing my belly and loves to bare it for the world to see. Pauly is also pretty fixated on it as well; he loves to hug and rub my belly, and he says he will miss it when it's gone. I go next week for another ultrasound to check her size and recheck the placement of the placenta before surgery.

Thanks for all your thoughts and prayers- soon I'll be posting her beautiful face.

Back in Business

We finally, or should I say FINALLY, have our new computer. I had to release the "bulldog," as Paul so lovingly refers to me, a couple times, but we are now back in business. We have a little to learn about this new computer and the operating system and of course now we have to totally start over from scratch with all our "favorites," but we'll manage. I'm having some technical difficulty due to some intense swelling in my hands, so it may be a slow update process.

Love to you all and prayers for you too. Jesus, we trust in You.

We're all still alive

I knew it had been a long time since I posted last, but I didn 't realize how long. Our computer has been in the shop, and to be honest I've taken the opportunity to think about other things that emails and blog postings. Thanks to buying the very expensive warranty package, we will be getting a brand new computer hopefully this week. Any suggestions?

Life is busy around here, but good. I am almost 31 weeks along and starting to feel a little like time is running out. I wish I had the energy to nest and get things done, maybe tomorrow. Tentative delivery date is Dec. 8th. I had wanted the 11th since all our babies have been born on Fridays, and it is also Paul's Grandpa Pauly's birthday, but when I saw the calendar and realized that the 8th was the Feast of the Immaculate Conception, I had to make the change. It's going to make things a little more stressful for Paul since the 9th is his big "dollar day" sale at work, but after that he is taking 10 days off.

School is in full swing. Pauly now goes for half days to the elementary school and is loving it. He home schools with me in the afternoon. The girls are loving piano and dance and are constantly fluttering around the house. Olivia turned 9 on Sept. 29th and George turned 2 on Oct. 12th. I'll post pictures once I get my new computer.

Well, time's up- back to mommydom I go.