Thanksgiving Leftovers

We stayed in South Dakota for Thanksgiving this year.  It was sad to be so far away from family and friends, but Nate was up to the challenge to cook a great bird!  My first trimester is still in full-swing and most days find me spending the afternoon under the weather.  Thankfully, on Thanksgiving morning, I was feeling well enough to help him with some of the preparations.

We found a great recipe to brine the turkey the night before it is to be cooked.  The turkey came out moist and having a hint of apple-sweet taste.  Two days later, when we used the drippings for soup, it too had a bit of a sweet taste!  

Kolbe doing his best Indian call.

Jozef modeling his Turkey-Day attire.  And the pink turkey he made, hanging on the wall behind him.

Marcel the pilgrim--he was playing so hard the "buckle" feel off of his hat.

Nate carving the bird.

Pay no attention to that box of Stove Top Stuffing.

Hope you had a great Thanksgiving!

That Lovin' Feeling

Who would guess that after almost 9 years of marriage and 4 children, romance would look like this?

Him:  Honey, you just relax and be pregnant today.  I'll clean the house tomorrow morning.

You Can't Have Just One

There is one period in my life when potato chips are the one thing I want more than anything else in the world.  That would be the first trimester of my pregnancies.  All 5 of my pregnancies (we had one miscarriage) have landed me in the same position I am in now.

So, it's official, we are expecting a new baby once again!  Each time, the first trimester lands me on the couch.  My stomach is upset and not much "sounds good" to eat--except for the occasional potato chip!  I'm hungry, I'm nauseous, I'm starving, I'm ready for a nap.  Rinse.  Repeat.

As Catholics, we are called to be open to children in marriage.  Though, I don't think God is calling us to breed like rabbits.  However, there is a balance.  Our life here is to be a sacrifice.  A sacrifice of our time, talent and treasure.  Children require all three.

If I add up all of the time my pregnancies have landed me one the couch--for three months at a time, that is quite a sacrifice!  That's 15 months, in all previous pregnancies and 18 months if I count this one.  That's a year and a half of my life that is simply a time of bare necessities and nothing more.

Is a new life worth this?  Absolutely.  After all, I've learned that life is not all about me.  Rather it is about the people I love and serve on a daily basis.

So, I'll snuggle up on the couch, watch another Netflix and maybe snack on some chips.  In 9 months, God-willing, I'll meet a beautiful new somebody that God has planned for our family.