There are times in life when the presence of God is far away and times when I can feel Him closely. The birth of our baby Gemma has been such a blessed event that I find myself reveling in this feeling. However, it has not always been so.
I can recall the feelings I had after Kolbe, our first-born, had arrived and we were officially a little family. Nate and I spent days just looking at him and enjoying this new experience in life. I felt like the entire world had changed now that I had a little one whose soul was entrusted to me. The world seemed so callous and cold but I knew that our family was warm and familiar and safe. I remember truly enjoying the feelings of blessedness that accompanied that time.
After the birth of Jerzy, our fourth, life was busy. We were far from our extended family. His birth felt rushed and the busyness of our family felt overwhelming. I remember praying that God would give me the grace to enjoy that time. It was a time I felt God was very far away. It was a time, I felt, of unanswered prayers. The things that were near were unending. Dishes, discipline, and the "bedtime badtimes" marked our days. Nate was working long hours and we were in a holding pattern where we just gritted our teeth and endured each day until it was over only to begin again.
I have heard it said that marriage is like a roller coaster with peaks and valleys. There are times when you feel like you are soaring through the air and there are times you simply get through the day, asking for the grace of a better tomorrow. I think this is a great analogy for daily life.
Recent days have me basking in the glow of a grace-filled birth and beginning days with Gemma in our family. In many ways our little family is in a different place than we were after our last baby was born. Each member of the family enjoys simply being around her (when she's not crying ;-) and looking on at her with love. We treasure her little features and wonder if she'll like Star Wars. We marvel at he beautiful hair and how big she is already! We enjoy simply holding her and snuggling with her on our lap or shoulder.
For now, we'll all enjoy this mountain-top time, for certainly there will be many more valleys in the future. I have been through enough of them to know that these times are for enjoying and treasuring. The housework will wait, the homeschooling doesn't need to continue for now. Instead, we'll go to the park or watch a movie together, and simply enjoy being a family.
Monday, June 27, 2011
Thursday, June 23, 2011
Sunday, June 19, 2011
Our Little Gem
Gemma Ruth came into the world at 2:30 PM today. She is 8lbs 6 ozs and 20 inches long.
We are truly blessed.
Thank you for your prayers, they really helped me through.
Saturday, June 18, 2011
False Start
The hospital called this morning. The Labor & Delivery area was full and they wanted to postpose our induction.
I told Nate that it felt like a football penalty.
After a night of tossing and turning and anxiously awaiting, we are waiting a bit more. We're rescheduled for tomorrow morning.
God's will be done. =)
I told Nate that it felt like a football penalty.
False start.
25 yard penalty.
No 1st down.
After a night of tossing and turning and anxiously awaiting, we are waiting a bit more. We're rescheduled for tomorrow morning.
God's will be done. =)
Monday, June 13, 2011
Waiting for Baby
Marcel had a nugget of wisdom that he just had to share with me at mass yesterday:
And Mom and Dad are peaceful with a recent change. During these last two weeks of my pregnancy, Nate and I have made a rather last-minute decision to switch doctors. At my last doctor appointment, I spotted a certificate that said "Certified by Planned Parenthood" on the wall of the nurse practitioner's office. I was shocked to see it there. At the very least, this person is passionate about abortion. At the most, how many abortions has she been party to?
The idea of sending these people my money and support was no longer an option. As a mother-bear protects her cubs I thought there was no way I could have these doctors as partners in our baby's birth.
As if by divine providence (which, I'm sure it was), a friend called me (completely out-of-the-blue) and told me about a pro-life doctor in Sioux Falls (an hour drive from here). I made an appointment, toured the hospital and now know this is where we are to have our baby. This hospital is truly a holy place:
So, why this complete change of plans? All life is a gift from God. Sometimes, babies are surprises, and, sometimes, babies are planned. Usually, babies are healthy though sometimes babies are not. Regardless of the circumstances, life is a gift to be received. Women should be encouraged in this rather than discouraged. Knowing that Planned Parenthood's main money maker is abortion is the reason I had to run when I saw that certificate on the wall. Their mission is abortion, plain and simple. They are contra-life and I'll have no part in that.
So, as we all wait for baby, Nate and I are truly at peace with this major change. And, ready to meet our new little girl!
"Mom, your belly can not get any bigger. Pretty soon, you won't fit into any clothes."Jerzy believes that he fits just fine into the new baby car seat.
And Mom and Dad are peaceful with a recent change. During these last two weeks of my pregnancy, Nate and I have made a rather last-minute decision to switch doctors. At my last doctor appointment, I spotted a certificate that said "Certified by Planned Parenthood" on the wall of the nurse practitioner's office. I was shocked to see it there. At the very least, this person is passionate about abortion. At the most, how many abortions has she been party to?
The idea of sending these people my money and support was no longer an option. As a mother-bear protects her cubs I thought there was no way I could have these doctors as partners in our baby's birth.
As if by divine providence (which, I'm sure it was), a friend called me (completely out-of-the-blue) and told me about a pro-life doctor in Sioux Falls (an hour drive from here). I made an appointment, toured the hospital and now know this is where we are to have our baby. This hospital is truly a holy place:
- No contraception is prescribed by their OB staff
- They are knowledgeable about Natural Family Planning and recommend it to their patients
- The hospital has a 24-hour Eucharistic Adoration chapel
- The staff was professional, friendly and welcomingIf the baby doesn't come during this week, I am scheduled to be induced there on Saturday. Why an induction? Well, when we calculated the travel time with the need to have our boys well taken care of, we feel like this is the best course of action.
So, why this complete change of plans? All life is a gift from God. Sometimes, babies are surprises, and, sometimes, babies are planned. Usually, babies are healthy though sometimes babies are not. Regardless of the circumstances, life is a gift to be received. Women should be encouraged in this rather than discouraged. Knowing that Planned Parenthood's main money maker is abortion is the reason I had to run when I saw that certificate on the wall. Their mission is abortion, plain and simple. They are contra-life and I'll have no part in that.
So, as we all wait for baby, Nate and I are truly at peace with this major change. And, ready to meet our new little girl!
Tuesday, June 7, 2011
About a Bird
Once there was an 8-year old who wanted a pet bird for his birthday. His parents thought this was a good idea as learning how to take care of others is an important lesson for a boy. So, they purchased a cage, and the necessary gear and made a trip to the local pet big-box store.
Two small parakeets were selected and the boy began taking care of his pets. The boy would talk with them, sit by them, watch them, and work with them outside of the cage. He even let them know when he was leaving the house and would reassure them that he would return soon.
A few days after the purchase, one of the birds was found dead as a door knob. "Oh no," Mom thought, "this will crush the boy." Mom quickly "took care" of the situation and informed the boy when he returned home from cub scouts. He took the news okay and his parents reassured him that he was doing an exemplary job taking care of the birds.
A short week or so later, the other bird died. The parents were confused. Afterall, they've raised four healthy, strapping young boys, but they couldn't take care of a bird? They followed the instructions to the letter and knew that no bird ever had such a great home life.
Fast-forward about 6 weeks and Mom and Dad have resolved to again purchase a bird (this time a cockatiel) and make a "go" of this whole "taking care of a pet" thing. We have the gear, just no bird for the boy.
A cockatiel was purchased from a local breeder rather than a big-box pet store. The price was double, however the parents are hoping the bird will be worth the increased fee.
The bird was brought home and left to acclimate to his new comfy home for 24-hours. Then, the excited boy took the bird out of his home for some exercise and play time. The bird noticed the steady ceiling fan in the room and decided he'd perch there, away from the boy. And his Mom.
For 45-minutes Mother and Son attempted to retrieve the bird from the top of the fan. The bird, for his part, simply jumped from blade-to-blade-to-blade, around and around away from Mom's grasp. It was then that Mom thought, "We should have bought a dog. A dog would not be on top of the ceiling fan right now."
Finally, the boy suggested that Mom disassemble the fan to leave the bird without a perch to stand on, so to speak. Mom looked at the boy. At 9-months pregnant and perched atop a kitchen chair, the prospect of removing the blades from the fan was not a good one. However, the prospect of allowing the bird to simply hang out until Dad got home from work, allowed to chew or leave dropping wherever he may was not an option.
After 3 screwdrivers and 15 more minutes, Mom had the blades off of the fan. And, the bird happily flew down and perched atop the couch. Mom made some comments about the score of the day (Bird-1, Mom and Boy-0) and the boy simply delivered the bird to his cage. And there he would remain. For at least 24 more hours!
This morning, when the boy took the bird out, he was much more cooperative. The boy loved his new pet. Already. And Mom remembered why we bought the bird in the first place. She has simply resolved not to look up at the ugly-duckling of a ceiling fan that is a direct result of this new family member.
Two small parakeets were selected and the boy began taking care of his pets. The boy would talk with them, sit by them, watch them, and work with them outside of the cage. He even let them know when he was leaving the house and would reassure them that he would return soon.
A few days after the purchase, one of the birds was found dead as a door knob. "Oh no," Mom thought, "this will crush the boy." Mom quickly "took care" of the situation and informed the boy when he returned home from cub scouts. He took the news okay and his parents reassured him that he was doing an exemplary job taking care of the birds.
A short week or so later, the other bird died. The parents were confused. Afterall, they've raised four healthy, strapping young boys, but they couldn't take care of a bird? They followed the instructions to the letter and knew that no bird ever had such a great home life.
Fast-forward about 6 weeks and Mom and Dad have resolved to again purchase a bird (this time a cockatiel) and make a "go" of this whole "taking care of a pet" thing. We have the gear, just no bird for the boy.
A cockatiel was purchased from a local breeder rather than a big-box pet store. The price was double, however the parents are hoping the bird will be worth the increased fee.
The bird was brought home and left to acclimate to his new comfy home for 24-hours. Then, the excited boy took the bird out of his home for some exercise and play time. The bird noticed the steady ceiling fan in the room and decided he'd perch there, away from the boy. And his Mom.
For 45-minutes Mother and Son attempted to retrieve the bird from the top of the fan. The bird, for his part, simply jumped from blade-to-blade-to-blade, around and around away from Mom's grasp. It was then that Mom thought, "We should have bought a dog. A dog would not be on top of the ceiling fan right now."
Finally, the boy suggested that Mom disassemble the fan to leave the bird without a perch to stand on, so to speak. Mom looked at the boy. At 9-months pregnant and perched atop a kitchen chair, the prospect of removing the blades from the fan was not a good one. However, the prospect of allowing the bird to simply hang out until Dad got home from work, allowed to chew or leave dropping wherever he may was not an option.
 |
| Jozef with "Petri" |
This morning, when the boy took the bird out, he was much more cooperative. The boy loved his new pet. Already. And Mom remembered why we bought the bird in the first place. She has simply resolved not to look up at the ugly-duckling of a ceiling fan that is a direct result of this new family member.
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