I Wish You Had 11 Kids...

I Wish You Had 11 Kids...

DD2 came to me the other day and said, "I wish you had 11 kids like the Kramers." I laughed out loud as soon as I heard it.
"Why would you want that?" I asked.
"So we can have lots of playmates and it's fun!"
"If you become a mommy, would you want to have 11 kids?"
"No."
"Why not?"
"Because it's hard," she answered with a shy grin.

I think that in a way she has touched on the reality of our lives. Having a bigger family is a lot of fun and a lot of hard work. I'd like to think that the work it takes to raise a bigger family is not necessarily "bad" hard work. It is a challenge but it brings joy to our lives. It is difficult but is filled with grace from our heavenly Father.

It can get overwhelming at times when I think of the practical issues.
How are we ever going to put all the kids through college?
We will need a bigger house soon as the kids are growing up quickly.
Will I be able to home school all of them?
Can I last through all their grade school years at least?
Should we be buying term life insurance beyond the 20 years that we are currently insured?
Can you imagine our car insurance premiums once they hit the driving age?

So many things can clutter my mind if I let it. It can get overwhelming. Then the Lord reminds me that these are His children. He loves them more than I can ever love them. He has a plan for each one. I will need to trust that He will provide for us just as He has provided for me and my family when I was growing up.

Patriotism & God

Patriotism & God

"The decline of patriotism in America is due to a decline of religion. As men cease to love God, they also cease to love their neighbor. No one proves this better than Mathew, the author of the first Gospel. He was at one time as unpatriotic a citizen as ever lived: his land was over-run by a foreign power, his fellow-citizens lost many of their civil and political rights- and yet he welcomed the foreign power to his bosom for the basest of all motives, financial booty. He became a publican, that is a collector for the Romans, thus not only selling out his country men, but even filching from them to enrich himself as a subject of the invaders. One day, while collecting his taxes and counting his profits, Our Divine Savior passed by. "Come, follow Me," He said to Mathew, and Mathew with no other promise than a peace which shown in the Divine Countenance became an apostle, an evangelist, and a martyr. He became more than that-the greatest patriot in the Gospels. His Gospel might be called the Gospel of Patriotism. Tireless he becomes in unfolding the glories of his people, the traditions of his land, and the prophecies of its spiritual triumphs. Time and time again he goes back to the past, turns over the pages of Isaias, Jeremias, Micheas, David, and the Kings; ninety-nine times to be exact, he quotes from the glorious pages of his people, and crowns it all with the thrilling message: You are a great people! From Israel comes the Savior; from our clouds comes the Messias; from our earth the Redeemer. Hail! Christ is your king.

He became a patriot because he found his God. May we all go and do likewise."
~ Fulton J. Sheen, Servant of God (February 5, 1939)

Prayer for Your Husband

Prayer for Your Husband

This prayer was posted at Faith and Family Live! blog. Indeed, one of the best ways we can support our husbands is to pray for them often.


The author wrote that she has this printed and taped up above her kitchen sink to remind her to pray for her husband during the day - a physical reminder of the importance of praying for your husband. I might do just that. I'll print this up and tape it up in our school room or refrigerator.

Lord, bless and preserve my cherished husband, whom You have given me: Let his life be long and blessed, comfortable and holy; let me ever be a blessing and a comfort to him, a sharer in all his sorrows, a consolation in all the accidents and trials of life; make me forever lovable in his eyes and forever dear to him; unite his heart to mine in fondest love and holiness, and mine to him in all sweetness, charity, and submission.  Keep me from all ungentleness; make me humble and obedient, that we may delight in each other according to Your blessed word. May both of us rejoice in You, having our portion in the love and service of God forever.
Amen.

Interesting Anniversary, part 2

Interesting Anniversary, part 2

So I got to the hospital safely. The nurses were very attentive to my needs. The doctor checked and said that I was about 3 cm dilated. At first, she said that they were going to give me medication to stop the contractions. After a while, she came back and realized that I was already 34 weeks. At this stage, they do not do anything to stop the contractions nor do they do anything to speed it up. In other words, it was going to be a waiting game. At around that time, my contractions had gotten closer together at around 2 minutes. The doctor said that there could be a possibility that I was going into labor, given that this was my 5th child and that I had a history of precipitous delivery.

I started to worry right then.

The neonatologist then came to see me to talk to me about what could happen if I deliver right then. The baby would no doubt have to go to NICU. How long the baby stays there will depend on how strong the baby is. He has seen babies discharged after only a few days. Then there were also babies that needed several weeks at the NICU. I did NOT want my baby to go to the NICU. The doctor said that I would have to pump my milk and then will have that fed to the baby. I wanted my baby with me. I wanted those first moments with my baby, breastfeeding and bonding. I cherished those times with my other children. I did not want to not have that chance with this baby.

As soon as the doctor left the room, I turned to DH and started to cry. Heck, I'm tearing up right now. I want the best for my babies. I want what's ideal for them. I breastfeed them for as long as I can to give them the best possible start in life. I home-cook their meals to lessen their exposure to preservatives and other chemicals. I've started to use more green cleaning supplies to minimize their exposure to harmful chemicals and vapors. I homeschool them so I can give them the best atmosphere as they are growing up, conducive for their minds and heart. Most importantly, I pray for them, knowing that I do not hold their lives in my hand. Only God knows what is best for each of them.

So, that's what DH and I did at that moment. We prayed together. We prayed hard to protect this baby. We prayed hard that my body will cooperate. We called and texted friends to pray with us. I got my rosary and asked for our Mother's intercession as I lay on my hospital bed throughout the night.

And God answered our prayers. My contractions began to be less intense. Then they started to come more sparingly. I was even able to doze off for a few minutes here and there.

By 10 am the next morning, my contractions had become so irregular, coming between 30-45 minutes apart. The doctor felt that the danger of going into labor had passed and discharged me, ordering me on bed rest. Did I have anyone who could help me with our other kids, she asked. I smiled and immediately told her that my parents were coming in that very day. Coincidence? I say God's providence.

Throughout this experience, one phrase echoed in my mind and heart, an assurance of God's loving presence...

"My grace is sufficient for you..."

Indeed, His grace is sufficient.

The waiting and praying is not over yet. I am praying that we will last at least 2 more weeks before I deliver. Better yet if I go full-term.

"My grace is sufficient for you for My power is made perfect in weakness." (2 Corinthians 12:9)

This is the weakest and most helpless I have felt in a long time. I am confined to my bed, only getting up to go to the bathroom and to shower. I cannot even sit up for long periods of time because then I start to feel the contractions coming again. I feel so useless. I feel sorry for my husband who has to work hard outside the home and then take care of the kids when he gets home. While he's out of the house, I know he worries about me because he checks on me several times by phoning me. I feel bad for my parents who have to deal with my kids and their own jet lag. And they're older too so I know this must not be easy for them. I feel bad for my kids that they are suddenly confined to staying inside the house.

Yet, the Lord reassures me...

"My grace is sufficient for you for My power is made perfect in weakness"

Yes, Lord, Your grace is all I need. I have been made weak. May my weakness glorify You. Use my helplessness to manifest Your awesomeness.

Your grace is sufficient.

The Serenity Prayer

The Serenity Prayer

I'm sure many have heard or read this prayer before. I've seen it a countless times.

God grant me the serenity
to accept the things I cannot change;
courage to change the things I can;
and wisdom to know the difference.

I just found out today that this is merely a portion of a longer prayer. I thank the Lord for leading me to the whole prayer. I feel it is something I really need right now.

God grant me the serenity
to accept the things I cannot change;
courage to change the things I can;
and wisdom to know the difference.

Living one day at a time;
Enjoying one moment at a time;
Accepting hardships as the pathway to peace;
Taking, as He did, this sinful world
as it is, not as I would have it;
Trusting that He will make all things right
if I surrender to His Will;
That I may be reasonably happy in this life
and supremely happy with Him
Forever in the next.
Amen.

--Reinhold Niebuhr

Examen for Families

Examen for Families

I initially found this article (Reflecting with Children: St. Ignatius’ Examen for Families with Children @ Piecing Stories) via the Facebook wall of Ignatian Spiritually. I think it's a beautiful thing to do as a family.

The Examen:

1. For what time or event today are you most grateful (thankful/happy)?

(Initially, you may have to name a few things in a young child’s day to help them catch on to the practice for #1 and #2.)

2. For which moment are you least grateful?

3. How did you show love today?

(For very young children, you may ask additional questions as your family begins this spiritual practice. Ex.: Who did you share with today? Who did you help today? It won’t be long before they understand the question and can reflect and respond without your assistance.)

4. What was one time your actions or behavior were negative or you withheld showing kindness?

(Again, for young children you might ask:

Was there a time you did not share today? Was there a time you said a hurtful word or did not help?)

5. Briefly give thanks for this time of reflection and sharing and for God teaching each of you to be more loving.

For our family, we've basically been doing #1 as part of our family prayers at night. We were doing it because we want the kids to develop the spirit of gratitude for God's goodness and the attitude that everything we have comes from God. Come to think of it, even if you're not Catholic or Christian or whatever religion you practice, this would be a healthy exercise. If each one would reflect on their day, we would learn a bit more about ourselves and take steps to become more loving, kinder, more patient, etc.
Personally, I think we can start incorporating the other questions, one at a time. I've got little ones so I know it might be too much if we try to introduce everything at once. Adding one reflection question at a time will allow the kids to understand it better and develop patience for the process.

God's Perfect Timing

God's Perfect Timing

God is indeed good. And His timing is always perfect.

I praise and thank God for the good that has happened to good friends of ours. Mr.C lost his job about 2 months ago. He was in the banking industry and was not surprised when he was laid off. He was kinda expecting it. Still, it is still disheartening to lose one's job, particularly because they were a 1-income family.

They remained hopeful and even praised the Lord for His goodness. Why? Because at the time he was laid off, their home equity line of credit had not been closed yet. As soon as he received the news of being laid off, he immediately withdrew the balance of the line so that they would still have money for their living expenses even while there was no income coming in.

Mr.C continued to look for a job. He had job interviews here and there. They continued to pray and trust in the Lord.

Then, last week, a bank offered him a job. Once again, God proves that He is faithful to those who love and serve Him.

The best part? Mr.C has been asked to start exactly a day after his last paycheck from the previous job arrives!

Break out a bottle of the wine of the month and let's celebrate God's goodness! God is good - all the time!!!

How are you being affected by the economic crisis?

How are you being affected by the economic crisis?

I heard this from my dad...

Q: What is the difference between recession and depression?
A: Recession is when everyone is losing their jobs. Depression is when you lose your job.

LOL!

But seriously, the US economy is in disarray and it's really affecting the world economy, isn't it? I haven't been following closely economic news but it isn't hard to overlook the reality that hard times are coming, if it hasn't come yet. Everywhere I look, news agencies can only report bad news about the economy. And it would be so easy to get caught up in the anxiety and uncertainty of these economic times.

DH mentioned to me last week that his 401K portfolio lost about 20K because he had them in stocks. It may not seem much in light of all the huge losses being suffered by a lot of people but for regular folks like us, that is huge!!! I was teasing him, I wonder how many Disney vacations that could have gotten us?

Seriously though, like I said, it could be so easy to get caught up and worry and be anxious during these times. But it is precisely during these times that we as Christians can be bright lights in a dark world. It is during these times that God calls us to be even more faithful in our walk with Him. His call to us remains the same - be faithful to our responsibilites, be generous to God and our brothers & sisters, and remain totally dependent on our God who takes care of all our needs.

" ... I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty ... I can do all this through Him who gives me strength. and my God will meet all your needs according tot he riches of his glory in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:11-13, 19)