my big girl...

Well, this weekend my daughter graduated high school. Woohoo!!!

Last year I was feeling so weepy with the prospect of our firstborn graduating. This time around I am relieved, happy, and so proud of her that after much perseverance and many challenges she is finally done and ready to begin the next chapter of her life.

Dearest daughter, We are all so very proud of you! You did it! God has an awesome plan for your life, just remember to cooperate!

I love you!!!

Jeremiah 29:11

love this...

Just heard about this today. I received a request from a neighbor/for a neighbor that will be having surgery this week.

http://www.takethemameal.com/

This really simplifies things.

my daughter...

self portrait by the artist in the family...

life giving books...

Several months ago I attended weekday Mass at a parish not my own. I had been searching the previous week or two for a good pregnancy book. You know one of those week by week ones to refresh my memory regarding the different changes my body would be going through. You would think by one's fourth child I would not need much of a reminder, but let us not forget, mine are over the span of almost 2 decades. Anyway as I flipped through various books at various stores. I didn't like any of them. Some of them were down right irritating, maybe even a little scary for a 41 year old plus mom to be.

Anyway...

As I arrived at Mass that particular morning and waited for Mass to begin I had a thought that I should check out the church library, which I did immediately following Mass. Right away I spotted the book, Life Giving Love by Kimberly Hahn. A book Michele had lent me after the birth of our last child. It was once again just what I needed at this time. It wasn't about the biology of giving birth but rather God's plan for us as a Catholic family. It spoke to all the objections or fears that people may experience hearing from others or feel personally about being open to "one more soul". And really, there are very few objections or fears with validity. This is the book I needed to prepare my heart for this baby. The Bradley Method we have learned about this time around will hopefully prepare me more physically.

After savoring that book for a while I once again picked up Graced and Gifted, Biblical Wisdom For The Homemakers Heart by Kimberly Hahn from my personal library.

I've had it for a while but for some reason it was one of those books that I picked up and couldn't get going with (it was the timing, not the book), until I opened it up again recently.

Such good stuff. I have highlighted the dickens out of this one!

Here is just one little tidbit from the book...

"Little by little God is giving me more of a servant heart as I relinquish my will to His, allowing the ordinary tasks of my day to reflect the extraordinary love he has for my loved ones through me."

Oh Motherhood, what an awesome journey!

No matter how long it's been I never stop having the need to learn and grow.

my irish...

A few things you may not know about me from reading this blog...

• I am 100% first generation Irish.
• My mother is from Donegal , my father is from Sligo. They both came to this country as young adults. They both have thick brogues-Dad more than mom.
• I can put on a pretty thick brogue myself -which makes my kids laugh. Every once in a while I will leave them a message on their voice mail in this brogue of mine-haven't done that in a while, hmmmm....
• I grew up on Irish music, Irish dancing, Irish cooking and lots of Irish extended family.
• I even played the accordian-ok, there I said it...
• My Dad took us to march in the St. Patrick's Day Parade in NYC every year growing up. We marched with County Sligo.
• I went to Ireland only once when I was 6. I can still recall vivid pictures of that trip. Acres and acres of sheep and riding my grandma's donkey to name a couple. (My Dad says Lancaster County reminds him a lot of Ireland.
• I have a confession to make--I hate corned beef and cabbage! shhh...

Happy St. Patrick's Day!!!

anticipation...

And so has my body...

Wow, a few short weeks ago friends were still asking "when are you going to start showing?" Now I feel like I look like my due date is not all that far off--eek! At my OB appointment last week the doctor informed me that this little princess is measuring two weeks bigger. No, that doesn't mean she will be early, it means she is BIG! My sister weighed in at a whopping 11 lbs. 3 oz.. Big babies are hereditary...

I think with spring almost here these next weeks/months will fly by and the baby will be here before you know it.

Thank God, and thank God again (as my mother would say) that this has been a pretty good pregnancy. I know that people are praying for me/us and that makes all the difference. I definitely have some fears that I need to work on surrendering.

Although being pregnant is not my favorite thing. I very much treasure the opportunity we have to share in this miracle. There is no feeling that compares to a baby moving inside of me. There is nothing that compares to this waiting to meet her, to see what she looks like, to hold her.

Very, very exciting...and yes, even a little scary.