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{pretty, happy, funny, real} March Edition

by Filed Under: {phfr}, 03 March, Baby, GFG 2 Comments

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3.31.13 – Family picture taken on Easter Sunday before Mass.

Picture taken by the talented dad of the Aranas Clan.

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3.2.13 – Birth of a new baby via physical delivery.

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3.16.13 – Birth of a new baby via Baptism.

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3.31.13 – Boys will be boys.  Easter fun with Father B.

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3.2.13 – This picture was taken about 20 min. prior to the delivery of Baby G3.  I labored at home, with my husband, in union with Jesus & Mary.

~~~

{pretty, happy, funny, real}

~ Capturing the context of contentment in everyday life ~
Every Thursday, here at Like Mother, Like Daughter!

Easter JOY

by Filed Under: Easter, Family Easter, GFG 9 Comments

 

Easter pic

~~~

Let us all enter into the joy of the Lord! First and last alike receive your reward; rich and poor, rejoice together! Sober and slothful, celebrate the day!
You that have kept the fast, and you that have not, rejoice today for the Table is richly laden! Feast royally on it, the calf is a fatted one. Let no one go away hungry. Partake, all, of the cup of faith. Enjoy all the riches of His goodness!
Let no one grieve at his poverty, for the universal kingdom has been revealed. Let no one mourn that he has fallen again and again; for forgiveness has risen from the grave. Let no one fear death, for the Death of our Savior has set us free. He has destroyed it by enduring it. ~ Easter Sermon by St. John Chrysostom

“Better Than New”

by Filed Under: Baby, Baptism 3 Comments

Baby G-3 was baptized in the Traditional Roman Rite on March 16, 2013, at two weeks of age.

Baptism photo 2P3270009

We opted to go with Papi’s simple baptismal outfit vs. Dragonfly’s borrowed gown.

~~~

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The Rite of Baptism
(English Translation)

Part I:
Outside the Church

The priest (wearing a violet stole), sponsors, and the catechumen stand in the narthex of the church, symbolizing that at this point, the candidate is not a member of the Church.

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The Questioning

  • Priest: N., what do you ask of the Church of God?
  • Sponsor/Catechumen: Faith.
  • Priest: What does Faith offer you?
  • Sponsor/Catechumen: Life everlasting.
  • Priest: If then you desire to enter into life, keep the commandments. ‘Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with thy whole heart and with thy whole soul and with thy whole mind; and thy neighbour as thyself.’

Baptism 3.16.12 v3 IMG_0618

The Exsufflation

The priest then breathes 3 times on the candidate in the form of a Cross, recalling the Spirit (breath, wind, “ruach”) of God.

  • Priest: Go forth from him (her), unclean spirit, and give place to the Holy Spirit, the Paraclete.

The Sign of the Cross

  • The priest now makes the Sign of the Cross with his thumb on the candidate’s forehead and breast.
  • Priest: Receive the Sign of the Cross both upon your forehead + and also upon your heart +; take to you the faith of the heavenly precepts; and so order your life as to be, from henceforth, the temple of God.
  • Priest: Let us pray: Mercifully hear our prayers, we beseech Thee, O Lord; and by Thy perpetual assistance keep this Thine elect, N, signed with the sign of the Lord’s cross, so that, preserving this first experience of the greatness of Thy glory, he (she) may deserve, by keeping Thy commandments, to attain to the glory of regeneration. Through Christ our Lord.
  • Sponsor/Catechumen: Amen.

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The Imposition of Hands

The priest places his hands on the candidate’s head.

  • Priest: Let us pray: Almighty, everlasting God, Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, look graciously down upon this Thy servant, N., whom Thou hast graciously called unto the beginnings of the faith; drive out from him (her) all blindness of heart; break all the toils of Satan wherewith he (she) was held: open unto him (her), O Lord, the gate of Thy loving kindness, that, being impressed with the sign of Thy wisdom, he (she) may be free from the foulness of all wicked desires, and in the sweet odor of Thy precepts may joyfully serve Thee in Thy Church, and grow in grace from day to day. Through the same Christ our Lord. Amen.
  • Priest: Through the same Christ our Lord.
  • Sponsor/Catechumen: Amen

The Imposition of Salt

Now the priest puts a little blessed salt in the candidate’s mouth. Salt is the symbol of that wisdom which gives a relish for the sweetness of divine nourishment; preserves, by the teaching of the Gospel, from the corruption of sin, and prevents evil passions from growing in men’s souls. Adult catechumens might be signed on the brow, ears, eyes, nostrils, mouth, breast, and between the shoulders before the imposition of salt. If this procedure is followed, afterwards the candidate will kneel, recite the Our Father several times, and a Cross is made on his forehead, first by the sponsor and then by the priest.

Priest: N., Receive the salt of wisdom; let it be to thee a token of mercy unto everlasting life. May it make your way easy to eternal life.

  • Sponsor/Catechumen: Amen.
  • Priest: Peace be with you.
  • Sponsor/Catechumen: And with your spirit.
  • Priest: Let us pray: O God of our fathers, O God the Author of all truth, vouchsafe, we humbly beseech Thee, to look graciously down upon this Thy servant, N., and as he (she) tastes this first nutriment of salt, suffer him (her) no longer to hunger for want of heavenly food, to the end that he (she) may be always fervent in spirit, rejoicing in hope, always serving Thy name. Lead him (her), O Lord, we beseech Thee, to the laver of the new regeneration, that, together with Thy faithful, he may deserve to attain the everlasting rewards of Thy promises. Through Christ our Lord.
  • Priest: Through the same Christ our Lord.
  • Sponsor/Catechumen: Amen

—–

Part II:
Admission into the Church Building

The Exorcism

The priest makes the Sign of the Cross over the  candidate three times and says:

  • Priest: I exorcise thee, unclean spirit, in the name of the Father + and of the Son, + and of the Holy + Spirit, that thou goest out and depart from this servant of God, N. For He commands Thee, accursed one, Who walked upon the sea, and stretched out His right hand to Peter about to sink. Therefore, accursed devil, acknowledge thy sentence, and give honor to the living and true God: give honor to Jesus Christ His Son, and to the Holy Spirit; and depart from this servant of God, N. because God and our Lord Jesus Christ hath vouchsafed to call him (her) to His holy grace and benediction and to the font of Baptism.

The Sign of the Cross

The priest again makes the Sign of the Cross on the candidate’s forehead

 

  • Priest: And this sign of the holy Cross, which we make upon his (her) forehead, do thou, accursed devil, never dare to violate.
  • Priest: Through the same Christ our Lord.
  • Sponsor/Catechumen: Amen

The Imposition of Hands

For the final time, the priest lays his hand on the candidate’s head

 

  • Priest: Let us pray: O Holy Lord, Father Almighty, Eternal God, Author of light and truth, I implore Thine everlasting and most just goodness upon this Thy servant N., that Thou wouldst vouchsafe to enlighten him (her) with the light of Thy wisdom: cleanse him (her) and sanctify him (her), give unto him (her) true knowledge; that, being made worthy of the grace of Thy Baptism, he (she) may hold firm hope, right counsel and holy doctrine.
  • Priest: Through Christ our Lord.
  • Sponsor/Catechumen: Amen.

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Admission into the Church Building

The priest lays the end of his stole on the candidate as a symbol of his priestly authority, and admits him into the church building, which is the symbol of the Church of Christ. If the catechumen is an adult and was annointed in Part I above, he may be asked to lie prostrate before the Altar in adoration of Christ before this next step.

  • Priest: N., enter thou into the temple of God, that thou mayest have part with Christ unto life everlasting.
  • Sponsor/Catechumen: Amen.

The Credo and Pater

  • Sponsor/Catechumen: I believe in God the Father Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth, and in Jesus Christ his only Son our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary; suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried. He descended into Hell. On the third day, He rose again from the dead. He ascended into heaven, and sitteth at the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from thence shall He come to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Ghost, the holy Catholic Church; the communion of saints; the forgiveness of sins; the resurrection of the body, and life everlasting. Amen.
  • Sponsor/Catechumen: Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive them that trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation: but deliver us from evil. Amen.

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Part III
In the Nave of the Church

The Solemn Exorcism

  • Priest: I exorcise thee, every unclean spirit, in the name of God the Father + Almighty, in the name of Jesus + Christ, His Son, our Lord and Judge, and in the power of the Holy + Spirit, that thou be depart from this creature of God N, which our Lord hath deigned to call unto His holy temple, that it may be made the temple of the living God, and that the Holy Spirit may dwell therein. Through the same Christ our Lord, who shall come to judge the living and the dead, and the world by fire

The Ephpheta

The priest takes a little spittle and touches the ears and nostrils of the candidate with it. For health reasons, the use of spittle may be omitted. This rite comes from Mark 7:33-35, when Jesus healed the deaf-mute: “And taking him from the multitude apart, he put his fingers into his ears: and spitting, he touched his tongue. And looking up to heaven, he groaned and said to him: Ephpheta, which is, Be thou opened. And immediately his ears were opened and the string of his tongue was loosed and he spoke right.”.

  • Priest: Ephpheta, that is to say, Be opened, for an odour of sweetness. Be thou, devil, begone; for the judgement of God shall draw near.

The Renunciation of Satan

  • Priest: N., do you renounce Satan?
  • Sponsor/Catechumen: I do renounce him.
  • Priest: And all of his works?
  • Sponsor/Catechumen: I do renounce him.
  • Priest: And all his pomps?
  • Sponsor/Catechumen: I do renounce him.

The Annointing

The priest annoints the candidate with the oil of catechumens on the heart and between the shoulders in the form of a Cross, saying:

  • Priest: I annoint you + with the oil of salvation in Christ Jesus our Lord, that you may have everlasting life.
  • Sponsor/Catechumen: Amen.

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Part IV
At the Font

The priest removes his violet stole and puts on a white one.

The Profession of Faith

  • Priest: N., do you believe in God the Father Almighty, Creator of Heaven and Earth?
  • Sponsor/Catechumen: I do believe.
  • Priest: Do you believe in Jesus Christ, His only Son our Lord, Who was born and Who suffered?
  • Sponsor/Catechumen: I do believe.
  • Priest: Do you believe in the Holy Ghost, the Holy Catholic Church, the communion of Saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body and life everlasting?
  • Sponsor/Catechumen: I do believe.

Baptism IMG_0669 Baptism (Matter and Form of the Sacrament)

If the one to be baptized is a baby, the godparents take him to the font (the godmother holds him in her arms, the godfather touches the baby’s shoulder with his right hand); if he is an adult, the sponsor puts his right hand on the shoulder of the one to be baptized.

  • Priest: N., will you be baptized?
  • Sponsor/Catechumen: I will.

The priest pours water over the head of the candidate three times, once after each mention of the Divine Persons. The water he uses will have been consecrated during the Easter Vigil or on the Eve of the Pentecost. As he pours the water, the priest says these words (or the words of a conditional Baptism):

  • Priest: I baptize you in the name of the Father + and of the Son + and of the Holy + Spirit.

 

The Annointing with Chrism

  • Priest: May the Almighty God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Who hath regenerated thee by water and the Holy Spirit, and who hath given thee the remission of all thy sins, may He Himself + anoint thee with the Chrism of Salvation, in the same Christ Jesus our Lord, unto life eternal.
  • Sponsor/Catechumen: Amen.
  • Priest: Peace be with you.
  • Sponsor/Catechumen: And with your spirit.

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The White Linen Cloth

This priest takes a white linen cloth — symbolizing the purity of a soul cleansed from all sin, and a relic of the days when the newly baptized wore white albs for 8 days — and places it on the head of the candidate.

  • Priest: Receive this white garment, which mayest thou carry without stain before the judgment seat of our Lord Jesus Christ, that thou mayest have life everlasting.

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The Lighted Candle

The priest gives the candidate or the sponsor a lighted candle.

  • Priest: Receive this burning light, and keep thy Baptism so as to be without blame: keep the commandments of God, that when the Lord shall come to the nuptials, thou mayest meet Him together with all the Saints in the heavenly court, and mayest have eternal life and live for ever and ever.

Last Words of Good Will

  • Priest: N., go in peace and the Lord be with you. Amen.
  • Sponsor/Catechumen: Amen.

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Churching of Women:

Churching is the woman’s way of giving thanksgiving to God for the birth of her child, and predisposes her, through the priestly blessing that is a part of the ritual, to receive the graces necessary to raise her child in a manner pleasing to God.

 

The Ritual

The woman will make arrangements with her priest (ideally, the priest should know the women of his parish and make the offer to her). At the appointed time, she will kneel in the Narthex, holding a lighted candle. The priest, wearing a white stole, will bless her with holy water, and say:

  • V. Our help is in the Name of the Lord.
  • R. Who made Heaven and Earth.
  • ANT. She shall receive.

Psalm 23 1

The Earth is the Lord’s and the fullness thereof; the world, and all they that dwell therein.  For He hath founded it upon the seas; and hath prepared it upon the rivers.  Who shall ascend into the mountain of the Lord: or who shall stand in His holy place?  The innocent in hands and clean of heart, who hath not taken his soul in vain, nor sworn deceitfully to his neighbor.  He shall receive a blessing from the Lord, and mercy from God his Savior.  This is the generation of them that seek Him, of them that seek the face of the God of Jacob.  Lift up your gates, O ye princes, and be ye lifted up, O eternal gates: and the King of glory shall enter in.  Who is this King of glory? the Lord Who is strong and mighty: the Lord mighty in battle.  Lift up your gates, O ye princes, and be ye lifted up, O eternal gates: and the King of glory shall enter in.  Who is this King of glory? the Lord of hosts, He is the King of glory.  Glory be to the Father.

ANT. She shall receive a blessing from the Lord, and mercy from God her Savior: for this is the generation of them that seek the Lord.Baptism churchingP3161214

The priest places the end of his stole in the woman’s hand and leads her into the church while saying:

Enter into the temple of God, adore the Son of the blessed Virgin Mary, who gave you fruitfullness of offspring.

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Outside the sanctuary, the mother kneels before the Altar and prays, thanking God for her child.

Lord, have mercy. Christ, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. (Now the Our Father is said silently)

  • V. And lead us not into temptation.
  • R. But deliver us from evil.
  • V. Save your handmaid, Lord.
  • R. Who hopes in Thee, my God.
  • V. Send her help, Lord, from the sanctuary.
  • R. And defend her out of Sion.
  • V. Let not the enemy prevail against her.
  • R. Nor the son of iniquity approach to hurt her.
  • V. O Lord, hear my prayer.
  • R. And let my cry come to Thee.
  • V. The Lord be with you.
  • R. And with thy spirit.
  • V. Let us pray.

Almighty, everlasting God, through the delivery of the blessed Virgin Mary, Thou hast turned into joy the pains of the faithful in childbirth; look mercifully upon this Thy handmaid, coming in gladness to Thy temple to offer up her thanks: and grant that after this life, by the merits and intercession of the same blessed Mary, she may merit to arrive, together with her offspring, at the joys of everlasting happiness. Through Christ our Lord.

R. Amen.

The priest sprinkles the mother with holy water in the shape of a Cross.

The peace and blessing of God almighty, the Father + and the Son and the Holy Spirit, descend upon you and remain forever.

R. Amen.

 

Consecration of a Child to the Immaculate Heart of Mary:

ACT OF CONSECRATION OF A CHILD  TO THE IMMACULATE HEART OF MARY

Blessed Virgin Mary, * Queen of Heaven and Earth, * to your Immaculate Heart,* the channel of all graces, * we consecrate this child * whom we have received from God’s goodness. We offer him [her] to you * that you may present him [her] to Your Divine Son, * that you may take him [her] under your loving, maternal protection,* that you may preserve him [her] from dangers, * that you may keep him [her] from all sin, * that you may make him [her] grow in piety * and in all virtue * so that he [she] may always be worthy * to call himself [herself] your child. May he [she] grow daily in wisdom and in grace, * may he [she] go through life having you always as his [her] refuge and mother. * May all virtues shine in him [her] * and may he [she] never offend your maternal Heart. May the Eternal Father always look upon him [her] with delight * and see in him [her] * a ray and reflection of your Immaculate Beauty.  And as today he [she] gladdens our home, * so may he [she] one day gladden the Eternal Home * which we pray will be his [hers].   Amen.

consecrationconsecration words

Father S re-created this consecration booklet with colored pictures.

Reception:

We made a simple Italian menu, in keeping with our tradition for the previous two boys and in honor of his namesake.  Dad, Rose, and I made the chicken parmesan, homemade focaccia, antipasto skewers, artichoke forno, pasta bar with three homemade sauces, stuffed mushrooms, and homemade lemonade. G-3’s God mother made a delicious salad with homemade dressing.  My sis and her family made the baked herb chicken, roasted asparagus, and sweet tea.  Papa was excused from cooking duty since he has been caring for my mom, post surgery.

The entire reception was managed by my sister and Dad.  It is a great gift to have family that so generously serves one another.  In charity, please pray for my family.Baptism Cake IMG_0706

Baptism Reception CollageBaptism Reception - mom with sleeping baby IMG_0702Baptism Reception - sleeping baby IMG_0702

giving baby some much need love after having him go through his baptism without a full feed

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DEO GRATIAS

St. Joseph, Spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary

by Filed Under: 03 March, 03 March Saints, St. Joseph 2 Comments

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Joseph, a member of the royal family of David, was leading the obscure life of a village carpenter when God chose him to be the spouse of the Blessed Virgin and the foster father of the Incarnate Word. Scripture tells us that Joseph was just, pure, gentle, prudent, and a lover of holy silence. Above all, this humble guardian of the Child Jesus was unfailingly obedient to the divine will.
Joseph is not mentioned after he and Mary lost the twelve-year-old Jesus in the Temple and, following three days of agonized search, found their boy discoursing divinely with the learned doctors of the Law. The great task of the foster father of Christ must have been finished before the marriage feast at Cana and the beginning of the Savior’s public ministry. Untold millions have since then invoked St. Joseph as the patron of a happy death.

~~~

SAINT JOSEPH
Spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary and Confessor
Patron of the Universal Church

~~~

Our simple feast day celebration for the Spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary and our earthly father, Dad.

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The table is made up of three tiers, symbolizing the Most Holy Trinity. The top tier held a statue of St. Joseph.  We included our Handprint Lilies and a topiary for the greenery.  Each child added a dish to the table.  The boys coordinated the arrangement of the plates.

The celebration began when Dad came home.  We served up his favorite dish, parmesan chicken.  Conveniently, our meal was made of left overs from the baptism.  Rose made two sweet treats in honor of St. Joseph and Dad. 

~~~

Swallow's nestSwallow on St. Joseph's feast day

We had timely visitors for the feast of St. Joseph.  A family of swallows have made our porch their home.  Their nest was built with the previous owners and has remained since.  The swallows return every year.  We didn’t notice when they came in the previous year but we were on the lookout for them this year.  We did not have a citing until the morning after St. Joseph’s feast day.   It was a glorious morning surprise.

~~~

Resources:

Virtual St. Joseph Altar BLOG: 4th Annual St. Joseph Altar Blog Fest

Baby’s Journal ~ March 2 – March 6

by Filed Under: {phfr}, Baby, Birthday, GFG, Lil' Man 13 Comments

We offer him to you * that you may present him to Your Divine Son, * that you may take him under your loving, maternal protection,* that you may preserve him from dangers, * that you may keep him from all sin, * that you may make him grow in piety * and in all virtue * so that he may always be worthy * to call himself your child.
~~~
I’ve finally managed to put my sweetness down long enough to snap a few pics.  Now I type with one hand, eager to share our blessing.
GMF JOYfilledfamily v4
Baby G has a name.  Dad and I actually had it picked out since I found out that I was pregnant.  Baby G3’s blog name has yet to be determined.
P3030585 3.3.13 gianP3030590 3.3.13 gio

P3030589 3.3.13 lexP3030593 3.3.13 ellaP3030599 3.3.13 liss

Everyone was introduced to their lil’ bro at midnight, shortly after he was born.  I was still in the tub with baby in my arms.  The kids got a chance to hold Baby G the next morning.
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He continues to sleep like a newborn but seems much older during his time of alertness.
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He’s a big boy but still not the chunkiest of the bunch.
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SWEETNESS!
~~~
{pretty, happy, funny, real}
~ Capturing the context of contentment in everyday life ~
Every Thursday, here at Like Mother, Like Daughter!

He’s Here

by Filed Under: 31 Days, Baby, Labor 22 Comments

~~~

Baby G made his way into my arms on March 2, 2013 at 11:46pm.

Thank you for your charity in offering prayers for my labor. The good Lord abundantly blessed me with a (relatively) speedy & safe delivery. Baby G and I are both thriving. DEO GRATIAS!

I hope to be back soon to share more pictures, his full name (if you haven’t already figured it out), and a birth story before my mind completely turns into mush.

Continued prayers for your intentions from this mama, post-delivery.

Ad Jesum per Mariam,
 

Prayers for a Mother in Labor

by Filed Under: Baby, Labor, Pregnancy 17 Comments

Mama's Rosary JOYfilledfamily

Yes, my labor has begun – March 2, 2003 at 6am.  Please keep me, Baby G, Dad, midwife, and all my other children in your prayers.

Dad or I will be certain to give an update as we’re able.

Ad Jesum per Mariam,

UPDATES

3.2.13

6:45 – I’ve been using a free app on my phone to track my contractions.  Currently, I have a break.  I will get something to eat and rest.

11:15 – My contractions picked up again 8am.  My mother visited me while the kids played Mancala.  The kids are free to join me for the time being. 

The contractions waned and I ate an early lunch, Saintly labor cocktailSandwich.  Dad also made a variation of this labor cocktail.  The Nuun and labor cocktail are definitely hitting the spot and helping me with hydration. 

I’ve returned to my exercise ball to work through contractions.  They’re intense but nothing close to what is yet to come.  I’m focusing on relaxing and offering up each contraction for a specific intention.

1:30 – I just woke up form a brief rest (15 min) that seemed much longer.  Contractions continue to be intense but there are nice breaks in between each contraction. 

I’m trying out different relaxation techniques and positions as the back pressure intensifies.  So far I seem to like the exercise ball best.

Dad continues to manage the home front downstairs. 

4:00 – I’ve been on and off the exercise ball for hours.  I took a couple of breaks to walk around and try-out a pelvic floor muscle release exercise. 

I took my first shower, while in labor.  It was just as I remembered, heaven.  My contractions picked up and the warm water eased my back pain.  I’m refreshed with contractions returning every 5-7 min.  I’m hoping to get a rest for dinner so I can refuel for the road ahead. 

….

11:46 – Baby G ARRIVED!

~~~

The image is of my newest rosary, a creation by Lauren of Knit in My Womb.

Lauren contacted me to extend a thank you, offer prayers, and generously offer to make me a special gift that she makes all her friends prior to their births.  All I knew was that the gift would be personalized. 

I received the package the following week.  Rose and I opened the gift together.  We were both speechless with the beauty and thoughtfulness of the precious rosary.  (A picture can not due this beautiful sacramental justice.)It was a lovely consolation for me as I prepared my heart to enter the Lenten season.  I shared tears of joy for the charity extended to me from a blogger friend (whom I have never met) and the goodness of Our Heavenly Father for willing such a beautiful present be bestowed upon me during this emotional time.  ALL FOR!

Pre-Birth Story ~ His Peace Propels Me

by Filed Under: 31 Days, Baby, Birth Story 8 Comments

Please bear with me as I attempt to share my pre-birth story. I share my story as a journal entry to reflect upon with my family and to give a testimony to His love and mercy for me. I share the good, the bad, and everything in between. I recap some of our current trials, not for pity.  May it all be for His glory.

Preface

It is always my prayer that I embrace my labor and persevere through the delivery of my precious gift, with His grace and strength. I haven’t always held such a strong conviction that my labor must be completely surrendered to Him but I give Him thanks for leading me to this place.

I’ve been pregnant eleven times. Five of which I have been able to bring into this world, one that is due any day, and five children that did not make it to term. I am left with their imprint on my womb. I pray that each of my little ones, not with me today, will see the face of God.

I birthed in the hospital with the mainstream model of care for my first baby. Two home-water births followed. The next baby was a planned homebirth that turned into a scheduled c-section due to complete anterior placenta previa. That very dramatic pregnancy was followed by a VBAC in the hospital, which I coin, my home-birth in the hospital. I’m now waiting for Baby G to arrive any day via a homebirth.

Pre-Birth Story

My current delivery was planned to be a repeat of the last, a homebirth in the hospital. Things were going as planned up until my sixth month of pregnancy when I finally had to confront the fact that my Catholic Pro-Life physician and I did not share the same model of care for my current pregnancy. Prior to then I realized that we did not share the same overview of labor but something kept me with him. Surely, I did not fit into that mold and he would be willing to accommodate me as he assured me he would during my second visit with his practice. He confirmed otherwise at my six month visit and a decision had to be made.

I called the Catholic hospital that my insurance coverage uses to schedule a tour so that I could get a better feel for the type of care that would be extended to me if I did decide to go the traditional route of delivery. I was told that I would have to wait a month and half for the next scheduled tour. I then asked to speak with the charge nurse. The receptionist transferred me to the charge nurse on staff, Madonna. I briefed her on my situation and explained the urgency to take a hospital tour. Many OBGYN/Midwives will not take on a new patient if they are past the seventh month of pregnancy. Madonna reiterated that there was no other option for a tour but she offered her time for me to ask my questions. She confirmed in ten short minutes that I would most likely not get the birth I desired with the current doctor or in the hospital. I then contacted other midwifery practices within the area. I also contacted my previous midwife to explain the situation and see if she would be willing to take me on so late in my pregnancy. I gathered all my info and took it to prayer.  Homebirth wasn’t really an option due to our tight budget. I needed peace since my emotions were all over the place. In addition to peace, I needed the headship of my family. I needed my husband to pray over me and seek the direction that we were to move in.

I gave my husband a very tight time frame (due to the constraints of the physicians) to discern the best option for my delivery. I prayed for his discernment, God’s providence, and my humble submission to accept whatever way Dad was called to lead me.

During Dad’s discernment, I received a phone call from my previous midwife. She sensed some hesitation with my acceptance of a homebirth due to our financial situation. She extended me a significant discount in hopes that it would make things easier on Dad and I. The discount was God’s providence at work. The amount she quoted was the exact amount that Dad was scheduled to receive from his family as a gift. This helped Dad’s discernment since he felt that we were to pursue a homebirth but he could not get a handle on how were to pay for it. God led the way for us.

We committed to a homebirth with my previous midwife. I started care with her immediately and we signed to pay her the complete fee by the 36 week of pregnancy. Not a problem since Dad received his financial gift during my 28th week of pregnancy. We could pay the midwife and I could have a stress fee pregnancy, or so we thought.  Another trial was soon to come.

Dad and I had made a pact to pay for my midwifery care as soon as we had the money, regardless of how early the payment would be in relation to the due date. Yet, when Dad received the money, I was not called to pay it. I shared my hesitations with Dad and he took heed. He said, we could hold onto it until the mid of the month to allow my hesitations to play out.

That Saturday Dad had a traumatic accident that sent him to the hospital for several days. Praise God that he has insurance coverage and we didn’t have much out of pocket expense. However, Dad’s pay was drastically reduced over his time in the hospital and subsequent recovery time at home. We had to tap into the gifted money just to pay for our basic needs. Before we knew it, the midwifery payment was gone.

We prayerfully moved forward with a renewed perspective on our priorities. We told the midwife of our situation and she was willing to work with us if we were still opting for a homebirth. It was another difficult decision since we did not have the definite means to pay for services. Our discernment continued and ultimately, we were called to walk in faith.

My pregnancy continued to progress with no complications other than my battle with complete exhaustion. Dad and all the kids stepped up to serve me, take up the household duties, and joyfully learn at the foot of my bed. My weakness coupled with my inability to contribute around the home for basic tasks, topped with financial stress led me in and out of bouts of depression. I began to question my worthiness. Feelings of resentment towards my husband began to fester. Worst of all, I began to question my openness to life. I was definitely under spiritual attack. I knew from past experiences that I could not go this journey alone. I sought Jesus in prayer, in my husband, in Adoration, in the sacraments, and in spiritual direction (from a Priest). I ran to Him!

I was eventually able to cooperate with His grace but the surrendering has not been easy. Financial stress due to our tight budget, debt, uncertainty of pay, two broken down vehicles, college looming in the very near future, and our inability to meet some basic needs continues to infringe on my joy. My lack of energy has led to a series of other issues such as lack of physical exercise, bad eating, and poor self-image. My home remains out of my control and my children remain solely in His grace. It is not what I desired or had planned for this pregnancy but I know that it is exactly where He calls me to be.

I trust that He knows best and His plan is far better than any plan I could create. He so graciously leads me to this place of complete surrendering, where my only choice is to offer it up and move on with complete trust in Him and his wondrous ways, Our Blessed Mother is my guide. I must walk in faith.

He fills me with peace. The kind of peace that cannot be explained. The kind of peace that is mocked because it makes one look foolish to eyes of the secular world. The kind of peace that propels one to live for Christ at all costs, at all times, with only the goal of bringing glory to the Heavenly Father.

I realize that this peace is a consolation. Its presence or absence should not dictate my movement or heart. Yet, I am human and I dearly give thanks for His moments of consolation. He meets me right where I am to encourage me forward, to the depths of refinement that He wills for me.

This peace that comes at this moment in my pregnancies is a beautiful gift that I treasure. It removes all doubts, anxieties, stressors, and all other barriers that keep me from Him. It is my sign that the time is near. I will be taken further into the desert to experience an agony, stripping, great pain, a passion like experience – my labor and delivery of Baby G. I am not alone in this journey. He will be with me and Our Blessed mother will comfort me. My husband will be my physical rock to raise me up to Him when I am too weak to call His name.  May the Passion of Christ be my stength. 

I can birth my child for it is His plan for me. I will find peace and give thanks in whatever events occur. I only ask for His will to be done.

Refine me Lord through the delivery of Baby G.

Continued prayers for you and yours from a mother about to enter labor.

~~~

This post is included in my pregnancy reflections. You can find the other posts of my 31 Days here.

Lenten Wreath

by Filed Under: Crafts, Lent, Lent 2013 5 Comments

Lenten Wreath close-up
My door was in need of a pick-me-up for Lent.  What does a 41 week pregnant mama on a twist-tie budget* do?  

For starters, let me explain what a twist-tie budget is.  It’s my newest favorite sentiment, copyrighted by Homemaker Ang.

Shoes strings cost money, twist ties are free in the produce dept.

I used what I had on hand and enlisted all able parties within arms reach.

My girls and I collected the necessary supplies from throughout the house, with Dad’s help, and the boy’s supervision.  Everything is a family affair these days since we limit all outside commitments for Lent.

We all should get together and work toward the restoration of the meaning of Lent. 
People nowadays see in it just a gloomy time full of "must nots." That is a great pity,
 because Lent is a solemn season rich in hidden mysteries. We must also keep in 
mind that Lent is only a part of the great Easter season, that it is  for Easter what 
Advent was for Christmas, and that Lent taken by itself would make no more sense
than Advent without Christmas at its end. Therefore, we should let Holy Mother 
Church take us by the hand and lead us-not each soul alone, but the whole family
as a group--away from the noise of the world into a forty-day retreat…If we keep 
the closed time as faithfully as our forefathers did--which means keeping away
from all noisy outside entertainment such as cocktail parties and dances--then we
shall find ample time for the imitation of Christ as it is outlined in every morning's Mass.
  ~Around the Year with the TRAPP FAMILY
~~~

Lenten Wreath


Supplies

Steps:IMG_69441.  gather/recycle  wreathIMG_69462.  cut burlap to desired width.  IMG_69483.  wrap the wreath tightly. secure as necessary.IMG_69514.  gather/recycle foam core board or poster board.  IMG_69505.  trace and cut a cross from the foam core board.IMG_69526.  adhere glue to cross cut-out.  i used elmer’s glue for the first coverage.  then I used hot glue gun for the second layer.IMG_69547.  adhere moss to the cross cut-out.IMG_69638. assemble and decorate the wreath as desired.

Lenten Wreath

~~~

First Sunday in Lent ~ 2013

by Filed Under: Lent, Lent 2013, Pregnancy, Rosary 5 Comments

1st Sunday in Lent – February 17, 2013

Ist Sunday of Lent, I Class

1st_Sun_of_Lent_Pic

So I attended what will probably be my last High Mass without another baby in tote.

I was thankful for such a glorious Mass and Father L’s sermon.  He spoke about the necessity to be aware of the battle that is currently taking place, the need to live for Christ in everything we do, and practical ways to avoid hell.  DEO GRATIAS!

My family waited in Church after the Mass so I could receive a Blessing for Mothers Before Childbirth.  Fr. L blessed me with the traditional formula.  My heart leaped with joy and my eyes filled with tears.  It was beautiful.  It was powerful.  It was exactly what I needed.  Praise God!

Father also blessed my newest rosary.  It was a lovely gift from a fellow blogger, Lauren of Knit in My Womb.

We hit the road shortly after Sweetie’s chorister lesson.

Sparkles was certain to remind me that the day was a First Class feast.  I hadn’t realized that she was privy to the lecture direction I received from Father B in regards to fasting on Sunday. 

We had our regular family dinner at Papa’s & Nana’s.

Needless, to say we celebrated the glorious day – SUNDAY!

~~~

First Week in Lent Sunday ~ Meditations for Lent from St. Thomas Aquinas

IT WAS FITTING THAT CHRIST SHOULD BE TEMPTED Jesus was led by the spirit into the desert, to be tempted by the devil. Matt. iv. i.

Christ willed to be tempted :

1. That he might assist us against our own temptations. St. Gregory says, " That our Redeemer, who had come on earth to be killed, should will to be tempted was not unworthy of him. It was indeed but just that he should overcome our temptations by his own, in the same way that he had come to overcome our death by his death."

2. To warn us that no man, however holy he be, should think himself safe and free from temptation. Whence again His choosing to be tempted after His baptism, about which St. Hilary says,  

" The devil s wiles are especially directed to trap us at times when we have recently been made holy, because the devil desires no victory so much as a victory over the world of grace." Whence too, the scripture warns us, Son, when thou comestto the service of God, stand in justice and in fear, and prepare thy soul for temptation (Ecclus. ii. i).

3. To give us an example how we should over come the temptations of the devil, St. Augustine says, " Christ gave himself to the devil to be tempted, that in the matter of our overcoming those same temptations He might be of service not only by his help but by his example too."

4. To fill and saturate our minds with confidence in His mercy. For we have not a high-priest who cannot have compassion on our infirmities, but one tempted in all things, like as we are, without sin (Heb. iv. 15). (3 4i i.)

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