LOL

Good-Bye Kindergarten, Hello Motherhood

For the past 6 months, I have taken a step away from my Kindergarten classroom and a step toward taking care of Baby C.  Last night was the Kindergarten Celebration.  One by one as the kids entered the hall, I received big hugs from 22 precious children (including 3 sets of twins).

The kids did a great job with their performance to their parents.  And after the show, I received a keepsake and beautiful flowers from the children.

Though I am very blessed to stay at home with my Sweet Tiny Blessing, I am going to miss the children, parents and staff I worked with.  They have always been supportive and loving.  And when Baby C and I were sick, they continuously prayed, made pictures and cards, sent flowers and gifts, and even raised over 700 dollars to help with our hospital and medical bills.  

So Good-Bye Kindergarten.  I will never forget your generosity and love.

Hello Motherhood!

Merciful Monday

If yesterday was Pity Party Sunday, then today is Merciful Monday.

This morning around 3am, as I am feeding my baby girl in the rocker, the following words fell on me:

"I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." John 16:33

Enough said

Homeless

Have you ever had a really bad week?  Where nothing seems to go right or your way, no matter what?  That's what it's been like for me lately.  (And yes, I'm throwing myself a pity party.)  Maybe I'm being too sensitive and not allowing God to take control.  

This past week, my husband and I went to church to prepare Baby C for her baptism.  Only to find out, that she could be baptized, but I should not be partaking in the Holy Eucharist because I was not married inside the Catholic Church.  This is where the tears streamed down my face.


I was raised Catholic, but the man that God has blessed me with, was not.  So instead of marrying in the  Catholic Church, we decided to get married in the outdoors, in the beautiful mountains.  And I'm pretty sure my God was there with us.

The Catholic Church was where I received my Baptism, Reconciliation, First Holy Communion and Confirmation.

It is where I attended school for 10 years.

It is where I attended Youth Group throughout high school.

It is where I was a Youth Volunteer for most of my adult life.

It is where I taught.

It is where I have met many of my friends.

It is where I dropped to my knees to pray, to cry, to sing praises, to receive forgiveness, to receive Jesus.

It is where no matter what city or state I lived in, I could walk into my Home.

And in just one second, I became Homeless.

The deacon sat before us, telling us I would need to stop receiving the Eucharist, go to a priest to confess my sin, and renew our vows in the Catholic Church in order for me to celebrate with the rest of my family.  After all of these years, how could I have not known?  

So I sit here, with a broken heart, not sure what to do next.  Or if I'm ready to make a move.  

For now, we are going to have a Baby Blessing in our home with close family and friends.  We will raise our baby girl as a Christian and support her in the Home she chooses.

And I will pray that God leads me to the path where He is calling me.

Picture Perfect

This weekend I had fun with my iphone!  Check out the beautiful moments I captured!

Baby C is getting so big!

Big E takes good care of his baby cousin

Baby C snuggles with Daddy

Baby C says good night

Did you have any special moments this weekend?

This Song Is For You

Have you ever heard a song that you thought, "Wow, this must have been written just for me?"

That's the way I feel about the new song, Blessings by Laura Story.

I know it's been over four months since Baby C and I first became ill and God has completely healed us, but I can't get over it.  I think it's because I want to know how it happened to us and the doctors don't have an answer for me.  I constantly look for answers and wonder if I will ever find them.  And if I don't, will I ever get over it?

Listen to the song and let me know what you think.  Can you relate?  Or is there another song you want to share with me that you relate to?  I would love to listen!

She Does Tricks!

Wow! Baby C turns 5 months tomorrow!

This past week she has learned so many new things I can barely keep up!

First, she found her toes!

Then she rolled over from her back to her belly!

I'm so proud of you, Baby C!

What new tricks have your sweet tiny blessings done lately?

One Blessed Daughter

A mother understands what a child does not say.  ~Author Unknown

This is so true about my mom.  Somehow, she always knows if something is wrong without me saying a word.  And I love her for that.  Well, that and much, much more!   

Mom, I love you for . . .

Your unconditional love for me and my brothers

Your sacrifices

Always opening the front door to let me come back home again, and again

Your delicious Brocoli and Cheese Casserole and Shepherds Pie

Calming me down when I have a panic attack

Reminding me, "HE wouldn't bring you to it, unless HE could bring you through it."

Always believing in me and supporting me

Your hugs and kisses

Being with me when my Sweet Tiny Blessing was brought into this world


Going to the many doctor appointments for Baby C with me

Temporarily taking care of our doggy

Your prayers

Always listening 

Being my Mom

Mom, these are just some of the reasons why I love you!  I never knew how much hard work it really is to be a mother, until I became one.  But it's the greatest work in the world.  Thank you for teaching me how to be a mommy.

You are the best mom I could ever ask for!

Share with me why you love your mom!

Guest Host for Mother's Day

 I am so excited and honored to be guest hosting on The Adventures of Mommyhaha!  Not only is the awesome creator of this blog, my sister-in-law, she is a great friend!  She has created a beautiful series for Mother's Day.  You will love it!  So, go check it out, and wish her a happy birthday, too!

My Royal Princess

And the Doctor Said . . .

Today Baby C, Grammie and I traveled to All Children's Hospital for her check up at the Hematologist. 

 If you don't know already, Baby C was diagnosed with Bacterial Spinal Meningitis from Salmonella when she was just 3 weeks old.  She spent a long 28 days in All Children's Hospital.  

Baby C was blessed and completely healed.  But her Neutrophil count was still very low.  After many blood tests, her Infectious Disease Doctor transfered us to a Hematologist.  Her first blood work came back normal and today we went back one more time for a check up.  

And the doctor said . . .

Her Neutrophil Count continues to stay normal and she does not need to return!!!  Hallelujah!!!  However, she has Thrush.  She has to take more antibiotics for it and follow up with her pediatrician.  If it continues to return, it may be a sign of Neutropenia.  But as of now, she does not have that because her blood work is NORMAL!!!

Here is my brave girl at All Children's Hospital

Baby C playing with the paper!

I am so proud of Baby C and all her bravery.  We called this her brave girl outfit today.  She got it for Easter from her Grandma and Pop Pop.

All the nurses came in to see Baby C and said she was the cutest baby.  One nurse said, "I don't like babies, but she is cute."  My mom and I thought that was pretty strange for a nurse to say at a children's hospital.  But I agree, she is one, cute baby!

Thank you for all your prayers!

One Blessed Friend

Many will say they are loyal friends, but who can find one that is truly reliable?  

Proverbs 20:6

Me!  God has blessed me with some incredible besties (I've never used this word before, but I thought I would try it out, LOL!)  This weekend, we celebrated one of my friend's 30th birthday with a surprise party.  This is the photo I gave her for her birthday.

From left to right: JA, JL, ME, LT, JR

This was taken on my wedding day.  And I have been best friends with these beautiful ladies forever! We have been through so much together.  From a death of a parent, to a birth of a baby.  From illness to complete healing.  From first loves, to heartache, to marriage.  From rollerblades to first cars (and 1st speeding tickets).   From sleepovers to surprise parties.  

JA: I met her in high school freshman year.  She is passionate about teaching and can always make me laugh.

JL: I met her in 6th grade.  We could talk for hours (and we do).  She is an awesome designer.

ME:  That's me, and coincidentally, those are my initials.  I recently had a baby girl.  The first of the group to conceive.  I formally was the director of education for a tutoring center for many years and most recently an assistant kindergarten teacher.  Now, I'm a SAHM.

LT: She's my cousin.  We met when she was born.  I'm 4 months older.  She has a heart of gold and is an ultrasound tech.  She invited me into her office to scan my belly after I accidentally shredded my first ultrasound pictures.  

JR:  She's the one we threw a surprise party for.  We met in 7th grade.  She can make friends with ANYONE and is a fantastic Vet Tech.  

Though we are all so different from one another, God has brought us together with a special bond.  I am one blessed friend!