Crowded

...in a good way...but this is when I wish we had a king size bed!...

'Tis the Season

I cannot believe that Miss Michaela Marie (my M&M girl) is 4 weeks old today!! My mom came over to watch the big girls today so I could go to mass for the Feast of the Immaculate Conception with just Michaela. Listening to the readings and wonderful homily about how Mary was conceived without sin made me reflect even more holding a newborn on how Mary answered God's call to give birth to Jesus and is such a perfect example of Motherhood to follow and strive for! These last few weeks have been challenging with recovery, adjusting to a newborn again, keeping up with the two toddlers, a hubby working 12 hour shifts for a week, trying to keep house....and then with this time of year I always seem to get stressed anyways. I tend to be a bit OCD (ok, I know my family members are saying, a bit?) and like to be organized and have everything just so in my little world. Well, I am slowly learning that God probably gets lots of chuckles out of "our plans". So my advent activities and Christmas decorations and fun things I had wanted to do for this special time of year are not happening. And I am learning that that is OK and that next year will come and I can try again. Right now....the season for me is exactly what it is...my duties and responsibilities as a mother with all the nursing, changing diapers and constant care comes first. If I happen to get in a fun craft project or event then bonus points to us. I am learning that with each additional child not only do routines get changed and rearranged, but priorities do as well and so do my expectations of myself. I came across this poem the other day and truly enjoyed it...these baby moments and little times with my LITTLE ones are short and fleeting and I truly want to cherish them as long as I can. So especially today when we remember how perfect and immaculate our Blessed Mother is and a great example to model after and during this Christmas season when we remember how Mary said yes to conceiving and accepting the responsibility of being Jesus' mother....I too want to thank Jesus for my girls and say YES to my vocation as a mother and try to live it out as best and fully as I can. (And now the people in my life need to remind me of this Post when I get stressed out and overwhelmed!!)

BABIES DON'T KEEP

Mother, O Mother, come shake out your cloth,

Empty the dustpan, poison the moth,

Hang out the washing, make up the bed,

Sew on a button and butter the bread.

Where is the mother whose house is so shocking?

She’s up in the nursery, blissfully rocking.

Oh, I’ve grown as shiftless as Little Boy Blue,

Lullaby, rockabye, lullaby loo.

Dishes are waiting and bills are past due

Pat-a-cake, darling, and peek, peek-a-boo

The shopping’s not done and there’s nothing for stew

And out in the yard there’s a hullabaloo

But I’m playing Kanga and this is my Roo

Look! Aren’t his eyes the most wonderful hue?

Lullaby, rockaby lullaby loo.

The cleaning and scrubbing can wait till tomorrow

But children grow up as I’ve learned to my sorrow.

So quiet down cobwebs; Dust go to sleep!

I’m rocking my baby and babies don’t keep.

- Ruth Hulbert Hamilton

Truly Thankful

I was thinking today how much I truly have to be thankful for. Not just the obvious with a new baby and this time of year...but these past couple of weeks have shown me how blessed I am and how much I do indeed have to be thankful for.
I am blessed and want to say thanks to all the extended family members and friends who have sent cards and gifts for me and new baby, have called to offer congratulations and support, have kept us all in your prayers and shared in our joy with us. We cherish each and every one of year and remember you especially today. Thank you.
To my fellow Martha Ministry members and local friends that have provided us with many many meals. This is such a huge help with a new baby (and also when hubby is working 12 hour shifts) to not even have to think about it, shop for it and cook it! We are enjoying the leftovers and getting some new recipes too!! Thank you!
To all those friends who have stopped by, brought goodies, came over to help in any way (especially the Grays who helped me with watching the big girls and taking me and Michaela to her appointment!) and kept us in your prayers during this time of healing and transition. We are truly blessed with generous, caring and loving friends! Thank you.

Now to some people to whom there are truly no words to express my thanks:

First, to my hubby. Not only are you an amazing support to me and take such concern to make sure I am ok and needs are met during this time...but you are an amazing father. You spent so many days when we first came home taking the big girls out to do special things. Whether it was to the mall to play and get treats...to Toys R Us (or We R Toys as Angel called it) to play with the toys there....or to the zoo for a fun day...you did it to help me out so I could relax and heal and be with Michaela...but also because you knew the girls needed that special fun time and how they loved and cherished it. You give more than 100% and amaze me with your patience and willingness to take such a leading role and helping hand in our family! Also, thank you for how hard you have been working at your job. After 9 days of 12 hour shift work with barely any sleep....I am glad you get a break. You were barely awake and home this past week which was hard but you still managed in the time you were to do the girls baths, take out the trash and try to leave me as comfortable and at ease as you could. I am so honored and proud of you and love you so very much! I promise I will one day soon be back to managing our home and daily duties!!! (maybe....:) )

To my sister Caitlin....not only have you been experiencing morning sickness and such with the little one you are expecting...but you have been such a huge support and help to me and the family these past couple of weeks. From staying by my side all through labor and delivery and coaching me just as I had asked....to staying with the other girls when I was still in the hospital....to coming over almost every day to help with the big girls, change diapers, and just be with me. The girls loved going out with you the other day and I have enjoyed your company and help so much. Thank you for helping me with my vendor show too! I am so blessed to have a sister living so close and one who is willing to help out in such a generous way. I only hope that I can contribute and be there for you as much as I can when it is your turn!!! I love you and am so thankful for our friendship.

And to my mama. Mom.....it seems we have come full circle in a way. You started out taking care of me when I was born and unable to do so...and here you have been again, holding my hand and helping me get through these times. You have been here for every step of this pregnancy and birth. From sleeping over to help, making so many meals, making sure I took my meds and kept drinking, helping me with the aches and pains and hormones....helping with my vendor show...doing the shopping, the cleaning etc. You took the big girls every day to your house and they had a blast...they miss you so much. That time alone to rest and spend with Michaela was very needed and special, so thank you. I am so blessed to have you so close and so eager to be here for me and the girls. I hope I don't ever take you and all you do for granted and can be there for you when needed like you have been for me. I love you so much and feel so blessed that my girls get to see so much of you and build that special relationship. I have missed you this week and can't wait to see you again. So on this Thanksgiving, I just want to say thank you for all you always do, have done this past couple of weeks and know that I feel honored and blessed to have you as my mom and friend.

Thank you Lord for my family and friends and each and all the daily blessings you continue to shower upon me, may I never take them for granted.

Ready

I have not been one to thoroughly enjoy being pregnant. Never feel like I have "that glow" or the "cute baby bump" etc. After the first trimester, I am always just excited not be so nauseated and get back to some sense of "normal" that doesn't involve craving for everything unhealthy, wanting to be close to a toilet, or dreading things like opening the refrigerator, taking in surrounding smells or just being vertical. During the second trimester, I usually have a pretty good experience but then the anxieties of getting ready, changing routines, finding clothes to fit etc all start to set in. Once I get to this third trimester and last several weeks, I AM JUST READY. I start to waddle and puff up. I get stuck on the couch and feel like I need a push to get up. This baby is so active I feel like I am getting bruised by her kicks and movements. I have horrible heartburn/acid reflux and am tired of taking Zantac. I need a step stool to wash dishes as my belly is too big to stand in front of sink and reach the faucet, I have no lap left for the other girls to enjoy and I find myself crying at silly commercials and stories. Plus the anxieties of how will labor and delivery go, will the baby be healthy etc all start to set in.

But then I remember the sweet and miraculous moment of that newborn being placed in my arms....I remember the first time I nurse them, the first smells of their sweet skin...seeing all the love and joy they bring to our family....and somehow the past nine months seem so distant and worth the journey. It is amazing as a mother how your emotions and body go through such incredible changes and then in one instant can all be put into perspective and make you want to do it all over again.....ok well maybe not that day or month....but eventually!!

So please keep prayers coming that we make it through these last couple of weeks with a positive attitude and joyful anticipation. I go Monday for my first check and hopefully things are progressing and on the move!! While I am ready for these "joys" of pregnancy to be over, I am more READY to hold this new little girl in my arms!!

Small Things

This week we have been busy doing errands every day it seems. Sometimes it is the small things in life that you appreciate, enjoy and just want to say thank you for. Since I have been in the car a lot this week....I want to say a special thanks to hubby who fixed the entire driver door weather seal that was FALLING off for forever and also replaced our broken cup holder console. Both these small fixes and conveniences made me very happy and made me think of you!! And to boot he found all the parts at the dump!!! Go hubby!! (Now if we can find a new driver's seat....hehe, you know me always have something to add to the honey do list!)

Grateful

I feel so grateful tonight to have gone to mass and actually hear the homily (this barely happens but I went along with no little one tonight!)...and it was a fantastic one all about intercessory prayer. I also feel grateful for a wonderful priest at our parish that relates the message of the readings and gospel so beautifully and truly gives us something to reflect and pray upon and take home with us. In tonight's homily he used some excerpts and examples from a book called, Miracles Do Happen, by Sister Briege McKenna...all about how God sometimes answers prayers in a different timeline and way than you might want or expect but it is only later that you see the graces and gifts that were given because of that answered prayer. He also talked about the importance and power of praying for others and how they can be intercessors for us. He reminded us how powerful our sacrifices and prayers for others can be for their conversions and answered prayers and for ours!! I can't wait to read the book myself...because I truly believe that Miracles DO happen!!

Be Careful...

...what you teach your children...such as
Case #1: A few weeks ago, I had a cut on my finger and started teaching Emma the word "boo-boo" and that we give kisses to make them feel better. Well....she got this concept really quickly and the other day as we were in the check out line Emma noticed a pimple...yes not a boo-boo but a lovely red pimple on my forehead....and remember Emma is LOUD....so she proceeded to repeat over and over "boo-boo" "boo-boo" and point to my pimple and then started giving kisses.....yes, we got looks and I was at that moment wishing I had not taught her that particular word!
Case #2: In our family room, I have a hanging bundle of mistletoe. Angel was playing with it one day so I explained what it is and let's just say we spent the rest of the day kissing and that was how Jason got greeted when he came home too. Not that we mind the kisses, but having to be pulled down to her level and have mistletoe hung over your head all day long does get a bit annoying....she even was able to plant one on Aunt Caitlin!!

Emma the Dilemma

This is definitely what I have been calling her for the last several months, since I cannot figure out her eating likes, habits, quirks etc. She has always (and still is) an avid nurser, but when we started foods, she took awhile to warm up to them. Since I made all her baby food, she eventually took to all the purees and also loves applesauce and yogurt. She will eat certain finger foods and snacks like puffs, cheerios, crackers etc, and is finally starting to drink from the sippy cup. When the stash of purees I made ran out, I bought a little baby food mill grinder and have been trying that. But she is so funny. She will start eating things and if she gets a bit of texture that she doesn't like, she will spit it out and then flail her arms and she is done with it. She also LOVES to throw things over the side and wipe frantically off her tray, which is just annoying and so different as Angel never did this. But, at her check up her pediatrician didn't seem concerned because: she is still nursing so getting those calories and nutrients, is still young and only truly needs small amounts of food, is gaining weight and growth properly and is healthy, can feed herself just fine, and still only has two bottom teeth so the doctor thinks that might be one reason why she isn't eating more table foods as readily because she can't really bite or chew still. So, after worrying a bit and stressing about her not eating "well" or "regular" foods, I had to remember that I cannot compare the process to Angel (the only one I know) because each child is different and will reach milestones at different times and in different ways, that Emma will let me know in her own time and way when she wants and likes new foods, and after reading this WONDERFUL POST AND COMMENTS....feel much better about Emma's dilemma. I think I will just make more purees for now and keep doing and trying what we have been....and hopefully those other teeth will come in too!! Aren't all the little challenges of motherhood exciting? If you have any tips, PASS them on!

After All...Tomorrow is Another Day

To say last night was hard to swallow, is an understatement. I was hoping and had been praying for an election miracle. After some sadness and anger....confusion and bewilderment...I try to remain calm and hopeful. I try to trust in the prayers we have prayed and will continue to pray...the fight to protect the unborn and dignity of human life and marriage...and will continue to fight. I believe that this is a time for us to realize the power of a vote...the power of free will and to see how it can work against us just as it can work for us. People need to be educated but most of all people need to hear and learn the truth. I am so disheartened when I hear that 53% of self-proclaimed "practicing" Catholics voted for our president-elect. The naivete of Americans, especially Catholic Americans, worries me and shows me how those of us in the pew cannot be silent anymore. We need to share and live and witness the faith and its fundamental principles and beliefs, such as the moral decision to protect human life from conception to natural death. I am saddened that so many in this country believed in the empty rhetoric of a man who is one of the most pro-abortion candidates in history as well as one of the most liberal. I can allow myself to be proud of a country that can overcome barriers and make history by electing a bi-racial president and show the world that America truly is a place where dreams come true and anyone can be free. Except what about the unborn? Our president-elect himself has said that he would not want his own daughters "punished with the burden of a baby" and when asked about when rights begin for human beings, he responded "that it is above his pay grade" to answer that.....NOT ANYMORE Mr. President. We need to start praying for a conversion of heart for this man and that he will soften his liberal views that have been so evident in his time thus far in the political world. He will have the chance to elect Supreme Court Justices and make abortion more accessible....but we have the chance to join together as Christians and Catholics and Pro-Lifers to pray and continue to fight!! I believe we are living in the "culture of death" we have heard about. My own state last night voted to accept the Physician Assisted Suicide Bill and like to refer to it as Death with Dignity...Lord Have Mercy on Us. Not to keep on my soap box here (my emotions and thoughts are running overtime today) but it also frustrates me how the "racial issues" are also now playing such a huge part. Obama won 95% of the African American vote last night...that is HUGE. And while I rejoice in this historic victory and milestone for the African American community of a bi-racial man being elected President...how many of those people actually voted for their belief on his issues or because of the color of his skin? I kept hearing news reporters mention Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. last night and how proud he would be.....while I think he would, like me, rejoice in this historic moment....I highly doubt Obama would have gotten his vote based on what I know and have read about him. Here are two of his quotes:

"I look to a day when people will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character." Look past Obama's calm and charismatic temperament (which I think won most people's votes) and instead at the quality of character.....see any problems??

Dr. King also said "If we are to go forward, we must go back and rediscover those precious values - that all reality hinges on moral foundations and that all reality has spiritual control. " Moral foundations....what we must strive to bring back over the next LONG four years.

I want to end by posting an email a priest friend wrote after last night's election, an encouraging call to a revival!! Are you ready? I am!! While 57 million of us voted and lost last night...we lost an election.....we must unite to change the uncertainty of the near future....but remember (I've read the END of THE BOOK) our eternal future has been won...we just need to make sure we all join together and get there!!!

From Father: "Alleluia! It's good to hear from you! The unfortunate result of the election last night is not surprising, but disappointing nevertheless! What we need is a revival right away - in the Church! Just think: if more than 40% (which is probably higher than in reality, but let's run with it!) of Catholics went to Church, if all Catholics lived according to the teachings of the Bible and the Church (as interpreted by the Church's magisterium, not our own viewpoints!), and if all other Christians lived according to the teachings of the Bible (no sin, such as same-sex unions, abortion, infanticide), all politicians would have to be pro-life! Not only that, all peoples in this country and beyond would want what we in the Church have: true freedom, born of a relationship with God that calls us to what we were created for: union with Him now and forever in Heaven! So, while it is certainly important to pray for the conversion of our President-elect, for the sake of the unborn and the dignity of marriage, the true revival must begin in the pews! The people of God failed to be lights for the whole world to know God's love before He sent Jesus; and the people of God today are failing. We need to repent once again and regroup, fixing our eyes on Him, praying for all, but never swerving in His call to be drawn to union with Him, even if the rest of our families and friends and even church family, let alone the country at large, seems to be striving ever further from the revealed Truth of God and His Church! Alleluia!"

Prayers Today and Thanksgiving

Prayers today are being said for my mother-in-law as she has her first chemo treatment. I will keep you posted on how she does through this tough time and again thanks for the prayers and support during this time.

Today I have also once again been shown the kindness, love and blessings of friendship. We found two bags on our doorstep this morning filled with thoughtful tokens of kindness and help for us during this tough time we have been having due to the strike issue. We were so surprised and thankful and it really struck a chord. I have been thinking all day about friendship and kindness and truly living the Gospel. We are very blessed to have such wonderful family members that help take care of us when we need it and are a huge support system. But, we are even more blessed to have such wonderful friends that support us and help us through the good and the hard times. This whole experience has made me so humble and thankful and trusting in truly God's plan to get us through each and every day. The material things may come and go, but true friendship and love remain and will get us through the darkest of times. I only hope that I am as good of a friend as all of you have been to us. I hope that one day we will have the opportunity to follow this loving example and help someone else when they are in need. So thanks again for the goodies, the help, and most of all the prayers and offerings you are doing on our behalf!!

"If it doesn't kill you..."

Well, I know I have heard the saying "If it doesn't kill you, it makes you stronger" and "God never gives you more than you can handle"....but starting the third week in this Boeing strike, I am feeling very weak and frustrated, scared and stressed. There is still no "new contract" on the table and the strike is going strong. We found out this last week that the strike checks don't even start until the third week of a strike, but you have to go to Seattle to even get that. It is $150 a week and the first one is issued this Saturday. There is also some buzz that come October 1st, your medical benefits might stop as well....GREAT!! Of course, they offer COBRA which is ridiculously expensive. And of course we don't qualify for unemployment because technically we have a job...one which we are just not allowed to go to work for and not receive any kind of pay or benefits in the meantime. I am having a hard time understanding how the Union which is fighting for the people, is really creating quite a burden for us in the process. Of course, this is all just compiled with the stress of the transmission in the van deciding it was a perfect time to BREAK and poor hubby is trying to find one in a junk yard and how to do ti himself so save us the $3000 the shop wanted! So, yes it hasn't killed me yet and I believe God gives us strength through the hard spots....just trying not to lose my sanity in the process of surviving.

But on a more serious note, we want to thank EVERYONE for all their support and prayers during the time and for all of those that have helped. Especially again, the Grays for the car which has been HUGE right now!! We are hoping this all can come to a close soon!!! October 3rd is Jason's birthday, so the end to this strike would be a wonderful present!!

Update: My brother-in-law, Chris, who was with Lehman Brothers....for now has a job with Barclays at least for sure through December so that is HUGE. And he gets to continue his MBA program too!! They are updating , HERE.

We Remember

Hard to believe that seven years has passed by since September 11th and the attack on the World Trade Centers, the Pentagon and the crash in Pennsylvania. Hard to think that my girls weren't born and I wasn't even married. I think September 11th is one of those days that everyone will remember "where they were when IT happened". I do...I was at Maryville College in TN and just walking into my first class for the day, Comparative Vertebrate Zoology with Dr. Cash. A friend of mine walked into the room and asked if we had heard about the plane crashing into a New York building. A couple people said "ya, a little" but most of us said no. The professor started teaching and I remember in the back of my mind thinking, gosh...I hope it wasn't a bad plane crash! Slowly the noise in the halls outside the doors started to get our attention. When we opened them we saw people standing around crying, people glued to radios and TVs and lots of confusion. I remember racing over to my apartment (the campus was eerily empty since everyone was inside by a TV) and tuning it on to catch up on all the news. My stomach ached, my heart ached and I think my emotions were stunned and in disbelief. I remember feeling so scared, so alone and just wanting to be home in WA with my family and loved ones. I called all day to Jason, then my fiance, who was stationed at a base there right outside the city and not hearing ANYTHING from him for HOURS. I was so relieved when I knew he was ok and spent the rest of the day numb and with close friends and calling home a lot!! I thank God for the safety of my loved ones, I pray for those that are still mourning the loss of theirs, and I feel so grateful and blessed to be part of a great nation where we have brave men and women in uniform to protect this freedom we get to enjoy everyday. We will never forget...

Missing Mamasan

Hard to believe that three years have gone by since Mamasan passed away. It is really neat that Angelica can recognize her in pictures and knows the stories about her even though she never got a chance to meet her. I think of her so much and there are so many things I miss:

-the smell of her English Muffin Bread

-those great back rubs up and down the spine

-her great laugh and sense of humor

-the attention she would give you and advice she would share

-the ever so personal and thoughtful gifts

-the way she made everything seem it would all be ok

and a million other things I could mention here. I found the slide show I did before I thought it appropriate to share again. We miss and love you Mamasan.

Tips & Savings

I wanted to pass along this neat website I have seen on a couple of blogs lately and finally gave it a try. These past couple of months I have been "shopping" around for the best places to do grocery shopping. While sometimes, you just have to watch the deals and coupons and get the better price, I have found that Super Walmart usually either matches or beats those prices. I tried out the one near us in Poulsbo finally and the past two weeks have done all my grocery shopping there. I have been very impressed with their selections and produce and PRICES most of all. Then when I add in all my coupons it is even a bigger savings. I clip them out of the paper and lately been finding A LOT online. I look at my shopping list and then search online for specific coupons. For example I was going to buy some Uncle Ben's rice...went to their site and got a $2 coupon!! I knew I was going to buy some General Mills items like granola bars and cereal...went to their website and saved $1.50....same goes for Huggies, Gerber, etc. You just print and off you go!! Then THIS SITE is so neat. You plus in the stores you shop at and your location and it basically tells you all the deals going on that week....and you can search by store or item...it is AWESOME. When you find the deals you want, you create a shopping list and then print it out and it tells you where to go. For other items, Costco still beats the deal when you compare the price and quantity. If you have any tips....let me know, but truly check out this site and find coupons....I saved almost $10 last time.

Sad in Seattle...

...because this weekend our camera DIED!!! So sad, as I probably use my camera almost everyday! The CCD card or reader or something died....basically the part that takes the pictures and after several estimates, it would cost at least $250 to fix! So we are in the deciding time for a new camera. We really would like to get a nice one and maybe have a cheap one that we could just take on the go and that still does video capability because the nice ones I guess don't have that feature. So...if anyone has any tips or suggestions please pass on! We will hopefully decide soon because I HATE not having my camera....so it might be a much less "colorful" posting for a bit.

All by myself...

This morning was a crazy morning...trying to get the regular duties accomplished plus dealing with new medical insurance decisions since my hubby got his new job. I was also trying to get the grocery list for the week done and well...let's just say both the girls wanted my attention and all I wanted was one moment...all by myself.

My mom offered to watch the girls with Alli while I went and did my grocery shopping...all by myself. (I am so fortunate to have them close by and help out when needed!) So I dropped them off and was on my way...all by myself. I got to listen to my own music, I got to use my purse and NOT the diaper bag and I got to walk through the store and shop...all by myself.

It was definitely a treat to be able to go to the grocery store and not worry about a fussy baby, and a big "helper" toddler to also keep an eye on. It was a little odd to be...all by myself. I missed giving those little heads kisses and having someone to talk to and my arms and hands seemed much too empty.

When I went back to pick the girls up...they had had WAY TOO MUCH FUN. Marmee had given them lunch and they had a blast playing in the pool (will post pics once my mom send them to me...so cute!). On the way home, even though I definitely enjoyed the peace and quiet and moments to get my errands done....as I looked at my two girls in the mirror, I realized that I am so blessed to have such a sweet little family and would never truly want to be...all by myself. Amazing what a much needed little break after a CRAZY morning can make you realize and appreciate!!

Informed Decisions

I loved Dr. Sears book, The Vaccine Book. He has an alternative and selective schedule for vaccinations. (both of which we will be altering and using for the decisions we have made in regards to all the vaccines) I have written up a summary of some of my notes that I have been taking down while doing this research over the past year. If you want details on what I have found, click HERE. But a few big things I have learned:
1) As parents, we have the responsibility and RIGHT to make the best decisions for our children. We cannot do that if we are uneducated and uninformed. I have come to realize and witness that doctors do not know the answers to the questions when it comes to vaccines. They are trained in how to treat the diseases and that starts by giving the shots. They trust the people that did the research on them, but don't know themselves what the ingredients are or how safe the side effects are. No matter what your decision about vaccination is, I HIGHLY recommend that every parent research and read up on the particulars....learn about what the disease is, what the vaccine is made up of, and what warning signs to look for. I gave two links to my favorite books in my summary page above.
2) One of the main things I learned is this: THERE ARE SOMETIMES SEVERAL VACCINE BRANDS TO CHOOSE FROM. This can make a HUGE difference when giving your child vaccines, especially if you do more than one or two at a time. Some brands do not contain the controversial and harmful things such as high Aluminum levels and animal-human contamination. MOST of the time your doctor will be giving what they have the best supply of or what they are using as a trial or what was the cheapest. Do the research and request the kind you WANT....it is safer all around! (don't use combo shots...in my opinion)
3) If you don't mind an extra trip to the doctor's office between well child checks...space your child's vaccinations out so they are only receiving ONE aluminum containing shot at a time and limiting the number of shots and amount of chemicals being put into the immune system at one time.

Learn as much as you can, be confident in your decisions and remember that any doctor that isn't willing to hear your concerns, discuss them and work out alternative options that satisfy you and protect your children...well you need a new doctor. Dr. Sears website, www.thevaccinebook.com has a neat link that shows vaccine friendly docs for each state that he knows about. www.cogforlife.org also lists updated vaccine info on its site to keep people aware of changes taking place. This has been a long and big decision process for us....but we have learned so much and feel so much more in control about the healthy decisions being made, scares me when I think of how I was at first with Angelica and just took the docs orders and recommendations and trusted that they knew best! I am still looking and hoping that Parenting Instruction Book falls into my lap and gives me all the answers!

Friends

A couple weeks ago we got the chance to visit some with our friends who were in town from Australia, the Allemand family. We had a good night of chit chat and yummy wine and desserts. Wish you guys were closer so that we could hang out and let the kiddies play. Miss you and keep in touch!! (and don't forget Kate about that arranged marriage contract for Nicholas and Angel!)

From the Mouth and Minds of Babes....

...a few weeks ago, it was a crazy and rushed dinner time. I gave Angel her food and eventually sat down and we all were eating. All of a sudden, Angel starts putting her plate and bowl up on the table from her highchair. I asked her what she was doing and she responded, "Mama, Amen mama..Amen." We usually do not give her her food until after we say grace and in the rush of everything had just started eating!! Jason and I looked at each other and our hearts melted (and we felt horrible that we would have forgotten this!). It totally reminded me of two things: 1) that little kids remember EVERYTHING and 2) that it is very true that the little children will lead us to God.

...when we were in NYC last week, our friend Renata had brought over some pretty white roses for the apartment. Angel was sitting at the bar looking at them and kept telling me "Mamasan, mamasan, please mamasan." That is what we used to call my maternal grandmother that passed away in September of 2005. Angel never got to meet her but we often go and put flowers on her grave or stop by for a visit. So Angelica just naturally associated the cut flowers with going to see her Mamasan....so sweet!! (although she doesn't know yet that Mamasan was never really fond of roses, but I am sure she would accept them if they came from her great-babygrand!)

Sweet

I was looking at my sister-in-law, Michelle's, blog and saw this post she did when we were back home...really sweet.