Presenting Mary (Constance), full of grace

Full of the grace of Baptism, that is.

It was a beautiful celebration of her life and God's love, at our parish's vigil Mass last Sat. Lots of family and friends made it now that we are so much closer to everyone. For the first time, I was prepared and focused enough to have it arranged within the first few weeks. (It helped that we did not have to take the parents prep class again, although we felt lost at times b/c we had not even seen another Baptism at our new parish.) As always, it began with her anointing with holy oil, when the parents and godparents also mark the baby's forehead with the sign of the cross, claiming her for Christ and his Church. Our family and that of her very holy godparents were part of the entrance procession into Mass. After the Liturgy of the Word was the actual Baptism, when the holy water was poured three times over her head and she was baptized in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Immediately after, Fr. put the ancient-type white garment on her chest (this one also went around her back) to make outwardly apparent her new inner purity and life in Christ. Then she was anointed with the beautiful smelling chrism oil and her little baptismal candle was lit from the huge Paschal/Easter Candle. Christ is the true Light of the world, may she always know and follow Him.

Afterwards, we had a big family dinner at our house before her godparents had to head home. The next day we continued celebrating with a bigger party, including new friends from church, to mark her Baptism and Mark's 2nd b-day. It seemed appropriate to combine the celebrations b/c Mark's own Baptism was basically private at the time and I feel like including him in the party somehow completed the public celebration of his own Baptism as well. He is one joyful & charismatic toddler. "He draws you in," as our Mimi says. More pics of him in another post!

A 38 Weeks! Pregnant Daybook

Outside my window...I can see one of our crepe myrtles & the struggling cacti we transplanted near our POOL!.

I am thankful... for a quiet weekend, finally, spent washing baby clothes & getting her room ready and finally feeling settled in to our new house. Was it getting ready for baby that I've been waiting for? Another post on the move later. And pics- if I can ever find that camera cord!

I am hoping...for a safe delivery for us both after this very hard pregnancy.

On my mind... all the special friends & family I want to keep in better touch with now that I'm completely home again. And homeschooling ideas, always.

Noticing that...the father/son haircut outing took a long time yest & 2 out of 3 kiddos are sleeping in this am or I still wouldn't have gotten around to posting!

A few plans for the week... eagerly anticipating spending the day w/ my sister for my b-day, a CCL NFP teacher training app w/ J, & new friends over next weekend for dinner, if I make it that long- which I should...

From the book shelf... LLL's Womanly Art of Breastfeeding for this lackluster lactater, lots of internet "research" on various things now that I have a reliable computer (b-day iPad!) again (Internet, computer, now camera/card & I'll be re-connected!). Kids are reading alot for school...

In the kitchen... leftover chicken fajitas from a Mexican feast last night. More Mexican on the menu tonight when we go out.

On the Church calendar... Feast of St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross (aka Edith Stein) today- my favorite patroness and Feast of the Assumption fast approaching. Edith Stein is one of those saints who found me and never ceases to amaze me the more I get to know her. More on her later, maybe.

A 26 Weeks Pregnant Daybook

Outside my window...another hot, humid day I am avoiding as much as possible, until an outside party w/ the boys tonight.

I am thankful for...again, the way everything is coming together for our move. We've found a great house on the outskirts of town w/ lots of space and fun outside for the kids. (Read POOL!)

I am hoping...that I keep feeling better after a relapse last week.

On my mind...all the things I need to do b/f we move: final purging & organizing b/f the packers come- possibly next week!, gathering medical/Baptismal/work records from our time here, continuing paperwork for new house...

Noticing that...I'm glad I did a lot of reading & shopping for our homeschool year earlier b/f everything started happening. Still plenty left to do but a good start.

A few plans for the week...it will be a busy one- half-days start for the kids next week, we will be at a "K Graduation" this time next week & then headed to the Coast for my husband's family reunion over the holiday weekend, all right b/f the movers pack us up & take our stuff & we camp with friends for a couple weeks while my husband finishes at work.

From the bookshelf...The "baby" has been saying "Bi-bull" and wanting to read from our little Children's Bibles, big boys just reading AR books for school right now, I'm working on scrapbooks w/ a dear friend- creating some Birthday Books for each of the kids & another special gift one. Oh, and a great British book Choosing and Keeping Chickens. For a future family project.

In the kitchen...lots of our favorite foods for the weekend: chicken salad & pita bread, hummus, strawberries!

On the Church calendar...Pentecost Sunday this Sunday remembering the descent of the Holy Spirit on the Apostles & Mary. We'll miss the annual Mass our Archbishop celebrates w/ the Movements present here to mark the gift of the Holy Spirit inspiring the different charisms of these works of the Church. My boys love the pictures of Pentecost showing the Holy Spirit coming down as tongues of fire on the heads of those to whom it was sent.

A picture I want to share...but I can't find the cord!...is of the beautiful girl bedroom in our new house- PINK & green & yellow fabric covered walls. Precious & the combination of colors I wanted to use. Not too much pink (remember the wedding scene in Steel Magnolias- blush & bashful...).

10 Reasons I am especially excited to have a GIRL!

10. Sharing the girl classics: Little Women and all of L.M. Alcott's works, Anne of Green Gables,...

9. In a few years, someone else should be able to find things around the house, too!

8. a dollhouse

7. a tea set

6. Christmas dresses & Easter hats

5. the classic-Disney Haley Mills movies

4. Ballet lessons?(if she's interested, unlike her tomboy mother, but I realize their value now after being not-so-graceful for all my life...)

3. Hair bows & head bands

2. Sharing my love for the great women saints: Catherine of Siena, Therese of Liseux, Theresa Benedicta of the Cross...

1. The chance to watch my husband be a daddy to his daughter.

A Just-23 Weeks-Pregnant Daybook

Outside my window...it's dark, the end of a beautiful spring day. Also one of the many beautiful live oak trees of the Hill Country/S TX that I will miss when we move.

I am thankful for...a full day & the energy to live those again. Five months is a long time to feel so very sick. I pray for those who live with incurable illness. This am, men here working on inspection repairs, scrapbooking time this pm w/ a dear friend, a walk & mini-workout this evening- all with Mark for company and housework interspersed throughout. The big boys had Conquest tonight w/ my husband so I got down-time at night even. Rare.

I am hoping...for the grace and strength to support my husband well this next year through his Boards next Mon., our house search, transition month on the road, the actual move, his new assignment- all while pregnant, then w/ a new baby & beginning homeschooling. I don't want to be grumpy & self-centered like I can be so good at!

On my mind...the blessings of our time here, especially RC, even & especially during the tumultuous time it has been for RC members & friends...hopes & dreams for a very different house in the country w/ land & lots of outside things for our kiddos to do...God's plan for our family, our apostolate(s), my work in all this...our baby GIRL! Mary Constance.

Noticing that...God has taken such very good care of us & keeps solving problems with the move that initially seem impossible to coordinate, especially financially.

A few plans for the week...Team Holy Hour tomorrow, deep cleaning later in the week, a becoming-annual-date w/ my husband to watch the Kentucky Derby this Sat.!

From the bookshelf...Prayer for Beginners by Peter Kreeft & The Whipping Boy (a preview for #1) for myself; any science book J can get his hands on; any Star Wars book JP can get his hands on; any animal board book M can get his hands on.

In the kitchen...cookie recipes on the counter I want to make. Soon.

On the Church calendar...still celebrating Easter. Good Shepherd Sunday this past Sun. reminds me of all the CGS prep work I want to do. I've asked for the home manuals for Mother's Day.

A picture I am sharing...several since I so rarely have them down-loaded. Spring images in TX. We will miss the abundant bluebonnets here- these were just in a field at our parish!

A 16 Weeks Pregnant Daybook

Outside my window... a porch still to be cleaned off b/f next week when we list the house.

I am thankful for...my hard, hard-working husband who has done almost all the manual labor to get the house ready, inside & out; a Lent that has included a real purging of the house; a baby in utero who appears to be growing and healthy thus far, though the Momma has been more sick (exhausted, weak, nauseated, crampy) than ever before.

I am hoping...that one of the first showings results in a good offer...and to think about something else soon!

On my mind...long-term plans for home educating and being at home FT again. Lots of good reading & plans made for an eclectic Montessori/classical/Mason-esque curriculum next year. I need to focus on home organizing, MEALS especially. This house of men & boys eats constantly! And the early sonogram was showing signs of another boy. It looks like we will stay a "testosterhome!" 20 week sonogram in another month will probably clear up any doubts.

Noticing that...my life has become incredibly simple with this pregnancy. Survival. I've cut out anything non-essential. I have stopped expecting to feel better. Or at least am trying to b/c that is when I start to feel desparate!

A few plans for the week...my husband leaves in less than a week for a week-long Board Exam prep course in NYC. I am in denial. Just going to focus on my little part in getting the house ready to list b/f he leaves. And continue making plans to pack up the kids and take them to my mom's for the first weekend of showings...b/c that will surely be more do-able than keeping the house clean w/ them all at home by myself, right? :) I don't have the strength to do either...

From the book shelf...I've finished the home schooling books I have on hand: Catholic Ed., Homeward Bound & Real Learning (both borrowed years ago from a dear friend- I wonder if she is still waiting for them?!), also Natural Structure, and CHC and Emmanuel catalogs. Boys are reading more Cam Jansen, Ralph S. Mouse, and we're almost finished #2 of the Winnie the Pooh series.

In the kitchen...left-over cavitini casserole, or as I call it to get the kids excited- pizza bake. The one thing I did yesterday and I collapsed afterwards. My husband told me I looked terrible- "you have huge circles under your eyes."

On the home church calendar...the boys and I are listening to the Bible on CD this Lent, a project of our Archdiocese. We're still in the OT, on the book of Joshua.

No photo to share...I am horrible at down-loading them, though I will definitely try to post pics of the house when we finish. It looks so much nicer than when we really lived in it.

A Ten-Weeks Pregnant Daybook

Outside my window...bikes, skateboards, a stoller, and shoes all on our front porch, now minus the infant seat from Jesse's truck I gave away today. Some progress in de-cluttering- I'll take whatever I can get right now.

I am thankful for...again, my wonderful husband and the TLC he gave me tonight after a harder day of nausea, vomiting, weakness, cramps...french dip soup and a spinach pochette from my favorite la Madeleine!

I am hoping...to feel better tomorrow?

On my mind...some legal work that has come calling. I don't feel up to it but am going to do it...eventually... b/c the money will help us be able to work on the house.

Noticing that...baby Mark LOVES "The Wiggles" and watches it far more than I would allow were I not feeling this way. He says "Da-da" when he sees them! (Ok, he says that for most things.)

A few plans for the weekend...nothing! Except give Jesse time to work on a big presentation he has to give on Tues. And I will practice piano with Jude. I'm enjoying learning along with him. Oh, and a trip to the library as books are due.

From the bookshelf...for myself- "The Clash of Civilizations" debate and The Essential Pope Benedict XVI, for the kids- Loyola Kids Book of Saints, The Adventures of St. Paul, Warriors, Cam Jansen books.

In the kitchen...a stocked fridge! I did manage to get that grocery shopping done today, by the grace of God.

On the Church calendar...the Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time this weekend. No special feasts in the immediate future for us. St. Thomas Aquinas is always a special one as he is Jude's middle name patron.

Not sharing any pictures tonight...sorry.

A Daybook beginning the New Year

Outside my window...the first phase of our homemade Nativity set, baby Jesus in a wooden manger lined with evergreen branches, our foil-covered star blew down during a recent storm. I love it when Jesse does these projects with the boys.

I am thankful for... my wonderful husband. He's reading to the big boys right now, just brought me a snack a few minutes ago- he's been feeding me alot lately to help keep back the first trimester nausea.

I am hoping...to get a lot done around the house these next couple weeks so we can put it on the market ASAP- purging, organizing, cleaning, painting.

On my mind...is the realization that all this will be challenging since I am early pregnant.

Noticing that...the boys are all really happy after being home together as a family for two weeks.

A few plans for the week...bedroom closets emptied & organized, school & family business papers purged & organized, realtor called.

From the bookshelf...The Adventures of St. Paul, The Squire and the Scroll, original Winnie the Pooh series, The Indian in the Cupboard.

In the kitchen...the second half of our fat burritos from lunch from our current favorite burrito place, most of dinner covered- yay! Need to get to the store now that we're back from our new year travels & plan some meals with what remains. No more leftover Christmas dinner, ham salad, potato soup, homemade bread, only a few sweets lingering around...:(.

On the Church calendar...today is Epiphany, the Feast of the Three Kings. The kings finally made it to our Nativity scenes. We'll bless the house, marking the year over the door in chalk. Some years we draw virtues to work on for the year, chosen for us by the Holy Spirit. We won't this year as the boys are getting their virtue training through their regular Conquest virtues with Dad right now. I don't think I'll make the King's Cakes this year either.

A picture I am sharing...a few from the outdoor Nativity project begun this year, thanks be to God for a healthy, happy, holy Christmas season 2009 for us.

Family Pics

No, not from Christmas. From November but I've finally gotten around to posting them b/c I want to send some friends and family here to see them in my Christmas/New Year's notes I'm still determined to write. I've got at least 7 more days to celebrate the Octave of Christmas in the Church calendar, right?

Anyway, you can see we had a lot of fun getting these shots. The photographer has a real gift for actually enjoying the kiddos.

Celebrating the 10th Anniv. of RC SA on the Feast of OL of Guadalupe

Sat., Dec. 12, 2009 marks the 10th Anniversary of the physical home and sacred space of the SA RC Sections, Our Lady of the Hills Family Mission Center. Don't miss Mass with Fr. Thomas Salazar, LC at 9:30am on the 12th at OLH! Did I already mention it's also the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe? :)

Checking to see if Comments are enabled...

in case anyone wants to comment now that I've sent this site to people. I think you should be able to comment on new posts now. Let me know what you think!