Carrying my Cross

Ever have a "woe is me day?" Where you feel like the whole world is against you?
Well i do.
Especially with a 2 year old...but ya know what? She's sassy, smart, compassionate and healthy! Aside from tubes in her ears and insisting on having a cough so she can get "the juicy" medicine every once in awhile, she is perfect!

I follow Hallie on twitter (tweet tweet) and she asked for prayers for a friend. I clicked over to check out her story and my heart broke to pieces. Her friend's brand new, less then a month old baby is going to live with Jesus in Heaven. This all came out of no where to them as she had (what I could quickly gather) a seemingly normal pregnancy. He never made it out of the hospital. This was their third baby to pass away.

I. Can. Not. Imagine. 

Miss Miriam will be 10 months next week and there is NOTHING I love more than to watch her grow.

Feeling blessed.

Also, awhile back I asked for prayers for a little person with an undiagnosed metabolic disorder, well some more tests have been run and the little guy has Juvenile Tay-Sachs. It's a little confusing to explain but Mark described it as "your brain's garbage disposal doesn't work." Fat builds up in the brain bc of a lacking enzyme and your brain can no longer communicate with your body. There is no cure and little treatment other than keeping the child comfortable. Currently he isn't showing any signs of TS which is a good thing but the regression is inevitable. Pray for this young family. I am not above asking for a miracle but I also pray for God's will to be done. I know His Grace is Enough.

Isn't it amazing that when you feel like your trials and burdens are so heavy, but the Cross you've been asked to bear is minuscule compared to others. And to know that God only gives you what you can bear makes me stand in awe of those with much heavier crosses. It makes me want to be their Simon and carry it with them, or for them. But I cant. I'm not strong enough to carry their cross. When it seems unimaginable to have to bear that load, it's because it is! the Lord knows our strength and would not give us a Cross that was unbearable. I will do all that I can to lessen their load but we must lean on the Lord. He carried the heaviest Cross of all and He's the strongest hand to help carry our Cross.

Praying for all those with sick babies and babies in Heaven. Nothing hurts more than to see your child suffer.

Seven QTs vol9?

Does anyone else have to look back every week to see what volume that are on for 7QTs? I am lucky if I remember I'm washing clothes that day much less a number from a week ago!!

Anyway, joining up with Jen for another week passing by...

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This past Tuesday I took Miss Miriam to the doctors for her 9 month check up! I can not believe this girl will be 1 year old in less than 3 months! Mark is big on numbers (hello engineer) and he loves to know her stats and where she falls in the percentages. So, here they are

Height: 29.5" (just as I guessed)

Weight: 22lbs...she has only gained 6oz in 3 months! 

(yes, that means I had a 21+lber at 6 months)

Head: 47cm

That puts her at 97% for height, 93% for weight and 98% for head circumference. 

She is a big girl but I discovered she is the EXACT same height and weight Juliana was at her 9 month check up! But Juli's head was bigger by a cm...

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And it's no wonder Miriam hasn't gained much weight, she is crawling and pulling up, cruising and exploring. She is also beginning to say a few words/phrases. 

Mama

Thank you (tan tu)

Dada

Hello (heh-do)

Up

Uh-oh

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Last Saturday Mark and I went to the Pirates' game for our 4th Anniversary celebration! We went last year for our anniversary and had such a good time that I decided we would make it a tradition! It helps that they are #1 and I got great seats and there are fireworks afterwards...we had a great time! 

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I made it to Adoration this past Thursday for the first time in...

(crickets chirping)...

(still chirping)...

FOREVER!!

I had 35 glorious minutes to pray and be silent. 

I need to do it more. 

I think of it as refueling my spiritual tank

And while there I snagged a book off the shelf with prayers and meditations specifically for Adoration. I was reading a section in the back and this top paragraph hit it right on the head...

You are worthy of all that Jesus has to give you because He deems you worthy. He, the Lord and God himself, deems YOU worthy of ALL that HE has to give...which is EVERYTHING!! 

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This was the perfect reflection for me and probably many others this week after the article Simcha posted on the NCR. I wrote some reflections on it already but was able to have a good chat with a friend about the article and the messiness of life hidden behind the edited pictures and hunky-doory feel to some blogs. We both like the "keep it real" type blogs with a bit of sweet and sassy mixed in. We both openly talked about the mess in our lives...it was good to know that my mess isn't any worse than what others are dealing with.

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I can't think of much else to write about so here are pictures of my little ones for your viewing pleasure! :) 

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Have a blessed week!! :) 

Jealousy and a Great Article

I've been struggling alot with jealousy. Alot. Too much. I mean, when in this grown up world are we ever satisfied with what we have? When am going to realize that the grass isn't always greener on the other side. 

I guess I always thought that being grown up wasn't about being in the cool club, having the nicest stuff, being invited to the party, but, it is. It's human nature to want to be liked. To please. It feels so childish. And maybe it is, but I also feel like it's in our nature to desire to be loved, especially as a woman. How often we seek the approval of others when really the approval we should be seeking is from our one true Lord. He knows, because He created me, that I am enough. I am who He wants me to be, as long as I am faithful to Him. 

The next time I find myself comparing myself or my life to those "who seem to have more", I will try my best to go to Him and realize I have all I need in His arms.

I wrote this a few weeks ago and I just left it sitting as a draft until now. It felt too personal to post, maybe inviting other in  too much but then a friend posted this GREAT article from the NCregister...Hit the nail right on the head! 

With all the technology we have these days, you'd really have to live a super simple lifestyle to not participate in some sort of social media! Between FB, blogs, twitter, instagram, and Pinterest, it is extremely difficult to not feel like a failure in life if you don't eat all organic food, take perfect pictures of perfect kids who are wearing the clothes you made for them while celebrating at the perfectly themed and decorated birthday party. The bar is set too high!

We are all guilty of comparing ourselves to other people. And that's what I was doing when I wrote that first part of the blog. I was looking at a particular woman's highly read blog and pictures and comparing myself to her. Why? Well, because she's pretty and popular and extremely creative and talented. I was jealous. So, instead of leading myself into temptation, I took her off all my social media feeds and my mind has been much clearer.

If we want good to come out, we must put good in. And like the article said, by now (almost 29), I know myself well enough to know what's fruitful and what's not. And I must remember that, I am enough as long as I am true to myself and honest with God. 

Juliana Says...

So last week on my Seven QTs, I included a small convo with Juls and I promised to post more this week...Sorry it took me so long, I know all 11 of your were dying to read them!

While discussing an upcoming trip to MD:
Me: We'll go to Maryland in a month
Juli: With Daddy?
Me: Yes, Daddy's coming
Juli: And then he's flying back?
Me: Yes, he'll fly back before us.
Juli: In a kite?
Me: ROFL!!!!  

 The other night at dinner: 

Mark: James is going to Charlotte for a few days next week...

Juliana: (interrupting) I have a friend named Charlotte!! 

Me: You do? 

Juliana: Yes, I do! She's my friend. You don't know her, it's none of your business. 

Me: What color is this?

Juls: Let me see...(pulls it really close to her face)...I don't know. I not have my tontacts in!

Juls: One day Mommy I have a tank top with holes in it and I have mommy milk and I feed Miriam...

Me:...No, you will never feed Miriam your Mommy milk. 

Juls: Mommy! Look at the monkey outside!

Me: What?

Juls: That fingy with a tail on it's butt!

Me: Oh, the squirrel?

Juls: He want to come inside!

Me: Absolutely not!

Juls: He want to... :) I pet him...:)

Me: ...

J: I wish I had a farm

Me: Why exactly do you wish that? What grows on a farm?

J: Babies!! And baby dolls! 

Me: ...

J: I have a carrier on

Said carrier (I am aware it's a backpack...so is she)

  

 

 

Me: Probably you shouldn't zip it up, she won't be able to breathe

Juliana: She doesn't want to breathe! :::evil, all knowing laugh to follow:::

Gets into her Cozy Coupe Car outside:

Juliana: (in the most calm voice) Mommy, there's a bug on my car...(still totally calm)...Mommy, get it, I am freaking out. 

Juliana: I forgot my baby

Me: Oh no, that's not good. Where'd you forget her?

J: At my friends house. It's okay, she's pretend...

Me: Who's pretend? Your friend or your baby?

J: My friend! It's a real baby Mom.

Me: of course...

 

Liebster Award...pass it on!

A fellow Pittsburgh Momma and food fanatic Miss CrafyP gave me a little award...

 

Apparently it's for bloggers with fewer than 200 post...that is me!! Just a lowly blogger with more 'oh, I should blog about that' than actual posts. Silly kids and house for being so demanding! :) Thank you Miss Crafy...if you, Momma of 5 with #6 cooking can do it, so can I!!! 

So here's the lowdown

When you’re nominated for a Liebster, here’s what you do:
1.    Thank the Liebster Blog presenter who nominated you and link back to their blog.
2.    Nominate 11 blogs who you feel deserve to be noticed and leave a comment on their blog letting them know they have been chosen.
3.    Answer the 11 questions you were asked and create 11 questions for your nominees.
4.    Display the Liebster Award logo.
5.    No tag backs, meaning you can’t just re-nominate the person who nominated you.

  As the hubs watching a show on Netflix and the babes sleep upstairs, okay only Miriam is sleeping but at least Juls is being quite, I will attempt to do this...

1. Favorite meal you've ever eaten- describe it to me and with whom did you eat it?

My mom's lasagne for birthdays growing up. There are 6 kids in my family and when your birthday was approaching, Mom would ask what special meal you would like. 9 out of 10 times, we would all say Lasagne!!! It was sooooooo good, but Mom only made it on special occasions. She made her own sauce too! YUM! Thinking about lasagne just takes me back to my childhood, squished around the table, laughing all night long and making memories. 

2. What are you most looking forward to in the next month?

3 things: Our church festival, Samantha starting school (#sorrynotsorry) and visiting Maryland at the end of the month. It will have been over 2 months since we have been down there and my how Miriam has changed! I wish we lived closer or could visit more because I know my Momma really misses all the girls. 

 3. What/who inspires you?

Man, that's a deep question! I am inspired by others who struggle. Maybe that sounds bad but, over the past couple years I have known some families who have been hit with some major health issues. And watching them endure, rely on God and push forward fills me with the greatest amount of Faith and Hope. 

 4. Name something strange that is on your floor right now.

Well, it's not on the floor right now because I just vacuumed (whoa!) but we have a 16" foam cylinder exercise thingy that has become a permanent fixture in our living room. I was introduced to it at Physical Therapy a few months ago and it has changed my life!! It can roll out my IT Band and helps my knee not to throb constantly. Plus, Mark uses it to roll out his back which has always been not so good.

  5. Favorite tv show as a kid/Favorite tv show right now.

As a kid: Full House

Now: The Food Network Star

 6. If you could take up any hobby that you currently have no time for/resources for... what would it be?

Just one? I have so many interests that are untapped! I would love to learn to REALLY bake...like all kinds of fancy things but also be able to decorate cakes and cupcakes like a pro! I would also love to sew better. My sis in law is extremely gifted and I am often in awe of the pieces she creates. I would love to craft something from scratch out of a piece of fabric. It's so cool! 

 7. Something that is on your "bucket list"

Go to Australia or Hawaii...or both! :) 

 8. A book you read recently that you enjoyed.

Currently reading My Sisters the Saints by Colleen Carroll Campbell and its really good. Plus, the author has a cool name :) No, but seriously, it's good. Pick it up. Read it. Be inspired.

 9. Share a memory or moment from today that makes you smile

Watching my baby girl swing. She gets the biggest grin on her face when she sees the swings and then just laughs and laughs as you push her. :) 

10. If you had unlimited time (no interruptions from children or phone), what movie or tv show would you "marathon"

Probably have a Julia Roberts marathon: Pretty Woman, Steel Magnolias, Erin Brocovich, The Oceans movies, Step-Mom, even Hook. She is just so good and her laugh is the best! 

 11. If someone you loved threw you a surprise party, would be overjoyed or upset?

OhhhhhhhVER. JOYED!!!  I am a type A personality and love to be in control, but that also means I over think and over plan. If I could celebrate and not have to think or worry about anything, it would be the best party EVER!!!

So here are the few ladies I know that are worth a read:

ShinyHappyCatholics

McphersonFamilyExpansion 

JumpingInPuddlesIsFun 

ImperfectionsWelcomed 

RosemarysFancy 

Okay ladies, humor me and answer these questions:

1. What was your dream job as a child? Are you living it out now?

2. What was your favorite game/toy to play with as a child? Why?

3. If you had $1 Million, and only 30 days to spend it, how would you?

4.  What's your favorite room in your house?

5. How do you unwind after a long day?

6. If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go?

7. What's the best birthday you have ever had?

8. Craziest thing you've ever done that you would never do again?

9. Favorite way to pray.

10. What's the wildest dream you can still recall?

11. If you could have dinner with anyone, dead or alive, who would it be?

Thank you ladies!!

SEVEN QuiCk TaKEs!!!!

Is it August ALREADY?!?! Where in the world has the summer gone? Seriously, warm months fly too quickly...but it's probably because we are busy, busy. busy!

Joining Jen and practically everyone else in the blogger world for 7QTs

...and go! 

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You know those super tacky, often eye catching commercials that discount stores and used car lots run to draw you into their "Lowest Prices EVER" sales? Well, they work! :) Fireworks, booming male voice and repetition of day and time, day and time, day and time, day and time... :) Man that marketing team is making a killing! Well, a local furniture store ran one of those commercials last week and knowing that Mark was in desperate need of a new recliner, I suggested we go. He agreed. Little did he know that we would find this beauty

perfection in table form!

75% off people! 

He is so good to me because he knew we weren't leaving with out it! Our old table had seen better days, in like the 1970s, and I was more than ready to upgrade. It's so pretty. Did I also mention that it was a STEAL!! And we got it delivered the SAME DAY! 

Holla!

Oh and Mark found a recliner. Also 75% off! 

Thank you tacky commercial. Thank you very much! 

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At some point this past week I received this photo

If this is what the 90s look like, I would never go back.

in a text from my sister. Me, Mom and Dad, May 1992 

Yes that is me...the blonde in the front with the "at-home" haircut from my loving, well meaning and completely untrained beautician mother. My outfit is most likely something out of a circus that passed through town bag of clothes we were given and please, please,  please take note of my father and I's matching shoes! Oh and let's not fail to point out the ridiculously over-sized glasses on my face! 

Unfortuntely, this wasn't just a one time, mishap kind of day. This is what I looked like from age 7-13...

I paid my dues people. My "awkward stage" lasted forever six long, hard years. 

Please don't cut your kids hair. Call me. I'll pay for a professional to do it. Consignment shops are all the rage too. Oh and buy a mirror. Make her look in it.

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Speaking of kids hair, this chick 

 has...

 The. Best. Hair. Ever! 

And can rock the pigtails with the best of them. 

is my favorite on her entire head.

 I  will never, ever cut her hair. I pray that she keeps these heavenly locks for her life. She wouldn't be my Juliana with our them! 

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On the topic of being Juliana here's a quick convo between she and I that took place at lunch today:

Juliana: Hears fire house siren in the background ...I don't like that sound Mommy.

Me: It's okay honey, it's just the fire house signaling they need more firemen. 

Someone needs help and the firemen will go help them.

Juliana: One day, when I grow up, I'm going to be a fire-girl

Me: Okay, you can be a fire-girl

Juliana: laughing I don't want to be a fire girl...I just want to be a Juli-girl! 

Of course, a Juli-girl. It's what every girl dreams of being! 

*will be posting more great convos with Juls in the next day or so...keep a look out. They are a riot!

 

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she did it all by herself  #proudmommymoment

How old before kids can write in a line? Or until the letters don't take up the entire page? Got this white board in the Target Dollar Section and she loves it! Really hoping it will encourage her to learn more...so far it has worked!

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Earlier this week I hosted the first Pray and Play for the Pittsburgh Catholic Momma's group that I am apart of. It was a smashing good time! :) The general idea is that we will gather in a member's home and pray for a portion of the time and then play for the other time. We really wanted to bring prayer into the home and show the kids that we are a community. A group of believers and we need to join together and ask the Lord to bless us and thank Him for bringing us together. 

I was kinda freaking out because the response was SO positive it looked like there might be 27 kids and 9 Mommas!!! WOW!! And where the heck is everyone going to sit? Well, a few Mommas had to cancel last minute and it only ended up with 19 kids and 5 Mommas. And the kids played outside for most of the time. Thank you Lord for hearing my "please be good weather" prayer!

This week we went over the Glorious Mysteries of the Rosary. I used this link to print off some visuals for the kids (I'll have more next time...not enough for all the kids...a good problem to have!). And then we prayed one decade of the Rosary. I think we could have done another one but I didn't want to push my luck at the first meeting.

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And today this not so little girl is 9 months old!!!

She's been out as long as she was in! She is a joy to have in the house! She is getting into all of Juliana's things and I just laugh. It's good for both of them to figure out how to live with the other...neither are going anywhere anytime soon! We go for her well visit on Tuesday and I'll post her stats then. My guess is she's 23lbs and 29.5" long. 

Happy Friday Y'all! The Hubs and I are going on our anniversary date this weekend! Hope you have as much fun as we will!!!