“My daughter, God is counting on your help”

My daughter, you have set up a home. I like to remind you that you women - as you well know - have a great strength, which you know how to enfold within a special gentleness, so that it is not noticed. With that strength, you can make your husband and children instruments of God, or demons. You will always make them instruments of God: he is counting on your help. (The Forge, 690)
Some strong women...

Proverbs 31 woman

St. Teresa of Avila "Christ has no body now on Earth but YOURS, no hands but YOURS, no feet but YOURS. YOURS are the eyes through which Christ's compassion is to look out to the Earth, YOURS are the feet by which HE is to go about doing good and YOURS the hands by which he is to bless us now."

Our Mother, Mary

My soul magnifies the Lord,
And my spirit rejoices in God my Savior.
For He has regarded the low estate of His handmaiden,
For behold, henceforth all generations shall call me blessed.
For He who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is His name. And His mercy is on those who fear Him from generation to generation.
He has shown strength with His arm:
He has scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.

He has put down the mighty from their thrones,

and exalted those of low degree.
He has filled the hungry with good things;
and the rich He has sent empty away.
He has helped His servant Israel, in remembrance of His mercy;
As He spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and to His posterity forever.

Mother Teresa

Be faithful in small things because it is in them that your strength lies.

Blessed the husband of a good wife, twice-lengthened are his days; A worthy wife brings joy to her husband, peaceful and full is his life. A good wife is a generous gift bestowed upon him who fears the Lord; Be he rich or poor, his heart is content, and a smile is ever on his face.

A gracious wife delights her husband, her thoughtfulness puts flesh on his bones; A gift from the Lord is her governed speech, and her firm virtue is of surpassing worth. Choicest of blessings is a modest wife, priceless her chaste soul. A holy and decent woman adds grace upon grace; indeed, no price is worthy of her temperate soul. Like the sun rising in the Lord’s heavens, the beauty of a virtuous wife is the radiance of her home.

Sirach 26:1-4, 13-16

Caleb is ONE!

My Valentine
I love him more each day!
Enjoying the sand in his new sand box

Love this face!

Walking man

Enjoying being the center of attention!

Yesterday was Caleb's first birthday! We had a nice little party for him. It was a lot of fun and we had good friends and family here with us (Unfortunately Darryl's family couldn't be here and we missed them!) Caleb was in fine form, enjoying all the attention, cake, presents/tissue paper and boxes, no naps etc...
I cannot believe it has been a year! He has taught me so much this year! I feel like I should be teaching him as his mommy, yet I have learned lots from this little man!

1. Patience truly is a virtue...Between waiting 3 days in labor at the hospital for him, waiting 2 weeks for him in the NICU to come home, having patience with him daily etc...God has taught me that I can never have too much of this! Everything happens in God's time and it is perfect time! Darryl and I actually enjoyed our 3 days of labor, we got to enjoy some quality time together and daydream about our baby boy and future. 2 weeks in the NICU wasn't as long as it seemed at the time, and my mom and sister helped me so much in that time period to get ready for him to come home.
2. I am so blessed to have such a wonderful husband! Darryl is so supportive and such a loving daddy! I couldn't ask for better!
3. Naps are wonderful and should be taken advantage of!
4. Baby cuddles (which he rarely does anymore!) are the best! Enjoy them when you have them!
5. Priorities...hes totally rearranged them!
6. Worrying does nothing, expect zap your energy and joy! (I still relearn this one daily!) God is holding us in his hands, what he gives he can easily take away! Enjoy your blessings today!
7. Disciplining is hard! Who am I, a sinner, to discipline my child?! Yet it is what I am called to do.
8. Smiles and giggles are super contagious! SHARE!!!
9. Being a mommy is the best job in the world...second to being a wife!
10. TIME GOES BY TOO QUICKLY!! Embrace each moment!

my Mommy!

As I was moving files from our old PC to our new Mac (!!!) I came across this that I wrote about my mom...I am thinking I wrote it for a speech class my senior year of high school...still, so true! My mom is such a blessing to me!

Mother, according to Webster’s dictionary, is a female parent. However, in reality we all know that our mother is so much more. So what makes MY mom so amazing? She and my dad are my “earthly heroes.” My mom is someone I have looked up to my entire life. She is an amazing woman with great love and faith.

My mom has taught me what true love is. She never thinks about herself, but always puts everyone else first, and their needs before her own. When I was little I can remember thinking to myself, “How am I going to be a mommy? My mom gives me the last of her candy, or chocolate…I don’t think I could do that!” She has raised three children, all girls, and done a wonderful job. She gave up her own career to raise us and for that I will always be appreciative because I knew my mom would always be there. She showed us unconditional love. Even when all three of us would get into a fight, or not clean up a mess, or not help out, she loved us. And when things were great, and we were doing well in school, and life was going our way, she loved us. And when my world would seemed to be falling down around me, there was mom, always with open arms and love. I know that no matter what this world brings, my mom will always love me. She has taught me how to love others. My mom volunteers so much of her time that sometimes I wonder when she has time for herself, or if she has time for herself. My mom is an amazing mother and wife. She is always there for anyone in the family. When my dad comes home from a long day at work, she listens patiently with no reward of her own, when my little sister has something to complain about at school again she listens patiently. When times are tough in my life, she lets me come to her and cry on her shoulder and she offers the most amazing advice and seems to make life all better. I believe that my mom is the epitome of “motherly love,” that true, unconditional love.

My mom is also a woman of amazing faith. From day one she has taught me to say my prayers and rely on God. I can remember when I was little and it was time for bed, saying prayers with my mom. And now she encourages me to continue to grow in my faith. She has never stopped in her pursuit for heaven, so why should I? She has taught me that we only get one life to live, so live it up! Live each day as if it could be your last, and put your faith in the Lord. She has taught me that perfection is impossible on this earth, but the continual pursuit of a sinless life is what Christ calls us to aim for. She has taught me that worrying is useless, even though we are both guilty of it, because ultimately it is not in our control. She has told me that when times get tough, rely on God, because he has been faithful in the past and will continue in the future. She has taught me how to make it through my tough times with a smile on my face and in my heart, because our God is faithful. Through my mom’s own faith life she has taught me what true faith in God is all about.

I know that I desire to be a mom like my mom someday. But I often wonder if that is possible. To me she is truly “super woman.” I don’t think that mom’s get enough credit for what they do. My mom has quietly instilled a way of life in me by her example. H.W. Beecher said, “The mother's heart is the child's schoolroom.” For me this is absolutely true, as I have learned so much about life from my mom. I hope that I can put what I have learned from my mom into action in my own life and become a woman of great love and faith.

Love you Mom!

*LoVE*

With February around the corner, a good homily at mass, and so much to LoVE, why not post about LoVE?
Top 10 LoVE's
10. Being a nurse
9. Exercise
8. Cooking/Baking (not the clean up!)
7. Being creative
6. Housewifery
5. Catholicism
4. Friends and Family
3. Caleb & #2
2. My hubby
1. Jesus Christ -- and all he offers! His LoVE, his mercy, his grace, his blessings...the list goes on!

When Darryl, Caleb, and I got to go to daily mass the other day the homily really stuck with me. The priest talked about how life isn't "fair." God's love and mercy isn't "fair." But that isn't what God is about...He said that God LoVEs some people more than others...WHAT?! YES!! He does...Of course, God LoVEs the blessed Mother more than me...she is much more capable of accepting his LoVE than I am. Some people are better receivers than others, Fact. If you receive well, more will be given to you. So, I am working on being more accepting of LoVE, more open, a more gracious receiver, so that I can be able to GIVE more LoVE.
Blessings,
M

Dinner

Courtney's Baby Shower

15 weeks


Tonight for dinner we having one of Darryl's favorites...shhh don't tell him! We are having crunchy chicken fingers and broccoli and cheese soup...
We are really trying to budget (living on a PRN RN's salary and medical school loans is not easy!)
So here is dinner broken down...

Crunchy chicken Fingers

4-6 boneless skinless chicken breasts (about 3.50)
1c. Honey Bunches of Oats (off brand) (.12)
1/2c. coconut (don't even know because I just keep some in the freezer)
2 eggs (in fridge...about .25)
flour...
spices: i use paprika, red pepper, salt, pepper

Heat oven to 350. Cut the raw chicken into strips, dredge in flour, then egg, then into everything else mixed together (crush up the cereal). Place on cookie sheet.
Cook in oven until done...about 15 min.
About 0.64/serving
About 115 calories/serving

Broccoli Cheese Soup (courtesy of my sister!!!)
Broccoli crowns (1.71)
1c. 2% milk (.75)
Chicken broth (I don't know...use boullion cubes and hot water)
Velveeta cheese (2%) (2.50)
Onions, garlic (another staple in the pantry)

Saute Broccoli, onions garlic, add velveeta, broth, and milk...DONE
About 0.82/serving
About 50 cal/serving

We spent the last weekend at a good friends wedding in Dallas. It was a beautiful wedding...always nice to remember our vows, and the love we joy on our wedding day that we should continue to have each day! Lots of fun! We got to see my mom, sisters, and brother-in-law too. Courtney and Matthew stopped for dinner here last night, that was nice too! Life is good!
Blessings,
M

NotHInG

“Don't be sorry to be nothing”

Don't worry if they see your defects; the offense against God and the scandal you may give; that is what should worry you. Apart from this, may you be known for what you are and be despised. Don't be sorry to be nothing, since then Jesus will have to be everything for you. (The Way, 596)

Wow! So much in these few words! Please, see my faults, they are plenty! In my faults I give way for God to perfect...not that it is achievable in this lifetime, but still a goal.
Worry?! What should I worry about except "the offense against God and the scandal I may give"? Worry is such a constant fault of mine. Rather than trusting in God to care for me and my family, I try to take control and forget that God has much better plans and much better ways than I do.
Blessings,
M

been a while...

Well, it has been awhile...
I know you have all missed updates...things have been going well for the most part. Christmas was such a blessing! We spent it at my parents house with my sisters and brother-in-law. My in-laws came in one day for dinner so we got to see them too...it worked out so nicely.
Caleb had such a great time being spoiled by everyone from mom parents and sisters, to my grandma, aunt and uncle, and cousin who was in from Belgium.
Probably one of the most joyous things over Christmas was being asked to be Liam's Godparents! We are sooo excited! It is so neat to hear Darryl pray each night for Liam and his parents. I cannot wait for this baby boy to be here. (March 15 is the due date...Liam is my sister's baby boy!)
Since Christmas we have been going non-stop...Darryl is still on his surgery rotation and enjoying it a lot! He seems to have found something he loves and for this I am so grateful! I knew God would point him in the right direction "Take delight in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart" (Psalm 37:4) It may be a long road ahead of us, but God will carry us.
Baby #2 is cooking well...14.5 weeks now! We schedule our US for March 1!!
Caleb is almost 1! WOW time flies! He is taking a few steps daily and does best when hes left alone to do it on his own. He has learned to clap and does it all the time!
This past weekend was the annual scrapbook weekend...it was lots of fun but tainted with food poisoning for me, Courtney, and Caleb...Courtney and I seem to be over it...poor Caleb is just now getting over it...
Other than that we are all healthy and happy! I will post pictures one of these days! We got our new Mac (LOOOOVVVEE!!) but it is hard to have time to transfer files etc...BUT I am wanting to use the Mac to get back into my photography.
Blessings,
m