7 Quick Takes

~1~

Soooooo, Maks has strep again. Or still, I'm not sure which one. I think this pretty much guarantees the rest of us are going to get it again, and Amelia and Lily are already not feeling well... Just... pray for us. I am sick of everyone being sick! It is a constant battle. :(

~2~

Charlotte is starting mini-4's at the preschool next week. I am so excited, but sad at the same time. I think she feels the same! But, she's ready.

~3~

The Phoenix Catholic Women's Conference is coming up soon. There are some wonderful speakers, like my friend, Leila!

I have never gotten to go, but I did get close last year, and already had my ticket purchased, but then had to sell it. I am hoping and praying I can go this year. I will be buying my ticket soon. If you buy early, you get $10 off! Let me know if you're going!!

~4~

So, I dropped my phone in the toilet way back during Lent and it was working for a while, but then completely died a few months ago. My upgrade isn't until January 13th, and I am so happy it's finally coming up. I manage our crazy schedules from my phone, plus we don't have a home phone (who does anymore???), so using a phone that doesn't hold a charge is really frustrating. I know, first world problems. But, I am so glad I can upgrade this week.

~5~

I have started shopping for first communion and confirmation dresses for Amelia. Luckily, Zulily has some beautiful ones on there right now for a really reasonable price.

I really like this one, but I'm waiting for her to wake up to choose.

http://www.pinterest.com/pin/52213676906115103/

~6~

We exchanged something at Costco that wasn't working well for a new Crock Pot, and I'm struggling with it a bit. I love that it is bigger and has a timer, warmer, etc... but it's SO big that I have to cook all of my recipes a bit differently.

I am looking for good recipes for Amelia's reception, but I'm so afraid anything I make is going to be dry.

~7~

There are 3 tiny babies on Reece's Rainbow right now from the country Maks was adopted from...

http://reecesrainbow.org/80483/andrea

http://reecesrainbow.org/82595/basil

http://reecesrainbow.org/81881/truman-2

Pray for these sweet babies. Discern adoption. Donate, share, help in any way the Lord leads you. If you have fears or concerns, contact me! We can talk it through!

Happy weekend!

When You Can't Pray...

The last year of our lives has not been easy. It has been beautiful, but difficult. Losing Nico to the ban, and then watching him grow up via pictures was a great loss. He still exists. He still waits in an orphanage. A part of my family is missing, and that hurts.

The adoption process isn't easy, and I promise this isn't yet another post about adoption, but really about those trying times when you are in the thick of grief and can't bring yourself to pray.

I tend to shut down and go into robot mode when I am struggling. I have a hard time hearing and speaking to God. I beg for clarity, but I am not open to it. I sit in mass in tears, hoping for the fog to lift, but I can barely eke out a prayer.

This is not my current state right now. But I've been there, especially in the months leading up to meeting Maks after losing Nico.

It has been so very important for me to network and find myself Christian friends that I know will pick up the slack. This is one way Facebook can really be a blessing. I am taking a break right now, but I have connections that have made it outside of Facebook to keep me grounded. I have been able to plan things with real life friends easier because of it.

The prayers of my friends and family truly did get me through some tough times. We had a fairly easy transition into family life of 8, and I know that was because of Christ. He took care of us even though I couldn't speak with Him. My friends and family took care of me with their fervent prayers when I couldn't do it.

It's beautiful, and I'm forever grateful. I hope that anyone reading has that type of support, because I'm not sure how anyone gets through life without it.

When Evil Stares You in the Face

Many people go through life without realizing when evil is before them. They feel it, but can't grasp the entire reason for the feelings they're experiencing.

Someone I know was recently confronted with the evil of abortion. She helped her friend in any way she could, and her friend did not want to go through with it, but she was being strongly coerced by the child's father. Eventually, her efforts failed, and her friend went through with it anyway.

There is a sinking, heavy feeling in our stomachs when we realize this evil. Something grotesque and wrong. Our very souls are repelled by it.

That is how it feels when you walk into an orphanage. Just as abortion is a grave evil, so is children warehoused like animals, with no one to love them. 8 toddlers calling you momma and begging to be adopted. Some orphans might get "lucky" and live in a "good" institution for a while, but that all can change by one transfer.

Not everyone is called to adopt. But, just as we are called to speak up for the unborn, we must be willing to speak up for the 100's of thousands of orphans in this world. There are far too many of us turning a blind eye and making excuses when, realistically, we could be doing much more. It makes us feel uncomfortable, so we don't want to think about it too much. We don't want to make eye contact with the homeless man on the street, because we can't help them at that moment. When really, a smile and a prayer is quite possibly exactly what they need.

Find your cause. Figure out where you can help. I've found mine, it's always been the pro life movement. And until the pro life movement actually starts to include bringing awareness to orphans, I will not be silent.

Pro life

Pro life

Pro life

7 Quick Takes

~1~

I am taking the month of January off of Facebook to refocus a bit. I have been wanting to get back into blogging, and also get my family blog updated for a while, but I haven't had a chance. I think this will help me get there, as well as add some more prayer to my life.

~2~

Christmas and New Year's Eve was wonderful. My kids had so much fun, we got to spend Christmas day with family, and the New Year's Eve, the big girls and I played Sorry! and had hot chocolate and did sparklers. Christmas Day, we went to the parish closest to us, instead of our own parish, for mass, and it was interesting, to say the least... I love our parish, and that experience reminded me of how much I truly do.

~3~

Is anyone planning on seeing the Pope when he comes to America? I would like to, in a perfect world, but I'm not sure I will be able to make it happen.

Coming to Americaaaa!

~4~

In case you didn't know, Friends, the complete series, has been added to Netflix streaming!!! I know it's a little "Liberal Agenda"-ish... but it's always been one of my favorites, and I am already having a blast watching all the old episodes. I watched 5 last night and plan on watching more tonight.

~5~

Speaking of TV, Downton Abbey and the Bachelor start this week. I am sooooo excited! Yes, I know the Bachelor is horrible, and I promise it is about the raciest thing I can handle these days, but I love it. I am hoping my favorite recap-blogger will be blogging through this season!

~6~

What is one thing you always wanted for Christmas as a child but never received? For me, it was an American Girl doll. I read all the books from our school library and loved the historical stories. But I never was able to have a doll. My mom was a single mom and that was wayyyy out of our price range. I never, ever thought I'd buy them for our girls, because HELLO, they are SO expensive... but I had a feeling that Amelia really did want one, but was too afraid to ask, and that made my heart ache a bit. Lily had asked for one and then said she would take a Target knock-off instead, but I knew she really wanted one, too... So, when Kyle's dad sent us a large amount of money right before Christmas, I KNEW what I could do...

Let me tell you, I am not one to spend this much on Christmas. But I have never, ever seen such a twinkle in my girls' eyes like I did when they opened those dolls. They never in a million years expected to get them, and the experience made me cry. I am so happy I was able to do something special for them. Maybe this all sounds stupid, and I understand that. But I don't care. I had to share, because I am so proud of my girls for appreciating this gift. They are not as spoiled as I think they are.

~7~

Now, I must take a break from the rambling about expensive dolls and bring this blog back to Earth. I am asking one thing of you all this year. And that's to honestly, strongly discern whether or not you are called to adoption. Put your doubts aside. Spend time in adoration. LISTEN to Christ, and let Him lead you. No excuses. Let them go. If you feel called, jump. Shoot me an email, and we can chat through all doubts and fears. If you do not feel called at this time, consider how you can help.

If you consider yourself pro-life, this should be your next logical step. Stretch yourselves this year.

In honor of St. Basil's feast day...

Baby Basil waits for his mommy

Happy 2015! Have a wonderful weekend and a Christ-centered New Year!!