A Baptismal Prayer

Dearest Newest Catholic Max,

This morning, before the sun rose, you woke me up to eat. It's not unusual for me to spend a moment or two (the ones I'm awake) in thanksgiving for the gift you are to me. Today however, only hours before your Baptism, a different prayer was on my heart.

Today, as I held you in my arms and thought about what this day held for you, I prayed for you like I have never prayed before. I prayed for you to have the gift to hear God's voice clearly. I prayed for you to always have the courage to follow whatever He says to you.

I want you to know this because these prayers did not come from me...especially in the wee hours...but from the Holy Spirit. I want to assure you that your Daddy and I take this sacrament very seriously and that we will do our very best to live up to the promises we made today. I also want you to know that I will continue to pray these prayers for you throughout your life.

I can't wait to see where God takes you. I love you, Mama

In a Daze

Sometimes when I sit down and almost fall asleep in mid...whatever, I actually wonder why I'm so tired. And then I remember. I just moved and am STILL unpacking and settling in. Also there's that whole thing about not getting more than two hours of sleep at a time (and thinking it's a bonus to achieve three in a row). And...planning for a baptism this weekend....as well as directing a wedding.

Oh yeah, now I know why I'm so tired. And suddenly I'm grateful to know that this will be a fading memory next year and I'll sit back and wonder how in the world I did it all while I watch Max toddle around in this giant new house and think about how it was all SO worth it!

Times They Are A Changin'

Last night I went to a bridal shower and didn't have to get a sitter or have someone follow me home to take one home. Today I cooked dinner while watching Nelson sit on the back porch working on the computer. Right now I hear the sounds of my two "big" boys in the shower with their daddy.

Ah, it sure is nice to have my husband back at home!

A Cuteness Like No Other

This morning Mackenzie came in before she left for school and asked if she could just look at Max. "Sure," I said, "just don't wake him up."

She came back quickly and said, "Aww...he's sooo cute."

"What's he doing?"

"He's sleeping with both of his arms up by his head. He looks just like a cactus!"

I'm Back

Thanks for tuning in. I'm back. We've moved, had a baby, gotten over my infections and are now online at the new place. Hopefully, I'll get back into the swing of posting soon.

Happy Easter!

It was a tough Holy Week for me. I suffered physically along with Christ. On Easter morning I awoke a bit tired but healed and I spent the day rejoicing in all of my blessings. Hopefully, you did the same!

One of the Many Benefits of Our New House

Last night as I was getting the kids ready for bed, Mackenzie came into the bathroom and said rather excitedly, "Mama! Do you know what's really great about this new house? All you have to do to flush the toilet is push the handle down and everything goes away. You don't have to hold it down or anything!"

The Sweetness Max Brings Out

Last week as I was preparing dinner, Max was looking around from the vantage point of his bouncy seat on the floor. Aiden came in with his usual barrage of questions.

"Aiden look, Max is awake. Why don't you go talk to him?" I encouraged for a moment's peace.

He was being a little aggressive so I told him to be gentle with his brother.

The next thing I knew, both Aiden and Dawson were sitting at Max's feet and singing "Jesus Loves Me" to him.

It was one of the sweetest things I've ever seen.


Mackenzie told me yesterday that her teacher at school asked her how her new little brother was doing.

“I told her he was doing okay,” she recounted. “Then she asked me if he was being a good baby and I looked at her and said, ‘Well, he’s nocturnal.’”

Update

So I know I promised pictures but as of lately, the move, newborn and lack of sleep have been weighing on me. It's been a bit overwhelming what with the hormones and all. An emotional roller coaster of elated highs, confusing middle moments and one total breakdown - which, considering the circumstances, I think is pretty darn good.

This is the dining room. Love the ceiling. LOVE the lights. LOVE my new furniture. This was taken the night we moved in. And no, I did not cook dinner. Some very nice person brought it for us.





I can't tell you how I felt when I walked down the stairs and saw my beautiful family sitting down for the first time in my dining room.
This is a snippet of the new furniture we bought for the living room. I LOVE it too.

It's coming together. It's taking a lot of time in between feeding Max every two hours, feeding the rest of the family, not to mention just normal life in the midst of unpacking. However, every new place...each first moment of everything here is so amazing.

It's good to be here!

WE DID IT!

Too tired to speak. Will follow with details and pictures another day. Just wanted to send a BIG shout out to everyone who helped us physically with the move and to everyone who covered us in their prayers. THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!

We're Getting Our Move On!

It's the final countdown. Beginning on Saturday, we started unpacking things in the new house. Even though there were some things needing fixing for the inspector's approval, we decided to take advantage of getting the job done one step at a time.

We've had some wonderful help. Sunday we did more unpacking and today I cleaned up for the furniture deliveries. I can't tell you how excited I was to see my first furniture purchases carried into the house. Can it really be that we're getting that close?

I'm EXHAUSTED. Two weeks of taking it easy followed by three days and nights of the rubber hitting the road have sucked the life out of me. Tonight more help came and this house is almost cleared out. And...according to Nelson, this will be the last time we sleep here.

THE LAST TIME?! I must have asked him at least four times, "Are we really going to spend the night there tomorrow?" It all seems so surreal.

Someone asked me what I was going to do the first time I slept in the house. How would I feel? What would my reactions be? I think that my head will hit the pillow while tears roll down my cheeks...and then I will pass out. It's been like I've been running a marathon for the past two and a half years and now that the finish line is in sight, all I want to do is lay down on the road and go to sleep.

But I'm not going to do that. I can't quit now. The end is near. The end is here. Tomorrow is THE day

The Truly Penitent

Mackenzie had her First Penance today and it was truly beautiful to share this sacrament with our first child. She was a little nervous but she came out of the confessional glowing - a physical example of what Jesus does for our souls in this sacrament.

While she was waiting in line, we were instructed to stay seated in our pews after which we could avail ourselves to the sacrament as well. It took some time for everyone to make it through which provided ample opportunity for questions about confession from Aiden.

After some serious explaining about this sacrament, Aiden decided that this too would be the day of his First Penance. "Aiden," I said calmly, "you can make your First Penance when you are seven, just like Mackenzie."

"But Mama, I want to do it now," he anxiously replied.

"The church says you have to wait buddy."

"Why?"

"Well you have to be old enough to truly understand what you are doing," I said.

"But Mama...I KNOW what I'm doing. I'm doing BAD things."

The End of an Era

Today marks two weeks. Two weeks that two weeks ago seemed to be an eternity are two weeks that have since flown by.

I have been more obedient to my doctor than with the other three combined. I have lived in my pajamas (and so has Max because all the infant boy clothes are packed and at the other house). I have held Max just because he's sleeping...or just because he's awake...or just because he's making the sweetest sounds...or just because he still feels so tiny. I have relished this time (okay, so I fought some guilty demons but I did not give in to them).

This afternoon, before all the kids got home from school, I was gazing at Max in my lap. I want to remember this size, this age, this moment, but know that it will all too quickly slip away. I looked at him and me, still in PJs at noon and said, "Well buddy this is it. Vacation ends today. No more hanging out in PJs and doing nothing all day." He yawned and I watched his eyes slowly close. "Okay," I gave in, "one more nap for the road."

Goodbye Ticker

I finally figured out how to remove the pregnancy ticker that has been so meaningful to me in the countdown to Max’s arrival. It made me just a little sad...probably the hormones.

It was such a LONG pregnancy. It was really hard. However, all those days are quickly fading into my memory as the reality of Max has taken total control. Babies are so amazing. Every day I feel so blessed not only to have Max, but also Mackenzie, Aiden and Dawson...all wonderfully healthy and perfectly unique. Each one draws me closer to Jesus.

Being a mom is the GREATEST job in the world and I'm so thankful to be allowed this opportunity.

Prayer Request

Tomorrow we have four separate inspections on the house...FINAL inspections. It's too crazy for me to think about. I'm still a little delirious from spending several hours there last night doing some touch up painting, after which I decided that I could do the rest after we move in. Painting between two hour feedings and diaper changes did not amount to the most productive time.

All I can hope for is that we pass these inspections and that if there is anything that needs to be found, that it would be found and corrected before we move in. The thought of actually moving is completely exciting and TOTALLY overwhelming. Thank God for our situation and that we don't have to move it all at once.

Tonight the sleep deprivation is catching up with me so I apologize for the incoherent thoughts. I just wanted to ask all you blogging saints out there to send up some prayers for us tomorrow. Thanks so much. I'll let you know.

A Lesson to be Learned

Everyone knows that my day consists of answering hundreds of questions being fired off from two very curious little boys. You can imagine what the topic has been lately with the onset of breastfeeding.

I've tried to be very matter of fact and informative explaining that: yes, only mamas make milk; yes, that's the only thing Max can have right now; and no, they can not try it!

Last night Max was getting very hungry about the time we started our night prayers. I sat with him in the rocking chair and began to feed him so it would be quiet for prayers. We started into the Our Father and I focused my attention on Max.

By the time we got to the Hail Mary, I looked up to see both boys with stuffed animals in arm and shirts up.

Apparently, I have a little more explaining to do.

I'd Sleep All Day Too...

if this is where I got to take my naps!

Name Game

Someone commented that Max Parris sounds like the name of a movie star. Seems like she's not the only one!

Brotherly Love

This morning Max was sitting in his bouncy seat while the boys played on the computer. Dawson looked up and said, "Mama! He's awake," and began to laugh at his little faces.

"Talk to him Dawson," I encouraged.

He leaned in close and said in a soft voice, "I love you Maximilian. I'm your friend."