It's all relative.

Photographer:  Brett Deering/Getty Images

Over the last week that I've been sharing with you our struggles with Amelia, I want you to know that I have not lost sight of the tragedies going on around me. 

The frustration and sorrow that I feel for our daughter and what has been happening to her (and to us) can not compare to the horror that those in Oklahoma are experiencing.  I know that each of us have different stories, different sufferings that are uniquely ours.  Every family has their issues...some of them out in the open and some hidden from view.  The cross that we've been given is not the same as the cross that other families bear.

Right now, although somewhat bruised, our family is whole.  Some families are now experiencing the grief of the loss of children and their homes.  Their lives are in pieces and will never be the same.

For those who are suffering, I offer the following prayer.  Please pray it with me:

Lord, we pray for those who have been devastated by recent tragedies. We remember those who have lost their lives so suddenly. We hold in our hearts the families forever changed by grief and loss. Bring them consolation and comfort. Surround them with our prayers for strength. Bless those who have survived and heal their memories of trauma and devastation. May they have the courage to face the days ahead.

Help us to respond with generosity in prayer, in assistance, and in comfort to the best of our abilities. Keep our hearts focused on the needs of all the community. We ask this in Jesus’ name. Amen. (source)

Finally!

After calling the oncologists office a total of 4 times explaining that my Cat Scan was still not scheduled yet, I finally gave up and called the office manager for 21st Century Oncology!  I explained to her that my oncologist had ordered a liver cat scan for me on September 6th and that it is now September 25 and I am still here....waiting!    She was kind and understanding, but, she had no answer for me as to why it took this long.

When the official order finally came yesterday afternoon, I was able to make the appointment for 7:20am today.  I had to go to the imaging department on my way home to pick up the two bottles of Barium Sulfate (banana flavor...yuk) that I have to drink (that I am drinking right now.....) for the scan.

To say that I'm nervous, is an understatement, but I'm doing O.K.  I think it's good that they scheduled it right away, so I don't have time to sit and think about it anymore.

Family and friends have been praying for me NONSTOP through all of this and I just wanted to let you know that your prayers are working!  I must share with you 3 things that happened yesterday that confirmed for me (as if I didn't already know) that God is with me through it all!!

1.  I received a very special note in the mail yesterday....a friend sent me a card to let me know that on Monday (9/24) she spent an hour before the Blessed Sacrament for me and my intentions!  What a wonderful gift!  Last year, she lost her husband (and my dear friend) to cancer.  She KNOWS the worry and concern I feel first hand.  To have her prayers and the intercession of her husband means the world to me!

2.  Last night, Dan and I went to see Stevie Nicks in concert!  It was awesome!  However, it would not have been possible had our wonderful neighbor, Wayne, not watched the kids for us!  He is the best neighbor in the world.  He looks out for us and truly loves our kids and our animals.  As a matter of fact, when we got home, our newest cat was curled up sleeping on his lap!  Anyway, when Wayne came over yesterday, he brought me a package.....it seems that his sister and some others from our church had just came back from a trip to Lourdes and Fatima!  In the package was a large container of water from Lourdes and a miraculous medal from Fatima....all for me!  I can't even begin to tell you how this made me feel!  There was a warmth that came over me that I can only describe as the peace of Christ!  I have never felt more blessed in my entire life!

3.  When we got home from the concert last night, I noticed that the "Traveling Madonna" from our parish was on our shelf!  We usually get to keep her for one week, twice a year!  Since we sign up about one year in advance, I never remember when she is coming and so when the we get the call to come pick her up, I'm always surprised and elated!  As it turned out, we were supposed to get her this past Sunday, but the person who had her before us was delayed in calling us.  So......we got her yesterday!  Can you believe it????  The Our Lady of Fatima statue that travels from home to home in our parish showed up at our door yesterday!!!!  YESTERDAY!!

Do you think all three of these things happened by accident?  Do you think all of this was a coincident?  No, I don't either!

All I know is that others are praying, just like they said they would, and I feel it!  I really do!  I don't have any idea if this is a sign that my scan will be normal or not, but what I DO know is that no matter what, God is with me!  He reminds me all the time....if I choose to see it! 

I may be somewhat nervous about the test, and my stomach might be gurgling a bunch because of this awful stuff I'm having to drink, but I know I'm loved and I know that God is here, right with me through it all!  Thank you all so much for helping me to see that!

As soon as I know the results, I will share them!

Jubilee Shalom Duggar!

You know, I can sit here and boo-hoo all I want about how the Christmas Spirit has eluded me this year, or, I could buck up....get a back bone and decide NOT to allow the enemy to ruin my joy.  So what if I only go through the motions....all the motions of preparation for Christmas are good, they are needed and they are necessary.  They are part of who I am, part of my heritage, part of my faith.  Traditions help to make us who we are.  Whether or not I "feel" anything, I still need to carry on my traditions for my family.  These are the things they will remember about Christmas and hopefully pass on to their own families. 

A priest once told me that if I have been hurt by someone, I need to FORGIVE them.  He said that it doesn't really matter if I want to forgive them or if I "feel" like I've forgiven them.  I still need to SAY it and DO it!  The emotions...or feelings, will come later.  So what I'm hoping is that by saying....doing and going through the motions, the feelings of the Christmas Spirit will come later. 

Earlier today, I was also thinking about the Duggars and how they just lost their 20th baby.  I may have lost (or never cultivated) the festive attitude of the season that I'm used to, but compared to what they have lost....well, let's just say I feel a little ashamed.

The Duggars have truly been a beacon of light in this ever darkening culture.  Having experienced miscarriages myself, I know the grief....the sadness that they feel.  Even still, they continue to encourage others and share of themselves openly an honestly.

Jim Bob and Michelle have published a tribute to their daughter, Jubilee Shalom Duggar.  I share it here to remind us all how precious life is....how even the smallest of souls matter to God....how what seems impossible to overcome.....can be with joy!

Yes, this is actually Michelle holding her baby's hand.


Jubilee Shalom Duggar from John Andersen on Vimeo.

Prayers for Intercession

O Holy Trinity, we thank you for having given to the Church, Pope John Paul II, and for having made him shine with your fatherly tenderness, the glory of the Cross of Christ and the splendor of the Spirit of love


He, trusting completely in your infinite mercy and in the maternal intercession of Mary, has shown himself in the likeness of Jesus the Good Shepherd and has pointed out to us holiness as the path to reach eternal communion with You.

Grant us, through his intercession, according to your will, the grace that we implore (the complete healing of cancer for Pete R., Brenda B., Adam R., and Frank C.), in the hope that he will soon be numbered among your saints.

Amen

photo credit

Our Lady of Lourdes

PRAYER TO OUR LADY OF LOURDES

Mary, you showed yourself to Bernadette in the crevice of the rock. In the cold and grey of winter, you brought the warmth, light and beauty of your presence. In the often obscure depths of our lives, in the depth of the world where evil is so powerful, bring hope, return our confidence!

You are the Immaculate Conception, come to our aid, sinners that we are. Give us the humility to have a change of heart, the courage to do penance. Teach us to pray for all people. Guide us to the source of true life. Make us pilgrims going forward with your Church, whet our appetite for the Eucharist, the Bread for the journey, the Bread of Life.

The Spirit brought about wonders in you, O Mary: by His power, He has placed you near the Father, in the glory of your eternal Son. Look with kindness on our miserable bodies and hearts. Shine forth for us, like a gentle light, at the hour of our death.

Together with Bernadette, we pray to you, O Mary, as your poor children. May we enter, like her, into the spirit of the Beatitudes. Then, we will be able, here below, begin to know the joy of the Kingdom of Heaven and sing together with you: Magnificat!

Glory to you, Virgin Mary, blessed servant of the Lord, Mother of God, dwelling place of the Holy Spirit! Amen. (prayer source)

Praying for humility is a hard thing to do, at least, it is for me.  May we all have the courage to do so.

The Fortieth Rose

".....Be that as it may I shall say no more than to assure you, in the words of  Blessed Alan de la Roche, that the Holy Rosary is the root and the storehouse of countless blessings.  For through the Holy Rosary:

1.  Sinners are forgiven;
2.  Souls that thirst are refreshed;
3.  Those who are fettered have their bonds broken'
4.  Those who weep find happiness;
5.  Those who are tempted find peace;
6.  The poor find help;
7.  Religious are reformed;
8.  Those who are ignorant are instructed;
9.  The living learn to overcome pride;
10.  The dead (Holy Souls) have their pains eased by suffrages.

One day Our Lady said to Blessed Alan:

"I want people who have a devotion to my Rosary to have my son's grace and blessing during their lifetime and at their death, and after their death I want them to be freed from all slavery so that they will be like kings wearing crowns and with scepters in their hands and enjoying eternal glory."

- From: The Secret of the Rosary, St. Louis De Montfort

I absolutely love this book (The Secret of the Rosary)!  I have been reading bits and pieces in conjunction with the Preparation for Total Consecration to Jesus through Mary.  At times, some of my non Catholic friends have brought up the Rosary as one of the "problems" that separate us from our Protestant brothers and sisters.  Lately, as I've been meditating on the readings and on the Rosary...I figured something out!  I had an "aha" moment!  There IS a difference between saying the Rosary and praying the Rosary.  Semantics you say?  Nope.  Here's why:

"In order to pray well, it is not enough to give expression to our petitions by means of that most excellent of all prayers, the Rosary, but we must also pray with real concentration for God listens more to the voice of the heart than that of the mouth.  To be guilty of willful distractions during prayer would show a great lack of respect  and reverence; it would make our Rosaries fruitless and would make us guilty of sin.  How can we expect God to listen to us if we ourselves do not pay attention to what we are saying?" --The Secret of the Rosary (Forty-Second Rose).

We are supposed to be meditating on the various mysteries, not just spouting off the memorized prayers.  I think of all the times I've whizzed through my Rosary just to "get it done" without really even thinking about the Life of Christ at all.  I am going to make a real effort to pray my Rosaries from now on.  How about you?

Vocations

From my church bulletin today:

This Sunday (today) is the World Day of Prayer for Vocations, with the theme of "Witness Awakens vocations."  Please pray for our priests, brothers, deacons, and women and men in consecrated life, that they be great witnesses to the whole Church and that their examples strengthen within our youth the desire to seek God's will for their lives.
A new website, www.ForYourVocation.org, is being launched by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops in conjunction with the World Day of Prayer for Vocations.  The website has two objectives:  to help individuals hear and respond to the call by God to the priesthood or consecrated life, and to educate all Catholics on the importance of encouraging others through prayer and activities to promote vocations.  The site offers resources for men and women who may have a vocation to the priesthood or consecrated life, aids for promoting a vocation-culture within the home, and tools for educators, youth leaders and vocation directors including prayers, videos, best practices, lesson plans and vocation awareness programs."

In honor of all of the men and women religious that have touched my life.....Sr. Madeline Carey, Sr. Diana Hupp, Sr. Mary Gallagher, Sr. Ruth, Sr. Clare, Brother Tobias, Mother Teresa, Fr. Steve, Mother Angelica, Fr. O'Neal, Fr. Ben, Fr. Bryan, Pope John Paul II, Pope Benedict XVI....just to name a few,  I offer the following prayer from the USCCB website:

Loving and Generous God,

it is You who call us by name

and ask us to follow You.

Help us to grow in the Love

and Service of our Church

as we experience it today.

Give us the energy and courage

of Your Spirit

to shape its future

Grant us faith-filled leaders

who will embrace Christ's Mission

of love and justice.

Bless the Churches of the world

by raising up dedicated and generous leaders

from our families and friends

who will serve Your people as Sisters,

Priests, Brothers, Deacons and Lay Ministers.

Inspire us to know You better

and open our hearts

to hear Your call.

We ask this through our Lord.

Amen.

I Am Here.

When I was a child, I pictured God with a long white beard.  I believe it was an image I had seen in the New St. Joseph Baltimore Catechism.  I can visualize the actual page in my mind right now....he had white hair, a white beard and a white robe...always with his arms extended toward the children in the picture.  Even though I have matured quite a bit since then (now I'm the one with the white hair....and I have to work diligently to keep away a white beard!), my vision of God is still the same.  How does that happen?  The God of my childhood is still very much the God of my adulthood.

I received the sacrament of confirmation when I was in the eighth grade.  During our preparation, I spent a lot of time trying to visualize the Holy Spirit.  Of course, the image of a descending dove was in the forefront of my mind, but I had another image that really symbolized how the Holy Spirit could be everywhere and touch everyone at the same time......wind.  In my mind, I can see a billowy cloud with a face, cheeks puffed out blowing the wind...the Holy Spirit into the air.  This image has also stuck with me through the years.

A few weeks ago, on our overnight trip to Gold Head State Park, I heard the voice of God in the wind!  I really don't know if it was an audible voice or not.  I know it was LOUD and I know I heard it in my heart and my mind.  Very early in the morning, Dan had taken the kids on a walk.  I was sitting alone on the screened porch, drinking my coffee.  It was quiet....oh so quiet!  The quiet that I long for!  The only sound I heard were the birds chirping, a distant frog croaking.....and the wind.  Did you know that you can actually see wind?  You can.  If you sit very still, and watch the trees...you can see it coming!  You can follow it from yards and yards away.  It comes closer...sometimes fast, sometimes slow.  But it comes.  The trees and leaves sing it's arrival.  As I saw it coming,  I closed my eyes.  I heard the wind say...."I Am Here.  I Am here in the midst of this place, in the midst of your life.  I Am here in the midst of your laughter and your tears, your sorrow and your joy.  I am here in the midst of your cancer, in the midst of your mothering.  I Am in the midst of every breath you take.  I AM Here and I love you!"

It was a very profound moment for me.  It was a gift.  A special moment between the God who called me into being and my depleted soul.  God breathed life into me again,  And now, during the difficult times, I breathe deeply the loving, life giving wind of the Holy Spirit!

The next time you have the chance....watch the wind.  Hear the wind.  Allow the Holy Spirit to wrap His loving arms around you and breathe life into you.  In this quiet, your soul will be refreshed.

Have a blessed weekend!

Help from St. Ignatius of Loyola

O Christ Jesus,
when all is darkness and we feel our weakness and helplessness,
give us the sense of Your presence,Your love, and Your strength.
Help us to have perfect trust in Your protecting love and strengthening power,

so that nothing may frighten or worry us, for, living close to You,

we shall see Your hand,Your purpose, Your will through all things.

Amen.

By Saint Ignatius of Loyola

Morning Devotion

During some devotion time this morning, I came across this passage and wanted to share it....

One must do everything with Mary. That is we must try to imitate, in our own human way, all the virtues--the perfection--the Holy Spirit fashioned in her.
We must, in each action, consider how Mary did this or that, or how she would do it in our circumstances. Hence, we must examine the virtues she practiced, and meditate on them. Particularly we must concern ourself with her lively faith, which made her believe the words of the angel, without the least hesitation; with her deep humility, which made her hide herself, be silent, submit to everything, and put herself in the last place; and with her truly divine purity which never had its equal and never will this side of heaven!
Here I must cry out again that Mary is the unique mold of God, most suitable to produce living images of God at little cost and in little time! A soul who has found this mold, and loses himself in it, is soon transformed into Jesus Christ, Whom this mold perfectly represents.

--True Devotion to Mary by St. Louis de Monfort, Chapter XVI

How often do I hesitate? How often do I question God? How often do I try to wrestle my will into God's will? This spiritual reading will make for some very interesting reflection today and a very interesting examination of conscience before bed!!!

Our Lady of the America's, Pray for us.

Oh Immaculate Mother, Queen of our country, open our hearts, our homes, and our land to the coming of Jesus, your Divine Son. With Him, reign over us, O heavenly Lady, so pure and so bright with the radiance of Gods light shining in and about you. Be our leader against the powers of evil set upon wresting the world of souls, redeemed at such a great cost by the sufferings of your Son and of yourself, in union with Him, from that same Savior, Who loves us with infinite charity.
We gather about you, O chaste and holy Mother, Virgin Immaculate, Patroness of our beloved Land, determined to fight under your banner of holy purity against the wickedness that would make all the world an abyss of evil, without God and without your loving maternal care.
We consecrate our hearts, our homes, our Land to your Most Pure Heart, O great Queen, that the kingdom of your Son, our Redeemer and our God, may be firmly established in us.
We ask no special sign of you, sweet Mother, for we believe in your great love for us, and we place in you our entire confidence. We promise to honor you by faith, love, and the purity of our lives according to your desire.
Reign over us, then, O Virgin Immaculate, with your Son Jesus Christ. May His Divine Heart and your most chaste Heart be ever enthroned and glorified among us. Use us, your children of America, as your instruments of peace among men and nations. Work your miracle of grace in us, so that we may be a glory to the Blessed Trinity, Who created, redeemed, and sanctifies us.
May your valiant spouse, St. Joseph, with the holy Angels and Saints, assist you and us in "renewing the face of the earth." Then when our work is over, come, Holy Immaculate Mother, and as our Victorious Queen, lead us to the eternal kingdom, where your Son reigns forever as King.
Amen

Prayer Request

Can I please ask you to pray for a very good friend (R.F.A.) who was just diagnosed with ALS.
For several weeks, she has been having problems with her speech and with balance. For a while they though she might have Guillain-Barre Syndrome, but, that was recently ruled out.

At this point I don't know how progressed the disease is or if there is any medication/clinical trials that she might be eligible for. This is going to be an uphill battle for her and since she lives in Arkansas...and I live here in Florida..about the only thing I can do is to pray.

Will you please join me in praying for the complete restoration of her health or at least that the deterioration process can be slowed.

Learning the Rosary

Since we've begun the 40 Day Preparation for Total Consecration to Jesus through Mary for Families (we're on day 23), the kids have been much more involved in our family prayer time. In the past, when we've said our Rosary, it's either been myself or Dan actually leading the Rosary and it was all we could do to keep the kids quiet while showing respect for Our Lord and the Blessed Mother. By the time we were finished...the kids were either asleep or very, very cranky.
Once we made the commitment to go ahead with the consecration, we made some changes to the way we did things. First of all, we only say one decade. This has made all the difference in the world. At some future time, we can begin to do the entire Rosary again. But for now, this is what is working best for our young ones. Second, we take turns leading the prayers. We go around the room and let each child say the beginning of the prayers. This has worked out great! Nathan and Amelia have known the prayers for awhile now but I think this is because we say them at home and they both say them everyday at school. Olivia is finally at a place where she is feeling confident enough in herself to say the prayers out loud. Up until recently, she was just too shy....even though it was only our family.

Thirdly.....our family friend Kathy was here this week visiting for Easter. She is really into beading and so we took a trip to Hobby Lobby the other day because she wanted to do a project with the kids. She bought all the supplies to make Rosaries. She was so patient with them. Each of them got to make their own Rosary! They actually put most of the beads on all by themselves! This went over REALLY well!

Our family prayer time has been very special since we've implemented these changes. I think it's a great way to help them settle down before bed. Because I'm such a proud mama....I wanted to share this video with you! I know the Blessed Mother must take great delight in little Olivia today!!!

I need to ask again!

I need to ask again for your prayers! I have never been so touched in my entire life with all of you in this blogging community that have offered prayer and sacrifices for me (and my family)! However, we need prayer again as there are some employment issues for Dan and I that I am trying to place at the feet of our Lord with total confidence that all will work out according to His plan. We have been so blessed with our current employers as they also have been supportive and helpful during our times of need, however, things have begun to get a little sticky.

It all boils down to a couple of things:

1. Continue with our parish school vs. home school
2. I'm the one who carries the insurance....I basically work for the benefits
3. I need to keep continuous coverage in order to be insurable because of the cancer
4. Dan is working and going to school and he is so very stressed
5. My job has become a source of severe stress for me and I'm not sure I can go back there (this is a long story that I won't go into).

I know all of these issues might seem trivial to some. Trust me...I am thankful that we have jobs that can pay our bills (not including school), but, I'm going to be honest here....this is how I'm praying, but I know that ultimately...God knows best.

That God would aid us in either Dan locating a job that has somewhat normal hours (9-6, M- F) with benefits and better pay so that we can home school......or, that perhaps I can find something that I can do from home.

Either way, we need a solution and I know that God is interested in the details.

Thank you for your prayers. I think I'm going to get St. Joseph on the job!!

Thank you, Esther!

There is no other way to say this....I am in a funk! This has probably been the worst two days I've had in a long time. I'm not sure what the problem is. Mostly, I just feel...well, blah. It's like a cross between being depressed and anxious. I've been really irritable and the kids have gotten the brunt of it (as usual). Amelia has been home sick the last two days with a fever and I haven't slept much.

I don't feel like going anywhere or doing anything. Right now it just seems like nothing brings me any joy. I just want to be left alone. However, that's not really conducive to being a good mommy! It would be nice if 5 whole minutes could go by without somebody needing something from me! I'm not sure I have anything left in me to give right now. I'm empty.

Just now, I went to Esther's blog (where I go often to be spiritually uplifted) and guess what was there???? This precious, precious prayer:

Heavenly Father,I awoke this morning in a bad mood

and I have been unable to shake it so far.

Everything bothers me

and everyone rubs me the wrong way.

I just cannot seem to get my true bearings.

Help me to think of your salvation-your countless gifts and overwhelming love for me.

Let me relax and forget life's cares by placing myself wholly in your hands.

Grant that this mood will soon pass and I will be able to bask in your love

and communicate it to others.

Amen.

- New Saint Joseph People's Prayer Book, Catholic Book Publishing Company

Thank you, Esther!!!!!!

A Spiritual Bouquet

I just wanted to share with you the wonderful spiritual bouquet I received a few days ago from Dan's brother and his family! This was so thoughtful and appreciated! What a wonderful gift to offer for someone that you've been praying for! God is so very good!

Deep Thought

A question was asked during the homily today that requires some extra thought and contemplation on my part....

How often in our prayer time to we say...."Listen Lord, your servant is speaking"...instead of "Speak Lord, your servant is listening"?

Let me resolve myself to more silence during prayer...more listening...more resting in the Lord.

The Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God

There are actually 3 Feast Days celebrated today.... The Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God, The circumcision of Our Lord and The New Year Celebration. Here is a great site with lots of information on the history of this Feast Day. And here you will find a list of feasts, prayers, activities as well as resources honoring the Blessed Virgin Mary. This is a very special day and I can't think of a better way to start this year.

I think that we can all agree that there are many challenges waiting for us in 2009. Some things we will have control over...and others...we won't. I guess I'm just grateful for another clean slate...another whole 12 months with nothing set in stone and nothing written on the calendar (which, by the way, I don't have yet)!

We have 19 days until the new president takes office. We should be able to get at least one novena completed before then! We will need it....he will need it!! The economic situation looks bleak...at least for those who have placed all of their eggs in one basket. Now, for those of us who have few eggs....or no basket....we will continue to live pretty much by faith...which is how I believe God wants us to live anyway. If we do that, then any success we may have will be because of the grace and mercy of God. I tend to forget that when things are going well.

For me, I want to really and truly sit down and take a look at my life and decide what is really important. I want to try to see and know the difference between "wants" and "needs" and not have that line so cloudy. What can I do without? What do those around me need? How am I showing the love of God on a daily basis?

These are the things that I'm reflecting on as 2009 begins. How about you? What goals to you have?

One of my most favorite Scriptures is John 3:30..."He must increase and I must decrease". Isn't that so true? I'm thinking of a song that we sing in church sometimes....I can't remember the title but the line I love is...."O Lord you are the center of my life..." Oh, to be able to live more like the song talks about! I will work towards that this year.

This is my prayer for you this year....that you (we) may move closer to Our Lord and His Mother!

Have a wonderful New Year!!!

Prayer to St. Nicholas

O good St. Nicholas, you who are

the joy of the children, put in my

heart the spirit of childhood, which

the gospel speaks, and teach me to

seed happiness around me. You,

whose feast prepares us for Christmas,

open my faith

to the mystery of Godmade man.

You, good bishop and shepherd, help

me to find my place in the Church and

inspire the church to be faithful

to the gospel.

O good Saint Nicholas,

patron of children,

sailors and the helpless,

watch over those who pray to Jesus,

your Lord and theirs,

as well as over those who humble

themselves before you.

Bring us all in reverence

to the Holy Child of Bethelehem,

when true joy and peace are found.

Amen.

Keeping afloat and asking for prayers...

I'm just trying to keep my head above water today. I completed my last chemotherapy session on Monday. I had about a good 24 hours where I felt relatively normal....not anymore. The symptoms have begun again and I'm just trying to go with the flow. I'm hoping that knowing this was my last time, will help to deal with the side effects better.
In addition, the school called this morning to tell me that Amelia wasn't feeling well. She doesn't have a fever but seems pretty pale and is complaining of her stomach hurting. I put her on the couch when I got home and she immediately fell asleep. I have a bucket on stand by in case.
I'm now carrying around the hand sanitizer and wearing a mask. This is NOT a good time for me to be exposed to a stomach virus!

****Update: Just as I finished this post earlier...Amelia threw up...all over herself, the blanket and the couch! Amazingly, the bucket remained squeaky clean! Sigh.....

While I know this will be an interesting week here at hour house...I'm not in the slightest bit worried about it. I have a warm home with a loving family....it's Advent and we are eagerly expecting Christ's arrival....we will get through it all...together!!

**Could I also ask you to keep a special person in your prayers today? A blog friend has a family member having surgery today...If you have a minute to say a quick Hail Mary for her speedy recovery and ultimate healing, I'm sure that she and her family will be extremely grateful****