"Unto us a child is born"

"Unto us a child is born"

Baby Jesus has a whole new meaning to me now.

Mary has whole new meaning to me now.

Life has a whole new meaning to me now.

October 12 was the last day at the hospital after 3 days of recovering from the birth of my 7th child. It was the last day to be in the presence of a saint and to venerate her precious body.

Our Mariam was born October 9 at 1:40pm. She was placed on my chest as she cried a small weak cry and looked to pass away within 15 minutes of her birth. The priest who was in the OR quickly came over to baptize her and placed a plastic rosary in her hand. It looked to be her last moments. I laid there thinking that my other children would not get to see her alive, which caused me to burst into a loud cry. At that moment, she burst into her loudest cry despite her pain, suffering, and weakness. 

This was just one of the many miracles that was presented to us in her short life. Even bringing wonder to the doubting doctor, who was sure she'd die within minutes, but she didn't! She came to our world with her humble entrance to bring peace, joy, and love... for 15 hours. Mariam Fatima died October 10, 2016 at 4:40 AM.

Just days prior to her birth, a gathering for a special prayer was held for Mariam and myself.

 A well respected friend, who too lost her 19-year-old daughter 20 years ago, reminded me of the painful message that Simeon gave to Mother Mary at the Presentation of baby Jesus in the temple. The vision that her heart would be pierced by a sword. My heart has been pierced and open. I feel pain in my soul as the scripture states. But also, I feel far more joy than I have ever felt in my life.

 Mariam's death is like Jesus’ suffering and death. I'd like to think that she united herself in His suffering as she lived and suffered to her death. Mary's suffering as a mother is like the pain I feel for the loss of my Mariam. Joining myself to her, comforts me, even though what she and Jesus went through doesn't compare to what we have gone through. Mary's mission is for humanity to love her son and to turn to Him, to take her example and say "yes" to Him. She is clearly very important in God’s plan of our salvation.

Arriving home after the hospital was very strange and saddening as anyone can imagine. I wasn't looking for any signs, but I literally got a sign. I walked into the pantry for some reason and moved a pile of items around, when I found I wooden sign I had made last year for Christmas. In my hand writing on chalkboard paint was written, "Unto is a child is born."

I was filled with some peace and comfort from the sign, for it was a sign so fitting for us.
This sign will have its place on the wall year round. 

Naibe's Request

A few days ago Naibe my now 14 year old (that was hard to type, 14!!) asked me, "Mom, Why did you stop writing?" I wondered why she'd asked...
I knew she loved to go check on our favorite blog Keep Calm and Carry On by a dear friend Nellie. She then tells me, "I really loved how you  expressed yourself about everything in our life then." Ahhhh, I see why she asked, I thought. She was reading my blog! The blog I have neglected for over 4 years. I told her,  that I do miss writing about all the wonderful things going on in our life. I couldn't just tell her the real reason I had stopped. There were many reasons: I had a new baby, I had chores, I had cleaning to do, I had teaching to do, I had to work at our family business, and so much going on. I had to down play why it was that I stopped.
In reality, during that time over 4 years ago, my 5th born was just about 2 weeks old. I didn't have the baby blues or post-parstum depression. What I did experience was betrayal. I was lied to and disrespected by a so called friend. It wasn't a church friend or school friend. But one of those types that becomes "a friend" because they were a "family friend" first. So I didn't really choose that person as friend, the way your supposed to choose them wisely.  I will not go into detail about what and how she betrayed me, but I did feel depressed, discouraged, and saddened. I didn't have the energy and joy to do the things I did before.  The whole ordeal took so much peace from me that blogging was far from my mind.
It has taken a few years to finally be inspired to start anew.

Now a days, I still have chores, cleaning, teaching, working and all the many things that I do. My then 10 year old is 14, my then 7 year old now 11, my then 4 year old now 9, my then 2 year old now 6, my then newborn now 4 years old and our 6th child now 2 years old.
Just typing that made me realize how fast the time goes.

I hope to continue to write and journal about what is going in our life. All the joy and blessings that we have should be written and recorded. Even the sad and negative things.
I really don't care to make a living out of having a blog or care for popularity. My inspiration to write again comes from my daughter. So I am happy if its just her reading this. But if you are reading... As I mentioned years ago I am no English scholar, so please don't judge me to harshly on my grammar. I am positive that there are plenty of mistakes in the past and many to come. I invite to read my ramblings and to get to know me again. You may know me from church, school, or our family business. I may seem quiet and antisocial at times, but I really  I am coming out of my shell once again, to allow those inside my world.

My world consists of having faith in one True God - Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Relying, praising, praying, loving Him with all my heart, to never offend Him,  and to do His will. Honoring His Mother, mine and your Mother Mary, such a model for us to follow and say Yes to our Lord.
My family: My husband of 15 years along with our 8 children (6 here with us and 2 with our Lord) My parents who have been married for over 50 Years. My brothers and sisters. My nieces and nephews. My aunts, uncles, and cousins. Those who have gone before me to eternity. My many wonderful, talented, beautiful friends who I wish I could have more contact with, but hold so dear to my heart. Pets: 2 dogs, 2 horses. Our family business that has been so blessed with family recipes and customers for 30 years.
My world also consists of those not so wonderful things: Like mean people. Stress, anxiety, negativity and many other discouraging things that happen in life.
More recently- People who question my and my husband's decision to have so many kids.


With time, I hope to update several things on the blog. I may need to retrain myself to do this.
Who knows? Perhaps it will take another 4 years to do this! At least I have written a bit, to alleviate Naibe's begging request to write more.

Catholic Legos

Bubba is my second born child. He is strong-willed, tough, and a perfectionist. At the same time he is sensitive, loving, and caring. Its interesting to see how those characteristics mesh and represent my boy. He has many talents this kid, but one that he always uses is his artistic talent. He loves to draw, paint and  create. I'd say he gets that from me. He also loves to buy Legos. I'd say he gets that from my husband. Not Legos, but buying things. Lol.  He is also a little worker and loves to get paid.

Last month our homeschool group Sacred Heart Home Educators held an opening Mass and potluck for the new school year. Families were to bring a dish to share and create a table centerpiece to add to the decor of the hall. The centerpiece was also part of a contest.

My talented, artistic, creative, hard working, boy has a huge collection of legos. I put him to work on a our centerpiece. Our theme was Catholic. I suggested Sacraments and prayer and this is what he came up with...

Everyone that was present was given a ticket to vote for their favorite centerpiece.

3rd place had 5 votes, 2nd place had 9 votes and

1st place went to the Catholic Legos

with 62 votes!!!

Thank  you Andres!

You did a great job!

Prize: A gift card to Sonic!!!

I came up with this for the potluck...

Peach Cobbler!

Monday

Let me think...
Today I woke up to Beeb my 10 year old's cry of help, "Mom,Mom, Ping, he's choking!" That dog! I complained in my head.
Just the other morning, I mean early morning I experienced the same darn thing! I text Mart and J saying...
Dang Dog!!! I thought it was dying in my arms!!! 5:35am he makes noise choking on something. I jump up, pick him up while he chokes and wimpers. I see that he had thrown up in the bathroom. I run to kitchen. Screaming no no. I blow in his mouth cause he starts looking like he's not breathing. In my head I think how will the kids take this... Bad. I feel for his heart. I jerk him a bit. Then he seems better... What the heck!!!

Same thing today!
What the heck!!!
Ping Pong is just fine. He loves to get in the bathroom and rob used TP and punishes himself.

I then pack the dish washer, since I didn't obey Flylady's plea to "Shine your Sink" the night before.

Beeb helps put dry clothes from dryer on the couch. I fold those. Tons more laundry to go.

Beeb goes out to water and feed the chickens. Brings in fresh brown eggs from the coop. I start scrambling some and boiling others. Beeb only likes boiled eggs. The Boys and Bay like both.

We then start Math. Takes a while to get each lesson through to each of the three. Bub my 8 year old boy whines and wants me to be by his side every step of the way. He does that often. His whining causes me to whine back and snivel about how I hadn't eaten or drank a drop of water and how I serve them and couldn't I get a bit of respect or cooperation. I express how I love for them to be home. I love to see them learning together. How much I enjoy their company when they are being cooperative and good students. They see my true feelings, calm down, and get right on task.

Then it's time to leave. But before that I convince them to power up and help me move every piece of furniture in the family room. Mart my 2-time-a-day vacuum operator/husband is ready to do a Rug Dr. Carpet cleaning thanks to Ping. Did I mention I said "no" to getting a dog when asked back when. We prepared the other parts of the house so when dad got home he could start.
We then made it to Chuck Box to meet my sister and her kids for lunch. Finally, I get fed. Hot and spicy chicken on wheat for me. We get dad a sandwich Togo.
I drive by the bead store on Priest and Southern. I'm bummed cause the sign outside says 40% off till Sept 26. I can't take my kids in that place. They close to soon for me to get back in time after dropping them off somewhere. I figure they'd have another sale soon, I hope.
We meet Mart at Ace to give him his sandwich.
He goes off to start the carpet.
We go to the South Phoenix Public Library, which I love!!
I give the kids their new spelling words. They rewrite in cursive and write sentences for each. Beeb and Bub read science from Catholic Science "Layers of Rock and Layers of Faith" title of the lesson. Each of the kids work on the computers.
Eze crawls around. I wished I'd brought his baby legs.
We then go to visit my mama. The kids love to be there. 11 cousins play and enjoy each other, riding bikes and playing tag.
I visit with my dad on iChat from Mexico. He claims that the pass word on the banks website was changed. I try and notice that it doesn't allow log in. It had been frozen from to many trys. I resubmit pass code and log in. He try's and doesn't work. I feel as though I need to go through the whining and sniveling I did earlier with my 8 year with my own father. I finally ask him to text me the passcode. Aha!! Apa (dad)! Your on CAPS LOCK.
We say goodbye.
Visit with my mom some. I could tell she was tired. She said her sugar was high and admitted to eating to many sweets. My poor mama.

We get home and enter to smell the washed carpet and dog mixture. Eeeew!
The plan was to put burgers on the grill but, how could I with the furniture packed in the kitchen. No dinner?
We order Dominoes. Problem solved.

Tired. Long day. Another tomorrow.

Prayers to St. Stella

To honor St. Stella. 

Little Stella Morgan went to Heaven at such a young age. 

Stella is the daughter and niece to dear friends of mine from my church community.

This family I've known since my college aged years. I always felt so loved and comforted by them.

These women have shown and always show compassion, love, joy, zeal, mercy for life!

 They lead there children with such love as well.

They make Saints!

Little Stella loved God! She loved Jesus! She loved life! She showed compassion for others. 

Stella was such a tender heart.

Francesca, Stella's mom writes about life with Stella here on earth and St. Stella in Heaven. 

St. Stella Pray for us!

Such a special day we had for the children of Our lady of Mount Carmel Mary's Club. 

Friends

I have been wanting to write and journal for almost a year now. So many things have happened I wished I had actually done it, but time or laziness or neglect didn't allow.
Going through my iPhoto will help my mind remember and recall what actually happened. I do forget things pretty quick. I wonder if it's because I'm so darn busy and have to much on my plate. And thats a valid excuse or I'm showing signs of Alzheimer's disease.
I recently mentioned that to Mart my husband after reading an article about this famous pastor guy from the 700 club divorcing his wife because she was "dead" but not really- because of Alzheimer's. I asked if he'd take care of me and love me the way I'd be, if that happened. Like the The Notebook type. Or if he would take back all he promised that day we got married and leave as a live Joan Doe.
If it is that I have to much going on, which I think it is... I need to work on fixing that. Organizing myself a bit more. If it's the signs of the disease... I will just leave to God and not worry about that now. But I will take some time soon to review pictures and give a recap of what happens this past year.

I had a jammed packed busy day today. Most days are like this, along with a lot of stress. But today was not as stressful because I had something to look forward to. Catechesis of the Good Shepard atrium classes started for the kids today. This means that during their class I get to visit with my dear friends.
This has been going on for the past 3 years. I have to say it's one of the things I so look forward to doing. I have my sisters whom I love so much and are a big support, but friends are a bit different. In just an hour I get filled, empowered, and energized by these wonderful people!

 Later that evening I attended a program called She shall be Called. A program to aid women in their spiritual journey within the their marriages and family life. There I was able to meet new people or shall I say new friends. Our table's name is St. Claire and I love being at that table. The women ranged from 25-50 years. Half were converts, of whom I love love! I love converts because they know better! I know! Us cradle Catholics take things for granted and forget where we are going at times because we forget where we came from. I may just speak for myself though. Converts ignite my love for my church. Thats why I love them!

 I have some very dear friends that I have reconnected with recently through Facebook. Isabella lives in California. We would see each other twice a year at rodeo's our teenage years. We were on Mexican side saddle drill teams called Escaramuzas. We may have had crushes on each others brothers, but that was then lol! I was able to fly out to CA to visit her and other girlfriends. That was a blast! Then I started college, stopped riding with the team and lost touch. Finally, after searching so long, I received an email from her!! I was so excited! After all these years, we are married with children and baby on the way!! Not me!!! But my sweet friend Isabella! Congratulations!!!

 Thank you God for your wonderful gifts. For the life you give us. For all the special signs that you send. Thank you for my family. Thank you for the beautiful fellowship you provide to me in my friends.

Costco

Try Costco with your five children. I did it! It never crossed my mind to be stressed at the beginning or end. That felt good!
I've recently been trying to lift everything to the Lord. Everything - worries, negative thoughts, fears, fear of what people think, etc.
I went to Costco to get passport pic for baby Eze and I. I'm sure I was getting stares and glares, but it didn't bother me. I tend to get bothered often by silly things. I tend to analyze things too much.
I need to remember to lift it all to the Lord. All life's troubles, worries, fears, and disappointments. My last confession's penance was 3 Jesus, I trust in You.
Lord I am so sorry for my sins with all my heart. In choosing to do wrong and failing to do good.

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