My Stance...

First, read this article...
http://dailycaller.com/2011/08/01/obama-administration-approves-no-cost-birth-control-including-morning-after-pill/

Now...I WILL NOT PAY FOR OTHER WOMEN TO HAVE ABORTIONS, AND I WILL NOT CONTRIBUTE OR BE FORCED TO CONTRIBUTE TO THE MURDER OF INNOCENT CHILDREN.

Why cant we put this much time and effort in teaching abstinence? Does it not also deserve its fair share of the spot light, instead of convincing women that their only options are some form of Birth control...I AM LIVID! I am quoting directly from the Planned Parent website

Abstinence at a Glance

• A behavior that prevents pregnancy
• Prevents sexually transmitted infection
• Safe, easy, and convenient

SO WHAT IS THE PROBLEM??? The problem is that Planned Parenthood makes no money if people are abstinent. They wouldn't be able to advertise or promote things like "Susan G. Komen" or the pro-choice/pro-abortion movement. The corrupt relationship between these 2 organizations is for another blog for sure.

I cant believe that women really buy this nonsense. Do we, as women, take the time to understand exactly what birth control does? It tricks our body into being in a "constant" state of pregnancy, so that your ovaries don't release eggs. If an egg happens to get through, and is fertilized, your uterus is already a toxic environment so the egg wont implant, therefore causing spontaneous abortions in THOUSANDS of women every month. YOU COULD BE ABORTING A BABY EVERY MONTH AND NOT KNOW IT. As a Catholic, I believe that life begins at the moment of conception. For those of you who don't, I ask you this question: At what point did your son, daughter, sister, brother, mom, dad, aunt, uncle or cousin become a person in the womb???? If you don't believe that this TINY, Microscopic cell, that creates every organ in the body from itself, isn't a person the moment it starts dividing and multiplying...then when does it become your mom/dad, sister/brother...or when did YOU BECOME YOU?????

I am outraged that my tax dollars are the reason that the government feels they can MANDATE companies to give FREE BIRTH CONTROL ( BC if YOU aren't paying for it, I am) to their employees. This statement INFURIATES ME....

“Currently, nearly one in three women finds it difficult to pay for birth control, and that’s why the United States has a far higher unintended-pregnancy rate than other industrialized countries. Making family-planning services available at no cost will help millions of women prevent unintended pregnancy and thereby reduce the need for abortion.”

Read more: http://dailycaller.com/2011/08/01/obama-administration-approves-no-cost-birth-control-including-morning-after-pill/#ixzz1cnAPrkA8

Teaching women how their bodies work will prevent millions of unplanned pregnancies and reduce the need for abortions. We have such a high un-intended pregnancy rate BC we don't care enough about our youth or how God designed sex to be used. We aren't teaching our children that waiting until you are married is one of the most PRECIOUS gifts we can give to our spouse. TO be able to say: "I am untouched and save myself for you, even before I knew you" is exactly how sex inside of marriage was deemed by God to be. We find our society pulling us down this path of destruction instead of teaching responsibility. Instead of teaching men that women are gifts from the Lord, and are to cherished we are teaching them that we are objects to lust after, and if there is an unplanned pregnancy, well don't worry, we have a pill for that.

The Planned Parenthood site go on further to say that abstinence...

• has no medical or hormonal side effects
• is free

Women and men abstain from sex play for many reasons — even after they've been sexually active. A couple may even choose to be abstinent after having had sex play with each other. The reasons people choose to be abstinent may change throughout life.

People choose abstinence to

• prevent pregnancy
• prevent STDs
• wait until they're ready for a sexual relationship
• wait to find the right partner
• have fun with romantic partners without sexual involvement
• focus on school, career, or extracurricular activities
• support personal, moral, or religious beliefs and values
• get over a breakup
• heal from the death of a partner
• follow medical advice during an illness or infection

Any woman or man can abstain from sex play. Many do so at various times in their lives. Some choose to abstain from sex play for long periods in their lives.

Special Advantages for Teens Sexual relationships present risks. Abstinence is a very good way to postpone taking those risks until you are better able to handle them. Women who abstain until their 20s — and who have fewer partners in their lifetimes — may have certain health advantages over women who do not. They are less likely to get STDs. Because they are less likely to get an STD, they are also less likely to become infertile or develop cervical cancer.

Now I do have a few problems with some of this information, but for the most part its accurate. SO WHY would i put a pill into my body that keeps my body from doing something every month that God designed it to do? There is a certain flow to a women's menstrual cycle for a reason. The hormone changes during the menstrual cycle are put in place so that the body is ready to achieve pregnancy. Through abstinence if a pregnancy is not wanted by the couple...they can avoid it without having the HORRENDOUS side effects of the pill, which include but are not limited to:

bleeding between periods( BC that's what I want, more bleeding)
breast tenderness
hmmmm?)
heart attack
strokes
blot clots in the legs, lungs, and brain ( SERIOUSLY...is it worth that)


THESE ARE FATAL PEOPLE!!!!  Please call your representative, and tell this government that socialism isn't OK. Tell them that "we the people" should have a say in where our money goes...PLEASE, I BEG you to stand up for the RIGHT to life for these innocent babies. Stand up for yourself, as women, and send the message home that our bodies are to be temples of the LORD...not to be forced (free or not) to be abused in this way!!



the working mom

so honestly...

I'm dreading going to work in just a few hours. Despite the fact that I got a job an amazing company and I truly wouldn't spend time away from my kids and enjoy being anywhere else, I'm still going to miss my babies!

so in lieu of my bad spirit...I'm writing just to say a few things I am thankful for.

1.) I am thankful for my 3 beautiful gifts from God. I am thankful for being able to create with God and my husband the amazing little people they are.
2.) I am thankful for the gifts and prayers answered from the Holy Spirit in the last week.
3.) I am thankful for The Catholic Company.
4.) I am thankful to my sister and parents and Mike for helping with the kids when I cant be here. Its bad enough having to leave them but at least they are with people that love them.
5.) I am thankful to God Almighty for my husband. Despite how hard life has been, he strives everyday to put the needs of his family above the needs of himself. Somedays, that is really hard!
6.) I thankful that all 3 of my babies are sleeping soundly right now. A gift from above so that I can finish some last minute things before I head out. The Lord does know exactly what I need.


AMEN!!!

ADHD...do I even buy it??

I am sitting here writing this just as the 5 year old, who seems to have been taken over by some entity, sleeps so peacefully next to me. How can this be the same child who a few hours ago was puking from having a temper tantrum and threw a book at me??? How can these even be the same person.

I sit here writing this so that in 2 days time when we head back to the doctor, and hear the acronym ADHD, I don't blow a gasket. Do i really believe ADHD exists? Do I think its just some ridiculous thing made up by drug companies to try to test drugs out on kids? To be perfectly honest...I'm not sure what i think.

I know that I have a husband who suffers from ADD and i do mean suffers. I watch him battle his ADD every moment of everyday so that he wont have to take medicine and consequently have a label attached to him. For some reason when I look into the eyes of my child, I just don't see it.Maybe its a defense mechanism that my brain has implanted to keep me from truly accepting this diagnosis. I'm not sure. I look at his angelic sleeping face, and think what must it be like for him to live everyday being out of control....and then it HIT me like a ton of bricks....

YES, I DO BELIEVE ADHD EXISTS!!!

If i choose not to believe in it, then what do I do to help my child who just suffers everyday even when given loving, guiding, encouraging parenting. How can I help him learn to cope with something that I don't really understand, and that he might not have the intelligence yet to get? If I choose to think that its just an over diagnosis for when people don't really want to take the time to find out whats wrong with their child, or for why their child goes bonkers after being seated for 7 hours a day, then my son still lives in turmoil.

For my sons sake, I have to believe its real. I believe that we are doing whats best for him at this point. I believe that this will get better with or without medicine. I believe that I have put this off for an ENTIRE year, to the detriment of my son, because I don't want him to be labeled or to have an excuse. I believe that God has His amazing, loving hands guiding my steps and giving me strength to accept what I know is coming. I believe that i have a husband who can understand what life is like for our son, and who believes this is the right thing to do also.

I AM TERRIFIED. scared down to my core. I am worried that the meds might really have lasting effects. I am worried the medicine is going to completely change all the things i truly love about my son. I fear I wont know who he is anymore. I fear that his sweet personality will just become a lifeless shell...still trapped, but in a different way. I fear that this could be wrong...and then what do I tell him when he asks why he had to take the medicine and it didn't make him better.

oh Lord, calm my heart and help me put my trust in YOU!!

finally back to normal...if thats even possible...

I just wanted to write to thank everyone who came to help me when I was so terribly ill. I am feeling 100% better, and each day gets easier to make it to bedtime! The meals we had stored are still being used and its been such a huge relief to not have to think some days about dinner. I am back on my feet and getting more into our routine ( again, if that even exists) each day!

please know that if you EVER have an unexplained pain in your upper right quadrant....GO HAVE A DOCTOR LOOK AT IT. I suffered these episodes of what I thought was gas ( sorry about TMI) for almost 5 years. I am also one of those patients who doesn't go to the doctor bc I am always afraid of them saying " you are so silly...its really nothing"...so I NEVER Went for this particular problem. after 8 hours of writhing in pain i finally gave in and let Mike take me to the ER...i very literally couldn't take anymore pain. I then spent 6 days in the hospital (torture) and 8 days laid up in bed ( id say refreshing, but id rather do it when I'm not sick).  They removed 6 stones from my bile ducts and 14 STONES from my gallbladder, as well as removing the gallbladder itself. I have pictures, and they aren't pretty! I was one sick lady.

I was so immensely blessed during those 6 days in the hospital. I was able to receive the Eucharist and even had Fr. Voitus from St. Vincent come and pray over me and with me. I have never in my life felt more cared about for sure. I had friends bring flowers and cards of well wishes dominated my mailbox, meals upon meals in my fridge, people ran errands, and just coming to play with my children for a few hours was so appreciated.

FROM THE DEEPEST PART OF MY SOUL....THANK YOU! thank you for caring about my kids, my self, my husband and my family! Thank you for being such an incredible example of charity and selflessness. Many of you came with your own kids in tow, which is even more amazing!

I hope someday to be able to help all of you in the way you have helped me...

In Christ,

Claire and the Mayo gang

our daily prayers

I am getting in the swing of things over the last week with "school" or at least our version of it. I am enjoying the home time with the kids, and we are really enjoying our NEW home.
I recently, after taking advice from some moms I know, started posting our daily prayers and guidelines for behavior in our kitchen where we spend most of our time. I invested money in some really sweet Rosary videos and was elated when Max asked if he could watch it again ( despite that it was made in 1990...lol) I am pleased that his behavior seems to be improving since we are enforcing the rules much more consistently, and we are actively participating in each others lives. I have started reminding him about the rules which is easy since they are posted right where everyone can see them. I love that he enjoys washing the dishes, and he does a good job. I love that he is learning to do chores with a gracious and giving heart so that we can spend more time together doing fun things. I love that he has taken an interest in my day so that I can turn around and take more of an interest in his life.

I am really enjoying this time in our lives, and if you had seen me at the Schiele Museum a week ago, you might think this post is a joke! Max has really been a trying child. I am not sure whats been going on with him but Mike and I decided that we need a break from reality. We have been staying at home alot. We have been insisting he follows the rules and insisting he make the restitution when he breaks them...its working so far. We still have a long way to go, but I am thankful for the Faith I get to share with my children because its really making our home life better.

Praise Jesus!

School..oh yeah..

I was totally aiming to start "schooling" Max on Monday..yeah that didnt happen!!!

today is friday...my goal: have Monday-Friday folders organized and STUFT full of color pages, reading assignments,outdoor activites, Saint stories etc...plus we have some really great field trips coming up!!

PROCRASTINATION...GET OUT OF MY BODY!!!

Adventures in Tandem nursing

I must admit...I am loving tandem nursing.

I was really worried about how I would mange nursing both babies. I was REALLY worried Isabella would beat up Gloria. I must tell you I am shockingly surprised how well its working out. Isabella has been so great about the baby. She does get upset but only at me. She never gets upset at Gloria, and when the nurse together, Bella is ALWAYS holding Gloria's hand.

When i found out I was pregnant with Gloria, I immediately got my hands on some tandem nursing books and materials. I was pleasantly surprised to read that most tandem nursed babies actually got along very well, and there were very few jealousy issues. Now, fast forward to present day...HAVE YOU MET 2 YEAR OLD BELLA??? I seriously contemplated weaning her at 15 months. I was encouraged to wean her at 12. At 18 months, people thought I was CRAZY for nursing her with a 7 month preggo belly. I thought there was a booger on my face about 10 times a day, and then realized that people were looking at me: pregnant and nursing. Its now its own label. I did have to remove Bella from the bed at 13 months BC of constant latching, and it making me want to crawl out of my skin at night, but that is my only complaint. Most people don't know that both the American Academy of Pediatrics, and the World Health Organization RECOMMEND 2 years of breastfeeding...shoot...I've still for 2 months for that!

To be honest, I have a feeling I will eventually have to force wean Isabella. I think she would nurse FOREVER if she was allowed. Some days she nurses more that Gloria does. I do dread that day, but hopefully ( fingers crossed) she will self wean sometime next summer! In the meantime....I'M GOING TO ENJOY THE WEIGHT JUST FALLING OFF MY BODY, and loving on my babies all the time!!!

P.S.: I've lost 30+ lbs to date since Gloria was born 8 weeks ago...YAHOO!