Brooke's Baby Page

New Home!

2012-05-06T17:35:00.002-04:00

The new website is up! A very exciting day here. :) It's called- "The Sacred Sink: Meeting the Divine in the Dirt and Grime." Please hop on over and check it out! Click here to view my new home on the web. God bless you!

Blessings in the Vineyard

2012-04-30T13:00:00.000-04:00

Our second oldest, Grant will be receiving his First Communion in just a few days! He's been preparing all year at home and with his second grade class. In the Catholic faith tradition this is an enormous occasion (remember Gabriel's big day?!) As we prepare at home, aside from special prayers like the Amina Christi, and reading books like the story of St. Imelda, I also wanted to do something special to convey the importance of the sacrament. Since this is a rite of passage of sorts, we wanted to treat Grant like the young man he is becoming. We arranged for a babysitter, got dressed in our finest, and Jim and I took Grant to a lovely formal dinner. We are blessed to have beautiful vineyard in our little town, and symbolically it was the perfect place. As Grant prepares to receive Jesus, the Bread of Life in the Eucharist and drink the Precious Blood, this seemed a fitting place of preparation. The Bible has a lot to say about vineyards. Jesus himself says "I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit." John: 15:5. During the last supper He says " For I tell you I will not drink of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes." So, armed with some edifying ammo (i.e. scripture) and some conversation starters, we set out for our special dinner:

Root Beer toast. Salute!

Nutella pizza with gelato. Oh my. Y-u-m!

I also dusted off my own First Communion photo album for Grant to see. I shared my memories with him and he laughed at my 80's hair. :) This picture is from April 27, 1987 with my grandma.

After our date at the vineyard I found this Litany of the Most Precious Blood of Jesus, and wished we would've incorporated that, but it's okay. I'm not even sure if he will remember the deeper things we tried to teach that night, but I sure hope he'll remember how special it was. I know I will. :)

Coming Soon...

2012-04-23T15:08:00.001-04:00

Girls and Gus

2012-04-22T19:37:00.002-04:00

What a weekend! We had a ball at the Image of God Women's Conference on Saturday. I had the privilege of spending some time with my friend Danita Harris from News Channel 5. I haven't seen her in several years, and although I knew she and her husband had adopted a baby boy, I hadn't heard the full story until we talked this weekend. It was yet another example of God's leading! I also know many adoption stories of heartbreak, delay and detours, but in the end the Lord always seems to have had a plan and purpose for it all.
In addition, I was able to see my dear friend Linda Isaiah again. If you have not heard her speak before, you are missing out! I'm hoping she'll be at the conference next year. Overall it was a spectacular day of celebrating the Lord and feeling renewed and restored. Thanks to all who attended! Here is a photo of Danita, Linda and me:

Next up, the Mom Squad Mother's Day Celebration on May 5! Point of Grace and Jimmy Pena from PrayFit will speak on the theme "Strength for the Journey." Tickets are still available. Click here to order.

Next up: BIG news on the home front! Mr. Gus is now a sitter! Check him out:

The tongue thing is classic Gus too. This is his "signature look." Augustine will be six months on April 27..can you believe it?! :) What a big boy. Hope you had a blessed, relaxing, happy weekend!

Image of God

2012-04-18T13:10:00.007-04:00

This weekend, girlfriends in God will gather together for the Image of God Women's Conference. Over one thousand tickets have been sold, but there's still room for you! The event will be at Grace Church in Middleburg Heights this Saturday. I am thankful and thrilled to be a small part of the line-up of awesome women like Nicole C. Mullen, Danita Harris, Linda Isaiah, Amy Lively, and Praise-aPella. There will be praise and worship, moving messages, and a great meal from Chik-filA. I can taste the sweet tea already! :-)
The theme of the day is "Redeemed."
How perfect as we sit in the afterglow of Easter, the Savior laying down His life to pay our ransom. Redeeming. you. and. me.

If you are able, I would love for you to come and be lifted up. Click here for the official website. Hope to see you there!

The Most Beautiful Sound

2012-04-15T21:11:00.001-04:00

As we celebrate our anniversary of meeting Karolina, I wanted to post a quick video of a special moment during our first trip. It's a video Jim captured as we found something that made her crack up. I simply ripped a piece of paper and she lost it! A totally awesome, delightful baby belly laugh. Can you think of a more beautiful sound?! :) Hearing a baby laugh is such good medicine for the soul. What I have since learned, is that Karolina gets the hiccups whenever she laughs hard. It is a 10 on the cuteness scale. So, I hope this little clip makes you crack a grin too.
P.S. Can you believe how LITTLE she looks here?! Our baby girl is getting so big.

One Year Ago....

2012-04-12T12:58:00.002-04:00

We were en route to Czestochowa, Poland to meet our precious Karolinky! What a flood of emotions. At the time I didn't blog about it until after we returned, due to privacy rules. We departed on April 12, 2011 from Akron/Canton with a layover in Detroit. Then, the long flight to Amsterdam with another LONG layover and finally a connecting flight to Warsaw.
Once we disembarked in Poland we still had to wait over an hour for our driver, then about a 3 hour drive to our hotel in Czetochowa. All the while our hearts fluttering in anticipation to MEET OUR DAUGHTER! I still can't believe it's been a year since we first held her.

She was SO was worth the wait. Worth the years of infertility, pleading prayers and long road that led us to adopt.
'O LORD, you are my God; I will exalt you and praise your name, for in perfect faithfulness you have done marvelous things! '
Isaiah 25:1

Here is a little slide show from that first trip.

Create a free picture slideshow

I actually haven't even seen some of the photos from that trip since we took them last year. Jim has them stored on a CD and we hope to view them tonight. I can't wait to look back at those images! I may even post some of them too, if you don't mind. :) For now, I'm off to hug my sweet girl and celebrate this day!

Victory is Won!

2012-04-10T12:47:00.008-04:00

Happy Easter friends. God's blessings and joy to you, I hope your celebration was happy and full of God's warmth and grace!

There's a peace I've come to know
though my heart and flesh may fail
There's an anchor for my soul
I can say "it is well"

Jesus has overcome
And the grave is overwhelmed
Victory is won
He is risen from the dead!
-Chris Tomlin "I Will Rise"

Without question, this Easter was one of the most memorable of my life. With all the unknowns and challenges of last Easter, I couldn't help but think of how different this year was. Last year my dad was in the hospital, stricken with cancer and weak from fighting. He was in quarantine and our celebration was very somber. Last year Jim and I were also back from our first trip to Poland and meeting Karolina for the first time. It was hard to celebrate the fullness of the day knowing our daughter was so far. I was still battling morning sickness and we were financially battling the big adoption expenses. Given all that took place, I celebrate where we are this year!!:) I hope your day was equally blessed. Here is a photo recap:

Family picture #1 (outtake). Everyone is smiling, BUT my brother's fingers were in the shot. Try again.

Family picture #2 (outtake). Daddy shooting this time, but Karolina's not happy. Try again.

Family picture #3. I think we got it! It's an Easter miracle!:)

Next time I'll just have to remember to take my apron off before a formal photo of the family. :)

Other highlights....

Our first Easter with Karolina! She looks so beautiful here.

Chocolate nests and white punch courtesy of the amazing recipes on Catholic Cuisine. SO grateful for this website!

Adorable baby courtesy of God's miraculous hand. Augustine tried our family recipe "porcupine dip" for the first time. Yum!

Happy Easter!

Glorious Day!

St. Paul to the Corinthians-

But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man. For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive. But each in turn: Christ, the firstfruits; then, when he comes, those who belong to him. ²Then the end will come, when he hands over the kingdom to God the Father after he has destroyed all dominion, authority and power. For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. The last enemy to be destroyed is death⁷ For he “has put everything under his feet.” Now when it says that “everything” has been put under him, it is clear that this does not include God himself, who put everything under Christ. When he has done this, then the Son himself will be made subject to him who put everything under him, so that God may be all in all.

Holy Week: Preparing our Hearts and Home

2012-04-01T14:14:00.004-04:00

Happy Palm Sunday to you!

It's Palm Sunday--put on the garment of praise! Hosanna! The Lord reigns, King over all...and King of our lives. He alone is worthy of all worship and praise--and that we do, today and every day. Worship Him, crown Him Lord of your life, wear that garment of praise with joy--He reigns in His world--and all is well!

The boys colored this free printable from the website Ministry-to-children.com to prepare for the observance of Jesus' triumphal entrance to Jerusalem. This is Garrett's (above). The website has been a wonderful resource, and everything is free! Click here for the entire Easter page.

I would be remiss if I didn't throw in a little plug for the Hartville Marketplace Easter coloring contest too. If you are in Northeast Ohio, it's an opportunity to win some great goodies (like tickets to Cedar Point, Wildwater Kingdom and more)! I'll be there on Saturday from 1-3 for the giveaways.

Since Easter weekend is going to be so busy, I've been trying to get some things done now. We colored eggs:

Grant's neat design:

Speaking of eggs, how cute is this?! :) Click here for the recipe.

I'm also working on these white chocolate Easter Lily and cross candies. I only have one mold so it's been a slow go, but I'm hoping to make a few dozen for our Easter Sunday banquet.

Finally, Crosswalk.com has an excellent piece about "15 Ways to Observe Holy Week with Your Family." Lots of good ideas!

God bless you this Holy Week.

Walk and Roll!

2012-03-29T18:18:00.000-04:00

A big week here indeed! Our oldest son Gabriel is officially a Boy Scout. Five years of Cub Scouts, awards, camping trips, Soapbox Derby's and service projects culminated in this rite of passage as he "crossed over" to the rank of Boy Scout. Here is the proud boy (in the middle):

We are so proud of our growing-up-way-too-fast young man. Here is a snapshot of some of his awards:

Speaking of growing up WAY too fast, take a look at this big roller!

Go Gussy! He's actually been rolling over since February but he's now getting stronger. He rolls over and/or tries to sit up every chance he gets. Hard to believe Gus is five months old already! Here's a cute moment this morning of Garrett reading to Gus before school:

Meanwhile, miss Karolina is moving right along too. The braces on her feet took some getting used to, but she is stronger and faster than ever now. They have really served her well.

As I posted this picture I just realized the braces are actually on the wrong feet! The therapist wrote "L" and "R" on them but it wore off. I better go fix it.:) We also had a very big/important meeting with her team of therapists this week. It will be a long road, but we continue to see wonderful, steady progress.

Have a great weekend and a blessed Palm Sunday! We are brewing some fun stuff for Holy Week, check back for some fun (free) printables and recipes, and thanks for the comments on the last post!

Gearing Up for Easter

2012-03-25T13:39:00.002-04:00

Two weeks from today we will celebrate Easter (already)! I'm always amazed by how the time gets away from me, so Jim and I actually had a date night to do some Easter basket shopping to try and avoid our usual, last-minute scramble. We purchased a few small items, and ordered some books online, but I am waiting to get the chocolate and candy. I am actually, (surprisingly) doing really well with my Lenten goal of giving up chocolate and I don't want to blow it now by tempting myself with bags of Reese's! Speaking of fasting, Crosswalk.com has some excellent ways to fast that are really unique and creative. Things like "Fast from Driving" (I'm liking that more and more with gas prices!) "Fast from Multitasking" and 15 total ways to fast as we observe the last few weeks of Lent. Click here for the article.

Back to the baskets, here are a few of the items we have so far:

Sticker book for Garrett. We also bought little matching cross necklaces for the boys. Less than $3 at our local Catholic bookstore. Good deal!

We had to get this for Karolina. :) Even though she doesn't sit through a book yet, this is a keeper (for obvious reasons). :) We also bought bookmarks for the kids too.

I've also heard great things about this book, especially good for Easter (but on backorder due to demand):

"The Boy Who Met Jesus" is also currently on it's way from Amazon. After reading "The Hiding Place" by Corrie Ten Boom with Gabriel, it's been a challenge to find a fitting follow-up. I think/hope this one will be great to read with Gabe.

Do you have any special books or significant items you place in Easter baskets? Would love to hear your tips and special suggestions.

A Surprising Spring

2012-03-22T11:52:00.000-04:00

As I write this, we are on our second week of temperatures above 60-degrees here in Ohio (almost 80 today in fact)! Trees are budding, birds are singing, and life. is. good.

The usual after-school snack (grabbing a handful of chips) was replaced by this springy, fruity number:

Karolina has been sporting a beautiful sun dress,

and it was nice enough for our first fishing expedition of the season

I don't know how long it will last, but everyone is sure making the most of the amazing, unusual warmth. It's a beautiful sight! Enjoy every minute!

Nevertheless he left not himself without witness, in that he did good, and gave us rain from heaven, and fruitful seasons, filling our hearts with food and gladness. Acts 14:17

Friday Notes

2012-03-16T13:31:00.003-04:00

First off, Happy Birthday to my dad! What a year. Last year on his birthday he was in the hospital and diagnosed with lung cancer (on his birthday). A lot has transpired since then. It has not been an easy 12 months, but we celebrate how far he's come and the fact that on this day, he is cancer free. Some birthdays are about so much more than cake and goodies. Life is the real gift!! Happy Birthday Dad.

I also had to share this quick photo I snapped at Garrett's school. It's from a cute bulletin board his teacher posted in the hallway listing the kindergarten class. I spotted this handsome guy:

Finally, Happy St. Patrick's Day! On the show this morning, we talked about a little printable craft the kids and I did this week. It's so easy (I love those kinds of crafts)!:) Just print, cut and paste.

Click here to print yours from an awesome blog.

And, what would a St. Patrick's Day celebration be without a food tie-in? :) This Shamrock Toastie hit the spot.

How is it that in my 33 years I never realized that a green bell pepper was shaped like a three-leaf-clover?!:) N-e-a-t! You can get the recipe here, along with several other wonderful, creative St. Patrick's Day food ideas.

Have a blessed, beautiful weekend!

Little Bro, Big Sis

2012-03-13T21:20:00.003-04:00

Just wanted to share a few updated pictures of our littlest two. I feel bad that the older boys have been getting significantly less camera time these days but I know it will balance out come baseball and camping season. :) Here is Gus wearing his new shirt (just in case we forget what order he is in the family). :)

What a big boy! He's almost four and a half months old already.

Here is Karolina with her new braces. I tried to get her to smile, but she was not amused by my goofy efforts. :) She's actually doing great with them and has a firmer foundation when she stands. Her left foot was significantly turned out and affecting her gait and balance. Her occupational therapist was concerned about future hip and knee problems due to the severity of it. She recommended these small braces to correct the issue and improve muscle tone. After getting a second opinion we decided to go ahead. She is a trooper! She's really made some big progress in the last few months and I love watching her grow. Although raising babies is not new for us, every child is different and Karolina has offered us new areas of adventure. As I have mentioned before, no small accomplishment is taken for granted. She is now clapping (a very big deal), she can give kisses and knows where her nose is. :) She's not saying any words yet, but I'm not worried. Her speech therapist was only at our home once so far, but I learned several things even in that short visit. It's also been nice to be outside in the warm weather this week and see her WALK and play! Bring on the ice cream and tulips, we are ready for spring!:)

Goodies (for a Good Cause!)

2012-03-13T04:20:00.002-04:00

Have you ever heard of Punjammies? This is the neatest thing! I just found them last week and already have a few pair on my wish list. I thought they were cute, but when I read about the cause behind them I was truly moved by the work and story behind the company. Here is the description: "PUNJAMMIES™ are made by women in India rescued from forced prostitution seeking to rebuild their lives. Proceeds from the sales of PUNJAMMIES™ provide fair-trade wages, savings accounts, and holistic recovery care. Please support International Princess™ Project as we bring hope and a voice to those who have none."
Since I could definitely use some help in the p.j. department (mine are pretty ragged) I can't wait to order a pair and support the women who make them! Love it.

The other item in the goodie category is an article from Bon Appetit entitled "10 Ways to Make Better Brownies." Since I am still on a chocolate hiatus for Lent (tear) I can only dream for now. Come Easter though, I will be joyfully employing these ingenious ideas. Tips like:

Stick them in the freezer
Once they're baked and cooled to room temperature, put your brownies in the freezer. The cold gives them a toothsome texture similar to a firm nougat. (Note: Depending on the recipe, the brownie might need a minute or two to thaw to its chewiest best.)

Doctor them with condiments
Raspberry jam, marshmallow fluff, peanut butter, cream cheese... the swirl-in possibilities are endless. Warm the condiment first so it's more workable, then dollop spoonfuls of it on top of the prepared batter, which should already have been poured into your baking sheet. Lightly swirl the condiment using a toothpick or skewer--you want to see the shape at the surface of the batter.

Chill them before baking
After spreading the batter in a pan, refrigerate it for at least an hour or up to overnight. The end result will be brownies with extra-crisp edges and a moist, fudge-y center.

Torture!:) Click here for the full article. Enjoy!

The Contraception Misconception Pt. 1

2012-03-09T20:59:00.006-05:00

Much has been made in recent weeks of the Catholic Church's teaching on contraception. Lost in the midst of the rhetoric, political posturing, Sandra Fluke fiasco and HHS mandate, lies the reason behind why Church teaching remains consistent (and correct) on this topic. You can disagree, my only hope is people will take a listen to those who actually adhere to the teaching and allow us a moment on the soapbox too.   Admittedly, it's been hard to find the truth because of misinformation, and downright disobedience of those who fancy themselves "Catholic" (in name alone only, evidently).  It has been confusing and convoluted.  This is an issue particularly close to my heart because it is an attack on the faith tradition I love, and a threat to all religious liberty. For our own journey, it was a natural progression. As Fr. Larry Richards has pointed out:  If I truly trust God as my Lord and Savior, how can I say "God, be Lord over my life, Lord over my finances, Lord over my marriage, but when it comes to our family size and future..stay out of it?" If that were the case, there would be two miracles in our life that wouldn't be here today.  While I could opine on the topic, I wanted to ask someone who has inspired Jim and me in our own NFP journey to share her experience.
I was honored when a dear friend Jennifer Willits, wife and mom of five, radio-host, speaker (and freshly minted author!) agreed to write a guest post concerning contraception.

I want to preface her beautiful piece by sharing some basic set-up points.   First, you should know that until 1930, all religious denominations condemned contraception as sinful.   It was because of mounting social pressure that the Anglican church announced that contraception would be allowed in some circumstances (see the Lambeth Conference). After that, other Protestant denominations soon followed suit. The Catholic Church however, has remained steadfast in her original teaching. Second, what is happening today is precisely what was predicted by Pope Paul VI in 1968 in his landmark encyclical Humanae Vitae. He predicted grave consequences that would arise from the widespread and unrestrained use of contraception. He warned, "Consider, first of all, how wide and easy a road would thus be opened up toward conjugal infidelity and the general lowering of morality. Not much experience is needed in order to know human weakness, and to understand that men-especially the young, who are so vulnerable on this point-have need of encouragement to be faithful to the moral law, so that they must not be offered some easy means of eluding it's observance. It's also to be feared that the man, growing used to the employment of anti-conceptive practices, may finally lose respect for the woman, and no longer caring for her physical and psychological equilibrium, may come to the point of considering her as a mere instrument of selfish enjoyment, and no longer have the same respect as a beloved companion. "(HV17)
No one can doubt those prophetic words. Experience, natural law, Scripture, Tradition the magisterium all testify to the evil of contraception.

Third, persecution brings refinement. The experience of having beliefs under attack can cause people to explore what they believe and why (sometimes for the first time).   It is in that spirit we recently announced a landmark event for all people seeking to reclaim the beauty and truth of the human body and intimacy, and arming ourselves to defend what we believe. This is an especially awesome opportunity for Ohioans!   Christopher West will give a free talk on this topic. In addition, you will have an opportunity to ask questions to a panel, including a Christian OBGYN specializing in infertility issues, etc. and a canon lawyer/priest.   Click here to register for this free event!   Click here to listen to our interview with Christopher.

Now, I am honored to introduce you to Jennifer Willits and her special guest post...

The Contraception Misconception Pt. 2

2012-03-09T20:59:00.000-05:00

By Jennifer Willits

According to an August 2010 national study conducted by the National Center for Health Statistics regarding the use of birth control in the United States between 1982 and 2008, the leading form of contraception used by women was the oral contraceptive pill. While the NCHS report focused on what tens of millions of Americans did to address their contraceptive desires, it failed to detail what led them to use contraceptives in the first place.

It is my firm belief that if women only knew the truth of how their reproductive systems truly worked, the billion dollar industry of contraceptives wouldn’t even be necessary.

When presented with the following options, which would you choose?

Synthetic or Natural?

Side effects or no side effects?

Costing money or free?

Group 1 carcinogen or zero risk of cancer?

Harmful to marriage or marriage affirming?

Immoral or moral?

Notice a trend in those questions? The second option in each question provides a safe, ecologically friendly, positive option while the first options in each question are directly linked to the number one method of contraception today: birth control pills.

With options like these, why would any person willingly choose the harmful ones? Yet, when it comes to women handling their reproductive health, millions are being duped into doing just that: harming their bodies, harming their relationships, and harming their souls.

But the list of problems doesn’t end there. They just get worse. Chief among them being the abortificiant nature of the pill. Most woman are completely unaware that an additional potential outcome of the pill are abortive miscarriages that occur without the woman even noticing because it will just look like a normal menstrual cycle.

Rather than women receiving full disclosure about the harmful truths about the pill from their trusted medical professionals, they instead get deceptive statements that prey upon their ignorance and from a misunderstanding of their own female reproductive system.

Women often hear statements like: it’s safe and effective, convenient, grants sexual freedom, cost effective while also protecting from undesirable risks, etc.

Women should be outraged that the harmful nature of the pill is, in a majority of cases, being willfully kept from them. But the truth is documented and proven for anyone who takes the time for basic research on the topic.

The Positive Alternative for Your Health and Marriage

Considering the detrimental aspects of the pill and other artificial contraceptives, what moral methods are available to help women and their marriages?

The answer is Natural Family Planning, commonly referred to as NFP.

Setting religious and pro-life positions aside, let’s look at NFP from a basic biological lens:

Let’s start with a healthy married woman under the age of 44 who has a normal menstrual cycle. Her reproductive system naturally has periods of infertility and fertility with each cycle. Simply put, her fertility only lasts for approximately one-third of her cycle, while the remaining two-thirds of her cycle are infertile.

That means that for two-thirds of each cycle, a woman cannot conceive a child. All women are naturally infertile for the majority of their cycles!

Additionally, after the age of 44, a woman’s fertility drops significantly, therefore becoming more infertile as she approaches menopause.

If a married couple takes the time to understand the signs of female fertility as easily taught in NFP, and they have discerned that having a new baby would not be prudent at that time, then they simply abstain from sexual intimacy during those fertile days. No worries, no cost, no mess, no risks, no harmful side effects and no innocent babies aborted in the process.

Now I can already hear some men and women groaning with some common complaints like: “What about my sexual needs and desires? Do you really mean to say that I can’t have sex with my spouse for seven to ten days depending upon the woman’s actual time of fertility? We should be able to have sex whenever we want since we’re married, right?”

These are all valid questions and concerns.

Married couples who desire sexual relations with each other have every right to enjoy that gift. Christ-centered religions (like the Catholic Church) who oppose contraception, are not interested in suppressing your marital rights. It’s actually quite the opposite. The Church wants you to love your spouses fully and completely!

The comparison between the love of Christ and His Church and that of husband and wife can be clearly seen through couples living chaste marriages where the marital act is experienced without chemical or physical barriers.

Take into consideration that Jesus loves us fully and completely by his sacrificial act on the cross. Jesus does not love us up to a point and then shuts a door on us. Yet that’s what contraception does in our relationship with God and with our spouses. It’s our way of shutting a door to the possibility of God’s life-infusing power happening inside the woman’s body. The world would call that outcome a risk to be protected from. God calls it fruitful multiplication.

It is WE that put up the boundaries and restrictions on love, not the Church.

It is WE, not the Church, that say, “I want to hold back and not fully give completely of myself to my spouses.”

It is WE who want instant gratification.

It is WE who think we are slaves to our own temptation of carnal desires.

By promoting practices like NFP, the Church is trying to show us a way that will actually free us from this type of sexual bondage by freely and completely giving of ourselves within marriages in the same way Christ freely and completely gives Himself to us.

As Servant of God Archbishop Sheen wisely noted in his book Life of Christ, “There are only two philosophies of life: one is first the feast, then the headache; the other is first the fast and then the feast. Deferred joys purchased by sacrifice are always sweetest and most enduring.” How right he is when applying this wisdom to the way humanity approaches sexuality. Whether we choose to acknowledge this or not, we know that waiting is always better.

True love does not depend on sex. Rather, true love merely includes it. You can still love your spouse just as powerfully while abstaining from sexual intimacy by embracing NFP in your marriage! In fact, periodic marital abstinence gives couples that opportunity to refocus on all the other ways they can express their love for each other outside of the sexual act.

If you think having sex is the only way to love your spouse, you’re wrong. For example, when my husband can demonstrate self-mastery during periods of abstinence, he is actually showing me the highest form of sacrificial love in our marriage, by showing me I’m worth waiting for. It’s out of love that we abstain, not out of oppression. Periodic abstinence as prescribed in NFP is simply another form of love.

Natural family planning is the natural choice, the safer choice and one worthy of investigating immediately. It’s free from side effects, free from costs and free from the risk of cancer! It affirms the marriage and is in alignment with the way God designed our sexuality. It doesn’t break a part within a woman that was never broken to begin with - a woman’s reproductive cycle!

For more information about the power and beauty of NFP, check out some trusted online resources at www.chastity.com, www.onemoresoul.com, www.nfp.marquette.edu

Find our more about Jennifer Willits and her husband Greg here.

Referral Anniversary

2012-03-05T12:11:00.004-05:00

Today is a happy day! It marks the one year anniversary of getting "the call" that we had been matched to Karolina! Earlier that March 5 morning, I had attended a health fair at church and caught up with a Polish friend. I asked her "Do you like the name Karolina?" Is it even Polish? She confirmed it was, and I shared with her that Jim and I had begun leaning toward that name for our daughter. At approx. 7:45pm that night night we got a call from our adoption agency saying they had indeed received our referral and would be sending some photos shortly. And her name? Karolina. The rest is history. These are some of the first pictures we saw of our daughter:

My mind is currently playing the song "The First Time, Ever I Saw Your Face" (The Celine Dion version). What a moment! Jim and I were so excited. It was similar to birth (only longer)!:) So much to celebrate. I wish I could share exciting plans of a party or dinner tonight, but Karolinka and Gus are unfortunately under the weather. Karolina has an ear infection, severe diaper rash, and we're trying to stave off dehydration. Little Gus has a fever and cold. Last week Gabriel had two teeth pulled and has had some road bumps in the recovery process. You know what they say, when it rains, it pours!

On a side note, please excuse my blog design lately and virtual "dust" as I experiment with some new things. I actually have a new domain and have been working with a developer but it's been a slow go. I hope to make some changes by the spring.

Covering our Kids in Calm

2012-02-28T16:57:00.006-05:00

This week has been traumatic for Ohioans as we process and pray for the tragedy in Chardon. The shooting that occurred on Monday has left communities shaken and children scared. It is a tremendous blessing to work at 95.5 The Fish, and this week has been another reminder of the power of a caring community and concerned citizens uniting in prayer and support. As a family we talk about a lot of things, but I had no intention of discussion school shootings with my kids when I woke up Monday morning. Like thousands of other parents, this was an unexpected, uncomfortable topic to address. Although it was necessary, I found myself explaining it in a less than eloquent manner.

We read throughout scriptures and life, that tragedy is an ongoing fiber of being human. Being a parent today means walking the tightrope of preparing our kids for the inevitable horror stories they will be exposed to, but also seeking to preserve their innocence and belief in their fellow man and goodness of the world. I'm certainly no expert, but what I have gleaned in my years of parenting so far, is the importance to seek God in all circumstances, not shy away from the truth that we do live in a "valley of tears" and the importance of shining a light and learning lessons from experiences we are exposed to. Still, when something like this hits so close to home, it's only natural for kids to feel frightened and wonder if this could happen to them. This morning on our program we received calls and e-mails from parents who are dealing with terrified kids who didn't want to go to school and felt shaken by the close proximity of the tragedy. As we work together as parents and a community of believers, here are some things we can do to offer calm to our kids:

-The most important shield we have of course, is prayer. This is a great time to reinforce Ephesians 6:10-18 and the power of wearing the "Armor of God."

-Print out scriptures like these that will offer comfort and strength. If there is one that particularly edifies your child, work as a team to memorize it so your child can lean on that verse whenever they feel anxious or afraid.

-"Wrap them in love" with sandwich scriptures. Ann Voskamp has printable sandwich wrappers that your child can see in the middle of the day and be reminded of your love and God's peace.

-Focus on the Family has a fantastic "road map" for parents to follow when teaching kids about tragedy. Click here for the article.

Finally, never underestimate the power of physically "covering our kids" during times of crisis and distress. The power of touch offers healing and reassurance no matter what age! I only wish our kids were always this innocent:

The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge. He is my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.

Psalm 18:2

Every Life is Beautiful

2012-02-24T07:11:00.005-05:00

Last year at this time Jim and I were checking our cell phones and e-mail at what seemed like every minute, for news from our adoption agency. Our hearts were expectant. Our minds raced with thoughts of "what will our daughter look like?" "How old will she be?" We didn't know then, that in a matter of 2 weeks the questions would be answered and our blurry future come would into clear focus. As we approach the one year anniversary of receiving our referral, I sit stupefied and small, as I think of the mighty God who saw fit for us to become the parents of Karolina. So, it was no surprise that this new video from Mark Hall left me in a puddle of tears. I just wanted to share it with you as yet another example of God's goodness, and the sweet rewards of being the parent of an adopted child. We continue to pray for all the children in Karolina's orphanage, those who are awaiting adoption, and the parents and families on the journey to adoption, and orphans that were never "claimed" by a family.

Matthew 18:5, “Whoever receives a child in My name, receives Me.”

This video was made in support of an upcoming pro-life, pro-adoption film "October Baby." The movie opens on March 23. Check out the trailer here:

Welcoming Ash Wednesday

2012-02-21T21:47:00.004-05:00

It's Tuesday night and we just wrapped up our Lenten preparations. Part of what I appreciate about our social media age is the gift of discovering websites, blogs, and articles with so many rich ideas on every conceivable topic. In particular, cyberspace is replete with amazing resources when it comes to observing Lent. What I find challenging is narrowing it all down, simplifying, and being able to focus on just the necessities and not get too carried away. At the moment our plans are low-maintenance but God-willing, still spirit-filled. Tonight we set up a humble little Lenten altar that will be our focal point for these 40+ days.

The items include:
Silver Ecce Homo depiction of Christ
A jar for almsgiving
Stations of the Cross booklet
Various prayer cards to be randomly drawn at dinner time

We also included "Writing on the Rock," an idea from the book "Celebrating Saints and Seasons." Here's how it works.

Beginning tomorrow, we will also refrain from uttering the word "Alleluia" in church until Resurrection Sunday. I love the depth and meaning behind why we do it. After reading about the significance of omitting the word, we wrote it on the paper heart (saying we will keep the phrase written in our hearts) and then we tucked it under the rock.

On Easter Sunday we will roll the stone away and open our "hearts" once again to the risen Lord and the holy word that means "praise Yahweh."

If you are still contemplating what to give up (or add) for Lent, check out these "Lifeteen 25 Creative Ideas" or "33 Things to Give Up for Lent." Beautiful suggestions. God bless you on our Lenten journey!

“Yet even now,” declares the Lord, “return to me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning; and rend your hearts and not your garments.” Return to theLord your God, for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love." Joel 2: 12-13

Walking into Lent

2012-02-19T14:36:00.006-05:00

Big news to share with you. Karolina is walking! She's been stepping out independently for about two weeks, and it's been a celebration for our entire family. Grammie even bought her some new "big girl" shoes commemorate the event. Twinkle Toes!

Click here to see her in action. Although Karolina has been classified as developmentally delayed, I am constantly amazed by how quickly she seems to be catching up. Every new skill and milestone she achieves is a moment of triumph for our whole family, and I pray she always knows how loved and lifted up she is. We are so proud of our big girl!

Our other focus has been preparing to enter into the season of Lent. Last year we did a few crafts to ramp up to Ash Wednesday and this year I intend to repeat this one (If I can find the book with the prayers).
Other notable things I've found:
-"The Jelly Bean Prayer" posted by Lisa Hendey from CatholicMom.com. A great way for the younger kids to live out Lent in an easy-to-interiorize way.
- Lenten crossword puzzle that can be a helpful introduction to some of the words we will be hearing (and what they mean) during Lent. Also from CatholicMom.com
-Printable stations of the cross (with a variety of ways to be used).
-Weekly activities from the Domestic-Church website.
-Lacy's pretzel recipe from Catholic Icing.
I love this "Pretzel Prayer" that goes along with it:

We beg you, O Lord, to bless these breads which are to remind us that Lent is a sacred season of penance and prayer. For this very reason, the early Christians started the custom of making these breads in the form of arms crossed in prayer. Thus they kept the holy purpose of Lent alive in their hearts from day to day, and increased in their souls the love of Christ, even unto death, if necessary.

Grant us, we pray, that we too, may be reminded by the daily sight of these pretzels to observe the holy season of Lent with true devotion and great spiritual fruit. We ask this through Christ our Lord.

Amen.

Whew! Now if I could just get it all organized on Pinterest we'd have a good game plan. I'm afraid my Pinterest savvy is lacking, and I just haven't had time to figure it out like I probably should. I'm still in the "sleepless-new-mom" stage so it may be a while yet.

In closing, I have to post this all my fellow Lent observers. This Weird Al-esque parody had my kids cracking up, and singing the chorus repeatedly. I have to admit despite my resistance, I've been singing along too. "There's a little black spot on your head today..."

Free St. Valentine's Day Card Options

2012-02-09T21:49:00.002-05:00

I've been on the hunt this week for printable Valentine's Day cards. The boys will hand them out in school next week, and I love that they didn't cost a penny (save for some ink and printer paper). :) There are many great options with downloadable holy cards, thanks to the savvy, crafty mom bloggers out there!:) Earlier this week we printed these out one from Catholicconvert.com

I just used my scrapbooking scissors to modify the edges (albeit a bit scraggly) but within minutes the cards were ready. I also found a vintage style card:

The Act of Love prayer is on the back side from St. John Vianney. So pretty! Click here to download from Holyreflections.com.

Faith and The Future

2012-02-07T13:53:00.001-05:00

Today we had an insightful and inspiring conversation with Tami Heim. She is the author of "@Sticky Jesus: How to Live Out Your Faith Online."

The book looks at the Internet as a mission field and shares practical ways to shine a light to others through the use of technology. I found myself nodding and adding "amen" and "that's right" as I enthusiastically agreed with the message and mandate. Here are some thoughts:

-People like to share the shiny stuff. However always remember, light trumps shiny every time.

-You have the privilege of sharing the story that will stick to every generation.

-You were born for such a time as this. The newest mission field is at your fingertips. No passport needed.

The book closes with a prayer to honor God on the Internet. Here is a portion:

Dear Lord,

Here I am. Send me as a flawed but focused messenger of your truth in this Web-based world. I'm stepping out of this boat, cutting straight through the sea, and heading directly into the fire...knowing You are already there to walk with me. I surrender my online agenda to you. Through your holy hands, recycle my life as an acceptable vessel for your glory. Lead me to the fields white with harvest and I will labor there until You come for me. Touch my eyes, remove the scales so quick to overlook, judge, or dismiss the beating, seeking hearts You've appointed to my path. Each one belongs to

You; each one ransomed by precious blood.

Ignite in me the fire of Paul and pour into me the timing of Esther as I move and breathe online. I surrender my affections for the things of this world and exchange them for the brilliance of a Kingdom that will not fade. Restore your glory in this Land of Shiny Things, oh Lord, and start your work of revival with me. Amen.

Find out more (including some fantastic articles) at the official website.

Working in media I am constantly amazed at the light-speed pace at which we are moving when it comes to technology. It's both spectacular and scary! Which is why I so much appreciated Sticky Jesus and the reminder of who we serve. It was a comforting, especially after viewing this video and truly feeling like In " temporary residents and foreigners" 1-Peter 2:11. " It's Corning's expanded vision for the future of glass technologies. Wow! Incredible stuff here. Check it out...

The Week in Pictures

2012-02-02T15:06:00.010-05:00

Congrats to Gabriel for his performance in the school spelling bee this week. Out of 25, he made the top seven, then tied for fourth. He out-spelled many 6th, 7th, and 8th graders. The word "competently" got him, but on the bright side, he still has three more years to compete after this. Hopefully he can build from here. Way to go Gabe! We are mighty proud of you, son.

This is a case where empty chairs are a good ting. Still in it! He's in the back row (blue shirt).

Gabriel has yet to find "his thing" where he thrives and has a passion for. So, my mother's heart just about overflowed to seem him blossom at this event. Grateful.

Meanwhile, back at the home front...

This little guy is growing like crazy. Love those cheeks!

Finally, last night we finished "The Hiding Place." I thank God for leading us to this book that I may read it to my son. There are not many books that I force on people, but this one I will. The most powerful chapter of the book was towards the end and I'm still reeling from the words, the story, the power of light in the darkness and God's faithfulness.

If you have ever questioned a belief in God, you must read this. If you have ever struggled with forgiveness, you must read this. If you love Jesus and trust in his promises, you must read this. If you are lukewarm and need to be reminded that there is more out there, you NEED to read this. I wrongly believed the bulk of the book was about being in a concentration camp. That's actually not the case. It's only toward the end of the (true) story that they are transported. Since I had that expectation I think the beginning of the book was a little slow for me, but it was worth reading every holy word. This book is profound. I intend to buy a copy and extract some pages, laminate them, and keep them close. It's that good.

Time cannot contain You

You fill eternity

Sin can never stain You

Death has lost its sting

And I cannot explain the way You came to love me

Except to say that nothing is beyond You

Nothing is beyond You

If I should shrink back from the light

So I can sink into the dark
If I take cover and I close my eyes

Even then You would see my heart
And You'd cut through all my pain and rage
The darkness is not dark to You

And night's as bright as day

-Nothing is Beyond You (lyrics) by Rich Mullins. Based on Psalm 139.

Off to enjoy the mild Ohio weather now and appreciate 40+ temps. Yeah!:)