Advent- More Like Mary Style

Just like every Advent, I want this one to be different. Every year I tell myself that I'm going to really celebrate Christ's birth in a way that will unite me to Him and make me a better Christian. So far, my record is far from impressive.

It's just so dang easy to get caught up with Christmas and completely lose sight of the preparation for Christmas.  Not that purchasing gifts, decorating trees, and baking cookies are bad. Those are all wonderful things. But if those thing cause me to lose sight of what this season is really about, then I've completely missed the point of Christmas.

I'm trying a different approach this year. None of my past approaches seem to have worked-so it can't hurt! This year, I will be focusing on Advent from Mary's perspective.

It's true that Christmas has everything to do with Jesus, the Christ child born in a manger in Bethlehem. My goal for this Advent, and every Advent, is to become closer to Him, honor His wondrous birth, and spread His love with those around me. There is one person, however, who I know can help me with this better than any other.

Mary is the central character is the story leading up to Christmas. She experienced the nativity in a way that no other human can ever experience. Getting to know Mary better this Advent will, no doubt, bring me closer to understanding the mystery of her Son.

One example that helps me to understand this phenomenon is what takes place when I get to know my friends' parents. I grew up in a very small town and went to school with the same 40 classmates for 13 years. I knew them inside and out. I knew their siblings, their dogs, their parents, and even their grandparents. I didn't realize how much this influenced my ability to really know my friends.

When I went off to college I made new friends. I had a bigger pool of people to choose from than the 40 kids in my class and I found friends whom I really clicked with. Our bonds grew stronger and stronger and these new friends quickly became the rocks I depended on to help me navigate my faith. I remember thinking it was odd, however, that I didn't know them outside of college. It was like something was holding me back from truly understanding these new friends, even though I was closer to them than I had ever been to previous friends. It hit me-I didn't know their parents.

One by one I met the parents of my college friends and one by one I started to understand them a little better. I suddenly understood where Lauren got her sense of humor and Jessie got her generosity. I understood where Lindsey got her tenacity and Jolyn got her quirky endearing qualities.  Meeting Ashley's parents helped me to understand her in a way that would never have been possible had I not had that opportunity.  All because I met the men and women who raised these beautiful souls. I better understood my friends, how to relate to them, what made them tick, because I knew their parents.

I think it's the same with Mary. From my experience, many Protestant Christians are worried that a relationship with Mary would somehow overshadow a relationship with Jesus. But when I met and really got to know the parents of my closest friends, our friendships only grew closer. Sadly, Mary's critical role in salvation history is glossed over out of fear that she'll somehow take away from our ability to grow closer to Jesus. But which of my friends would have wanted to keep me from getting to know their parents in an effort to maintain our close friendship? Not a one. And Jesus doesn't either.

So, for this Advent, I'm getting to know Mary. I'm going to let her lead me through the preparations for her Son. I'm going to let her guide me into a deeper relationship with Him. And if I allow myself to hear her message, to see the nativity through her eyes, and to prepare for His coming with her heart, then I will celebrate Christmas morning with a new and profound relationship with her infant Son.

In Thanksgiving

Bonnie encouraged her readers to make a list of things they were thankful on Thanksgiving. I only have so much time to write this before I need to start making pumpkin cookies......so it'll be MUCH shorter than the actual list of blessings in my life.

I am thankful for:

Ted, Ted's sense of humor, the fact that my husband also happens to be my best friend, the comfort that comes with being married in the Catholic Church and knowing it's forever, the fact that Ted got us home safely in the storm last night

My baby, every single squirm and kick, a pregnancy free from complications, the generous gifts given at the baby shower, the advice of wonderful friends/mothers, the support we've received on our decision to cloth diaper and breastfeed, the chance to actually choose to cloth diaper and breastfeed, my growing belly, strangers that ask me when I'm due, Ted's smile when he feels the baby kick, the opportunity to make both of our parents grandparents

My degree, my job, having a job that doesn't stress me out, having a job that doesn't require a commute, being able to help adorable little kids get the services they need, great co-workers, a great boss, a phone finally being put in my office

My health, my NaPro doctor, my regular OB who is more wonderful than I could have hoped for, ultrasound technology, being able to afford all the pregnancy books and classes I want, a husband that supports me in every way possible to have a natural birth

For friends in Mississippi, especially Alisha, for friends in Missouri, for sisters that I enjoy spending time with, for parents that are married and still crazy in love, for two living grandparents, for being part of a big extended family, for the opportunity to be a part of Joan and Charlotte's lives, for Ted getting into his Master's program, for Ted doing so well in his Master's program, having a husband that works harder than anyone I know, being completely debt free!!!, the adorable cradle that Ted's dad is making by hand, having a sister who's a nurse and can answer all my questions

For blogging, the fact the people actually read my blog, for the advice and support I received during our infertility struggle, for the strong Catholic witness that so many offer through the blogs, for confession, for the Eucharist, for weekday Mass, for our Adoration hour, for the universal Church, for Cardinal Burke, for Fr. Schumer, for our wonderful seminarian friends, for Lesterville, for the example Pam and Tony have been to us, for their influence in our lives, for New Year's retreats even though we don't get to go this year, for fun lunches with friends

For growning up Catholic, finding a Catholic husband, for the consistency of the Church's teachings, for the freedom found in obedience, the Saints, the angels, Pope Benedict, Scott Hahn, St. Michael, St, Gianna

For health insurance, life insurance, disability insurance, car insurance, and vision insurance, for the opportunity to afford all those insurances, for monthly paychecks, for our car that runs great and has room for a car seat, the fact that Ted's truck is still kicking

For Thanksgiving dinners, time with family, milk, ice cream, Sonic cranberry limeades, broccoli, fruit pizza, BBQ, Mugshots burgers, and....pumpkin cookies!

Visit Bonnie for more reasons to be thankful!!

We Have A Winner!

Thank you so much to everyone who participated in the giveaway! I loved reading through all the answers and plan to do a summary post soon with all the great advice of becoming more like Mary. (Great idea Elizabeth-you're an expert at these giveaways!)

There were a total of 26 entries (one person commented twice-I didn't miss the last one!) (and Leila-you weren't too late!) and I had Ted pick a number between 1 and 26. I should have known he would pick his favorite number....10!

I was so excited when I saw who the winner was. I thought, "that's perfect!" The winner of one of these beautiful rosaries is someone who has taught me a great deal about the Blessed Mother and what it means to be a Catholic mother in today's world. She is someone that I consider to be a good friend, even though we've never met and most likely never will. She, more than any other blogger, makes me think and evaluate my motives and plans for my life. She serves an example to all those who come across her sweet blog of the kind of love our Blessed Mother has for us and the kind of life that God is asking us to lead, if we only open our hearts in obedience.

If you can't tell from my description, the winner is Abby from Abigail's Alcove!!

(I'll email you details of how to choose your rosary Abby.)

Don't forget that Christmas orders can still be placed through December 8th! And the coupon code MORELIKEMARY will get you 15% off (expires December 1st).

Thanks to everyone who participated! It was fun!

Baby Shower by the Numbers

65....degree weather on a nice, sunny day

2...hours of baby bliss

1....gorgeous little bed and breakfast

226....diapers in the diaper cake

10...minutes that Ted stayed before heading back out to the deer stand

3...colors in every gift: yellow, green, and orange. Gotta love neutrals!

4...great friend from back home



2...proud and skinny aunties

1...glowing "Oma"

1...proud hostess "Grandma"

0...glasses of wine drank by me at the winery after the shower

1...incredibly grateful, abundantly blessed new mommy

My First Giveaway!

Thanks to Melanie at Trendy Traditions, More Like Mary readers now have an awesome opportunity to become more like Mary!

She has graciously donated one of her beautiful rosaries to be given away to one of my lucky readers.  Her website is definitely worth checking out. She's a Catholic mom who has a love for our Blessed Mother and a desire to spread devotion to this beautiful prayer. The website also has some great resources for more information about the Rosary if you're interested. And the best part? Ten percent of all sales go to support some great Catholic charities.

These were a few of my favorites:

Contest Details:

Anyone who has ever commented on a post is eligible (or anyone who has been a quiet "follower").  Just leave a comment on this post answering one of the following questions:

What is your favorite Mystery of the Rosary and why?

What is your favorite title for Mary and why?

What is one thing you've done and would recommend to others to strengthen their relationship to Mary? (this last one has selfish motives...)

The winner will be drawn randomly and posted on Wednesday, November 22. "Entries" will be accepted until midnight on Tuesday, November 23. The winner will be able to choose from any rosary on the website (with the exception of couples and custom rosaries) and the gift includes personalization.

If you're interested in buying a rosary as a gift-get your order in before December 8 and she guarantees shipping in time for Christmas. To get a 15% discount, enter MORELIKEMARY as the coupon code at checkout. (How cool is it that I have my own coupon code???)

Alright-get to commenting!

BIRTH OR NOT??? ***Updated***

Thanks to Cathy for letting us know that this is, in fact, some kind of stunt. (see comments below) My first reaction was "Praise God! A little one's life is not in danger!" immediately followed  by "that's still sick!". If this was done by anyone in the pro-life community, for whatever reason, I'm very dissapointed in them. This is not the way to witness to life and was done in very, very poor taste.

**************************************************************************


This is the sickest, saddest thing I've seen in my entire life. Absolutely appalling on a million levels.  A couple is actually making the decision to either kill their unborn baby or give birth through an Internet vote!

Although "voting" in this poll should never have been an option in the first place-PLEASE go to this website and "vote" for this precious 17 week old child's life to be spared (but unfortunately raised by some crazy parents).

Read the whole story here.

Then go vote here.

The web address makes me cringe. birthornot.com. Birth or Not???

It's like:

I could go get a manicure....or not.
I'd like to rent a movie tonight....or not.
I'm really craving Mexican....or not.
I could give birth to the precious child inside of me that was conceived as the result of my own actions, has a heartbeat, sucks his thumb, kicks me, and is almost at the halfway point to being born.....or not.

Sacred heart of Jesus, have mercy on us.

A Letter to My Baby

Hi Baby,

I love that you're my baby. I love that you're in my belly right now as I type this. I've been sitting in this chair for 15 minutes just watching you kick me and make my tummy jump. Sometimes you move your little feet so slowly across my belly that it seems that you're exploring. Trying to learn as much about me as I'm trying to learn about you. Sometimes I swear you know my hand is there and you're trying to touch it.

Even though your kicks are exactly the same today as they were yesterday, I find myself thinking, "I wish your daddy was here so he could feel you right now." Like he's missing out on something that might not ever happen again. But I know you'll still be kicking when he gets home. And he'll place his hand on my tummy and patiently wait for you to say hi. And he'll smile and be so proud and amazed and excited. Every time.

I wonder how I get to be the lucky one that has you with me every second of the day. Your poor daddy. He misses you when he's at work. But I don't know what that feels like yet. I never miss you.  I'm constantly aware that you're always with me. I hold my tummy and tell you I love you. Sometimes out loud and sometimes just with my mind. I know you hear me.

I think about you all day long. I dream about you at night. Sometimes you're a boy. Most of the time you're a girl. One time you were even black! But I promise that Ted is your daddy and you will come out as white as he is.  Hopefully with the freckles and blond hair too.

It's amazing to me that I had room in my brain to think about all the things you make me think about. My head was pretty full before you got here-but now it is packed to the brim! So many decisions to make. So many things to learn.

Reading about how to take care of you once you get here.
Practicing for labor and delivery so you can come into this world the best and safest way possible.
Educating myself on breastfeeding, babywearing, cloth diapering, vaccinations, circumcision.

I didn't have time in my life for any of that before getting pregnant. But the time just found me. Other things got swept aside. You became the focus. You stole all the time. And you're still only two and a half pounds. Somehow I just know that you'll only continue to steal more time the bigger you get.

I wonder about you. I wonder if you're a boy or a girl. What color your hair is. If you're going to have my eyes or your dad's. If your adorable feet are really as big as they look in the ultrasound picture. And if that really means that you'll be as tall as your daddy.

I wonder if you'll be good at breastfeeding. And if you'll sleep through the night. And if you'll be patient with your untrained, rookie parents.

I wonder if you'll like to fish. What your favorite color will be. What subjects you'll like in school. Whether you'll inherit your dad's patience. Or my passion. Or both of our stubbornness. I wonder if you'll join the military. Or go to college. Get married or become a priest. Become a mother of a family or a religious order.

I wonder if you'll be healthy. Or if you'll have Down's Syndrome or Autism. And I worry a little bit. But not too much because I know that if you do-I will love you no less. Perhaps I'll even love you more. If that's possible.

I can't wait to lay eyes on you. To touch you for the first time. To feel your wet little body against my chest and experience the rush of emotions that I know I can't even begin to imagine right now. I can't wait to see your dad's face when he lays eyes on you for the first time. I can't wait to love him in a whole new way.

You have the best dad in the world. You are so welcome.

Stay put for at least 10 more weeks. 12 would be great. 14 would work just fine too. But no sooner than 10. And definitely no more than 14. We're excited to meet you-but we want you to be grown first.

Good night sweet baby. I love you.
-Mom

2nd Annual Fall Weekend Getaway by the Numbers

Last year Ted and I started an annual tradition of taking a weekend fishing trip in the fall. At the time of last year's trip, we had been through one great year of marriage mixed with one miserable year of infertility. We had finally kicked our regular OB to the curb and were beginning our journey with our new, wonderful NaPro doc. Ted was in his first semester of grad school and I was in my first semester at my first real job. Needless to say-we were stressed. The trip was a surprise and completely planned by Ted. We decided to make it an annual tradition and have looked forward to this year's trip ever since!

Last year at Trace Lake in Tupelo, MS

If last year's trip was designed to get our minds off the stress and sorrow, this year's trip was designed to celebrate our great blessings and have one last hoorah before it's no longer "just the two of us." Here's our weekend "by the numbers."

2.5...hours of driving to reach our destination

1...cozy little cabin in the woods
2...nights spent watching the sunset

25...degrees at night-completely uncalled for cold front!
6...cups of hot chocolate to keep us warm
2... largemouth bass caught on Day 1

0...catfish on a jug line

0...catfish on a trot line

2...more largemouth on Day 2

1.5...books read while watching Ted fish

10,457...gorgeous trees with beautiful fall leaves

3...squirrels seen playing outside our window

1.5...gallons of chex mix eaten by the two of us (OK OK-mostly by me)

1...growing little baby kicking and squirming as mom relaxed

16...attempts to get a decent picture of the two of us

 

1...awesome, relaxing, rejuvenating, romantic, restful, and amazing weekend!

Quick Takes (15)

-1-

Our cloth diapers arrived today!! I found a great deal on Bum Genius 4.0's and couldn't pass it up. They're so cute-I can't wait to put a little booty in them. Ted held one and patted it and said, "I'm gonna like patting his little butt in this."

-2-

Happy Veterans Day to all our Veterans! (one day late) Ted and I went to a play on campus tonight performed by actual Veterans of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars who are from Mississippi. It reminded me how grateful I should be for the sacrifices they make for me. We also baked our neighbor cookies and took them over last night. He served in Iraq last year and is only 22 years old.

-3-

I'm now exclusively wearing Ted's t-shirts to bed.

-4-

I'm STILL wearing my wedding ring!

-5-

I'm having a girl's night with myself tonight. Ted is playing poker and I'm reading blogs and a cheesy Nicholas Sparks book while eating cookies-n-cream ice cream in my pajamas. Bliss.

-6-

I miss my Missouri friends. I can't wait to go home next week and see them. It's been waaaaay too long.

-7-

My quick takes are shallow. Deal.

So Little Time....

There have been so many things I've wanted to post about lately. They've all taken a backseat to some apparent nesting. I've been determined to spend my evenings cooking, cleaning, and grocery shopping-three things I don't particularly care for.

A few quick updates:

Ted and I are going to the lake this weekend! He's booked a cabin and we are going to spend the whole weekend relaxing and enjoying being "just the two of us". I'm so excited. He spent over an hour tonight labeling milk jugs that will be used to catch catfish. He even noted how long each line is (8 ft, 10 ft, etc). My guess is because he's going to want to know how far down the fish was that he catches. For no reason other than to satisfy his own curiosity. He's. so. cute. And I think that means he's exciting too.

We had a doctor's appointment today-27 weeks. I'm measuring two weeks ahead, which didn't surprise me because I feel huge for just starting my third trimester. I've gained..........28 pounds. I've now passed up the pound-a-week mark. :) I have to get my RhoGam shot at our next appointment.

I've been doing prenatal yoga and really like it. I'm helping my body "bring life giving oxygen to my baby". Hehe.

I'm pumped that Nancy Pelosi will no longer be holding a gavel.

Anything else?? I'm sure, but I'm gonna go clean the kitchen...