This is what Jack thinks of Earth Day: not much. During Story Time at the library today, the librarian gave each toddler a dixie cup to fill with dirt and a junior sunflower seed. Know what Jack did with his cup? Poured it all over the floor. Yup, the only kid in the room of 20 to do it. That's my boy.
But, I still think he may be destined for the priesthood. He now blesses me when I sneeze. :-)
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
Friday, April 18, 2008
I wish it could just stop
Yet another friend, Natalie, (from the Catholic forum I belong to) has lost her baby. She delivered him on April 17, exactly 6 months after I lost Bernadette, exactly 3 months after my friend Danielle lost her son, William. My birthday is on the 17th of August, but I'm beginning to seriously resent that day of the month.
So, please pray for her son, Benjamin, and for the consolation of his family on earth. Oh how she must be aching for him right now. It was only after I had lost Bernadette that I knew what a shattered heart truly felt like. It's such a nightmare.
My family has been through a lot this past year. Just to give you an idea, there were 5 of us cousins (including my sister and I) who were pregnant at the same time in 2007. One suffered a miscarriage, two of us had stillbirths about 6 months apart, one of them had an emergency C-section and almost lost her life (and her son had his cord wrapped around his neck several times but thankfully survived), and the other delivered twins, one of which has a disabled arm. The two cousins who had lost their babies are pregnant again, and I want to ask you to please pray for the safety of their precious children and for peace of mind of the parents. We aren't pregnant yet (we pray that someday God will give us that gift again), but I can only imagine how terrifying it is to go through the entire 9 months after having experienced such a tragedy. In some ways, I feel like my womb is not the safe place it should be. So much is out of our control as mothers, and those who have lost feel incredibly vulnerable and scared. I have strong faith that God will bless these moms with screaming babies at the end, but I'm sure that doesn't change the anxiety they must feel.
God Bless you both! I pray for you constantly!
So, please pray for her son, Benjamin, and for the consolation of his family on earth. Oh how she must be aching for him right now. It was only after I had lost Bernadette that I knew what a shattered heart truly felt like. It's such a nightmare.
My family has been through a lot this past year. Just to give you an idea, there were 5 of us cousins (including my sister and I) who were pregnant at the same time in 2007. One suffered a miscarriage, two of us had stillbirths about 6 months apart, one of them had an emergency C-section and almost lost her life (and her son had his cord wrapped around his neck several times but thankfully survived), and the other delivered twins, one of which has a disabled arm. The two cousins who had lost their babies are pregnant again, and I want to ask you to please pray for the safety of their precious children and for peace of mind of the parents. We aren't pregnant yet (we pray that someday God will give us that gift again), but I can only imagine how terrifying it is to go through the entire 9 months after having experienced such a tragedy. In some ways, I feel like my womb is not the safe place it should be. So much is out of our control as mothers, and those who have lost feel incredibly vulnerable and scared. I have strong faith that God will bless these moms with screaming babies at the end, but I'm sure that doesn't change the anxiety they must feel.
God Bless you both! I pray for you constantly!
Thursday, April 17, 2008
6 months
Today marks 6 months since Bernadette's passing. It's been the longest 6 months of my life, yet the most eye-opening and grace-filled ones, too.
I don't regret a minute of it.
I don't regret a minute of it.
Monday, April 14, 2008
Prenatal Partners for Life
PPFL requested that I write our story for their website. The link is here.
Sunday, April 13, 2008
Welcoming Pope Benedict
In honor of our Holy Father visiting this week...
Jack and he have a special relationship (neither of them know it, however), because Jack's middle name is Benedict. Here is when he was a wee little lad:
Jack and he have a special relationship (neither of them know it, however), because Jack's middle name is Benedict. Here is when he was a wee little lad:
Wednesday, April 9, 2008
I am in awe...
I received the Bladder Exstrophy (ABC) newsletter in the mail today. It is usually too painful for me to read, but I took a random glance at the donations page. In memory of Bernadette, there was $525 donated! I was tempted to list the names of those who donated (they were printed in the newsletter), but I don't want to in case you wish to remain anonymous. But thank you all for your generous gifts. This money can do so much. Many families need to travel long distances to get the proper care for this complicated condition, and all donations help with their expenses. I remember the financial stresses being lifted off of my shoulders when I realized that ABC could help us pay for the flights to and from Baltimore if we couldn't afford them in the future. Obviously, that's not necessary for us now that Bernadette is gone, but knowing that other families will be helped in her name brings great joy to my heart. So thank you all! And God Bless,
Michele, John Mark, Jack, and ^Bernadette^
Michele, John Mark, Jack, and ^Bernadette^
Tuesday, April 8, 2008
Paula Deen rocks
If you can find a Boston Butt Roast on sale, I highly recommend buying it and making this recipe. It makes a lot, and you can freeze the leftovers and/or make BBQ pork sandwiches for the next day's lunch. John Mark and I both agree that this roast tastes a lot like BBQ ribs. Mmmm...Fatt Matt's! :-)
Paula's Smoked Boston Butt Roast
1 (5lb) pork butt
2T seasoning salt
4T house seasoning (see recipe below) (I usually just use 2T)
4T liquid smoke (I use about 3T)
1 medium onion, sliced
1 cup water
3 bay leaves
2 cups BBQ sauce
house seasoning:
1 cup salt
1/4 cup pepper
1/4 cup garlic powder
(obviously, you can cut this recipe in half or in fourths. :)
1) Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2) Sprinkle one side of roast with 2 tablespoons of house seasoning, rubbing well.
3) Flip roast over and rub remaining 2 tablespoons.
4) Repeat process with seasoned salt and liquid smoke.
5) Place roast in large roasting pan (not on rack).
6) Place onion and bay leaves on top of the roast. Pour water over top.
7) Put in oven and cook ~2.5-3 hours or until 170 degrees.
8) Allow meat to cool, then slice and serve.
9) Serve with BBQ sauce on the side.
Note: I'm not sure if it matters, but I roasted this with the fat layer on top. I figured the fat would melt a little and would seep into the meat, thus making it more tender. Probably not the healthiest option, but...well, it's definitely yummy! :)
I served this with baked sweet potatoes and steamed veggies (to make up for the fatty meat). The next night, I reheated the pork leftovers and served it with baked fries and homemade coleslaw:
Coleslaw
1 bag coleslaw mix
3/4 cup mayo (I use light)
1/4 cup red wine vinegar
1 tsp yellow mustard (opt'l...we add it)
2T sugar
Salt and pepper, to taste
1. Mix mayo, vinegar, mustard, sugar, salt, and pepper with a whisk.
2. Mix with the coleslaw mix until well coated.
3. Chill and serve.
Baked Fries (adapted from Hillbilly Housewife's recipe)
A few potatoes (we generally do 1 potato each person, preferably russet)
Veggy oil (we use canola)
Seasoned salt
Ziploc Bag
1. Slice up potatoes to preferred thickness. We keep the skins on them.
2. Place in ziploc bag and toss in about a tablespoon of oil. Shake it around to coat the potatoes.
3. Spread potatoes onto a cookie sheet or pizza stone.
4. Bake at 450 degrees for about 15-20 minutes, depending on thickness.
5. Sprinkle seasoned salt on them. Serve with ketchup. :)
Paula's Smoked Boston Butt Roast
1 (5lb) pork butt
2T seasoning salt
4T house seasoning (see recipe below) (I usually just use 2T)
4T liquid smoke (I use about 3T)
1 medium onion, sliced
1 cup water
3 bay leaves
2 cups BBQ sauce
house seasoning:
1 cup salt
1/4 cup pepper
1/4 cup garlic powder
(obviously, you can cut this recipe in half or in fourths. :)
1) Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2) Sprinkle one side of roast with 2 tablespoons of house seasoning, rubbing well.
3) Flip roast over and rub remaining 2 tablespoons.
4) Repeat process with seasoned salt and liquid smoke.
5) Place roast in large roasting pan (not on rack).
6) Place onion and bay leaves on top of the roast. Pour water over top.
7) Put in oven and cook ~2.5-3 hours or until 170 degrees.
8) Allow meat to cool, then slice and serve.
9) Serve with BBQ sauce on the side.
Note: I'm not sure if it matters, but I roasted this with the fat layer on top. I figured the fat would melt a little and would seep into the meat, thus making it more tender. Probably not the healthiest option, but...well, it's definitely yummy! :)
I served this with baked sweet potatoes and steamed veggies (to make up for the fatty meat). The next night, I reheated the pork leftovers and served it with baked fries and homemade coleslaw:
Coleslaw
1 bag coleslaw mix
3/4 cup mayo (I use light)
1/4 cup red wine vinegar
1 tsp yellow mustard (opt'l...we add it)
2T sugar
Salt and pepper, to taste
1. Mix mayo, vinegar, mustard, sugar, salt, and pepper with a whisk.
2. Mix with the coleslaw mix until well coated.
3. Chill and serve.
Baked Fries (adapted from Hillbilly Housewife's recipe)
A few potatoes (we generally do 1 potato each person, preferably russet)
Veggy oil (we use canola)
Seasoned salt
Ziploc Bag
1. Slice up potatoes to preferred thickness. We keep the skins on them.
2. Place in ziploc bag and toss in about a tablespoon of oil. Shake it around to coat the potatoes.
3. Spread potatoes onto a cookie sheet or pizza stone.
4. Bake at 450 degrees for about 15-20 minutes, depending on thickness.
5. Sprinkle seasoned salt on them. Serve with ketchup. :)
Wednesday, April 2, 2008
First uttered prayer
Jack has been saying "Jesus" for awhile now, but today he's made great strides in his faith, LOL. John Mark was holding him in our living room near a picture of Mary with Child, and Jack pointed to her saying "Mommy! Mommy!" Wow, kids are just amazing. (And no, Mary bears no resemblance to me. I just make it a habit of pointing to Mary's statue at church and saying "that's our momma." I guess he really has been listening. :)
Anyway, 30 minutes later, we were saying grace before dinner, and he yelled "Amen!" We started laughing and making a big fuss, so he repeated it a few more times with a big grin on his face before he lost interest and starting chowing on his rice.
My boy is destined to become a priest. I just know it.
:-)
By the way, happy 3rd year anniversary John Mark! It's been a wild ride. We also say a special prayer of remembrance for John Paul II who passed away only a few hours before our wedding...Rest in Peace, Papa!
Anyway, 30 minutes later, we were saying grace before dinner, and he yelled "Amen!" We started laughing and making a big fuss, so he repeated it a few more times with a big grin on his face before he lost interest and starting chowing on his rice.
My boy is destined to become a priest. I just know it.
:-)
By the way, happy 3rd year anniversary John Mark! It's been a wild ride. We also say a special prayer of remembrance for John Paul II who passed away only a few hours before our wedding...Rest in Peace, Papa!
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