PRAY PRAY PRAY

Gracie's surgery was unexpectedly bumped up to this morning and she went into the OR at about 7:40 am.

Here is the most recent update:

Dear praying friends,

The asst to the Dr. just came out and told us that Gracie is off the heart lung bypass machine. Though this is what we were praying for she did say that we are by no means out of the woods yet. Currently they are trying to get her bleeding to stop before closing her chest. Also her oxygen saturations in her body and also in her brain are low and they are trying to get them up to an acceptable stable place. Please pray very heart about the next few hours and the next few day's. Dr. Jaggers will be out to talk to us in about 45 minutes. The nurse made it clear that Gracie is still fighting for her life and has put up a great fight already today. She described it as a plane trying to stay in the air while clipping the treetops. PRAY PRAY PRAY . Will update with new information as soon as possible. Grandpa Jim for Todd and Amanda.

Adding my prayers and begging for yours!

Mum2twelve/Christi

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More about Envoy

Do you remember my review of Envoy's recent first annual Conference? If you would like to refresh your memory - click here. In the meantime, Envoy has come up with a YouTube video that shows the highlights of this summer's conference while also explaining the purpose of it.

If you would like to view the video - click here or scroll down the right side of my blog where I have embedded the video.

Watching the video made me feel so proud that we were able to participate in their very first conference and I am really looking forward to this coming one - to be held again at Belmont Abbey.


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Ha - I've still got it!

Despite years of being a stay at home mum, with its mandatory uniform of Birkenstocks & maternity clothes, alternated occasionally with a pair jeans and a t-shirt, it seems that I still have some fashion sense left.

So I felt a little intimidated when Scribbit asked for my opinion on fashion wear. In particular she was looking for suggestions as to whether to wear stilettos or pumps and should she go with gold shoes or red?

I carefully studied the dress that is being provided for her to wear to the 2008 Glamour Reel Moments in California. I knew this was a dress I would never wear unless someone paid me a million bucks to sport it off (okay, maybe for a few thousand - I would wear it) because while Scribbit is hoping to stand out in the Hollywood crowd that will be there - all I could hope to accomplish in this dress would be to look like a tarnished metal version of the blimp. Now, maybe I could pull it off in black - but not in gold.

Still, this was not the question facing her loyal readers; whether or not we could carry off the dress, but what would make the best fashion statement - stilettos or pumps? And what colour to choose so as to best set off the dress. Scribbit shared that at 6 foot, she is already towering over the average woman her age. And as she is rather willowy - she will fit in very well with the Hollywood crowd to found at this function. Still, did she want to be towering at 6 foot 4?

Again I fell to reflecting on my own situation which is that I could easily handle the extra 4 inches given that I came in third in my high school graduation class as the third shortest student. In fact even with the extra four inches, it was still not likely that I would yet tower over many of the participants there; but I would surely still draw attention in my stilettos as I careened about the lobby, stumbling about as though I had over imbibed during martini hour. No, stilettos are not for me.

Yet, even assuming that Scribbit has the grace of a gazelle while attired in such footwear, I still did not think floating serenely over the crowd by a few inches was really the statement of fashion that she was looking for. But neither did pumps seem the right answer for this very sophisticated gold dress. Hmmm? What opinion was I to offer?

As I neared the end of the post, I began to assume that we were to be encouraged to leave a comment and instead was pleasantly surprised to find a poll to answer. Better yet, we could tick off as many boxes as we felt applied.

I quickly perused the choices and immediately followed my gut feelings. I choose burgundy medium heels with open toes to show off one's pedicure as the ideal solution to finish off the polished look this dress offered and which I knew Scribbit could easily carry off.

Then I discovered the option to view the poll results and clicked. I nervously reviewed the results and was tickled to discover that I, apparently, still have a fashion sense as ALL Of my choices were in the lead. Ha - I cooed to myself, despite my GoodWill fashion cupboard, I still have it. I can still pick out a winning out fit.

Now I just need to find a few sponsors willing to finance a new fashion look for mum2twelve so that I can prove this to my readers. Any takers?


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This should be on

... my political corner - but I am still working on getting that up to speed. So here is a link to a video clip that I think is very relevant and needs to be shared so that voters can have access to accurate and vital information about the Fannie May and Freddie Mac scandals.

Here is the link.

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No thank you???

Did I hear correctly? When I tried to bribe Elsa out of my bedroom with a cookie - she declines. Most politely, yet it was still a shock. Elsa say no... to a cookie, freely offered? Possibly that was the problem, a cookie blandly offered is missing the sweet taste of victory of that of a cookie won through wheedling, begging and whining until the parent is finally worn down and passes you a one.

Yet - I was tempted to set up a Dr's appointment as I simply could not fathom a healthy child unwilling to accept a cookie, lacking the sweet taste of victory or not, especially when we are talking about a favourite cookie, one rarely shared from mummy's secret stash.

Alas, I have been proved right by mid afternoon. Elsa was feeling slightly feverish, her voice had a definite rasp to it and her nose had clear mucus dripping from it. By then I too had an ear ache on the left side where my throat later started to ache. Time to reach for the Zicam and maybe engage in a little warm salt water gargling too.

If I dissapear off the radar for a day or two - you will know why, the cold won and the Zicam lost.

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Welcome to the Church Baby Lydia...

Father begins the Baptism, assisted by the deacon. Father took his time though the baptism, stopping to explain each step. Here he begins to explain the significance of naming your child.

Father blesses baby Lydia with special oils, that smell like heaven. I always enjoy this wonderful smell that lingers for so long on the newly baptized baby and her garments. For weeks after the baptism, when I open the closet that houses the baptismal blanket that was used, this smell greets me, reminding me of that very special day when my child offically joined the family of God

Father blesses the water in the baptismal font where, in just a few short minutes, Lydia Marie is about to be baptized.

Baby Lydia has the holy waters of baptism poured on her and she becomes a member of the holy family of God.

The parents are blessed.

Father, god parents, parents, baby Lydia and Deacon all smile for the camera. Ok, Lydia just dozed, but everyone else smiled.

God parents et all...

God mother & God daughter share a moment.

Lydia's cake

Laying out the goodies...

Opa showing the world that not only women can balance a baby and a dinner plate, while Lydia appears to be giving him directions!

The God Parents, our son Jonathan and a close family friend Theresa, visit with one of Lydia's guests.

Most of the guests are gone, the party is almost all cleaned up from and Emma enjoys one last piece of baptismal cake. Emmm yum!

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Oh me! Oh my!

We just paid a private contractor to light our pilot lights on the furnace and hot water tank only to learn that the hot water tank is in need of first aid from a plumber. While the furnace, which is not yet needed, cooperated and now has a bright little flame burning away, eating up the natural gas, so that it will be ready to perform its duty when the temps fall enough to warrant calling on it - the hot water tank that is needed NOW - would not hold a flame.

So I dutifully sat down and in between a lot of other paper work that needed my attention, I penned a letter to our elderly land lady - whom we have not heard from even though three weeks ago I wrote her about the current difficulties her home is experiencing. I was so pleased with myself when I got it finished in time for the post, only to discover that I had misplaced my stamps.

Then last night and most of today - it has been r a i n i n g. We are keeping an eye on the basement and that fragile lonely pilot light and praying the basement stays dry, despite the city inspector advising us that the basement was in dire need of a sub pump.

With this rain - I really need to mail this letter to the land lady. So my 21 yr old son has walked to the post office, as he is almost out of gas and our town is experiencing a gas shortage right now, where he purchased lots of stamps for me. Now if I can just store them in a place safe from Elsa, who likes to use them as stickers, but be able to remember where I stored them - I will be in good shape for stamps for a while.

Did I mention it is raining? I usually like the occasional rainy days. It's a great time for homemade soup with fresh hot biscuits, or fresh hot stew and buttered white bread. Or maybe a hot chocolate with toast... but right now I can not really find the heart to enjoy these things...

That pleasant sloshy sound of tires whoshing over wet pavement has more the effect of nails on a chalk board right now - than adding to the quiet thoughtful mood that rain often puts me in. Now I sit in dread of each rain drop as it plops down on the wet pavement in front of the house and runs in little rivulets to join up with the puddles formed on our front lawn.

Oh me, oh my - it's raining.... I think I will take a nap and hope that when I wake up... it won't be raining and that the basement will still be dry. Or, maybe I will go make myself a hot chocolate and try to pretend I am enjoying the rain.

After all - whether I relax and enjoy the rain - or sit and stress about the basement...

... it will flood

... or not flood

... regardless of whether I worry ... or not.

And that is true of all worry. It has no power over any problem - only over one's sense of peace. Read more!

Drum Roll Please!

As my readers know - I have struggling to build up a bit of a portfolio of published material and I have been slowly gaining in this goal. And as every serious writer knows - the competition is heavy. But what to do when you encounter competition in your own home?!

Why you celebrate, of course! And show off your 15 year old daughter's published article to everyone you can find. Move over those of you with wallets full of children and grand children - I have an article to show you! And what an article it is. (Can you tell yet - how proud I am?)

So where can you get a copy of this article? Well, you can get a printed copy from Women for Faith and Family or you can go online and read it there.

(The front cover is the Franciscan Friary of St Thomas a Beckett founded in 1252 by David Og Barry in Buttevant, Co Cork, Ireland -- Ruins of a Country Church - Buttevant, Ireland, by Helen Hull Hitchcock)

I have been flipping through the pages of this magazine and they have many interesting articles to read. Articles such as Is Palliative Sedation Another Form of Euthanasia? and Political Responsibility Shapes the Culture. Both seem like such relevant readings in the current culture of death and wavering of the political wind towards Marxism and all the evil entailed with it!

On a different note - yet still relevant to today's challenges, (especially those facing women) is What Mulieris Dignitatem Revealed to Us.

To see more of the varied content of this interesting magazine - click here to view the table of contents. And, if you like what you see consider supporting this magazine/group as Women for Faith & Family operates solely on donations. For information on how to support this wonderful magazine - click here.

This organization is regularly looking for contestants between the ages of 12 - 18 to submit entries to their ongoing writing contest. To learn more - click here.

And make sure you do not miss the highlight (for me anyway) of the current issue of Voice! The Four Marks of the Church.


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Update on Gracie

Here is today's post regarding Gracie. I will let it speak for itself.

Hello everyone.

Thank you for your prayers today. We had a meeting today at Duke with our family and with doctors, social work, nursing and ethics. It was a wonderful opportunity to have everyone in a room and to come together for a plan of care for Gracie. Todd and I feel that the meeting was conducted with class and we felt that our faith, our beliefs and our concerns were able to be listened to and accepted.

The doctors presented us with the following conclusion:

Without any action, Gracie is going to die. The hopes of every doctor included in Gracie’s care was for her to make progress, feed, grow and get better before the next needed surgery was done.

But, this has not been the case with Gracie. She has “stayed the same” in her progression and is not seeming to improve in her overall health picture.

So, the doctors feel that since we want every attempt made to try and help Gracie to live--they feel it is time to move forward and take her into surgery for an attempted Glenn procedure on next THURSDAY, OCTOBER 2. THERE IS A 10% CHANCE THAT SHE WILL SURVIVE THIS SURGERY. This does not mean that she would die on the operating table only, but the change could cause her body to shut down. But, the doctors said that if there was no chance at all that Gracie would survive he would not send her to the operation. WHAT IS 10% TO GOD??????

So, the only way that this surgery will not take place is if Gracie makes a dramatic improvement in the next week in health so that we can buy more “feed/grow” time. Or, if Gracie looks very sick on surgery day--they will not go forward. God could also call her home or He could return before this day, also!

So, please begin right this moment for God to perform a miracle and let Gracie’s body to come through surgery and accept the new flow of blood in her body. We are praying that He get the glory for bringing her through. Doctors even admitted that if Gracie comes through this that it would be a miracle--hence, God’s doing.

Please pray for Todd and I and the family for this week--as we know that this may be our last week with Gracie.

But, we are going to continue to trust in the God who sustained our Gracie two weeks ago today for a purpose. We believe He can bring her through this next mountain that she has to cross.

So, we have 8 days to pray hard and believe that He is able.

IF YOU HAVE A CHURCH SERVICE TONIGHT, PLEASE LIFT THIS PRAYER REQUEST UP TO ALL YOU CAN!!

Thank you,

Todd and Amanda

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PRAYING FOR LIFE and for God's will to prevail!

My brothers and sisters in Christ;

I sent out an email to many people today begging for prayers for LIFE. This is a real life and death situation.

As many of you know I have been following Gracie's care almost since her birth as my next door neighbour knows the family to whom Gracie was born. Two weeks ago, I watched and prayed over the days when almost all support was pulled as it really did seem that Gracie was dying. After most, if not all, support was removed, Gracie did a miraculous turn. It was incredible. And now that she is looking better than she ever has - the ethics committee wants her "unplugged". Satan can not stand the glory that is being given to God for every precious moment that Gracie breaths and improves.

This family's Christian faith is strong and we must support them in prayer as they pray for LIFE. I can not begin to imagine what it would be like to be in their place. But the way the political winds are blowing - many of us are going to face this situation and possibly sooner than we could ever imagine. We need to pray that this battle is won in GOD'S favour!

I have included below the two most recent journal entries from Gracie's CaringBridge web page so that you may read for yourself what is happening. These entries have been written by Gracie's parents, Tod and Amanda.

Please share this everyone that you think will care enough to pray that GOD'S will prevails.

Journal Entry from MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 22, 2008 09:08 PM, CDT

My brothers and sisters in the Lord Jesus,

Todd and I are calling out to you tonight to bind together with us in prayer for God’s deliverance, guidance and power.

Gracie looks beautiful and strong today. She has breathed the calmest she has in days, even though she continued to run a fever on and off. But she looks like a fighter and she has been in mommy’s arms all afternoon.

But, there are some very influential people at this hospital who have NO FAITH. They do not believe in God. They only look at scientific evidence. THEY BELIEVE THAT GRACIE IS DYING AND THAT TODD AND I ARE TRYING TO “MAINTAIN” HER LIFE LONGER THAN WE SHOULD.

HOW DO WE KNOW THIS?

Because TODAY they sent a representative for Ethics/Humanity in to speak with us. He told us that some doctors and nurses and others are of the opinion that Gracie is dying and we are prolonging the inevitable.

I’VE SEEN WHAT GRACIE LOOKS LIKE WHEN SHE IS DYING….SHE DID NOT LOOK LIKE THAT TODAY!

So, we feel this is a BATTLE FOR LIFE!!!!

OVER THE NEXT 48 HOURS, MUCH DISCUSSION IS GOING TO BE MADE ABOUT GRACIE AMONG DOCTORS. THE GOAL IS TO COME UP WITH A PLAN FOR HER CARE.

TODD AND I HAVE MADE IT VERY VERY CLEAR THAT WE WANT GRACIE TO HAVE EVERY OPPORTUNITY TO LIVE…AND AS LONG AS SHE IS ALIVE…WE WANT TO MOVE FORWARD.

(To read the whole entry click here and then scroll down to MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 22, 2008 09:08 PM, CDT )


Journal Entry from TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2008 08:09 PM, CDT

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR ENCOURAGING NOTES TO US! PLEASE PRAY HARD ABOUT A TENTATIVE MEETING TOMORROW AT 12:30 p.m. TOMORROW WITH MANY DOCTORS!!

THE MAIN TOPIC OF THE MEETING IS TO NAIL DOWN A COMMITMENT THAT IF GOD KEEPS GRACIE HERE UNTIL THE SHUNT IN HER HEART BEGINS TO FAIL, THAT THE DOCTORS WILL GIVE HER THE NEXT OPTION OF SURGERY. THIS IS AN OPTION THAT IS AVAILABLE….EVEN THOUGH IT IS HIGH RISK AND TODD AND I UNDERSTAND THAT SHE MAY NOT SURVIVE THE SURGERY.

Here is our reasoning….Imagine that your loved one is in a severe car accident and is rushed to the emergency room. The doctor comes out and says, “(Your name), your loved one is very critical and is dying. We must do an emergency surgery. The chances of your loved one coming through surgery are very low. But, if you choose to not do the surgery, it is only a matter of time.”

So, there we are. If we do nothing, Gracie will die at some point. If she has a very risky operation when her shunt begins to fail, there is hope. God is able to take over here and can bring her through this surgery if it is His will. It is also His right to take her home with Him before she has to go through another operation. Todd and I understand that it is in His hands.

But, we are in the ER--saying--do everything you can do. The doctors have said there is more they can do; it is just very risky! They are saying that maybe we shouldn’t put her through this. Well, if Gracie dies fighting….it will be no difference from how she’s lived every moment of her life. But we’re going to try every means possible!

Also, let me make this clear to all. Gracie is rather stable at this point. SHE HAS LIVED 19 DAYS WITHOUT A VENTILATOR AND SHE IS ON LITTLE HEART MEDICATION. SHE IS ON NO OTHER LIFE SUSTAINING MEDS OR EQUIPMENT AT THIS TIME.

SO, IF I WERE TO GO RIGHT NOW AND TAKE HER OFF THE VENT MYSELF…SHE WOULD LIVE FOR WHO KNOWS HOW LONG! IT WOULD NOT BE A FAST PASSING AWAY MOMENT IN MINUTES--MORE A SLOW AND SUFFERING APPROACH AS HER BODY WEAKENS OVER A FEW WEEKS. THAT IS WHY WE ARE SO ADAMANT ABOUT THIS.

Of course, that’s how Gracie looks today. She is breathing a fast and her gases have looked worse than better today. We are praying that she starts looking better and not worse. So please pray about this also. We know you will and we love all you for loving and praying for Little Gracie.

Todd and Amanda

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Seeking one million children...

... to pray the Rosary for Peace. Interested in knowing more -
CLICK HERE

(photo credit from http://alice.typepad.com/cottage_blessings/images/ourladyofrosary.jpg )

Thank you M. for forwarding this info to me.


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I, too, love Montessori!

...and here is one mum that has it down pat. I wonder how long it has taken her to collect these wonderful Montessori activities. Many Montessori activities can be reproduced cheaply - others not. Curious - Click here and here. And if seeing this mums large brood happily working with their "practical life" activities and want to know more about the history of Montessori or where to go to learn more - click here.


I was first introduced to Montessori when a neighbour dropped by one day after I had a brilliant light bulb moment and cut up some rugs into small squares for each child to claim as their own play area. Little did I know I was actually mimicking one of the tenets of Montessori. I was simply trying to cut down on squalling by developing a visible boundary so that the children could enjoy using a particular toy with out the impingement of their neighbour, who perhaps thought they should build their activity right on top of their sister's.

My neighbour, seeing the children quietly playing on their own rugs, exclaimed "Oh! I see you are familiar with Montessori". I was not, but I was about to be! Not long after I discovered a Montessori school, and the rest as they say - was history!


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Back in Action...

... sort of. Saw the chiropractor again today and he has managed to get my back so realigned that I was able to actually go out (with Hugo) and buy groceries after.

It is amazing what you can feel grateful for - once you have lost that ability. I even cleaned my closet! Imagine that! Now if I could just last long enough to tackle the rest of the house... but I must not push things but continue to feel grateful for these little baby steps.

And isn't somewhat like our faith life? I know I become so impatient to reach a certain rung in my journey that I want to give up when I am not there as fast as I want to be. Meanwhile, the good Lord is patiently chipping away at my imperfections, gently and even more perfectly than the chiropractor eases my spine back into alignment.

And even then, my muscles that learned to pull in one direction almost immediately begin to try and pull back to their more known and, therefor, more comfortable position. Again - I feel I can liken this to my slow and bumpy journey closer to God. I make it just so far and almost immediately old worries and bad habits start pulling me back - to where I was once comfortable.

But the trouble is - I am not comfortable in that old thought process any more and so I struggle to keep moving on - seeking a new comfortable spot in my relationship with Christ.

As always I will be glad for prayers as I journey on towards better spinal health and a better place in my spiritual journey! And from the looks of things - my spiritual journey is the more difficult one!


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Oh oh...

Not sure how much posting there will be for a few days. Have finally made it to the chiros and until my next visit, I am allowed to stand or lie down - not SITTING. And I had definitely noticed a stiffening in the injured area when I sat for any length of time.

So - I guess I need to learn how to type lying down!

I will try to get back to you all soon though. Prayers are always welcome. :-)



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Powerful HUGE Ike

WOW!!!

The incredible power of nature is... well - incredible!

Our prayers go out to the evacuees and survivors all across the south western coastline as they cope with the devastation that one of the largest hurricanes on record left behind in its wake.

Almighty and merciful God,
whose Son became a refugee
and had no place to call his own;
look with mercy on those who today
are fleeing from danger,
homeless and hungry.
Bless those who work to bring them relief;
and inspire generosity and compassion in all our hearts;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.

(Author unknown, original prayer located here. Please note I have not searched the whole site, I was simply looking for a prayer that would be appropriate for survivors of a catastrophe. Picture pulled from FOX NEWS)

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Begging Prayers

Oh my - I had intended to start out this post with an apology for how long it has been since I posted and then saw I had actually posted this Saturday.... which shows how looooong Sunday seemed to me.

I have been in some rather intense pain in my lower back and when I finally managed to get to the bottom of the stairs yesterday morning and burst into tears and Hugo had to get me a chair so I could sit for a moment while my back stopped spasming, I realized I was beat. Add in that crying makes the pain worse and the effort to stop crying almost cause me to hyperventilate, well, then I knew there was no alternative and that and that I was going to have to give in and go see the new chiropractor in town.

Seeing doctors who are new to me - is nerve wracking at best. Add in lack of insurance and having to cover the whole cost oneself and you have a formula that keeps me as far away from the medical profession as possible.

Please keep me in your prayers this morning as I suck in a deep breath and make that first phone call. I have already run this doctor past my last Chiro who is almost 2 hours away, now that we have moved. I have seriously been considering making the 4 hour round trip - for the sake of familiarity and trust already built up. After all - one does not trust one's spine to just anyone.


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SOCKS SOCKS SOCKS...

M. - where were you with this idea last month when we finally went through a huge basket of unmatched socks and threw out the unmatched left overs? Oh well - I guess this product that you shared with me today still would not have helped then with the unmatched socks - they were already living the single life.

Looks a little pricey, but if you can really convince your kids (or husband) to use it - probably worth the price in the time and effort lost sorting socks, socks, socks, never mind the cost of replacing those singles with couples. Check it out here and let me know if you have tried or think that you will!

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September 11th 2008

On this day, September 11th, let us turn to our Mother Mary and ask for her prayers in addition to ours for peace.

For a little inspiration Click here to see May Feelings again - directly from YouTube.

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Came home...

... from Co-op to a flooded basement. This time our neighbour's basement is also flooded. Not as badly as ours - but flooded none the less. Why does this make me feel a little less picked on?

At least we have not paid anyone to inspect the hot water tank and furnace yet. Still no word from our Land lady either. I am wondering if she is in the hospital again. Sadly - she does not leave anyone in charge when she is in hospital. I am also wondering what happens if the furnace and/or hot water tank do not pass the safety inspection???

Oh well - only time will tell. In the meantime, let's all add Texas and its coastal residents in our prayers in the coming days. May we also pray for those suffering in Cuba and other areas hit repeatedly this past few weeks. I cannot even imagine the suffering!
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Please Pray for Gracie and her family

Here is the most recent update:
You can continue to check the updates on Gracie through the link on the right "Praying for Gracie".

Dear praying friends,

Todd and Amanda asked me to give a quick update.What a help your prayers are and we need them so much now.

At 11:30 Gracie coded and compressions could not bring her back. She was given 4 shots of epenephedrine directly into heart and had no response. the Drs said she is passing away and unhooked her for Amanda to hold as she went home to be with Jesus. Her blood pressure was 40 over 11 and her breathing was down under 10. She had purple profusion and her pacemaker was pacing continuously. Todd called us and we immediately jumped in the car to come praying that we would arrive before God took her home.

Update to now: She is unplugged, her heart rate is 120, her blood pressure is 84/40, her color is beautiful and she is very comfortable in her mommy's arms and seems to be making a (Miraculous? comeback) Dr. Jaggers is coming in because he heard of her change. We do not know if the change is due to the albumen, steroids, heart medicine, vent or what but she is here and peaceful and the numbers are good. Can it be possible that God has allowed her to weather yet another storm? Amanda is afraid to put her down and we want to ride this moment for as long as our Lord allows. We don't know how you should pray, just pray that God will be God and we will see His hand. Thanks so much for the wonderful support. Todd, Amanda, Haddon, Grandma & Grandpa Lockyer, Grandma and Grandpa Brown, Pastor Finley, are here, Aunt Alicia & Josh are on there way, Uncle Jay is waiting for word, and Gods presence is filling the room and His grace is sufficient! Grandpa Jim for all! Please keep the prayers coming!!!

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Prayer request for Nathaniel

Details later but in a nutshell - Nathaniel (8) has suffered a serious eye injury and has had 2 serious nosebleeds within the past 12 hours. Nosebleeds are under control and we are switching allergy meds to help with the bleeds. He is in a lot of pain and the challenge is to keep him quiet as his eye heals so that we avoid more nose bleeds. We must also guard against infection in his eye as it heals.

So please pray for healing of his eye, his pain and that he stays calm.

Thank you!






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Sisters

Has it really been a whole week and 3 days since Aimee climbed aboard a jet and flew away across the ocean - not to be seen again until this coming February?

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Hoe Boy....

Just got back from getting the groceries with Hugo. We hit Aldis first and then Wal-mart and you don't want to know the total. Let's just say - even I was dismayed. However we were out of quite a few staples like sugar - just a mere 2.09 a bag at ALDIS! I also succumbed to buying myself a treat or two and so got a bag of sourdough bread as well as a bag of my, all time favourite, the 12 grain variety. Both boast a price of almost 3 dollars a loaf. I really need to go back to making my own.

But what I am really lamenting is that we did not stock up on water. But then we are no longer on a well - so even if we were to lose the power as the tip of the weather front slides over us the next few hours - we will still have water. Hopefully! But then I did nto expect to be flooded with the last storm front that passed over us and we are still without hot water from that episode.

Already I hear the soft patter of rain drops on the roof and the swish of tires on the wet pavement outside our windows. I just hope I am not also treated to the sound of cracking wood and ripping branches, as I was last week.

This will post tomorrow (Saturday) as I have already posted twice today and there is the slight chance of losing the power. In this way - I can assure my readers of something new to read in the morning.


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Mother Teresa

I think this picture sums up Mother Teresa perfectly.

Mother Teresa/EWTN

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From a blog about ...

... motherhood - a post all about Sarah Palin - in the words of a mum who works from home. Home being Alaska. Here is what Scibbit thinks of the GOP vice president candidate. I will be adding Scribbit shortly to my links. It is a blog I have been reading reguarly for a few months and enjoy quite a bit.

I am slowly working at increasing my link suggestions. Before adding a blog (or website), I try to read the blog as reguarly as I have time to do so. I do this as I would not like to add a link too quickly, only to later learn that there was subtle anti catholic vein I had not discovered, or something as disagreable as that. This does not mean that all of my links are pro catholic but simply as best as I can tell - not anti catholic.

I also want to take care that if the blog has ads - they re not the kind of ads that practicing Christains would find offensive. My goal is to try to add links to blogs or websites that offer positive uplifting reading and do not offend in some way.

School starts next week, we would have started this week had we not had an essential workbook or two back ordered. I have not been this happpy about starting a new school year as I have this one. We currently have a revolving chore list that is working so well that despite spending the last two days in bed with a terrible back ache - the house was still relatively in order when I was able to resume a normal life again today. Not sure what a week off my feet might result in, but it was good to see positive results after losing two days.

Another reason I am so happy with the upcoming year is that after so many weeks of research, prayer and thought - I think I finally have a curriculum that is going to really work well for us. And I have my fingers crossed that this is going to open up a slot of time that I can use reguarly for writing and researching for different writing projects I have simmering on the back burners of my mind. Projects I can not bring myself to attempt as I feel too much guilt over the time they will take.

Now I am on the eve of learning if the choices and changes I have made over the past two months will have the expected dividends I am hoping for.



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HIGHLIGHT ...

... for me of the GOP convention was Piper grooming her baby brother Trig. As her mum addressed the GOP convention Daddy passed little Trig to his 'big' sister, little Piper, who straightened herself up in anticipation of the honour of holding her little brother. Having passed little babies to similar sized "big" sisters myself - I was curious to see how she would cope with this honour.

Hugo and I almost collapsed with laughter at what Piper proceeded to to with her little charge. If you did not watch the convention - click here to see how she cares for him! And as you watch this gesture of love - keep in mind the media's criticism of Palin's decision to keep this pregnancy. This child is so loved and so wanted.




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Thoughts...

on Sarah Palin and motherhood. To read them click here. Please note I have not read all of the comments shared and my linking to this article does not mean that I necessarily agree with all opinions shared here. Again - I repeat - I have not had time to read all of the comments.

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I SO totally agree!

A House Hunting Funny
(Click to read and see if you agree too!)

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Will Gustave...

disrupt the GOP Convention this coming week - is a question upper most in a lot of people's mind. For our family the pressing question is whether it's remnants or that of the other storm forming off of the coast cause us to be flooded again?

After all we have been sans hot water since the 27th of August and are looking at being without it for possibly another full week. With not one, but two hurricanes, threatening us, even if only with torrential rains - the burning question is whether to pay a private contractor to inspect the furnace and hot water tank before turning on the gas - when we are possibly looking at being flooded again sometime in the coming week?

While it is not a big deal to heat hot water to wash the pots and pans or zap a dishcloth to wash the table - generating enough hot water to bath eleven people is another story. Just a little something to offer up and help one appreciate the difficult life of the pioneers!

So prayers will be gratefully accepted over the next few days!


(Links in this post may stop functioning after a while)
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Welcome baby girl to the family!!!

We are proud to welcome this darling little baby to our family. This is John and Jenny's first darling daughter born via emergency c-section just this month. She weighs 8 lbs 9 oz and is 21 inches long. From her side profile she looks just like her daddy - from the front - she is all our side of the genetic pool! So now I have a household of proud aunts and uncles - all champing at the bit to hold their new niece - even three year old Elsa is impatient to see and hold her. She keeps talking about buying her a present and I have just the right one in mind.

(PLEASE NOTE: Names and birth date withheld for family privacy so friends who are privy to this information & wish to leave a comment please be careful NOT to use baby's name or birth date or regretfully I will not be able to post the comment. Thank you!)






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Republican's VP Candidate

No, the new Republican candidate for McCain's running mate is not the man on the left - but rather is the beautiful woman on the right - Alaskan Governor Sarah Palin, mother of five. To read about the recent birth of the Palin's fifth child and their reaction to the news that he was a downs syndrome baby - click here.




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The Mast General Store

After what felt like hours of indecision these two finally settled on an awesome pair of magnetic balls that they have literally had hours of fun. I will try to get some pictures of the "hair" they have grown on these magnetic balls. They looked something like this.

Hmmm. Maybe I should have coughed up the extra 4 bucks, I could use a pair or two of those some days. But then I probably would have spent more time confiscating them - than using them myself!

Helping younger siblings to decide what to spend their 2.50 on - when most things, as we sadly discovered, were about 6 dollars! Still bargains were found and little delights were purchased and enjoyed.

We finished off our visit at the Candy store where we purchased among other things, whistle pops, which we have typically only found up in the mountains at this cool old fashioned store that has been operating since 1883.






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Fay wreaks havoc...

... even in our life. Today the gas will be turned off for safety as our gas appliances - the furnace and hot water tank are both sitting in about 6 - 8 inches of water. So no hot water for us for a while. A huge 12 foot limb is sitting in the back yard. And the tree it mysteriously fell off of, has large limbs sprawling over the roof of the house. As we can not ascertain why the limb fell - we are not sure if this tree is safe any more. There were no high winds when the limb broke so it seems as if the limb just became water logged... and it is raining even more this morning.... (Imagine pale face and huge eyes as you read this!!!)

And as all bad must come in threes - the a/c is not working on the second floor.

Today I mailed my rent cheque to the land lady - she will get it tomorrow with the 'list of threes'. Ok - I admit it - I am a COWARD. I do not want to tell her all the bad news in person. But keep us in your prayers as we deal with these little mishaps and difficulties while this poor woman sorts it all out.

But at least our road does not look like the roads in Salisbury * where we attend Mass and often shop as well as avail ourselves of the library. This is the Innis Road exit * which we usually use to go to Mass. Please keep the residents of this area in your prayers as the list of families that are being evacuated is growing and as I mentioned earlier - it is still raining.

(* Over time these links may cease to work.)



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Come on - Seriously now...

...did I really deserve a hit below the belt - just because I had to double check to make sure I had called someone by the right name. I mean, did I really deserve to be asked by Emma ... if I had lost my brain again? Followed by her impish giggle.

And no - I absolutely deny that I have ever lost my brain... ever. It just goes on vacation sometimes, without leaving a forwarding address. And that is completely different from losing or misplacing it. Right?


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DIANE!

AKA mom of three with Cockers. You are one hard lady to contact!No comments on the blog and when I tried to email you an invite to the new blog - my email bounced back. :-) I am not sure what to do. I could try emailing you from yahoo and see if that works. Please let me know if my invite from the blog itself actually worked as I have added you as one of the 100 guests that I can add.

To all of my readers: In the spring the new blog will be opened to the general public but for now it will remain as open to invitation only. Please feel free to request an invite. I will need your email address in order to add readers to the guest list. Feel free to email me at mum2twelve (at) gmail.com Please note if you do not hear immediately it could be because gmail is having problems processing the emails. Gmail lately has been having problems both delivering and receiving email. Leave a comment here if there is a problem and we will work it from another angle.



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Beach Time

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Only one night left to enjoy...

... and then tomorrow we take the long drive to airport. It will be hard to say good bye to one sister - just as the other is being induced for her first baby.

After two lovely weeks of enjoying Aimee's company and having wonderful family time - the end is drawing near. Still - we know she is returning in February and with so much happening between the two visits - a new baby for John and Jenny, a new school year starting next week, Advent and Christmas around the corner, February will be here before we know it.

At least this is what I will be reminding myself of tomorrow. In between the choked up feelings clogging the throat.

Excuse me now - I need to go find some Kleenex.




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From Hot Air

This was originally posted on HOT AIR and as it addresses the Catholic Teachings on the issue of abortion as well as lists Catholic Politicians that are supporting the Catholic teachings, I thought I would post it here especially as many sources have already dropped this letter from their rosters.

On Sunday, Nancy Pelosi told several lies about the Catholic Church’s teaching and historical perspective on abortion and the fundamental sanctity of human life throughout its development. Ten House Republicans have responded respectfully but forcefully to refute Pelosi’s deliberate deceptions:

Dear Speaker Pelosi,

On the Sunday, August 24th, broadcast of NBC’s Meet the Press, you stated “as an ardent, practicing Catholic, [abortion] is an issue that I have studied for a long time.” As fellow Catholics and legislators, we wish you would have made a more honest effort to lay out the authentic position of the Church on this core moral issue before attempting to address it with authority.

Your subsequent remarks mangle Catholic Church doctrine regarding the inherent sanctity and dignity of human life; therefore, we are compelled to refute your error.

In the interview, Tom Brokaw reminded you that the Church professes the sanctity of human life from conception to natural death. As stated in the Catechism of the Catholic Church: “Since it must be treated from conception as a person, the embryo must be defended in its integrity, cared for, and healed, as far as possible, like any other human being” (2274).

To this, you responded, “I understand. And this is like maybe 50 years or something like that. So again, over the history of the Church, this is an issue of controversy.” Unfortunately, your statement demonstrates a lack of understanding of Catholic teaching and belief regarding abortion.

From the Apostles of the first century to Pope John Paul the Great “the Church has affirmed the moral evil of every procured abortion. This teaching has not changed and remains unchangeable. Direct abortion, that is to say, abortion willed either as an end or a means, is gravely contrary to the moral law” (Catechism 2271).

Thus, your erroneous claim about the history of the Church’s opposition to abortion is false and denigrates our common Faith. For example, during the reign of Pope Innocent XI in 1679, the Church unequivocally stated it is an error for Catholics to believe fetuses do not have a soul; and confirmed the teaching that abortion constitutes homicide.

To reduce the scandal and consternation caused amongst the faithful by your remarks, we necessarily write you to correct the public record and affirm the Church’s actual and historical teaching that defends the sanctity of human life. We hope that you will rectify your errant claims and apologize for misrepresenting the Church’s doctrine and misleading fellow Catholics.

Respectfully,

Hon. Thaddeus G. McCotter (MI)
Hon. Steve Chabot (OH)
Hon. Virginia Foxx (NC)
Hon. Phil Gingrey (GA)
Hon. Peter King (NY)
Hon. Steve King (IA)
Hon. Daniel Lungren (CA)
Hon. Devin Nunes (CA)
Hon. John Sullivan (OK)
Hon. Patrick Tiberi (OH)

This list may grow; one source says that John Boehner, the House Minority Leader, has already added his signature. As more join this list, I’ll (HOT AIR) update this post with the additions.

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A little light...

This was posted by Melanie on a home school group board that I belong to. What wonderful news.

U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Michael Leavitt deserves thanks for issuing yesterday a proposed rule that would implement current law by defending the conscience rights of health care workers. Given the increased attack on the conscience rights of physicians and other health care workers by such groups as the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), Planned Parenthood, and the National Family Planning and Reproductive Health Association, Secretary Leavitt is correct to issue these regulations that bolster federal protection of conscience rights. As Sec. Leavitt blogged yesterday, "Putting doctors (or any one who assists them) in a position where they are forced to violate their consciences in order to meet a standard of competence violates more than federal law. It violates decency and the core value of personal liberty." This is about liberty and choice, not a debate over contraceptives, family planning or even the legality of abortion. It is a question of whether health care providers must be forced to participate in what violates their moral, religious or ethical convictions, or whether they have a legally protected choice not to engage in such practices. Current law and Secretary Leavitt's proposed rule answer the question by defending a provider's choice. Please contact Secretary Leavitt thanking him for defending the choice of health care professionals NOT to violate their conscience, and let us hope that more medical personnel will be emboldened to do what they know is right.

Additional Resources
Thank Secretary Leavitt by commenting on his blog

If you go Secretary's Leavitt's blog - scroll down a bit to find his posts on this topic.


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Monday in The Park - photos from the beach to follow later...

Cooling her feet

Solitary moment

Hanging out

Exploring the stream

What has their interest?

These gorgeous specimens!

Very tame butterflies

Big Sister, Aimee, joins the observation team.

Up close and beautiful.

Enjoying a cool mountain stream

Partaking lunch in the shade

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Mother Dog keeps Abandoned New Born Alive

Unbelievable but apparently true. CLICK HERE to read the story from Argentina.



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You were talking to who???

Hugo collected up the three rental DVDs and headed out the door with out oldest daughter. Emma glared as she watched them leave and finally unable to contain herself, stood up from where she was squatting on the living room floor, sorting out a puzzle.

The glare deepened and she raised her voice and stared straight at me:
"YOU promised me I could watch AUGUST RUSH!"

I was startled for two reasons.
One - I had not seem the movie and definitely had not promised her she could watch it.
Two - I was shocked by her tone and manner.

"Emma Louise" I commanded in my "you are in big trouble, young lady" voice.

That she had caught my tone was very evident in her face as she reluctantly walked to the dining room table where I was seated.

"Who were you just talking to?" I demanded.

"Uh..." she paused. "God?" she hesitantly answered.

"God?" I queried. "You talked to GOD like that?"

"No! No, I am.... just thinking....." she answered in a worried and confused voice and she wrapped one arm around my neck and stared at me, her eyes quite troubled.

"Well - who were you talking to?"

There was a long pause and then haltingly with a question in her voice:

"You... maybe??"

At this point I could not handle it anymore and burst into laughter and had to hide my face. To Emma's credit she did not join my laughter, but waited solemnly for me to recover. Once I did, we sorted out just who she had really been directing her anger at, which was an older sibling, and what was a more appropriate way of dealing with it.

Sometimes, though, it is so hard to keep a straight face while disciplining and teaching a little one; is it not?



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You know you are soing something right...

... when as you depart for Ohio with three children snug and safe in their car seats and the three year old pipes up, just out of the blue, and says;

"Thank you Mummy and Daddy for buying me my new car seat."

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a few pics... as promised!

Sharing the i-pod with her big sister as we drive home from Charlotte.















A little raccoon visited me a few days ago. She is quite mysterious and comes and goes, rearly speaking and usually just nodding to my questions.















One of the last pics of her luscious curls before she decided she did not want bangs in her yes or curls on the side... and removed them. The curls are s l o w l y growing back.

















Chillin' as we drive to Mass.





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SHE'S HERE!!!

Okay - she is not exactly here. She is in the airport here in NC - but at least she is not still at JFK in NYC. We will head to Charlotte to pick her up from her sister's later this afternoon - she needs some sleep before we pounce on her - with eight kids and all.

I have decided that for the next two weeks, baring funny comments from the peanut gallery - I will focus on posting pictures. Already have some adorable ones waiting their turn. Also have a few nature ones - which given we live in a small town - it is pretty amazing the nature my kids can turn up!

So - see you in the pictures....




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Please pray...

...for our daughter who is sitting in an airport in NYC and has been there since about 2 pm yesterday. A lovely storm passed through - causing chaos and turmoil, delayed flights and finally oodles of canceled flights.

Aimee flew in from Ireland and has been up since 2 am Eastern Standard time - THURSDAY or over 28 hours. Now they tell her that she is on stand by until SATURDAY MORNING. Please pray she makes the next flight which is at 7 am.

Thank you for the prayers - I am praying the phone does NOT ring as it will mean she made it onto the 7 am flight.

Blessings to you all
Christi


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TAKE NOTE...

When you decide to purchase a container of hot chocolate as a surprise for your 11 year olds birthday coming up in October, remember to take it out of the bag of clothes you hid it in before deciding at the last moment to chuck these clothes into your brand new front loader washer to soak for 2 hours... You know, just in case you picked up any stains while traveling to Ohio. You might really want to reconsider doing this given almost all of this clothing was new to you from the consignment sale you attended last Saturday and were so thrilled to get such nice clothes for so little. It is not so much how much you paid for these clothes that you soaked in hot chocolate this morning, as to how much it would cost to replace all of it... new. THAT is what hurts, as well the fact that you totally destroyed an unopened expensive birthday gift to boot!







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Huh???

I checked the weather forecast to see how low our low might be tonight - in hopes that the upstairs will cool off nicely - as it did last night. And... there was a weather advisory. I clicked it to see if we were expecting a simple thunder storm or something bigger.

Oh yes - it is something bigger. Uh huh! We have a WINTER ADVISORY in effect. My eyes bulged - I swear I felt them bulge, and I decided to check the low - it is a measly 16 c or about 60 F.

Cough Cough - is this someone's idea of a joke, or does google weather really think we are that wimpy here in NC that 60 F in August requires a WINTER ADVISORY???





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