Ashes Much...Another Countdown

So today starts the 40 day countdown... to glorious Easter. I find myself thanking God today to be pregnant during a time the Church has set aside to realize we are "nothing" because the small sufferings of every day give me the opportunity to realize my weakness, my littleness in the eyes of God.  The ashes remind us of death and if we think of that moment, so many things seem so unimportant... and most of the time those things that are unimportant are able to grow a little farther from us during this season of renewal in our small souls. It's pretty brilliant: Lent. 

Someone told me today of something Mother Teresa said and I have been praying much about it... when a cross came her way, Mother Teresa took on the attitude that the cross was not her own, but Christ's, and she was only experiencing something that belonged to Him. So for a brief time if she was able to bear a small burden of His very heavy cross, it was much easier... it wasn't hers to begin with... she was now just able to help some. If we were ever able to be there in every moment he suffered, it would be more than evident that any possible suffering we could encounter, He already has.

28 weeks... Wow... 12 weeks to go!

So today we begin our 12 week countdown to May 19th! I can not believe the time has flown like this. I feel like it was just yesterday my days were spent in the glorious bathroom, in bed, and far away from the kitchen at all costs!! But, time and patience has shown a growing belly, lots of kicking and an arrival that only leaves us waiting a little longer. We hope to move in July, so we don't actually have a nursery that we are preparing, but my brother bought us a bassinet for Christmas and I had a shower recently that seemed to rack up some great essentials... so a baby room will have to wait for now. I have gained about half of what my doctor told me to, so I think I am doing ok with the rate I am going now and will continue with my oreos and Dr. Pepper's here and there! Thankfully, I am only experiencing some heartburn at night... otherwise, I have no complaints (farewell morning sickness). I love being pregnant! Feeling this little one move is the best thing in the world... I love him/her so much already! Patrick and I can't wait to meet either our sweet Gabriel Patrick or Maria Grace... wow... what a miracle! 

To Be A Mother

"The most Important Person on earth is a mother.

She cannot claim the honor of having built 

Notre Dame Cathedral. She need not.

She has built something more magnificent 

than any cathedral- a dwelling for an immortal soul, 

the tiny perfection of her baby's body...

The angels have not been blessed 

with such a grace. They cannot share in God's 

creative miracle to bring new saints to Heaven.

Only a human mother can. 

Mothers are closer to God the Creator

than any other creature; God joins forces

with mothers in performing this act of creation....

What on God's good earth is more glorious than this:

to be a mother?

  +Joseph Cardinal Mindszentey

1892-1975