DISAPPOINTMENT AND TESTING

Well, here it is January 22, 2014 and I have a bit of a heavy heart.

OKAY, I lie, my heart is heavy.

It is 10:08 am, and I am suppose to be on a bus going to March for Life 

with the littles and husband, instead, I am at home

writing this.

Why aren't you you may ask or wonder. I am going to tell you what happened so far today in our lives.

Brian and I got up shortly after 5am to get ready then woke the children to get them ready around 5:30.  Marcus and Luke were the easiest. I helped them get all their layers on, three layers to be exact, then continued to the younger boys then Genevieve and finally Timothy.

Brian went to warm the van for us and loaded some of our things,

stroller, cooler and 3 children, we were out the door by 6:30 to be at the parking garage in Pottsville for 7:15 (yes, early, but taking precautions due to roads/weather).

Brian called Father to see if the bus was on the way to Pottsville. Father tells Brian the bus is an hour late. The company had multiple cancellations for today and thought that we were included in the list,

even though a call was made yesterday to confirm pick up times.

Since the bus would be arriving at Pottsville at 8:15 we decided to grab a coffee then ran for a few more things for the cooler at Giant and back to the garage to wait.

Finally at 8:06 am, we get out of the van, unload the stroller, cooler and backpack. Everyone has something to carry to make it a bit easier for everyone. 

As we are walking, John starts crying really bad that he is cold.  We get down the steps and the crying gets worse, it sounds like he is being hurt or something. By the time Brian gets to us with Genevieve,

John is a major mess.  Daddy sensors go off and he tells me, you will take him home.

Naturally, as I was the one who REALLY, REALLY wanted to go, and for a long time, tried to fight

his words of wisdom.

Now, to give a bit of credit to John, I will say it was cold, as you took a breath, the inside of my nose got "stuck", but at the same time, I found it to be invigorating

In the end, Brian did "win", he loaded the 4 youngest in the van, I am still angry and disappointed by what has happened.

I drive home with them, get everyone undressed and blanketed.  

Now they are playing and listening to music.

BUT there is another twist here:

I get an email from Brian telling me the school where the bus drops off and you get back on is closed, so this means there is no coffee/donuts waiting there for their arrival and there will be no soup tonight for the return trip home.

Naturally, I did pack food for the trip as well as water bottles. I gave Brian the last little bit of cash I had on hand as well as the insurance cards for Marcus and Luke, you never know what will happen.

So, as I sit in our house with my four youngest children, I want to cry and continue to be angry about not being in Washington today. I know this is wrong and am going to do my best to fight these 

feelings.  I would sincerely appreciate prayers for the safety of my family and for peace for me.

God knows what is best for our family at every moment of our life. If I come to terms with this, and just accept it, this will be all the easier to deal with the disappointment.

I will offer up my disappointment for the babies whose mothers do not chose life.

 

We can always try again next year.

Until then, I did say I'd blog about the trip, and I will, unfortunately, it won't be my words, it will be through my children's eyes, which can be even more descriptive and inspiring, so stay tuned!

God bless!

DECLUTTERING

Anyone who knows me, knows I am always trying to get rid of things and

declutter.

It is a constant battle in a house with 6 children under the age of eight!

I try, but never seem to get rid of enough.

Well, today, I have an eye opening conversation with my dear, sweet, smart

Marcus that I would like to share with you it taught us both 

something!

 

 

This little face became the opening of a deep conversation! Thank you Timothy!!

 

 

The conversation goes like this:

 Marcus: "Mommy, why is Timmy always so happy?"

 Me: "Well, it's like this, Timmy is happy because he doesn't have a lot of things to clutter his mind and take away from his happiness and joy. He was born into the world with NO clothing, but a family that loves him.  He doesn't have very many things, and so he doesn't realize the "want/need" for more."

 Marcus: "Oh, I see. Well, he really is happy!"

Marcus with his little brother Timothy, he doesn't know the impact a smile will have!

Me: "Yes, son, he is, and we can be too...we can declutter and get rid of things in order to take our minds off all the things that need to be done or of the things we think we want or need.  We can declutter our house and our mind and be happy!"

 brief silence

Me:  "I have an example I want to share with you Marcus."

Marcus: "Okay." sits and listens again

Me:  "I really was hoping to get a Kindle to get some books downloaded for school and religious reading, BUT, because we have need to keep food on the table, clothes on our backs, heat in the house (top priority) and we need a new vehicle (top priority as well), it isn't possible for mommy to get a Kindle right now, maybe down the road it will happen, (I was looking at the Staples ad last night just to get an idea of the price.) but I really don't care. I don't care because it may make me happy for a short time, but I know in the long run, it will not be the thing that makes me happy. It is another "something" that will take up space, and in the end, I can't take it with me, so does it really matter if I have a Kindle or not? The same goes for you children, more things won't make you happy in the end, only your love for God will do that."

 Marcus: "I see, I guess you are right."

 

As the conversation ended, I finished changing Timmy's diaper, snapped his outfit back up to keep him warm, Marcus went off to get ready to eat breakfast.

 

Next thing I do is check my email.  In it was a message from a very special person, asking if I have need for a Kindle.  

Mind you, I NEVER SAID A WORD TO THIS PERSON about wishing I had one for school purposes.

 

I truly believe that the Holy Spirit had everything to do with all that transpired today from the talk with Marcus down to the email I received.

 

I will be saying some extra prayers for my benefactor throughout the day and evening.

 

  I called my husband and told him what happened and he agreed that it was intervention by God and/or the Holy Ghost. And we are being blessed in this

matter.

I hope one day you have the benefit of knowing the Spirit the way It has come to me today.  

Thank you Lord for sending such caring people into our lives, and thank you for knowing what our needs are without really saying anything to anyone.

May you all experience a declutter of heart, head and home and be more open to the gifts that God has in store for you!

God bless!

Gearing up!

We have been toying with going to March for Life ever since Marcus was a little guy.

Every year we found a reason to not go, the youngest is too little, it is too cold,

to long of a ride, someone is sick...

Well, this is THE year.

We are going, I don't care how little the youngest is, I don't care how cold it is,

I don't care how long the ride is, and I don't really care if someone is sick

(okay, maybe that one is a bit extreme, but you get my point)

WE ARE GOING, 

so 

Washington DC, get ready,

 the Smith clan is coming!

We will be leaving Pottsville at about 7:15 a.m on a bus trip that is being sponsored by 

St. Joseph/St. Vincent Churches in Girardville.

Marcus and Luke have gotten to ride on an STS bus with their nana once, but that is the extent of bus

rides for them. The children have never been on a Metro, but have ridden on trains. They are looking forward to both experiences.

I just pray that they all are good for the ride, and well, if not, it is the way life goes.

Some of the children have their opinions on this for example,

Thomas says we are going to "March from Life"

Luke says that we are walking for babies,

Marcus says it will be interesting.

 I already know I am going to be proud of our children at this event. I am thankful that we have this opportunity to walk for the unborn children.

Once we started having more children, we keep telling them that:

"A person is a person, no matter how small."

-Dr. Seuss

If our presence there changes the mind of even one person, then it is all worth it.

Life begins at conception, there is NO doubt in my mind,

I am strong in my faith and believe that all pregnancies happen for a reason.

Everyone of them is a person being formed for survival in the world as we know it here, but even

more so that person is being made ready to spend eternity in Heaven with our Creator.

Without Him, nothing is possible.

He knows what is best for us all every moment of every day of our life.

We must not get into the mind frame of, abortion is okay in certain circumstances...that is false.

How can you even think of KILLING another person, let alone an unborn CHILD?!?

Respect Life, Respect God, Chose Life and Chose God.

The ultrasound pictures here show Timothy in utero during the 3-D ultrasound, you will notice he is sucking his thumb, sticking his tongue out and his eye is open...

what more can you say, but it is a baby, that is a PERSON!

open eye.

sucking the thumb

sticking out the tongue.

Psalm 139:13-14

¹³ For you created my inmost being;
    you knit me together in my mother’s womb.
¹⁴ I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
    your works are wonderful,
    I know that full well.

God bless you!

SO, What's NEW?!?

So, what's new since I have last posted...

much!

Summer was a warm one, but the children got to enjoy swimming at the Minersville pool, two trips to Knoebles, a trip to Hershey park, Crystal Cave, Roadside America, trips to Rickett's Glenn Sgtate Park and World's End State park, the Reading Muesum, a Reading Phillies game and multiple playdates with different friends. In August, we had the bittersweet reunion of the Mills family here in 

Pennsylvania as we had to say goodbye to "Grandfather Lance".

We welcomed Timothy Michael to our family on

Sept. 18, 2013 after an early delivery by 3 weeks,

he was considerably small...7 lb 10 oz, 20" long.

We had a lot of help from friends with the children while I was in the hospital, for which we are thankful.


 Upon hospital discharge, we celebrated Marcus' 8th birthday with a party at home 

complete with friends and a chess cake, again without our friends help, it would have not been possible.

Then on Sunday, Sept. 25, we celebrated Timothy's baptism.

Brian had to go back to work on Monday as the paper was short staffed to begin with, so I was 

back to mommy duty, HOWEVER, I did let school go for a while...something had to give.

Needless to say, life was a bit crazy for a while, but we are all pretty well settled into being a family with 7 children.

Timothy is a delight to all of his siblings, we wouldn't want it any other way!

Our princess has decided to rename herself, "Sugar Plum Princess".

Thomas has become "Bomb".

The rest of the children seem to like their names which is a blessing!

The autumn left us with some fun activities, including festivals and hayrides. Halloween this past year was very wet, but the children had fun, none the less.

We walked around town with some friends, but ended up having to throw the 

candy away as there was a pin found in a piece of candy that was handed out in one of the

areas in which we were, we figured better safe than sorry...the kiddos didn't seem to mind terribly.

We had a Roman soldier, Robin Hood, Ninja Turtle, Bomb the Angry bird, Sugar Plum fairy and 

a cute little guy in the first Halloween sleeper.

Thanksgiving was spent at my father and stepmother's home and was very nice.

On Dec. 6, we celebrated John's 5th birthday at the Pine Grove Theater and watched "Planes".

He had many friends at the party, and everyone seemed to have a good time! This is the cake he had on his "real" birthday..at the party for convenience it was cupcakes.

  Christmas was a good time as well...we had our traditional Christmas Eve celebration here

with family and friends. However, I did go to Mass early, and Brian took Marcus and Luke to midnight Mass.  In the morning, which wasn't until about 9 am, the children woke up and opened their gifts, everyone seemed pleased.  We had our Christmas day dinner with some friends then 

Luke's godparents came to visit in the evening.

For New Year's Eve, we stayed home..again I went to Mass early, and Brian took Marcus the following morning.  My father, stepmother, and Brian's mom came for dinner.

Throughout the holiday, we had to deal with the fast moving stomach virus. And the week before the holiday, Timothy was diagnosed with bronchiolitis, it must work itself out as it is viral as well.

Here is hoping that we have seen the worst of the sickness for our family, but if not, we will 

handle it as it comes.

School officially started back on Monday, January 6 for us, and the boys were anxious to

get back into a routine, which made life much easier!

That is a brief overview of what has happened to us as we bid farewell to 2013 

and welcome in the year 2014.

                                      
We look forward to the year of 2014 and in it, our family is hoping to grow more spiritually
and to do things even better than before....
may you all have a spiritually blessed New Year!

With all my love to you!

God Bless!