My Oh-So Grateful Heart ...

... has much to be thankful for today. Here is my continued list of One Thousand Gifts ...

#29 ... health and wellness

#30 ... a smart, caring, good pediatrician

#31 ... the cleansing of sin and sanctifying grace of Baptism

#32 ... oxygen

#33 ... compassionate nurses

#34 ... pastoral care

#35 ... Kahlua cheesecake shared with a friend

#36 ... homecomings

#37 ... warm soup made and delivered to us by a good friend

#38 ... a surprise package from an online friend

#39 ... reuniting with college friends and that wonderful, comfortable ability to pick up right where we left off

4/52

Joining Barbara in ...

... 52 weeks of daily life in pictures: trials and celebrations, the extraordinary and mundane—whatever is unique to the week.

This week brought a very unexpected—and scary and hard—experience ...

My little guy spent four-and-a-half days in the hospital with RSV.

My son was so tired when we brought him in, because he hadn't been able to really sleep (or eat), because he couldn't breathe well. Thank God for oxygen! This helped him breathe and calm down, so he could finally rest.

He ate like a champ throughout his stay, which allowed us to avoid an IV.

More awake time. Well rested. Still breathing hard, though ...

Getting better! No more oxygen tubes! And look at him kick!

Passing the test of sleeping without oxygen.

Home. Sweet. Home.

In the hospital, I had a lot of reading and knitting time, while I rocked my baby or simply let him sleep in his crib. I finished my novel and made a lot of progress on my Milo vest.

On the home front, I am still using these things to clear his congestion ... but less often. He gets better and better everyday.

I also am dealing with potty-training twins. We are a bit behind where the rest of my children were at 3, but with moving and having a baby (and the fact that there are two of them!), the timing just hasn't been right. Until now, I always thought I had to train them together. (Not sure why I thought this ...) But now, my daughter is a bit ahead of my son. She is making good progress. He is using his (new) potty chair to house blocks.

Don't you just love new books?! I wonder which one I will read first!

Another week coming to a close. I never could have imagined all that took place. But the Lord certainly had His hand upon every moment. I thank Him for healing and comforting my son; for giving the rest of us strength to stand by his side, day and night. Life is so precious. God is so good. He is with us always. In the big and little things of life.

Home

My baby boy came home yesterday afternoon. All of us are so happy to have him back. With us.

On Monday, he really turned a corner. They brought his oxygen flow level down to 3. And then took him off of it altogether. If he could remain stable, without the oxygen, for 24 hours, he could go home. The big test was whether he could sleep at night, for a longer period of time, without assistance. And he did it! Beautifully!

Upon discharge from the hospital, the only doctor's orders we received were to stay home! (He is still coughing and a bit congested.) And for the siblings to keep up the hand washing. So, our goal is to keep Joseph as safe and as healthy as possible, through the rest of this cold and flu season. (Not easy, but we will strive to do our best.)

There is so much I want to write. So many things I think the Lord showed me during this time. But I haven't even had the time or focus to formulate them into thoughts, let alone words. For now, it is simply the sense that He was—and is—with us, and that the outpouring of His Spirit and His grace has been immeasurable.

Thank you again and again for your prayers. I truly felt lifted up during this time. And I know that his recovery had a large part to do with you and your faithfulness to prayer.

Love and gratitude.

From me.

Update

Just a brief update on Joseph ...

Yesterday, the doctors were able to bring his oxygen percentage down to 21% (the amount our regular air is at). He started at 50%, so this was a HUGE improvement. They also brought the flow level down from 5 to 4 and then 3 ...

This morning, Greg informed me that they are going to try and take him off of it all together, to see how he does! They may have to put him back on it, but at least they think he is doing well enough to try. He has to be off of oxygen for 24 hours before they will consider discharging him.

Joseph isn't out of the woods yet, but he is making vast improvements! Thanks be to God.

After three long days, I took last night off, so to speak, and stayed at home while Greg stayed with Joseph ... It has been very strange being at home without him. I feel torn between two places. When I'm at the hospital, I worry about how the kids are. When I'm here, I worry about Joseph.

But last night I just needed to be home with my other children. They are doing well but it is wearing on them, too ... Having only me or Greg here at any given time. Missing Joseph ... Probably not fully understanding why he is there. Thank God my mom is here, too, to be a constant for them.

It's hard on us, too, as you can imagine. It's like I only see my husband at the changing of the guards, to relieve the other person!

But God is good. He is showing us that. I don't think I will even realize how much until after I am able to process it all.

Thank you for your continued prayers.

Prayer Request

Yesterday, my baby boy was admitted to the hospital, after testing positive for RSV and Bronchiolitis. He is on high-flow oxygen and receiving the occasional nebulizer treatment. Without them, his breathing is just too labored, so these things are definitely helping him, but he still has a ways to go. Even though this is a waiting game, the pediatrician predicted he would remain in the hospital until Tuesday or Wednesday.

He is doing well, and he is where he needs to be! And for that I am grateful.

Please keep him in your prayers over the next few days as well as the rest of the children who miss their baby brother ... and who are adjusting to the temporary family upset like real troopers!

Thank you!

More later ...

3/52

Joining Barbara in ...

... 52 weeks of daily life in pictures: trials and celebrations, the extraordinary and mundane—whatever is unique to the week.

Since I am a bit behind in starting this ritual, I am doing my first one as a catch up. I guess this could have been titled 1-3/52. Now, I will be "caught up" for next time. (I hope this is OK.)

Taking down the Christmas tree. And putting the enormous box across the couch and coffee table makes a great fort!

Putting away Christmas always makes me a bit sad. I especially miss the lights. It's so nice to have extra brightness during the cold, dark mornings and the cold, dark evenings. So, I kept out a few snowfriends. They are so cheerful. Do you see the snow out my kitchen window? =)

My little guy is getting big. And even though I'm a girl and could care less about football and cars, I take great delight in the fact that he loves these things. It is such a joy to watch him be interested in all-things boy. He is already asking Daddy if he can help him fix things with his own tools. Oh, and he loves to shovel with his dad, too. He is so much fun!

My favorite memory of the past week: My oldest daughter received her First Confession. She was beaming afterward.

This is how I spend a good part of my day. Does this ever get old? I don't think so. But I know it won't last forever ... Joseph already will be 6 weeks Monday. So, I am cherishing every. tiny. moment with him like this.

Getting back into prayer. Small steps.

Healing from a C-section and caring for a newborn, I am sitting around a lot, as I already pictured above. Books and knitting have been two companions lately. Very good companions.

That's it, my friends. Just a snippet of my last few weeks. Hope you found delight in your week, whatever it entailed. Have a great weekend!

Yarn Along :: Cables

Two weeks ago, I was stumped by the directions of the Milo vest I am knitting for my 3yo daughter. Thanks to all those who offered help! I really appreciated it! I figured it out, and now I am onto the cable part of the pattern.

One thing that I really like about this pattern is the variety of cable options. Five, I think! I chose the xoxoxo cable, since it seemed like the most girly and the one that went best with the pinkish-purple yarn I am using, which is Cleckheaton Country Paintbox in colorway 30.

As for books, I just finished the second novel, Beyond Tuesday Morning, in Karen Kingsbury's September 11 series. I really enjoyed the storyline. The characters are very likable. Kind of like you wouldn't mind being friends with them IRL. Faith is woven throughout. It's romance. It deals with human sorrow, pain, joy and hope. All in the context of Christian faith. No scandalous surprises. Just a good story.

Now, I am reading the third novel, Every Now and Then.

To join in the Yarn Along, or to simply view other yarn-y projects and books, visit Ginny at Small Things.

Gifts of Ordinary Time

Continuing to practice gratitude in my life.

Joining Ann at A Holy Experience for One Thousand Gifts.

#21 ... Ordinary Time

#22 ... extraordinary grace

#23 ... being with my daughter as she received her First Reconciliation (the beaming glow on her face was priceless!)

#24 ... the mercy that flows so freely from Jesus

#25 ... going out to a movie with my husband

#26 ... and sharing conversation with him (without interruption!)

#27 ... a good, clean novel

#28 ... the coming together of a hand-knit garment ~ it's amazing, and I don't think I will ever tire of seeing the individual little stitches begin to take shape

Tea and Cake

Her heart is full. Ready to serve.

She's almost always willing to do what needs to be done.

She enjoys helping with recipes. And she often volunteers to clear the table or sweep the floor.

Her kindness overflows. She teaches me a lot. Everyday.

This was one of her Christmas gifts. A lovely little book she could use to continue learning about service, as well as hospitality and some homemaking skills. She is drawn to the domestic arts anyway, so why not continue to encourage her in something she loves.

She wanted to jump in right away. So, we read through the introduction and a few key pages. And then she decided to host a Christmas-themed tea part for her family.

She made invitations and passed them out to everyone.

We followed the winter menu, and she helped make everything. (She even let her younger twin brother and sister assist on a couple recipes. But not all of them. This was her tea party, after all!)

She set the table. She loves setting the table, and does so with extra love. This time, with a candy cane by each place setting. So sweet! We used our Christmas dishes, too. How festive!

She was a most gracious host. In her quiet way, I could tell she was just beaming inside while her family members ate and enjoyed the foods she made by hand and with love.

And of course she can't wait to plan our next tea. And everyday for about two weeks she's been asking about organizing her bedroom. (This book is good! =)

Thanks to Alice for writing it. It's just lovely!

New

New year. New week. New day.

New beginnings. New habits.

There is one that I keep coming back to these past 11 days of this new month.

Gratitude.

Because when I practice it, I cannot help but think of the Giver of the gifts for which I am grateful. HIM.

Big and small. He is the One who gives. So freely. So often. So generously.

And He is the One to whom my gratitude is directed.

Most of my life consists of the ordinary, the mundane, the everyday. What I am learning from Him, through others who practice gratitude, is how to recognize the blessing in the ordinary occurences of daily life.

In the cleaning, messes and laundry. In the to-and-from school. In the lost teeth. In the knitting, books and date nights with my husband (even if that only consists of catching up on The Office).

Each is worth noting. Much is worth celebrating. All is worth being thankful for.

Because all of it is gift. Because on each gift are the fingerprints of God. His blessing, His love, His joy, His mercy. Written all over them.

Of course, sometimes when the hustle and bustle gets the best of me, I forget. I loose sight of the blessing. I forget to be grateful. I forget to seek Him in the midst of it all. Because somedays are like that. Really hard.

But thankfully, by His grace, I am reminded again.

But I will call this to mind, as my reason to have hope:

The favors of the Lord are not exhausted, his mercies are not spent;

They are renewed each morning, so great is his faithfulness. (Lamentations 3: 21-23)

And so this new year is a time for renewal. A time to try to grow a bit more in some area or another. And I am seeking to grow in my awareness of God in my daily life. In the big and little things. Even in the tedious things. And I am desiring to grow in my gratitude for it all.

And so I begin One Thousand Gifts beginning with #1.

#1 ... the help and support of those who love me most

#2 ... how close I felt to Our Blessed Mother (and St. Joseph) during my own Advent expectancy

#3 ... meditating upon how the Babe in the manger is also the God-man on the cross; O, come, let us adore HIM!

#4 ... the gift of a Savior

#5 ... being reminded of how much I need Him

#6 ... a Christmas gift that my Trio purchased with their own, saved money

#7 ... homemade pizza and games

#8 ... the miracle of life in my newborn son

#9 ... his baby-soft, sweet breaths on my cheek at night

#10 ... holding my 3yo son's hand up the stairs

#11 ... and when he gets his haircut

#12 ... light snowflakes falling on a Monday afternoon

#13 ... having no where that I have to go

#14 ... Christmas tree lights in the early morning darkness

#15 ... the listening ear and caring heart of a kind husband

#16 ... the sweet smell of a freshly-bathed baby

#17 ... my guys

#18 ... the serving heart of my daughter

#19 ... a peppermint mocha in a big, red mug

#20 ... the kind conversation of a friend

For more lists, please visit A Holy Experience.

The Day's End

I wanted to visit here today. I tried to come all day long.

But it just didn't happen.

Because life was happening all around me.

Lots of good things. Some adjusting things. All meant to be today.

Hopefully, I will get back here again soon.

Happy Monday!

Yarning Along ...

I almost decided to skip this week. Because I am not much farther along on my Milo vest than I was two weeks ago.

But Ginny inspired me to post anyway, when I read her own Yarn Along post this morning. She wrote, "At the very least, by posting the same project week after week, hopefully some of you won't be afraid to do the same!"

So, here is the little progress I've made on my daughter's vest. I have to admit, I am stumped by my pattern. If any of you have knitted the Milo vest, and could explain how to cast on after shaping the shoulder straps and arm holes, I would greatly appreciate the help. I'm sure it is not difficult; I just don't understand how to do it by simply reading the directions (over and over and over again).

Definitely a bigger accomplishment than my knitting has been my reading! I am actually reading something other than children's books ~ LOL! I am reading a Christian novel, One Tuesday Morning. It is a fictional story that takes place around the time of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. The description at Amazon sums it up with these words: A devoted fireman and a driven businessman, strangers with the same face. On that fateful Tuesday, one will leave the Twin Towers alive—but will he ever find his way home?

This book is a very quick read. But it also reminds the reader of the fatal tragedy that took place that Tuesday morning in 2001 ... and how we really should never forget something that painfully touched so many fellow Americans.

I also checked out two knitting books from the library—Speed Knitting and Last-Minute Knitted Gifts. These were recommended by other Yarn Along participants over the weeks. It is fun to look through these books. They offer so much inspiration.

Well, I hope to be a bit further along on my vest next week. And I also hope to be well into the second Sept. 11 novel, Beyond Tuesday Morning.

For more fun Yarn Along posts, visit Small Things.

Holy Mary, Mother of God

The Manger by Gertrude Käsebier, 1899

We serve a Mother who seems to grow more beautiful as new generations call her blessed. ~ G.K. Chesterton

A New Year

Another year is dawning, dear Father, let it be

In working or in waiting, another year with Thee.

Another year of progress, another year of praise,

Another year of proving Thy presence all the days.

Another year of mercies, of faithfulness and grace,

Another year of gladness, of the glory of Thy face.

Another year of leaning upon Thy loving breast,

Another year of trusting, of quiet, happy rest.

Another year of service, of witness for Thy love,

Another year of training for holier work above.

Another year is dawning, dear Father, let it be

On earth, or else in heaven, another year for Thee.

—Frances Ridley Havergal

Happy New Year, friends! May 2011 be blessed with grace, peace and joy!