Intentionally, joyfully living the faith…we hope.

Welcome to the World, Lydia Ann!

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I originally set out for this post to be a birth story of sorts. But the would-be narrative about a most blessed and holy event is simply not going to happen here and now. I guess I’m running with C.S. Lewis’s advice here:

“Life is too deep for words, so don’t try to describe it, just live it.”

Right on, chief, right on. This little babe has brought new hope and true healing to our family — hope and healing I didn’t even know we (read, I) needed. So I’m not even attempting here and now to put words to all this spiritual goodness percolating within me. I’m simply trying to live, learn, soak it up, and hopefully continuing to grow into the mom God is calling me to become … the mom I want to become, too.

So for now, enjoy some photos of Lydia’s first hours of life — {pretty, happy, funny, real} style.

7 Quick Takes: Health Updates, Predictions, and a Special Mass

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Another round of quick takes courtesy Das Schmidt Haus. Highlighted this week: an update on Gigi, insightful birth stories from the 1950s and 60s, a Chinese gender predictor that appears to be quite accurate, sucker prayer bouquets, and updates on our Diocese’s semi-annual Pregnancy and Infant Loss Mass.

Taking On Homebirthers and Midwifery

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Just kidding. I don’t take on anyone or any topic. That title is just a shameless ploy to get attention. It’s what I do best as a middle child. Or something. Anyway, my dear friend Kathryn Whitaker is running a cool series on birthing options at her blog, Team Whitaker, this week. She invited me to write a guest post representing hospital birth. For all you Downton Abbey fans, remember when Lady Sybil died while birthing at home? Immediately after the episode aired, my Facebook feed flooded with “Why didn’t Sybil give birth at the hospital?”, “Shame on Downton Abbey. Homebirth is not dangerous!”, “More women die from a caesarean birth than homebirth!” and on and on and on. Can we agree to stop with all the dangerous childbirth stories already? And can we please support one another in our decisions?

No Neighbor, I’m Not Carrying Twins

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So what the heck does my ever-expanding belly and a couple rude comments have to do with the Good Samaritan? Here’s the nugget I’ve been chewing on. I’ve three months to go, folks, and I bet plenty more comments about my appearance and weight will still be hurled my way. While my physical posture may stink because of this growing babe in my womb, the posture of my heart doesn’t have to equally stink. True love for God compels us to show charity toward our neighbors, even those who say the darndest of things.

Dedicated to all families striving to imitate the Holy Family.

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