MOPS Miracle

A friend called last week and asked if I wanted to join her at her next MOPS (Mothers Of PreSchoolers) meeting.  "YES!" I responded a bit too excitedly, "I can't wait!!!" :)  You see I've been looking for something like this since moving here, hoping and praying for a resource to meet other women like me and find more friends!!  I was just considering that day (Coincidence?  I think not!) how I really needed to hunt down a program to commune with other wives and mothers...  Lo and behold, Stacey called.  (Thanks Stacey!)

And what an answer to prayer it was.  I went last night and had such a nice time.  We crafted cute photo books, ate yummy snacks, and listened to a variety of speakers who bestowed motherly goodness.  The main speaker was a psychotherapist, who challenged us to consider the stress in our lives and how much of it really has to be there.  So often we create or contribute to the stress in our lives by the mere choices we make on a regular basis.  She quoted a statistic that 60-90% of our illnesses (causing a trip to the doctor) come about thanks to stress.  How much healthier would Gasperini-Ville be if we could just get a handle on it?

Overcommitment?  Excessive worry?  Perfectionism?

These are just a few areas of weakness for both GG and I, causing more than enough stress in our lives already (and our kids aren't even in school yet!  Oh no!!)  But hey, by being more aware of our stressful tendencies, we can begin to try to hone these areas before they get too out-of-control.

The last exercise we completed involved a time of relaxation and meditation.  Just 5 minutes of calm revealed to me how much I need to tone down my day-to-day anxiety.  No wonder I'm apt to snap at the kids when I am often so revved up and wound so tightly!!  Just breathe, B-mama!!!  :)  I aim to try to take moments in the coming days to find "my center" and chill out.  We will all be better off because of it! :)

So that's that in the world of B-mama.  One of the tips the psychotherapist recommended for relieving stress was through journaling, for which I was very thankful to have my blog as a wonderful writing "outlet".  Thanks for being my sounding board, friends and family!  You all are so gracious to read my daily tales...  One thing's for sure, I've yet to figure out so many facets of this God-given world!!  Alas, you'll never be rid of me. ;)

To bring this to a close, here are some fam photos from Saturday--M's soccer practice and Sunday--our trip to a local pumpkin patch.  We ended up flaking on the hayride (too overwhelming for the boys), but had a blast in the kiddie maze and the bounce house, while enjoying the fall afternoon with friends.  It was a blessed time...

Our soccer stud and his new buzz cut!

T poses for his "individual shot"

Team picture time!!  So serious!

Kid maze--Daddy gets in on the action! :)

Hunter and M

Hugs and prayers,

3-8

There you have it, 38 whopping weeks and still going strong!

It occurred to me the other day that with the sad miscarriage of our Sweet Jude last year at 11 weeks, I have reached the "year" milestone of being pregnant since last July!  Part of me wonders: will I remember how not to be pregnant?  lol.  I think I shouldn't have too much trouble transitioning back into regular life.  ;)  And while pregnancy has its fair share of hang-ups, there are also many joys, prego blessings that I do not take for granted.  We have known so many couples who have struggled with infertility and I am reminded so often of how blessed we are with our boys...  I am also acutely aware of how *fervent* my prayers need to be for all these hopeful mothers-to-be.  My heart aches for them.

So today I offer up this simple prayer to St. Gerard for all mothers, especially those hoping for a baby:

O glorious Saint Gerard, powerful intercessor before God, and wonder worker of our day, I call upon you and seek your help. You who always fulfilled God's will on earth, help me to do God's holy will. Intercede with the Giver of life, from whom all parenthood proceeds, that those who suffer infertility may conceive and raise children who will please God in this life, and be heirs to the kingdom of heaven. Amen.

Prayers for a great start to your week!  God bless.