Welcoming a new baby into our faith

4 generations:  Grandma Hertzel, Me, Jessie, Mom

Today at Mass we had a Baptism.  It doesn't happen too often during a Mass since many opt to have theirs in the early afternoon after the services.

It brought back a lot of memories. 

I remember being home after Jessie's Baptism and realizing the responsibility Bob and I have as parents in raising our child in faith and as a Roman Catholic. 

I believe we could have done a better job with both Jessie & Chip - reading the Bible to them, having special traditions like saying a prayer during each of the Advent days, saying the rosary together.  I do regret that.  I think, though, we lived our lives as good Catholics.  Living is what is important, but prayer is a very important part of living, too.  I plan to show that to my grandchild or grandchildren. I pray my children do that, too.

We said our evening prayers..and the special saying Mom always said to us after prayer:  "Don't let the bed bugs bite."  And I added with mine, "And if they do, bite them back!"  Who would know that bed bugs do really exist!  I never did until the epidemic some had in the last two years.  I wonder what Mom would say.

Chip's Baptism

I am blessed to have two wonderful Saints' names. St. Joan of Arc - the warrior -- and St. Anne, guardian of mothers. I consider them both warriors in their own way.

I pray this grandchild has the strength of St. Joan and the tenderness of St. Anne, no matter what sex it is.  Strength and tenderness live in both men and women.

I hope you enjoy this song.  It shows the strength of a woman, strength each one of us can have with faith in ourselves, our God and others.

There is a beautiful song that Leonard Cohen wrote and Jennifer Warnes sings.  YouTube won't allow it to be posted directly.

Won't you click on the link, listen and watch the beautiful testimony to a blessed woman who blended faith, womanhood, truth, prayer, strength and love.  We face many trials in our lives. With the grace of God, we can overcome them all.

God bless all the new fathers and mothers as they enter this wonderful stage of life.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gtwUyDPXROQ&feature=player_embedded

Anxiety - a shower? Oh no!

Don't get me wrong. 

I love showers - baby, bridal, even rain showers.   Love attending them and don't mind getting a few rain drops on me when running from car to work, gym, etc., during one.

The problem is -- I'm not a very creative person when planning and implementing one.

I turn white -- and become immobile.

I have no visual creativity.  During the four years I taught PE & Health, I put up one bulletin board in the beginning of each year ... and it remained there until the last day of school. 

So, this baby shower scares me.

My sisters-in-law threw a beautiful shower for my niece. It was a Winnie the Pooh theme. Ready for this? A game included naming certain aspects of Winnie the Pooh cartoons, etc. I got a big ZERO.  Baby themes and I don't go together - like bulletin boards.

Luckily, Jessie selected a great theme - farm animals.  That's easy to handle.  I LOVE animals.  Jessie & Justin hope one day to own a mini farm. Animals are definitely part of it.  So, I'm on board with that. Note, I did not write "bored."

So, with the help of dear friends, we had our first Baby Shower Board meeting. It went well.  I like what we're doing.  It's Jessie. And that's what it's all about.

So... giddyup baby shower.  I'm in the saddle - and hopefully I won't fall off.

My Grandma Hertzel used to sing this song Pony Boy to me when I was young.  Maybe that is where I came to love animals.  Here is a 1909 version . . . but Grandma's was much more enjoyable.

Reflections: Post Election Day

Elections can last much too long -- as this presidential one did.

I am not happy with the results.  There were so many issues tied to either candidate. Pick and choose. 

I know my own children.  They are strong. They will survive. We taught them to work hard and not rely on the government. That is America.

It's my future grandchildren for which I fear.   I must, however, place trust in my children's generation, but don't get me wrong -- I will remain vocal.  A grandparent's duty is to live up to his or her beliefs, too.  And so I will.  That, you can take to the polls and punch through that chad loud and clear!

I look forward to this opportunity - and challenge.

Now that that is clear...let's have a laugh.  I really need it!

http://www.youtube.com/embed/N_NspDWssIY

God bless America.

Our first sight of Baby Brent

I’ve resized and upgraded photos in editing programs.  I’ve blogged stories, photos and comments.  I’ve tweeted and texted from phones and computers.

Technology is truly becoming a large part of my life.

What I saw Friday was truly a technological  feat, or shall we say feet, for a podiatrist.

At Jessie’s ultrasound, we saw the baby’s heart chambers, its kidneys, brain and spine so clear it was  like inspecting pictures  in a medical book.  We saw the baby’s mouth open and close and place its thumb in its mouth. We saw it constantly readjust itself and stretch.  The technician took pictures and measurements.  It was 11 oz. on Friday and the size of a banana.   It is on target for a March 6 birth.

I am truly amazed.

Apparently I’m fortunate because I haven’t had many ultrasounds.  I had one of Chip after my miscarriage to make sure all was Ok inside.   But it was nothing like I saw Friday.

Well, baby Brent, we’re anxiously awaiting your formal arrival since we’ve seen you now.

Continue to be healthy…and enjoy the ride. We certainly are!

The future

Paul Ryan & Condoleezza Rice
 

Today I covered a Republican rally for the Mitt Romney/Paul Ryan ticket.  Ryan and Condoleezza Rice were in Berea at Baldwin Wallace University.

I met young teens who came across town to see Romney.  I spoke with BW students.  I listened to the featured speakers.

I wrote the story for my newspaper's online version and posted pictures.

Now I have time to really think about not only what I heard, but what I saw.

Regardless of beliefs, there was passion.  People truly believed in what they heard, what they saw today.

I thought about what one speaker said regarding our national debt.

And I thought about my children and their future families.

I'd give everything up this minute to have my children and their families looking toward a bright future with no personal debt, no national debt and living the dreams our forefathers  and mothers :-) sought.

Will my grandchild have that in the future? 

This election is so important. It is a turning point.  Do we want to stay the course on which this country was built or stray and take another route?

It's up to each one of us. 

Thomas Jefferson said:"The democracy will cease to exist when you take away from those who are willing to work and give to those who would not."

Here's another quote of his: "The policy of the American government is to leave their citizens free, neither restraining nor aiding them in their pursuits."

May that continue through my grandchildren's children - and more.

God bless America.  God bless us all.

Think like a Grandma

When Jessie was about 3 weeks old, one afternoon I went into my clothes closet, sat down and cried. 

Motherhood at that point became overwhelming, dealing with a baby who cried and wanted to be held all the time. 

It was what I needed.

Last week after attending the grandparents’ class, I stood in the shower the next morning and just cried.  The term “grandmother” belonged to my Mom.

We were told in class to think like a grandma.  I just don’t know how yet. 

Mom had such wisdom, such calmness, such confidence.

How can I compare?

Mom got me through some rough time with my kids.

When that 'grandma' day comes, I’m sure Mom will be there, too. 

I’ll reflect on her advice and try to be calm, confidence and show the wisdom she possessed so wonderfully.

I guess I needed that last cry, too.

One upping my daughter

Bob and I are beating Jessie & Justin to the punch.  We've signed up for an infant-related class.

Grandparents 101.  That's what I  call it.  Not sure if there is a 102 class.  

Southwest General Health Center in Middleburg Heights offers a grandparenting class. We're going tomorrow. A childbirth educator -- who is also a grandmother -- will teach us what's new in the field. And from what I'm gathering, there is quite a bit 'new.'  Although, I think some that is 'new' is actually quite old. We will even get a tour of the maternity area!

So, does anyone have a question I can ask?  I'm also writing a story on the class for the Sun News. My ears are open. And from what I've been told, the class can get a bit rowdy with questions.

Wish us luck!