I have a confession to make to the readers and followers of my blog. I have been haphazard and remiss at blogging consistently because I have had massive writer’s block. But, it’s a self-imposed writer’s block, as I have spent the past four months censoring some of the topics about which I typically enjoy writing.
Now that Christmas cards have gone out, I’m ready to put a stop to my self-imposed censorship, and explain my inconsistent blogging habit.
Partly, the disappearance for November did have to do with the devotional I wrote for the Military Council of Catholic Women – Worldwide. I’m working on another one for Lent, so I may continue to be slightly inconsistent through January, as I try to meet the deadline before Lent kicks off in February. But, I’m going to try not to let that inhibit me too badly.
So… For my confession…
This past spring, my children became somewhat addicted to the movie Storks. In it, a little boy begs his parents for a baby brother. In the movie, the boy writes a letter to the storks and, following a comedy of errors, a cute little girl arrives at his doorstep. In the middle of the Storks obsession, my son began praying hard, “Dear God, can I please have a baby brother.”
It was so cute!
We laughed!
God laughed!
And our oldest received an answer to his prayers…
In early September, the same weekend my Godson was born, we found out we were expecting our third bundle of noise joy. We weren’t trying, but we weren’t impeding the process, and because I am a Catholic mommy blogger trying to live within the teaching of the Church, I have to mention we are not an “NFP fail” by societal standards – or, by the critics of those who skeptically view Natural Family Planning. This pregnancy was not our plan, but my son was very proud of himself, and declared he “knew” we would have a baby.
When asked what would happen if he had another baby sister, he declared it would be a “bisaster.” However, he did acknowledge he would still love the baby, regardless of gender.
Two weeks before Christmas, we found out the extent of success of my son’s prayers – we are expecting a second boy to join our family.
The moral of the story, dear reader, is to not let your children pray be careful what your children pray for, and to make them say rote prayers encourage them to be thoughtful in their prayers. There is a saying that children have a direct line to God’s ear – and, my son proved that saying in the past several months.
Given my history with pre-eclampsia and gestational hypertension, we are anticipating Baby3 to arrive in April.
And, while this pregnancy was not planned, it does not mean this pregnancy is any less desired.
Nor does it mean we are any less excited!
It has meant I have been nauseous the entire time – mostly now, that has subsided to only being “gaggy” when my stomach is empty. It has meant I have had no energy as I bake this baby. It has meant I have curtailed my writing significantly, since family and household tasks take significantly more energy out of me each day. It has meant I have spent a lot of time in prayer – not asking so much why (although that has happened), but rather for patience and sanity.
So, dear readers, please know there has been a massive shift in my blogging as I have not written about the many escapades of my family in the past few months. And, now that I have come clean and ‘fessed up, I am preparing a whole slew of articles about kid shenanigans and faith, as we begin 2018!
My gratitude project will be back in full swing after the first of the year – I have just not had time or energy to sit at a computer and write in two weeks’ time now. For now, consider this my past couple weeks worth of gratitude project posts!
But, I am grateful for each and every reader and follower I have accumulated in my 1.5 years of blogging, and for each and every experience this blogging experience is bringing my way.
I am excited to share this news with all of you!
And, if you have any prayer requests, I am more than willing to take those to my son, since he’s got a direct line!
What wonderful news! Congrstulations!!!! I will keep you in my prayers.
Thank you for the prayers! Gratefully accepted!
Wonderful post, Anni! Great way to start the new year!
Thank you! I agree!
Thank you for the chuckle this morning. The power of pure, innocent pleas to the Father is amazing. The end of April sure will bring spectacularly splendid chaos to your house.
It definitely does showcase the power of pure, innocent prayerful pleas! And, agreed – April (and May) will be busy, busy… 🎉
Anni, congratulations! What a unique and wonderful way to announce Baby3! Will keep you in our prayers too!
Thank you so much! We are excited, and I am accepting any and all prayers!
SQUEEEE!!!!! How exciting!!! YAY BABIES! Prayers for continued feeling well…better? Decent? Three is So.Fun!
Haha! Thank you! We’re definitely looking forward to triple the fun, at this point. 😂
Prayers for an uneventful rest of your pregnancy!!!
Thank you!! Same for you! 🤗🤗
Congratulations! I didn’t know you were expecting! I will be keeping you and baby boy in my prayers. Even though my kids are now adults, I love reading about young families and all their shenanigans. It brings back wonderful memories.
While the grandparents haven’t been instructed to keep things quiet, we certainly weren’t advertising this pregnancy until we knew the gender! So, this was my “coming out” to those who follow me through the internet and blogosphere!
And, there are definitely quite a few shenanigans in my household. I’m excited to start writing about them again – I put a freeze on it, so I didn’t inadvertently say anything about Baby3! 😂
And, thank you for the prayers. They are gratefully accepted!
Congratulations!!! This baby will bring chaos, love and such blessings Anni! This announcement just makes this Grandma have a huge smile. Babies are wonderful.
Awww!! Thank you! So happy to hopefully brighten more of your holiday season!
And, I agree – babies are wonderful. It’s even more wonderful watching the bigger siblings dote on the baby. My son has always been a great one to dote in babies. 🤗🤗
Oh wow congratulations! What a blessing. I guess my son may actually become a power ranger after all, since that’s what he asks God for daily (Palm to face). Yes, I’ve explained the importance of praying for important things. Yes, he thinks it’s important because he can help people. Seriously kids crack me up but the logic is good, so for now we’re hoping to be the red ranger. 😂😂
😂😂
We never know – he may be a stalwart champion for the little guys (& gals) someday! 😳😂😂
We also have our share of “fun” requests. This one, though… it was cute – followed by his grin when we told him God agreed he needed a baby.
Yay!!! What awesome news! My kids always seem to start wanting new babies LONG before I feel the desire 😉
Thank you!! And, I am starting to think it’s a conspiracy of small children – to see just how much mom can handle. 😉
Congratulations! That is sooo wonderful! What a beautiful blessing babies are 🙂 🙂 🙂
(i always got a bit antsy when my daughters prayed for something – especially if it was different from what i prayed for! 😉 )
Thank you so much! We are definitely excited!
My son has announced that, since we’re having a little boy, “We can be done now!” I told him he needed to include that in his prayers next time. 😂 Because, yes, I feel that tug of, “Oh, no! He’s going rogue!”
I stumbled upon this post, and enjoyed it very much! Congratulations mama! What a fantastic adventure and a breathtaking blessing!
Thank you so much! It has been a whirlwind! And, our oldest is absolutely in love with his role of being a “big brother to a little brother.”
That is so incredibly special! I rejoice with you! ❤️