Catholic Animal Lover!

So it’s been a while (again) since I’ve updated. But I figured I’d better drop a note. I really want to find a “mommy” blog & make a new one…even if it’s not for pay, heh. Since Today.com hasn’t turned into the most lucrative deal for me anyway (probably would if I was interesting or consistent!)–maybe blogspot.com or something…But I haven’t gotten around to it.

It’s  June 3rd. Baby is supposed to come on the 10th. But I am SO ready to get him out of my pained belly, lol! And off my bladder, but that’s another story altogether… I am as big as a house, and Sunday I had such hard contractions and pain I was sure Dominic Raphael Josefek was coming that night! But nope. Just my body adjusting and being slow.

I finally have my bag pretty much ready to go to the hospital, and am now just hoping it happens soon. I want to meet my baby! I mean, I feel connected to him and everything, but I can’t wait to begin being an actual hands-on Mother.

Of course there are worries and nerves–but as Peter and I talked about the other night–most of that stuff is for his future, and the future of our family–not for the parenting-of-the-baby part. Being a traditional Catholic in today’s world, is going to be tough. Raising up your children in the way they should go, so when they’re old they won’t depart from it, is a monumentous task, and a brand new one for us and our familes (at least in the Catholic sense). Life is tough, and finding others like ourselves has been a real challenge.

The Catholic Church today isn’t really much to look at mostly. It’s hard to find traditionalists, and even harder to find ones that really do want to be in the world, but NOT of it. Like every “Christian” avenue–there are many lukewarm people in the mainstream.

Even the Catholics in our familes aren’t people we’d want raising our kids when it came down to it. So obviously God wants us to start our generational family anew…Question is, how do we, when it seems like so much is against us?

We have to trust Him. There is no other way. If God shows you a path He wants you to take, though the world may go against you–you MUST go forward in trust and obedience. Or there will be dire consequenses. Listening to His will brings untold joy, though

So we shall try to raise a good family, and children that know truth. Even in a dying world.

Contractions that are fake suck! I pretty much envy my fellow-new-mom friend Grace–she was due a day off from me, but instead went into labor about a month before, having her baby boy the night before Mother’s Day! Her water broke hard-core, and her labor was only–craziness!–5 1/2 hours!!! Lucky stiff! She didn’t get the random “think-you’re-in-labor-but-have-no-idea” problems like I’m dealing with!

Ugh..every day I’m hoping he comes! Except, tomorrow is Peter’s and my anniversery, so we’d rather Dominic’s birthday not be on that day!

We shall see.

I’m making pancakes for dinner tonight! Ember Fast day, so I figured that’d be different. Also, I’m finishing watching Ice Age–one of my all time favorite movies! Cracks me up!!

Well, I guess that’s enough of an update. I shall try to update as things progress. I may go into labor any time now! I really hope so..it’d be nice to get it over with, heh..

Life comes at you fast, indeed! It’s now less than 2 months till Dominic Raphael J. is supposed to make an entrance, and I’m so excited! I feel a strong connection with him, and am constantly rubbing my belly and talking/singing to him, heh. I’m also sure he’s either going to be a kick-boxer, or a dancer! He’s crazy active sometimes. Which of course is better than not active!  Last Ultrasound went great–except for the fact that the little bugger wouldn’t show his face, and we ended up with no good pictures. Meh! But just went to the OB Dr. the other day, and the consensus is that I’m doing perfectly fine! No high blood pressure, no high sugar, no problems whatsoever. Praise God! It’s come a long way from “high-risk”, eh?!

Anyway, so that’s the update with that. LOOK OUT MOTHERHOOD, HERE I COME!

New apartment, new outlook on life, new realizations…Craziness all around!

I’ve got several friends pregnant along with myself, which is nifty. Miss Grace especially, and wish I could see her; she and I are due within a day of each other! People getting married too! Just found out another friend is headed down the isle this year (congrats AnnMarie!). I know I’m headed to at least 2 weddings–1 is in July, which will be right after Baby! Hopefully that’s ok, and Baby enjoys going up to NY, heh. Then there’s another one down here in August…

Isn’t this a cool candle? It’s a round, shaped candle covered with “mini roses” that I got from a Yves Rocher catalog probably 7 yrs ago! I never burned it, because it was so pretty, but figured, now that I have a place to, I might as well. It’s really cool to look at, and burns pretty straight. It also smells like roses!!

I’ve been learning a bunch of things lately, with this new life of ours. Figured I’d share them, for what they’re worth.

1. I’ve learned that no matter how crappy our little apt. may seem…no matter how many splotches of paint there are on the walls/floor that shouldn’t be there…no matter how many gaps there are between the walls and counters/shower/ceiling…no matter how many huge brown spiders seem to be invading this place…no matter how little insulation there is between us and the upstairs, and how loud the neighbors are…no matter how muddy it gets outside…no matter how much of a walkway we DO NOT have…no matter how little countertop space there is for cooking…no matter how few windows there are…and even no matter if there aren’t any oven/stove knobs–THIS APT IS STILL BETTER THAN LIVING IN A BEDROOM IN MY PARENTS’ HOUSE! And it is a God-send. It is our own, and till we get a house someday, right now-this is where we are. This is where God has led us. And He has let me begin to make it a place of living. That is NOT a little smelly bedroom in someone else’s crazy chaotic home!

2. I’ve learned that even though there are only 2 people living in this apt., we still go through toilet paper like crazy! When planning for your own place, people, remember the little things that cost $$!

3. I’ve learned that I’m not nervous or scared about being pregnant, or having a baby, even. None of that hospital stuff seems to freak me out. All in all, I’m pretty calm about it, I’d say…but I am nervous about the after. Because I haven’t ever been a Mother, and I believe training up children in the way they should go, as God directs, is a huge task and a great responsibility. Also, I’m a bit nervous about raising a boy first–it just seems lately that little girls are around me, and they’d seem easier. But Lord willing, I’ll find out that path as well down the line!

4. I’ve learned it’s tough to remember “budget” when trying to put a house together, and especially when trying to make sure there is food on the table! Sometimes my creativity wants to get the better of me, and while pasta is dirt cheap so we stocked up on it–I don’t want to serve pasta–again! I’m learning that ads and coupons come in handy when grocery shopping. Never underestimate them, pals! And also, having a few good spices and marinades can make a big diff.

5. I’ve been learning that while I may not be the best Catholic, and while I may be light yrs away from understanding all the intricacies of my Faith, I am so glad to be part of the Catholic Church–as screwed up as the modernist-infected-version is! The traditional faith, laid down from Christ, is a huge comfort. And I’ve also been learning that God does give grace to learn if we have the heart/mind/desire to do so. I’ve been trying to get myself more focused and conditioned, so that the things I might otherwise not focus for/find boring, become part of my spiritual walk, and help build my faith. Prayer life is a big point right now, especially with Baby coming!!–and Bible reading, and focus on the faith.

6. I’ve learned that I really love the Bible my hubby got just for me! It’s a huge, hardcover, real leather, black large-print Catholic Bible, and it’s become a big part of my mindset, actually. It’s helped me get back to that place of reading every day, where I need to be. Also, I love that Peter’s started reading before dinner, like my Dad still tries to do, heh. It’s a cool thing to institute, and I’m glad it’s become a habit for our family

7. I’ve learned that while much of our past, and even this past first year of our marriage, has been defined by error and struggle, we’ve come a long way. By God’s mercy, and angel’s protection, I firmly believe. There were times when I was sure I could understand people feeling like they might as well just give up (to an extent), but I knew in my heart it was a sacred Sacrament, and a love worth fighting for…and I realize nothing is ever alwaze roses and cuddles–but a life-long commitment to make a family under God, to love each other unconditionally, to work towards holiness and salvation of our souls, and help our mate’s do the same. Marriage is amazing, people, really. And so God-blessed.

8. I’ve been trying to learn ways to motivate myself, and to keep focus when in this apt alone, to still get all the things done I need to, yet not lose my mind! I’ve been trying to be a good wife–and make sure things like dinner-on-the-table-when-he-gets-home, are done, but sometimes my ADD and my pregnancy seem to rally against me at the same time, and I start 6 different things! It’s hard not to feel like a failure when there seems to be so much to get done still in the day, but my body/mind just isn’t there. But I’m learning! Being a wife is an adventure.

9. I’m learning I have several avenues of creative streak that I’m not sure how to pursue. I’m feeling creative a lot of times, but I’m not sure in what areas I’m strongest, or should be moving forward in (if that makes any sense). Some days I feel like pursuing art, some days I feel like working on my voice. But I’m not sure how to pursue any of them, or which one–more importantly–I’m supposed to be pursuing. Especially with Dominic coming, and $ being ever-tight. But I’m learning the creative streak is there, and God HAS given it for a reason, so maybe I just need to calm down, pray more, and let Him guide?!

10. And I’ve also begun to FINALLY realize that my husband and I are such opposites, we make a great team–when we learn how to play to each other’s strengths, not weaknesses! God has given us the gift of each other, and sometimes it seems like we are on opposite ends of the world! But we’re not…we just aren’t being patient with each other, and sucking up our pride. When we do, we are an amazing team. And I’m hoping we learn to show our different sides to our kids, so they learn the best of both worlds–not just opposite ends of a spectrum.

Well, that’s just some of the brain food I’ve been thinking about today/the past couple of weeks. There’s so much more I want to say, but I’ll try to update more often now, so you can read my crazy ramblings

Be sure to follow me on Twitter if you’re not already! LovingAnimals is me! God bless!

Heya. The past 2 days have been rather productive–if stressful and crazy–for Peter and I. We decided to check out the car insurance issue, so went to our local State Farm agent office. Turns out with collision and everything, our insurance for the Chevy our friends wanted to give us–would only be about $67!! It was crazy amazing. I was expecting around a hundred at least!

Peter did our taxes on TurboTax.com–which has been a longtime friend of both of ours–and it turns out from the state returns and federal, we are getting a nice amount back. So we signed up for the insurance right then and there!

We tried to get in touch with the housing authority, but that didn’t work out very well–wrong office, etc. So we’re going to look into that on Monday-ish, methinks. I actually may call them today…

Anyway! So after some crazy mixups with the family’s car yesterday, we went to our non-electricity-sawdust-toilet-oil-lamps friends, and after waiting for the husband to fill up the tires of the car with air that had lost some or something, we took the wife to a notary’s house (cutest little old woman–she still worked on a typewriter printer!!), and got the plate, title/deeds switched!

The car is a 200 Chevy Cavalier. It’s funny–it has roll-down windows, which I didn’t realize. Mostly cause my fam has older cars that have electric windows, lol. But it has ABS, so that’s good. And it gets about 25mpg city/33mpg highway, so that’s awesome!

It does have to be inspected–which I’m taking it for today @ 2pm–and it has over 151,000 miles on it. But our friends have had it for about 5yrs and it’s been fine for them, as well as whoever had it first. So I think it’s a good deal. It was a gift–and we are SO BLESSED to be able to have our own wheels right now!

There is a problem with the head gasket–I guess some sort of small-teeny-leak that they’ve had for a long time, and have just put coolant in to control. So eventually we’ll either have to find a cheaper way to get that stupid thing fixed, or junk the car, but I’m hoping it’ll last a while before. We’re going to start saving for a second car anyway, because eventually we’d like one for Peter and a fam car for me (he wants to saddle ME with the mini-van, lol…oh well!).

The car is white–not my first choice, but whatever! Our friends are funny. The whole back is covered with crazy bumper stickers–all anti-abortion and Catholic–which is awesome! Except a couple are worn and have to get taken off–as well as “kill your TV” and “support your local midwife”. No offence mid-wives, heh. But I’m having my kids in a hospital, thanx.

Annnnyhoo! So now we have a car! Of our own! I’m soo excited! yaaaay! God is surely good to us. So very good.

I can’t wait to start taking trips, heh…

Today I didn’t do as much as I’d hoped to accomplish, but it was still a very rewarding day, methinks.

First off–I’ve become a Twitter.com addict! If you’re on Twitter, let me know! My Twitter is Twitter.com/LovingAnimals, and I’d love to “tweet” with you! I’m learning the ins and outs of Twitter, but I do know it’s an easy way to have your work of any kind advertised, as well as to share pointless tidbits from your daily life, heh. Which we all know Audrey loves to do.

I got to do some laundry, which I still have to hang up to dry. I got to call the insurance to switch my Dr., only to find out that the Dr. I wanted–for pedeatrics as well as general health–wasn’t accepting any new patients. So I have to check the website again, find another Dr., and then find out if they’re accepting new patients before I call my insurance back.

I was going through some writing websites today, that I have on my creative bookmark tab, trying to remember why I kept all of them, and if I’m actually going to write for any of the jobs/contests. This was a big thing for me, merely because I see a lot of things that I would love to write for, and seem like great opportunities–but I’m realizing writing short articles, or certain things may not be my niche. So I am trying to weed out the junk, and see what I’d actually be willing to commit to. I loose interest easily, I guess, or focus, rather.

Maybe some of it is being pregnant! I blame Dominic, heh (Dominic Raphael, to be exact!!).

But there was a great sense of joy in seeing my hands spashed in metallic sapphire blue acrylic paint today!

I started painting another plaster mini today–a little dragon. He’s adorable, like the Turtle I put up on Artfire.com was (see him HERE ), but I want to make him special in color–like the Cat I put up was–(HERE ). So I’m doing him in a base of sapphire blue metallic, and will use silver and other “shiny” colors on him after the initial coat is done.

I know painting and my craftwork isn’t something right now that seems to be worth it, but I’m hoping to get started, get better, and get some selling under my belt. I have bigger,other projects I’ll be doing soon–the wreaths, frames, coat hangers–but right now, due to space and money, I have to stay small.

But I admit, it is tough trying to develop creative talent into something useful. Especially since i’m sure it appears to my husband that I should be writing and not painting, heh. But it’s part of my dream to keep my creative side alive in all avenues–if I can, and maybe be able to sell some things on the side, to share my work with other people.

This includes writing, of course, and drawing. And even singing down the line–maybe. We’ll see what opens up. Right now we’re limited with means and opportunities, so I have to go a bit slow.

But it is a dream of mine. Even as I paint more, I’m learning more what works and what doesn’t. Who knows–I may even get good!

I’m glad I can blog on here, although I wish I knew why Today.com wasn’t paying for the posts in my 1st blog for this entire year. They’re not even flagging or checking them as problem posts! All the posts from my OTHER BLOG on here from 2009 haven’t even been reviewed or anything. I got no notice that they were going to stop checking them–and the posts from this blog have been all reviewed/payed for..so who knows.

It’s almost 5am, and I really shouldn’t still be awake. But I am, sadly. I’ve been sleeping badly as it is, but last night, husband and I decided to watch a movie with 2 of my bros–a 2 1/2 hr movie–and whilst watching it, I drank a giant mug of coffee, which was ridiculous. And I know it’s a Saturday night (i.e., Sun. morning now!)! But I wanted some of that great Irish Creme creamer before it was all gone, so the only way to have some was to have coffee, right?!

Anyway, I don’t know what will happen about Mass in the morning. But with everything going on, I wanted to write right now, so here I be.

With all the stress, and depression, and slight bitterness clouding my heart these past few days–not to mention the pains in my stomach and obnoxious baby (!! Like Mother like baby)–something had been tugging at my heart for a while to do, and I have, in not doing it, been struggling to cope, methinks.

I had a divine sort of commission, if you will, at Christmas of ‘07. It was unmistakable, and unexplainable. And yet, I’ve mulled over what I was told to do till just tonight, when I finally started (or rather, this early morn). I’m not quite sure it was something for anyone else but myself to see or hear of, but I am extremely excited to have finally started what I was shown to do, and feel a great peace right now.

It all has to do with my creative side, and all the artwork I’ve been wanting to start on again, for about 4 months. I’m so glad I finally started! We shall see what happens. But methinks I’ve already got an idea for my first painting job (!!)–though I’m not any good at painting, so have no idea how that will turn out. But I think if I see it, I can create it, if it’s something asked of me, right? I’m so restless, and peace is something I need in major spades right now.

I know this doesn’t make much sense to those reading, but if you feel a tug at your heart–especially if Our Lady is involved–do yourself a favor–stop fighting it. Pray. Ask for guidance. And stop hiding in fear. That’s what I think I’m learning to do. I want to leave a legacy of bravery and obedience for my child/children, and God knows I’m not very good at the latter, or the former, I don’t think.

I’m going to go post in my other blog now (in case you want to read it–it’s here on Today.com — LINK! ), but Mom said that she has a scanner, so hopefully I can start showing off some of my artwork if I feel the need, soon!

May our Lady guide and continue to pray for us. And may I learn to sleep…oy…!

My last blog was a bit on the stressful wave…Sorry about that friends! Been having a bit of a tough time.

Last night was a great time because husband (mostly, and me a little bit) got to speak in depth for about 4 hrs to one of my brothers about the Catholic Church and faith, and salvation. It was hubby’s birthday, so after he ate some great berry crisp that I’d made him (if I do say so myself!!), my brother came home from work at almost 1am, and just started talking. I don’t remember why they started speaking about salvation and the Church, but whatever the reason, God was moving through the conversation. The discussion became heated, in the sense that this particular brother is sharp as a tack, and was actually challenging husband to know his stuff, heh.

My brothers hold some pretty screwed up views of Catholics, as well as salvation and the road to heaven/hell, due to having been raised in a screwed up Baptist home, and then having years to just wander their own way, coming up with whatever they pieced together, without a Bible or any church. The mind can be a dangerous playground, y’know?

Anyway, I went down at around 2:45am because I was finally wondering where my hubby was, and I’d already written a letter, did some singing, folded clothes–and finally prayed for the conversation downstairs, asking Christ to bestow wisdom to my husband in his defense of the faith. The discussion was in full swing. I actually became interested, due to my brother actually caring to listen, and presenting arguments I knew well.

And though he used me as an example at first of one who just is confused/backslidden/crazy (lol), when I finally sat down next to my mate, and got involved, and presented things, I was amazed….

Brother was actually listening to me, and using what I said, and letting me give examples (due to me having understood where he’s coming from), and he was actually equating husband and me as being Catholic, and a team!

It was breakthrough to me because this particular brother and I don’t really ever interact/connect, yet here he was, being the first person in the family to actually consider me on the same level and part of the same faith as my husband. It felt good, and strong to be on that playing field.

My husband and I don’t alwaze see eye to eye on things in life, and even when we’re trying to talk about our faith to each other–but last night God showed me that we ARE of the same faith, and in the SAME Church, and ARE following Him together, as a team. And when we are focusing on what’s important, we make a pretty nifty team! We each bring something different to the discussion table, as it were. He’s the historian, technical, I know the Church person, and I’m the I am learning my faith from God, slower, but realizing it’s really real person (lol, if that makes any sense!).

Anyway, it was amazing to be seated next to my man, and to be a witness for the Faith with him.

My brother was really interested, and I am praying he’ll do some searching for himself, on his own, and come to Christ through the Church and God’s leading.

It was a good night, and a conversation that probably could’ve gone on all through the morning, but it was nearing 5am, and we finally had to get to sleep. But I am so thankful that God was leading, and the Blessed Mother was no doubt praying along with our own hearts during the conversation.