Pregnancy Exercise Videos

Each time that I meet with a nutritionist during pregnancy, I am told that it is essential to exercise for at least 30 minutes each day. I find it hard to find the time to do so, but I try to do so at least once or twice a week. It's better than nothing.

Living in the Pacific Northwest makes daily walks questionable; however, I do try to get outside and walk when I can. Using the treadmill gets a little boring after a while. I have found that various exercise videos, checked out from the library, can help with the monotony. The following exercise videos have been helpful. If only I could find the time to use them on a regular basis.

10 Minute Solution Prenatal Pilates Lizbeth Garcia provides a pretty easy and gentle workout.

Denise Austin's Fit and Firm Pregnancy Denise Austin provides an easy 20-minute low-impact aerobic workout which is followed by toning exercises that are geared to specific trimesters. She also includes a 20-minute exercise postnatal segment.

Suzanne Bowen's Long and Lean Prenatal Workout This is probably the hardest exercise video that I have used. Suzanne Bowen does a great job. Unfortunately, I found this workout hard on my right knee. My right knee cap isn't centered and certain exercises can make it ache. I had to skip a few exercises in this video for this reason. However, I still recommend it.

T-Tapp Total Workout This isn't a prenatal workout, but I have used it while pregnant. Teresa Tapp emphasizes proper posture and alignment which I really appreciate. I can do this workout without feeling any stress on my knee.

Please share postnatal pregnancy exercise video recommendations.

Making a List and Checking it Twice

I've been making a list and checking it twice, and with nine children it hasn't been nice. Last year, I had all of the children's presents purchased before Advent, but that didn't happen this year. I had presents for the little ones by the time Advent started. Last week, I had presents for everyone except my oldest daughter. Thanks to Thirty-One, I now have a present for her too.

Thirty-One is having a flash sale and my friend, Trish, is a consultant. I am throwing a Thirty-One party too.*

Zipper Pouch

Some of Thirty-One's City Weekenders, Timeless Beauty Bags, Zipper Pouches, and more are on sale for up to 80% off. I just purchased the three items mentioned and finished shopping for Christmas presents. 

Timeless Beauty Bag

The City Weekender (pictured below) is only $19.99. I had it personalized for an additional $7.00 and my oldest is going to find it under the Christmas tree after Midnight Mass.

City Weekender

*Please note, sale items cannot be purchased through my party link. If you visit Trish's website and click on "December Flash Sale" in the sidebar on the left, you can see all of the sale items. Other patterns and styles are on sale too.

If you would like to purchase non-December flash sale items, please do so through my party link.

Fisher More College Needs Help

A couple of years ago, our pastor told my husband and me about Fisher More College. After he left, I got online to learn more about this great sounding school. I liked what I saw and read. Fisher More College is one of the few colleges to which I would consider sending my children. Fisher More College is currently experiencing financial difficulties. A major contributor to the school recently fell through. The students of the college have started a one-week online fundraising drive to try and save their school. If you are able, please consider making a donation to Fisher More College and help the students save their school. I would like to see this faithful Catholic College keep its doors open for a long time to come.

I know that it goes without saying, but please keep the college in your prayers. May Our Blessed Mother wrap her mantle around all of the students and faculty!

Donations can be made by visiting Save Fisher More.

Update: Fisher More College exceeded their fundraising goal. Praise God!

Gestational Diabetes Diet

Once again, I have been diagnosed with gestational diabetes. This is my fifth pregnancy with this diagnosis. Hopefully, I will continue to be able to control my blood sugar levels with diet. Although an insulin needle is a lot thinner than a pre-filled Lovenox needle, I have no desire to be poking myself with another needle. So what do I eat to keep my blood sugar levels in check?

Breakfast Options:

• Egg, slice of cheddar cheese, whole wheat toast, cup of whole milk
• Scrambled egg with cheese and/or ham, cup of whole milk
• Vegetable omelet, cup of whole milk

Breakfast cereals make my blood-sugar levels spike and so does oatmeal. I have not tried steel cut oats or Cream of Wheat yet.

Mid-morning Snack Options: 

• Apple and a slice of cheese
• Popcorn with parmesan cheese
• Kirkland Signature Greek Yogurt with a banana (the KS yogurt has 24 grams of protein which enables me to eat the banana too)
• Some almonds or cashews and a fruit
• Spoonful of peanut butter
• Raw vegetables

Lunch Options:

• 2 slices of sandwich thins with lunch meat, a slice of cheese, lettuce, and a slice of tomato
• Leftovers from dinner
• Egg salad sandwich, using sandwich thins for bread
• Tuna fish sandwich, using sandwich thins for bread
• Quesadillas
• Salad

Afternoon Snack Options:

• Same as mid-morning snack options (see above)

Dinner Options:

• Chicken, brown rice, vegetables, lettuce salad with homemade salad dressing
• Beef, brown rice/potato, and vegetables, lettuce salad with homemade salad dressing
• Fish or other seafood, brown rice, vegetables, lettuce salad with homemade salad dressing
• Lentil dish or soup

Nighttime Snack Options:

In the past, I have been able to eat the snacks mentioned under mid-morning snack. This time, it is not working for me to eat a snack before bed. When I do so, my fasting blood sugar levels rise above 90. When I don't have a snack, my levels are in the 70s in the morning.

Kieran

I actually have more problems with my blood sugar levels plummeting than I do with them spiking. My children can tell you how often I say, "Please get me... to eat. I feel like I am going to pass out." When I have checked my blood at these times, my levels are anywhere between 58 and 63. My doctor has told me that some of her other patients have told her the same thing, but she doesn't understand why some women who test positive for gestational diabetes experience and are affected by such lows. Thankfully, other than breakfast and lunch, my diet doesn't change much. We tend to eat the things listed above anyway. If I think of other things that I can eat, I will share them.

Kieran

I can't wait to hold this little one in my arms in three months. The children are anxious to know whether this baby is a boy or girl.

9/3/2013 Ultrasound
16 weeks

Guidelines for Voting and more...

The following announcement was read from the pulpit on Sunday and appeared in our parish bulletin. I thought that it might be beneficial to share here.

As Tuesday is Election Day, a reminder that Catholics are morally obliged to uphold Church teaching in the selection of candidates and voting on public initiatives. In regards to conscience, remember that a well‐formed conscience never contradicts Church moral teaching, and it goes without saying that abortion, euthanasia, embryonic stem cell research, human cloning, and redefining marriage are non‐negotiable. 

In some political races, situations may arise where each candidate takes a wrong position on one or more issues involving non‐negotiable moral principles. In such a case, one may vote for the candidate who takes the fewest such positions or seems least likely to advance immoral legislation. A vote cast in such a situation is not the same as the positive endorsement of candidates, laws, or programs that promote intrinsic evils: it is only tolerating a lesser evil to avoid a greater one. Catholics must strive to put in place candidates, laws, and political programs that are in full accord with non‐negotiable moral principles. Where a perfect candidate, law, or program is not on the table, the best option is to be chosen, that is, the one that promotes the greatest good and entails the least evil. Sometimes not voting may be the only moral choice of action, but it must be considered whether not voting actually promotes good and limits evil in a specific instance. The role of citizens and elected officials is to promote intrinsic moral values as much as possible today while continuing to work toward better candidates, laws, and programs in the future. 

For more information, please consult the Voter’s Guide for Serious Catholics at

www.politicalresponsibility.com/voterguide.htm.

A mom from one of our homeschool groups shared this video:

Vote for Life, Marriage, Family, and Religious Freedom

Photos courtesy of Theresa.

During this election year, Brendan decided that it would be appropriate to carve a pro-life pumpkin for All Hallow's Eve. Yesterday, my husband mailed in our ballots. Today, I am praying for our country, that Romney and Ryan win this election, and that R-74 is rejected.

Election Prayer

O Lord Jesus Christ,

You alone are the Way, the Truth, and the Life. In Your Church You show us the Way, You teach us the Truth, and You give us Your Life. Grant, we humbly beg You, that, always and in all things, we may be faithful to You in Your Holy Church, and to Your Vicar on Earth, the Supreme Pontiff, Pope Benedict XVI. Grant also, we beg You, that, in these times of decision, all who profess to be Catholic and who are entrusted with the sacred duty to participate in public life, may, by the strength of Your grace, unwaveringly follow Your Way and faithfully adhere to Your Truth, living in You with all their mind and heart, for Your greater glory, the salvation of souls, and the good of our nation. Amen. 

Our Lady of Guadalupe, Mother of America,

Pray for us.

Saint Thomas More, Patron of Religious Freedom,

Pray for us. 

~ Cardinal Burke ~

Catholic Embroidery Giveaway

In honor of St. Francis of Assisi, Catholic Embroidery is giving away this San Damiano Cross afghan. 

This image is copyright Catholic Embroidery.

If you would like a chance to win the afghan, visit Catholic Embroidery and comment on their post before October 13.

Eastertide Daybook

I am listening to...

Bernadette is playing music from the Lord of the Rings on her violin. She spends about an hour each morning playing her violin. First, she practices and then she has fun, playing and picking out pieces that she has heard at Mass, on a CD, the radio or in a movie. Listening to her play makes for a relaxing morning. She has a very good ear. Last week, I listened to her violin lesson. She and her teacher played a duet of Bernadette's recital piece, "Two Guitars", and it was so moving that I almost started to cry.

Outside my window...

The sun is peeking through some clouds and birds are chirping. I am looking foward to another beautiful day.

I am thankful for...

My ultrasound went well last Wednesday. The baby is looking good.  He/she is big, but so were two of my other children. My doctor didn't mention anything about inducing me and it is comforting to think that this baby might be born during Mary's month. I have about two more weeks until my due date, plus or minus a few days. :) I can't wait to hold this baby in my arms. My husband and children are excited to do the same.

Thanks to a beautiful weekend, we spent some much needed time gardening together on Saturday. It made for a very relaxing day.

I am thinking about and praying for...

My son who will be making his First Confession on May 5 and receiving his First Holy Communion on May 6.

From the kitchen...

I am smelling eggs and sausage.

In the learning rooms...

We are working hard trying to finish as many lessons as we can before this baby is born.

I am wearing...
I am wearing a black maternity skirt and a red shirt.

I am reading...
When I can find a quiet moment (usually during my non-stress tests at the doctor's office), I am reading This Tremendous Lover. Each morning, I am reading First Communion Days to Patrick and anyone else who wants to listen. At bedtime, Elizabeth keeps requesting that I read Miss Rumphius and Hedgie's Surprise. I think that I have these two stories memorized.  Patrick and Finnian request various stories before bed, but they usually ask me to read at least one of these.

I am praying for...

Our Archbishop has been given the challenging task of overhauling the LCWR. He has also been receiving public flack from some of the priests in our Archdiocese for supporting R-74 (a bill that would repeal unnatural unions) and requesting that signatures be collected after Masses to help get this referendum on the ballot. I am praying for Archbishop Sartain that he may continue to follow the will of God. I am also praying for our Archdiocese, our priests and the faithful. We all need the prayers.

A few plans for the rest of the week...

We are looking forward to our Fine Arts Friday. I had planned to implement this at the beginning of the year, but I was unable to do so, save for choir. What may you ask is Fine Arts Friday? I found that some of my children do not take the time to draw or paint unless I set aside time for them to do so. Therefore on Fridays, we have set aside a time for the children to not only sing, but also to draw, study artwork and sometimes listen to music.  They are thoroughly enjoying this time together and so am I. I would like to add poetry recitation to the mix, but it might have to wait until next year.

Although I am not an artist by any means, art is a subject that I have enjoyed since high school. It is also a subject that all of my children seem to find rewarding.



Bunnies and hare drawn by my four eldest children



You Know You're Tired When

1. You start to call for your son, but you call "God" instead. My children were amused to hear me say, "Goood" in the same way that I would say, "Paaatrick". What can I say, I was thinking about Him as I brought the dinner to the table.

2. You start the dishwasher and then realize that you never added detergent.

3. You almost run a red light. My eldest son informed me, "I was thinking that you thought our big van could stop as quickly as a sports car or something." I didn't know that our van could come to a stop as quickly as it did. Dear, if you are reading this, don't worry. I won't make a habit of stopping the van quickly. I know that it is bad for the brakes.

4. The only thing that you really want to do all day, every day, is climb in bed and go to sleep.

Chickenpox Tips

I have had several friends ask me for tips regarding the chickenpox, so I thought that I would share them here while two of my children are still recovering and ideas are fresh in my mind.

Look at the chickenpox as an opportunity to spend time with your child, reading a lot of stories and playing various board games. Chess was popular in our house. Brendan taught me how to play. I was surprised to learn that Finnian and Patrick already knew all the pieces and the moves that they can make. Patrick is quite good at the game. Finnian occasionally views it as a game of war and makes me smile with his exclamations.

Stock up on popsicles, ice cream, and juice. The popsicles and juice were used to share chicken pox germs with friends who visited and because they were something special for the sick children (we don't usually eat popsicles in winter, and ice cream and juice are rare treats). One family brought a candycane to our house to help spread the chicken pox germs.

Tylenol (acetaminophen) might be needed for the fever. We also gave it to some of our children when they felt particularly uncomfortable. We buy the Kirkland Signature brand acetaminophen for children from Costco because of the cost. Costco charges $4.59 for two decent size bottles.

My four older children enjoyed taking lukewarm baths with Aveeno added to it. (Since purchasing the Aveeno, I learned that it is produced by Johnson & Johnson. This company contributes money to Planned Parenthood and manufactures birth control. For this reason, I usually don't buy their products.) My two youngest enjoyed lukewarm baths with nothing added to the bath.

Most of my children felt more comfortable wearing their father's or big brother's undershirts turned inside out. My youngest didn't wear a shirt. My youngest son found that boxers with the cotton covering the elastic waistband were a lot more comfortable than underwear.

We applied bacitracin antibiotic ointment to chicken pox that were particularly bothersome with great results. I tried calamine lotion initially, but the children did not like it. The bacitracin even worked to heel a picked pox that looked like it was getting infected.

One of my boys held ice packs on chickenpox that were particularly uncomfortable and said that it felt really good.

We encouraged our children to offer their suffering for others. One of my daughters did this exceptionally well. Despite being completely covered with chickenpox, she never complained once. When I asked her if she was offering up any discomfort, she humbly said, "Yes."

When friends left our house, we tried to remember to tell them, "May the pox be upon your house!"

For those who might be wondering why friends wanted to expose their children to chickenpox, please visit http://www.cogforlife.org/ and/or http://www.soundchoice.org/

If your family contracts the chickenpox, I hope that everyone recovers without any scars.

Help Gloria's Angels Help More Families

Please take the time to vote for Gloria's Angels.

We are asking an urgent favor from all of our supporters.  JP Chase Morgan has a charitable foundation that is sponsoring the Chase Community Giving Campaign.  This unique program will be awarding $5 million in donations to qualifying nonprofit organizations.  How can you help us get a portion of that?  EASY - simply vote online in Facebook for Gloria's Angels Foundation.  The organizations that end up in the Top 200 of the voting will be awarded at least $20,000!  Those in the Top 5 get at least $100,000, and first place gets $250,000!  Any of those awards would make a tremendous difference for us.   And all you have to do is make a few clicks of the mouse.   That's all, it only takes a few seconds. Click here to vote, or click on the image. A few things to know about the voting:  Deadline = July 12.  Votes must be recorded by then. Voters must have a Facebook account.  If you don't have one, it is easy to sign up onFacebook.com.  You don't have to buy anything or commit to anything else. You also have to indicate that you "Like" Chase Community Giving.  Just look for the link that says "Like" next to the Chase Community Giving logo.  Use the links in this email to go directly to the spot where you can vote for Gloria's Angels Foundation.  Otherwise, you can easily do a Search in Facebook to find us. You can only vote for a specific organization once.  However, you can vote for up to 20 different charities if you wish.  Click here to learn more details about the Chase Community Giving Campaign. Please, please, please - vote now.  And please forward this on to your friends and family, and encourage them to vote for Gloria's Angels.  For those of you very familiar with Facebook, this is a chance to use the power of social networking to engage your personal network to vote for us.  MyCatholicFaith.org and the Sound Insights radio program on KBLE (AM 1050) will be promoting our cause to 20,000 of their followers.  We are aiming high, and we believe that our supporters can put us in the Top 5.   We can do it! We will be keeping an updated tally on our homepage (see below) every day until the voting window closes on July 12.  Cheer us on by checking in each day.  Thank you for your support!

Gloria's Angels Foundation
http://www.gloriasangels.org/
A State of WA 501(c)3 corporation (EIN 26-1326621)

We're in the Garden

If it's quiet here, it's because we're in the garden, planting seeds and flowers, weeding, bird watching, and having fun.

Laurie - Advice

I apologize for not being able to respond to your comment before now and I hope that you see this post.

I think that our Catholic faith gives you the answers that you seek.

Forgive

Forgive your husband. I know that this is probably easier said than done, but it is necessary.

Love

Love your husband and your children.

Pray

Pray for your husband and your children.

Mass

Go to daily Mass, if possible.

Adoration

Spend time praying before the Blessed Sacrament.

Confession

Go to confession at least once a month.

The Rosary
Pray the Rosary as a family.

Direction

Speak to your pastor or a holy priest and ask him for advice.

Desire to Become a Saint

Embrace this cross that you have been given.  Live your life so that it is pleasing to God and encourage your children to do the same.

If you are Marcella's friend, I have been praying for you. If not, I will start doing so.

The Eensy Weensy Spider

The not so eensy weensy spider came down from the ceiling and remained suspended at eye level, making me scramble from the chair.  I quickly located our vacuum cleaner and brought it downstairs to suck up the waiting spider.  While doing so, I remained oblivious to the fact that it was very early in the morning and everyone was still resting peacefully.  Thankfully, they remained sleeping.

I don't mind spiders in the garden; however, large spiders, dangling in front of my eyes, are another story.

U.S. Census: Partially Wrong Address

I filled in the U.S. Census Bureau Information and was going to mail it tomorrow, but thankfully we received a reminder card in the mail today.  My eldest daughter looked at the card and said, "This is addressed incorrectly.  It has the wrong city."  I never even noticed.  The house address is correct, the state is correct, and the zip code is correct.  I'm assuming that we received the U.S. Census Bureau mailings because of the zip code.  I am wondering whether the Census Bureau made the same mistake with everyone who lives in our zip code.  If so, did others notice?  If not, it will really skew the population results for the city in which we live.

I will be calling the U.S. Census Bureau in the morning.

Thank You Sacred Heart Books and Gifts

Thank you to to Sacred Heart Books and Gifts and the person (or people) who have been clicking on the link in my sidebar to purchase books, gifts, videos, and/or homeschool curriculum from them.  On Saturday, I was pleasantly surprised to receive a check from Linda Nelson.  At the same time, I felt very humbled.  Even though the money is helpful, I would recommend Sacred Heart Books and Gifts regardless of their affiliate program.  Linda has given me some excellent advice over the last year or two.  Her company offers some great products; almost everything is sold at discount prices.  May God continue to bless Linda and her apostolate, Sacred Heart Books and Gifts!

When you're feeling miserable...

When you're feeling miserable with a fever and sore throat, and your head feels all funny, and you haven't left your bed all day, it is generally not a good idea to post comments on people's blogs.  Grammatical errors, "wonderful blessings that comes", and misspellings, "I know have some more ideas", may be made.  Refraining from leaving telephone messages or even speaking on the phone at these times is also a good idea.  Don't ask me how I know.

Win a Free Copy of You Need a Budget 3

We just received an email letting us know that You Need a Budget will be giving away 5 free copies of YNAB 3 when it is released.  This is the same program that I wrote about earlier today.

The email stated:

We're giving away five copies of YNAB 3 when it is released (once it's released)

We've launched a little contest to help spread the word about the upcoming release of YNAB 3. Entering's easy, and we're giving away five free copies of YNAB 3 once it launches! Enter to win your copy of YNAB 3 once released.

Please visit You Need a Budget for all of the details.  I am enjoying using YNAB Pro and I am looking forward to using the newest version of YNAB.  Thank you, Jesse!

Jury Duty Exemption

Today, I received a summons for jury duty. I have asked for an exemption due to the fact that I have a nursing baby. I did not mention that I am a full-time, homeschooling mother of seven children. The last time, I was summoned for jury duty, I had a nursing baby who was the exact same age as my current baby. Realistically, I would never be chosen to serve on a jury because my husband has a special police commission and a brother-in-law is a prosecutor. Ironically, my husband would really like to sit on a jury, but knows that he will never be selected as a juror.

It's all about spring!

I saw this on Jessica's blog and couldn't resist.

You Are Blooming Flowers

You are an optimistic person by nature. In even the darkest times, you are hopeful about the future. You feel truly blessed in life and can sometimes be overwhelmed with emotions. You have an artist's eye. You are always looking for beauty in the mundane. You have a good sense of aesthetics, especially when it comes to shapes and color.

What Part of Spring Are You?