Christus In Parvulis

This is the inscription we have in our wedding bands. We put this there for two reasons. 1.) It reminds us often of our need for the virtue of humility in our relationship with God, each other, and everyone else. 2.) We know that much of our sanctification will come about through the graces of parenthood (as long as we respond to those graces)as we lose or lives for our children.

With that, I am pleased to announce that we need to figure out a new Internet name for another Little Blessing who is due around July 23rd. Amazingly, I looked back in my journal (which I don't often write in), and right about the time of conception, I was asking Our Lord to help me embrace the Cross. A few weeks before that, I started to dread the thought of having another child. All of the sacrifices of going through another pregnancy, having a baby who wakes in the middle of the night, more laundry, another person to disrupt the order and organization I long for in the home, getting fat, being needed for nursing--all of these and more seemed so despicable to me just weeks before conceiving. And yet, thanks to Christ and His wonderful grace, my reaction is one of peace and thanksgiving. I am ever so grateful for the opportunities this Little Blessing will bring, and has already been bringing in my life. When moments during the day are tough, the constant thought, at least thus far, has been that this is such a grace, and I have the great gift of having so many opportunities for Christ's glory and power to be manifested in my life. When things come up that I dread, I can say to God, "I really don't like this, and I don't want to do it, but I just ask that Your power would prevail and not my weakness." I have been completely amazed at the result of this prayer. It really is easier to make it through the day when you are not relying on your own power. I only hope that I can continue to grow in this wonderful trust of Our Lord and in the peace that following His will brings.

PS-I think it's a boy, even though I love, love, LOVE the girl's name we have chosen! :)