The Respect He Needs

I love the Sacrament of Holy Matrimony. As a married woman, it is my path to Heaven. Unfortunately in our culture it has been under heavy attack for some time via contraception, divorce, "feminism", and now same-sex "marriage" among many other evils. As a young wife, it has been very difficult to navigate this holy path in such a distorted culture. One of the tools that has helped me is Shaunti Feldhahn's book For Women Only: What You Need to Know about the Inner Lives of Men. I grew up with barely any concept of the differences between men and women. The prevailing ideology of my generation seems to be gender "equality", the denial of the true natures and differences between men and women, and so I went into my marriage clueless. Somewhere along the line I learned the concept that men need respect and women need love but Feldhahn's books really break it down.
I love being the heart of my home. Families are the fundamental unit of a society, an image of The Blessed Trinity; a family should witness Christ's love to the world. As wives we need to put God first in our lives and be faithful and submissive to our husbands as to the Lord and the rest will follow. This list of 5 respect needs for men is another great marriage tool and I know I will need to come back and review it from time to time.

The 5 Respect Needs for Men

Playing and Praying (The Pater Noster)

7 Quick Takes Friday, the Evils of Television, and Getting Organized

 I started writing this 7 quick takes about a month ago but didn't get the chance to finish. So here it is, very late and on the wrong day.

This summer our family has received so many blessings and interesting lessons learned. First of all, the TV and computer are finally out of the house. Our family moved to a new home and the computer and television have been exiled to the garage. The children and family life in general have improved immensely with the complete removal of television and I've decided to spend most of this "7 quick takes" post detailing those improvements and commenting on other more or less related topics.
Some background: We haven't had cable TV for a very long time. We found that even on stations geared toward children, those stations were still full of advertising that was or could be detrimental to our children in a variety of ways. On some channels there was also the risk of shows earlier in the day being fairly appropriate for children's viewing but at some point in the afternoon switching to programming supposedly for a pre-teen or teen audience that were really not even appropriate for a teen, let alone a small child. So for the most part our TV battle involved the use of children's programs on Netflix and games on sites like Nick Jr.
Our ongoing struggle to regulate television began when my oldest was almost two. We had recently moved 3,000 miles across the country and she and I were staying in my parents' RV until we moved into our apartment. It was a difficult environment for a curious toddler and watching TV kept her from flipping all of the potentially dangerous or damaging buttons and switches inside the vehicle. I thought we'd go back to our usual little to no TV life after we moved into our apartment but it was much more difficult than I had bargained for! She was now bored without it and the box would become our crutch for difficult or demanding times (unpacking, arrival of new siblings, morning sickness, military deployment transitions and so on). Since our oldest was two we've had an ongoing fight with the TV, from periods of turning it off altogether (like during Lent), to heavily regulated use, to it being totally abused and overused at times. It was a constant stress for me, especially as homeschooling began to come into the picture. Also, I think the recommendation that children under the age of 2 not being subjected to the screen is a good recommendation, so even if we limited the use of television for our older children, there was still their younger siblings being exposed to its influence and effects. Then one day on an interview with Mrs. Bates, mother of 18 children, she was talking about their family's view on television in the home (the Bates family does not own a TV nor do they have internet in the home) and how she knows that families can use it wisely and be selective about content and regulate the amount of time spent watching TV, but that they knew that they did not have that kind of will-power. If their family had a TV they would eventually be spending too much time in front of it and less time doing chores, school, and other necessities around the house and less time together as a family. And I thought yes! That is our problem. For our family, TV in the home will always be a problem. My husband didn't want to get rid of the TV altogether, wanting to be able to watch our favorite films from time to time, and I needed the internet for many of our lessons and projects, but still didn't want a computer in the house, so my husband came up with the idea of keeping both in the garage, and so far this has been a good solution for our family. ( a note on exiling internet to a remote location, priests and others knowledgeable about the problems with internet temptations often recommend internet in as open and public an area of the home as possible. Neither my husband nor I struggle in the area of internet temptations in the areas of the 6th or 9th commandments and our children are still very young and do not yet use the internet so this may need to be re-worked in later years and may not work at all for other families. )

1. Happier and More Independent
One of the difficulties with cutting down on TV use was that the children would be cranky and bored, used to being passively entertained. Now that it has been completely removed for some time, they seem to regulate their emotions better (especially the little guy) and easily engage in self-directed free play for long periods of time.

2. Improved behavior.
Self-explanatory. Their listening capabilities have noticeably improved. When they watched TV during the week, I was often nervous about focusing on dishes, laundry, or other chores without switching on the box because instead of finding quiet productive activities for themselves they would run off and make a mess or some other mischief. Now they sit quietly and read or play neatly with their toys.

3. Increased attention span and learning.
My oldest two children learned to read this summer, at ages 3 and 5. For the first month or more in the new house the only things I unpacked were the books. The toys were still in boxes in the garage. So all day long they were reading Bob books and looking through picture books. Now a couple months later they can read most of the picture books to themselves, including the ones we bring home from the library. I've loved books from a young age, and so now seeing my children be able to experience the joy of books for themselves is very gratifying for me as a parent. My daughter has also been using the Explode the Code workbooks and Catholic Heritage Curriculum's program for phonics.

 

4. A smaller house.

I used to think a larger family needed a larger living space but right now I am enjoying a smaller house. All of our children are quite young at this time and in a smaller house I find it much easier to supervise them as I go about the day's activities. And of course there is less to clean.

 5. A bigger (more secure) yard.
Our current place also has a large fenced in yard and I am finding less-stuff, a small house, and a big yard to be a great combination. The little ones can play outside while I do dishes, cook, and keep an eye on them out the kitchen or other window.

6. Less stuff.

We are still in the process of downsizing on stuff. I have gotten rid of most of the toys. For than the first month we were here I didn't even unpack the toys so they read books and played outside all day. Then I finally got around to cleaning out the toys and pared it all down to 3 small to medium storage boxes. One for cars, trains, and other things that go, one for little dolls/figurines/dinosaurs, and one for legos. On a good day the boxes stay in the garage and are taken in one at a time to be played with. The children seem a lot more happy and engaged in their play having just a few simple toys to play with.

7. Being on-the-go a lot, and organization.  

 My mother (God bless her) has been visiting all summer through my husbands deployment and we were traveling around a lot together at hotels and homes of our family etc. This idea made traveling with the kids a lot easier and has become the permanent system in the home for the time being. 

The box on the left are some spare play clothes for when we stay at home all day and they are mostly going to be digging in the dirt etc. The box on the right is usually full and has all the outfits they wear when we go out. The boys have matching polo shirts and khakis and my daughter's dresses and skirts loosely match the colors the boys wear. And we are no longer taking anymore clothes into the house. For now, they are set.

Smile! Homemade Tooth Paste

Received this in a naturopathy newsletter. Looking forward to trying it:

Recipe for homemade toothpaste! 

• 3 tbs coconut oil
• 3 tbs baking soda
• 25 drops of peppermint oil
• 1 packet of Stevia
• 2 tbs vegetable glycerin

 Mash together the baking soda and coconut oil, then mix in the rest of the ingredients to form a paste. Store in a jar and dip in your toothbrush whenever you want to use.

Red Raspberry Leaf

I've been bad lately about making/drinking my pregnancy tea. Red raspberry leaf is a uterine toner that is also rich in iron. I like to brew it with herbal "pregnancy" tea because the mixed tea has some nice flavors. Anyway, my plan of action is using these empty honey jars. They hold two cups of tea and so if I can get down two jars a day I will be taking in the recommended amount per day (3-4 cups).
Making tea each day seems like a long process for me. Boil the water, steep the tea, wait for it to cool, and then drinking the tea. So the plan is to make several days worth at a time.

Onbuhimo

Isaac curled up in his new Onbuhimo

The past month or so many an afternoon has been interrupted by a cranky sleepy baby/toddler who neither seems to want to be carried nor put down. And so begins the up, down, up, down that is very difficult on the 30 weeks pregnant spine until the little guy finally falls asleep. He has also weaned recently and is still trying to figure out a way to fall asleep. I thought baby wearing might be helpful and comforting to him since when he becomes moody he wants to be on me but pushes my arms away. I have several baby carriers but unfortunately they tie/buckle around the hips and since I carry low I am usually unable to use these carriers during my pregnancies. I decided to purchase an Onbuhimo, a Japanese style baby carrier that like most Asian carriers, is made with a rectangular piece of cloth. The Onbu has only two straps at the top and then a pair of rings at the bottom, and can be tied above high, above the belly.

Just as I was checking the mail Isaac was beginning to throw a fit and I was happy to see that in the mail was my Onbu order! So I popped him in right away and it worked like a charm. He instantly quieted down and I proceeded back to the kitchen chores and the laundry I was folding, with him sitting quietly on my back. He soon fell asleep and I was able to carefully transfer him off of my back still sleeping.
Alice thought the carrier was beautiful and called it a "piggy back carrier" because I was wearing him on my back. She also commented "It's a good thing it's a piggy back carrier, since Isaac is a piggy" (I affectionately call him piggy sometimes because he eats a lot). 

I purchased this custom toddler size Onbu from twomommasdesigns.com.

Corpus Christi

 Our Parish's Corpus Christi procession was just beautiful. There was a huge turnout, possibly as many as 600! We were also blessed to have Archbishop Peter Sartain offer Mass and attend the procession. The day began cold and overcast and on the way to Mass I was just praying and praying that the sun would come out and I'm pretty sure there were many others praying the same thing! By the time Mass ended the sun was shining and it was just a perfect day for the procession! Deo gratias!

 Alice walked in uniform with her AHG troup.

"I am the living bread which came down from heaven.  If any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever; and the bread that I will give, is my flesh, for the life of the world.  The Jews therefore strove among themselves, saying: How can this man give us his flesh to eat?  Then Jesus said to them: Amen, amen I say unto you: Except you eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink his blood, you shall not have life in you.  He that eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath everlasting life: and I will raise him up in the last day. For my flesh is meat indeed: and my blood is drink indeed.  He that eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, abideth in me, and I in him.  As the living Father hath sent me, and I live by the Father; so he that eateth me, the same also shall live by me.  This is the bread that came down from heaven. Not as your fathers did eat manna, and are dead. He that eateth this bread, shall live for ever.  These things he said, teaching in the synagogue, in Capharnaum. Many therefore of his disciples, hearing it, said: This saying is hard, and who can hear it?  But Jesus, knowing in himself, that his disciples murmured at this, said to them: Doth this scandalize you?  If then you shall see the Son of man ascend up where he was before?  It is the spirit that quickeneth: the flesh profiteth nothing. The words that I have spoken to you, are spirit and life.  But there are some of you that believe not. For Jesus knew from the beginning, who they were that did not believe, and who he was, that would betray him. And he said: Therefore did I say to you, that no man can come to me, unless it be given him by my Father.  After this many of his disciples went back; and walked no more with him.  Then Jesus said to the twelve: Will you also go away?  And Simon Peter answered him: Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life. And we have believed and have known, that thou art the Christ, the Son of God." - John 6:51-79 

Blessed be God. Blessed be His Holy Name.
Blessed be Jesus Christ, true God and true Man.
Blessed be the Name of Jesus.
Blessed be His Most Sacred Heart.
Blessed be His Most Precious Blood.
Blessed be Jesus in the Most Holy Sacrament of the Altar.
Blessed be the Holy Spirit, the Paraclete.
Blessed be the great Mother of God, Mary most Holy.
Blessed be her Holy and Immaculate Conception.
Blessed be her Glorious Assumption.
Blessed be the Name of Mary, Virgin and Mother.
Blessed be St. Joseph, her most chaste spouse.
Blessed be God in His Angels and in His Saints.

Wild Fermentation

Still using disposable cameras, so I apologize for the poor quality, but I still think the color is really pretty! Finally got around to making some home-fermented sauerkraut. This picture is before fermentation, but as of now it has been fermenting for about a week now. It's nice and bubbly and getting more sour everyday.
I recently obtained a copy of Sandor Katz's "Wild Fermentation" which contains all kinds of recipes from sauerkraut to beer to bread.

7 Quick Takes Friday

1. Camera Troubles - with both digital camera and phone camera not currently useable I've had to resort to disposable cameras. Unfortunately the last disposable camera only developed 9 of the 26 shots.

2. Which means there were some potentially very cute photos that are forever lost, like the several pictures I took of Alice sitting on the bunk bed reading to her baby brother and him listening attentively, and all of the pictures I took of Alice at her American Heritage Girls end of the year ceremony.

3. Alice completed her first year of American Heritage Girls and has crossed over from Pathfinder to Tenderheart. We are so proud of her. Unfortunately when we move there will not be a Catholic American Heritage Girls troop in our area so she will not be able to participate as a Tenderheart.

4. Adventures in Hair Cutting: two months ago the boys went to super cuts with their dad to get much needed haircuts and I really wasn't very satisfied with the results considering the price and so I decided I would cut their hair myself. Since May I have cut all 3 of the children's hair and considering it's a free/DIY haircut they look good. Julius' cut even looks better than the $8 "super" cut in my opinion. I took a few pictures of Julius' layered boys cut on another disposable camera, which hopefully develops better than the last.

5. Alice is hooked on phonics: well, we don't use that particular product, but lately she hasn't been very interested in math and mostly wants to do reading and phonics, especially her "Explode the Code" lesson books, which she says are really fun. After thinking about it I figured that there have been times in the past where she has mostly wanted to work on math and that it will all balance out. After all, I focus on my interests in much the same way, for a few weeks I may cram information on gardening and the next few weeks I'll mostly be interested in various knitting projects and then I won't knit for a time and focus more on catching up on reading good books etc. etc. I figure actual learning and retention of information is much more important than pushing ahead on a curriculum schedule and she is really advancing quickly in her reading skills. Now she will often point out words on signs and such that she is able to sound out or read small simple sentences she spots in my own books and magazines. As I mentioned above, she also reads baby books to her little brothers.

6. Little brothers and homeschooling: when possible I try to do lessons with Alice when the boys are napping, but often Julius is awake and I bought him a sketch book to color in while Alice writes in her lesson books. He absolutely loves Alice's lesson books and will flip through them reading the words and pointing out numbers etc. While she is working he will sometimes glance over and copy some of the words into his sketch book. He can read quite a few little books himself and holds a crayon with the correct grip even though he has never been instructed on how to hold it. He's really never been instructed on anything. He prefers to teach himself what he wants to know. So far he is a very successful "unschooler". Isaac loves to hear his older brother and sister counting and singing the alphabet song. Isaac will point and letters and numbers and lay on the floor flipping through books pretending to count and read like one of the big kids.

7. Number four: I am 27 weeks along as of today. I had an appointment with my midwife this week and everything is going just fine. I'm finally feeling healthy. I was still not quite myself until about week 22! By week 16 I could at least walk around and get out of the house a bit but still easily tired, had a lot of dizzy spells and felt ill as soon as I felt hungry at all, and got motion sick quite easily. It took a little while to build my muscles back up again as well. They had atrophied from the two months spent in bed and I could wrap my hands easily around the middle of my thigh (not a normal thing for me since I have naturally strong muscular legs). But now I'm feeling much better, more energy, and trying to exercise and build up the strength and endurance that I will need for labor and birth. Still no consensus on a name for the little guy.

Spring in the PacNW: Sunday Family Outing

Sunday Outing Video

I was so happy about the boys going to bed before 10!...

...Until they were awake at 4:30am eating pizza.

Graffiti

My 3 1/2 year old is teaching himself to read/write/spell. Unfortunately his favorite learning tool is the wall.

May I introduce you to "A" "E" "I" "O" and "U".

He is also fond of bubble letters.

 "FUN"

 "DIG"

 "HAT"

 "HUG"

"CAT"

The Large Family

By Pope Pius XII

An Address to the Directors of the Associations for Large Families of Rome and of Italy
January 20, 1958
Beloved sons and daughters, Officers and Representatives of the Associations for Large Families of Rome and of Italy, this visit of yours has to be listed among those that bring deepest pleasure to Our heart. You are well aware of the lively interest We have in family life, of how We never miss an opportunity to point out its many-sided dignity, to reassert its rights and defend them, to inculcate the duties it involves — in a word, We make it a key-point of Our pastoral teaching.
It is this same anxious interest in families that makes Us agree so readily to spend at least a few moments with family groups that come to Our home (whenever the duties of Our office do not make this impossible), and this is why, on occasion, We consent to be photographed in the midst of them, so as to leave some kind of lasting record of Our joy and theirs.

Father of the human family

The Pope in the midst of a family! Isn’t that right where he belongs? Isn’t he (in the loftiest spiritual sense of the word) the Father of the whole human family that has been reborn in Christ and in the Church? Is it not through him, the Vicar of Christ on earth, that the wonderful plan of creative Wisdom is put into effect — a plan that has conferred on all human fatherhood the destiny of preparing a chosen family for heaven, where the love of the One and Triune God will enfold them in a single eternal embrace and give them Himself as the inheritance that will make them perfectly happy?

A triple testimony

But you do not represent just any families at all; you are and represent large families, those most blessed by God and specially loved and prized by the Church as its most precious treasures. For these families offer particularly clear testimony to three things that serve to assure the world of the truth of the Church’s doctrine and the soundness of its practice, and that redound, through good example, to the great benefit of all other families and of civil society itself.
Wherever you find large families in great numbers, they point to: the physical and moral health of a Christian people; a living faith in God and trust in His Providence; the fruitful and joyful holiness of Catholic marriage.
We would like to say a few words about each of these points.
Surely, one of the most harmful aberrations that has appeared in modern society with its pagan tendencies is the opinion of those who are eager to classify fruitfulness in marriage as a “social malady,” and who maintain that any nation that finds itself thus afflicted must exert every effort and use every means to cure the disease. This is the basis for the propaganda that goes under the name of “planned parenthood”; at times it is promoted by persons and organizations who command respect because of their positions in other fields, but who, unfortunately, have taken a stand in this matter which must be condemned.

Birth control

Sad as it is to realize how widespread doctrines and practices of this kind have become, even among the traditionally healthy classes, it is comforting to see indications and proofs of a healthy reaction in your country, both in the legal and in the medical fields. As you know, article 31 of the current Constitution of the Italian Republic, to cite just one source, pays “special attention to large families,” and the prevailing teaching among Italian doctors is along a line of opposition ever more strongly against birth-control practices.
This does not mean that the danger has passed and that we have destroyed the prejudices which tend to make marriage and its wise norms submit to the aims of reprehensible pride and selfishness on the part of society or of individuals. We particularly deplore that section of the press that every so often takes up the question once again with the obvious intention of confusing good people and drawing them into error with misleading evidence, questionable polls, and even falsified statements from some cleric or other.

Obedience to nature’s laws

On the part of Catholics, We must urge the wide dissemination of the principle, firmly founded on truth, that the only way to protect the physical and moral health of the family and of society is through whole-hearted obedience to the laws of nature, or rather of the Creator, and most of all by fostering a sacred, heart-felt respect for them.
In this matter, everything depends on the intention. You can multiply laws and make the penalties heavier; you can give irrefutable proofs of the stupidity of birth-control theories and of the harm that comes from putting them into practice; but as long as there is no sincere determination to let the Creator carry on His work as He chooses, then human selfishness will always find new sophistries and excuses to still the voice of conscience (to the extent it can), and to carry on abuses.
Now the value of the testimony offered by the parents of large families lies not only in their unequivocal and forceful rejection of any deliberate compromise between the law of God and human selfishness, but also in their readiness to accept joyfully and gratefully these priceless gifts of God — their children — in whatever number it may please Him to send them.
This kind of attitude frees married couples from oppressive anxieties and remorse, and, in the opinion of outstanding doctors, creates the ideal psychological conditions for the healthy development of children born of the marriage. For, right at the beginning of these new lives, it eliminates all those worries and disturbances that can so easily leave physical or psychological scars on the mother or child.
Apart from exceptional cases and We have had occasion to speak of these before — nature’s law is basically one of harmony, and it leads to discord and contradictions only in cases where its normal operation is upset by particular circumstances which are for the most part abnormal, or by deliberate opposition from a human will. There is no eugenics that can improve upon nature: it is good as a science only so long as it aims at gaining a profound knowledge of nature’s laws and respects these laws — although in some cases it may be wise to dissuade people who suffer from serious defects from getting married (cfr. Enc. Casti connubii, Dec. 31, 1930: A.A.S. 22 (1930) p. 565).

Physical and moral health

Again, good common sense has always and everywhere looked upon large families as a sign, a proof, and a source of physical health, and history makes no mistake when it points to violation and abuse of the laws governing marriage and procreation as the primary cause of the decay of peoples.
Far from being a “social malady,” large families are a guarantee of the moral and physical health of a people. Virtues flourish spontaneously in homes where a baby’s cries always echo from the crib, and vice is put to flight, as if it has been chased away by the childhood that is renewed there like the fresh and invigorating breath of spring.
So let the weak and selfish take their example from you; let the nation continue to be loving and grateful toward you for all the sacrifices you have taken upon yourselves to raise and educate its citizens; just as the Church is pleased with you for enabling her to offer, along with you, ever healthier and larger groups of souls to the sanctifying activity of the divine Spirit.
In the modern civil world a large family is usually, with good reason, looked upon as evidence of the fact that the Christian faith is being lived up to, for the selfishness that We just pointed out as the principal obstacle to an increase in the size of a family group cannot be successfully overcome without recourse to ethical and religious principles.
In recent times we have seen how so-called “demographic politics” have failed to achieve any noteworthy results; it is easy to see why, for the individual interest will almost always win out over the collective pride and selfishness which this idea so often expresses, and the aims and methods of this policy debase the dignity of the family and the person by placing them on the same level as lower species.

The Light of Christianity

Only the divine and eternal light of Christianity gives full life and meaning to the family and this is so true that right from the beginning and through the whole course of its history, large families have often been considered as synonymous with Christian families.
Respect for divine laws has made them abound with life; faith in God gives parents the strength and vigor they need to face the sacrifice and self-denial demanded for the raising of their children; Christian principles guide them and help them in the hard work of education; the Christian spirit of love watches over their peace and good order, and seems to draw forth from nature and bestow the deepest family joys that belong to parents, to children, to brothers and sisters.
Even externally, a large, well-ordered family is a kind of visible shrine: the sacrament of Baptism is not an exceptional event for them but something constantly renewing the joy and grace of the Lord. The series of happy pilgrimages to the Baptismal font is not yet finished when a new one to Confirmation and first Communion begins, aglow with the same innocence. The youngest of the children will scarcely have put away his little white suit among the dearest memories of life, when the first wedding veil appears to bring parents, children, and new relatives together at the foot of the altar. More marriages, more Baptisms, more first Communions follow each other like ever-new springtimes that, in a sense, make the visits of God and of His grace to the home unending.

Trust in God

But God also visits large families with His Providence, and parents, especially those who are poor, give clear testimony to this by resting all their trust in Him when human efforts are not enough. A trust that has a solid foundation and is not in vain! Providence — to put it in human words and ideas — is not a sum total of exceptional acts of divine pity; it is the ordinary result of harmonious activity on the part of the infinite wisdom, goodness and omnipotence of the Creator. God will never refuse a means of living to those He calls into being.
The Divine Master has explicitly taught that “life is worth more than food, and the body more than clothing” (cf. Matt. 6, 25). If single incidents, whether small or great, seem to contradict this, it is a sign that man has placed some obstacle in the way of divine order, or else, in exceptional cases, that God has higher plans for good; but Providence is something real, something necessary since God is the Creator.

Overpopulation

The so-called problem of overpopulation of the earth is partly real and partly unreasonably feared as an imminent catastrophe for modern society; but undoubtedly the rise of this problem and the continued failure to arrive at a solution of it is not due to some mixup or inertia on the part of divine Providence, but rather to disorder on man’s part — especially to his selfishness and avarice.
With the progress that has been made in technology, with the ease of transportation, and with the new sources of energy that are just beginning to be tapped, the earth can promise prosperity to all those who will dwell on it for a long time to come.
As for the future, who can foresee what new and unsuspected resources may be found on our planet, and what surprises may be uncovered outside of it by the wonderful scientific achievements that have just barely begun? And who can be sure that the natural rhythm of procreation will be the same in the future as it is now? Is it not possible that some law that will moderate the rhythm of expansion from within may come into play? Providence has reserved the future destiny of the world to itself.
It is strange to find that the fears of some individuals are able to change well-founded hopes for prosperity into catastrophic spectre at the very moment when science is changing what used to be considered the dreams of wild imaginations into useful realities.
So overpopulation is not a valid reason for spreading illicit birth control practices. It is simply a pretext used by those who would justify avarice and selfishness — by those nations, for instance, who fear that the expansion of others will pose a danger to their own political position and cause a lowering of the general standard of living, or by individuals, especially those who are better off, who prefer the greatest possible enjoyment of earthly goods to the praise and merit of bringing new lives into existence. The final result is that they break the fixed and certain laws of the Creator under the pretext of correcting supposed errors on the part of His Providence.
It would be more reasonable and useful if modern society would make a more determined, universal effort to correct its own conduct, by removing the causes of hunger in the overpopulated or “depressed areas,” through a more active use of modern discoveries for peaceful aims, a more open political policy of collaboration and exchange, a more far-seeing and less nationalistic economy; above all, by reacting to all suggestions of selfishness with charity, to those of avarice with a more concrete application of justice.
God is not going to ask men for an accounting of the general destiny of mankind; that is His business; but He will demand an accounting of the single acts that they have deliberately performed in accordance with or against the dictates of conscience.
As for you, parents and children of large families, keep on giving a serene and firm testimony of your trust in divine Providence, and be assured that He will not fail to repay you with the testimony of His daily help and, whenever necessary, with those extraordinary helps that many of you have been happy to experience already.
And now a few words on your third testimony — words that may give new strength to those who are fearful and bring you a little comfort.
Large families are the most splendid flower-beds in the garden of the Church; happiness flowers in them and sanctity ripens in favorable soil. Every family group, even the smallest, was meant by God to be an oasis of spiritual peace. But there is a tremendous difference: where the number of children is not much more than one, that serene intimacy that gives value to life has a touch of melancholy or of pallor about it; it does not last as long, it may be more uncertain, it is often clouded by secret fears and remorse.

Happiness in a Large Family

It is very different from the serenity of spirit to be found in parents who are surrounded by a rich abundance of young lives. The joy that comes from the plentiful blessings of God breaks out in a thousand different ways and there is no fear that it will end. The brows of these fathers and mothers may be burdened with cares, but there is never a trace of that inner shadow that betrays anxiety of conscience or fear of an irreparable return to loneliness, Their youth never seems to fade away, as long as the sweet fragrance of a crib remains in the home, as long as the walls of the house echo to the silvery voices of children and grandchildren.
Their heavy labors multiplied many times over, their redoubled sacrifices and their renunciation of costly amusements are generously rewarded even here below by the inexhaustible treasury of affection and tender hopes that dwell in their hearts without ever tiring them or bothering them.
The hopes soon become a reality when the eldest daughter begins to help her mother take care of the baby and on the day the oldest son comes home with his face beaming with the first salary he has earned himself. That day will be a particularly happy one for parents, for it will make the spectre of an old age spent in misery disappear, and they will feel assured of a reward for their sacrifices.
When there are many children, the youngsters are spared the boredom of loneliness and the discomfort of having to live in the midst of adults all the time. It is true that they may sometimes become so lively as to get on your nerves, and their disagreements may seem like small riots; but even their arguments play an effective role in the formation of character, as long as they are brief and superficial. Children in large families learn almost automatically to be careful of what they do and to assume responsibility for it, to have a respect for each other and help each other, to be open-hearted and generous. For them, the family is a little proving ground, before they move into the world outside, which will be harder on them and more demanding.

Vocations

All of these precious benefits will be more solid and permanent, more intense and more fruitful if the large family takes the supernatural spirit of the Gospel, which spiritualizes everything and makes it eternal, as its own particular guiding rule and basis. Experience shows that in these cases, God often goes beyond the ordinary gifts of Providence, such as joy and peace, to bestow on it a special call — a vocation to the priesthood, to the religious life, to the highest sanctity.
With good reason, it has often been pointed out that large families have been in the forefront as the cradles of saints. We might cite, among others, the family of St. Louis, the King of France, made up of ten children, that of St. Catherine of Siena who came from a family of twenty-five, St. Robert Bellarmine from a family of twelve, and St. Pius X from a family of ten.
Every vocation is a secret of Providence; but these cases prove that a large number of children does not prevent parents from giving them an outstanding and perfect upbringing; and they show that the number does not work out to the disadvantage of their quality, with regard to either physical or spiritual values.

Vigilance and Action

One last word to you, Directors and Representatives of the Associations for Large Families of Rome and of Italy.
Be careful to imprint the seal of an ever more vigilant and fruitful dynamism on the action that you intend to carry out in behalf of the dignity of large families and for their economic protection.
With regard to the first of these aims, keep in line with the directives of the Church; with regard to the second, you have to shake out of its lethargy that part of society that is not yet aware of its social responsibilities. Providence is a divine truth and reality, but it chooses to make use of human cooperators. Ordinarily it moves into action and comes to our aid when it has been summoned and practically led by the hand by man; it loves to lie hidden behind human activity. While it is only right to acknowledge that Italian legislation can legitimately boast of being most advanced in this area of affording protection to families and especially to large families, We should not close our eyes to the fact that there are still a considerable number of them who are tossed back and forth between discomfort and real privation, through no fault of their own. Your action must aim at bringing these people the protection of the laws, and in more urgent cases the help of charity. Every positive achievement in this field is like a solid stone set into the structure of the nation and of the church; it is the very best thing you can do as Catholics and as citizens.
Calling down the divine protection upon your families and those of all Italy, placing them once again under the heavenly protection of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph, We impart to you with all Our heart Our paternal Apostolic Blessing.

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Hyperemesis Gravidarum

My blog is in much need of updating after a long hiatus due to hyperemesis gravidarum, which I will explain in this post. I'm very happy to announced that I am with child, and due to give birth to him in September of this year.

HYPEREMESIS GRAVIDARUM: extreme, persistent nausea and vomiting during pregnancy that may lead to dehydration. Symptoms: Severe, persistent nausea during pregnancy, often leads to weight loss; Lightheadedness or fainting.

Our family was very excited to find out that I was once again with child. I was having bouts of motion-sickness-like nausea that came and went and it wasn't too bad, but then in a couple weeks it crescendoed into unrelenting nausea, vomiting, and fatigue that kept me up in bed for 2 months. What a Lent...
I was very blessed to have my husband home during this time and he is truly my hero. He spent his vacation time taking care of everyone and everything and when he went back to work, worked early morning hours and came home mid morning to serve the children breakfast and take care of everyone for the rest of the day. This man deserves a medal.  Anyway, I thought I would share some sources of information on hyperemesis gravidarum, or "HG".

Hyperemesis gravidarum is more than just "morning sickness". It's estimated that it effects between .3%-2% of pregnant women. Thankfully today we have medical interventions such as anti-nausea meds, IVs, and PET feeding so that it is usually not a fatal condition today (apparently Charlotte Brontë author of the novel "Jane Eyre" may have died from malnutrition due to HG.)

Here are some of my HG tips and advice:
1) early intervention: if your morning sickness is worsening or you have a history of severe morning sickness or moderate to severe HG, intervene in the early stages and you may be able to prevent the dehydration-vomiting cycle. Don't wait.
2) arrange for any child care you may need if you have older children

3) don't be afraid of medications. Ask anyone I know, I love going the natural route and am reluctant to seek medical intervention unless it is really necessary, especially since I'm always pregnant and/or nursing. BUT if you have a history of morning sickness and HG anti-emetics might help and the benefits often outweigh the much scarier risks of malnutrition, dehydration, and keytone production that come with HG. Severe dehydration can lead to miscarriage, because muscles (including the uterus) will begin to suffer and contract when lacking proper hydration. Medications don't work for everyone with HG but I took B6 with Unisom and it did help quite a bit (other medications include phenergan, zofran, and if you can get your hands on it, I've heard good things about Diclectin which is made specifically for treatment of NVP (nausea and vomiting of pregnancy) but it cannot be obtained in the US as the US FDA has not yet approved it. It is available in Canada.)
4) natural remedies to treat or accompany medical treatment for HG and NVP:

 

     a) Chiropractic: in my 3rd pregnancy I was able to completely alleviate nausea with chiropractic care. This time around it did give me occasional relief but couldn't completely eliminate it, but I know from experience that depending on the pregnancy this can be a very effective treatment for nausea of pregnancy.

 

     b) aromatherapy/essential oils: ginger, peppermint, lemon and other citrus... you can find lots of books and other sources on particular oils to use for pregnancy and for nausea. doTERRA makes a blend called DigestZen that was very helpful to me when rubbed on the abdomen or even taken (1 drop) in water.
5) if in doubt, have it checked out: especially if fluids cannot be kept down for 24 hours or more, you need to see your provider or visit the ER to receive fluids.

Of course, the information and advise are just my personal non-professional advice and you should always talk to your doctor or midwife blah blah blah....
For information on HG, information for mothers, but also for family and friends, there is a lot of information on this website: http://www.helpher.org/ (to which I credit the chart below). 
Here is a useful chart for identifying HG.

Morning Sickness	Hyperemesis Gravidarum
You lose little if any weight.	You lose 5-20 pounds or more. (> 5% of prepregnancy weight)
Nausea and vomiting do not interfere with your ability to eat or drink enough each day.	Nausea and vomiting cause you to eat very little and get dehydrated from vomiting if not treated.
You vomit infrequently and the nausea is episodic but not severe. It may cause discomfort and misery.	You vomit often and may vomit bile or blood if not treated. Nausea is usually moderate to severe and constant.
Dietary and/or lifestyle changes are enough to help you feel better most of the time.	You will probably require fluid hydration through a vein and/or medications to stop the vomiting.
You typically will improve gradually after the first trimester, but may be a little queasy at times during the remainder of your pregnancy.	You usually feel somewhat better by mid-pregnancy, but you may continue to be nauseous and/or vomit until late pregnancy.
You will be able to work most days and care for your family.	You will likely be unable to work for weeks or months, and may need help caring for yourself.