Simple Woman's Daybook, New Baby Edition (Jan 27, 2009)

FOR TODAY, Tuesday, January 27, 2009…

Outside my window… snow-covered prairie grasses and brilliant sunshine

I am thinking… That I have the most adorable baby boy lying next to me right now.

I am thankful for… Thomas Edmund Paul’s birth Sunday night.

From the learning rooms… no school today. Just witnessing God’s miracle with all the kids.

From the kitchen… Daddy & the kids made waffles and oatmeal this morning, and quesadillas for lunch. Mom made delicious chicken vegetable soup yesterday for lunch. It really hit the spot.

I am wearing… comfy pajama bottoms and a tomato-soup-colored v-neck top. Hair in a pony tail, socks & slippers.

I am creating… memories holding my little Thomas while he is little enough to be held.

I am going… to recover as quickly as I can!

I am reading… Nothing right now except the sweet expressions on Thomas’s face.

I am hoping… We all get a little more sleep tonight.

I am hearing… coos from Thomas, computer typing from Ian (working from home today), a few sounds of quiet play from the older kids during the little kids’ nap time.

Around the house… Everything is serene during nap time. The house is picked up, the dishes are mostly done, the laundry is pretty much caught up. Fr. Jeremy came Sunday night to bless the house and it does feel blessed.

One of my favorite things… cuddling with a brand new baby. The smell of a newborn – so sweet!

A few plans for the rest of the week: Sigh… no plans (bliss).

Here is picture thought I am sharing…

Go to The Simple Woman’s Daybook blog to join in the fun and see other daybook entries. http://thesimplewomansdaybook.blogspot.com/

Birth Announcement!

My newest daughter Maria Isabel was born on Thursday, Sept. 20. She’s a real sweetie and we all love her. Praise God she is finally here!

Forget the Poinsettias this Christmas!

I recently came across this post over at O Night Divine. It seems that 70% of the nation’s poinsettias, those beautiful red plants used to decorate our homes and churches throughout December, are provided by the Ecke family in California. Sounds great – support a family business and decorate to celebrate the birth of our Savior!

BUT this family, unfortunately, uses the money they get from the sales of these poinsettias to renovate abortion mills and support Planned Parenthood’s agenda of more abortions!

So, can anyone think of a better alternative to buying poinsettias this year? Get the word out to your pastors about this!

Musings from A Catholic Bookstore has more on this.

Please post any church and home decorating ideas!

Pro-Family Businesses Wanted

In my previous post “Is it Wrong to Buy at Discount?” Someone commented that her family tries to support Catholic businesses whenever possible. I responded with this (below) and thought I should start a new post on the subject, asking if anyone knows of small family-run businesses that struggle to stay afloat because they cannot compete with larger corporations that discount more than the smaller businesses can (perhaps because they have their items manufactured in China or other countries that do not promote freedom for their people):

Kitty’s response: “Which reminds me! I am planning on repainting my kitchen and saw a wall hanging I really wanted at Hobby Lobby. It is just exactly the size and shape of what I was thinking of to put in the mud room – it is black wrought iron and has a rooster at the top and 7 hooks along the bottom – perfect for little coats and gloves in winter and little sun hats and gardening gloves in summer. HOWEVER, it is made in China and you have just reaffirmed why I cannot buy it. It supports forced abortions instead of strengthening families. Do you know any American family-run businesses that make and sell “country” type items for the home?”

SO! If you know of any such small businesses I would like to have a list here. It does not have to sell “country” items, but any small business that sells wholesome items NOT made in countries where Catholic values are trodden upon and people are enslaved. My blog does not reach millions, but I want to do my small part to help families trying to earn a living doing something worthwhile. Tell your friends to send me information on these businesses. I am especially interested in online and “local” stores (local to your part of the country or world).