Day to Day Dawsons

Feeling weak? Rejoice!

2012-02-07T14:42:00.003-06:00

This is from the Magnificat - a Catholic subscription for daily readings, prayers, and reflections.

The man who is faithful to Christ does not lose the sure beam of rescue even in this of temptations and ruin. From himself he has expected nothing except incapacity, weakness, and failure. But from the Lord who lives within him he hopes for the sudden light of day and the saving beams of morning, hopes even in the hour of deepest darkness. He knows with Saint Paul that "my strength is made perfect in your weakness." God's strength fills the weakness of man. Along with the Apostle he hears the Lord's encouraging word: My grace is enough for you," and recognizes that everything good, holy, strong in his life is the Lord's doing; the pitiful, poor, the weak, his own. At the sight of greatness which God can accomplish in and through men, all the powers of life wake once more, and have their victory in that power. Humility finds a way back to itself through the confidence in Him. What had become a source of suffocating weariness to us, our own weakness, becomes the cause of joy; we learn to love our poverty, for it is the ground for Christ to show his strength:"I delight to boast of the weaknesses which humiliate me, so that the strength of Christ may enshrine itself in me."

- Sister Aemiliana Lohr

Not by the book

2012-02-03T16:50:00.002-06:00

"Around 3 months, your child may be able to sit up while propped with pillows or cushions."

Not Jacob. I'll add that he was patient while I saw this, walked away to get the camera, then take a picture of his poor situation. Sweet little man.

2012-02-02T13:09:00.002-06:00

Notice: The cup of water, my bowl of tepid lunch, books with extra pieces all over the table, ketchup, crayons, trains, St. Therese watching over us, a smaller red plate next to my lunch (leftover from John Paul which becomes part of my lunch), educational place mats, more trains. (And I guess I should mention that John Paul has no pants on- we're successfully potty training. Notice I didn't even pan over to Therese's area of the table- that's a different post. A typical Thursday... grateful for it.

He's outa there!!

2012-02-01T16:24:00.002-06:00

Luke Anthony went home yesterday; he weighs (last I heard) 5lb 13oz- could be more now! He's able to nurse and to take bottles beautifully. And (in my book) he's been living a perfect three hour schedule since birth - imagine that! Pete, Julia, Liam, and Luke will be in Baton Rouge for another week, then home to Lafayette! Praise God for His many blessings, and thank you for your prayers.

Baby Luke

2012-01-24T16:29:00.003-06:00

Our precious nephew Luke Anthony, who was mentioned in an earlier posthttp://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif is still in the hospital, but he is growing and learning to take a bottle and to nurse. We are hoping to have him out of the hospital by the end of the week - making it a month in NICU/Special Care nursery. His home is in Lafayette, but because his mommy went into labor in Baton Rouge, the whole family has been living in Baton Rouge since before Christmas. What a story. Please remember them in your prayers.

I cannot tell you how proud I am to know and love and be in the lives of Luke's mommy and daddy- Pete and Julia.

What patience, love, laughter, holiness, and joy from this family! I cannot imagine being called to such a battle, but watching them go through this has been so life giving. Not to mention their first born - Liam Kenny

What a gift this family is to us!

Observations of my children...

2012-01-22T15:25:00.007-06:00

As we've "added another one to the mix" as some put it, I realize that it's in this mix that I have grown to know my children better. I thought I would share in this post what is so stinkin' great about our children.

John Paul:

A very observant and thoughtful person. All he has to do is make the decision to do/not do something and he's all in. If he is prepared (by the adult) for what is coming he will be the best helper and participant. His love language is words of affirmation. Sometimes he calls to me across the house just to here me say, "I'm right here." He likes to hear us say, "I'll never leave you." If he knows the right thing to do he will enforce it on younger people (i.e. Therese) or else. He is interested in object ("what's that thing called?") If a video is on- he's sitting still for its entirety. He does not like organized or line dancing. He remembers everything. He is a tactile child- he will find the tags on anything. He gives the best hugs and closes his eyes when he really means it. He lies in his twin bed every morning when he wakes up and waits for us to come get him. HE is the reason we are able to sleep until 7:30 most mornings.

Therese:

The life of the party. She is very curious. When John Paul was my only mobile child, I never understood it when moms say, "I can't leave him/her alone for a second" because John Paul is doing the "right" thing 90% of the time. I now understand this statement. If it's quiet in the house, we wonder where Therese is. She is very very thoughtful and fair. She makes sure everyone has a turn; a turn to have a sip, a turn to get a blessing, a turn to make a funny sound, a turn to smell her stinky feet. She loves to sing and dance. She likes to be barefoot and will take her shoes off as often/quickly as possible. She is interested in "who dat?" - People. She wants to know who everyone is in terms of their relationship to her. All pictures of girls are mommies and all boys are daddies. She still loves to be rocked. She is a fantastic tantrum thrower and fake crier. Therese is the child David and I will fall asleep laughing about. She is also the child we pray about most often when needing parenting tips from God. She likes stickers...on her face. If a video is on, she lasts about 5 minutes. She is an oral child (at almost 2.) her love language is quality time. Our spirited child.

Jacob:

Loves his family. He smiles at the sound of T and JP's voices. He loves to converse with his Daddy. Smiles at anyone who looks at him, no need to study them first. He loves to nurse. He loves to be close to Mommy and Daddy (all through the night, hehe). He's patient. He does NOT like the carseat. What else can you know about a 3 month old? All I know is that he is a great gift, indeed.

Thank you, Lord, for our precious children... those born and those yet to come, God willing.

While Therese was sleeping...

2012-01-18T15:46:00.001-06:00

With three children, it isn't often that I have true alone time. But down time is the new word I use. Here are my boys during down time...

Cookie Recipe: The New Translation

2012-01-15T20:19:00.003-06:00

If you attend the Catholic church, you may have noticed a new translation being used for the Mass. Well... someone did the same thing with a Christmas cookie recipe. It is quite funny. Enjoy!

Christmas Cookie Recipe
(New, Corrected Translation)

Serves: you and many.

Cream these ingredients, that by their co-mingling you may begin to make the dough:
1 chalice butter, 2/3 chalice sugar

In a similar way, when the butter is consubstantial with the sugar, beat in:
1 egg

Gather these dry ingredients to yourself and combine them, so that you may add them to the dough which you have already begun to make:
2 1/2 chalices sifted all-purpose flour, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1 teaspoon vanilla

Mix the precious dough with your venerable hands.

Into the refrigerator graciously place the dough so that it may be chilled, for the duration of 3 or 4 hours, before the rolling and cutting of the cookies.

When, in the fullness of time, you are ready to bake these spotless cookies, these delicious cookies, these Christmas cookies, preheat the oven to 350 degrees.

Roll out the dough and, taking up a cookie cutter or stencil of your choosing, fashion the cookies into pleasing forms.

Sprinkle colorful adornments over cookies like the dewfall.

Bake for 8 to 10 minutes, or until the cookies have just begun to manifest the brownness that is vouchsafed to them by the oven’s heat.

May these cookies be found acceptable in your sight, and be borne to a place of refreshment at your table, there to be served with milk or hot chocolate, or with your spirits.

Go Tigers!

2012-01-09T14:39:00.004-06:00

We attempted LSU cookies...

For unto us a child is born... seriously.

2012-01-03T14:24:00.007-06:00

On December 31, 2011, our sister-in-love Julia Dawson went into labor 6 weeks early. She and her husband Pete (David's brother) live in Lafayette, but we were all in Baton Rouge for Christmas. They decided to go to Woman's in BR and from there decided to stay instead of going back to Lafayette. A C-section at 7ish in the morning brought us Luke Anthony Dawson!

He weighed 4lbs 12oz and was 17" long. He spent 2 days in the NICU on oxygen- one of the biggest and healthiest babies in the NICU I assure you. He is now in the special care nursery where he will stay until he is able to nurse/drink a bottle for at least 2 days. Please keep Julia, Pete, big brother Liam and Luke in your prayers. Luke is doing very very well, but life is a bit upside down for them, so prayers for patience, joy, energy, and strength would be greatly appreciated.

More Christmas pictures to come, but for now, here's a little taste of what Jacob Joseph is up to at 10 weeks...

It's a little dark, so I will tell you this: At his 2-month check-up Jacob was 75th percentile in height (short for our babies) and 90th percentile in weight (big for our babies). He naps well... in a swing, and he can do a 5 or 6-hour stretch at night... sleeping in our bed. His hair is coming in brown and it seems his eyes will be brown. So as of now he looks completely different than John Paul and Therese... oh twist my arm, here's a picture of them...

God is good. I am so grateful for my family. Can't wait to share the generic Christmas post with you!

2011-12-26T15:39:00.001-06:00

May the peace and joy of the newborn Christ child be with you and your family. Merry Christmas from Day to day Dawsons.

2011-12-20T21:13:00.003-06:00

Here's a taste of what's been going on in our lives this week:

Sarah, Steven, Madeline, and Anna Kate Green are in town for Christmas!

Our visit with our Polish friends

2011-12-17T14:52:00.007-06:00

Our sweet friends have left us, but they have left quite a mark on our hearts. Thomas and Agnes Talaga and Father Peter Kleszcz (pronounced Kleh-sh-ch) were with us for a week and a half. There was so much wonderful time spent together that I only took pictures one day. There was so much I learned from them- their love, humor, holiness and intelligence, but for fun, I also wanted to share some things I learned about our difference in culture and language.

1. The concern for use of energy is much greater in Poland than America. I will start conserving energy more.
2. They were always eating what was served them. They never wasted ANY food.
3. Poland is a country that endured much suffering for many years. We call our "greatest generation" those who fought during the second World War. I am convinced that what makes a generation of people who are appreciative, grateful, hard-working, and diligent (God-willing also very holy) are those who have suffered. The Polish have suffered both the tyranny of Nazi-ism and Communism- many years or suffering. If Thomas, Agnes, and Fr Peter of a representation of the Polish culture, then we should expect many more people from Poland who will change the world (like St. Faustina , John Paul II, and St. Maximilian Kolbe) because they have lived through such suffering and have come out of it with greater trust in God's providence.
4. It costs NOTHING to have a baby in a Polish Hospital.
5. Poland is about the size of Texas. http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif
6. There are no interstates in Poland... because there are no states
7. Clothes are (for the most part) still dried without dryers (uses a lot of energy)
8. One of the most beautiful children's choirs is in Lodz (pronounced Wooge) and Fr Peter is the choir director - http://www.serca.franciszkanie.pl/
9. We Americans should all be fluent in at least ONE language besides are own. All three could speak fantastic English (and read it). I wish I could say that Polish is an easily learned language, but that would indeed be a great great lie.

I am so grateful for David after such a week. He worked so hard for them and for us. The retreat was wonderful, and we are so grateful to God for gifting us with Thomas, Agnes, and Fr. Peter and the Domestic Church.

Visitors!

2011-12-03T15:41:00.004-06:00

We have some friends coming...

If you remember the various posts on David's trip(s) -yes multiple trips- to Poland, then you may remember that he stayed with some beautiful, holy, fantastic people Tomas and Agnes. He/we have become close over the last few years and now they are coming to teach us (and many other members of our church parish) about a lay movement in the Catholic Church called "Domestic Church." It was started by a priest in Poland (a friend of JPII's) and for the first time it has been translated into English and we will be learning about how to become a part!! It's all so amazing and we are so excited... this is happening because my precious husband is so diligent and obedient in his prayer (praise God for my husband), and now the movement will come to America (it's all over the world, but only Polish speaking natives have been member UNTIL NOW).

This is Agnes (she interpreted for David during his recent visit)

Stay tuned for details about their visit. By the way they took David all over Poland, so we plan to take them all over Louisiana!! (It's pretty much the same size.)

Transitions = Dying to self

2011-11-23T15:50:00.005-06:00

Having a baby is quite a transition. I have learned and am learning that the only way to "survive" and to embrace the changes is to allow myself to be broken down, to die to myself- what is comfortable and easy- and to plunge head first into redefining life as I know. It is not easy. In fact, is so hard that I have to CHOOSE this (dying to myself) daily, otherwise I can't receive the grace and the joy in store. All this, of course, is how we get closer and closer to Heaven. With that in mind, I wanted to share a song that has touched me to my core in recent weeks...

You could plant me like a tree beside a river
You could tangle me in soil and let my roots run wild
And I would blossom like a flower in the desert
But for now just let me cry

You could raise me like a banner in a battle
Put victory like a fire behind my shining eyes
And I would drift like falling snow over the embers
But for now just let me lie

Bind up these broken bones
Mercy bend and breathe me back to life
But not before You show me how to die

Set me like a star before the morning
Like a song that steals the darkness from a world asleep
And I'll illuminate the path You've laid before me
But for now just let me be

Bind up these broken bones
Mercy bend and breathe me back to life
But not before You show me how to die
Oh, not before You show me how to die

So let me go like a leaf upon the water
Let me brave the wild currents flowing to the sea
And I will disappear into a deeper beauty
But for now just stay with me
God, for now just stay with me
-----------------------------------

In the theme of Thanksgiving, here are the people who are helping me get to Heaven- thank you. You are my life. You are my true joy.

A first

2011-11-10T09:50:00.002-06:00

We all went for a walk... all five of us! I hadn't exercised yet, so this was WONDERFUL! The first neighbor we saw had this to say- Neighbor: Hey, you know there's a limit to how many children can fit in one of those things (a stroller). Some response to humor him followed from David, but I don't remember what he said. Neighbor: Have you ever heard of that family with all the kids? They had 20 or something like that and they moved out the oldest daughter to have the 20th (which is not true). I responded with something like: we have a ways to go to get to 20. Thank goodness we were strolling in front of his house and had passed in front of him enough to end the conversation.

Our conclusion? Have more than two children or mention that we don't have a set number of children that we want and people start comparing us to the Duggers. Oh well. "Let it be done to me."

We enjoyed the walk and the fresh air.

Newborn noises

2011-11-06T13:23:00.003-06:00

A few seconds of content and a few seconds of the downward spiral... I love him!!

The last week and a half...

2011-11-03T10:54:00.003-05:00

Not much to report. New born transition information inserted here (i.e. sleeping all day, playing at night, covered in milk and spit-up, John Paul and Therese are in love, so are we.). God has provided so much love and support from so many friends and family members. Our hearts are so full. Thank you.

Here are some pictures- if you never saw John Paul as a newborn, he was a lot like this (dark hair and dark complexion). Enjoy!

Jacob Joseph Dawson

2011-10-25T17:37:00.003-05:00

Short story short: Started labor in the middle of the night on Friday (22nd) and by 12:30 we were at the hospital for me to receive my antibiotic for Group B strep (if you know what that is, then you know why that's important; if not, then it's not that important). I was 6cm upon arrival- Praise God!! 3:31pm, out he came. It happened so fast that we were unable to inform our family/friends of the progress until it was all over. I will also say that he was born naturally, and I will spare you any further details in that.

We are so grateful that Jacob was born on the FIRST feast of Blessed Pope John Paul II since his beatification back in May. This man, though he is John Paul's namesake, is a beloved, beatified, and holy man whom our family loves and asks intercession from quite often.

Our prayers for you were fervent and we are honored to have been able to intercede for you- our family and friends. Thank you for your prayers as well. He is beautiful and healthy and we are so happy to have him join our family. Just before I delivered Jacob, David (in an effort to help me refocus for a contraction, he told me that Andrew was praying for us - Andrew is the baby that we lost last November- and I wept. Looking back, I am a bit surprised that even in the of the pain of delivering the child coming because Andrew was NOT coming, I wept at his loss. He was with us through all of this, and he is our family's little Saint.

Here are a few of the pictures with our camera (whose batteries went dead right after Jacob's birth). When more come from the other cameras I will post. For now enjoy- drum roll......... JACOB JOSEPH DAWSON

(Our precious friends Carrie Chaumont and Fr. Nathan Long are Jacob's Godparents)

2011-10-24T20:28:00.002-05:00

We're home! We're healthy! The Dawson's are a family of five!! I will post pictures as soon as possible.

Jacob was born at 3:31pm on Saturday October 22- the feast day of our beloved Blessed John Paul II. Jacob was 7lbs 12 oz, 20 3/4" long. Great set of lungs. John Paul and Therese are doing well with him so far... Therese is very interested in this nursing thing. More on that to come.

Thank you for your thoughts and prayers, we were praying for you as well. Praise God for a healthy deliver and a healthy new son.

I should also point out that David Dawson is the best husband and labor coach and post-partum companion ON THE PLANET.

Cute Kids!

2011-10-07T15:25:00.003-05:00

A few shots of the kids before they greet their newest addition.

Therese went on a bike ride with Daddy for the first time- mostly because we had to wait for the helmet to fit.

John Paul at this birthday party- I love this little man!

D-Day (Due day) in T - 16 days.

St. Therese

2011-10-01T09:48:00.003-05:00

Happy Feast day of St. Therese - we love her so much and are so grateful for God's work through her little way. As I think of what I appreciate in St. Therese, I realize it is all wrapped up in HUMILITY. In light of this thought, I wanted to post a litany that helps us all to receive the humility to brought her to sainthood:

O Jesus! meek and humble of heart, Hear me.
From the desire of being esteemed,
Deliver me, Jesus.

From the desire of being loved...
From the desire of being extolled ...
From the desire of being honored ...
From the desire of being praised ...
From the desire of being preferred to others...
From the desire of being consulted ...
From the desire of being approved ...
From the fear of being humiliated ...
From the fear of being despised...
From the fear of suffering rebukes ...
From the fear of being calumniated ...
From the fear of being forgotten ...
From the fear of being ridiculed ...
From the fear of being wronged ...
From the fear of being suspected ...

That others may be loved more than I,
Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.

That others may be esteemed more than I ...
That, in the opinion of the world,
others may increase and I may decrease ...
That others may be chosen and I set aside ...
That others may be praised and I unnoticed ...
That others may be preferred to me in everything...
That others may become holier than I, provided that I may become as holy as I should…

36 weeks and 2 days...

2011-09-27T16:48:00.002-05:00

...but who's counting.

Not much to report, except that I have no knew pictures to show you and I can't find John Paul's all-too-important toy train named Spencer. I wonder if I'm the only one who prays about finding her children's toys... feels a little silly. I'm heading to the park to see if he's there. I feel like this is what happens when people lose their pets.

Spencer? Oh Spencer!

A little date...

2011-09-13T14:44:00.001-05:00

Wonder what this is about?

After a full day of giving into absolutely every nesting instinct (minus dusting), I headed to my OB for one of those completely unnecessary appointments. Blood pressure check, "belly check", good heart rate on the baby, nothing to report on my end, thanks, see you in two weeks. So superfluous.

At about 4:30 I began to feel some contractions- not weird, it happens all the time now. By 5:15 as David is loading the kiddos into the van to head to daily Mass, they are every three minutes apart without fail, they are relatively intense, and I am nauseated. David heads out to Mass solo and I stay home to twiddle my thumbs and count my contractions. A quick call to the doc who says to "come on in" for a check. Sure. Come on in. To go through all the hooplah and walk out the door hours later paying for a needle and some saline with a bedrest order. No thank you. I'm staying right here!

Around 7:30pm, after a meeting David had, he brought John Paul and Therese to my parents (did I mention what a gift it is to live in the same town as my parents?), David and I stood in the living room praying about what to do... to the hospital we go.

It was quite a time. I really enjoyed the alone time with David, he read magazine articles to me and we had a great time as my contractions got closer together and more intense. Did I mention I am 34 weeks- too early to be doing this? Any way, after some fabulous "checking" of my dilation (I've decided not to describe this lovely part any further) the doc ordered a bag fluids via IV. More reading and laughing together (it was turning into a little date) and a fantastic nurse (Leah at Gautier campus if you're wondering), by 12:30am the contractions has distanced themselves and had become less intense. The end. Not even an order for bedrest (I just love my laid back doctor... David Darbonne... no relation.

We were home by 1am. We slept until 9, and now my children are napping, so I think I will join them. A nice little story for your afternoon. This little man will be hanging out a little longer... oh... did I tell you it's a boy?

Night Night.

An unexpected gift...

2011-09-09T16:19:00.003-05:00

So much has been happening these last weeks at the Dawson house. I'll spare details, except to say: a child with fevers, acid bumps, night waking, and a 33-week pregnant mommy.

BUT>>> David and I have been married for 4 fantastic years on the 8th! Praise God for my precious husband!

And the reason for my post...

My sweet friend Nichole Lanthier came to the house with this! A bag FILLED with cloth diapers, inserts, wet bag, diaper pale, and detergent! David and I have been praying about starting cloth diapers... buying diapers for 3 is too many. We had no way of getting these diapers, and knowing this, Nichole (in her own way, which I'll never know) got a hold of enough cloth diapers for both Therese and for the new baby! Thank you Lord for gifting us with precious friends!

Beach Trip

2011-08-19T10:34:00.002-05:00

Life has been a bit busy and thrown us for a loop in this last week, so I have been unable to post about our beach trip... here you go! We went with my parents to Galveston TX. What a wonderful trip! Thanks, Granny and Grandpa!

Prayers for Lewis Land

2011-08-14T21:11:00.003-05:00

It is with such a heavy heart that I post this. Our dear friends Maria and Gianna Lewis lost their husband/Daddy yesterday. Iaian was a fantastic man, and great father and a wonderful husband. I know some of you may only know this family from the blog, so if you have ever purposefully or accidentally discovered Lewislandhttp://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif from our blog, please visit it again and let her know you are thinking of them and MOST of all that you are praying for them.

May the souls of the faithful departed through the mercy of God rest in peace.

3

2011-08-11T16:49:00.006-05:00

John Paul will be three tomorrow (August 12th), I thought I would just post pictures that recap these last years that have changed my life. John Paul made us parents, and I have not stopped learning since. I had no idea I could love a person like this. I am grateful for the joy and challenges that loving him brings. I am so grateful that we get to work out our salvation by living and loving with him! Happy Birthday, John Paul, my heart's delight!

Here is an unorganized array of pictures from his first three years- so hahttp://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gifrd to find the best pictures- he's just so handsome. Sigh. You can also click on our fotki link to see a great many more pictures of him... and the rest of the Dawson crew. Thanks for visiting today. If you would, so a quick prayer for John Paul's 3rd year to be all God wants for him.

Flexibility...

2011-07-31T21:17:00.003-05:00

... a trait that I use to posses, but no longer. I title this post as such because we are (after making certain observations throughout the week) hanging up the potty business for a little bit and will try again later. I will spare details -for your sake and for John Paul's dignity- but I will say that it's been helpful (after a few days of forgetting this detail) to ask GOD His opinion (having created the GI tract and John Paul as well, I figured He would know how the two will work the best). He has helped David and I to be at peace about the right steps to take in this direction. It's our first rodeo, ya know? Thought you might like to know.

Potty training: the mystery

2011-07-27T14:08:00.003-05:00

Our precious John Paul is potty training. I won't drag you in to every detail nor will I address the number of successes and accidents that have come along. We are three days into potty training. Not really sure what to make of it except the following observations:

1)It does not bother him when he has an accident (he's even been caught jumping in it like a puddle) except when it "burned" because his bottom has a little rash.

2) He lets loose ( i.e. he saturates his diaper) when we do put a diaper on him to go daily Mass.

3) His successes are only after watching him like a dirty little hawk letting everything/everyone else go... and I should mention that his successes have only happened with David (never with me).

4) He is willing to sit on the potty if the following things have been said : If you tee tee in the potty you can play train games with Daddy on the computer

5) He is acting out like a mad-man. Could it be his only "thing" to control?

6) He will be 3 in two weeks. Is it still too soon?

7) If he reads this blog post many years from now, he will be very embarrassed. If you are reading this, I love you, my sweet sweet John Paul!

The Ultimate Grandparents Day!

2011-07-26T10:41:00.002-05:00

Today, the Church celebrates the Feast Day of Jesus' grandparents - Joachim and Anne- who were Mary's mama and daddy. Thought you might like to know.

Family's in town!!

2011-07-22T14:23:00.003-05:00

Sarah, Steven, Madeline (4), and Anna Kate (2) have been in town this week from Colorado! I have taken so few pictures, except today when they came to play at our house. We danced, painted, ate, swam, and made watermelon sorbethttp://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif. Sarah will certainly have a full scale blog post about their trip at some point : Check out her blog for more pictureshttp://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif

And the dance party... or the lap-running... whatever you wish to call it.

Just a few months ago...

2011-07-18T10:51:00.003-05:00

My sweet friend Kathleen McNally LeBlanc http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif took some pictures of Therese back in the fall. If I remember correctly, Therese was sitting up, but not crawling yet. I just received the disc, so I wanted you to see a few.

Thoughts this week:

2011-07-13T16:05:00.004-05:00

Andrew Thomas -the baby we lost back in November- would have been due this week. Therese is 16 months, and John Paul will be 3 in less than a month. Rarely does a day go by that I don't think about him. We lost him very early and it was in prayer that I feel like he was a boy. As I was thinking about what this week would have held, I shared with David that I was still sad even though I am overjoyed about the gift we have in Jacob/Genevieve (coming late October). His response was, "Andrew gave his life so that this baby could live." How wonderful a thought. I truly think that Andrew is in Heaven praying our children through each day. I am so grateful for our children, and I just wanted to share with you a few pictures of the babies we have been fortunate enough to meet...

And one will pray we will be able to meet in 3 months...
http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif

For those of you who have also lost a child (in any circumstance) there is a website for a church in NYC - The Church of the Holy Innocence- who has a "Book of Life." On their website, you can enter the name of the child/children you have lost and they will place his/her name in their Book of Life. They send you a certificate and each daily Mass is said for all the children in the Book of Life. It was a very healing detail of our story. I pray it can be for you as well.

2011-06-28T16:21:00.002-05:00

Check out what the Franciscans were up to recently. I just had to share this. Watch until the end to see what happens.

A small observation of the children...

2011-06-24T07:13:00.007-05:00

As John Paul (2 yrs and 10 months) and Therese (15 months) seem to be growing in their ability to communicate with one another, it is such a joy (most of the time) to watch their personalities come out in these last days. One event in particular- the coming of the rain- magnified the phenomena of personality and birth order. David and I tried to get John Paul to walk in the rain with an umbrella or even to see that Daddy's dancing ridiculously in the rain was fun and safe. NOPE. He refused to the point of tears at seeing David out their in his clothes getting so wet. So what happened when Therese saw the rain? Here's what I captured.

At first it was just her little hands that reached out the feel the rain coming off the tin roof. Then it was her head.

And that's all it took...

And what was John Paul doing? He was in the back porch where it was dry, playing with his trains, happy to be doing so.

And here are a few other pictures of them.

And just think: if 5 months or so, another personality will join us!!!

David Dawson- my life's gift

2011-06-12T20:49:00.008-05:00

Our David is 29! I am so grateful that his parents said yes to receiving such a gift! David is holy, compassionate, funny, caring, light-hearted, understanding, empathetic, funny, serious, Christ-like, gorgeous, Christ-centered, funny, adventurous, learned, hilarious, intelligent, so good-looking, and the list goes on and on. Anything I pictured for my husband has been completely blown out of the water- he far surpasses anything I could have asked for or imagined. Loving David is a testament to God's goodness and mercy (because I don't deserve him). Did I mention he is the best Dad EVER!?!? And while we're talking about good-looking, we have some seriously beautiful children with all their Daddy's good looks to thank for that! (If you're wondering, they got my personality and his looks- hang on!) So here's our birthday weekend...

Homemade cinnamon rolls - Can't decide whether to thank Paul Dean or to punch her. We all needed sugar/butter induced comas after breakfast.

After the priestly ordination of our sweet friend Father Jeff Starkovich (YEAH!!!) we headed to Lafayette to be with most of David's family - Mimi, Grandaddy, Uncle Pat (Patrick), Pete, Julia, and Liam!

We sang and David blew out his candles on a pistachio cake his mom made - the joke it that David (who is not a typical cake and icing kind of a guy) likes all foods weird and different. A text I received from my mother-in-love the previous day said, "Pistachio cake. Is that weird enough?"

We played cranium (a must if you haven't before) and a really good time proceeded to take place

Including a little dancing to 90's pop (don't knock it til you've relived it)

And today we swam at my Aunt and Uncle's House - complete with Granny, Grandpa, Renee, and ICE CREAM CAKE!!!

It has been a wonderful weekend: Celebrating David's birthday, celebrating the church's birthday (Pentacost), and celebrating with new priests.

A Refreshing Our Father...

2011-06-09T10:16:00.001-05:00

I am so impressed.

Poland: the country

2011-06-03T15:37:00.005-05:00

David had an amazing time. Here are just a few high lights. Enjoy!

The chapel built by Saint Maximillian Mary Kolbe and his companions. This was a Franciscan friar who went to Auschwitz because he was priest and took the place a man who was going to be exterminated (a man who was married with 5 children).

The Bapstismal font of Karol Wojtyla (Pope John Paul 2). To put it in another way, the place where Karol Wojtyla was claimed for Christ and the place from which all the graces of his baptism flowed... he contributed to the downfall of communism, the awareness of the true dignity of woman, one of the greatest popes, I would argue and the list goes on and on.

A 3 hour workshop on beginning an abstinence education program (Note John Paul 2's bust on the side of the wall)

Giving his talk in the City Hall

So, David's in Poland

2011-05-23T14:13:00.003-05:00

I promised an explanation for those of you who were curious:

David previously worked for the LA Governor's Program on Abstinence before we were married (I know that sounds wierd. They didn't make him quiet because he got married, he just got a different job, but I am laughing at how that looks). His former boss has been working with many people in Poland- why? because Poland is basically going through what America went through in the 60's- the sexual revolution. So people in Poland (don't know who and can't really be more specific than that) are asking for help in jump-starting Abstinence Education for teens in Poland. They had David help run an "Abstinence Camp" for teens back when I was just pregnant for Therese, and now he went back to be the Key-note at a conference and workshop to train the teachers, so to speak.

That all happened on Friday, and every day since has been stories of his travels around the country. When he gets back, I will post pictures, but I will just say that he's having a great time and has seen at least 17 saint's reliquaries (graves) and who knows how many churches. He said, "I'm coming home a new man." I am pretty much in love with the old one, so this might be interesting. He returns Wednesday. Adrenaline is low over here and it's up to God to fulfill His promise that He would be my strength while David's gone... so... sleepy.

David is on his way to...

2011-05-18T11:36:00.001-05:00

Poland... for a week.

Pray for him.

Pray for us.

More later.

Other people's pictures

2011-05-14T09:19:00.003-05:00

So grateful for other people (Sarah and Steven) photographing my family!! Here's some Easter shots. Enjoy!

My precious, loving, gorgeous, fantastic, hilarious, David

Sweet Therese Marie!

The ONLY still shot anyone can find of John Paul. With my beautiful nieces Madeline (4) and Anna Kate (2) and my fantastic brother-in-law Steven... on a mule.... that David is driving.

The only picture of all of us... thank you Sarah

My sweet Sister... I miss you!

The ladies!!

And my precious Daddy!

Cake Wrecks... again

2011-05-12T10:16:00.000-05:00

The latest post is of weird birthday cakes!!

http://cakewrecks.blogspot.comhttp://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif/

Therese Marie Step in Time!

2011-05-05T10:38:00.002-05:00

We rented Mary Poppins from the library. If you remember the rooftop scene where Dic Van Dyke dances to the song "Step in Time"... well Therese couldn't believe what she saw. Here she is, making her debut.

LADYBUG LAND!

2011-05-03T14:06:00.007-05:00

We've had a favorite book at our house entitled Are You a Ladybug? and John Paul knows all about the stages of a ladybug- breaking out of its skin, eating it, eating aphids, breaking out of its skin again... yummy. David discovered LADYBUG LAND at Hobby Lobby. It comes with a certificate that we mailed in and then were sent ladybug larvae (that's right). We put them into ladybug land and watched the larvae do just what the book said. What a treat!

One of the first things we do in the morning.

Daddy showing John Paul how it's "just like in the book"

Ladybug Land! We were given food and a dropper to give them water. You feed adult ladybugs by soaking a raisin in water for 15 minutes. It cost about $20 altogether.

John Paul's comments during his observations:
"Wake up ladybug larvae!"
"The ladybug larvae came in the mail?"
"They're sleeping up high" (they go to the top of the dome to pupate)
"Goodnight Ladybug larvae, you're not the right shape yet!"

Blessed John Paul II on Divine Mercy Sunday

2011-05-01T19:44:00.004-05:00

Could any other day come so close to the joy of Easter? Our beloved BLESSED (which means he is one step away from being canonized SAINT) John Paul II was made so today, in St. Peter's Square with over a million people in attendance!! Today is the feast of God's mercy... his "unfathomable divine mercy" poured forth from His wounded side. Praise God!!

My only sadness? I bet the number of people who got up to watch his beatification on tv at 4 this morning didn't come close to the number of those who woke to watch the wedding (which I did neither... just sayin). Sounds a bit like Princes Dianna's funeral and Mother's Theresa's funeral which was a week later... sound familiar?

Holy Week and Easter!

2011-04-26T15:36:00.008-05:00

What a blessed week is has been! John Paul was able to make it all the way through Holy Thursday Mass (admittedly my FAVORITE Mass of the year) which we celebrate the institution of the Eucharist and the Priesthood... I was a basket case. Good Friday was beautiful (and redemptive- the kids were skipping naps and we were on the front row), I hear the Easter Vigil was moving and Easter Morning, we went to the Bishop's Mass. We got our "apostle" on Easter morning!! Sarah and her family came from Colorado, so we have been enjoying them immensely!! Christ is Risen!!

Anna Kate and John Paul (who are cousins, not twins) dying eggs!

Therese Marie in her Easter dress from Granny...

...which was removed once she found the mud!

John Paul Easter Morning!!

The Egg Hunt at Granny and Grandpa's on Easter Sunday... Therese knew egg-sactly what to do. John Paul paid no mind to the reality that some eggs were plastic and some were real, so he was chunking/throwing/splatting his eggs into his train basket... no paquing those eggs! We head to Baton Rouge Thursday to see the Dawson's - can't wait!!

Walking: the proof

2011-04-14T15:06:00.001-05:00

The switch is flipped!

2011-04-13T16:21:00.002-05:00

Ok, the light switch. You know when babies are learning to walk and they hold fingers and refuse to let go except for a few consecutive steps here and there? Then one day, the light switch it flipped in their little bodies? They begin trying over and over and out of nowhere they can't seem to stop practicing?

That happened in Therese today... at the library... in Moss Bluff. We have never been to this library before and it was a largely attended tea party. She must have seen all the little kids walking around in this small space and decided to give it a go. She even walked to strangers and reached for the story teller before we left. She then proceeded to walk around in circles repeatedly at our friend's house. The switch is flipped. Now, of course, we're home and the ambiance of home has made her gun-shy again, but I wanted to let you know! Could we call her a toddler? I'm pregnant, so it doesn't make me sad. She's almost officially a toddler. WooHoo!

Tell it!!

2011-04-12T14:21:00.001-05:00

A wonderful poem a waiting for the one:

Just in case you hadn't seen them lately...

2011-04-08T16:01:00.005-05:00

Therese Marie- the cast is off, but these pictures were fast favorites of mine.

Those ARE beads around her neck. She finds them and puts them (all of them) around her neck.

John Paul- my sweet ever-changing little man. He's recently remembered all the fun things he's done in the last few months and uses their memories to manipulate me. For example: I want him to eat one more bite of peas. "Mama, you had fun at the zoo? And uncle Pat's playing baseball?" OR he's climbed half-way out of his bed and it stuck. "Mama, you had fun at the parade?"

Note: He pretty much has no grasp of first person, so he's speaks about himself in second.

The newest addition to the family

2011-04-07T15:06:00.003-05:00

This is the new train table...

New to us, from the Chaumont's (Thanks Carrie and Alex). John Paul has been so overjoyed in playing with it, including utilizing the two drawers because goodness knows that with John Paul everything has it's place.

How do we keep Therese from destroying it? We don't. We deal. Got any better ideas? So So happy about this, and grateful that, once again, God has provided.

Mary's message... and a husband's hard work.

2011-04-03T20:44:00.002-05:00

Our Lady's message of April 2, 2011 to Mirjana

"Dear children; With motherly love I desire to open the heart of each of you and to teach you personal unity with the Father. To accept this, you must comprehend that you are important to God and that He is calling you individually. You must comprehend that your prayer is a conversation of a child with the Father; that love is the way by which you must set out - love for God and for your neighbour. That is, my children, the love that has no boundaries, that is the love that emanates from truth and goes to the end. Follow me, my children, so that also others, in recognizing the truth and love in you, may follow you. Thank you."

Once again Our Lady called us to pray for our shepherds (priests) and said: "They have a special place in my heart. They represent my Son."

Also, my precious David planted a rose garden for us in the front of our house. They bloomed on the feast of the Annunciation- not a coincidence! Here are a few shots of his great work: Thank you, sweet spouse. I love you and I am so proud of you.

The Birthday Post!!

2011-03-27T20:34:00.004-05:00

Therese Marie Dawson is 1 year old!

Cast and all, we celebrated at our house. At her 1 year check up, she is 75th in height and 50th in weight. Our lively, hysterical, curious, snuggle-bug ate her cupcake like she was at afternoon tea. No mess, no fuss, just polite snacking (not very Dawson-like).

She sleeps all night (I mention this because John Paul wasn't even close on his 1st birthday), naps well, eats anything... unless she doesn't want to, in which case, she looks you dead in the eye and throws it on the floor. Her favorite things to do are to read books (or just the first two pages), suck on my fingers/daddy's fingers/anyone's fingers, flirt with men, mess with John Paul (she's a professional), and put whatever is in her hands into her mouth. She can say the following words (ish): Mama, Daddy, John Paul, wuf wuf, meow, balloon, ball, flower, baby, read.

She is a treasured, sacred gift, and we have cherished her first year of life. Praise God!

Eating her cake like an English lady

Posing with her godparents - Pete and Julia Dawson

The birthday girl!!

Today...

2011-03-25T13:34:00.004-05:00

The church celebrates when Mary said, "yes" and God became a man.

I was discussing this with our friend Father Nathan one day. I said something like, "God is so all powerful that He could have done it a different way. He didn't HAVE to bring God to earth through a woman." Father Nathan's response was something like, "But THIS is what He chose to do. Who are we to think that there could/should have been a different or a better way." I understand that THIS is why the Catholic church boasts of her HONORING Mary and her "yes" to God. Not just because God could have done it another way and this is a nice gesture on the part of a nice lady, but that GOD DID CHOOSE to bring God to earth in the way. His plans far out weigh ours, do they not?

And the added bonus of today is that even though it is lent, it falls on a Friday and is a solemnity, so even in the middle of Lent, we get to celebrate! And celebrate I will... with a nap!

Sick Days...

2011-03-24T17:12:00.000-05:00

I returned from a fantastic weekend of serving on an ACTS retreat team and did not come home alone.

I stayed up way to late most nights playing with friends... friends who were quite sick.

I came home with all symptoms of the flu except the fever (so grateful for that little detail). David continued his super dad/husband duties and took care of all of us while allowing me to take my two and three naps a day!

Yesterday as David prepared to take Therese in for her 1 year check up (I should add here that we had not been seeing our regular pediatrician for her broken leg, so this was going to be his first encounter with the cast). David entered the living room and found John Paul curled up in a ball asleep on the couch (at 10:30am) with a fever. All four of us pile into the car (2 of the 4 of us with something like the flu) and went to the doc.

Today I only needed one nap, and I feel a little better, John Paul is in good spirits but with quite a fever despite motrin. We are praying that God heal John Paul and spare Therese and David.

On a deeper note, this has been quite a penance for Lent, and David and I have discussed that we much prefer the penances He gives us than the ones we make up ourselves. This we are to simply pray for the grace to respond... uh... graciously and offer up our sufferings until He is ready to take it away. May His will be done.

Give me a second...

2011-03-20T20:44:00.002-05:00

1) I have not yet posted a lick about our precious treasure Therese turning 1, but that is all coming. I was on staff for a retreat all weekend... a little fatigued (which means I will be weepy for some time- bare with me, family).

2) As most of you know, David and I met, courted-ish, became engaged, and returned with John Paul to work at Camp Kahdalea/Chosatonga in North Carolina... here is the latest promotional video. Enjoy!

It was just a limp...

2011-03-10T14:15:00.002-06:00

Last Monday we were all playing outside... she fell and seemed to take a while to recover. Later that night we were with a friend who is a pediatrician (thanks Adrienne) and she checked her out and gave a recommendation for an X-ray if it wasn't better. Hip X-ray Tuesday morning - nothing.

Therese continued to limp but still desired to walk with our help (like always). Yesterday (Ash Wednesday... who appropriate) David suggested that we take her back because she was not improving (she was walking with her little left foot turned way out). X-ray of the left leg and foot - fractured tibia!!

Crazy, huh? Who knew her little bone was broken clean through all that time!??!

So... one month starts now.

She can crawl, but we are not to let her pull up, cruise or put weight on it... good luck - she is 4 days away from her first birthday. Pray for a swift recovery. She looks great, and treats her cast like a toy. She's such a trooper.

A mind-blowing documentary

2011-02-25T15:48:00.003-06:00

We watched these last night. They are quite intriguing. Get a hold of them: Demographic Winter and Demographic Bomb

Therese and John Paul ...

2011-02-18T10:49:00.003-06:00

...will welcome another sibling at the end of October, God willing!
The green beans were tasting like pool water, the coffee wasn't hitting the spot. I thought something was different. We are so grateful to have loved another Dawson into existence. With our sweet Andrew in Heaven praying for our family, we are so blessed.

Here is Therese's 10 month picture (a Monlezun family tradition). Thank you, Maria!

Lately...

2011-02-10T20:21:00.005-06:00

Therese has begun taking steps. (It works now)

The kids are playing well together... as long as Mary is watching.

Therese and John Paul have played in the sand... and tasted it, too.

Granny and Grandpa came with us to the Livestock show...a giant free petting zoo.

We play inside a lot!

Jazzy Lady King Cake... because it wasn't a jazz class

2011-02-03T15:48:00.012-06:00

Why not give it a try? That afternoon cause me so much embarrassment and gave me such a dose of humility, so I thought I might see what all the fuss was about that "Jazzy Ladies" had to be about a king cake-making demonstration instead of a jazz class (see January 28th's post). This won't show ALL the parts of the recipe, just what I remembered to photograph. Enjoy!

First I scalded (microwaved) the milk and added the butter, sugar, salt, and beaten egg. Then came the yeast. This was the trickiest part. My friend who is a pasty chef warned me against putting the yeast in while the milk was too hot because though the milk was scalded to kill the enzymes that would hurt the yeast, the heat could kill it. SAVE THE YEAST!! Then you wait for the bubbles.

Add the flour and knead it. The recipe card said the pour all this into the bread machine and hit "dough cycle." Well guess who doesn't have a bread machine.

Next, to let the yeast rise, the recipe said to put it in an oven for 45 minutes, but my friend said I could just put a damp towel over the bowl and place the bowl on my drier while I dry a load of towels! Genius!

Then I rolled out the dough... well, once I moved half my kitchen appliances out the way and dug all over my kitchen for the cotton pickin' rolling pin, I rolled out the dough.

This was fun. I decided to do a filling of roasted pecans and brown sugar. I chopped my pecans and realized that I didn't have any brown sugar. So I got Steen's Syrup and cooked it down with the pecans... and a crazy amount of ground cinnamon. Then I slathered butter all over the rolled out dough, (Never enough butter. NEVER), poured the pecan/syrup mixture on the dough, then cut little slits on the sides of the rectangular shaped dough.

The tricky part. I took the creation and VERY VERY Carefully picked it up and placed in in a circular shaped on the baking dish. It's not fun unless you almost drop it multiple times. Then, of course, more butter and cinnamon.

Then the recipe said to let the dough rise one more time for about 45 minutes. Of course, this wouldn't be a Kate recipe if I didn't forget to do something, so I didn't do that. I just stuck it in the oven. 375, for 15 minutes. I also made the icing: powdered sugar, milk, and more almond extract than the human body should have in one sitting. I dyed some sugar and icing, and tah tuh!!!

And whose recipe is this? None other than the fabulous Brenda Nabours!! Lake charles natives know of the beautiful woman of whom I speak. I hope she would be proud.

Mary's message

2011-02-02T09:09:00.005-06:00

I receive emails from the Mir Group out of New Orleans that tell of Mary's messages to Mirjana, a Medjugorjian visionary. They usually come on the 25th of each month, but today the Catholic Church celebrates the Feast of the Presentation of Jesus in the temple. So Mary chose to appear to Mijana today, here's what she said:

Our Lady's message to Mirjana Soldo of February 2, 2011.
Dear children;
You are gathering around me, you are seeking your way, you are seeking, you are seeking the truth but are forgetting what is the most important, you are forgetting to pray properly. Your lips pronounce countless words, but your spirit does not feel anything. Wandering in darkness, you even imagine God Himself according to yourselves, and not such as He really is in His love. Dear children, proper prayer comes from the depth of your heart, from your suffering, from your joy, from your seeking the forgiveness of sins. This is the way to come to know the right God and by that also yourselves, because you are created according to Him. Prayer will bring you to the fulfillment of my desire, of my mission here with you, to the unity in God's family. Thank you.
Our Lady blessed everyone present, thanked them and called us to pray for priests.

My Dad's Yummy Chicken Recipe- No measurements required

2011-01-30T20:54:00.003-06:00

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees

Chicken Thighs (skin and bones makes it juicy)
Purple onion (quartered)
Butter Golden Potatoes (chopped do desired size)
Carrots (regular or baby)
1 bottle of Zesty Italian Dressing

Toss it all in a baking dish

Bake for 2 hours
Season to taste (Tony's, Italian seasoning, etc).

This is something my dad made up and it is so so yummy (hence the clever title). I finally decided to try it at our house (so the picture is all the ingredients mixed together and ready to marinate over night)

I'm not a big finger-licker when it comes to my meal choices, but this one is finger-licking good! It's a hit for everyone in our family (including the Mr. Picky John Paul, himself). Enojoy!!

A dose of laughter for you ... and humility for me.

2011-01-28T14:46:00.004-06:00

My sweet friend invited me to a little something called "Jazzy Ladies." We were at a meeting when she invited me, and I was in the middle of filling out something, so all I heard was that it was called that. I told her yes, was so grateful, and arranged for childcare (David :).

As I drove to Jazzy ladies, I was on the phone with a friend and told her how excited I was for this Jazz class, and how I had just watched the movie Chicago and was ready to dance, and that I was wearing double braids and leggings (which I LOVE because I feel ready to move around in them) and my favorite cap (I sound like so much fun to talk to, don't I?).

I arrived to the Country Club (odd for a dance class, right?) and saw two friends upon arriving. The conversation went something like this:
Kate: hey, [friend's name], you look nice.
Friend 1: yeah I'm going to a brunch, what are you doing?
Kate: I'm meeting my friend [friend's name] for a class... Jazzy ladies, do you know where I go?
Friend 2: We're meeting her, too, but it's not a class. It's a Jazz brunch with a King Cake demonstration.
Kate: Oh, well... I'm dressed for a jazz class, that's nice.
Friend 2: Yeah, I think it's a nice brunch (merited comment, I looked like I just woke up, and we were at the country club).

That's right. I assumed with the title "Jazzy Ladies" that I was about to get the new version of jazzercise... at the Country Club. Am I an idiot?!?! Did it ever occur to me to ask her WHAT IT WAS?!?!?!

I laughed all the way to car (assuming that I wasn't coming back) and called the same friend whom I just spoken with. She told me that I needed to go home and change and get back there. I'm so glad I listened! It was a FABULOUS brunch with a king cake demonstration from a friend's mom, and I can't wait to try it out myself.

Interesting side note: in confession yesterday, my penance was the Litany of Humility, which I hadn't found in card form in my house... so I guess God was allowing me to live the lesson of humility instead. Funny, Lord, funny. Enjoy the weekend, everyone. And thank you sweet friend for inviting me!

More pictures from the "Holy"days

2011-01-23T20:57:00.010-06:00

Thanks, Sista Sarah for the great pictures, I will now use them to show off my family! You might also notice that there are NO Dawson pictures... it's one of the differences between our two families. On one side there is a camera in everyone's hand... the other side has one camera between all of us and the batteries aren't charged. I am so in love with both sides.

My sweet John Paul

A dream of my mothers is to have the perfect picture with her grandbabies... it has yet to happen.

Sweet Madeline Claire

Anna Kate... I know.

The Darbonne family

"This is my daughter... right here"

Me and my sweet love

Yes, he had to crouch down like a sorority girl to get down to my height. What a man!

Sweet Freedom... for John Paul

2011-01-19T14:24:00.004-06:00

John Paul has learned (after 2 1/2 years) to climb out of bed. He appeared in the living room with a beautiful smile and stance of accomplishment as he said, "Heeeey Mama!" I was speechless, and the amount of time it took to respond in combination with the look on my face made John Paul's precious face of joy turn to confusion and sadness (as evidenced by "the lip."

That was a few days ago and we've had a roller coaster of a spanking (or two), bribes, rewards, hugs, tears, sleep- thank you God- and anxiety.

Our next move? A twin bed. It's time. I feel like I might as well give him the keys. I feel like he's ready to move out. You can laugh at me. Everybody else has.

Hear that? That's sound of my heart breaking. Good thing he's not potty trained yet or I would be a mess. There's always Therese, my sweet BABY girl... and the 10 others I still expect to have.

Shall I paint a bedtime picture for you?

2011-01-03T20:31:00.004-06:00

Tonight was one of the frequent nights that David is working (not complaining, just sayin'). I was attempting to nurse Therese to sleep in her quiet dark room with her fan going, and just a small crack in the door for a little light to see my way out. It begins (this is every night, and I'm just not sure how to change things). As I begin singing/praying with Therese, in comes John Paul dressed for bed including his Thomas slippers holding 2 play swords (actually, one is a play sword and the other is a blow-up giant hot dog). He proceeds to fight the aggressive imaginary enemy with his swords, which involves him sliding onto his knees to escape the mortal jabs of said enemy. [are you picturing it yet- it's dark, remember?] Therese is in love with her brother and begins to toss herself back and forth between watching and laughing at John Paul and flailing herself back towards me (which includes a large, loud hand slap to my chest as she latches back on- EVERY TIME. I am unable to do anything to change John Paul's behavior except begin the litany of "John Paul, go in the play room. Hush. Therese is trying to nurse. SHHH. Be quiet for Therese. Stop poking her. Stop poking me.Go in the play room. Don't you tell me no. Go to your room. Hush. Get back in your room." All the while I am trying to continue singing because (gets graphic here for any men reading) I have to sing in order get my milk to let down because I'm drying up against my will. This is what happens each night that David is working evenings. Good Night, indeed!

Merry Merry Christmas!

2010-12-28T21:56:00.003-06:00

Here are a few shots from our 4 day Christmas extravaganza...

Uncle Pat, John Paul, and Therese in the wagon...

... pulled by Mimi!

Isn't this the best? My mom and the kids in front of the home where she grew up.

The Dawson's four!

Therese's "Awww" face

Couldn't have said it any better myself...

2010-12-23T15:38:00.001-06:00

http://hertyhouse.blogspot.com/

Time to elf ourselves again...

2010-12-18T15:36:00.002-06:00

... your favorite time of year and mine!

The first tabernacle...

2010-12-08T15:25:00.002-06:00

... was our Blessed Mother. Today we celebrate HER conception- her sinless conception. I think if we (despite our religious beliefs) reflect for a moment of the magnitude of Christ's life- His love, His mercy- we will not be able to help but reflect on the magnitude of His mother. Oh Mary conceived without sin, pray for us.

Pic- chas as promised!

2010-12-03T16:39:00.004-06:00

PRECIOUS FAMILY, SWEET BABIES (CHILDREN AND HUSBAND), & OUR GALVESTON TRIP. ENJOY. MAKE IT TO THE BOTTOM, AND YOU GET A VIDEO!

Where have all the Dawson's gone.

2010-12-01T14:27:00.002-06:00

A classic song from high school days... one of many songs that had no meaning, yet was played as loud as possible in my little purple altima.

Sorry, that was not the reason for this post.

I am checking in with blog world to let whoever is wondering know that we are here, we are well, we are healing, and we are joyful! I have not posted a single picture in about 2 months- two laptops that we have had over five years would be the reason. A new-to-us computer is on the way (thanks Mom and Daddy Darbonne).

John Paul's vocabulary has sky-rocketed, making any and every conversation with him a wonderful delight. Therese is currently hitting the following developmental milestones all at once: cutting her first tooth, cutting her second tooth, scooting, crawling, pulling up, pincer grasp...ing(?). Hence... a long posting absence.

Pictures are coming soon! For now enjoy a video from John Paul's 8th month... no it's not Therese. Don't be fooled.

Safe in the arms of God

2010-11-12T14:28:00.002-06:00

Yesterday we miscarried our precious baby. I'll spare the details except to say that while we are so broken hearted, filled with confusion, experiencing some guilt, fatigued, and asking questions, God has been so present. He has provided us with peace, He has allowed us closure, He has brought us closer as a family, and He has not left us alone.

We named our child Andrew Thomas Dawson. Our family now has a saint in Heaven who is experiencing the eternal peace of a God who, in His mercy, allowed us to love Andrew into existence and be blessed with the gift of his life, even if it for just a short while. The Lord gives and the Lord takes away. BLESSED BE THE NAME OF THE LORD.

Well that was a first...

2010-11-07T20:34:00.002-06:00

In my entire life, I've never been to the ER... so to bring my child was certainly a first. But this weekend, in general, was a series of firsts!

Wednesday evening, while playing in the back yard, Therese threw up (blew her groceries if you're my father-in-law). To keep it less icky lets just say that after baths and clean-ups, this continued throughout the next 3 hours and totaled 9 times before we decided to go to the ER. It sounds crazy now, but at the time, she was happy in between the "episodes" for a while, and I didn't want to be that crazy mom who brings her child in for a little spit-up (and maybe because an ET trip costs $100 on our beautiful health insurance plan), so I waited. I couldn't get in touch with ANYONE, I even called my pediatrician at home (sorry Dr. Thompson). When the throwing up totaled nine times, we got John Paul to my parents for the night, then brought Therese to the ER. Long story short... we were home for 11:30 with a diagnosis of strep throat, my shirt full of you know what, $100 swiped onto the credit card, and sweet Therese with a shot in her leg and asleep for the night. That was a first. With babies her age/size, the cooties from the strep in her throat drip into her little tummy and it can't handle it- so if your child has cold symptoms and begins throwing up, you can almost bet it's strep- FYI.

Thursday, John Paul and I went to the children's clinic to have our throats swabbed because we were told that we both probably had it as well. Another $100 later, 2 negative strep tests and a suggestion to keep John Paul away from Therese for the rest of the day, we brought John Paul back to Granny and Grandpa's house. This was hard for me. They brought him home when it was time to go to sleep.

Friday at 1:30am... I wake up with blowtorch-like heart burn (which isn't totally abnormal for me - GERD and Pregnancy combo is deadly). By 3 am - you guessed it- I was also purging, shall we say. Nursing Therese in between, because she was still not feeling well and could only have pedialyte and breast milk from her tummy episode. I never really went back to sleep for the flames in my esophagus, and I was THAT girl at CVS at 5:45am - bed head, pj pants, the closest pair of shoes which never seem to make you look any sort of good- buying tums, maalox, pedialyte, etc. I also had so much cramping that I thought I was miscarrying- some miscarriages, I'm told, are accompanied with nausea and vomiting- and I now know that I wasn't, but I was obviously a little sleep deprived and worried.

Here's the fun part: David had long been scheduled to be flown (on someone else's dime) to Pensacola to speak at a conference for jr high kids... after much prayer we both decided that he still needed to go. So even though John Paul had been returned to us the previous night, by 11am he was back at my parents. David left at 10:30 for the airport, my nurse-mother was at work because her partner was in Atlantic City that day... my parents were scheduled to go to Galveston for the weekend, All aunts were unavailable, in-laws live in BR, sister moved to CO last February, you name it- no help available besides my dad for John Paul (praise GOD). And so weak, dehydrated mommy "took care" of weak, dehydrated Therese until my precious mom arrived and spent the night/day with us (they postponed their trip for us). John Paul stayed with my dad again. Saturday afternoon my precious mother-in-love came to help and I was feeling better. John Paul came home too... oh the tantrums. David returned home this afternoon and we had him for about 30 minutes before he left for work (Youth minister, it's Sunday... sigh).

I will save the effects of the "extended absence of mommy and Daddy" on John Paul's behavior for another post. Did I mention that the extra hour tacked onto our clock meant that the kids were both up before 6?

GOOD NIGHT!

God's Latest Idea

2010-11-02T16:48:00.003-05:00

Coming to our house July 2011...

BABY DAWSON #3! We are thrilled (and not at all surprised)!

Andrew Peterson - Dancing In The Minefields (Official...

2010-10-29T14:30:00.000-05:00

Another blog...

2010-10-22T16:39:00.002-05:00

http://daniellebean.com/

Danielle Bean is a mom of eight, part-time writer, editor, speaker, and she homeschools! She has websites, blogs, and is precious!! My dear friend and family photographer over in LEWISLAND gave me a book of Danielle's, and I am in love!! Check her out! Get inspired!

Want to laugh? Want to shorten your cold?

2010-10-20T15:19:00.004-05:00

I know this is a bizarre post title, but just hear me out...

http://cakewrecks.blogspot.com/

Cake Wrecks is a blog dedicated to photographs of cakes gone wrong. Today's post is particularly funny. They are always making me laugh. They are appropriate for the most part, and I don't feel like I'm laughing at someone else's expense... I'm laughing at a cake...right? The comments are hilarious, and I would love to find a cake myself and send it to this lady to see what she has to say about it.

Next...

Airborne

This is a miracle product. When David or I even sense a scratchy throat, we buy two or three tubes and begin taking it 30ish times a day. This latest cold, I caught from Therese. The soar throat began Saturday afternoon. I began taking Airborne. By Sunday (which in normal cold time would be more soar throat and runny nose) I was already in to runny nose, but not so bad that I had a box of kleenex with me at all times. Monday was the bad day... one day. I kept taking Airborne, and by Tuesday, I was up, spirits were up, and today (Wednesday) I am feeling like you would around day 6 or 7 of a normal cold- pretty much gone, and a few sniffles and tissues here and there. The cold still comes most of the time, but the intensity is less and the duration is usually half!! Worth the investment for sure. Also there are off-brands that usually cost half the price- Walborne, CVS air shield. Worth it, y'all. Seriously.

Isn't She lovely?

2010-10-12T13:10:00.002-05:00

Thanks to Maria Lewis... again.

It's Therese's turn to make you smile! Enjoy. We sure do.

Therese is 6 months... cathing you up (lots of pic-chas)!

2010-09-26T21:13:00.008-05:00

Well, it's no surprise that the 6 month check up revealed that our sweet Therese Marie is OFF THE CHARTS for her height (27 1/2") and 75% in weight (17.1 lbs)! She sits up like a champ and her preferred position is standing while holding onto your fingers. Her pediatrician says she'll be an early walker (how else will she keep up with John Paul- who is her favorite person).

We were able to see Sarah and her family when they came to Louisiana (Ruston) and we met them in Alexandria at the zoo (quite a zoo; worth the 1 1/2 hour drive). It was just for a moment, really, but it was worth it. We won't see them until Christmas (they live in Denver, CO).

Because Therese is able to sit so well, she and John Paul are now playing in the tub together. This is such a joy to see (unless John Paul decides that he doesn't want to bathe, then it's funny because Therese doesn't seem to notice that the decibel level will surely damage her tiny ear drums).

(Yes, he found her nipple in this last one)

Aren't you so in love? For more pictures (yes there are more), I made September's and August's pictures easy to get to. See "Our Family Pictures" on the right column. Enjoy!

A little John Paul to fill your heart!

2010-09-20T20:08:00.004-05:00

Thanks to Maria Lewis, the family photographer and cherished friend!

Please see Maria's Post about our trip to the park!

A new perspecitve on Christ...

2010-09-11T12:36:00.005-05:00

I will hold Him and I will love Him until He's big enough to walk.
And even then, I'll pick Him up and I will teach Him how to talk... to say the words that will save all the people of every nation. I will feed the Flesh that will bring about salvation. And when He kisses me goodnight, I'll be living my reward. Be it done as You have said, I am the handmaid of the Lord.

I will walk these roads behind Him, and I will follow where He leads. And I will be in His good works, and I will love the mouths He feeds. I'll be a mother to my Son and a mother for the world. If You can set them free through Moses then You can do it through this girl. And when He brings the dead to life, I'll be living my reward, be it done as You have said, I am the handmaid of the Lord.

What is this You've called me to, to watch Him lose His life. I am bending but will I break, how can I just stand by? All of Heaven be with Him now, He's my only Son. Help me pray that prayer with Him, "Father let Your will be done!"

And when He walks that lonely road, my heart will go with Him. And when He falls, my spirit dies, and when He bleeds I hate this sin. And when He utters those last words, and when He finally hangs His head, I'll be planted in the ground. My whole life, my soul is dead. But I will stay here at this cross where He brought you your reward. Be it done as You have said, I am the handmaid of the Lord... Be it done as You have said, I am the handmaid of the Lord.

Three Years and Counting...

2010-09-08T16:15:00.003-05:00

Three years and two children later...

I am so in love!!

John Paul is 2!

2010-08-17T14:52:00.006-05:00

3 weeks before our 1st anniversary, We welcomed you into our family.

7lbs 5oz, 22inches. A tall, skinny, perfect, little man.

You survived your first hurricane before he was 3 weeks old!

You were baptized... after the handyman climbed through a window to unlock the church for us!

You were always such a happy baby... all those faces you made. Where did they come from? I just don't know.

Watching you as a big brother has been the best part!

Happy birthday, John Paul! We are so grateful to have you. You are quite a gift!

Mr. Burt Wainwright...

2010-08-09T09:53:00.002-05:00

... passed away this morning at 1:30 am. I don't have any other information, so please keep them in prayer. And go hug your dads.

http://bawcoms.blogspot.com/

My son the ham

2010-08-06T16:16:00.000-05:00

We're with Erin!

2010-08-05T12:19:00.000-05:00

Way to go, Erin Franco!

Happy Birthday, Uncle Pat!

2010-08-03T16:19:00.003-05:00

11 years old today! Patrick/Uncle Pat, we love love love you!

Patrick is David's youngest brother (born when David was 17), and he is now John Paul's most favorite person! He lives in Baton Rouge so any chance to see him is a gift!

Shhh....

2010-07-29T14:21:00.002-05:00

Therese does the following:

1) sleeps from 8 to 4:30 without waking (2 nights in a row, so I'm callin' it)
2) eats at 4:30 then goes back down without a fight and sleeps til 7:30!
3) goes down for naps mostly by herself (a little help from us)
4) can flip back and forth and still go to sleep by herself!
5) takes a long nap in the afternoon and three short ones!
6) can handle her brother going ga ga over her ever time he sees her!

She amazing!

The Wainwright family

2010-07-28T12:38:00.002-05:00

I sat down and read Rebecca Bawcom's blog and read that her father is so ill that she was having to visit him without any other company. Please pray for them and if you think of it, offer up your frustrations for their family.

To read what I mean, click here

Double complete rainbow in my front yard!

2010-07-27T09:25:00.002-05:00

What does this mean?

And because you tube was created to make fun of people, another video...

Make sure you watch this last one all the way to the end.

Hope a rainbow lands in your front yard today!

No joke

2010-07-24T16:34:00.003-05:00

I put our newly purchased from potty (you know, the frog one that has a face for a splash guard) in the bathroom yesterday. Yesterday Evening...

Kate: John Paul do you want to try and tee tee on the potty?
John Paul: tee tee on the potty? ok

[John Paul sits on the potty naked]

Kate: ssss ssss sss
John Paul: [tee tees on the potty]

I took a picture. Be glad I didn't post it.

Mother Theresa relics to Baton Rouge

2010-07-22T09:09:00.002-05:00

This weekend in Baton Rouge, Blessed Theresa of Calcutta's sandal, rosary, crucifix, and a lock of hair will be available for veneration. Saturday at St. Patrick's Catholic Church after the 4pm mass and Sunday from 6:30 to 12:30 at St. Agnes church. This of it as a tiny pilgrimage.

The Dawson's... and a video

2010-07-20T14:50:00.002-05:00

We are the Dawsons! Say somethin'

and here is Therese showing us that she is NOT ready for solids...

4 months: "I kiss Therese!"

2010-07-15T15:01:00.005-05:00

14 pounds 6 oz- 75%
26 1/2 inches- 95%
Head 15 1/2 inches

Valentine's Day Movie: my review

2010-07-11T10:12:00.002-05:00

I decided to rent Valentine's Day while David was out of town. Obviously, I knew it was going to be a chick flick, and though I am fully aware that most romantic comedies are laced with deceit and agendas (and most of the time take us out of reality and plot us back in it only to have higher/unrealistic expectations for our own relationships), I was intrigued. If you're still reading this at this point (which many of you may not be) read on. You'll probably agree with me. Also, thanks, Carrie, for sitting through this movie with you- though you already knew the ridiculousness you were about to re-endure. Warning: if you've not seen it, don't read this.

1. Positives first- Of course, Julia Roberts. A dedicated mom flies for a day to see her son. Notice, though, that she's no longer the female protagonist. Why? She's a happily married, hard-working mother of twins and has decided her roles must say something important and prudent.

2. George Lopez. The ONE- yes only one- character who was a faithful, loving, dedicated, still married man. You had forgotten about him didn't you? There are 2 snippets of him at the end coming home to his family and then spending time with his wife on the swing drinking wine. I'm sure most husbands would love to swing on their kids swing set during the 2 hours (at most) of alone time with their wives.

3. Ashton Kutcher- seriously? The Male protagonist of the movie? Have you seen Punk'd? He wears a pink shirt and hat the entire movie! I know he's a florist, but isn't that weird too? ASHTON KUTCHER, y'all! On the other hand, I was glad to see that after living together (obvious by the first scene of the movie) that his fiance' realized that she didn't actually want to spend the rest of her life with him. But do you think that in real life, his being dumped the DAY he proposed would send him back to hippity hoppinh to a bridge where he thoughtfully tosses the rest of the un-purchased roses into the river only to make out with his best friend? Which reminds me...

4. Jennifer Garner- also a married wife and mother in reality. I just love her! She's always such a precious character in ALL her movies (13 going on 30 being my favorite). Don't you feel so sorry for her? Of course! They give her a super good looking charlie cheater face heart surgeon man for a boyfriend. They got me on that too. They make her a teacher! uh, the sympathy gets deeper and deeper. She, too, gets dumped on, and has the guts (very unlike her character though) to bust him in public and in front of his wife, then goes to meet her pink-shirted best friend- WHO IS THE HOST OF PUNK'S for goodness sakes- and makes out with him at the end of the movie too!

5. Taylor swift- I can't even talk about it. I was nauseated watching her. She's made out to be a complete DITZ, and her relationship is totally superficial, and they make fun of them by calling them "out of touch with reality." Well said, but then WHY do you put them as one of the "end of the night couples" to show how Valentine's day is wonderful for everyone, even superficial high school into-themselves teens? They won't last a week after graduation! Thanks for the oversized bear, spiky-haired boyfriend. (oh, and a Taylor swift song is playing for the last scene.) oh, the humanity.

6. "First time couple" Were we supposed to be happy for them that they made the right decision to wait? Was the girls mom an idiot? I was rehearsing... naked. Give me a break.

7. The precious little boy- the smartest person in the whole movie. Movies are starting to show pivotal scenes using children as the vessel for adults coming to some huge epiphany about life and love. Ergo- our children know better than we do. WRONGO!

8. Super skinny Valentine's day hater from Party of Five- had to have that in there didn't they. The pinata? How timely that Jennifer Garner steps in to do "open heart surgery." You know you were thinking the line before she said it. And when she said it, you thought, "no she didn't really say it"

9. They picked the two most studly attractive men in movies today and made them gay. Really? FYI- This is not a statement on homosexuality, it's just an observation.

Are you still reading this? Ahhh I feel so much better. Here's a picture of John Paul as a prize for sticking it out. I hope David is proud of me for seeing movies the way he does.

Dryer sheets and rhodium plating

2010-07-10T14:27:00.005-05:00

2 things that give life a little kick!

My mom told me that you can use dryer sheets as dusters... it works so well. And each time I do a load of laundry, I use the dryer sheets and do quick dusting somewhere in the house... wish I would have known this during my nesting phases!

I got my rings cleaned, polished, and rhodium plated the other day. My ring is white gold and almost three years of marriage and 2 babies has taken it toll on my beautiful rings. NOT ANYMORE! My rings look like new! I highly recommend it. It's amazing how seeing your wedding ring shine like the first day you received it gives you a boost and makes you wanna plant a big 'ole fat kiss on your hubby... too bad mine is out of town. Oh well, I'll just look at my rings then.

And here are some cute pictures of John Paul and Therese.

Carolina in my mind... and my husband too.

2010-07-07T21:24:00.002-05:00

David is being super youth minister and has gone to North Carolina for the week. They will hike, canoe on Lake Fontana, and end the week with Mass at Camp Kahdalea (the camp where we lived last summer- remember that craziness?)

We are in Baton Rouge with his family until then. It has already been a busy and fun time... busy is good when Daddy's away, ya know?