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

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

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!

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

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

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

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

The last week and a half...

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

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)

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!

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

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...

...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...

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...

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

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

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

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...

... 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

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!

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!!

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...

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.