tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21811659776536970892024-02-18T18:30:42.191-08:00Laundry is Never DoneAmber McDonaldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04298148260208500740noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2181165977653697089.post-12269320149965643422015-04-30T19:22:00.002-07:002015-06-14T23:45:19.251-07:00Walking with Mary through my fears… right to the CWBN Conference!<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I’ve been looking at this list of women all weekend long. </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I am giddy at the thought of having actually met these wonderful ladies in person, while simultaneously in disbelief: how is my name on this list as an attendee of the <a href="http://catholicwomenbloggingnetwork.com/" target="_blank">Catholic Women's Blogging Network California Conference</a>? How was I able to attend? I don't even remember how I heard about this conference in the first place (alt</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">hough not remembering could very well be due to my sleep deprived “mom brain”). At one point I thought it was a fluke that I heard about and signed up for this lovely weekend but now I know with <i>certainty</i> that it was God.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Before I talk about the conference, let me tell you a little back story (because I enjoy talking too much and</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> am incapable of telling the </span><i style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">short</i><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> version of </span><i style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">any</i><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> story).</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I’ve been on a quite a journey of spiritual growth this past year (at least I hope I’m growing!). It all started when a dear friend and mentor invited me to read <a href="http://www.catholic.com/profiles/fr-michael-gaitley" target="_blank">Fr. Michael Gaitley’s</a> book, <a href="http://www.shopmercy.org/33-Days-to-Morning-Glory/33DAY/itd/07170081/101/457/NO" target="_blank">33 Days to Morning Glory: <i>A Do-It-Yourself Retreat In Preparation for Marian Consecration</i></a>. I loved the book and eagerly Consecrated myself to Jesus through Mary on March 25, 2014 on the <span style="color: blue;"><a href="http://www.ewtn.com/library/FAMILY/MARCH25.TXT" target="_blank">Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord</a>. </span> </span><br />
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<span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">[<i>If you would like to learn more about what Marian Consecration is, please visit <a href="http://www.marytown.com/content/st-maximilians-marian-spirituality" target="_blank">here</a>.</i>]</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Since consecration my world has been turned upside down in a good/painfully necessary way. I like to think of this “pain” as the kind one would feel during a good massage. It often times really hurts when the massage therapist works on your knots. Sometimes you want to yell, “Stop! That hurts!” However, if the massage therapist stops massaging and working out your knots then most likely you’ll remain in pain, have limited mobility and you won't be able to fully function. One has to choose to say, “Ouch! That REALLY hurts but <i>don't</i> stop working.” </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">It has been a long year of walking beside Mary and asking her to work on my “knots”… my sins. She has taken a loving, gentle and yet firm approach to pointing out all of the areas in my life which need to be addressed. One of my biggest “knots” has always been fear. Since I was a small child, my mother recognized that I was a kid who was ridden with fear in all things big and small. From trying new things, being called on in class (especially math class!!!), to singing… or as an adult fearing having to drive in unfamiliar places, to public speaking, and being put on the spot in social settings, something happening to my husband or kids, or having major writer’s block and not being able to write on my blog for the better part of a year because I felt so inadequate. Who am I to even be writing? I don't have a fancy degree? Why would my voice matter? The list is ENDLESS! So many things have caused me anxiety over the years. I have waisted time and not shared many of the gifts God has given me because I fear the unknown. Will I fail? Will I succeed? Will I be rejected for doing one or the other? As ridiculous as it sounds, I think I fear success just as much as I do failure, because, if I succeed what will God continue to ask of me? What if the path He leads me down is too difficult of a journey? </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">[insert pause for all of you to pick your jaws up off the floor while you think to yourselves, “This chick is off her rocker! Completely ridiculous, no one person can have THAT much fear.” Not to worry, I have this exact same thought about myself all. the. time.]</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I know how silly this all sounds but it is the truth. But up until my initial consecration, I never was brave enough to admit how much fear I was living in. Mary came to my assistance in a huge way and lovingly pointed out that I had a BIG problem. Fast forward to the beginning of this past Lent. I had done two more re-consecrations since last year and some serious spiritual work. I felt emotionally exhausted but in a much different place than I was used to be. At least that was until one day when I was listening to a CD from <a href="http://www.brantpitre.com/" target="_blank">Dr. Brant Pitre</a> titled <a href="http://store.catholicproductions.com/spiritual-theology-christian-prayer-and-the-three-stages-of-the-spiritual-life-cd/" target="_blank">Spiritual Theology: Christian Prayer and the Three Stages of the Spiritual Life</a> (BTW, the CD set is ah-maaazing! Everyone should listen to it!). On the CD he mentioned <a href="https://www.ewtn.com/Devotionals/prayers/humility.htm" target="_blank">The Litany of Humility</a>. I had never heard of that prayer and so I looked it up. After quickly skimming though that I darn near slammed my laptop shut, for fear the words might jump out at me through my screen! I did not want to have any part of that prayer! Everyone knows that you don’t pray for humility (or patience) unless you are completely crazy!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Except I <i>am</i> kind of crazy (just re-read the section above on all the things I fear and/or ask my husband). I felt a big push to read <a href="https://www.ewtn.com/Devotionals/prayers/humility.htm" target="_blank">The Litany of Humility</a>. So one morning (against my better judgement, or I guess in this case it was good judgement) I read the prayer while sitting next to my husband during our morning prayer and scripture reading. I said a prayer before reading it so it really should not have surprised me (though it did my husband) that when I read it I full on <i>ugly cried</i> through the. entire. thing. Certain lines were popping out at me as I prayed them and they were almost painful to say. I knew I was meant to commit to saying this prayer every day and that is exactly what I did and still continue to do. I tell you about this prayer not to say, "Hey look at me! I'm so humble cuz I'm prayin'!" QUITE the opposite!!! I struggle <i>immensely</i>. But what I am reminded of is God's desire for us to share our struggles and help each other carry our crosses. I tell you about this prayer because <a href="https://www.ewtn.com/Devotionals/prayers/humility.htm" target="_blank">The Litany of Humility</a> is <i>life-changing</i>. It <i>has</i> changed my life, <i>is</i> changing my life and I pray that it <i>continues</i> to change my life. The more I have said this prayer the more I noticed how it directly correlates to all of the things (i.e. situations/people/relationships) that I struggle with the most. *Disclaimer: please know that the more one says this prayer the more, ahem, <i>opportunities</i> arise to grow in humility. Some days haven't been pretty. Yeah... Back to that painful but necessary stuff. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">One day during a reflection I realized that Mary had themes that she had been weaving throughout each of my consecrations:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The first Consecration she helped me identify fear- I was so ridden with it that I was stagnant. I had to learn to just breath and do my best to trust. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The second Consecration she gave me the tools necessary to deal with my fear. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The third Consecration she reminded me that He is calling me to action. </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I can say I love and trust God all day long but now I have to live it, just as Mary has always done. </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">It was time to give my “yes” and mean it.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">So I wholeheartedly asked for help to give my "yes" and I continue to ask for the grace to do so everyday. And just when I thought I had reached my peak of crazy, I took it one step further. One day before saying The Litany of Humility, asked Mary, “Help me to <i>say</i> these words, to <i>mean</i> theses words, and to <i><b>live</b></i> these words, just like you do.” Little by little she is helping me to do so and never misses an opportunity to point me back to her Son. Trust me, God is presenting me with plenty of situations to practice overcoming my fears and keeping it in perspective. One of those ways was taking me completely OUT of my comfort zone and placing me with a bunch of people who I didn't know.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Somewhere in the middle of all the things going on in my life I heard about the Catholic Women’s Blogging Network California Conference, which was being put on by some of my favorite Catholic bloggers: Kendra Tierney of <a href="http://www.catholicallyear.com/" target="_blank">Catholic All Year</a>, Micaela Darr of <a href="http://californiatokorea.com/" target="_blank">California to Korea</a>, Jenna Guizar founder of<a href="http://blessedisshe.net/" target="_blank"> Blessed Is She</a>, Kristin Sanders of <a href="http://www.thisinspiredlife.net/" target="_blank">This Inspired Life</a>, and Andrea Boring of <a href="http://moderncatholicmom.com/" target="_blank">Modern Catholic Mom</a>. I can’t recall how I heard about it and I don’t really remember jumping on board and signing up. It sort of just happened and I was both excited and really shocked. The me last year would have NEVER agreed to go to this conference! Why? </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The following excuses would have been my reasons for not attending:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">1. I don’t really blog. I’m not even sure why I started a blog. I’m wannabe blogger but I'm not exactly sure that I could even describe what blogging is if someone were to ask me.</span></i><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">2. I don't belong. I will feel like a fraud next to such talented, amazing, successful women! I just know I’m going to walk through the door and they’re all going to yell, “IMPOSTER!”</span></i><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">3. You’re TERRIBLE at setting goals for yourself. You’re going to get there, and even if you enjoy yourself and learn something new, what will it all be for? You’ll probably never put that experience to good use because you never follow through. So just save everyone the effort and just. stay. home.</span></i><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>4. What are you going to blog about? Who are YOU to be writing anything? Can you even talk in complete sentences anymore since talking to toddlers all day? Your voice doesn't matter.</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Those are the words that I would have told myself last year which would have left me defeated and remaining in one place, for fear of doing anything. Fear is crippling.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Guess what? I still wrestled with <i>every</i> one these thoughts before leaving for the conference. However, </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I called on many prayer warriors as I prepared for my trip and I am beyond grateful for all their prayers. </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">By the grace of God, this time </span><i style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">His voice rang truer and louder in my ears than ever before...</i><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> so off to the conference I went! Leaving behind </span><i style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">every</i><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> expectation: for the weekend, the people I met and even the expectations of myself. Sometimes we have to choose to abandon our expectations because what we build up in our minds can prevent us from enjoying our real-life experiences. </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">It was the prayers of so many that kept me from feeling a single drop of anxiety, self consciousness, or any other negative emotion. In fact, I felt the more like </span><i style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">me</i><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> than I have felt in a long time. I don't always remember to nurture myself in the midst of the busyness of life- I imagine that most of us mamas are guilty of that. I think nurturing was the whole point of the conference. Yes, it was a blogging conference and we learned a great deal, but in every sense it was a nurturing conference. Beautiful women from all walks and stages of life came together to nurture each other's hearts and build each other up in Christ. </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I'm also SUPER thrilled to report that not one person shouted "IMPOSTER" at me as I walked through the door! ;) </span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">What a gift it was to be with such generous women all weekend who are changing the world little by little with their fierce love for Jesus and and desire to share their time, talents and treasure with all those around them. I felt so welcomed and</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> had such a deep feeling of peace- I was right where God called me to be. I had no idea how much I needed this weekend. These ladies are truly beautiful community of women and I am so honored to call them my new friends. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">As if just hanging out with all the ladies wasn't inspiring enough... I was deeply moved by each of the talks from our speakers. Micaela talked about her struggles with pride as a blogger and how she overcame it. She gave us beautiful copy of... The Litany of Humility! For reals. Talk about a HUGE full circle moment for me! I was sitting in my chair chuckling/tearing up and saying to myself, "Okay, God! I hear ya and I will stay the course!" ;)</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXpPeMXSbuj_3NyDPqLRAbRzo8Ppe2_X2pGH-yifsipkm1ztfgMl-ED_xn7XnX9gIkhBVVGkswAABgG7WWF8RXRsFygvClX_y3i1HNYdOPanVippcjMAZdffpEq29HSIb8Iqys9Zbw9Lc/s1600/LitanyOfHumilty.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="628" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXpPeMXSbuj_3NyDPqLRAbRzo8Ppe2_X2pGH-yifsipkm1ztfgMl-ED_xn7XnX9gIkhBVVGkswAABgG7WWF8RXRsFygvClX_y3i1HNYdOPanVippcjMAZdffpEq29HSIb8Iqys9Zbw9Lc/s1600/LitanyOfHumilty.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">And because I wear my heart on my sleeve and was already crying, why not cry some more! I kept tearing up through Andrea's talk and she told her powerful story of returning to the Catholic Church after many years. She told us that we need to ask ourselves "What is our 'why' for blogging?" And then she said, "</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; line-height: 24px;">We’re all called to be disciples. Our voice is important. It is up to us to use it for the glory of God.” </span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I nearly lost it. I have believe the lie, for far too long, that my voice doesn't matter. I also realized that I had never asked myself the question of "why?" because I was afraid of what the answer might be and having to live it. What will God ask of me? What if He asks too much? Or a more honest question is, what if He asks more of me than I am willing to give? God doesn't call us to walk an easy road, He calls us to walk in truth and truth is far from easy. Truth forces us to wrestle with our holiness every day. Thank you Jesus that He "wrestles with the sinner's heart" because He loves us far too much to let us stay the way we are. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I went home from this conference feeling refreshed, ridiculously inspired and thankful for this group of holy women that I can now call friends. Our parish pastor, Fr. Pat, said it best this morning: "Trust that God gave us each unique gifts that He meant for us to develop and then share with others. The sharing of our God-given gifts will help nurture and bring out the gifts in others." </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Here are a few more pictures from our awesome weekend:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiKkZB2Ems1rzB9lSlf8_rZ5U7KmZIkKjNMG-qviybJDlQeKRVvh7pkw7KN7MKeLbN1JLhG_Ev4p85PKsMzJJDpaD89kyz9Fp4sXhA9xtRrG7sp-PF-s3W6DNTG8EKKjAxb_AMAhCfFys/s640/blogger-image--213147434.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiKkZB2Ems1rzB9lSlf8_rZ5U7KmZIkKjNMG-qviybJDlQeKRVvh7pkw7KN7MKeLbN1JLhG_Ev4p85PKsMzJJDpaD89kyz9Fp4sXhA9xtRrG7sp-PF-s3W6DNTG8EKKjAxb_AMAhCfFys/s640/blogger-image--213147434.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The beautiful outdoor seating.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwE-20_-XiLKw5O_FFTT0NpnjunFZXJ8-W903ikbiQd3FMr-yzcJrlqLVts1QRHeaNLB7qMSCzeFzWT_HDz102BewfWeLXkwuEB6LGqfuUJfAp9tjl9uUsnGRLcwyhM7L4Yx6JUvxqtEk/s640/blogger-image--949709734.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwE-20_-XiLKw5O_FFTT0NpnjunFZXJ8-W903ikbiQd3FMr-yzcJrlqLVts1QRHeaNLB7qMSCzeFzWT_HDz102BewfWeLXkwuEB6LGqfuUJfAp9tjl9uUsnGRLcwyhM7L4Yx6JUvxqtEk/s640/blogger-image--949709734.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The adorable place card cookies that Kendra made! I'm still in awe and wanting to know where she gets her energy from! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsBSzjYt4RVEhyWxgJlR7n3XZWhpfVEuJuyDhG85GmAhBJYICO-gUrD89uWaEkhzZQo4noOz8DQuS9dp7JAMx7XEVl2GTnO2PVSu-n2eBq3Js6g0eRFXnOK43FU_xeXzptIpPQmdZRTAo/s640/blogger-image--1438822149.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsBSzjYt4RVEhyWxgJlR7n3XZWhpfVEuJuyDhG85GmAhBJYICO-gUrD89uWaEkhzZQo4noOz8DQuS9dp7JAMx7XEVl2GTnO2PVSu-n2eBq3Js6g0eRFXnOK43FU_xeXzptIpPQmdZRTAo/s640/blogger-image--1438822149.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Here is <a href="http://www.catholicallyear.com/" target="_blank">Kendra</a>, the hostess with the m</span>ostess (and sweet baby bump)! She is even sweeter in person! It was so kind and generous of her to open her home to all of us strangers (though I guess we aren't strangers anymore!). Every detail of the weekend was done with such care, thoughtfulness and love.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">New friends, </span><a href="http://bestbibandtuckerblog.com/" target="_blank">Karianna</a> (photo credit) and <a href="http://revolutionofloveblog.com/" target="_blank">Bobbi</a>! Though I felt like I have known them for years already! I had to remind myself several times that this was the first time meeting everyone and I did not in fact "know" them other than online. It's easy to forget that when reading people's blogs. Because bloggers let you into their lives you think that you just saw them for coffee on Friday night. Which makes it difficult to resist inviting yourself over to their house. Kind of like when I just invited myself to be Bobbi's driving buddy for the weekend. After the third time of me inviting myself to tag along in her car, it dawned on me that I should probably ask her if she would like me invading her space! Thankfully, she said "yes!" Because she is totally awesome! </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"></span><a href="http://writingwillow.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Willow</a> and me #twinning on the first day of the conference. Except she looks way cooler because she has a pretty scarf!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><a href="http://writingwillow.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Willow</a>, <a href="http://www.screenwriterswife.com/" target="_blank">Ronni</a>, Me and <a href="http://moderncatholicmom.com/" target="_blank">Andrea</a>.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">All the lovely ladies taking a picture for Kendra's <a href="http://www.catholicallyear.com/search/label/What%20I%20Wore%20Sunday" target="_blank">What I Wore Sunday</a> segment on her blog. </span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Photo credit: Kendra (and her daughter Betty for snapping the </span>picture).</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Our amazing coordinator, Micaela Darr! Words cannot describe how thankful I am to her and the rest of the team for putting together such a wonderful event for all of us.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Read her re-cap of the weekend <a href="http://californiatokorea.com/quick-takes/cwbn-ca-redux-plus-feels" target="_blank">here</a>.</span></div>
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The entire gang! Photo credit: The incredibly talented, Jiza Zito of <a href="http://www.oliveandcypress.com/" target="_blank">Olive and Cypress</a>. Jiza so generously photographed the <a href="http://www.oliveandcypress.com/2015/04/30/choosing-impact-over-likes-cwbnca/" target="_blank">weekend</a> for us. What a gift!!!</div>
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Amber McDonaldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04298148260208500740noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2181165977653697089.post-35281375975717072932014-08-31T16:28:00.001-07:002015-06-14T23:50:14.440-07:00The real truth about being married with children<div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I look down the pew at him during Mass. I think about all that has happened in our life together that has lead up to this moment as we sit here in church. Three kids sit between us and the baby is in his arms. He sings along with the band as his tender blue eyes look down at the sweet chubby-cheeked little face smiling back at him. My heart melts and my eyes begin to well up with tears. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I continue to watch him gently tend to the kids. I chuckle to myself as I recall the romantic "just the two of us" days where his arm would be around me and we could actually hear everything the priest was saying. Becoming parents has been the greatest blessing in our lives and it has also been the most challenging thing we've ever done. It's no secret that the ability to do certain things (like being present and attentive while at church or making time for each other) becomes increasingly difficult when raising kids. We are steadily getting better at juggling all of these things. The less mature me would have been slightly bothered (in a I'm going to pout like a toddler sort of way) because we aren't able to sit next to each other during Mass. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">T</span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">oday</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> is different though and it's not because I have any less desire for couple time or believe that it's impossible to achieve with four kids. Today is different simply because the </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">more mature me has learned to be more giving and appreciates this season of life we are in. Our little ones won't be little forever. Someday they will be able to sit quietly during Mass without needing any assistance and this tired mom and dad will be able to sit next to each other (and maybe even sneak in some hand-holding). But for now, our children need to be snuggled up close on either side of us. Which is perfect because it is exactly where God is calling us to be. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Even though our sweet little babes sit between us, they don't separate us. They unite us in <i>every</i> way and represent nothing but pure love- our love for each other, our love for God, but most importantly, God's immense love for us. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I may be sitting four seats away from the love of my life but I have never felt closer to him. </span></div>
Amber McDonaldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04298148260208500740noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2181165977653697089.post-25260567407570084752014-07-26T00:10:00.155-07:002023-08-03T09:20:46.910-07:00About Me<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white;">I don't want the name of my blog to trick you… </span></div>
<span face="'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px; text-align: center;"><br /></span><span face="'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px; text-align: center;">In addition to the laundry: </span><br />
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<span face="'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px; text-align: center;">Dishes are usually on the counter. </span><div><span face="'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px; text-align: center;">(17 cups. No one warned me about the ridiculous cup situation before becoming a parent). </span></div><div><span face="'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px; text-align: center;">Toys are everywhere</span><span face="'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px; text-align: center;">. </span><br />
<span face="'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px; text-align: center;">Shoes are never put away (like ever). </span><br />
<span face="'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px; text-align: center;"><br /></span><div><span style="background-color: white; text-align: center;">And toddlers run around half dressed... I’ve learned to pick my battles, ya know? </span></div><div>
<span face="'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white;"><span face="'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif"><span style="line-height: 18px;"> </span></span></span><span face="'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span face="'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;">I've been married to my high school sweetheart for 20 years. We love our Catholic faith, family, friends and sharing a good meal together. Despite having PCOS and being told we would likely not have children, w</span><span style="background-color: white;"><span>e have 7 beautiful gifts from God, ranging from 15 down to age 1. We are also special needs parents of the most adorable and spunky little boy who rocks an extra chromosome. Down syndrome has and continues to transform our family for the better. </span></span><span style="background-color: white;">Life is full— of laughter, love, messes, tantrums, coffee, and prayers, lots of prayers . </span></div><div><span face="'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white;">We also homeschool (which is something I truly never thought I’d do but here we are 4 years later). Every year I’m like, “This is the year we’re going to find our groove,” and each year I’m humbled when big family life doesn’t always fit neatly into the schedule I write out for us in August. There are plenty of opportunities to surrender to Jesus.</span></div><div><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></div><div>I’m a recovering avoider of cooking and laundry procrastinator. God gently and generously shows me each day how those two tasks, and homemaking in general beautifully represent the spiritual life. As a naturally creative and disorganized person who needs structure to thrive but is terrible at implementing said structure, family life and homeschooling provide lots of opportunities for growth. </div><div><br /></div><div><img height="240" src="blob:https://www.blogger.com/d15cc523-16ef-4f1b-b851-9f094d3b0b72" width="320" /><br />
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<span class="wp-smiley emoji emoji-wink" face="'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="border: 0px; display: inline-block; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; min-height: 1.2em; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; position: relative; text-indent: 9999px; vertical-align: bottom; white-space: nowrap; width: 1.35em;" title=";)"><br /></span></div></div>Amber McDonaldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04298148260208500740noreply@blogger.com0