The story of me and Elizabeth Ann

So me and my mom had talk about the day I was born, the story is remarkably sad and joyous at the same time.   It really is a testament of how strong my mother is.  My heart broke for her, broke in a million pieces, and it goes to show how things have changed so much in the last 40 years when it comes to hospital policy, infant loss, and premature babies. 

When my mother was at my best estimation 30 weeks along, she went into labor.  Her water broke and she was bleeding.  My father didn't realize the gravity of the situation, and was not fast getting her out the door, until he realized, then he rushed to the hospital, in the meantime he hit a pole, and a moter cycle cop pulled over, but when he looked in and could see my mother hugely pregnant and bleeding he told my father to follow him.  They got my mother in and then the fathers were not allowed in the room, Dad ended up leaving, and really I just don't think my father knew what was going on.  So my mother after hours of laboring delivers Elizabeth Ann at first, the doctor could see right away she was not doing well, but he could also see I was coming fast, so he layed Elizabeth on her stomach, and my mother touched her, the doctor actually hit my mother and said, "don't touch her"  he then felt terrible, I dont' think he intended that reaction but he was worried about the baby and the baby coming so quickly.  As soon as I was born, he put me on my mothers chest and then a nurse handed him a blanket and he rushed Elizabeth Ann out, he told my mother she was not doing good, but I was doing fine.  That was the last moment my mother saw Elizabeth.  How horrid that must of been.  My father did see her and held her and baptized her, before she died 3 hours after birth.  I was also taken out but my mother did hold me for a few moments, and I was taken to the intensive care unit.  They came back told my mother Elizabeth had died, but I was doing fine.  I shudder to think that she was never allowed to say goodbye.  She never saw her baby again.  She was discharged 3 days later and taken straight to the cemetary for the gravesite funeral.  How sad, and then there I was at the hospital and they would not allow my mother in the room with me, she could only glance through a window.  My father was worried for her, and only would let her go to the hospital in the evenings because she was so upset.  Well my mother called a taxi company.  My father thought he was protecting her, took her purse, her shoes with the promise that he would take her to the hospital each evening.  Well she explained to this taxi driver that she had no shoes, no money but her one baby just died and her other baby was in intensive care and the taxi driver came everyday for over two weeks, brought her flip flops and drove her to the hospital waited and drove her home.  Each day.  What a beautiful man.  What a beautiful soul. 

Anyway, each day there was this nurse that would see my mother and go in and hold me, rock me, feed me and glared at my mother.  My mother tried to tell people but everyone thought she was just a upset mother.  On day 18 my mother went in, with the news that I was doing great, over 4lbs and could go home tomorrow.  For the first time, she was allowed to hold me, feed me, dress me and she said it was beautiful.  So she had to tell Daddy that she had went to the hospital and I could come home.  She thanked the taxi driver the next day and asked for a bill.  He said he would never take money from her, he could see she needed to be with her baby, and he could never take money from her. The nurse tried to intervene and tell the doctor I couldn't possibly be released, the doctor said, I could and would be.  Well on her day off she showed up, my father went to get the car, and this lady ran up to my mother, and begged her to let her have me.  My mother told her, you have been torturing me for 19 days, you need to leave me alone.  The nurse begged to hold me one last time, my mother said no, the doctor overheard her pleas, and instantly fired her, told her she crossed the line and all this time, he should of listened to the mother.  So I went home the day before Thanksgiving. 

I was very thankful for my mother to share in detail what happened that day, I only knew bits and pieces, especially losing my two babies, I really can see the pain she must of went through, I cannot imagine not ever holding my child, and am thankful for the changes that have occurred for families that has lost thier child.  My father would not talk about it, and I understand, that his heart must of been so broke, but it sure makes me understand his love for me, and why we had such a close connection. 

Now they understand the dangers of what is called twin transference, prominent in idenical twins, one twin receives the nutrients, while the other does not.  Technology has come a long way for pregnancy related issues.  Elizabeth is with her heavenly father, and I look forward to the day, to come face to face with my sister.  We weighed 3lbs 5oz (she was a few ounces smaller) 

I will go to sleep tonight with a prayer of thanksgiving for that taxi driver.  God Bless him.

A comparison picture

In honor of my Daddy's birthday, I was looking through the special album my mom made me, and I saw this picture and I just had to do a comparison of my daddy and my Tony.  This is pretty neat. 

Birthday Time

Well I was sad to leave 40.  haha.  But all is good.  Had a very nice day.  We went to Mass and then watched a play at the church.  The kids made me a nice spegetti dinner and Carolyn made a really nice cake for me.  And it was yummy, yummy.  I love days like this, its just nice to have a nice day with the children and Stevie.  Very blessed, I'm very blessed.

My birthday- at OneTrueMedia.com

The first part is Tony actually singing, I think its one of my most proud mommy moments, and then the kids singing to me!

Make a video - it's fun, easy and free!
www.onetruemedia.com

Tony's first haircut!

Lets just say it was a challenge!

Great story-Congrats Jenny!

So when we first moved to Michigan there was the sweetest older man I ever met, we can still hear his voice in almost "singing" the words to the Rosary.  He was a very sweet charitable man, who gave much to our church and school.  His name was Corman and yesterday would of been his birthday.  I think of him each Halloween, he used to bring the school children treats and pencils each year. hehe.

When he died, at the Rosary, I became friends (great friends) with his daughter who is Tony's godmother.  She is just as spectacular as he was.  And then became friends with her daughters, especially Jenny.  Jenny has the cutest little spit fire daughter, with the most goregeous curly red hair.  I've told her a million times, if I were to take any child and raise as my own it would be that little girlie!  But no, Jenny says she won't let me have her.  Well the great news came early this morning...Jenny had a baby boy last night, and the baby was born on her grandfather's birthday.  I'm sure Corman is so pleased.   Congrats Jenny, Beth and the whole family. 

Group pic from Halloween night.

November

Is it really November?  Wow, crazy how fast time flies.  We have had a beautifully spiritual beginning to the Month.  Of course the feast of All Saints Day on November 1st, bringing to mind all the glorious Saints in Heaven.  I have decided to go through and start reading more Saints.  I have a link for Saints, the reason I like this one, is it lists birthday, feast day, whether they are Blessed, Canonized and by what Pope and in what year.  That way I can distinquish between older canonized Saints.  http://saints.sqpn.com/alphabetical-list/  Its amazing every year after the Saints Day party and I surprised at the bunches of Saints that I know little about. 

Feast of All Souls Day was Novermber 2nd.  I was able to attend two masses but is even more special is the high school girls were able to attend 5 masses that day!  What a great oppurtunity, to pray for the Holy Souls.  This is about my favorite month for devotional practices.  I have always had a huge devotion to praying for the Holy Souls, what better way to make best friends for eternity and help those, that can only be helped by our prayers.  I have a booklet of prayers for November, but just in case you don't have the booklet, here's a website with the prayers.  These prayers for each day are beautiful.  http://www.salvemariaregina.info/Prayers/PoorSouls.html  Todays thought struck my heart:  Death separates us; it breaks the earthly tie which binds us one to another, but it cannot break the spiritual tie which unites one soul to another--one heart to another.  Todays prayer went on to pray for the soul most abondoned.  Anyway, as luck would have it, there is a cemetary right across from the church.  Its nice to drive through each day of November (or rest of the year) for a quick prayer.  Kids even remind me as we leave for school. 

So November has started, the temps are getting cooler, a reminder that cold weather is coming.  Not too excited for snow, but whatever--can't stop the seasons from changing.  Oh, don't forget to reset your clocks this weekend. 

I was just thinking of it was a year ago now, that Steve and the kids threw the World's greatest birthday party for me, how is it a year. And I want to stay 40, how dare anyone suggest I turn 41. haha. 

And before we know it, it will be time to make Thanksgiving dinner, but getting way ahead of myself, think I'll just work on getting through the day first. haha.  Oh, and Steve started his new job this week, and went great.  Here's to praying for some permanent hours and good pay.  One step closer--Woo Hoo! 

Poem, on the loss of a child

"I’ll lend you for a little time a child of Mine," God said


"For you to love while she lives and mourn when she’s gone.

It may be for six or seven years or twenty-two or three.;

But will you, til I call her back, take care of her for Me?

She’ll bring her charms to gladden you; and should her stay be brief,

You’ll have her lovely memories as solace for your grief.

I cannot promise she will stay, since all from earth return.

But there are lessons taught down there I want the world to learn.

I’ve looked the wide world over in search for teachers true,

And from the throngs that crowd life’s lanes,

I have selected you.

Now will you give her all your love nor think the labor vain,

Nor hate Me when I come to call and take her back again?

I fancied that I heard you say: Dear Lord Thy will be done,’

For all the joy Thy child will bring the risk of grief we’ll run.

We’ll shelter her with tenderness, we’ll love her while we may,

And for the happiness we have known forever grateful stay.

And should the angel call her much sooner than we’ve planned,

We’ll brave the bitter grief that comes and try to understand."

Children's party

Today was the children's annual Saints Day Party.  The children picked thier saint, learned about them and then we put together oufits for them.  They will wear thier costumes again Monday and I'll let them go to a few doors in the neighborhood for candy. 

Anyway, so the party here was busy, but fun.  They do a contest of sorts and the Seminarians give them scores.  Evelyn got almost perfect and Rosie was just behind that.  Tony thrilled them, and they seemed to all have a great day.  Enjoy the pictures, enjoy the description of costumes, but mostly enjoy the stories of the Saints. 

Katelyn: St. Maria Goretti

 Katelyn as sweet Maria Goretti.  A wrap dress, skirt and bandana found at a Thrift store.  The apron is actually a drappery panel and added Lilies for purity.

Beautiful, pious farm girl, one of six children of Luigi Goretti and Assunta Carlini. In 1896 the family moved to Ferriere di Conca. Soon after, Maria’s father died of malaria, and the family was forced to move onto the Serenelli farm to survive.




In 1902 at age twelve, Maria was attacked by 19-year-old farm-hand Alessandro Serenelli. He tried to rape the girl who fought, yelled that it was a sin, and that he would go to hell. He tried to choke her into submission, then stabbed her fourteen times. She survived in hospital for two days, forgave her attacker, asked God‘s forgiveness of him, and died holding a crucifix and medal of Our Lady. Counted as a martyr.

Carolyn: Mary Magdalen

 Carolyn as Mary Magdalen, a wooden cross Steve twined together for her, a simple dress and rope belt with a skeleton head, as pictured from prayer cards we found is around her wrists.

She was a friend and follower of Jesus. Filled with sorrow over her sin, she anointed Christ, washed his feet with her hair. He exorcised seven demons from her. She was visited by the Risen Christ.

Jaclyn: St. Isabella of Portugal

 Jaclyn as St. Isabella, wearing one of her cousin Laura's dresses she wore during highschool.  And we found a nice shirt for under the lace top and a crown to top it off.

Princess. Daughter of King Pedro III of Aragon and Constantia; great-granddaughter of Emperor Frederick II. Great-niece of Saint Elizabeth of Hungary, for whom she was named. She had a pious upbringing with daily liturgy and praying of the hours, regular religious instruction and education. Married at age twelve to King Diniz of Portugal, and thus Queen of Portugal before she was a teenager.

Joey as St. Lawrence/David

 Joseph was St. Lawrence.  His outfit consists of a graduation gown below and a vestment (pillow case like) that I made.  We used halloween makeup for the grill marks on his face and on his outfit.  Steve had tried to make real grill marks but it didn't come out dark enough. 

Joseph also helped another young man with his costume and posed as David of David and Goliath. 

Back to St. Lawrence, his grandfathers name, his middle name and is father's middle name.  Third-century archdeacon of Rome, distributor of alms, and “keeper of the treasures of the church” in a time when Christianity was outlawed. On 6 August 258, by decree of Emperor Valerian, Pope Saint Sixtus II and six deacons were beheaded, leaving Lawrence as the ranking Church official in Rome.


While in prison awaiting execution Sixtus reassured Lawrence that he was not being left behind; they would be reunited in four days. Lawrence saw this time as an opportunity to disperse the material wealth of the church before the Roman authorities could lay their hands on it. On 10 August Lawrence was commanded to appear for his execution, and was grilled on a gridiron, and is said to have said to his executioners, to turn him over, and grill the other side. 

Evelyn: St. Cecilia

 Evelyn dressed as St. Cecilia.  We used another Roman dress I've saved and I sewed Christmas ornaments of musical instruments on the front, with a rose crown.   Evelyn's score from the seminarians was 39 out of 40 possible.

vowed her virginity to God, but her parents married her to Valerian of Trastevere. Cecilia told her new husband that she was accompanied by an angel, but in order to see it, he must be purified. He agreed to the purification, and was baptised; returning from the ceremony, he found her in prayer accompanied by a praying angel. The angel placed a crown on each of their heads, and offered Valerian a favor; the new convert asked that his brother be baptised.








The two brothers developed a ministry of giving proper burial to martyred Christians. In their turn they were arrested and martyred for their faith. Cecilia buried them at her villa on the Apprian Way, and was arrested for the action. She was ordered to sacrifice to false gods; when she refused, she was martyred in her turn.


The Acta of Cecilia includes the following: “While the profane music of her wedding was heard, Cecilia was singing in her heart a hymn of love for Jesus, her true spouse.” It was this phrase that led to her association with music, singers, musicians, etc.

Madelyn: St. Lucy

Dressed Madelyn with a Roman dress we've saved over the years and a head wrap, we found a plastic cup at the thrift store and I spray painted it gold, we added some stuffing in the cup and glued eyeballs in the chalice. 

 The story and history of Saint Lucy. Saint Lucy was born in Syracuse which was a Roman province under the rule of the Roman Emperor Diocletian (r.284-305). Emperor Diocletian mounted some of the fiercest persecutions of the early Church especially in the East of the Empire. Lucy was a devout Christian and had taken vows of chastity. Rather than accept the hand in marriage of a lover who desired her for the sake of her beautiful eyes, she plucked them out, and sent them to him with this message: "Here hast thou what thou so much desirest; and for the rest, I beseech thee, leave me now in peace!" Nevertheless, as the legend expressly tells us, her sight was restored to her the next day. Her martyrdom, instigated by her rejected lover, was accomplished by a dagger thrust into her neck in AD 303.

Mikey: St. Patrick

 Mikey is the famous St. Patrick.  We made the hat out of poster board paper, the cross is from a dollar store Christmas ornament.  The staff is a curtain rod, Steve bent and I spray painted Gold.  His under piece outfit was something my mother made years ago that I jazzed up and altered.  The vestment was something I put together, similar to how you would sew a pillow case. 

Kidnapped from the British mainland around age 16, and shipped to Ireland as a slave. Sent to the mountains as a shepherd, he spent his time in the field in prayer. After six years of this life, he received had a dream in which he was commanded to return to Britain; seeing it as a sign, he escaped. He studied in several monasteries in Europe. Priest. Bishop. Sent by Pope Celestine to evangelize England, then Ireland, during which his chariot driver was Saint Odran, and Saint Jarlath was one of his spiritual students. In 33 years he effectively converted the Ireland.

Rosie-St. Elizabeth of Hungary

 Rosie is St. Elizabeth of Hungary.  Her costume was a saved queen outfit, I altered for her, and then added a apron of roses underneath, to symbolize the roses found under St. Elizabeth's cloak. 

Princess, the daughter of King Andrew of Hungary. She married Prince Louis of Thuringa at age 13. Built a hospital at the foot of the mountain on which her castle stood; tended to the sick herself. Her family and courtiers opposed this, but she insisted she could only follow Christ’s teachings, not theirs. Once when she was taking food to the poor and sick, Prince Louis stopped her and looked under her mantle to see what she was carrying; the food had been miraculously changed to roses. Upon the death of Louis, Elizabeth sold all that she had, and worked to support her four children. Her gifts of bread to the poor, and of a large gift of grain to a famine stricken Germany, led to her patronage of bakers and related fields.

Tony: St. Michael the Archangel

 Probably of all the Angels, the most well known Angel is St. Michael the Archangel, defender.  Leader of the Army of God against Lucifer.  Defends the Catholic Faith.  Patron for soldiers, battle, knights, dangers, evil possesions, EMT's, Ambulance, Police officers and many many more.

 

 "Joy be to thee always!"


(Tobias 5:11)

- Greeting of St. Raphael -





"Be of good courage: thy cure from God is at hand...

I am Azarias (Help of God), son of the great Ananias (Grace of God)"

(Tobias 5:3, 18)



"Bless ye the God of Heaven, give glory to Him in the sight of all that live,

because He hath shown His mercy to you.

For it is good to hide the secret of a king, but honorable to reveal and confess the works of God.

Prayer is good with fasting and alms, more than to lay up treasures of gold:

for alms delivereth from death, and the same is that which purgeth away sins,

and maketh to find mercy and life everlasting...

When thou didst pray with tears... I offered thy prayer to the Lord.

And because thou wast acceptable to God, it was necessary that temptation should prove thee.

And now the Lord hath sent me to heal thee... For I am the Angel Raphael,

one of the seven who stand before the Lord...

Peace be to you, fear not... but bless ye God, and publish all His wonderful works."

(Tobias 12:6-20)



--------------------------------------------



"And because thou wast acceptable to God, it was necessary that temptation should prove thee."

-- An Angel's answer to the age-old sigh of human nature, "Why is God allowing this? Why me?"

Why do bad things happen to good people?

St. Raphael, remind us of the mysterious paradox of the Cross:

"Whom the Lord loveth, He chastiseth."

May the great Archangel,

Patron of Happy Meetings, of Happy Marriages, of Healing, of Travelers, of good Confessions --

Angel of Joy,

intercede and strengthen you throughout the journey of life,

and bring you safely to the Lord in Whose Presence he stands!