It won't be long now!

Danielle has all the news about where find the news as we get VERY close to shipping Small Steps for Catholic Moms: Think. Pray. Act. Every Day. If you pre-order, you'll be the first to get yours! What a nice way to start the Easter season--a new devotional inspiration.

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In other news, things are crazy busy here. My husband called yesterday and asked what was up with my blog. Since I've been messing with URLs and such, this query made me nervous.

"Why, what do you see?"

"Your last post is March 24th. I can't see any after that."

"Right. That's the last one."

"Oh. Why?"

Dear man, the next thing I post will be all the homemaking lists I've made just so I don't go absolutely nuts trying to keep all these balls in the air while you are away during a major liturgical season.

Speaking of balls and being away, my husband has had some fun in Dallas meeting my blog friends, who showed up with lots of little kids to watch Paddy play. That's so awesome, because Paddy is used to playing for an audience of small fans. I'm sure everyone is a lot less homesick thanks to great big Texas hospitality. But I admit to being more than a little envious...Wish I were there doesn't really cut it.

Mike has my camera. Perhaps there will be pictures soon...or maybe they will  up on a Texas blog.

Quick Answers

I've had several questions in my inbox about depression. All I can share is what worked for me. I do encourage you to follow the links to the conversation, even if you just read and decline to participate.

Here is the quick list of my postpartum essentials, bearing in mind that for me, postpartum continues through weaning;-):

  • at least 400 mg of DHA every day. I take mine in the form of Cod Liver Oil.
  • 5,000 units of Vitamin D. I don't drink milk when I'm pregnant or nursing (or really any other time, come to think of it). I don't get outside much with winter newborns. This is a huge amount of Vitamin D, equivalent to what you'd find in 40 glasses of milk. I seem to need every drop.
  • Progesterone cream two weeks a month.
  • A good mulitvitamin and extra calcium and magnesium. Cal-mag get depleted when you nurse for long periods of time and that leaves women very prone to anxiety.
  • No caffeine. Depletes vitamins, feeds anxiety. Same can be said about sugar. if you are craving chocolate, you need magnesium.
  • Exercise. Absolutely, completely non-negotiable.
  • Fresh air and sunshine.
  • Sleep. Duh, right? But I've learned to stop myself and ask if I'm genuinely depressed or just so tired that I can't cope. When you are tired day in and day out for many months (years), you stop recognizing fatigue for what it is. Recognition is a skill worth relearning.
  • Talk it out. Be careful who you choose as a confidante. Begin with your husband.
  • Frequent the sacraments and enlist the help of a good spiritual director. Satan would like nothing more than to discourage good moms in their mothering.

Lots to Ponder About Post Partum Depression

As someone who has struggled with postpartum depression several times, most notably seven years ago when a particularly bad bout of post-Csection  PPD took a sharp turn for the the worst following a miscarriage, I'm happy to see the lively conversation about PPD and recovery. And I applaud the brave honesty of the women speaking up. For a very long time, I suffered and said nothing.

Start here and then go here for some follow up links And watch Kate's blog for updates. Kudos to Kate for starting the conversation.

About Elizabeth

Elizabeth Foss is a cancer survivor who lives every day grateful for the gift of life. She is very happily married to Mike Foss and mama to nine children from 5-25. Recently, she added "Nona" to her titles as she welcomed her first granddadughter. She finds the charm, the wonder, and the cacophony of big family imperfection to be great inspiration as she strives to meet the challenges of daily life with creativity and grace.

A featured columnist for the Arlington Catholic Herald, Elizabeth has written an award-winning family life column for 21 years. Her work has appeared frequently in Faith and Family Magazine and Catholic Digest and she has also been been featured at Catholic Exchange, EWTN, and The Washington Post. She was a frequent contributor and Managing Editor of Welcome Home. You can listen to Elizabeth on archived Faith and Family Livecasts.

Elizabeth published her first book, Real Learning: Education in the Heart of My Home in 2003. The book is now in its third printing. The philosophy in the book is brought to real life on Serendipity, a free blog jampacked with curriculum, books, and teaching ideas. She has authored a second book, a book of daily meditations, Small Steps for Catholic Moms, with friend and colleague Danielle Bean.

Online,  Elizabeth's blog, In the Heart of My Home, has received numerous awards, including Best Homeschooling Mom Blog (2006 and 2009) and Top Ten Blogs for Christian Women

She chats with friends around the web at 

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Prayers & Devotions

To Be Transformed into Mercy

O Most Holy Trinity! As many times as I breathe, as many times as my heart beats, as many times as my blood pulsates through my body, so many thousand times do I want to glorify Your mercy.

I want to be completely transformed into Your mercy and to be Your living reflection, O Lord. May the greatest of all divine attributes, that of Your unfathomable mercy, pass through my heart and soul to my neighbor.

Help me, O Lord, that my eyes may be merciful, so that I may never suspect or judge from appearances, but look for what is beautiful in my neighbors’ souls and come to their rescue.

Help me, that my ears may be merciful, so that I may give heed to my neighbors’ needs and not be indifferent to their pains and moanings. Help me, O Lord, that my tongue may be merciful, so that I should never speak negatively of my neighbor, but have a word of comfort and forgiveness for all.

Help me, O Lord, that my hands may be merciful and filled with good deeds, so that I may do only good to my neighbors and take upon myself the more difficult and toilsome tasks.

Help me, that my feet may be merciful, so that I may hurry to assist my neighbor, overcoming my own fatigue and weariness. My true rest is in the service of my neighbor.

Help me, O Lord, that my heart may be merciful so that I myself may feel all the sufferings of my neighbor. I will refuse my heart to no one. I will be sincere even with those who, I know, will abuse my kindness. And I will lock myself up in the most merciful Heart of Jesus. I will bear my own suffering in silence. May Your mercy, O Lord, rest upon me.

You Yourself command me to exercise the three degrees of mercy. The first: the act of mercy, of whatever kind. The second: the word of mercy — if I cannot carry out a work of mercy, I will assist by my words. The third: prayer — if I cannot show mercy by deeds or words, I can always do so by prayer. My prayer reaches out even there where I cannot reach out physically.

O Lord Jesus, transform me into Yourself, for You can do all things. 

~from the truly wonderful Divine Mercy app.

Daily Prayer

   O Lord, grant that with Your peace I may greet all that this day is to bring. Grant me grace to surrender myself completely to Your Holy Will. In every hour of this day instruct me and guide me in all things. Teach me to accept tranquilly whatever tidings I may receive during this day, in the firm belief that Your Holy Will governs all. Govern my thoughts and feelings in all that I do and say. When unforseen things occur, let me not forget that all is sent by You. Teach me to behave sincerely and reasonably toward everyone, so that I may bring confusion and sorrow to no one. Bestow on me, O Lord, stregth to endure the fatigue of the day and to bear my part in its events. Guide my will and teach me to pray, to believe, to suffer, to forgive and to love. Amen.   ~St. John Kronstadt

 

 


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Quick Prayer to St. Anne

  Good St. Anne, you were especially favored by God to be the mother of the most holy Virgin Mary, the Mother of our Savior. By your power with your most pure daughter and with her divine Son, kindly obtain for us the grace and the favor we now seek. Please se- cure for us also forgiveness of our past sins, the strength to perform faithfully our daily duties and the help we need to persevere in the love of Jesus and Mary. Amen. 

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Only for Today

  Decalogue for Daily Living Only for today, I will seek to live the livelong day positively without wishing to solve the problems of my life all at once. 2. Only for today, I will take the greatest care of my appearance: I will dress modestly; I will not raise my voice; I will be courteous in my behavior; I will not criticize anyone; I will not claim to improve or to discipline anyone except myself. 3. Only for today, I will be happy in the certainty that I was created to be happy, not only in the other world but also in this one. 4. Only for today, I will adapt to circumstances, without requiring all circumstances to be adapted to my own wishes. 5. Only for today, I will devote ten minutes of my time to some good reading, remembering that just as food is necessary to the life of the body, so good reading is necessary to the life of the soul. 6. Only for today, I will do one good deed and not tell anyone about it. 7. Only for today, I will do at least one thing I do not like doing; and it my feelings are hurt, I will make sure no one notices. 8. Only for today, I will make a plan for myself: I may not follow it to the letter, but I will make it. And I will be on guard against two evils: hastiness and indecision. 9. Only for today, I will firmly believe, despite appearances, that the good Providence of God cares for me as no one else who exists in this world. 10. Only for today, I will have no fears. In particular, I will not be afraid to enjoy what is beautiful and to believe in goodness. Indeed, for twelve hours I can certainly do what might cause me consternation were I to believe I had to do it all my life. Bl. Pope John XXIII    

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Petition to St. Anne

  O glorious St. Anne, you are filled with compassion for those who invoke you and with love for those who suffer! Heavily burdened with the weight of my troubles, I cast myself at your feet and humbly beg of you to take this present intention which I recommend to your special care. (mention your petition) Please recommend it to your daughter, the Blessed Virgin Mary, and place it before the throne of Jesus, so that He may bring it to a happy issue. Continue to intercede for me until my request is granted. But above all, obtain for me the grace one day to see my God face to face, and with you and Mary and all the saints to praise and bless Him for all eternity. Amen. 

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Prayer to Our lady of La Leche for Another Child

Lovely Lady of La Leche, most loving mother of the Child Jesus, and my Mother, listen to my humble prayer. Your motherly heart knows my every wish, my every need. To you only, His spotless Virgin Mother, has your Divine Son given to understand the sentiments which fill my soul. Yours was the sacred privilege of being the Mother of the Saviour. Intercede with Him now, my loving Mother, that, in accordance with His will, I may become the mother of other children of our heavenly Father. This I ask, O Lady of La Leche, in the Name of your Divine Son, My Lord and Redeemer. Amen.  


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Efficacious Novena to the Sacred Heart

Efficacious Novena To The Sacred Heart Of Jesus O my Jesus, You have said, ‘Truly I say to you, ask and it will be given you, seek and you will find, knock and it will be opened to you.’ Behold, I knock, I seek and ask for the grace of... Our Father... Hail Mary... Glory be to the Father... Sacred Heart of Jesus, I place all my trust in you. II. O my Jesus, You have said, ‘Truly I say to you, if you ask anything of the Father in my name, He will give it to you.’ Behold, in Your name, I ask the Father for the grace of... Our Father... Hail Mary... Glory be to the Father... Sacred Heart of Jesus, I place all my trust in you. III. O my Jesus, You have said, ‘Truly I say to you, heaven and earth will pass away but my words will not pass away.’ Encouraged by Your infallible words, I now ask for the grace of... Our Father... Hail Mary... Glory be to the Father... Sacred Heart of Jesus, I place all my trust in you. O Sacred Heart of Jesus, for whom it is impossible not to have compassion on the afflicted, have pity on us poor sinners and grant us the grace which we ask of You, through the Sorrowful and Immaculate heart of Mary, Your tender mother and ours. Hail, holy Queen, Mother of Mercy!Our life, our sweetness, and our hope! To thee do we cry, poor banished children of Eve, to thee do we send up our sighs, mourning and weeping in this valley, of tears.Turn, then, most gracious advocate,thine eyes of mercy toward us; and after this our exile show unto us the blessed fruit of thy womb Jesus; O clement, O loving, O sweet virgin Mary. Pray for us, O holy Mother of God That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ. St. Joseph, foster father of Jesus, pray for us  

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St. Therese Rose Novena

O Little Therese of the Child Jesus, please pick for me a rose from the heavenly gardens and send it to me as a message of love. O Little Flower of Jesus, ask God today to grant the favors I now place with confidence in your hands .... (Mention specific requests). St. Therese, help me to always believe as you did, in God's great love for me, so that I might imitate your "Little Way" each day. Amen.

 


Unfailing Petition to St. Joseph

Holy St. Joseph, Spouse of Mary, be mindful of me, pray for me, watch over me. Guardian of the paradise of the new Adam, provide for my temporal wants. Faithful guardian of the most precious of all treasures, I beseech thee to bring this matter to a happy end, if it be for the glory of God, and the good of my soul. Amen  

 

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Prayer for the Intercession of John Paul the Great

O Blessed Trinity We thank You for having graced the Church with Pope John Paul II and for allowing the tenderness of your Fatherly care, the glory of the cross of Christ, and the splendor of the Holy Spirit, to shine through him. Trusting fully in Your infinite mercy and in the maternal intercession of Mary, he has given us a living image of Jesus the Good Shepherd, and has shown us that holinessis the necessary measure of ordinary Christian life and is the way of achieving eternal communion with you. Grant us, by his intercession, and according to Your will, the graces we implore, hoping that he will soon be numbered among your saints. Amen.