Tune in tomorrow morning at 9:15 am EST to listen to Donna-Marie Cooper O’Boyle give some tips on making Thanksgiving an enjoyable day. You can listen to Ave Marie radio online real time, but if you miss it, there are audio archives!

My personal sane and simple Thanksgiving day plans? Herd six children across the street to my neighbor’s house and let her feed us. I’m bringing pumpkin bread, which I’ll probably bake today.

The only stressor is trying to make sure Bill sees the Green Bay game. I don’t know if they have TV. Fortunately, that game is the early one, so, if necessary, he’ll be “stuck” at home with the napping toddler while the kids and I socialize before dinner.

Simple enough, huh?

Yes, that’s right.

My previous post in which I defend my desire to breastfeed my child, I stated that I don’t think the “issue” of bottle feeding versus breastfeeding is a moral one. I really don’t think it should be an “issue” at all. In fact, I think the real issue is that it is an issue.

I think breastfeeding is the natural choice. I think it is the healthiest choice. I think it is worth the initial difficulties.

But I don’t think we mothers need any more pressure.

I’m pro-homeschooling, but do not feel mothers who send their children to schools are bad mothers.

I’m pro-cloth diapering, but don’t think mothers who use disposable ones are bad either. That’s mainly because I use disposable diapers. Every so often I feel really guilty about that, but that is ridiculous.

I’m pro-daily family rosaries, but, again, I fall short of that ideal. Again, there is guilt. Again, I remind myself to be realistic.

Since that comment was left anonymously, I can not ascertain whether the author intended to pressure me into giving up breastfeeding. I like to assume, rather, that the intent was to ease any guilt I feel about giving my child a bottle. And I do feel guilt. And it is ridiculous.

Jill directed me to Danielle Bean’s latest article at Inside Catholic which touches on the problem of how we women can help or hurt each other:

While it’s true that no one can tear apart a vulnerable woman quite like another woman, it is equally true that no one can build up and encourage a vulnerable woman quite like another woman. We can’t ever truly know another’s plight and particular challenges. It’s important to stand up for the truth, and there is a place for admonishing the sinner, but that never means using others’ weaknesses and vulnerabilities to feed our own egos.

Ultimately, it really, truly doesn’t matter how we feed our babies (or how they get their education, or if they wear cloth diapers, or if they say the rosary every day). What matters is that we love them and care for them and raise them to the best of our abilities.

As Danielle said: Let’s encourage one another.

When my friend from whom I order Mary Kay products includes a free sample of anti-cellulite moisturizer, is she trying to send me a message?

Today: Mary’s Baptism

Tomorrow: Billy’s First Holy Communion

The ratio of adults to children is favorable (9 to 6). Should be a good weekend.

Up over at G.I. June (Cleaver).

Thanks to Kristina for the idea.

For the last three weeks I have been to the clinic here on post once or twice or three times each week for weight checks on the baby. On Friday, I drove 30 minutes to go to a highly recommended lactation consultant. I will need to go see her several times a week for the foreseeable future.

This morning I had to take my oldest son to the orthodontist for an emergency repair job on his braces. This afternoon I had to take the baby in again for a weight check. As I was leaving the doctor nagged reminded me that I need to take the baby to an area hospital for a hearing test. I have to get it done before she’s 60 days old (she’s 28 days old now).

It’s just going to have to wait.

For a breastfeeding mom in need of relief for a stress headache, which is better: Tylenol or Advil? Or wine……?

H/T: Nutmeg

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Yesterday we honored all those saints in heaven praying for us.

Today we pray for those who have died (who have not been canonized) and ask for God’s mercy on them.

I’m praying especially for:

Clyde and Nora M.
Michael and Johanna S.
Charles and Mary R.
William and Millicent E.
Viola T.
Ernie and Phyllis M.
Father De
Father M
COL Kelly

Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord.
And may perpetual light shine upon them.
May the souls of the faithfully departed through the mercy of God rest in peace.
Amen.

Add the names of those you are remembering today in the comments, and I will include them in my prayers as well.

“Do you have a baby in there?” asked the older woman at the grocery store. Yes, indeed, I did have Mary in my sling and showed her off to the woman’s oohs and aahs.

“I have fifteen great-grandchildren,” she stated.

“That’s great,” I enthused.

“No, it’s not,” she said.

…Uuh…”Do you wish you had more?”

“No! I have to buy all those presents,” she lamented.

This is so sad. Her great-grandchildren are just drains on her pocketbook. I sincerely hope that my own children are more a source of joy for their extended family than a financial burden. I’d rather my kids get nothing ever from a grandparent, aunt or uncle than that they be viewed this way. My grandparents couldn’t afford to give gifts to all their grandchildren. I was thrilled when Grandma pulled me aside and snuck a quarter in my hand. One year, we all got McDonald’s gift certificates for Christmas – that was the only year I remember getting anything. But I don’t think I loved Grandma any less than I would have had she showered me with expensive gifts.