March for Life

Today I took Henry and Lucy downtown to participate in the March for Life.  It was a difficult day, but made so beautiful by the witness of all those people who long to see life protected in all its stages.   Today, my children and I were also among those in need of help.  No, we weren’t in any danger, but…

I rode the bus from our church so that I wouldn’t have to deal with driving and parking downtown.  Just before getting on the bus, I realized that I had a flat tire on the stroller and I wouldn’t be able to take it with me downtown.  It was too late to get a different one, so I grabbed my Ergo carrier from the car so I could at least carry Lucy, and decided to trust God to provide for us.  Once we arrived downtown, Henry wanted nothing to do with standing and waiting for the “parade” to start.  He found an empty part of the mall and ran around playing in the dirt (and we lost all contact with our group from church).  Half an hour later, he was cold and tired, and we hadn’t even started the march yet.  Whatever else happened, I had to get the kids to the meeting place for the bus, which was a good distance away. 

Just then, we ran into some friends of ours, a family with four children who had come by themselves.  Not people we know well, but at least we knew them well enough to stop and chat.  The dad offered to carry Henry for a little while so we wouldn’t get separated in the crowd.  He ended up carrying him for the next two hours, warming his hands when they got too cold and giving him a shoulder to fall asleep on.  And he helped me find our bus again at the end of the day.  I don’t know what I would have done without the help of this man and his family. 

It struck me at one point that what this man (and his family) did was in some small way exactly what the pro-life message is all about.  I was a mother in need of help and I had no idea where it would come from.  They welcomed me and gave me exactly the help that I needed to make it through the afternoon, without thinking of what it might cost them.  If all women who felt like they had no option besides abortion could experience the kind of selfless support that I received today, maybe they would feel like they could carry their precious child into this world.  I could have given up when I saw the flat tire on the stroller, but I knew that God would take care of us if I made the more difficult choice to continue anyway.  And He did provide. 

(Special thanks also to the people on the bus who entertained Lucy while I cleaned up after Henry got sick.  Too much time on the bus, too many warm layers, and definitely too many fruit snacks made for one carsick little boy.) 

2011

Lucy (10 months)

…is full of joy and is ready with a smile for everyone she meets.  It takes twice as long to go shopping with her because everyone wants to stop and visit with her.  I hope she always has this gift of bringing joy to others! 

…loves to eat.  Bananas are a favorite, but she will eat just about anything that we offer her.  She even tried to eat the stinkbug Henry handed her the other day.  She is a pro at drinking from her sippy cups. 

…has been army crawling since she was five months old.  She is very fast and has little interest in crawling on her knees.  She is cruising around the furniture and climbing the stairs on her own.  She will probably start trying to walk soon. 

…has found her voice, and it is loud (but cute).  She can say “mama” and “dada” and can mimic a lot of sounds.  The only word I’ve heard her say on her own is “duck.”  (she loves ducks)  She can also make rocket sounds, with the “blast-off” motion and everything.  Yes, Daddy is proud. 

…loves her big brother.  She wants to do everything he does.  No one can make her laugh like Henry can!

Goals for this year: walk, talk, and learn to climb down the stairs so Mommy can stop worrying

Henry (2 and a half)

…is full of life.  He is a whirlwind of energy, is strong-willed, and curious about everything he sees.  We have a hard time keeping up with him, yet alone staying one step ahead.  His favorite character is Curious George, mostly because they are so much alike. 

…can be very sweet.  He loves to be held by Mommy and Daddy and is always asking for us to sit and read with him.  He loves his baby sister and gives her hugs every day. 

…loves trucks, trains, rockets, cars… basically anything that moves.  He also loves puzzles and will often sit and work puzzles (repeatedly) for long stretches of time.  He can often be found singing songs and he knows most of his letters and his colors. 

…is very interested in church, but has a hard time sitting quietly, so taking him to Mass is a challenge.  He is heartbroken if he does not get to go with us.  He loves to sing “Glory to God in the Highest.”

…is definitely TWO.  When he doesn’t get his way (which is often), his tantrums are fast and furious.  But when he is happy, it is hard not to laugh with him. 

Goals for this year: potty training, learning some patience, and sharing with his sister