Hi! I’m sorry I haven’t been able to write here sooner. This has been a very full spring so far, and my energy doesn’t extend as far as it used to these days. There is part of me that wonders how I will make it through three more months of feeling the way I do, and the other part can’t believe we will have a new baby so soon. Mabel told me that she would help to change diapers, but not “the poop ones.” I told Jonny, I’d forgotten about diaper changes…
Jonny started a new job this week and we are really excited about it. His previous job was such a blessing, but I think the new one is going to be a better fit for him. He’s been working from home for the past year because of Covid, and the new job is a remote position, so he won’t have to go back to commuting to D.C. When he was commuting, he left super early and often got home after 8 p.m. It was exhausting for all of us. I’m not sure he could have gone back to that.
I will be scaling my own work way back for the rest of this year, though I have made soap and slowly sewn a batch of really pretty spring sachets over the past month. I’ll probably list those in my shop on Friday. Mostly my days are full of homeschooling, laundry, meal planning and cooking, making appointments, and managing a very busy household. I am unable to do all that I would like to, but also at peace with this place I find myself in. I truly have a full-time job as a homemaker. Why does this surprise me? I thought that as my children got older, things would get simpler. That’s funny, isn’t it? I think that when children are young and physically needy and you are chronically sleep-deprived, you have to believe that things will get easier in order to survive. In some ways they do, but I’m helping to navigate jobs, college classes, career plans, and relationships with older children all while swimming (fighting would be a better word) against a culture that is contrary to much that we hold dear. It’s certainly enough to make a pregnant woman cry. I’m alright, I am simply stretched more than I would have believed possible. I find solace in the promises of Christ, my morning rosary, good books, seeds sprouting, and flowers blooming.
I also like my bad dogs. Do you see what Ollie did to the sofa?
He has been caught on top of the table cleaning plates more than once.
He’s not sorry.
A couple of days ago, I took what will likely be the last walk this pregnancy down into the bottom of our woods to see what’s blooming. I’m happy that I got to see the few bluebells that are blooming along with bloodroot and liverleaf.
Silas is excitedly holding up a little leech for me to see in this photo. Ugh!
I read Becoming Mrs. Lewis recently. I liked it.
I didn’t love this puzzle, but it’s cute.
I’m working on the second sleeve of this sweater now but haven’t worked on it in about a week. My knitting mojo is low.
Easter has been lovely so far. We made it to Holy Thursday Mass, Stations of the Cross on Good Friday, and a very long Easter Sunday/Confirmation mass where I was honored to be sponsor to dear Istra who was Confirmed. (She’s my friend Eve’s daughter, and friend of my girls who has made appearances here many times over the years. Here, here, here, and here are a few posts. She chose Saint Teresa of Calcutta for her saint which made me happy.)
This was one of the pictures that the ultrasound technician printed for us at my 20-week ultrasound about six weeks ago. Our little one, making the sign of peace. I should read into that, right? I totally am.
I hope this post finds you well and I hope to be back here soon to check in and say “Hello!”
Ithink I missed this post! Dear Ginny, God bless you and your family!!! You sound stretched but not without peace. May God uphold you 🙏🕯❤
Good to read your news, Ginny! Take good care of yourself 🙂
You are such an inspiration, truly. Your husband just gave himself and all of you the gift of TIME. Congratulations! So happy for all of you. It’s more valuable than anything. Your pup is adorable. I hope you rest as much as you can, each day, and find comfort in knowing that you nurture souls beyond the beautiful ones in your household.
I figured you were too tired to write as I was on my last pg and I was only 35!! So take it easy, girl. Enjoy it although it’s exhausting. It will be more so after the babe appears. But you do have lots of helpers. Thank the Lord. Congratulations to Jonny–to be rid of the commute is such a bonus in any job. It’s so good for the kids to grow up with Dad in the house with them. My son-in-law works from home and I think it’s made a much closer and happier family because of it. Now both my other sons do too and they are enjoying it as well.
Yes, our society is so pagan. I did a Bible study years ago on the book of Daniel and I remember most acutely, Daniel’s determination to remain Jewish although in a pagan land. I often think we are the Daniels in our culture. How did it get this way? I think because so many of us fell away from our religions and beliefs and that is when Satan and his evil minions slip into our homes, our hearts and minds. And it begins when we get lackadaisical and quit speaking up and lose our determination to have the courage to do the Godly deeds, even when the culture smacks us down. Enough preaching: stay strong you are doing the Lord’s work in this here blog!
Hi Ginny,
No need to apologize for not checking in sooner – you have a very busy life! 🙂 Loved reading the new post, though. The flowers around where you live (in the garden or the woods?) are so lovely. It’s one of my favorite things about spring: just walking around my neighborhood and seeing everything blooming. I’m even happy about weeds (but only if they’re flowery, ha).
Congrats to Jonny, by the way! I’ve always found commutes really exhausting as well, so I can only imagine how happy he is (and you are) that he won’t have to deal with those anymore.
Your comment about fighting against a culture opposed to what you hold dear made me think of something.
You know, Ginny, you and I are polar opposites in many ways Possibly even politically, though I wouldn’t want to presume :). I know this, and yet I relate to you SO much, in so many ways. Your desire for a quiet life, your love of nature, photography, and books…it’s all me. Frankly, it’s one of the things I appreciate about your blog – that even though there are such clear differences between us, there is so much I love about you and your family that I keep coming back. It’s like…a celebration of life, of humanity. I thank you for that.
Wonderful to hear from you, as always, Ginny. Congratulations to Jonny on the new job – that’s great news. May God sustain and support you through the coming weeks of pregnancy!
A wonderful post – so happy to see you and hear about your brood. Even the bad dogs, to whom you are merciful! Mama to everyone… I love the way you write all together in one thought about being stretched and finding solace. Glory to God.
It’s hard to believe you are having a baby soon. I remember when you were pregnant with your last… and how can I have been familiar with your blog *that* long??
The wildflowers, oh my. I don’t know bloodroot or liverleaf so I had to look them up. They are beautiful, and your pictures make me want to get out to the hills to see the early wildflowers here. God bless you all.
Maybe shalom would be a good name for him or her 🙂 peace 🙂
Hi Ginny!
I’m also expecting a boy- July 2nd! Our third baby and the gender tie breaker! A few posts ago, you mentioned that when you’re too fatigued to do anything in the evening, you remind yourself how much you did earlier in the day. That thought has been so present on my mind and a source of consolation. Thank you!
So glad to see and read your post today. Motherhood is definitely a full time job and I believe it’s the most important job there is! After all you are rearing our future!!! Stay the course with going against the tide. The road is narrow that leads to eternal life and He who called you is faithful and will never leave you nor forsake you. He honors those who honor him.
Congratulations on Jonny’s new job. Praying for a good last trimester and smooth delivery.
Love your photography.
Oh Ginny! Those pups sleeping on the couch! ❤️
I always have a smile in my heart after I see your photos and hear
what is happening in your world.
Only 3 more months!
Praying you have energy to get you through the days.
Hi Ginny;
Happy to hear from you. Love the photos of your family especially of your baby. Wishing your husband a world of success in his new job. prayers for you and the baby.
Marion
I agree it is hard these days to raise kids in our culture. I admire so much what you do with your family and your values. Hang in there, know that you are my inspiration! I often wish I could take a vacation to your house- I would clean and do your yard for you, play with the kids and read to them, walk the dogs feed the pets, – you know, just be the long lost Auntie, and it would be so nice just to be around your family and your values. A breath of fresh air……
Always lovely to see a post from you Ginny 🙂
It’s such a magical wonder this new little life in your womb. I know how grateful you must be…how much you will cherish this little one, even nappy changes 🙂 Children are such a blessing and as the word of God says ‘How blessed is the man whose quiver is full’ !!
I’m scaling back my hand/body business to help my daughter more as she has five children and is home schooling. Helping her is more important to me than making soap, even though I do love my little business and will still potter away at it. I truly felt the Lord speak to my heart and say that ‘helping my daughter was my work’. That answer took a long while to come, but I think I was just too preoccupied to listen. Your making wise choices. Many blessings to you ~ Linda
p.s. your little white dog is so cute !! I sat and looked at that little face for quite some time 🙂 ~ Linda
Ginny it is nice hearing from you. It looks like Mabel is going to be mama’s little helper with the baby. I am reading “Killing Crazy Horse”. Hope you feel okay throughout the next few months.
Joan
Becoming Mrs. Lewis was a very enjoyable book. And I smiled when I saw the Milly, Molly,. Mandy books in the sidebar. Such memories they bring. Take it easy. Motherhood is a full time job. It seems older kids take more devoted energy. You talk with them, not at them. Your brain needs to be running full speed to keep up with them and follow them. And their daily problems and events are more complicated. But the journey brings such blessings. Enjoy the last few months growing the new baby. And yay for Jonny’s new job.
We were so pleased to see a new post from you! Guessed you must be tired and that was why you hadn’t in a while. I remember that feeling of “how am I possibly going to make it to the end of this pregnancy, let alone give birth! So tired! You seem to manage to do so much in spite of it though! I am sure if you were reading about yourself you would be amazed at that strong woman who accomplishes so much. Savor each day, as I am sure you do – I wish that I had. I will never be pregnant again…never again feel those little interior movements, the hiccups etc… that part of my life is gone forever. God bless and keep you and give you each day the strength you need.
Hi Ginny, Glad to her from you. Happy that you and your family are all doing well. Good Luck to Jonny on his new job. Your plants look like they are thriving. I have read good reviews about “Becoming Mrs. Lewis”. I am reading “Lay Siege To Heaven”. It is a novel about St. Catherine Of Siena. Take care and God Bless.
Marilyn
Hi Ginny,
I bought into the myth that I would have time and energy to spare after my littles were older.Not true, unless perhaps you only have a few.In my case I had my youngest at 47.Now she is into her teens but I find I’m slower and have less energy.
Prioritize.Do what you can including some fun stuff.
Love the pictures of your spring flowers.Have peaceful days.
May the Lord’s face shine on and in you!
Kathy
Hi Ginny!
In regard to forgetting about diapering, have you looked into EC (elimination communication)? We did it starting with our 3rd child (and the two after her) and it was amazing! You can do it part time and still be very successful. I had our youngest when I was almost 44 and can relate to how you feel!
Haven’t read this blog in a while (too busy with kids to read email. 😬) but I read that your pregnant and I can feel the exhaustion in your post. I only planned on 3 kids and when I found about about baby number 4 I was a) excited because babies are cute, and b) basically devastated because they are only cute because otherwise we would give them away (I actually meant “toss them out the window while driving down the highway” but that seemed macabre). So, exhaustion….yeah I feel you. Congratulations anyways! (For anyone wondering, no babies were harmed in the writing of this comment….)
hi ginny……..lovely post as usual. i totally agree with conclusion that as children age, it does not get any easier! the challenges are harder with life learning, college, career plans, relationships, and yes, our culture going against family values. there is much to take in and teach, isn’t there? you are not alone in feeling this way. thankfully God is beside us in all this. but the days of diapers and physical tiredness doesn’t seem so bad after all 😉💜
i would absolutely read all good things into that sign of peace…
we too are struggling with helping a college-age child make life decisions in a culture that is often at odds with our basic values; thank the lord he is looking over us all
Have you seen the film “Shadowlands”? I thought about it after seeing your book recommendation – it’s a film about CS Lewis and Joy Davidman and their relationship. I saw it many years ago so can’t actually tell you if it was any good now – I enjoyed it at the time and it might be something to while away an afternoon if you have time to spare 😀 Christine x
I check into your site every morning when reading my blogs and know you must be a bit tired and so very busy with your children. Thanks for this morning’s post. Sending thoughts of good health and a peaceful day to you always.
Wonderful to see this little window. You are one busy mama!! Hope you get to rest a lot. 🙂 Take good care!
So glad all is well. I was worried. You brighten all of our days with your posts Ginny!
Your posts shine such a light in my day, the beauty of your photography, the glimpses of your daily life doing the most important job there is, being a mother….makes my heart so happy…thank you for this.
Take care!
~ April
Lovely to hear from you again! Pictures span the funny/frustrating to the beautiful and peaceful. May your last bit of this pregnancy go well with a good delivery. You are on my heart.
Lynn
For some reason I think Bea should be Mabel’s age! They grow so fast!
Yes, these are trying times. Just trying to hold on for better days. So glad Jonny found a great job & you are feeling well. My Hellebores are blooming too & now the forget me nots have started. It calms me that nature keeps going on.🌞
Such a beautiful post Ginny! I was getting a wee bit worried not seeing a post in a while, but how you manage what you have on your plate, I’m not sure I could get out of bed.
Your pictures are beautiful and happy that Easter has been a lovely season for you. Exciting that Jonny is working from home and that commute is over, though Im sure working from home presents its own challenges. Take care of yourself and that beautiful family.
Really wonderful to hear from you and your family. It seems impossible your kids are
growing up so much. Time sure passes quickly. Keep taking good care of yourself, and when possible please post updates.