In the marriage prep course, some couples try to tell us that our culture is not opposed to babies. And I think to myself, “Oh yea, then why do I get all the weird stares with a pregnant belly and 3 small kids in tow? It’s a regular thing for cashiers and strangers to tell me they don’t know how I do it.”

Last year was my worst on record (save for the turmoil of middle school) in terms of mental and emotional health. 

Validation of feelings, not parking, although parking could be important, too.

It’s the beginning of September and for us school is in full swing.  I am typically a lover of routine and schedule, but it is such a big adjustment this year.  Last year we homeschooled some of our kids and so it seemed that things were a bit calmer in our house, and adjusting back to chaotic mornings, school drop offs and pick-ups at four different schools, and extracurricular activities have been tough for this mama.  In the morning it takes a good hour to get everyone dropped off and then again at the end of the school day.  Then my seven-year-old has therapy appointments most days after school and my 10-year-old has 2 hours of football four nights a week.  This doesn’t include my daughter’s music, drama, and work activities.  I am EXHAUSTED!!!  Any other mama’s feel this way? 

What can we give that’s more valuable than begging God’s blessings for others?

This is the second part of a series on being more purposeful about deepening our relationship with God through prayer.  The first part can be found here, and I recommend starting there.

The tears of the Mother gained the heart of the Son.

A Jewish Convert, Carmelite, martyred in the gas chambers of Aushwitz, "a daughter of Israel who during the Nazi persecutions was united with faith and love of the Crucified Lord, Jesus Christ, as a Catholic, and with her own people as a Jew." ~ Saint John Paull II.

Original Drawings by Olivier Heitz for CatholicMarriagePrep.com