Catholic or Christian?

Today, I went to one of my favorite places- Chick-Fil-A- even though I am kinda leaning toward vegetarianism/veganism- I am hooked on chicken nuggets- thanks to my daughter! So, I ordered my usual (well, I don't eat nuggets but once a week- so that my meat intake is less than 5% of what I eat!) which is their sweet tea- yes- they make the best- and I milk it for all it is worth- I get refills during my stay at the mall- I love going to our mall- I do all my pics there at Ritz (only place I will go for my Nana pics), get my nails done, eat at the food court, walk, get Pandora- there is always something to do there.
Anyway, I order my tea and the girl that waited on me(who knows me as a regular!)asked me what church I go to- that took me by surprise- umm, is my scapular showing or something? I said "oh, St. Cecelia". She said, "Oh". Then after retrieving my bendy straw for me (gotta have a bendy straw!)she said, "Is that aCatholic or Christian Church?" Whoa! I said, "it is Catholic Christian!" As soon as I heard the question, I knew I had a subject for the 'ol blogaroo- set up the soapbox people, I am getting ready to preach.
Ok, as you may know, I am a Catholic convert. I was Protestant for 44 years of my life- 20 of those very active at my former church, where I was employed- having 3 different positions at different times, where my babies were born and raised and which I truly did love with all my heart. I did not become Catholic on a whim. I did a lot of research and KNEW it was where the Lord wanted me. I view my old church very lovingly along with all my good friends, who are still there. I did not become Catholic to denounce my Christianity, but too embrace it even more. CATHOLICS ARE CHRISTIANS!!! Jesus started the Catholic Church. (Do you know what the word 'Catholic' means? Universal- ONE!!Jesus started one Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church. It makes so much sense to me.) I am not a Theologian, but it didn't take long for me to realize that the Catholic Church has the real fullness of the Christian faith. It is beautiful, peaceful, loving... I have been Catholic for 9 years now and everyday- everyday I say to myself- I love being Catholic. (Do you know what the word Protestant means? To protest the Catholic Church- when I found that out, it was like Protesting the church Jesus started- ugh! Did I really want to do that? AND the Protestant Church was mainly started because the King of England wanted a divorce!) I will have to admit that I always had a problem with the whole "born again" wording and the "saved" references. Don't get me wrong- everyone needs to recognize their need for salvation, but the Catholic terminology and belief really makes more sense, at least to me. But that is topic for another blog.

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GRANDBABY LOVE!

Today, Grampy (HUBS) and I made a little visit to see our new grand-daughter who went home from the hospital yesterday. It amazes me that after major surgery like a C-section, that my daughter went home in 2 days- I had 3 C-sections myself and was always in the hospital for 4-5 days- with my first I was there 6 days after surgery!! She would have gone home the next day if they would have allowed her.
Our little Princess has taken to the paci with no problem and with no Paci pusher (me) intervention. With JR I think Little Mama wasn't so sure she wanted him to have one, but one day, Nana took care of it and it was his (and her) best friend- he just unwillingly gave it up on his 3rd birthday, but it wasn't too traumatic and he hasn't gone after Lil Princess' paci - yet! I guess pacifiers are kinda controversial, but I LOVE 'EM! They soothe, help prevent nasty things going in the mouth and they help fight SIDS- which I just learned. Little Mama had one until she was 3 and her teeth look like she had braces and my oldest who just had a paci for a month or so (she wore out one and then I couldn't find a suitable replacement ;~( ) and she needed braces, so I don't buy that argument. My dear friend has 11 children and she said the ones who took a paci were her easiest, happiest babies- so that is all the ammo I need for PACI POWER! Whoops, kinda went on a Paci tangent, but oh, well- my blog!! ;~)

Of course I took a lot of pictures- having a great time with Miss Mac!

It always amazes me the awesome gizmos and gadgets that a baby (mom) has these days! I always tell Little Mama that I would have killed for certain things that she has. Look at the Princess' Nursery- I love it- so regal so beautiful, so Royal, don't you think? (Well, I have been thinking of using real names from now on, so I guess I will!)
 Her Auntie T made the letters:

 

Definitely would have killed for this:

 

Love the Crown rug!
 

 

 

I found this at an after Valentines Day sale at Michaels- they only had one, so I knew it had to go in Gracie's nursery.

 

There is Gracie's first Minnie Mouse (gotta get her started on the Minnie obsession like Nana!) that I brought her in the hospital and the diaper (cup)cake that I made her for the shower (she still has JR's! so I learned to use the cheapest diapers!)
 

Such a pretty Princess Nursery!
 

Grampy time!

 

She is eating like a champ!

Grampy LOVED the extra JR time!

Johnny started this in the hospital- plugging his ears when Gracie was crying!
 

So cute!
 

Grampy kept kissing him, leaning his head back and kissing him again- Johnny then pulled his head down for more kisses.
 

Now this is sooooo adorable- he had to put on his Thomas the Train rainboots!
 

Grampy and Johnny threw the ball back and forth.

 

THIS.WAS.TOO.CUTE!

 

It might have been my imagination, but I swear Johnny was a little more photographically available for Nana today- (remember the cute smiley ear-plugging pic above?) wish this one was a little better in focus.

 

It was such a nice day- blessings galore!

Life is good!

A few shots of JR with Miss Mac (AKA new camera)

 

 

 

 

 

 

My Granddaughter's Birthday!

The blessed day finally arrived (actually, waiting to see her in the waiting room seemed longer than the 9 months!!) and Nana took Miss Mac (of course) and took about 250 pictures- partly due to the great multi-shot action on my camera- which is awesome, even if my girls make fun of me!!


Getting ready...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We waited so patiently to see her...NOT !

The grandmas! 

The Grandmas and Great Grandma!

 

JR's world is about to be rocked!

Let's meet your sister! 

My first picture of the little princess!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Life is good and we are so thankful for a good surgery and a healthy, happy precious little Princess of God!!

Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior are the children of one's youth. Blessed is the man who fills his quiver with them! He shall not be put to shame when he speaks with his enemies in the gate. Psalm 127:3-5