Counting my blessings

Well, it's been a hectic Christmas season (I almost slipped and said "holiday season," which I find so watered down). In the last 2 months of the year, we celebrated a 60th wedding anniversary (not ours, ha), Thanksgiving, a graduation, my little sister's wedding (surreal), and Christmas. To add to the top of the "big things" for 2008, I found out I am pregnant! About 4 months along now, which is also surreal. So even though I was fighting a terrible cold these past few days, I still grabbed my husband outside of church on Christmas Eve and told him how incredibly blessed we are.

This year, I have just been really grateful that my family is together and healthy. Another little reminder of that came today. My mom got a weird result from a mammography and had to go back in to the doctor. She is fine--so those extra prayers worked quickly, but it is a reminder to not take anything for granted, least of all the most important thing: family.

The Advent season got me thinking

People have many preconceptions and misconceptions about the Catholic Church. They repeat what they’ve heard on NBC or read in Time. Very, very rarely do they actually take the time to read about what it means to be Catholic, to find out what we believe. Many seem to think that we’re blind followers of the Vatican, of “The Church.”

The new movie, Doubt, that recently opened brought with it a barrage of interviews by the cast. Here is one quote from the director:
“Now the Catholic Church has its faults, but these dioceses, these church schools, these centers, provided a gravity which kept people from flying off into outer space.”

We’re not blind followers. We do not depend on a diocese to keep us grounded. We are faithful—we are believers in the Catholic faith, and everything it truly represents, not what people like to think it does.

Addendum

I realized the post on divorce probably came a little out of the blue.

I was in Princeton this past weekend with my in laws and extended family. We were there to celebrate my husband's grandparents' 60th wedding anniversary. They renewed their vows and I have to say, with all the glitz and hairspray that goes with today's wedding, there was nothing more beautiful than these two people in their 80s.

Quote of the weekend: "Life hasn't always been easy, but I feel the same way about her today that I did when I married her."

That's a special thing, but something all married people should strive toward. Be kind to one another, and laugh with each other.

Divorce today

I can't fully speak to divorce. I've been lucky in life that it is has been a fairly foreign thing. I knew a few kids whose parents got divorced. But my close friends' parents are all still married. My parents and my husband's parents are still happily (which is key) married. So I've had incredible role models who have shown that nothing good is ever easy, all the time.

But nonetheless, I do know a few people who have been divorced. Some wait years to date, some get engaged 4 months after the ink is dry on the paper. But I noticed a trend.

Disclaimer: I know this does not apply every time. There are some awful people who treat others terribly. But in the people that I do know, they usually say one of two things: They married too young, or they married the wrong person. Rarely do I hear, " you know, he did some things, I did some things, and we just aren't going to work through it."

The mistake in the latter way of thinking is that the problem lies in that one particular person. The danger in this is that if you always point the finger, and never look at the fingers pointing back, you'll take it straight into the next relationship.

Giddy as a schoolgirl

So, I feel a little silly. At 27, I feel like I'm a little too old to have a fictional boyfriend. But I do. I dig Edward from the Twilight series. And I am excited for the movie, which opens this weekend. And though my claustrophobia will probably prevent me from seeing it opening weekend, I fully intend to see it in theaters.

tagged

Hm. So I've never done this, but it's Monday, late afternoon....My friend Katie tagged me. I can't believe the whole thing is about my husband. :) So, here goes:
Where did you meet your husband?
Through his brother in college.

How long did you date before you were married?
Hm...about 3 years?

How long have you been married?
Just over 3 years.

What does he do that surprises you?
Oh, a lot. He'll write songs, bring flowers occasionally. But I love when he picks me up a trashy tabloid-y magazine on his way home, mostly because I know he really hates them.

What is your favorite feature of his?
Eyes.

What is your favorite quality he has?
Loyalty and absolute trust.

Does he have a nickname for you?
Yes, but I'll decline sharing.

What is his favorite sport?
Golf...groan.

When and where was your first kiss?
This is getting personal.

What is your favorite thing to do as a couple?
Travel.

Do you have children?
Soon, Mom, I promise.

Does he have any hidden talents?
He is a better musician than he knows.

How old is he?
27

What's his favorite kind of music?
Rock

What do you admire most about him?
His faith and character.

Will he read this?
Oh, heck no.

And one more thing...

Exactly how old are our candidates for president? Obama made some comment about a pig wearing lipstick and aaallllll of a sudden, both sides are at it like a gender-bending version of "Mean Girls."

Obama was like, "A pig wearing lipstick."

and then McCain was all, "whatever, that's sexist."

and then Obama was like, "As if. I won't even dignify that with a comment. But here's a comment anyway."

Finally McCain ended the timely, important debate about pigs by saying, "Nah nah nah nah boo boo."

Next thing you know, Biden won't invite Palin to his birthday party.