Single digits...

Well, 9 days until my due date! Wow! Seems like just yesterday that we were finding out about this pregnancy. I was soo worried in the beginning. As many of y'all may know, this is our 4th pregnancy. The first 3 never made it past 10 weeks, so we kinda kept it under wraps until we passed our first trimester.

Things are going well. As you can see from the previous post, Ry was quite busy this weekend. And last night he generously went with me to the "big" HEB. We did a big "stock-up" trip. And I'm finally mastering the use of coupons - saved almost $31, although we did spend $159 (and I didn't get the meal deal, just regular coupons). I don't think the people behind me like me very much - I probably had 25 coupons! And the whole trip took 3 hours from leaving the house to returning. Probably won't be able to do trips like that for awhile.

Now, one thing we hadn't told many people, is that we found out that we were pregnant the day after the feast day of St. Gerard. I belong to an on-line Catholic group, and they had done a novena to St. Gerard in celebration of his feast day. On one day, one of the intentions was for us to increase our family. I do feel that through his intercession we have. He is a wonderful saint who is the patron saint of expectant mothers and pregnancy. You can find more info on him here.

So, since we are 9 days out, we plan to start a novena to him, asking for his intercession for this pregnancy and delivery. Feel free to join us!

Novena to St. Gerard

Most Blessed Trinity, I, Your child, thank You for all the gifts and privileges which You granted to St. Gerard, especially for those virtues with which You adorned him on earth and the glory which You now impart to him in heaven. Accomplish Your work, Oh Lord, so that Your kingdom may come about on earth. Through his merits, in union with those of Jesus and Mary, grant me the grace for which I ask.... (Mention your request)

And you, my powerful intercessor, St. Gerard, always so ready to help those who have recourse to you, pray for me. Come before the throne of Divine Mercy and do not leave without being heard. To you I confide this important and urgent affair.... Graciously take my cause in hand and do not let me end this novena without having experienced in some way the effects of your intercession. Amen.

O good St. Gerard, powerful intercessor before the throne of God, wonder-worker of our day, I call upon you and seek your help. While on earth, you always fulfilled God's designs; help me, too, always do God's holy will. Beseech the master of life, from whom all parenthood proceeds, to bless me with offspring, that I may raise up children to God in this life and heirs to the kingdom of God's glory in the life to come.   
Amen.

Photos to come on our almost finished nursery! yea!