Yesterday

I had a very interesting day yesterday; it was spiritual I guess you could say. I just felt a lot of relief all around. This blog will be a therapeutic way to document how I felt, and to remind me to be strong, careful, grateful, giving, and patient. This one might be a little too melodramatic for most of you, but you all should know by now, that I get that way when my husband is gone, and this will be the longest time we will have been separated in our marriage so I'm going to be a baby about it.--PLUS, cut me some slack, I'm pregnant too. :)


John left on Sunday morning on an underway until supposedly (last I heard) May 30th when he comes home for 1 day, and then back out the next day, for another 2 weeks, until June 15th. I am trying not to focus on counting down the days, but I miss him terribly and being here sick with a bad cold, pregnant, and with Lucas makes me need him even more. I know he misses Lucas and wants to be here for all the big changes Lucas is going through everyday. I will try to record them for him.

Hodge Family Naptime a few days ago

Well, Susan has been my savior here, taking an extra day off (3 days off total) to take care of Lucas pretty much exclusively, so I could sleep off this cold, and it's gotten so much better. Thanks to her!

Lucas' squishy face!
I had my first prenatal appointment with a brand new OBGYN, here in Williamsburg. If I choose to stay with them, I will deliver at this really nice hospital:

Anyway, I had my first checkup, and an ultrasound scheduled for later today. They did another urine test, height, weight, background etc. And eventually the doctor asked me if I had any other questions and my conscience wouldn't let me go without asking for her opinion on President Obama and his pushing for the passage of The Freedom of Choice Act, or FOCA. For those of you that don't know, this bill is very extensive and will definitely increase the amount of abortions that occur in this country every year by the thousands, despite Obama claiming that he wants to reduce them. You can read up on FOCA for yourself, but among the aims of FOCA are to undo legislation protecting the unborn even up to 9 months (undoing ban on partial-birth abortions,) undoing legislation for parental notification of minors obtaining abortions, undoes any informed consent laws, compels MORE tax dollars to funding abortions, and eventually will force all Catholic hospitals to perform abortions, or not receive any federal funding, and therefore close. Here is what Obama had to say about FOCA during his presidential campaign (notice one of his biggest fundraisers, Planned Parenthood):

"The first thing I’d do as President is sign the Freedom of Choice Act. That’s the first thing I’d do."
To see what Obama wants to "transform" America into:
http://www.abortionno.org/

Well, this was my doctor's response:

"Well, I voted for Obama, and he's a very smart man. I never heard about this FOCA, so I'd have to hear it myself to say anything on it. I know right-wingers like to criticize everything he does. Did you actually hear him say this?"

What a lovely response, from a doctor. She had to state that she so proudly voted for him, and doesn't even know what his campaign was largely based on. Then continues to insult "right-wingers" obviously, me, her pregnant patient.

I left the office very disappointed. I am considering going back out to Newport News since Dr. Shwayder is pro-life.

I was very emotional upon leaving, and St. Bede's church was on the way home so something compelled me to stop by and see if Father Abe was available. I forgot that on weekdays they have mass at 9am. I was trying to schedule a meeting with him through the secretary, and ended up having a very deep discussion about how frustrating it is to be a mother, pregnant, catholic, HUMAN, and feel so alone on this issue. She helped me feel so much stronger, and even revealed a horrible tragedy that happened to her as a mother. I appreciated her opening up to me and encouraging me. I am stopping by her office today with Lucas after my appointment. It felt like fate to meet her and I know we will remain close now.
She reinforced my feelings and the whole situation reaffirmed my faith. She understands my frustration. How can I let someone give me pre-natal advice and care, when they treat life like a nuissance? I can't believe an OBGYN's ignorance not to educate themselves on legislation that will affect their careers. If I see her today when I have the ultrasound I will give her information on FOCA and tell her if she doesn't see life in my ultrasound, I can't continue seeing her.
Aside from that, I came home and my neighbor across the street offered to mow our lawn with her seated mower! I couldn't believe it--she even did the backyard, and the neighbor next to her, got his mower and did the edges. I am very grateful and I know John would be too, since we (most-likely) won't be reported to the Homo-ner's Association. Here is our lawn now:



I have a lot to be grateful for and will be getting some gifts for all of them. I realize I live in a very friendly neighborhood and am very thankful to know that everyone seems to be there to help when I need it, and especially when John is gone. Can't wait for you to be home honey, but we are very taken-care of here while you are away!
I hope everyone can have this blessed a day also!