March For Life 2010

Group photo at the steps of the Capitol Building.

Group photo on the Mall

While waiting for the March to start marching, Noelle conked out.

Once again, God smiled on us during our pilgrimage to D.C. to protest the decriminalization of abortion on January 22, 1973. The forecast called for raw, blustery weather - sleet or rain - but we didn't see as much as a raindrop. The kids were very well behaved, and except for one small glitch, our group managed to stick together. Not only that, we came back with as many kids as we left with. Epic win. I had been having nightmares and anxiety attacks for weeks about losing a child, especially one of the twins, in the crowds or on the subway. My stomach was in knots the entire day, but everything was all right at the end.

March For Life 2010

{personal note - naturally, the article is entitled negatively "abortion opponents" rather than a more positive, less radical "supporters of life," "pro-lifers," etc. It is so typical and deeply ingrained in the MSM to portray us unflatteringly. At any rate, it is still media coverage, and the article isn't too bad overall. Please join us on Friday to pray for an end to abortion.}

"The measure of a civilization is how it treats its weakest members."

Aren't you glad YOUR mom chose life?

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Abortion opponents to converge on D.C.

By Marcia M.
The Daily Item

January 18, 2010 05:56 am

— Andy and Michele Stefo and seven of their eight children will join the massive 37th annual March for Life in Washington, D.C., on Friday to protest abortion.

“The kids will see first-hand what we’ve been teaching in the living room,” Mrs. Stefo said of their children, who range in age from 3 to 16. “They’ll get to come together with thousands of people from all walks of life in love and prayer speaking out for people who can’t speak up and say this is wrong.”

Every year since 1973, when the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in Roe v. Wade that women have the legal right to end a pregnancy, as many as 250,000 abortion opponents have taken to the streets in Washington to voice their outrage.

S________ resident Joseph S. has joined the protest in recent years and said he’s heartened by polls showing a growing number of Americans oppose abortion. “I think it’s the young people who are realizing it’s a baby in the womb,” he said, referring to the droves of youths who turn out yearly.

“The entire mall is filled with people,” said Mr. Stefo, who along with his wife has attended several times since 1997. “It’s an amazing environment. There’s a cross-section of people and faiths, including Gays for Life and Women for Life.”

The aim is to overturn Roe v. Wade, and Stefo said he’s going to the march “with a hopeful heart.”

The hurdle, he said, is attracting media attention and changing the minds of lawmakers who “turn a deaf ear” to their effort, as well as recent town hall meetings and the national health care debate that is exposing a rising displeasure with legalized and proposed tax-funded abortion.

It may not happen soon, but Libby T., of S_________, said she’s heartened by the number of young people who oppose abortion and are getting involved with the movement. “They’re so pumped,” she said of the crowd gathered at the event. “In spite of the cold, the teenagers are enthusiastic, singing and listening” to speakers who in the past have included President George W. Bush and Martin Luther King’s niece, Alveda King.

Pro-choice supporter Lisa W., program director of Family Planning Plus of S., U., N., M. and J. counties, said while she believes the decision to terminate a pregnancy should be made by a woman and her physician, “I certainly support anyone’s right to their own opinion.”

Instead of having pro-life and pro-choice supporters at odds, Wehr said, the focus should be on family planning services and providing women with the resources to avoid an unwanted pregnancy in the first place.

For the first time, organizers of the demonstration are planning a two-hour rally the night before the march in Lafayette Park, across the street from the White House.

Other events include the National Prayer Vigil for Life, sponsored by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops and the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, beginning at 6:30 p.m. Thursday and broadcast live on the Eternal Word Television Network.

On Friday morning before the start of the march, more than 20,000 young Catholics are expected to attend the Washington Archdiocese youth rally at the Verizon Center.

Copyright © 1999-2010 cnhi, inc.

RV Pictures

I swear, we were NOT driving when these pictures were taken!!

Natalie Singing ABCs

Take one. Oh, she is a stubborn one.



Take two. There you go, you got it.



Funny how Noelle says "H, I, K, K..." and Natalie says "H, I, J, J..."

Noelle singing ABCs

Twins Are Awesome

How do I say it delicately without demeaning any of our single-born children? Twins are simply amazing. I love every single one of our children, and I don't love the twins more than the rest, but there's something so completely astonishing about two babies where there was once one. This is the first time we've had two children at exactly the same stage - up until now there was always the older brother/sister and the annoying little tag-along. I've marveled at all the childrens' milestones, but this time around, seeing the twins both developing new skills and learning from each other, well, it defies description. I can't adequately explain myself, but every day I am conscious and appreciative of this miracle and that I am privileged to be a witness to it.

We were warned that two at a time would be a sleepless, chaotic nightmare, but nobody warned us how much fun it would be. Parenting these twins for the last three years has been a treat, an absolute delight. And if I had a guarantee of another set of multiples, I wouldn't hesitate to become pregnant again.

Well, maybe just a little bit.

Spa time. Ahhhhhh.

P.S. They are monozygotic, i.e. identical, twins.
Then how can Noelle's head be so much bigger than Natalie's??

Gurlz In The House

Yes, four little girls under the age of 8, and the house is awash with evidence. My Little Ponies are everywhere. Barbie shoes can be found under every couch cushion. Princess posters adorn the bedroom walls. Makeup is a precious commodity... you get the idea. But there are also two VERY BOYISH young adolescent boys, who are leaving an indelible mark on their little sisters.

When they play war in the backyard, the girls are as heavily armed as their brothers, and the toddler twins play the part of the medics. Whenever somebody gets 'hit,' they cry out "Medic!" and one of the twins has to rush over and minister to the fallen soldier.

(Incoming!! Twins in a foxhole during the Normandy invasion)

The house is full of nerf dart guns of every caliber, and this time everybody gets in on the action.

(Warning: Do not aim guns at anyone's face. Yeah, right.)

And if there were any remaining doubts that there are boyz in the house, just look closely at the kitchen set. It's a lovely provincial gourmet kitchen, full of really nifty features and accessories.Hmmm. Looks a lot like my own kitchen sink. Except for the incendiary device.


Sometimes my kitchen could really use an incendiary device.