Life

Stitches

Make a seam

Seams

Make a tapestry

Colorful, kaleidescopes

Rough and tumble requires shirtless ones...apparently ;)

*needs no words*

Expressions of joy

The rough and tumble teacher and his students. I love this man.

Bundled in Abby's quilt...I don't think he minds

A little over a week ago I held my newest bundle. We are definitely trying to figure out life
right now. I can't seem to do everything at once....including talk. Imagine that? :) The 6 year old needs to be kept busy productively, the five year old needs help in one area, the three year old another, the 22 month old needs a story, and the baby needs to be fed. The early bedtime for the little guys pays me back to have open evenings with my teenagers. Then of course Jeremy and I, in the midst of the hub bub, sneak in visiting and sharing about our days.

Somewhere in the outside of my busyness, I hear that experienced voice whispering...these days don't last long. I've told the kiddos we are on a baby vacation. We linger longer in our pj's. We watch fun movies. We work together to keep the basics in the household afloat. They have their lists to complete....with a money or treat award. It sounds like a lot, but really, we are pretty slow around here right now.

I've so enjoyed having folks come by. They've brought meals, and we've been blessed by countless words of encouragement, friendship and love.

I don't have an amazingingly peaceful birth story really to share except to say

....for some reason my body needed help delivering Grady (medicine to help my uterus function)

....I cried

....I couldn't have done it without Jeremy

....my Mom was so supportive

....Grady was worth it all

....God was with me

New Mercies for Today

After a visit to my midwife yesterday, she made the decision to send me to the big hospital an hour away for some more extended monitoring. I know the baby was sleeping after being bouncy during the ultrasound, but they needed to have record on paper that all was well with the heart of this little one. So I returned home to have dinner and then take the drive with Jeremy and my mom.

The baby was again in a bouncy mood, and the heart rate was all over the place. So much so, we had to wait until he/she settled down to get a baseline reading! Apparently my body is not so ready to have this little one based on examination. I did have a couple of nice clean contractions that they were also able to see the baby responded well to. But thick cervix, baby's head high, 2 cm. make me wonder at all those contractions I've been having for weeks now!!! Really??!! Just goes to show, even with each child, the Time all has its own special unique moments and signature.

So now I'm 41 weeks, and they've scheduled an induction on Saturday if labor doesn't kick in on its own ahead of time.

Today we'll do a little bit of everything. Cleaning, laundry, reading, and living.

Abby asked me above the dinnertime noise, "Mommy, when I have babies and am a mommy, will you still be my mommy?" She gave a satisfied nod when I told her I will always be her mom. :) I couldn't help but think of my own and my MIL as they have continued to carry their own family in their actions.

It is good

Deeply desiring to trust my Father this time approaching delivery, it's been interesting to have life experiences take me for a bit of a roller coaster ride. Yet again, His grace, His love, is evident as loved ones encourage me in spite of what my human strength can muster on its own. The contradictions of emotions is unsteadying, but sometimes in a song, a verse, a word of encouragement, a hug, a moment, His presence is near. The younger crew and I were doing our Bible story yesterday on creation, and listened to what He has made and what He has called *good.* So many gifts in this life, that point to His loving care. His Father-heart desire to care for us and adorn us like He does the sparrows and the lilies.

Sophie in the throes of a high fever while we were in a heavy snowstorm was given fluids by Daddy, Ma'ama, and myself with a spoon. She was just being stubborn, but responded so much better with patience and one of us nearby. When she began to feel better this is what she played with us who were down with feeling unwell.

So it's really any time now. Now that I'm on my way to feeling better, and resting at night (with the help of antibiotics and cough medicine as prescribed by my sweet midwife), I am so looking forward to this new one coming, as we all are.

Rest

Friday night Bingo

*Jesus, I am resting, resting,
In the joy of what Thou art;
I am finding out the greatness
Of Thy loving heart.*

"Believe in Spring"

The March wind roars
Like a lion in the sky,
And makes us shiver
As he passes by.
When winds are soft,
And the days are warm and clear,
Just like a gentle lamb,
Then spring is here. - Author Unknown


*Believe in spring* sings Nick Jr. TV. How silly, but in my world, that simple song cheers me up whenever I hear it right now. We are *under the weather* in a couple of different ways. ;)

I pray for my loved ones.

I give the fluids, require rest and medicines with strong Mama influence knowing it will make them better.

At the risk of sounding selfish, I also know that there are certain things I need to keep my vision fresh and correct.
If I'm empty, I have nothing to give.
If I focus on the need, the needs fill my mind. If I focus on the Provider, I remind myself...joy comes in the morning!


I visited Warm Pie Happy Home this morning and this post I linked to ended in such an encouraging way. While I can't handle heavy housework right now (so I had to overlook all the pantry organizing), I can stay renewed and clean up this heart of mine as I focus repeatedly on His life giving Words! The truth is, there's a couple of verses I'm grasping to embrace right now...and winter's winds distract me. So I'm reminding myself to just keep doing what I need to do.

Today's a day of catching up with putting away the laundry, dishes (broken hot water heater), and vacuuming. But as I do it, I have some precious promises to think about. :)