Tag: Baby Announcement

A Day to Remember, Parenting 101, Where do I go?

Welcome to Life!

I feel as though I should begin this post with a “Hello”, and the lyrics from Adele’s song. As you already know, I haven’t been around much lately. Life is happening at a pace that I’m having a hard time adjusting to. But I will…eventually.

We now have seven grandchildren, as of 6:36 pm on the 22nd. Her name is Josie. I had the privilege of being there for her birth, just as I have for all but one of our grandchildren. Eden decided to be born quickly in the middle of the night, so I stayed with the older two children while her parents made a trip to the birth center. When I say privilege…it is! At one time, I seriously considered being a midwife, or at least working in labor and delivery at a hospital. I love being with women in labor. The process of labor and birth is absolutely amazing to me…and it never dulls. So, it is a privilege to be a part of that very intimate time in a couple’s life, no matter how many times that process occurs. Mother and little Josie are doing well, and big sister Ashlynn is taking well to her new responsibilities.

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I am now also working full-time as the Activity Director at our local rest home. I do love this job…even if it seems strange to call it that. But it is hectic, and it takes the stuffing out of me by the end of the day. I love being more active and walking for much of my day. The sitting at my desk all day was wreaking havoc on my back and hips, but I’m adjusting to the activity. Sitting is about all I can handle by the time I arrive home. I am hoping that with warmer, spring air and sunshine, my energy level is back. After all, I’ll have a yard to tackle!

Renovation projects…of course have come to a stand still. I’m happy I accomplished as much as I did before Christmas. I really do want our son to have a life of his own, but I hope he has a couple months after he finishes with school in South Dakota to help me get caught up. Then I think we should sell the house and move to an apartment! 😉 We shall see. The little house by some water is still extremely appealing. And of course my lap-top will travel where no desk-top can. A row-boat in a middle of a pond with frogs croaking and birds chirping is beckoning me.

So, I’m still here, and I check in every now and then. Thank you to all of you that keep stopping by and commenting. It is a real encouragement! Have a great week…spring flowers and painted toe-nails are just around the corner!

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A Day to Remember, Parenting 101

Welcome To the World!

Because I delivered five babies, I went through labor five times. My labors weren’t the ones where you went in and played cards for a while, skipped down the hospital corridor with your backside for all to see, had an epidural and then were told to push because you were numb from the middle down.

Now, to be fair, I’ve never had an epidural. These were stories told by other moms that had one. Because of my fear of anyone poking around my spine, I always declined. I would rather be completely sedated. But you understand that with any fear, it can be completely irrational. Facts don’t matter! Each woman is different, every person experiences pain in a different way. Every woman needs to do what she feels is best for her labor and delivery, and she  needs the support of those with her.

My labors were long, and I delivered big babies. With each one, the first cry and the first glimpse of that tiny face…made all those hours very well worth it. Around thirteen years later with each child, I rethought those moments and my conclusion was that I was delusional at the time. Extreme discomfort and pain can do that to you! But with each child, when active labor began, it was that feeling of despair. The memories of what that long contraction felt like…and I wanted to run!

So it was with our second oldest when she was in labor with our sixth grandchild last Wednesday. Believe me, I felt those contractions, I knew by the look on her face that she wanted to run. But labor is one of those items in this life that you have to see through until the end. And women all around the world for ages have done it over and over again. Women are strong, they are formidable, a force to be reckoned with. And yet, when a child is small, and sometimes big, they want their mother to ease the pain…to comfort.

Our sixth grandchild, the fifth girl, arrived last Wednesday, November 22nd at 3:43 pm. Her name is Eleanor Rose Elise…Ellie to us. She weighed 7 pounds and 6 ounces, 19 inches and then some, I think. The statistics dim for me after the first few days. Because of her parents request to not post pictures at this time, I will not. But she is a real cutie! Her big sister Ava thinks so as well.

Family is one of those Divine Institutions that God has given us in this life. Marriage and family is to be honored and cherished. It is a Blessing far beyond my comprehension. It is what makes this world, rather difficult to live in at times, just that much better. I am thankful for mine!

Welcome to this big world, Miss Ellie Rose! I look forward to watching you grow into the delightful woman God created you to be. And may your mother have the honor of watching your little ones arrive in this world one day. It is a Blessing to behold!

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Parenting 101

Welcome to This Big World!

She has finally arrived! After waiting for nine months, everyone in a family and friends are anxious for the arrival of a new baby. The mother even more so. When the baby sleeps past the due date, it’s difficult to not become anxious.

Our fifth grandchild arrived on January 3rd. She is the fourth girl in the grand baby line-up. Our first grandchild, a boy, will have to be patient and keep praying for another boy to bond with. There may be many opportunities ahead!

Brand new babies are so tiny, special, and adorable. They have a unique smell and they are cuddle experts. They also don’t sleep much, need diaper changes, and want to eat…a lot. New parents have an adjustment period, and it can be very trying. Much patience and prayer is needed to get you through those first couple of weeks.

Then you kind of slide into a daze and survive at least 18 years, more years added with each child.

At the time, when I was struggling with four children under the age of nine, there were many days that I thought it would never end. I would never sleep again, take a shower or eat without interruption. My days for the rest of my life would consist of getting up, getting dressed, making a meal, doing laundry, cleaning up, making a meal, cleaning up, doing laundry, making a meal, cleaning up, doing laundry, getting baths done and then hoping for a few hours of down time. When the flu season hit, I didn’t even dare to hope for that last point!

But it did end, and now I watch my three daughters struggle with the same routine and sense of being buried in the laundry room…alive, with children calling, “Mommy, Mommy!” as they drift away. And those years don’t seem as though they took as long as they did while I was living them.

I absolutely loved being a stay-at-home-mother! I was always extremely thankful that I didn’t go out to a job everyday. We lived very frugally, didn’t have much, but I was with my children. I really enjoyed taking care of our home, fixing meals and washing clothes. It was my life, for a very long time.

But I also don’t want to go back to those days! I think the biggest lesson in life is to enjoy and make the most out of every day you have, and live in that day. Don’t wish for the past, or expect the future. Just settle down into the today. Make the most of each little minute, even when many of those are spent at the kitchen sink, or sitting in a rocking chair nursing a baby…all. day. long.

Welcome, baby Ashlynn! We are so thrilled to have you as part of our family. We are excited to get to know your unique little you and all the plans God has for you as you grow into the woman that God has designed you to be. We pray for the new parents, and God’s direction in the way little Ashlynn should go. We pray for patience, long-suffering, and sleep. You have been given a wonderful, precious gift. Cherish it.

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