Monday, February 27, 2012

A passion realized.

Wow...two posts in one day... not something you see here too often.

I just wanted to record an amazing experience that I had recently and how it brought me to a new realization. My good friend payed me the honor of letting me be her doula at the birth of her first born child. It was a beautiful experience. I felt like I was fulfilling a purpose I didn't  know I had. I think about that very speedy delivery everyday and thank God that He allowed me to be there and to realize my obsession with birth is really more of a passion. And that He gave it to me. This is a big deal for me.

Now I am not a doula...not a certified one but I LOVE birth. I hated birthing but I love birth. I love babies and women and the fact that our bodies are designed to bring life into the world. I love the idea (and now the practice) of helping women enjoy that experience no matter what it looks like for them. Birth should be celebrated and remembered fondly because it is the day you meet one of the most important people in your life. So weather you have an all natural birth or a c-section I think it should be remembered with satisfaction and love.

That being said...I would love to be a doula someday...a real one... who is certified. But not today. I almost signed up for a class recently... I want to be able to support women in birthing the way they choose to... and I want to do it real bad.
I also just have this   feeling   that now isn't the right timing for me. Our finances are tight and the class is spendy... Also there is just something (and I cant quite put my finger on it) that seems like this is just the wrong time...? I know that God gave me this passion so I am not doubting that I will do this...just wondering when.
It's sad when a dream is put on hold especially if you have been waiting a long time to ever even have one. It is also good to know that your dream will be realized...in God's timing There is comfort in that even if it lives  among the longing.
At another time-His time-I will jump head first into this dream. I Loved being able to help someone-in any small way I could-do birth the way they wanted. I don't know why I love birth so much...I feel like I didn't choose it I feel like it was chosen for me and I just can't shake it... and I am excited about that because for a long time I have wanted and prayed and longed for a passion.

Not in anyway to diminish the fact that I have a passion as a wife and mother that I have grown to love more and more.
I love my family and my role as a wife and mother to my children and I love that my family is my main purpose in life. For a very long time I felt that the Lord was keeping me in the home to bind me to himself and help me to see myself for who he made me to be(and to learn to love it).

I have however for a while now longed for a purpose that lay in helping women in some tangible way as well. I have been praying that God would give me a passion or calling outside the home as well. Now I feel he has and I know that waiting for the right timing may be hard...but it will be good too.
I hope He will empower me to use this passion well for his glory.

The LORD will keep your going in and your coming out from this time forth and forevermore
~Psalm 121:8

Birthday party

 So I am starting to think that I could win the title or "queen of better late than never" I really wanted to get these photos of Henry's first birthday party/cake up sooner but illness and life have prevented me from even using the computer the last week.

So here they are all pictures of the cake experience... that's the best part of a party and everyone knows it.

Watching the cake arrive.
When Owen turned one I made him his own no sugar banana cake and a separate chocolate cake for everyone else
Not this time...Henry got chocolate with vanilla butter-cream like everyone else...
He didn't complain.



First taste....



"Oh yes this is the good stuff momma!"
This face just makes me laugh...


I took about three quarters of his piece off his tray once I realized he may actually eat it all...

My favorite Henry face

Henry was appropriately adorable throughout his entire party...
No one left with out feeling the weight of his charm.

Friday, February 17, 2012

One

Henry,
You turned one year old yesterday. I am so overwhelmed by how fast this first year has by... Words just escape me when I try to explain how much I love you. You have been here one short year but it feels like you have always been with us... Your family adores you Henry and we just cannot get enough of your sweetness. You are a gift, a treasure, and we will never stop loving you.
love  Momma.
a few of my favorite pictures of Henry from this year


First day



first week 

First photo shoot









First bath

First month

Three Months

Eleven Months






One Year!
We love you deeply sweet son. Never forget.