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| Joyful Mama! |
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| Expectant big sister! |
It seems like only yesterday, but alas... Elijah is a month old already. It seems like just yesterday, we were busying ourselves with gardens & chickens, trying to keep our mind (well, my mind anyways) on the simple realization that at any moment I was going to go into labor. We experienced an amazing pregnancy. I had back pain for a total of 3 days my whole pregnancy. Blue Bonnett Liquid Cal Mag solved the leg cramping, screaming, jumping out of bed in the middle of the night problem. I kept active and limber by weeding and planting our garden. (The kids helped a ton!!!) At my doctor's appointment when I was 39 weeks pregnant and it was 95 degrees out, I was as happy as a clam and all smiles. I LOVE being pregnant! And I LOVED this pregnancy. On my due date, I was sure I was going to the hospital. Instead, our well pump quit working. "Well, I can't go into labor if I can't take a shower," I told myself indignantly. Night would come and I prayed that I'd wait til morning. "I'm just too tired!", I'd tell my Lord. Days crept on. The heat wave crept on. I thanked the Lord for our air conditioner and for my hard working husband who set up a watering system so that our garden wouldn't die for lack of rain. Friends called or emailed. I started telling people immediately when I called them, that no, I was not in labor and yes, I was fine. But I was growing restless. I was enjoying getting the last minute things done, but I was ready to hold my baby in my arms. D and I got so restless, that we finally prayed and said, "Yes, Lord, we can go into labor in the middle of the night." Isn't it funny how in our prayers, we can say Lord, right before we direct GOD how to handle our situation. Kind of an oxymoron.
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| Daddy & his boy... Kind of look alike, aye? |
The day finally came when I awoke and I hoped that the contractions were real. We went to our scheduled appointment. Yup, we're on our way to the hospital. This is my 8th baby. We're in a hurry to get to the hospital these days. God has His own way of doing things. We didn't need to be in a hurry to get to the hospital. I felt like a watched pot. The nurse was a sweet heart. We were all just expecting a little quicker labor. But, God has His own way of doing things and this time around, He wanted me to relax and wait on Him. I wish I could have seen the lesson while I was in the middle of it, but life is rarely that way. Hind sight is 20/20 most times. By the time labor was intense, I was just tired and hungry. (no food during labor... stupidest hospital policy EVER) I'd been in the hospital for 10 hours and I wanted to be done. I gave up. I looked at my dear husband and cried. "I am tired. I am starving. I can't do this. I want drugs!" Now, in the midst of the pain and exhaustion, I looked to my husband to sympathize and take it away. Instead, he responded quite differently. He reminded me how close we were to holding our baby. He asked me to wait 8 minutes before getting drugs. He recognized the signs of transition. He took action and notified the nurse who called the doctor. AND a short time later, at 11:37 p.m. on July 3rd, I was holding our newest blessing, Elijah John Czeslaw.
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| Elijah at the beach! |
When my strength had run out, when my eyes were fixed on my pain, when I could not think clearly, my husband came to my rescue. He gave me his courage. He gave me his strength. He pointed me to the blessing that God had for us at the end of the road. He was and is my hero.
Looking back, I am amazed at God's great mercy and grace on me. God kept me strong during my pregnancy. He protected this baby and knit him together, one cell at a time. He allowed me to see and learn through this pregnancy and labor His great love for me and also that He really does know best, that He's got it all under control. I can tell Him what I want, but I really can trust His will for me. He just loves me that much.
My new favorite verse is
Mark 5:36 Be not afraid. Only Believe.
Jesus said this right before he raise Jairus' daughter from the dead.
How much of our lives can we apply that scripture to???
Every day. All day. In every situation.
Be blessed!
Daniel & Laura
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| I'm in LOVE! |
