Welcome Tracy and Kevin’s newest one, Grady A.  We were able to celebrate with them in the birth of their second son (third child).

Actually, I was able to be a special part of the celebration.  about halfway through Tracy’s pregnancy she read a book about natural childbirth and decided that she wanted to try and go without an epidural.  Okay, I admit, I was a bit skeptical.  Tracy has a very low pain tolerance and at first, I just knew she’d go the epidural route.  But still, I told her that having a doula would increase her chances and help improve the birth.  She agreed but said she didn’t know if they would be comfortable with someone they barely knew in the room (besides the nurses, etc).  So, I offered my “unprofessional” services.  We both agreed early on that I would not be there for the delivery but just to help her get to that point if she wanted.

Fast forward to Friday, December 7th.  She had a check up the day before and the doctor “helped things along” since she was almost two weeks post date.  She called early in the morning to tell me her contractions were 10 minutes apart but that she thought she should send Kevin to work (even though they had been 10 minutes apart for two plus hours).  This was area I wasn’t familiar with since I’ve been induced with all my babies.  So, I told her to do what she felt was right.  Off Kevin went and I strongly encouraged her to get a shower and start moving around to see if the contractions would slow down (if they did, it was a sure sign of prodromal labor rearing it’s ugly head).  I also told her to come over since we were planning on making ornaments and that we could go for a walk.  She agreed.

She arrived, ever so slowly, at my house at around 11:30.  As she slowly walked in the door and doubled over through a contraction (keep in mind she had two children with her too), she told me the shower hadn’t slowed things down.  I asked her how far apart they were but she hadn’t timed them since she was feeding kids breakfast and getting ready and such.

So, we downloaded the contraction app for my phone and she started timing them.  Two to three minutes for a bit told me that I needed to call Mark.  She still wasn’t sure it was the right time to call Kevin but I ignored her and got a hold of Mark anyway.  As I was calling him, she decided to call Kevin and told him when he finished up what he was doing that he might want to come on home.  He asked how far apart the contractions were, she looked at me and I told her about 2 to 3 minutes and some were 5.  She said he exclaimed, “I need to go!” and hung up and started the trek to my house.  His work is 20 minutes away but he made it in less than 10.

Mark got home shortly after Kevin got here.  In the midst of all this, I was making sandwiches for nine kids, finishing salt dough ornaments, nursing a baby, and making sure that Tracy’s water didn’t break on my new carpet or the hardwood.  We got Tracy safely off to her house to load up and Kevin arranged child care.  I finished feeding Malachi and gave Mark quick instructions about the birthday party for a friend that afternoon and grabbed my bags and headed to Tracy and Kevin’s home.

Kevin’s parents were loading kids and getting last minute instructions.  I figured it might be awhile so I settled in to crochet and chat.  Tracy didn’t want to walk or move so we hung out and with every contraction Kevin asked if she was ready for the hospital.  Two to three contractions on the floor and a crawl to the bathroom and she was ready to go.

We loaded Tracy in to the van and I followed them to the hospital.  I will not disclose the rate at which we progressed.  After getting to triage the nurse kindly asked, “Why are you here?”  Tracy just stared at her.  We were able to coax her to tell her the length of contractions and such and they quickly checked her and sent her on to a room.

She was at 4 1/2 cm and deflated.  I have a friend who is a professional doula so I started texting her and my other best friend who just happens to be an L&D nurse.  They were both encouraging and I was able to relay their messages.  In less than two hours she decided she was done.  We had changed positions from hands and knees to draped on the bed and it just hurt too much for her.  She asked us if it counted that she tried and we said it did.  She said she wanted an epidural so I told her that the nurse probably needed to check her first.  She agreed and allowed herself to be checked.  8 cm meant transition.  The nurse laughed and said that usually when the mom calls for an epidural she is usually transitioning.  Her waters were bulging and so we waited, rubbed backs, prayed, encouraged, and helped her focus.

About 30 minutes after she was checked in walked the anesthesiologist.  He just “wanted to introduce himself.”  Tracy wasn’t speaking at this point and never even looked at him.  He kept trying to talk and she just couldn’t talk to him.  The doctor looked at the nurse and said, “She’s at a 5 right?”  The nurse had been staring at him and so had the rest of us.  The nurse replied, “Eight.”  And he got up and slowly started backing out the door.  The nurse apologized profusely and said that usually check in before they walk in to a room.

A little bit of time later the on call doctor came in and asked Tracy if she wanted her waters broke.  She looked to me and Kevin and knowing that her waters were bulging, I told her to go for it if she wanted to.  She told the doctor she just wanted the baby out.

Immediately after the waters broke, she was ready to push!  At that point I left the room.  And then later, I got to meet this little man.

Is he not just the most handsome little man?  Aside from my precious babies and those of every one reading this.  Okay, it doesn’t matter.  He’s just plain handsome and I loves my newest little “nephew.”  From the tip of his beautiful red hair to the bottom of his gigantic feet (22 inches long my friends…oh and 9 lbs 3 oz). 

Being the cheerleader rather than the player was a bit difference but oh so precious!  I loved it.  And it warmed my heart when Tracy told me she couldn’t have done it without me (although I totally know she could have…she did an amazing job).  I’ve always said I wanted to be a doula and this just solidfied those desires.  Of course, my babies have to get a bit older before I can do it but I’m definitely excited about being able to help and minister to moms when they are getting ready to bring new life in to the world!

Is why I’ve been so neglectful of the blog!  Chances are, whoever reads this is a friend of mine on facebook and knew we were “upgrading.”  We are thrilled.  And here’s the story that led to this house.

Over two years ago, Mark and I began to earnestly seek and pray about where God was leading our family.  We felt He wanted us to serve in a ministry type position but we had no clue where or how.  We settled on that we wanted to be able to serve as a family and we started discussing what our passion was.  It quickly led to us realizing we had a heart for families.  We are sad to see so many families not seeking the Lord together and we felt that we might be able to do that.

We even went so far as applying for and attending a missionary conference with a world-wide missions agency.  God closed that door (but not before we were able to meet some wonderful men and women who are serving God all over the world now), and were left, again, wondering exactly what God wanted for us.

This past May, we were reading a book on parenting, and I looked at Mark and said, “Maybe we should open our home up to families for Bible studies, fellowship, etc.”  He looked at me and said, “You know, I was thinking that would be a great place for us to start.”  We quickly realized that we had the resources available where we live now to do that but we did not have the space. Our home was great for us as a family, but once you added even one more family it quickly became crowded. 

And thus, the search began.  Our blessed real estate agent put up with a lot from us and worked so hard to get us in a home.  She was amazing at looking and giving us insight in to homes we stepped in to.  She had a sharp eye.  We knew her from our previous church, so not only was she our realtor, she is also a great friend.  And ya’ll, we stepped in to some doozy of houses (Let me just say if you have your house for sale you need to clean it before you have people over).  However, we also stepped in to some really, really nice ones as well.  What I’m saying is, if you’re in the area and are looking for a house, there are some awesome ones with the bedroom on the main level which is not something we need right now.  Late night trips to the ER because a child had a bad dream and was coming down the steps.  No thank you.  Anyway, my June and July was full of house hunting and by the end, I told Mark I didn’t want to look at another home.  Mark said he would start to look online for a house and then call me and I would tell him where it was and why or why not it wouldn’t work for us.  It’s safe to say I looked at every. single. home in our area that fit our size and price range.  I am not kidding ya’ll.  I think our realtor counted over thirty homes we went in.  At the start of the summer, there were a lot but we live in a military/fort area and when folks started PCSing here (permanent change of station, my best friend is an army wife so I can sound like I know what I’m talking about), houses started getting snapped up before we could make a decision.

We found what we thought was a great re-sale home and even had a contract on it.  However, we soon found out that the foundation had some issues and that was not something we wanted to deal with.  We canceled that contract and began the search again.  Two days after canceling it, we found what you see on this post.  It was in a great neighborhood and the layout was exactly what we were looking for and it was from a builder that we could trust.

And, and, and…it goes on and on.  In short, we closed on this house August 4th and painted the following week and then moved in on the 11th.  I know, I know.  You all are wondering why in the world we painted a brand new house.  Well, flat paint, seven sets of little hands, beige walls…all added up to my desire to put some color in the house and paint the most used (and abused) areas.

We’re still moving in, getting settled, starting up school…so be patient but I will post pictures of the new house as soon as I can.  Better yet, if you live in the area, just come by for a visit (and step over some boxes…even though most are unpacked there is still stuff everywhere).

We can’t wait to see how God will use us and this house to bless and serve others around us.  We have a big ultimate vision of starting a family camp.  This house is just the jumping off place as we learn to serve Him with our whole heart. 

Stay tuned.  Life around here is going to be very interesting.  Because it never was before!