Keely and Gus

Keely continues to work with Gus. He is such a good dog. He still doesn't like to heel, but he has become very protective over this family. Keely is completely in love with this dog!

This is her walking him up town, Thorntown! Isn't he cute?

Our Canal Trip

Every Thursday evening in Indianapolis, the Historical Museum hosts a band. They also have incredible food, which is not too costly and well worth the drive. Many people brought their own snacks, primarily wine and cheese. Free parking is available if you are early. Otherwise the parking garage is $2.00. The kids greatly enjoyed watching families ride by on their four person bicycle or paddle boat. Tomorrow we are going down to the Art Museum with Candice, so we might have to rent a paddle boat as well. (I do have a mother ten days overdue though!)

Samuel loves to be outside, and loved our walk down the canal. He would yell, "Mama!" everytime he saw a waterfountain or some beautiful flower. He likes to smell each one of them. He also really LOVES this .99 cent fan I share with laboring moms. The batteries are starting to die however, because he had it running through our entire trip. He got it caught in his hair once, and hasn't done it again. His fingers, he sticks in there all the time!

I really appreciate seeing all the older couples dancing. I wish I had grandparents or even parents that I could bring down to the canal. What a fun evening out.

Noah says he wants to have his birthday party here. We'll see... he has lots of plans!

Another good movie...

The kids and I rented movies from the Redbox, which is one of our favorite things to do. Keely and Samuel crawled into bed and watched her movie, Step Up 2, as they are early to bed sort of people. Noah and I ran to the garage and swam for a few hours in the birthing pool Mike set up for us. He talked non-stop the entire time.

"How are shells made?" I thought they might develop just like our teeth and he reminded me that in fact, snails leave their shells and move into a bigger one. He then questioned me if when God created all the animals if He also had to create a few larger shells, so the hermit crabs and so forth could move up when they were ready.

He then thought, in a sort of odd way, it is sort of beneficial that Eve ate that apple - gasp! He says had she not, there would be no death and he couldn't imagine how this earth could hold all the houses and hotels that would be required to hold all those people. Then he realized, God created people before the apple was bitten and he probably wouldn't create that many people.

He also talked a lot about things he is afraid of and how much he loves his sister Keely, but that he doesn't think she is as "bonded to him" like when they were little and planned to get married when they grew up. (I would remind them that siblings couldn't get married. It was against the law and they would reply, "But Adam's and Eve's kids did.)

Noah says he thinks Keely's afraid of loosing another loved one because she has lost her brother and many of her grandparents. He says if she only realized they could be very close and perfectly happy. He thinks he is starting to be his little brother's best friend though. He can't wait until the morning Samuel wakes up and yells for him instead of "Mama." They have really started to bond over their matchbox cars. They play these all the time and they are cheap little toys to surprise them with during a trip to town.

After our very long conversation in the tub, Noah and I went inside to watch the movie he had picked out, Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium. It was really wonderful. Is there any role Dustin Hoffman can't play? This movie is very much Noah's sort of movie as he has an imagination that may just be greater than my own and that, is a huge feat.

Today Noah and Samuel watched a potty movie we rented from the library, although Noah thinks he is entirely too young to be expected to be potty trained. I agree. However, Samuel has started telling me when he has pooped so I can change his diaper. If I don't get to him soon enough, he'll simply take his own diaper off!

So...another great movie, Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium. Grab your kids and curl up!

Mamma Mia!

Keely and I went to the movies tonight, to see Mamma Mia with Meryl Streep, Pierce Brosnan, Colin Firth, and many other wonderful actors... http://www.mammamiamovie.com/ We LOVED it!!! Cried. Laughed. Smiled from ear to ear.

I am huge fan of musicals. I love Mulan Rouge, the Sound of Music, and even movies with just dancing, like Dirty Dancing and even Dancing with the Stars. Musicals captivate me. One of my greatest disappointments was being born without any ability what-so-ever to carry a tune. It really is a horrific tragedy, although I am well aware of the fact that I would abuse this gift if I were so blessed. If I could sing, I would take every opportunity to live my days as if I were in a musical much to my kid's horror.

I am thrilled that Meryl Streep and Pierce Brosman and all the other actors took such a huge step in this movie. It was so genuine and heart warming. Oh my, if only I could join in their fun. The new ABBA songs on my playlist are in dedication to Mamma Mia! Please, if you are female and over thirty, grab your best girl-friends and head to the movie theatre! I can't wait until it is available on DVD. Poor kids... I'll be singing and dancing for days!

Honored...

Her children stand and bless her; so does her husband. Verse 28, TLB.

"Kids don't loose respect when we make mistakes but apologize. They do loose respect for us as parents when we deny or rationalize our mistakes" (Elwell).

"If Christian parents are perceived by a child as not being worthy of respect, then neither is their religion, or their morals, or their government, or their country, or any of their values. This becomes the generation gap at its most basic level" (Dobson).

I will try to walk a blameless path, but how I need your help,

especially in my own home, where I long to act as I should.

Psalm 101:2, TLB

"The best relationships are built up, like a fine lacquer finish, with accumulated layer of acts of kindness" (Alan McGinnis). Does this mean I need to be merciful and pleasant when my husband needs a nap in the midst of our very busy day?

It's the small choices we make each day that accumulate in order to end up with the beautiful finish we all desire (Ellen Banks Elwell).

Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for

the Lord, nor for men, since you know that you will receive

an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is

the Lord Christ you are serving.

Colossians 3:23-24

Preparing for fall...

Although I am a bit sick in my stomach to think summer will be coming to a close soon, I am anxious to begin the new school year with the kids. Keely will be entering 8th grade and Noah will be in 4th. They both look forward to studying World History through Sonlight, with Keely in the Alternative 7 year and Noah in the 1+2 condensed. We have decided purchase the four-day curriculum, because they are both so busy in extracurricular activities. This will give us some more room in our schedule and hopefully we won't become as overwhelmed.

Each year the kids participate in local homeschool groups and living in Thorntown, we are right in between both the Lebanon group and the Crawfordsville group. Neither are near as large or as active as the Lafayette group, but they do serve our needs well. It seems there are more kids Keely's age in the Crawfordsville group, but two girls from the Lebanon group live right here in Thorntown so Keely can connect with them through the week.

BCCHE - the Boone County group, potentially has drama, biology, speech and debate for Keely to participate in and the CACHE group in Crawfordsville has general science, British Literature, government, photography and a monthly teen discussion group. Our church also offers a martial arts class each Thursday the kids really enjoyed. Of course, we also have piano, guitar, art and ASL to mix in there, as well as Manhood and Womanhood. Did I mention the activities at the library - Scribblers, Teens Read, Junior Leaders, Clueless, Youth Council, and Youth Cook? Lots of weeding out and organizing schedules, because we also have 4-H, bible studies, and our nature journals to mix in there too!

Gardening

I absolutely ADORE gardening... flowers, dried flowers, trees, shrubs, herbs, vegetables, fruits, rocks, butterflies, bees, gourds, birds, water... anything and everything. This was our first summer in our new home and Mike tilled a small garden for me in the back yard. I was over-zealous and planted a bunch of seeds just prior to leaving for the Christian Midwives conference. I didn't give the garden enough attention and returned to weeds, over-grown grasses, and nearly no remaining sprouts. We have harvested carrots, green beans, tomatoes, okra, lettuce, onions, and will soon have watermelon, gourds, cantelope and pumpkin. We also have a few herbs, but not nearly what I had visioned.

Franny has allowed me to steal quite a bit from her garden however, and I have spent many hours canning her green beans. What a joy! I absolutely love opening the pantry and seeing all those cans. Those cans of green beans are three rows back! A client of mine brought me a few dozen bags of sweet corn and although half were for Franny, she so graciously asked me to keep them I think because she feels a bit of shame in my only having two stalks of corn in my garden. Next year we'll have to invest in some sort of gate around the garden to protect our seed. I am still hoping to can tomatoes this year, but the fried green tomatoes have been wonderful too!

Why don't you have a picture of yourself on there?

Because I am not photogenic at ALL! (At least I hope I don't look that bad in person!)

Morse Beach

Yesterday we took the kids to Morse Beach in Nobelsville. It seems a bit odd saying, "We went to the beach," in central Indiana. However, the Nobelsville park chose that name so I am following along. It was only $7.00 for our entire family. Sure can't beat that!

They did have a lot of fun, although Keely was a little concerned about sharks. Yes, she is homeschooled and yes, homeschoolers are typically pretty bright. She is also exceptionally blond, so I think it all evens out in the end. I won't mention the fact that she wore her bikini top upside down because she thought the strings that tided around the neck were suppose to just be a bow under her bosom.

I am surprised Noah had so much fun because he is a very anxious child and worries about anything and everything. He did ask about the fish, but I reassured him that with all the other people there, the fish would not even come close to us.

I am not sure if I've shared before, but the kids have taken ASL for a few years. They became fairly good, able to hold a conversation for over five minutes. However, our wonderful instructor had an unexpected preterm birth and has retired from teaching to be a stay-at-home mom. We have yet to fill her shoes. I am not sure why, but I've always been quite fascinated with the deaf or rather, those that sign. At Morse beach yesterday, all but about ten of us were deaf. It was a beautiful experience to be apart of, although I had to remind myself repeatedly not to stare (of course it is rude to listen to other's conversation). I noticed that the kids look at their parents more often than hearing children, clearly so they can communicate with each other. Often my hearing kids are too busy to stop and look at me and I find myself raising my voice to even grab their attention. It would be wonderful to become fluent enough in ASL that we could have a silent day here at home. We have found a deaf group that meets weekly in Broad Ripple that we might join, although I am exceptionally intimidated by just how much I don't know.

When I worked at the hospital, I was occasionally called to interpret for the deaf and they were always so gracious and appreciative of my efforts, but I knew I was failing them miserably. I must say, it is also a bit challenging to catch a baby and sign encouragement at the same time, particularly when mom is pushing with her eyes closed. Anyway, I think my love for the deaf comes not only in the beauty of their language but in their bond and even their pride. It takes real character to embrace what others view as an anomaly and be grateful that you are who you are. I was rather pleased to see so many deaf children there without cochlear implants. Although I know this is so controversial, I am thankful I suppose that these families have the freedom to stick to their convictions and be true to themselves. More traditional families could learn quite a bit from the deaf!

Gus

Have you met Gus? If not, you're probably the only one in Thorntown that hasn't! Last year Mike felt the need to have "another man protecting the home," so he found Gus through an internet search. The family that shared him with us cared deeply for him and trained him well, which we had completely ruined in just a few weeks. He has continued to ring the bell to go outside and is very quiet in his kennel, but otherwise he is quite a rambunctious dog. We love him!

Keely thought it would be fun to show him in 4-H and they have done exceptionally well. She is teaching him to heel, by-heel and many other commands I have yet to learn. They walked in the Fourth of July parade this year and many of the on-lookers yelled hello to Gus, although Keely had no idea who they were. He clearly has made many friends on his trips around Thorntown.

The great challenge for Keely and Gus has been in his obeying when he is off the leash. Gus LOVES to play and knows all the dogs in the neighborhood. He has gotten out several times because he sits and watches for the moment you aren't paying attention at the door and then barrels you down. Eventually someone brings Gus home or one of the dog owners down the road finds him in their yard playing with their dogs.

Last week during the dog judging, Keely got a perfect in grooming, which is quite funny because not even a moment after she showed him she went to practice commands off leash (clearly not thinking) and he escaped, running throughout the fair grounds. He ran through mud, fields, barns, and of course, the scorching heat. It took several trainers and 4-H leaders to help her trap him in the corner of a shelter building. Keely had to give him a full bath again and then await their turn to show for obedience. Unfortunately, his bad behavior put him in his kennel, so when he again got the opportunity to get out for his judging he was ready to play!

He did quite well, but then it was time for judging off leash. We held our breath. He sat as commanded. Keely walked away. He sat. We held our breath. Then Keely yelled, "Heel!" He jumped straight up in the air, running towards her like a race horse and jumped up on his hind legs, swatting her in the face, ready to play. She was so mad, her pale face turned all shades of red. Apparently he wasn't the only spoiled dog at the show, because he placed fourth! They reassured Keely that next year he will surely be grand champion, with some good 'ol obedience training this summer.

Candice's return

Candice returned home from Argentina on Monday. I do miss those days when they were young and would come spend the weekends with us. It seems these shorter visits hardly give you time to catch up and connect again, particularly for Mike, who just doesn't know what to say most of the time. He tends to communicate through his humor and through activity, which you don't get opportunity to share in fly-by visits.

Candice seems to have really enjoyed herself in Argentina, although clearly is eagerly awaiting her opportunity to meet again with Sean, who is also in Philadelphia preparing for his teaching position in Indianapolis. She is likely the only other one in the family that enjoys exploring other cultures, as I do. I'll have to admit I am growing on Mike though and he has dropped his defense some, even peeking over a bit to see what life is like outside his world. I do hope we are able to travel some before we are too crippled up to enjoy ourselves.

I am wondering in thought here, but wanted to share a picture of Keely and Candice. They both look up to her so much, which I am grateful because she is a tremendous role model. Noah had the opportunity to spend the night with her last week and Keely plans to next week, although reminded me that she has "many commitments and people call her almost daily asking her to help them in some way, so it may have to wait another week."

Samuel is the craziest little baby - full of both sweetness and orneriness. I think he is a lot like I was as a child, quite rough and into everything, but also very loving and misunderstood.

This week, I think he broke my nose. Sometimes when he is nursing he comes up to give me a "tant tu" kiss and other times, he just head butts me. This time was a hard, head-butt that cracked my nose. Four days later, I can't even scratch my nose without intense pain. He has hit me a few times since, but of course, he has also offered many kisses too.

A few days ago, Mike and I took Samuel on a ride and left Keely and Noah at home for some quiet time. They didn't call us one time! Samuel enjoyed himself too. When he was a baby, he refused to wear a hat. He wouldn't allow it for even a minute. Every now and then we can sneak one on and he'll allow it, but he has welcomed the sunglasses from the start. He covers his eyes immediately if we leave the house without his shades. These glasses are so dark though, you can't see his eyes. Every now and then we try to feed him and realize he has fallen asleep!

On our trip, we stopped by Lyric's grave. We had bought him a yard ornament that we wanted to leave him - a green bouncing duck, with bright flashing antennas. Of course, Samuel had broken off the antennas before we even reached the grave yard. Samuel has only been to see Lyric a few times but as we reminded him which plot he was buried at, Samuel bent down and put his mouth to his head stone and yelled out, "Bubbie! Bubbie!" How precious. Mike and I were silenced, but only for a few minutes because soon after he was running around stealing flowers and toys from other graves and we were trying to replace them to their proper sites faster than he could continue his path of destruction.

SAMUEL - YOU ARE A CRAZY BABY!!

Little Mike

Noah was Mike's first son and so has been a rather spoiled young man. Mike wants him to have all that he never had, although Mike was rather spoiled himself. Noah has watched Mike tinker on toys in the garage since soon after birth and has enjoyed spending time with him, having special moments with just his Dad. As Noah has grown older, he has enjoyed being the man of the house while Mike was at work. A few years ago, Santa brought him a tool box like his Dad's with a large number of tools. He has said for many years he wanted to grow up and work at Subaru, like Mike, but for the last year he has been pretty consistent with wanting to be a human rights attorney. What a HUGE mission for a nine year old!

Noah took these pictures for his small engine 4-H project. He is such a smart kid. We attended a small engine workshop while Mike was at work and he sat there, quite diligently, absorbing everything the speaker was discussing. I was sure he was completely clueless as the instructor explained how the engine ignited and so forth, but of course, he repeated the entire lecture to Mike that night when he got home. Amazing child!

Unfortunately, he is also quite the procrastinator, so we didn't complete the 4-H project in time for turning it in. We'll have it ready for next year though; if they let us back in!

Keely - the Jeweler

Keely has been learning the art of fine metals, from a fabulous jeweler, Dana Fort. You can see her unique designs at http://www.fortdesigns.com/

Initially Keely learned how to use the metal and prepare it for creating her jewelry pieces, which was quite over-whelming for her, as I don't think she anticipated the amount of work and literal strength required for forging the metal the way it was required. She did create a beautiful copper necklace out of hoop rings though, and a bracelet to match. Noah was quite interested in what she was learning and snuck into her supplies trying to create his own jewelry.

After graduating from the copper hoop rings, Keely created a silver anklet. Again, she made many hoop rings, but this time they were arranged in a different pattern and she added beads to the design. One afternoon she sat at the table and refused to be distracted. After a good while, she was squealing with delight, "I finished my bracelet!!" Again, she was back on the phone with Dana scheduling her next visit. Next on her list is a collar for gus.

I asked Keely if she has thought about wanting to be a jeweler when she got older and she said, "I am having a lot of fun, but I still want to be a prosecutor. Making jewelry is too stressful!"

Just boys...

While I was pregnant with my oldest son, my husband got a vasectomy. He felt is was too old for anymore children and was determined to "have fun" as his children grew more independent. Having a child as a much more mature man though brought new appeal to him and he decided a few years later, to have his vasectomy reversed. We found a WONDERFUL Christian physician in Merriville, Indiana that performed the reversal for just pennies. Seven months later we were pregnant with Lyric. Then two years later we had a miscarriage. Another year later, our third son, Samuel, was born. Mike had mentioned once as he was day-dreaming, "Do you think Dr. Streeter only opened the tube to my boy testicle and not the girl's side?" Ha! I laughed all evening! Again, he is quite good looking, so he can get away with this stuff!

As I mentioned yesterday, we were only weeks into another pregnancy and it appears as if we are in the midst of a miscarriage. Last night I was writing an Embryology/Neonatalogy course for MCU and was reminded of the incredible miracle it is that anyone ever becomes pregnant, let alone gives birth to a healthy baby. Today, with all of our wonderful tests, women are finding out sooner and sooner when they are becoming pregnant. Had this been only a few years ago, I would simply be left believing that my period was only a few days late. However, instead I am left thankful that our Lord is so very merciful and allows those babies conceived with significant chromosomal abnormalities to come home early to him (most all early losses are related to chromosomal abnormalities and nearly 45% of pregnancies terminate quite early).

Noah had already picked out a name though, so he is a bit heart-broken. God is in control and we did receive so many blessings in just a few days of this little one's life. I found my next midwife, which is quite a challenge since not only are there very few homebirth midwives in my area, but even fewer are licensed. This to me is my greatest worry when I discover I am pregnant - who will care for me compassionately? This reassurance is so incredibly peaceful, words can not even describe my gratitude.

We have also finally gotten to the point that our kids are joyful and ready for more siblings, rather than fearful of experiencing another loss. Praise the Lord for His healing.

Noah's down payment...

Noah loves our home and has known since we first moved here that when we died or got old enough, the house would be his. Keely is okay with that plan because she plans to move far away from our tiny little town. Samuel's not old enough to vote. However, Mike's oldest daughter is the head of our estate because she is who we have asked to care for our children in the event of our demise. Her and her husband could then care for them here, if she desired.

Noah though, has made plans for redectorating the entire house. He has paint colors picked out for each of the rooms. He will move his bedroom to the second floor and use the third floor for a game room. He thanked me for telling him the lead glass windows were valuable because he said he had plans for taking those out and saleing them in the annual garage sale for $2.50.

Recently as he was telling me of his newest plans, I mentioned to him that he might need to discuss this with Candice, since she is currently the heir of our home. He didn't say much, but this past week he has discussed buying a house on the next block when he turns eighteen so Samuel can ride his bike to his house when he is nine and have some pop and hotdogs. I mentioned that he should live here until he can save enough for a nice down payment on a home and he said he already had plans for that. He has a tape of Keely singing in the shower that he was sending in to "Country Fried Video's." He explained, "That even if you don't win the 'here's your sign award,' you still get some money." Today he told Candice she could have the house.

Bill Engvall, the future of my home depends on you!

My Christmas Gift...

This is hoping my husband might some day read this blog! This would be an excellent Christmas gift in mint green, Hun. http://www.raleighusa.com/bikes/women/coasting/ However, if you're feeling particularly generous, this might be even more fun! http://www.trekbikes.com/us/en/bikes/2008/road/tandem/cruiselinertandem/

Busy Year, not unlike any other...

Once again, I have many exciting commitments this year. I think my poor daughter is over-whelmed, but again, if I am successful in prioritizing these challenges, she will be thrilled with all that is in store for her this year. Keely and I have talked a great deal about her upcoming homeschool year. She'll be in eighth grade and although we have battled with her returning to government school verses her remaining in our homeschool, she had decided she is where she wants to be right here at home. However, we needed to make some curriculum changes and will need to find a more workable schedule. Sonlight was her favorite curriculum, as well as mine. www.sonlight.com It is also the most expensive. Clearly, my being self-employed hasn't helped the family budget at all. This past year I have also been teaching some and was recently blessed with an incredible raise, which should help tremendously. Once we find the funds and can order her books I think her spirits will be lifted. She finds great peace in reading.

There are also so many wonderful opportunities for the kids in the area for extracurricular learning. Neither of them are all too interested in sports, although Keely enjoys the comradory of working in a team. We have signed them up for arts once again with Lynn Dugan at the art museum in Thorntown. They will also take a combination of classes offered within both the Lebanon and Crawfordsville homeschool groups. We haven't finalized any of those yet. The kids do miss their friends in Lafayette a great deal and I wish I could keep them more involved there, but gas prices exceed our budget too. There is an opportunity however, that I think is important enough that we could see how we might sacrifice in other areas. Lafayette has a teen's court, and potentially Keely could act on the jury, or as an attorney, potentially even judge. At this point, she has aspirations for becoming a prosecuting attorney and is gifted in public speaking, so I thought this might be a great opportunity for her. Again, we're still working out the details. The Thorntown library has a lot to offer the children as well. As much as I hate to have summer come to a close, it is fun anticipating the next school year and the schedule is very welcoming.

This September I am excited to embark once again in Bible Study Fellowship as well. This is a seven year Bible Study (www.bsfinternational.org) that I believe, will study the book of either John or Matthew next year. This study is quite intensive and although is a tremendous amount of work, it seems when I am in the Word regularly, I can accomplish more of my additional priorities. Sort of similar to how much more you can pack into a jar when you pack the bigger walnuts in first and then pour in the rice to fill the gaps, as opposed to the other way around. I did receive the final acceptance letter to Concord Law school, so my first term will begin September 9th (my sister's 30th birthday!). This an on-line study and I am quite unsure just how much work this will be in comparison to my graduate degree in an entirely different field. However, I think it is vital for my sustaining this practice and for preserving the midwifery profession in general.

The last big walnut in the jar, although in itself is smaller than a piece of rice, is that we are expecting our fifth baby in mid-March! Noah is quite excited, very thrilled. Samuel will be a great big brother, as he is learning with each of my homebirth families that you need to be very gentle and very protective of tiny babies. He LOVES baby David. Keely is in denial and fears this might create havoc for all her many school plans next year. It is unfortunate that the oldest in the family seems to make the greatest sacrifices, but I am hoping she may learn some humility.

This time next year, Candice and Sean will be getting married. Wow. One married child, one grandson, a teenager, a preteen, a toddler and a baby this time next year. What a quiver full!

Behold, children are a gift of the LORD, The fruit of the womb is a reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior, So are the children of one's youth. How blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them; They will not be ashamed When they speak with their enemies in the gate.
Psalm 127:3-5 (NASB)

Priorities

Today has been a rather interesting day, for many reasons, many of which I am unable to share on the world wide web. However, as I sit and think on each of my various experiences today, I am learning that the Lord has me at a turning point. I am abundantly blessed and feel as if the Lord has given me clear direction, yet having an eager nature causes me too often to jump ahead of His timing. I am also fascinated by all that the world has to offer, that it is hard for me to resist appealing opportunities.

I am reminded however, that while I can not expect from a friend the unconditional love only He can offer, I must also invest in them as if I can offer that sort of love. I must be mindful that the human has no boundaries for normal, as we all react and interact so very differently. Normal is simply what we have become accustomed to in our own lives. Believing in someone, is sometimes all that is required of friends.

I am reminded that there are personalities that seem to pout on the world and everyone around them at all times. As tempting as it is to give up on these miserable few, occasionally, I feel as if the Lord wants us to reach out to them without ceasing, simply because the blessing is in our own efforts, not in the success of their ever achieving happiness. Lord, thank-you for providing me joy and thanksgiving.

I am reminded that I need to stop and smell the roses and allow others to come visit my garden, rather than always carrying around the bouquet. There is such a better understanding of my joy, my passion, from here and those that take the time to make the trip, are those that are ready to soak in the view and breathe in the aroma. As best spoken in the Word, "don't give your pearls to pigs."

I am reminded that I have the gift of the Holy Spirit. Some may call that a strong instinct, a truthful gut, an insightful intuition, but I know, that He lives in me and directs me daily. I am learning to sit still more and recognize that direction in foresight, rather than hindsight. Lord, thank-you for giving me faith and deepening it daily. Please give me the strength of obedience and forgive me for the many times I fall short.

Herb Walk

As a faculty member of the Midwifery College of Utah, I am blessed with the opportunity to take courses at no cost. Currently, I am working through an herbal course and so had the assignment of taking an herbal walk. I took the kids with me to White River Gardens in Indianapolis.

Keely loved this twisted willow tree. It would be beautiful next to a pond in some one's back yard. Unfortunately, we couldn't fit one more tree into our yard no matter how beautiful it might be. Noah enjoyed the toads. Last time we visited we found a snake in this same spot.

I did find a few midwifery herbs on our walk. It is my hope to add some herbs to our garden. I have tried a few times, but Gus has dug most all of them up and destroyed them. He seems to know exactly which plants are new... my hydrangea plant, my new rose bush, my echineachea, my lemon balm... He is not allowed to play unsupervised in the back yard anymore. I am hoping someday we can afford to put in a brick patio right outside our double doors and have herbs along the edge that I can pick for cooking or for medicinal purposes. Dreaming... I did plant baby's breath and Gus has left it be.

Mud Bath...

We have a wonderful back yard play ground. Noah, being the very creative and imaginative child that he is, discovered that if he used the water hose at the top of the slide, he could create a mud slide. He and Samuel LOVE this. Unfortunately, the first time he enjoyed this was an evening Keely was at 4-H and I was trusting Noah to keep Samuel entertained while I met with a mom for her two week postpartum visit. We were sitting in the living room talking about feedings, pees, poops, mood swings and then the eyes of both mom and dad become humongous... I turn around slowly, in walks Samuel with mud from head to toe. I screamed in horror! She looks at me with understanding from a mother of three and says, "We'll let ourselves out." After I sprayed my screaming Samuel down in the tub, I hear her yell up the stairs, "Bye! We wrote our next appointment in your calendar! See you next month." Praise the Lord this client was a familiar postpartum and not a first prenatal visit!

Sorry, no mud pictures, but here is a picture of the kids enjoying the swing set.

Just waking up...

Noah's Hair Cut...

Noah is a very peculiar child. He is so witty and always has everyone around him laughing (and his parents fearful of what he might say to get that laugh!). This Thursday, after quite of bit of arguing for him to get ready for his hair cut... "I hate when you cut my hair. Why can't we go to a real barber? You always want to cut it just when it starts to look good." He is very tender headed and very sensitive to all things that touch him, particularly on his head (sensory integration disorder). Mike had dunked his head and then he headed out the doors with his head drooping and a scowl on his face, mad as ever. He sat down and I began combing threw his matted hair. "If you would comb your hair every day, like I tell you, I wouldn't have to rip through it when we cut it."

"Stop, mom! My eyes are watering!" Poor child. I was just barely plucking those rats, but he is so very sensitive. Just as I finished his entire head of hair and separate out portions that I want to cut, Keely walks out with the phone... "How close are your contractions? Wonderful. Are you ready for me to come? Okay, I am on my way." Immediately Noah screeches, "It's a miracle!" God makes Himself known in many peculiar ways. Today my son's faith was deepened by the mercy of a laboring mom!

Mike's Life List...

To get things dun. To chaing the way both is spelled to boft, take a nap when i want too .

I always tell Mike, it's a good thing you're good lookin!

Fourth of July!

We spent fourth of July with my cousin, Jennifer. We were best pals as little ones, but through the years have lost contact. This summer Noah and Taylor have had a few sleep-overs and really enjoy each other. We need to have Breanna and Averi join them! Samuel squealed with delight the entire evening. He has no idea he is only a year old. If you ask him, he's the big brother to both Keely and Noah.

Jennifer and Jeremie spent a healthy amount of cash on their fireworks this year and we couldn't have been more appreciative of their sharing with us. It was quite impressive, particularly when the men loaded the fireworks backwards and they blew through the 3/4 inch plywood and nearly a foot into the ground! It took two attempts before the problem was discovered.

Keely was in the Fourth of July parade with Gus, but Noah (our genuinely trusty family photographer) forgot the camera in the van. He did catch enough candy to fill a small paper bag, so I doubt he would have sacrificed candy for pictures of sis.

I attended a birth this morning...

baby boy born at 0637. I can't give justice in words to just how beautiful this birth was and how absolutely amazing this couple worked together. That is one of my greatest joys, witnessing couples support each other. They are quite young, yet so very mature in their love. Her mother was also tremendous. I was over-whelmed with how much she had grown to love her son-n-law, but of course, witnessing a young man love your daughter to that degree is every mother's deepest wish.

Another great addition to this birth was Franny's attendance. This was her first homebirth, besides her own and although it was a bit of work, I think she is hooked. I can't wait to attend more with her! And that's not it... her Dad made us a birthing stool! It is beautiful and comfortable. I feel like a real homebirth midwife now!! I thank God everyday for Paula and Franny, and Felicia. They are evidence to me that this practice is the Lord's will and He has great plans our work together.

All around, this Fourth of July could not be beat! Did I mention we had s'mores, too?

Samuel visits the Dentist before getting his First Hair Cut!

Samuel had all this teeth by eight months, including his molars. He is very unlike his brother who was late to get his teeth and even later to loose them. Noah is almost ten and only lost four baby teeth, two of which we had to have the dentist remove. Samuel takes after his sister and mommy, so we had him visit the dentist this past week. He did not enjoy himself. We have lots of video, recorded by Noah, of him screaming (heart-breaking), but

...he has no cavities and a really cool toothbrush, which he loves! I think we'll keep this a trip for just the boys. Mommy could not have handled it!