Was so much fun to prepare a yummy meal tonight for my brother Levi, Abbey, Eli and the newest little guy Roddie (Fredrick Roddie Holladay). I’m thankful Abbey had a fairly easy labor and they were home shortly after giving birth.
Tonight I was remembering all my babies, giving birth and those first few moments getting to look at them, nurse them, rock them. Then, getting to bring them home and getting to see the siblings light up with excitement. With Gregory and Adam we were scared into going into the hospital because fluids were low and baby was “getting big”. Thankfully didn’t have to be induced with pitocin but still in my mind forced into the hospital. Pretty good births with both them. Luke was third and did most laboring at home, that was different and awesome! Went in to the hospital and had him quickly after getting there and then waited around to be discharged the next morning. He was the biggest baby and one of the easiest births! I remember making the switch to a midwife on my DUE date with Gideon (our 4th baby). What a blessing that was for our family. He was born in a birth center and we came home a couple hours after birth. Then our last two Titus & Annie Mae born at home all in God’s perfect timing. Oh how neat that was for our family to just be home all together in the comfort of our home. I know its not for everyone but it was a great choice for us. I remember first hearing about midwifes and thinking “hippie”. HA HA! Its so totally NOT that and its not witchcraft stuff or any of that. Its actually perfectly normal and perfectly safe for MOST babies to be born out of hospital! Midwives are actually trained very well and they know what to look for! I loved learning that and feeling safe with my midwife! They were awesome!
I pulled out my camera tonight and after I tucked in my sweet sleeping baby girl, I snapped a few shots. She told me tonight that she was my baby. Yes she is and I’m thankful she loves us so much (after all she says almost daily “Mommy, you my best friend”). I love thinking back and looking through old pictures, remembering them all when they were born and so tiny like little Roddie is today. Its fun to have babies but as I’m thinking more importantly we have a JOB to do. A calling. Motherhood, is a calling and its tough. I want God to use me in my kids lives. I want to be used and not abuse my role as Mother. Some days are REALLY hard. Actually A LOT of days are really hard. I must give God the first…. whether that be praying before the feet hit the floor, reading a little scripture or taking that time to give the day to Him has got to be my focus when I wake!
Lately, my focus seems to be figuring out how to school them, what to do, am I doing enough, are they learning, etc, etc,…. I don’t want my focus to be that! I want HIM to be my focus everyday and to not fret so much about all that other stuff. Praying that God helps me figure out balance and how to keep him at the Top!
I’m thankful for birth, babies, blessings and time of reflection at the end of a long hard day.
