Summer Update

As I write this post, Nolan, Caleb and Isaac are in the kitchen canning pickles using my Granny's famous recipe. I love summer for the simple things.

Nolan and I just returned from our 10th anniversary trip to Colorado. We were gone for six days while my parents kept the kids! We had a lovely, relaxing time, and the kids were not ready to go home with us if that tells you how much fun they had! Nolan and I wandered through bookstores, took hikes in the mountains and ate gourmet breakfasts at the B&B where we stayed. The kids gathered the eggs (multiple times a day), helped Grambo in the garden, had water fights, played games (including learning chess), played with cousins, ate lots of hot dogs, watched movies, stayed up late and thoroughly enjoyed themselves. There were several funny stories, but one Benjamin story took the cake!

It turns out Benjamin wasn't tired one night. So, after everyone else was asleep, he entertained himself. Being the "helper" that he is, he cleaned the bathroom using an entire roll of toilet paper. And, then, he decided to wash Caleb and Isaac's dirty clothes. Mom heard him upstairs and went to explore. Like any good kid, as soon as he heard her coming up the stairs, he jumped back in bed. She checked on him and then went to check on the other kids - including Willow. The lights were off, so mom felt in Willow's pack-n-play to be sure she was covered. That's when she discovered a week's worth of dirty, wet clothes. She went to Benjamin to question his behavior, and with a sweet smile he said, "I wash the clothes!" Indeed he had...in the toilet. And, for reasons known only to him, he then put them in Willow's bed. Willow slept peacefully through the entire thing, I might add.

This story reminds me of another that happened shortly before we left on vacation. One evening, Nolan and the kids were playing in the backyard. I noticed a baby bird (from the nest above our front door that we've watched as intently as any National Geographic special) had fallen and couldn't fly. I asked Nolan discreetly to put it out of its misery so the kids wouldn't be traumatized. Well, before he could do so, the kids saw the bird and wanted to hold and pet it (YUCK!). Nolan, thought this was a great opportunity to see nature up close and personal - all I could think of was the germs. But they loved on the bird for a little while....and then it died. I didn't know this part of the story until later the next day, or I possibly could have prevented the rest of the story. They lovingly buried the bird, which they had named "Pecky" under the shed in the backyard.

The next morning, I recruited Caleb and Isaac to pick up apples in the backyard so we could mow later in the day. Isaac, then recruited Benjamin to help - promising him (unbeknownst to me) to do Benjamin a favor later on. Next thing I know, the apples are all picked up and all four kids have disappeared. As I go to do a little investigating, Isaac runs into the house asking if we can have bird soup for lunch. (Remember, I didn't even know "Pecky" died.) I make my way to the backyard behind the shed and find the other three kids and a dead bird. (YUCK, YUCK, YUCK!!!) It turns out the promised "favor" was unburying and playing with the dead bird. I promptly threw the bird over the fence and took all the kids to disinfect.

That's when the questions began. This was Benjamin's first experience with death.
He watched me throw Pecky over the fence (somewhat heartlessly), and he wanted to know where Pecky went.
I told him that Pecky went to Heaven to live with Jesus (which by the way I have no way of knowing.)
Benjamin wanted to know why.
I told him because Jesus would make him all better so he could fly.
Benjamin wanted to know when Pecky would be back.
What the heck??? I need a lot more schooling before I'll be qualified for this parenting thing!
But I wouldn't trade it!

BTW, when Benjamin asked when Pecky would be back, I quickly offered him candy to distract him and went on my way. ;)

Oh, and one more story. Tonight we were playing croquet in our front yard. Nolan had already played several games with the kids when I entered the picture. He explained that mommy is the croquet champion and Caleb and Isaac better bring their A-game. Which, by the way, is totally bogus. So Caleb, Isaac, and I proceeded to play croquet. It was a good, hard-fought game in which I came in second. At the end we stood on our imaginary podiums (like the Olympics) and sang the national anthem. Unfortunately half way through I couldn't remember the rest of the words and instead I sang, "I can't remember the rest of the words to this song..." The boys thought that was hilarious and have been singing those words all evening. Shoot. If they start singing that at the next home football game, I apologize in advance to all the home school families who work hard at proving they teach their kids the important things like the national anthem. We'll work on it.

Speaking of...year two of Silvey Home School Academy commences Monday - ready or not.
And, I continue to work on midwifery studies. My original goal of having all my assignments completed by the end of August is seeming more impossible every day. But, I'm still on track to meet the school's deadline of October 10.

Twins

I had the amazing opportunity this past weekend to doula for a dear friend as she gave birth to beautiful twin girls.

We were all a little concerned when her water broke at 32 weeks, but even during the first uncomfortable moments of getting mom (and dad) to the hospital and deciding on a plan of action with the medical staff, God's presence and peace was very real.

This mama was an absolute marvel. She handled the stress and pain with grace that I never found even after four births. She progressed quickly, and while we knew things were getting harder to handle, we were surprised to find her ready to push just 3 - 3 1/2 hours after contractions began.

Pushing was a little harder as Baby A was sunny-side-up, meaning she came out face-up rather than face-down. This position often cause lots of painful back-labor - and it was no exception in this case. It took an hour, but baby rewarded us by being 4 lbs. 5 ounces / 17 inches and maintaining oxygen saturation well.

Baby B came quickly after her sister. She too, was in an odd position with her arm up around her head and her feet next to her chest, but mama did a tremendous job. This baby was 4 lbs. 1 ounce and 1/2 inch longer than her sister. She required a little more breathing help.

Even the seasoned medical staff marveled at how well this delivery went. Twins born vaginally without pain medication is somewhat of a medical anomaly!

Both girls are doing well although they will have to spend a little time in the NICU.

Mama and Papa (who also acted like this wasn't his first rodeo) are recovering well and looking forward to bringing their baby girls home!

I am continually in awe of the miracle of life!

And, by the way, my website is making considerable progress. Check it out if you haven't already!