No More Babies?

Thank the Lord for baby naps! :) I've been wanting to crank out this article for quite awhile now, but haven't had a spare minute it seems here lately to be alone to do it. My sweet baby has decided it's a good nap time, so I've decided it's a good post time.

As anyone knows who has read my blog before, I think the Duggars a such a sweet and Godly family. For a family who I'm sure gets tons of e-mails each and everyday, they still will reply to your e-mails when they have the time. I have had a chance to speak to them before via this format, and they are just as sweet as they are on TV.

Last year around this time, Michelle was giving birth to Josie via emergency c-section due to her development of pre-eclampsia. The world sat back and watched in sadness. Some, however, watched with a smug "I told you so" attitude. I mean, a woman who is delivering her 19th child deserves pre-eclampsia right? She should have known better and quit while she was ahead! (Those are not my views at all, but ones I have unfortunately read on other blogs and message boards.)

What would you say, however, to a young 22 year old mother delivering her first child via forced induction due to her development of pre-eclampsia? Would you say she should just hang it up and let that precious baby be her one and only? Probably not. You would probably say Well, these things happen. It shouldn't happen with the next one.

Why is it that if it's your first, the onset of such a thing as pre-eclampsia "isn't your fault." But if it's your 19th child, "You should have known better!" ?

That 22 year old woman was me. And yes,  I did develop pre-eclampsia at 40 weeks gestation. My  little boy wasn't quite ready to exit at that time, so an induction was done. Trust me, I am not a believer in induction or c-sections at all, unless medically necessary. Mine unfortunately was. A c-section would have been done as well, if I was not so strongly against it. Hours on magnesium and other medications sure took their toll, but I pressed on. 17 hours of labor, and my little boy made his appearance. Praise the Lord!

And ya know what, as soon as the Lord chooses to bless me with another, I will welcome him or her with open arms. And I'm sure if the Lord chooses to bless Mr. and Mrs. Duggar with another one, they will do the same.

Psalm 127:3- Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward.

Loving your husband

I was in my bedroom earlier today working. While I was working, I came upon a letter my husband wrote to me a month or so after we were married.

The letter was so sweet.

Writing about our future dreams and plans together.

Then I realized something: I haven't written him anything like that in awhile. Nothing beautiful written just for him. Nothing that tells him that I am so in love with him. In love more than when we were married.

Today, let's take a little time out, and thank our husbands for being just that: our husbands!

I know I'm not always the easiest lady to live with. I'm sure no one is.

But he does it. He provides for us. He loves us. He cherishes us.

Write him a little note today telling him how much you love him. It will do a world of good for your marriage.

A Family Walk

This week, our family started something a little new. With the seasons changing, and the sun going down much sooner than before, we were missing our evening walks together.

I use our walks for not only excercise, but to enjoy my family and nature. I was going to miss both of those.

Then I had an idea. What if Hubby went into work late, and we got up just a bit earlier? Could it possibly work?

This week it certainly has. With a few kinds mind you. We are still getting used to getting up so early, of course. But we are loving it!

The mornings here are still cool enough to be refreshing, but a jacket is not really required yet. Bubs gets into his stroller, and we go!

Me and Hubby have our most intimate talks on our walks. Maybe it's because Bubs in pre-occupied during this time with the scenery. Or, maybe it's just the refreshing excercise works all the talkin' right out of us! Either way, it's been very helpful for our marriage as well.

If you don't already, I do encourage everyone to take a walk each and every day with their families. The excercise value is amazing, and seeing God's creation is priceless. Even if it's just in your own neighborhood.