Two days before Myles arrived

The boys and Grandparents meeting Myles for the first time

Luke is a huge helper!

Nevan wants to cuddle!

Sweet baby Myles!

Welcome to our hearts, Myles!

This is Myles' birth story into our world.  After planning for a homebirth for 9 months, I went to have a biomedical ultrasound at Shands to make sure the baby's fluid levels and movements were o.k.  I was one week over the projected due date...and this usually makes doctors and midwives nervous...it's like you hit their due date and they are ready for the baby to appear :)  I knew my baby was fine, God has reassured me of this...and I also knew with Luke and Nevan coming late, this baby was exactly where he was supposed to be!  I also had been through this pressure with Nevan and was not surprised by everyone's anticipation of his arrival.  Friday morning, March 23rd I went in to have the ultrasound done.  According to the technitions everything looked normal, and I went home.  Later in the afternoon I got a phone call from one of the midwives who informed me that "I had failed my test."  That was the wrong way to approach a woman who was anxious with the coming arrival of her baby, plus feeling pressured to perform birthing a child, when the reality was I had no control over when God was going to call out this child.  I only continued to have faith that in His perfect timing my precious baby would arrive.  Friday afternoon after receiving the news that my pregnancy was now labeled "at risk" because of low fluid levels, I was informed that unless I had my baby that night, I would be turned over to the physicians at Shands and have to deliver there.  I was so stressed, bummed and emotionally silly about the whole thing.  About 10 pm that night I started having contractions.  Patrick and I put the children down and we went out for a walk, the contractions were coming every 10 min, then every 7 and then every 5 min.  I called the midwives to let them know I was in labor.  When they came I was 3 cm dilated, and they suggested that I try to get some sleep and rest through the contractions.  Well, I sure did.  I slept the whole night...woke in the morning VERY refreshed to find out that my contractions had stopped.  I was so bummed. 

At this point, the midwives urged me to go into Shands and see the nurse midwife there...they wanted to induce me.  One of my earnest prayers was that I would be able to go into labor naturally and have a quick, uncomplicated, amazing birth experience.  I trusted that God would perform over His word/promises to me and that I could experience birthing a child with ease and love and have an amazing experience knowing that I was not under the curse, but that I had been set free through my salvation in Jesus Christ!  Honestly, though at this point Saturday morning I was such a mess....emotionally....my sweet husband took me out for a wonderful breakfast and all I could do was sobb through it...I couldn't get a hold of myself for thinking of all the horror stories I had read about pitocin and what it could do to a woman in labor.  I was terrified, but the Holy Spirit would bring me back and remind me to just continue to believe in Him and have faith.  That day I received a card from a sweet friend in the mail it included a scripture at the end: "Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus." Phill 1:6  The verse went right into my heart and it was Holy Spirit telling me I AM FAITHFUL TO COMPLETE THIS, JEANNE!!!!

I also felt like Holy Spirit told me, "Jeanne, I want you to pay attention and follow what your husband reccomends to do."  My mom and dad came and picked up Luke and Nevan, and Patrick and I (not willingly) drove to the hospital.  I kept doubting God.  And I walked by faith, not by sight right into Shands.  After getting to labor and delivery triage, we met the nurse midwife there, her name is Libby King.  When she walked into our little area I started to cry.  She was straight-forward, and expressed her concern that the fluid levels were too low and that the baby needed to come out that day.  I was sensitive and didn't want to hear that.  I wanted to have a natural birth experience, but I also didn't want to bring any harm or risk to the baby.  After conviencing her to re-do the ultrasound, they again "calculated" that my fluid levels were low.  After spending a good amount of time talking with us, she left Patrick and I to discuss what we were going to do.  I was emotionally not able to make any decisions and basically just wanted to go home and forget everything that everyone was telling me.  I felt fine.  The baby felt fine.  I wanted to go home and sleep in my bed, pull the covers up over my head and hide from everyone who was pressuring me to have a baby!  God sent a nurse to me.  She was an angel, I know.  She came in to check on the baby's status (heartbeat and movements) and she was so sweet.  When she came into the room, she looked extremely familiar to me, turns out she is a nurse midwife who is joining the Midwives Coop, and I had met her just a week prior.  She was so tender and sensitive to me in my emotional state.  She got down on my level and spoke to me like I was a woman who was 9 months pregnant instead of just a number or a patient.  For the first moment there I felt like everything was going to be o.k.  Patrick helped me to understand that it would be a good idea to go ahead and check-in to the room, but first we would go out and have lunch. 

We ended up at Crisper's.  Despite my nausea, I somehow was able to eat a healthy meal.  As I was eating lunch, I started having contractions!  I couldn't believe it.  When we got back to the hospital I had plenty of time to change, take a nice relaxing shower, and just chill out.  During this time a very sweet sister in Christ just so happened to call me.  She said that I was on her heart all day...as I sobbed on the phone, she said, "Can I come by and see you."  Of course I said YES!  As it turns out this precious sister in Christ was sent by God to intercede for me, she ended up staying and taking the part of "Mom" through my labor and delivery, praying me through my contractions.  People have told me before that they have experienced feeling someone's prayers, I can honestly say now that was true through my birthing experience.  My parents also came by with the boys and we said goodbye to them one last time.  At that point I was having contractions consistently, and Libby, the midwife came to check me.  When she did...she said, "Oh!  your 4 cmm dialated!"  Why don't we just let you go into labor naturally?"  I about went to the moon, I was so happy!!!!  From that moment it was only 4 hours later that Myles Elijah was born rapidly into my arms.  I remember laying there looking at the clock crying, saying, "God you are always right on time!"  I couldn't believe it!  Just one more stretch of my faith in believing in His promises to me.

As it turns out, Libby, our midwife was a woman who loved Jesus :) We had our own private worship experience in our room throughout my labor.  We sang praises to God through my contractions, and I experienced the power of Christ in that room!  It was a powerful and delightful.  God ordained the birth team that night.  He knew exactly who needed to be there, and exactly where I needed to be to birth Myles...it was perfect and I felt VERY well cared for...I actually was thankful that i was in the hospital...and to have a couple of days of "pampering."

After getting home from the hospital I received an email from another friend who had been praying for me during this time....she said that she wanted me to know that a devotional had come to her the day I had Myles and that she prayed specifically God's word for me, guess what it was???? 

Phill 1:6  Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.

Amazing!  I am still rejoicing, and reminiscing the awe and amazement of our faithful God.  He is so Good. 

Also this amazing sister in Christ who stayed to intercede for me, a mother of 3 herself, had written on Patrick and I's wedding card seven years prior,
Phill 1:6 Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.

And just for the record...when Myles came out...our midwife said, you definetely had plenty of fluid, Jeanne....  :)  It was all in God's wonderful hands

Almost ready...

We have been getting to meet our newest Moran member and we are all very excited.  I know Luke is going to be a huge help, and he grows with expectation every day, as well as, many questions.  He told me just last night that if I ate jalepeno's that the baby would get burnt.  That conversation led into a teaching opportunity about how the baby obtains his/her nurishment through the umbilical cord.  He had an "ahh-ha" moment, you could see the light bulb go off above his head.  Then he asked, "Mom, can I cut the cord?"  Another answer to our prayers as we have been asking God to led us in what the birth day will look like and how the children will be or will not be involved, since we will be planning to have the new baby in our home.  Nevan is also getting ready...he is successfully pottytrained!!!!  Wahoooo!  I am so thankful to not have to buy diapers anymore!  Yay! 

Patrick and I have been so busy with preparing the home as much as possible that I don't think the coming of another baby really hit home until we put the crib in our room this last weekend.  Patrick said, "Wow, we really are going to have another baby!" 

Here are some pics from a little fun decorating I've been doing in the baby's room, well eventually it will be the baby's room...but remains Nevs room for now.

Lots of love!

Joy

This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.
Psalm 118:24

This verse and nugget of God’s truth is so familiar to me. Sometimes the most familiar words are the ones we take for granted. The Holy Spirit revealed a newness about this verse to me, and I thought I’d share it with you. The verse says, “this is the day the Lord has made”, meaning whether or not you acknowledge this day as a creation of the Lord or not, He made it. Secondly, the verse says, “LET US rejoice and be glad in it.” This an encouragement to us to join in with Jesus to REJOICE and give thanks to God for this day, that we in our humanness have to choose what we will do with this day the Lord has made...be glad in it or ?

I’ve walked with Jesus and been counseled by His Spirit on some of the most gloomy and dark days of my life...in fact, days where I just plain didn’t want to be a part of. But through walking and having an on-going relationship with my Savior Jesus, I have learned that even when this world around me, sometimes even the people I love most, are just poopy and everything seems to weigh me down….there is a truth: Jesus came to give us an abundant life. Even in the midst of darkness in my personal life, the ability to stay connected to Jesus by communicating simply to Him has given me life. I remember once in my life feeling like “no one” cared for me, no one thought of me—just me—as being special...I sought out on a small walk down my street and I mumbled these words to Jesus. As I looked up I saw an entire fence blooming with the most beautiful and fragrant jasmine flowers! They were amazing, and plentiful! Just in that moment I heard the God of all glory whisper in my spirit, “Jeanne, these are just for you. I care about you. I love you. And you are so special to me.” There in the midst of my darkness, God shined so brightly in my heart. He turned my perspective around: Even if no one else sees me, Jesus sees me, He loves me, and He will never leave me! Who cares about anyone else! The God, Creator of the Universe just spoke to me! Flowers or words of sentiment from anyone else would or could never compare with this amazing Jesus, My Savior, and friend! When you wake up in the morning, Thank HIM for this day before it begins...and choose to rejoice in it! When we seek Him out, His glory is sure to be found!

Fieldtrip to Legoland Florida

We were blessed to be a part of a homeschool field trip to Legoland.  Luke and Nevan had a blast!

 Luke experienced his first rollercoaster, and rode ALL of them in the park!  He was probably the only 5 year old in the park riding these, as there was only a height requirement...and because our boy is super tall...well, he and Daddy rode them all!

 Here is Grandmother and Grandfather at "Miniland" ...amazing replicas of famous places around the world all built from legos!

 Nevan and Grandmother

 Car made from all Legos!  382,000+

 Grandmother and Luke at "Flying School"

 Luke was able to build and "test" his own racecar. 

Nev, baby, and me at "boating school"



Jesus Christ is my Sanity

I have written in my personal journal the following entry from Nov 1 2011:

Today I have decided to stake the ground in proclaimation that I fully embrace my calling of "mother."  I will not try to push it away, smother it, reprove it, deny it, or be caught up in something else - trying to continue to "keep my own sanity" - NO!  Sanity comes from Jesus Christ within the calling and assignment He gives!  (Romans 12:2)  These is so much to gain in my relationship with Christ, united with Him...there is nothing I have "given up" or "lost" because His promise to me is very clear...."When you delight yourself in me, Jeanne, I will give you the desires of your heart"...God has truly done this in my heart.  He has turned my selfish desires and given me the desires to love, cherish, train, and to play with my children.  He has transformed my mind and given me His way of disciplining our children day by day, by the leading of His Spirit, and by His truth - His Word.  There is so much treasure to gain from this season in my life and I want to absorb and eat my portion - I do not want to walk away from it or or refuse it!  I want all of what Jesus has for me!

This proclaimation came from my experience hearing others casually and unfortunately, frequently chat about activities/events/projects that help them to "keep their sanity" while barely surviving at being a "stay-at-home mom."  Over the past year I continued an on-going conversation concerning this "sanity" issue with the Holy Spirit.  Quite honestly there were times when I blurted out in my own home...with my own kids..."You are making me lose my mind!"  I remember very vividly God gently couseling me, "Jeanne, a sound mind comes from staying connected to me, if you delight yourself in me...I will give you the desires of your heart!"  Let's just say this conclusion and revelation did not come all in one day...not even over a couple of days or weeks...it came as a gradual filling from the Holy Spirit over the course of many lost days on the battlefield.  However, the more I tuned in to Him, the more I received.  The more renewing from His Word, the more encouragement and strength came to me during my days...the more clarity in the renewing of my mind...the better my days started to look.  The assignment of Motherhood started to turn from gloomy, dark, and cloudy, to clear, bright and sunny.  The Holy Spirit started to encourage me to put my selfish desires away (i.e. sewing projects, art projects, facebook, email, etc. etc. etc.), to listen and to play with my children more...and to be LESS frustrated by my children and to start enjoying them.  I experienced the death of a couple people in my life over the last year...and recently a mother who lost one of her sons.  God has used these people's experiences to help me "number my days."  It's helped me to realize the people in our lives, whom we love, are deeply important.  And He has used the death of these people to bring life to me and my family in a whole new way.  It's been like the cherry on top to His teaching to me...if that makes any kind of sense...to you :)  I'm so glad you took a moment to listen to my heart.  I don't always blog about my personal writings from my journal, but I felt moved to write about this one. 

“For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind” (2 Timothy 1:7, NKJV).

Happy Holidays!

Gma Jude came to visit us a couple weeks ago...we had a blast and loved her company

We planted blueberry bushes in our front yard!  Can't wait for spring!

Boys love bubbles...

This year has been FULL of wonderful things:  moving twice, buying our first home, becoming pregnant with our 3rd child, and officially starting "school" with Luke!  I am amazed at how my life continues to morph and change as God orchestrates.  I have learned to be flexible and attentive to His Spirit, and I truly could never imagine my life any other way.  My chidren are a joy and gift to us and we love taking responsibility to educate them in the way the Lord requires.  I have learned so much this year and truly are thankful for the challenges and adventures for they have made our family more mature in Christ.

"One thing I have asked from the LORD, that I shall seek: That I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, To behold the beauty of the LORD And to meditate in His temple"

Psalm 27:4