Sunny Sundays

We have been so blessed the last couple of weeks.  Sunny Sundays and afternoon church make for wonderful morning family time.  Gwenevere is very interested in God's creations lately and every chance I get we talk about them.  So on Sunday  mornings when the sun is shining we love to go to Point Defiance and walk around nature. 

I love watching Gwenevere learn new things.  Here she is practicing buttoning her coat. 

I enjoyed the sun shine

and Gwenevere and I admired all the flowers

Gwenevere loved opening and closing the garden gates.  We probably spent half an hour just opening a closing the gate.

And a trip to Point Defiance isn't complete til Gwenevere and Papa explore the beach.

Thank you Father in Heaven for Sunny Sundays

And memorable family moments together.

Easter Morning

Gwenevere enjoyed coloring Easter eggs and eating lots of Chocolate.

I thought it would be a good tradition to include a scripture in the Easter basket.  Alisha's Easter basket came with a pair of workout shorts and a scripture about "exercising" in faith.  James got a pair of sunglasses with the scripture D&C 65:5 about the looking forward to the day when the Son of Man will come down clothed in the "Brightness" of his glory. And Gwenevere got a LOT OF CHOCOLATE with a note saying Jesus loves you and a scripture about praying as a family.  James got me a camping kettle for hot Chocolate. I've been wanting one since we got married.  He even filled it with candy since it's a Thomas Tradition to have the camping kettle filled with candy when we would go on long road trips.  We had a beautiful Easter Sunday.  My favorite part about the whole day was during Primary's Sharing Time, when we learned about all the people who have Testified of Christ's Resurrection.  It was a powerful sharing time.

I too want to share my Testimony of the Resurrection of Christ.  I know my Savior lives and I will see him again someday.

Happy Easter Everyone.

"Plans are meant to be changed"

I once was given a blessing where I was told by my Heavenly Father, that "plans are meant to be changed".  I have often wonder what that means, and I guess it just means we need to willing to accept the Lord's plan even though we are told to plan and be prepared. 

With that being said, 

James and I have been planning a home birth.  We have told some, but we haven't really shouted off the roof top our plans.  

When we have shared our plans we have had several negative and sometimes hurtful comments and remarks.  These remarks, said with good intentions, have left us at times confused and concerned.  Today my sweet sister asked me "Why we wanted a home birth?"  And for the first time I was able to express what I wanted to say.  So thank you.  

This is my response to her questions

I don't know if I can really explain why I want a home birth.  To me, it's very personal and I don't feel like I should try to explain because it's a personal thing, between my heavenly father, James myself and our child to be born.  I've tried to share my thoughts with others and whenever birth stories are brought up, it seems like the worst horror stories are told.  I've been judged by many and I've felt hurt and confused.  That is when the Lord has stepped in and has taken my hand in the processes.  He has confidence in my choices and I must have the faith to believe in him. 

I want the baby to come into this world in the most comfortable environment I can create and the home just seems to be the right place for us.  

To be perfectly honest, I really don't like hospitals.  And on a somewhat selfish response  I don't want to have an IV, I don't want to be monitored by machines, and I don't want the after birth screenings that are required at hospital.  I HATE the security chips, the 24 hours observation afterward, and I Hate the feeling of bring a prisoner.  I guess my feelings of a hospital are a little bit different than (some). 

With Gwenevere I was so uncomfortable being in the hospital that I didn't eat and couldn't sleep and my body yearned to go home, but I was told I had to stay at least 24 hours.  It wasn't fun, and I missed my home more than any other time in my entire life.  And on top of that I missed sleeping in the same bed as James.  I felt so out of place, I wasn't able to really rest and recover like some.  And the Recovery is so important. 

I can tell you all the reason I don't want a hospital birth but the choice for a home birth is more than that.  I just don't know how to really explain it.  A home birth is somewhat different and therefore not as easy to explain.  Especially because many of my friends and family members have had complicated births and wouldn't be alive if it wasn't for the medical technology and hospital systems that we have today.

But with that said, a home birth is going to be a LOT of work, and I want to make sure that the work is worth it and if not, than I'll give up some of my wants and go with a hospital birth. 

I also have some health concerns and I don't want to put my baby at risk so if it's better for me to be at a hospital, that's were i'll be, but the Lord is by my side and I'll follow him.  If he believes I can have a healthy home birth, than so do I. 

Like I said earlier, I really don't know which way the Lord is leading me.  A week ago I got a strong impression to visit another hospital.  So yesterday James and I took another hospital tour.  And now the Lord is telling me to get to the temple.  I don't know the meaning of all this but I know He's by me, leading me in this process and teaching me each step of the way.  I can almost hear His voice.

I still feel comfortable pursuing a home birth at this time.  The end result isn't as important as the lessons I'm learning in this process.  I'm very humbled by this process and I'm grateful for my Heavenly Father's active parenting.

It's been a great testimony building process and I'm happy to have the faith to follow.  I'll plan all that I can and than the rest will be in the Lords hands.