If I Don't Have Love - 1st Corinthians 13

I have been reading through a book my mom gave me called "A Mother's Heart" by Jean Fleming. It has really been hitting close to home as I have been struggling lately with being a mom and how that works out with still being a wife, a friend, myself, etc. 

The chapter I read yesterday was about love and how we show that to our children, and the world. She paraphrased 1st Corinthians 13 and it really made me think about how I am showing my kids (and husband) that I do love them. The things I think are important to get done in a day (like cleaning the house!) really don't matter if I'm not showing love to my family. 

1st Corinthians 13 (Paraphrased by Jean Fleming)

"If I keep my house immaculately clean, and am envied by all for my interior decorating, but do not show love in my family - I'm just another housewife.

If I'm always producing lovely things - sewing, art; if I always look attractive, and speak intelligently, but am not loving to my family - I am nothing.

If I am busy in community affairs, teach sunday school, and drive in the carpool, but fail to give adequate love to my family - I gain nothing.

Love changes diapers, cleans up messes, and ties shoes - over and over again.

Love is kind, though tired and frazzled.

Love doesn't envy another wife - one whose children are "spaced"better, or in school so she has time to pursue her own interests.

Love doesn't try to impress others with my abilities or knowledge as a mother.

Love doesn't scream at the kids.

Love doesn't feel cheated because I didn't get to do what I wanted to do today - sew, read, soak in a hot tub.

Love doesn't lose my temper easily.

Love doesn't assume that my children are being naughty just because their noise level is irritating. 

Love doesn't rejoice when other people's children misbehave and make mine look good. Love is genuinely happy when others are honored by their children. "

Now I'm not saying we shouldn't try to keep our houses clean, produce lovely things or be active in your community, but if I am putting my own interests in front of my family, where is the love? When my children grow up will they remember how much I love them or will they remember that mom was always busy and couldn't take the time to snuggle with them? 

I want the former. 

Lydia Mae's Birth Story

Lydia Mae

6lbs 13oz and 20in

Born August 9th, 2013

Uncle Seth is the baby hog!

Sitting here, holding Lydia and it's crazy to think that today is my due date and she is already a week and 1 day old. I am glad she decided to come early, my body was very tired of being pregnant! So, on to the birth story...

Weirdly enough, this story is very similar to Aiden's birth story, at least the beginning. 

I once again used the bathroom when I got up that morning (around 8:30am) and had some slightly pink discharge. Remembering how it all went down with Aiden I started to get excited but then told myself to calm down because it could still be some time before she came. But I went ahead and told Eli, my midwives, the doula and my boss, just to give everyone a head's up. 

Nothing was happening, so around 9:30 I went ahead and got ready for work. Funny enough, it was my last day. :) Got there and my boss and coworkers were all concerned. I think they were afraid I would go into labor right then and there! After I assured them that everything was fine, got started on some wedding bouquets. 

This day turned out to be rather eventful. We had 2 weddings, I was possibly in labor and then our delivery driver was rear ended. My poor boss! Around 1pm I started having some contractions but they weren't very painful and far apart so I kept on working but finally, at about 2:30, they were getting closer and painful. My doula told me to head home, but I was trying to finish up a wedding bouquet and my boss was still trying to figure out what to do about our delivery vehicle so I was planning on staying for about another hour. But when I told her I was having contractions she (and everyone else) made me go home. Literally, they voted on it and had my sister-in-law drive me home right then and there, even though I was feeling perfectly fine! 

Eli came home about an hour later. I was still having contractions but was able to sit down, eat some food and relax for a little bit. Around 6:30 I realized my contractions were about 4 minutes apart and they were super painful. My mom was here with Aiden at that point, he had spent the afternoon with her and was going to spend the night but I had wanted to see him before the baby came. 

I didn't realize how emotional I would be about saying goodbye to Aiden and the fact that his life was changing dramatically. Thankfully he handled the whole situation really well. 

We got to the birthing center at about 8pm and I was 5-6 cm dilated. I had really bad back pain again. I think it was almost worse than the contractions! Thankfully they have a shower with 2 shower heads so I was able to get some relief by letting the hot water run over my back and stomach. A little before 10pm I felt like I needed to push so the midwife checked me and I was at 8-9cm. At that point we decided to go ahead and break my water. After that time just flew by! Maybe 10 minutes later I really felt like pushing and at 10:25 Lydia was born! 

She is just absolutely perfect and we're so glad she's in our life! Aiden loves her, although he's still learning how to be gentle. :)