During LIFT, a 3-month-long discipleship program Camlon and I were a part of during the fall of 2001, I had this interesting discussion with Cam about his mother. She was a midwife and that totally fascinated me. I wanted to meet her and ask her a thousand questions because I had never heard of women having home births. Honestly, I had not.
Camlon and I didn't stay in touch after that program and my thoughts on midwifery went out the plane window as I took off to work in Kobe, Japan!
Wouldn't you know that down the line, we would reunite and get married. Not only did I get to meet his fabulous mother, but she got to deliver our first born, Finn, right in our apartment in Lake Pleasant, NY. Needless to say, we now know each other quite intimately!
Meet Jacki! Don't her eyes just beg for you to ask about the tiny joys she's helped bring into this world. I won't go into labor and delivery details, but this woman has some serious skills, especially when the home birth was UNPLANNED!!!! All she needed was a shower curtain, sterilized pliers and some dental floss. And, she did appreciate Cam's prayers!!!
She came for a lovely visit this past week.
I needed her skills in the garden this time!!
I can't believe that our wonderful delivery of Finn happened almost six years ago!
She planted two tomato plants and some herbs!
We got out of the house a few days as well. Her visits always seem to bring rain, which is just horrible luck on her part! But, we did manage to see a few wonderful spots on the nice days!
This area of the Cove is called the Children's Pool because it used to be a place where kids could play. However, the harbor seals have moved in and now, the area is off limits!!
Eric was screaming bloody murder the whole first hour we were there. The classic mother that I am, it took me forever to realize he was just hungry!
Ally found some trees just her size!
Me in my new glasses. Of course, the joke is, I've lost my sunglasses now. For months, I'd lost my regular glasses and only had my prescription sunglasses so I couldn't really be out driving at night!! But, the week I get my new glasses in, my sunglasses have disappeared. Whenever this happens to me, which is often, Camlon says, "Well, they must be with your keys in New Jersey!" Those lost keys that were NEVER FOUND!!! ******** We also made it over the bridge to Coronado for a mini beach afternoon. It was pretty chilly but we still made time for Mootime ice cream! The kids got this crazy bright blue flavor called silly vanilly. All I know is they are still pooping neon green!!! Who knows what is in that coloring!
********
Jacki was here to celebrate a very important day in our family!!!
She got great dress up clothes! One necklace my mom sent was from when I was a kid. I remembered playing with it! That was a neat memory and memento to pass on.
...just like when I read to them, "Miss Nelson is Missing," by Harry Allard, one of my all time favorite books as a kid. Or, of course, "Professor Wormbog and the Gloomy Kerploppus," by Mercer Meyer. I try and work that book into a post annually!
Ally then opened up the box with Cinderella's dress and crown.
She practiced being regal.
I asked her to give me a princess wave! She started making ocean wave motions!
Grandma put on the last of four necklaces!! Daddy even got to call and wish her a Happy Birthday! That was very special!
With small children, it is really hard to plan activities out. We have to be so flexible and give up things we normally would like to do. It can be difficult to do things on the fly. Or, sometimes, you have to do things on the fly. Sunday night, we threw the kids in the car and went to Old Town, a place we only had a few minutes to explore earlier in the afternoon! It was the perfect thing to do!
What a cool part of San Diego!
Finn pretending to shot the cannon.
We did play hide and seek, a favorite game these days. But, everyone seemed to continually hide in the same place!
We were on a mission in the shops, looking for something Jacki had found in Mexico on a recent vacation. But, we were unable to find it!
We found many other interesting little treasures, though!
Giant shoe pots.
Cute kiddie apron. I really wanted to buy this, but I resisted!!
I did get these as an early Christmas present for my mom. Best pot scrubbers EVER! And they are always made by little old ladies. Snatch them up while you can! I do not believe the next generation will be making them!
It was a great final evening with Grandma!
We already miss you a lot! I bet you miss seeing this face, too!!!
Yeah for visitors!! Our little cozy hotel is open for business. It's free and you will get lots of kid love! Hopefully, some sleep as well! *winks*
***And, please click HERE to view photos of a couple that I snapped in Old Town. PLEASE leave comments if you can to show them how adorable they are!!! Thanks!
Blogger just lost my previous post, which makes me realize this isn't the sure fire way to save our photos and memories. What if the glitch had erased all posts? Hmmmmmm, I'll have to find another way to back them up other than once a year. Back to the Blurb.com idea that I love but never do. I should create my annual photobook through Blurb and just update as I go along, instead of waiting until the end of the year! :)
**Oh, and funny side story. I saw this mom at the park today, racing around after two tots with a giant camera slung around her neck.
And wouldn't you know.........She was! I love how the woman who really grew me as a mommy is now affecting so many mommies, even those parents dealing with special needs children. I'm so happy to see her optimism truly transforming a generation of parents!
Some of the information below is a repeat of the last post, but since I don't exactly remember what I wrote and I've had a couple days to think through my thoughts further, I've added to it.
I watched a movie called, "The Human Experience." It is a true story of two brothers, trying to find light in a dark world. Here's the trailer..
I really had no words after watching the movie. It made me desire to LOVE those around me better and to again revisit that powerful force that is forgiveness.
Also, last week, before watching this movie, I had posted this as my facebook status.
"Isn't what is going on in Egpyt proof enough that Islam is NOT a religion of peace. They are rioting over a marriage between a Christian and Muslim. Sounds like Romeo and Juliet! Hey, I have a good idea, Let's go burn down 12 Christian churches....Sounds like a plan! I'd like to think our peace-loving moderate Muslims will join the fight soon. ON OUR SIDE!!!"
Not many responded to it until Amy, a friend from high school, wrote this...
"Atrocities have been committed in the name of Christianity as well. Would you want to be judged by the worst of your followers? Islam is not the enemy, ignorance and hatred in all of its forms are."
I responded:
"You are right Amy!!!! As I reread my status, i didn't like the “our side” comment, b/c what side am I talking about!? And, I do believe a lot of the anger toward Christianity and... specifically toward American culture in general is very valid. We as a nation, try to conquer others, if not economically, than culturally. There is not much from our media culture that I would be proud to share with another country. Thanks for your words......you are right. Islam is not the enemy, but it is quite the vehicle. And true, even Christianity in our country has some pretty scary representatives."
Amy then said,
"Thanks for the clarification Rachel! I'm sensitive about ever seeing this cast as good versus evil, as I think this only fuels hate and misunderstanding on all sides. Blind faith can be a scary thing, and thoughtful adherents of any religion should be on guard to educate when they can."
I appreciated her words so much that I deleted the post from my page. I didn't want to delete the comments, but I didn't want someone reading my statues alone and moving on. And if her words were not affirmation enough, I watched, "The Human Experience," that night after we had this dialogue.
The words that struck me the most from our above exchange:
1. To be judged by the worst of the "Christians" out there would make me angry. To know Christ. To be changed by Him. To be given the power to forgive. To discover that in my own surrender, I have strength to overcome an eating disorder. Truly, for me to live is Christ. I wouldn't want to walk any other way.
But, what of Christ is truly shown from America around this world. That we would choose a president based on his views on abortion alone. One church burning the Koran. The high school "Christians" gay-bashing on National Coming Out Day at a youth group I had invited a friend to. My friend said they would never come back. Our media and multinational companies that pervade the Middle East with values they do NOT want. Values that are certainly not Christian.
2. I like her whole second comment. First off the good versus evil idea. This is the part that got me, because in my comment, you can see that I even still felt that there was a side to choose. And, the situation is so much more complicated than the mere discussion of which religion is right or wrong. No one will win in a Holy War. So many more factors are to play in the progression of Muslim extremism. And even the progression of the American agenda around the world. Seeing, "No End in Sight," a movie about the years following the Iraqi invasion was quite an eye-opener. I won't comment further on that movie except to say it is a good one to watch.
3. I also liked her words, "thoughtful adherents." Our son is named after a Biblical character who showed a great zeal for God. But, we knew that zeal alone is a dangerous thing and must be met with knowledge and wisdom. His middle name is David.
So......what does it mean to be human? Have we forgotten what is means to be human? These are questions asked in "The Human Experience." To simply see the lives of the people and children the brothers in the film interacted with helps bring a perspective to one's life.
And, I'm left with my camera and my little almost 4-year-old daughter waiting to show me her latest dance moves!
Where will these feet be walking........What will she see?
Will she be able to relish the joy of life and face its hardships with grace?
"Look at This!!!"
I'm humbled today. I pray for more wisdom. I pray for the courage to speak on tough issues, even if I may retract my words in the face of a better argument. The dialogue alone grows us all.
I emailed these photos to Cam and these ones of her ironing were his favorites!
Let me know if you've heard of the film or if you see it. Maybe you'll have some words to share when I was left with none!
I remember when our first child was born, I called my mom to tell her the news. I said, "Holy Cow, Mom! What was that!!!!"
I was referring to the unexplainable moments of labor and delivery. She gave the perfect answer.
"Welcome to the Club."
Indeed.
Why is it that when moms get together, they rehash their births stories!!!!? Those moments in life will truly stand out for the rest of our lives is why!! Who can remember which movie this line is from....
"You try pushing something the size of a watermelon out of something the size of a lemon!"
In a few minutes, I'll be making one of these.....
and video chatting with my wonderful family out East!!! My super-cool brother-in-law is setting up a 4-way video chat for us. Now......on to getting this post done on time....
First thing this morning, I had a nice chat with my mom. Does anyone else remember watching the Jetson's as a child? I remember thinking that one day, we'd be there! In high school, JC and I did go to video chat rooms with all these other really advanced, smart people! I suppose her dad having an enormous ethernet antena on her roof had something to do with that ability! I remember some of the faces we spoke to then.....Batgirl was one, some graduate student at Cornell, some 8-year olds in a bar in Australia and I do remember Seal. Who knew he'd become such a huge star!!! And wait.......I think a certain spouse was also found on there!!! ;)
And now.......Viola! for the every day Joe!
Aren't these the cutest!
They thought so as well!
Although, Eric added a bit more to the plant! Thanks, J!!!!!
The morning started out same old/same old.....
Messes all around...
But our little munchkins had some presents for me!!!
Finn made the coolest card at school!
He was so proud of it and excited to show me his surprise!!!
I'm especially thankful to Camlon because he has helped me be the mother I am by having such tremendous confidence in me. Middle school and high school, I was constantly trying to measure up to peers. It's a stressful feeling. That got in the way of me just simply living, loving, etc. Things changed a bit by my senior year. College was great although, I really learned too many lessons the hard way. I suppose most people would say that!
This season in my life is particularly sweet because I feel loved and able to grow and explore as a person and as a mom. Hopefully, you all are finding that to be true of your loved ones and of your children. :)
