Another Blessed Birth Story

"...For the good hand of the his God was on him. For Ezra had set his heart to study the Law of the Lord, and to do it and to teach his statues and rules in Israel." Ezra 7:9,10

This was my longest labor yet--12 hours total! I was progressing fine and with not much pain, but when I got to a 7, my labor just stalled out. We discovered that Ezra was posterior, so I began to work really hard to get him to turn! I wore myself out doing exercises (lunges, taking the stairs in threes, etc) for almost 2 hours to get him to turn and it finally worked! I continued to labor in a lot less pain...

My midwife broke my water shortly after Ezra turned and I labored in "hard labor" for just over an hour.

Yet again, labor stalled out one last time... but soon, with a little help, we saw his head!

However, once his head and shoulders were out, he appeared stuck. It baffled all of us. My midwife told Ryan to go ahead and take Ezra by the shoulders and "deliver" him. So Ryan pulled him out and that's when we realized the reason that he kept going posterior and getting stuck half-way out...

The umbilical cord was wrapped so tightly around his ankles, he was essentially "bungee jumping" inside of me! His ankles were even blue from the cord being wrapped so tightly! (Thankfully all is okay with his feet, knees and hips!)

So little did we know, he was trying his hardest to get in the right position and come to us, but the cord was holding him tight inside me!

My midwives (Deidre and Kathy) were absolutely amazing and I was so thankful for their godly wisdom!

It was a very unusual birth for me, but the Lord taught me a lot and we are just so glad to have our little man here with us!

Dear Ezra,

Sweet baby Ezra!  We are so ready to meet you!  

We are excited to see what you look like, to hold you, to smell you, to hear your voice!

Your brothers are so excited to be a part of your birth and to finally see with their own eyes the little kicker that has been being formed in my belly all this time!

Your little sister just loves babies and I'm sure will be just as enthralled with you she is with every baby she sees at church, the store and in pictures.  I have a feeling she's going to spoil you!

Your daddy has been praying for you fervently.  He picked out your name before we even knew we were pregnant!

"...For the good hand of the his God was on him.  For Ezra had set his heart to study the Law of the Lord, and to do it and to teach his statues and rules in Israel." 

Ezra 7:9,10

As soon as daddy read that verse, about 9 months ago, he knew our next baby boy would be this kind of man...a modern-day "Ezra"!

Your mommy is just thrilled to finally hear the words, "here he is!" and have you placed upon my chest.  My Ezra.  My little reward.  My newest arrow.  My joy set before me.

Our hearts are ready to welcome another Wheeler Man into the world! 

And the house is ready for your arrival!

Our bedroom is rearranged

Birth pool is set up

Your first clothes are set out

 Your new little bed is ready

The birth supplies are purchased and double-checked

And the quilt mommy made you is finally complete!

And now we just wait!  We wait anxiously, but peacefully...knowing that we are waiting on the Lord...the Lord of lords who has perfect timing, unsearchable understanding and awesome wisdom.

His ways are perfect...He is bringing you to completion and will soon bring you to us!

Praise His Holy Name, Sweet Ezra!!!

Love,

Your Momma

Baby Number 5 is a....

I have so many WONDERFUL blog friends that are so faithful to follow me and comment even though I've been pretty lousy lately at keeping up with blog world!  I feel so thankful for each of you and wanted to be sure to share my exciting news with you all...

(cue drumroll!)

We're having another precious baby boy!!!

We found out a few weeks ago that the Lord is knitting another Warrior in my womb!  We are so very excited and can't wait to see his little face!

His name will be Ezra Grant and we're planning to have him right here in our home! 

We'd love if you'd join us in prayer for a healthy birth and healthy baby!

Around here, we like to keep things pretty interesting so stay tuned for part 2 of our adventure as we prepare to pack up our house and move to...well, we don't know yet, but more on that later :) 

And again, thanks so much to all my faithful blog friends, for your love, support and even the check-up e-mails some of you have sent me!  I look forward to meeting you all face-to-face some day...even if it's in heaven!!!

I've Gotta Start Somewhere...

1 Corinthians 10:23

""All things are lawful," but not all things are helpful. "All things are lawful," but not all things build up."

At the beginning of this pregnancy, when I was surviving my morning sickness, I got all of us into some really bad habits--specifically, the boys.

The biggest one of all, was TV watching.

We actually have chosen not to have TV stations in our home, but we do have DVD's...and we were watching A LOT of DVD's.  Almost every morning that's how our days started...then every afternoon...and again after naps until Our Hero got home. 

I was too sick to handle too much activity, so DVD's just seemed to always be the answer...

To ward off too much guilt, I tried to always balance the entertaining DVD's with the educational DVD's!!  And it worked at the time...I was able to rest and the boys weren't getting into too much trouble!

But once the morning sickness starting waring off, I began to notice some behaviors in my boys that I did not like.

Ryan and I were so surprised by some new "innocent", on-the-line phrases they had picked up along with some rough behavior and a little attitude that wasn't there before.

It didn't take us long to realize it was all stuff they picked up on from their DVD's...sadly, even kids Christian movies display bad attitudes and actions!

We knew we had to put an end to their new, developing alter-personalities ASAP, but I just didn't know where to start.  It seemed like they all needed such huge attitude makeovers and with three little guys, the task seemed a bit daunting!

But one day I just decided "I've gotta start somewhere!" So I packed up all the DVD's and put them in a box in our attic.

It's now been 3 weeks since our "NO TV kick" and we are so glad for the decision we made!  

The boys are getting along better, they are using more creativity, they are enjoying being outside and we are loving just being together--not just physically being in the same room, but really interacting--reading, talking, baking, playing!

I don't know how long we'll keep up our fast (we love our Friday night "movie night") but for now it's accomplishing it's purpose.

We don't think all TV is bad or evil...or that DVD's are always harmful, but we were just discovering that the hours they were spending watching videos day after day was not beneficial to their souls.

Now I honestly have so much peace knowing that I am feeding their souls not just what is good but also what is beneficial!  And I can SEE the difference it has made in them!!!

To be very honest, the boys don't seem to miss it.  After the first week, they caught on and haven't asked to watch a DVD...But I AM the one that is still getting used to it!!!  Because it does make more work for me...TV has always been an easy crutch to fall on when I'm busy or trying to get something done, but I'm finding the reward of training them (instead of just entertaining them) is so worth it!!


When we do decide to start allowing it back in, I'm just curious how your family does it?


Do you have time limits on TV?  How often do your kids watch DVD's?  Do you notice a change in behavior after lots of TV viewing?  What is your rules on TV when they are at friends or grandparents houses?


I wanna hear from you...and even your thoughts if you don't have kids yet!

Brothers

1 John 2:10
"Whoever loves his brother lives in the light, and there is nothing in him to make him stumble."

Psalm 133:1 
"How good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in unity!"

This post is linked to "Wordless Wednesday" at 5minutesformoms.com

And "Wordless Wednesday" at MillerRacingFamily.blogspot.com!  (Today was my first day visiting her blog and it's so fun over there!)

Field Trip to the Fire Station!

My boys, their friend Eli, and I, all took a trip to visit our local fire station!

It was a great day!

Arriving...

The Field Trippers...

The most exciting part of the trip...

We were only at the fire station about 20 minutes when the alarm sounded and the firemen rushed off to a call...

Once they were back, we started the tour with learning about the equipment...

Listening carefully...

Learning not to be scared of the "man in the mask"...

Trying it out!

This hat was HEAVY!

Seeing their bedrooms...
(I always thought they had one big dorm style room with bunks, but they each have individual rooms!)

Learning about the trucks and the equipment they carry...

Driving...

"Look at me Momma!"

Taking charge...

This is the truck we always see zooming down our street...

Watching the fireman slide down the pole...

We learned a lot! And had a great time! I think were all inspired!
They may not all be future firemen, but they are all future heros to someone!

Thanks Chanute Firemen, for all you do (our for our cool new hats and badges!!)

Praying for the Persecuted

This year, one of my very favorite things in our day has been kinda "hit and miss" lately while I struggle through morning sickness.  But when we are able to do it, it ends up being one of my favorite parts of our day! 

We have been praying for persecuted Christians all around the world!  I love this part of our day SO much, that I just had to share it with you all!

First, I signed up to get weekly updates from the Voice Of The Martyrs website (see here, the sign-up is on the right side).  So at the beginning of each week I print off the update, then every day, we read about the featured "stories", find the country for each story on the map, pray for them, and then as we spin the globe, we sing (and claim) a song like "This is My Fathers World".

I can't tell you how many times, after reading a story and praying, that as we begin to sing I end up just breaking into tears.  Sure, sure, I'm a bit emotional right now...But it is more than that.

There is something that strikes a cord so deep within me, that after reading to my boys these horrible stories of things happening to Christians all over the world, then being able to tell my boys in word and song, "But we have no reason to fear, because this is our Fathers world.  He holds it in His hands..."!

Monday and Tuesday last week, our focus was on Afghanistan.  Since we have a young lady from our church serving over there as a teacher right now, the boys already knew Joanna and about her mission.  We have been praying for her almost a year now.

(she is at the bottom left-hand side of the board)

So we read about how 10 of her friends were killed on a mission to help sick people, and we talked about how sad Joanna is about them dying, but that she knows they did not die in vain.  Trusten reminded us all that in the end, the Lord will have the victory...that this is OUR FATHERS WORLD after all!!!

It's powerful to pray and sing with your kids over issues like these and discuss the Lord's soverignty.  Plus, I love that they are learning about other countires and how to locate them on the globe!

It's also quite amusing at times to see how these story/prayer times inspire the boys:

Here Trusten drew a picture of the Christians being protected by the "bad guys"...

He explained that Jesus has put a shield in front of them-and that is just what he's been praying for Joanna, that God would put a shield around here!  Amen to that!

The "bad guys" in this story, weren't so fortunate...

Honest Thoughts (and Doubts) On Homeschooling and My Shortcomings...

Right about now, I'm feeling very incapable.

Not only am I struggling with morning sickness and fatigue, I'm also struggling to figure out how homeschooling looks for our family.

Just about every other day this week, I've been doubting our decision to homeschool.  I constantly feel like I am seconds away from vomiting, which makes teaching and reading pretty challenging...this means I'm usually either rushing through or skipping over stuff.

The doubts come from fear.  I know those aren't from the Lord...He has made clear to us His desire for us is schooling at home...even though someday that may change.

But I think my biggest struggle right now is just figuring out our homeschooling style...and not having the energy I need to apply some creativity to figure it out!

In a lot of ways, I think the whole whopping year I was an "education major" at my Christian college did me more harm than good.  Even though my college education was Christian-based, there was NO shortage of worldly indoctrination about "why kids learn so well and thrive in a classroom".

I know that's not true...I do~ESPECIALLY with boys. 

Still, I let their indoctrination seep into my thinking and now I can't let go of the guilty feelings that my kids need to be sitting still at a desk, learning from "the books" and having a classroom setting replicated in my home.

But I am NOT homeschooling to create a classroom atmosphere at home!  I am homeschooling so that each of my kids can thrive in their own, unique, God-given learning styles where they are NOT hindered, held back or confined by a classroom.

Trusten and I doing school on the front porch late in the evening...

Talk about "unconventional"! 

 I've been loving reading these two posts lately (and looking forward for the other ones to come)...they really inspire and comfort me...

So why can't I let go of this "picture" I had of a traditional school setting in my home???

Why can't I stop thinking their learning has to be from 9am-noon???

Why am I trying SO hard to fit a mold that simply does NOT fit our family???

I am learning...

I am growing...

I am opening my mind to the Lord's plan for our homeschooling...

I am falling freshly on the homeschool vision that the Lord gave us at the beginning of this year, and crying out for more understanding!

I am trying to let go of my ideas and indoctrination of what "education" should look like...and I am excited to find out what the result looks like for our family!

Proverbs has so much wisdom for me...I think I'll start there!

And then maybe re-read this, and this. 

And before it's all said and done, I'll just trust His path and find rest in the this Truth...

Isaiah 54:13 
"All your children shall be taught by the Lord,
And great shall be the peace of your children."

While Mommy Is Down And Out...

I always struggle with morning sickness in my first trimester.  This time around, though, it seems to be worse than my last few pregnancies (however, my pregnancy with Trusten is still the worst, hands down)!

But don't worry about me too much, 

I've been well-entertained...

I've been serenaded by a Jedi Knight~

I've been amused by a novice gymnast~

I've been captivated by a backstage pass to watch Toby Mac's newest back-up dancers~

And the kids are having fun too!

They've been...

Lounging in their jammies...

Making new forts...

Snacking on Mommys saltines...

And bypassing potty-training...

Can it GET any better folks?!   :)

So right now in this season of morning sickness, we're doing our best to survive enjoy the laid-back pace of our life!

Let the Little Children Come To Me...

"We were holding back our son's child-like faith, because of our adult-like doubt"

Just over a year ago, our oldest son asked Jesus into his life to be Lord of all. 

It was such an exciting day!  We rejoiced at this new work the Lord was doing in our son's heart and we knew that this was just the beginning of our son growing in knowledge and understanding of sanctification and justification.

At that time we talked to him about the importance of baptism once you make that commitment because baptism is a way to say to the Lord, the enemy and the church that, "I belong to Jesus!  He is my Lord and Savior!"

However, to be honest, Ryan and I's desire was that Trusten wait until he was older and had a fuller understanding of the cross and the gospel (even baptism) before he took that next step.

Well, this week at our church, there was to be a baptism service and Trusten caught wind of it.

One night during family worship he said, "maybe I should be baptized".

We said something along the lines of "sure, someday buddy, when you're a little older..."

But over the next few days he just wouldn't let it go. He wanted to be baptized.  He knew it was the next step of obeidence and he wanted to obey.

Ryan and I were hesitant, but then the Lord spoke to both of us the night of the service and said, "Permit the children to come to Me; do not hinder them; for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these." (Mark 10:14).We realized we were holding back our son's child-like faith because of our adult-like doubt.

So that very night, Wednesday, August 4th, Trusten was baptized with water and took a step of faith into being a disciple of the Lord Jesus!

Getting ready to be "dunked", Ryan said, "I baptize you, my son and my brother, in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit"

Right after he came out of the water he said, "I DID IT!"

He knew he had been obedient to the Lord's calling!

There is no explaining the sheer joy Trusten had after service...

It wasn't hyperness, it wasn't a sugar-rush, it was the work of the Spirit!

Thankful for our Trusten...and that in the end, we didn't get in the way of his response to the Lord's call to come to Him and be baptized.

We fell asleep that night asking ourselves,

"Why is it that we tell adults all the time to have child-like faith, but when a child has child-like faith, we try to 'reason' them out of it?"

This post is linked to Wednesday's Walk at my friend, Jenilee's blog!