Betsy is 13!

Elizabeth Joy was born on this day 13 years ago.  She was our first home birth and we went on to have 6 more at home.  Our youngest is 3 so that means we had 7 kids in 10 years.  Wow!  Good thing I wasn't thinking about that at the time or I would have felt very overwhelmed.

Happy birthday Betsy, and thanks for being such a joy!

Mrs. Olson

On January 2nd, my oldest daughter, Carrie, got married.  She married a young man that she met at youth camp.  He is a wonderful guy and we are very pleased.  Congratulations Carrie and Mitchell!  We love you both!  

As we were eating lunch today, I was watching our youngest, Charissa, put mustard on her plate.  (She's three.)  I thought about the potential mess but I could see the determination in her face and a sense of pride because she was doing it "all by herself".  I was snapped back 15 years by memories of her older sister, Carrie.  Charissa is much like Carrie was in that she is strong willed and determined.   Watching Carrie grow into a young woman, I have seen that these are good qualities.  Maybe not when you are mothering a three year old, but for a teen girl they are.   I thought of Carrie's wedding coming up in three weeks and how fast those growing up years went.  It seems like just yesterday she was that determined little girl.   Just like her older brothers,  I blinked and she is all grown up.  I'll blink again and Charissa will be all grown up.  And my kids will ALL be grown up.  I can't imagine life without my house full of kids.   So, for today, I will enjoy the noise, the mess, the buying tons of food and washing laundry every day.  I will cherish it.   

His Strength

I've been trying to decide if I should post this part of my journey as it is rather humbling, but I think I should.   A few weeks ago I attended a neonatal resuscitation class with a great group of ladies, one being my midwife whom I hope to train under.  I had gone through the book and done the questions and tests in it ahead of time as we were supposed to be familiar with it.  The instructor explained some things and we were given the written portion and told if we failed any of it, we would be given another chance.  During the test my mind blanked.  I have never been a good test taker and this was proof.   After I finished, I went back and double checked and then I began to question my answers and even change some.  I suddenly felt very nervous, sick even.  Next it was time to correct and we had to pass them to the right.  My midwife had the honor of correcting mine.  I was really hoping someone else would do that!  The teacher read the answers and I could hear my midwife checking some wrong.  (I want her to train me and I am getting all these wrong?!  Why will she want me to assist at births?)  I got my test back and found that I needed to redo two parts.  Ick.  I looked over the test and because I felt so sick at this point, I felt I would fail it again.  I prayed "Lord, if YOU want me to be a midwife, I need you to help me with this.  If I can't remember how to resuscitate a baby, how *can* I be a midwife?"   I redid the test as best as I could and turned it in.  At this point I was thinking I should just go home but figured I'd stay just to see how the rest of the test went.  Next was time to role play and show the instructor what we knew.  I didn't feel competent at all, I just felt really nervous.  When we were done, I told the teacher to let me know when she is having another class, I know that if I can go over it again, I will feel better about it.   I ended up getting everything correct on make-up test, which shocked me to say the least.  I also passed the course.  That night we had worship at our church.  I was praying about the day and going over the class in my mind when a still small voice reminded me that one most important step is left out of the sequence in our workbook - PRAYER.   Then, in my adult Sunday School class, the teacher was telling us how if God calls you to do something He WILL be with you.   I love how He gives me courage.  And I love knowing that His strength is made perfect in my weakness.  He must be feeling pretty strong with me around!  

More of my journey so far...

So far, in this journey, I have been to 17 births.  I have attended some as an assistant to a midwife and the rest as a doula in the hospital.   I currently have a contract with the hospital to work with the teens through the PET program (Pregnancy Education for Teens).   I had wanted to work with teens even before I became a doula but didn't know how I would get the word out.  (I was a teen mom myself.)  In April I received a call from the previous doula for teens asking if I would consider doing it.  Funny thing is, I had to think it over.  As I prayed, I remembered the strong desire on my heart two years earlier.  I love how God works!  HE gave me the desire first and then dropped the opportunity in my lap.  I often wonder how I am going to fit being a midwife's apprentice in with doula-ing for teens, but then I remember that He is in control and will make a way.  Who knows what he has planned?  I will just follow as He leads.   I began working with teens because I remember being a teen mom.  I wanted to bless them and give them a good start by helping them during the birth of their child.  Funny thing is, I am the one being blessed!  These girls are amazing and stronger than they know.  I have been proud of every one of them!  It is an honor to assist them and to keep them in my prayers.   

The Birth of a Midwife

I have decided to add my journey into midwifery to my blog.  It is and will be a big part of our life as a family.   The first time I felt "called" into midwifery was 14 years ago when our twins were babies.  I had recovered from a c-section infection and we knew we wanted more children.  In my studying about birth, home birth really caught my attention and I felt "called", even though I had not yet had a home birth myself.  In my Bible next to Isaiah 41:8-9, I have written "Midwifery?  1-96"   Since then I have gone on to have six babies at home.  I was also waiting for the right time to pursue this calling.  Obviously, since I was still having babies of my own, it wasn't the right time.   Two years ago, when our youngest was one, I decided that maybe I should forgo midwifery and be doula.  That way I would still be involved with helping women through childbirth and yet it wouldn't put so much pressure on my and my family.  I did an online course and helped two mom's with births.  One and unassisted birth at home where I really did nothing but put some water in the birth pool, the other a hospital birth with an amazing first time mom!    It felt right to be in the business of helping birthing moms, and yet I knew this wasn't "it".  So, Chris and I talked about it and decided that someday, when we had enough money, I would enroll in Ancient Art Midwifery Institute.  This is the school I had been looking at for all these years.  But, we needed $4500 to enroll.  Three or four weeks after we discussed this and prayed about it, Chris got a card in the mail from his parents for Father's Day.  He opened it and found a check for $5,000!!   So, I was at a crossroads.  Do I ask for it?  Do I remind him of what we had talked about?  He asked "What should we do with this money?"  I was silent.  It was HIS money, how could I ask him for most of it?  He went out to mow and I prayed and prayed.  I prayed that he would see it as an answer to our prayer about my schooling.  I also prayed that if he decided to buy something or put it into his business, I wouldn't be upset or bitter.  "God, YOU take this and let me be at peace with whatever YOU decide."   Chris came in, we watched a movie, not a word was said about the money.  I thought he forgot about the school.  Then at bedtime, he said "Well, I guess you better enroll in that school!"  I almost fell off the bed!   I was SO happy!  And, so amazed at my generous husband.   And, feeling this was God's way of saying "Now is the time, Vicki."   I have more to write about this journey, you can be sure I will add to my story later.

On this day 15 years ago Timothy Aaron and Grace Hannah were born! They are awesome people and I am honored to be their mother. I need to get a new picture of them together, as you can tell. And no, they are NOT identical!!