Parenthetical Note...

Bloodshot eyes don't always mean that you do drugs. Sometimes it just means you have a newborn.

Christmas Is Here

As of 9:20 this morning, Ben is done with finals and consequently school for the duration of the year--until Jan. 11th, in fact!! Let the revelry begin!!

We like to have fun!

http://sendables.jibjab.com/view/SkxxoGlPEp3EIjMa

Copy the link and put it in your browser.

4..3..2..1..

Is it time for the semester to be over? I just finished a test and received one back from the professor. I feel good about the test I just took but, the test that was returned to me was the worst score that I have "achieved" in years. Why can't I be Superman like I thought I was? The good news is that on top of that the Jeep is acting up again.... No the good news is that.... that.... I have to remember that this "to will pass and be for thy good." I guess that I've just forgotten to remember some of the important things. My family is safe, I've got a good job, I have nothing really to complain about. Sometimes in life I think that I need a bad test score (insert your own metaphor here) to bring me back to earth. I know that I take things for granted and that I should never forget where it is that my skills and success come from. I know that if I continue to walk the path that I have started, I will not be let down. I guess the hard part is remembering that sometimes falling short is part of the battle. (Thanks Holly for keeping me on the ground, I love you.)

Blessings

My husband is totally convinced I depressed myself into labor this time :).
Those of you who know us best know that we went up to the hospital not once but three times this go-around. This pregnancy has been uneventful but particularly difficult for me with Ben mostly absent due to his strenuous workload at school in addition to working full-time. It is quite a challenge to keep up with a toddler while pregnant, and I did it quite poorly, I admit it. I am not very pleasant pregnant anyway, and it was certainly magnified the closer we came to being ready for Elle's arrival. I was experiencing a lot of stress and fatigue and those factors combined to make the tail end of my expectancy most uncomfortable. The morning Elle was born, I had had it. I had thought maybe my water had broken--I won't be graphic--and was looking forward to my doctor giving me some good news at our appointment that morning. Well, because I thought my water had broken she didn't do the regular exam. Because of some busyness at the office that morning, we waited an extra long time only to be told that the slide was inconclusive and I'd just have to watch it the rest of the day. No word on bodily progress, just that it wasn't enough to get my hopes up yet. It was all I could take. Having missed the best window of opportunity (Thanksgiving break) for Ben to be there with the least complication to his life and mine, I was resigned that whenever this girl was coming, it would be totally inconvenient, but now I had no idea that she would even be here before Christmas. I couldn't take it. I asked my Heavenly Father to help me through because I had exhausted all my emotional resources already and I was at the point of giving up. I knew I needed help. Even when contractions started, I wasn't about to get my hopes up, because we had certainly already been there before. What a blessed relief it was when a couple hours later, it became apparent I could no longer drive myself anywhere and Ben took charge, coming home and making arrangements for Creed to be picked up by his grandparents. We moved quickly in the direction of the hospital and I had a few choice things to say to the admitting OBs, but all was well and they were kind and soon I was relieved from my distress with the epidural (what WAS I ever thinking when I thought I wanted to try it naturally????). I recognized that the Lord had allowed me to come to the end of my rope to show me that He would certainly carry me the last few feet to the finish when needed. Lately in my grouchiness I have been remiss in recognizing not only my many blessings but the hand of the Lord as He watches over and protects me and mine. I was despairing when I should have been hoping, and He quickly reminded me that we experience the pain and suffering of this life by choice and for our own benefit. I'm a little slow, what can I say? The Lord God is so merciful to us in our weakness and guides us gently as we are slow to heed His call in our foolishness. Maybe I can work harder at remembering this next time I get frustrated or overwhelmed :). Maybe?

New Girl On The Block

8 pounds 4 ounces!

Elle Haymond made her debut at 9:45 tonight, the 30th of November! pictures to come...