Introducing...

Benjamin Monroe Hardin has joined our family and we couldn't be happier! He was born Monday, June 20, 2011 at precisely 5:00 pm. He weighed 8 lbs., 12 oz. and was 20 inches long. He has a few blonde wispy hairs and is just perfect! :) He is so precious and we couldn't be happier.

Cora met her brother "Baby Ben" as she came in to my room saying--thanks to her grandmothers--and she seems to have warmed up to him so far! She held him a few times while visiting us last night with the help of grandparents. It was more than this momma could handle. So much joy and pride welling up in me seeing my TWO children together. So, so, so precious.

So far Ben is doing great with nursing. I'm really hoping this time around works better than with Cora. I think I'll have a much better support system here and more resources to aid me. We are, of course EXHAUSTED but doing just fine. I'll share his story tomorrow if I'm able to get it written.

Pondering...

I've been keeping up some with a blog that is being written by the brother of one of my friends from high school. He and his wife lost their unborn triplet boys not too long ago and obviously the blog has taken a different turn from it's initial intent. In one of the recent posts her brother was taking about the things people say during times of death or hardship. And of course the most favorite being the "reminder" that God won't give us more than we can handle. I was reminded how much this sentiment bothers me and how inaccurate it really is!

Let's look at the scripture found in I Corinthians 10:13 that is so widely misused--"No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it." Folks, it does NOT say God won't give you more than you can handle, it says you won't be tempted with more than you can bear. And when you ARE tempted he gives you a way out. Now, you can call me wrong if you want, but temptations and hardships aren't the same thing. I suppose when we're going through trials we can be tempted to become bitter, angry, etc., but I really don't think this is what this passage is saying. I think it's simply talking about temptations--drugs, alcohol, sex, gossip, overeating, smoking, etc.--and when we're tempted God provides us a way out. 


I know this is going to upset some of you, but the next time you come in contact with someone who is going through something hard, don't tell them God won't give them more than they can bear, because this is not accurate to this passage. Tell them, rather, that God loves them, or tell them you'll be praying for them, or just don't say anything. Often not saying something is more powerful then spewing forth empty words. 


And yes, this has been sort of a rant, but I think an important one, that we must be reminded of. If we're going to quote/use Scripture to encourage others we need to be careful to do so accurately.  

Strawberry Shortcake

Cora was the happy and excited recipient of a new hat that she received in the mail the other day! I think she makes an awfully cute Strawberry Shortcake! :)

38 Weeks and Still Counting

I'm 38 weeks today! I keep telling myself that with each day and week I'm just that much closer to the day! :) Since last week I've had some pretty hard, on the verge of painful (because I've been through labor I know these aren't TRULLY painful yet!) contractions. Some have been waking me up at night. Alas, no baby yet! The crib is put together, all baby things have been washed, we have acquired a bouncy seat to borrow, the hospital bag is packed with most stuff. I'm keeping up on the laundry and grocery shopping as much as possible. My mom continues to come up and help me keep the house clean. We're ready, man! C'mon baby!!

I am trying really hard to just live life to the best of my ability. I've been spending a lot of time in prayer, reading Scripture, just resting in the Lord. I have my moments of nerves and "panic," which I hope are normal. I'm trying really, really hard not to let those moments become controlling or take over. I've been pretty successful. I keep telling myself that birth is happening whether I'm ready or not. This baby has to come out at some point whether all of my mental ducks are in a row. And, I keep telling myself how much nicer it would be if I wasn't in a state of panic when it happened! So, I continually give my fears over to the Lord and ask for his help and just go about my day as well as possible. I mean, isn't that what we're supposed to do anyway?

And so, we begin week 38 with hopes that this baby boy will make his appearance this week, but also knowing if he doesn't the Good Lord has his reasons!

Please Let them Live!

There is a very sweet couple in our church, Mr. and Mrs. S. who are from West Virginia, near where my in laws grew up. They instantly connected with my husband (seeing as how he's from WV) and are such a dear, sweet couple. We didn't get to know them too well when we first arrived because they spend their winters in Florida, but they're back now and we're getting to know them now. My husband loves to garden, and we both love to eat the fresh veggies, and I like to also freeze what we can't eat fresh. Saves on the food bill! Well, Mr. S. made sure to grow some plants just for David over the winter while in FL. How nice was that??? He has been wanting to help out with planting our garden, and Saturday he and David were finally able to connect.

He came over late morning and before they got started on the garden he showed me the flowers he had brought for the flower beds (which are currently weed beds!!).  I was very touched! However, I'm not very good at keeping things alive. I seem to have inherited my mother's black thumb when it comes to vegetation. I mean, I plant stuff, do my best, but I will never be featured in a gardening magazine for my gorgeous flowers! I have extra pressure this time around. Not only did this dear man bring these plants for me the one plant he brought has a special story...

Mr. S. told us that during a vacation he and his new bride were on they were driving through the hills of WV and came across these beautiful, wild plants. He had not seen them before and didn't know what they were called, but really wanted to have some for his garden. So, they pulled over and went to the house where they saw these plants growing to ask the owners what they were called. The owner of the home had no idea but said this particular plant had been in his family for generations, and they just kept planting them and letting them seed. This man told Mr. S. to leave his name and address and when the plants went to seed he would send him some. Six years later Mr. S. gets a small package in the mail with a note. It was from the man he had met 6 years prior. The man apologized for not sending the seeds sooner. See, his wife had passed away not too long after Mr. and Mrs. S had met him and it wasn't until recently when he was sorting through papers on the desk that he saw their address. Mr. S. was delighted to get the seeds, planting them and even carried the plants to OH, where they live now!

So, I feel extra pressure now to keep this plant alive! I mean, it comes with such a sweet story, the plant is from WV, a part of home for my husband and AAAAAGGGGGHHHHHH!!!!!!! I just want them to live!!!! :)

Preparation

There has, of course, been much preparation going on in this household! And, as we all know, it's for the arrival of one little boy!!! I tend to write my blogs in chunks, so it's actually Tues. when I'm writing this, and I'm scheduling it to appear on Friday. I guess at this point that can be tricky! :) Who knows? This entry my be preempted by a birth announcement--wouldn't that be nice? :)

It's been interesting to see how I've done things differently this time around. With Cora we were living in a very small, run-down (I mean, really, it should be bull-dozed) house that was to be temporary (2 years later we moved out!!). I didn't do much nesting because I didn't want to get everything out only to have to repack it. In hindsight I should have just gone ahead and got everything out...It saddened me greatly with Cora that I couldn't have a cute little room all fixed up for her. We crammed the pack-n-play in our room, and had to put her dresser and changing table in the dining room. It was not ideal, but we made it work. The little house soon filled with other necessities--like the swing and bouncy seat. We got the car seat in the van, the diaper bag packed, the hospital bag ready, etc. We were READY! Every night we had our phones and the computer charging just in case. I felt very prepared. I wasn't too mentally prepared. I mean, I had no idea what to expect and then when it was decided to induce me I really didn't know what to think. But, I prayed a lot, asked my sister a LOT of questions and did my best to be mentally prepared.

With a second child on the way things are different, yet the same. I feel more relaxed, you know, if everything doesn't get done it's not a huge deal. I mean, the insatiable need to nest is very much there. We have a spot for the baby and so it's easy to set up the crib and the dresser (which is in the room, not the dining room!) and there is plenty of space in our home for all the baby stuff. I've enjoyed Cora's "help" as we get out everything, unwrap gifts, put stuff away. It's been good for her, I think, to be involved. I'm not sure she really gets what's going on, but at least it won't be a total shock for her, right?  We've still had to wash all the wee baby clothes and put them away. I'm over 37 weeks and the crib still needs to be set up, the car seat still needs to be put in the car and as of Tuesday our hospital bag was not packed. I have a feeling that will get done once I know for sure I'm in labor. Mentally, I'm preparing differently. This time I know the pain will be intense. I know there will be times during labor that I'll want to give up. But, I also know that it'll be worth all the hard work and there will be a baby at the end! This time I'm refusing induction (unless medically necessary) and so I've been having to refocus my mental preparation. I know that this time the pain will be natural and not medically induced. I also know that the pain will actually be doing something other than making me miserable (read Cora's birth story). I've also been struggling with some different fears, but am doing my best to give those to the Lord. I don't know if you ever really feel prepared for childbirth be it your 1st or 20th child, but at least I know kinda what to expect!

The Strangest Interview EVER

My husband was without work for 2 years. It was a long 2 years full of downs and some ups. It was a 2-year testing of our faith with a lot of questioning. Because my husband is a pastor he went to a lot of interviews with churches--for anything from youth pastor jobs to senior pastor jobs. He also did countless interviews with secular jobs from Stanley Steemer (which we found out is 100% commission, who knew???) to working for phone companies. At the end of his job search process he was called to go to 2 interviews. One was for a youth pastor job in the town he had grown up in and the other was for the job he has now. The interviews were on the same weekend and we knew it was going to be nuts, but were also so excited about the possibilities!

He goes to the first interview on Friday night at the church in his hometown. (To protect the "innocent" I won't tell you what church or denomination it was, because let's face it, we hope this interview is not typical!) He arrives to the interview and sits down with the search committee--did I mention this is for a youth pastor position? He introduces himself and no one else introduces themselves. WHAT???? Straaaaaaaannnnnnnnge!!! He has no idea who the members of the committee are, their positions in the church, let alone their names! He is asked a list of questions, none of which has ANYTHING to do with his spiritual life, his stance on theology, or even if he IS a Christian. They were very surface questions. He asked them a few theological questions, but could tell they thought this odd. There was a youth member on the committee and her burning question was to know my husband's view of people having tattoos. Really??? This is what you're most concerned with? It was a really short interview, needless to say! He drives the 30 minute drive back to his dad's house and we wait.

I was on the computer and noticed that about 5 minutes (NOT kidding!) after David gets home we get a new email. It was from the church he had just had the interview with and they were offering him the job. WHAT???? Never mind this was the first encounter he'd had with the church--typically you meet with a church 2-3 times before a decision is made. He didn't get any opportunity to talk to the head pastor (whom he'd be working closely with), nor did he know where the church stood on different issues, what they were even looking for in a youth minister. The church had not even bothered to check his references!!!!! WHAT???? So much head-scratching ensued on our part! There are so many red flags here it's hard to list them all. The least of which being why on earth a church wouldn't check the references of a person about to be with the youth--not a good idea!

We tried hard not to panic. David would be getting paid hardly anything, with no benefits, which meant I would certainly HAVE to work outside the home. We had so many misgivings about this. Thankfully, I have a wise husband and he kindly replied to the pastor that we would have to talk and pray and we would let him know the following week. We went to bed almost begging the Lord that after 2 years of no job this was NOT the one, but also knowing we had to trust.

Thankfully, the interview the next day went MUCH better, no red flags and a HUGE green light from the Lord telling us this was the direction he had for us. But, the interview the evening prior will always be one that makes us chuckle...

What strange interviews have you had?