The important things

Last Friday I had the amazing experience of attending my close friend's birth. She called me at 6:30am and said she had been having contractions since 4a. I got my stuff together, dropped Montana off at school and arrived in Seattle around 11a. I just knew the baby would come in a few hours, so I was surprised that my friend and her husband were still at home laboring and hadn't gone to the hospital yet. She wanted to labor at home as long as possible. The contractions became more intense after I got there and we all headed to the hospital around 1ish (I think). It's amazing how time works during the birthing process. It is slow. It is fast. It doesn't seem to exist. It is all you can think about.
My dear, beautiful friend labored hard all afternoon. She handled contractions with such strength and focus. I was blown away. She was getting tired and still managed each intense contraction without one ounce of drugs. Her husband was also so strong and supportive. They found a rhythm that was beautiful to watch. What a team.
At 6pm the midwife checked her and she was only dilated to 7cm. Really? All that hard work for over 12 hours and only 7cm? This is what I was thinking, but didn't say it of course, but I know my friend was thinking the same thing. The midwife suggested breaking her water and after that things got moving. My friend started pushing at 7pm and little man was born at almost 8:30p. Oh my, I just can't describe how thrilling it was to be there and watch him emerge into the world. He was 9 lbs, that little bugger. And oh so stinkin' cute. Added blessing for me was watching him bond with mommy and daddy.
This day was emotional and powerful and at times very intense for me. Part of what contributed to that emotion was that around 3pm I found out (by email) that our neighbor passed away. We had been expecting it, but it was still surprising to find out. She was a neighbor that shared our faith and so we had a special spiritual connection with her. Here I was at a birth, learning about a death. What things are more core, more pivotal in life? Nothing is more important. Nothing matters more.
Also happening that day was a bridal shower for another special friend. A party to celebrate her upcoming marriage. Because I thought that births don't take that long (based on my experience!), I left in the morning pretty certain that I would be able to make it to at least part of the celebration. As the afternoon went on, I realized that I would not be there to celebrate with my other friend. I was sad, but as this friend graciously reminded me (when I called to tell her I wouldn't be there), I was exactly where I needed to be. She gave me words of hope and encouragement as I sat in all of my own personal emotions.
Life, death, marriage. All in one day. It was powerful. It was emotional. It was very real.
And to be with my friends in such a pivotal life changing event - the birth of their son - what an honor and a joy I will never forget.

Amos Pax turns 1!!

Oh how time flies. Last year at this time, I was back home after a 4hour labor at the Bellingham Birth Center with my sweet boy. Now I have a one year old who is on the verge of walking. They change so much in the first year, don't they? Today, to celebrate, we opened gifts and allowed him to have his way with a chocolate cupcake. It was a simple celebration as a family. Pictures tell the story of the cupcake much better than words:

Happy Birthday Amos!! We love you so much!!

Moving

At the end of this month, we will be moving into a bigger unit here at co-housing and we are all very excited! We have been in our little space for almost 3 years and it has been so good. We started our church here, welcomed Amos here, and have had numerous friends and family visit. For the most part 750 square feet has been good. We are forced to think through every item we bring through the door: where will we put it? is it really necessary? I love that it has enabled us to live simply and without a lot of stuff. Lately, though, I have been feeling tired of being ultra quiet when the kids go down, not having a dishwasher, and having all of my clothes in the kids' closet. Little things have been getting to me and I have longed for just a bit more leg room. I have been praying about this for months and as always God is faithful and He knows when the time is right.

A couple of weeks ago our neighbor approached us about renting from her. Her unit has been on the market and hasn't sold, so she wants to take it off the market and rent to us for one year and then she will resume her attempts to sell. At first we approached the option cautiously because we have had several similar offers that have fallen through, but after a few days of negotiations, we signed a lease! It's official. It's legal. It is still a 2 bedroom unit, but there is another bathroom and an attic and about 300 more square feet. Did I mention all of the closets? Plenty. I feel so blessed to be in a bigger space AND to remain in this community.

Aaron and I have often had the personal space vs. community living conversation. What do we value? We speak about the importance of living in community and talk about how much we love it, but at times our need (desire) for a bit more space would cloud that value. I feel so grateful to be able to be moving within this community. We are so grateful to be here and really believe that God has brought us here.

So all that to say...December will be a busy month with a couple of birthdays (Aaron and Amos), packing, prepping for the holidays, Mason visiting, some dear friends' wedding, and the amazing honor of attending a close friend's birth. And then we will move at the end of it all!! Should be fun. Bring it on!!