Sweet Baby Ada

One of my favorite scriptures is in John 14:26 it reads: But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you. Often times I think of this while preparing to take a test that I have studied less for than I might have in the days before the six children etc. I remind myself that the Holy Ghost can bring the things I have learned to my remembrance. Recently I had a wonderful experience that made me ponder the greatness of this blessing. I suppose I should tell that story first.
Over the years I have had the privilege of attending the births of many babies and sharing the miracle of new life with these sweet babies’ families. I love seeing the wonder on the faces of new fathers, and new bonds forming in families. This is what started me on the path to becoming a midwife. I am however not nearly far enough along in my schooling or experience to deliver a baby on my own. It is hard for me to explain all of my thoughts and feelings about how it came to be that I delivered a baby anyway, but I shall try.
My sweet friend Bronwyn had asked me to be her doula again for the birth of her sixth baby. She had decided after careful consideration to deliver this baby at home with a midwife, the same wonderful midwife that I used for the birth of my last baby. On a lovely Sunday morning a couple weeks ago she called to put me on notice that she thought this would be the day, and a few hours later they were ready for me to come over. My daughter, Johanna was also going to attend and help with the younger Judd children if necessary. We began to get things together, when I got the distinct impression that we needed to hurry and with this in mind I hustled us out the door.
Bronwyn was laboring nicely when I got there, although her contractions were fairly spaced. I suggested that she do stair lunges during her contractions, and it was during the first stair lunge that I realized we didn’t have much time. I silently mouthed to her husband to call the midwife, and then had Johanna page her as well. Shortly thereafter Bronwyn sought comfort in the warm water of the birth tub. As it became apparent that the midwife was not going to make it, I thought and I believe said to Bronwyn “It’s going to be okay”. About this time I started to feel strongly the impressions of the Holy Ghost. I remember very little about the other things going on in the room because I was so focused on the still small voice in my head. Johanna even left room and missed the birth which I didn’t know until later. All I heard was the comforting instructions; counter pressure… check for cord… remove cord,… rotate slightly,…. bring her up out of the water,… then gentle massage, and suction. It makes me all emotional writing this, thinking about it. Truly the Holy Ghost can bring all things to our remembrance, but he can also teach us things when they are needed, even things that we have never done before.
After the midwife arrived I had to sit down and collect myself a little, and I admit to having a hard time sleeping that night, as I pondered the experience.
I am grateful for opportunity to learn from parents who make choices that they feel are right. While many would call it crazy to choose a homebirth, I believe it takes courage to choose your own path in spite of opposition. I am sure that some readers may think that it is rather lucky that nothing bad happened. I do not believe it was luck, but rather the blessings of a Heavenly Father who can and will answer the question of where to birth just as he will answer every other question that we have in life. He who notices the sparrows fall certainly has a plan for the birth of his precious children, and this inspiration may change with each birth. I am so thankful for the opportunity to deliver sweet baby Ada be taught a little more myself.

My obsession with bargains. or $16.53

Sixteen dollars and fifty-three cents, or $16.53 that is what I paid for this loot from my shopping adventures a few days ago. Let me just list everything since you can't see it very well in this cell phone picture.

20 Yoplait yogurts
10 Lbs Potatoes
2 boxes Betty Crocker fruit snacks
4 Green Giant frozen brocolli bags
6 boxes of CFL light bulbs (three bulbs per box)
1 box finish dishwasher detergent
4 Hunts tomato sauce 8oz
6 jars La Victoria Salsa
5 Healthy Choice frozen dinners
2 Gallons Organic Valley whole milk
1 Can pineapple
1 Bag Tortilla Chips

For all this I paid just $16.53 with coupons and sales. This was a savings of $105.62, not to shabby. My kids have taken to saying things like "we can't buy that we don't have a coupon". Here's a recent conversation I had with Payson; Me...do you want to go to the store with me? Payson...where are we going? Me... Albertsons. Payson...But,..I see that you have a lot more coupons than that? (said with a giggle) I admit this is a somewhat of an obsession with me, but it makes me feel good to know that I am making the most of what Heavenly Father has blessed us with. I added a few links on my blog to some money saving blogs that I follow to get ideas. Have fun chasing bargains!

Finn and Calvie-atetor

Finn really loves Calvin or "Calvie-ate-tor", as he calls him. He loves to get him laughing by playing peek-a-boo. I really love watching them and seeing their love for each other.

So stinkin cute!

Sunday Afternoon Pics

A few months ago I decided to take pictures of the kids just to make sure that I had taken at least one of them this year. (I never remember the camera). The kids thought they should get one of me. This was the best one of Johanna.

Aldus, Finn, Kohl and Payson from left to right. So cute! Finn was true to life with food in his hand.

I asked the boys to line up by height and they decided to do what boys do and push Aldus off. :)

Payson with a serious pose.

Kohl takes a turn at the reflective pose. I think he is channeling my dad as a boy.

My First Baby

Johanna is off at EFY this week and to tell the truth I miss her. Not just the work she does around the house (which is a lot) but also her spunk and talking my ear off. I am really proud of her growth in the last few years. Just wanted to let you know I love you Jo!

Tagged.

My sister-in-law tagged me with a little thing about six quirks. I am pretty sure she was just trying to get me to start blogging again. It worked. Thanks Melly.

Rules:

1) Tell six of your quirks

2) Tag your friends.

So here are a few of my quirks:
1) I absolutely, under no circumstances can sleep in an unmade bed. Don't let me lead you to believe that I jump up and make the bed everyday. I prefer to wait until I am actually going to bed. This really frustrates my poor husband on the rare occasions when he goes to bed before me and I make the bed while he is trying to sleep. He usually says something about how I am letting out all the warm air. I just can't handle sheets and blankets that aren't lined up and nice and flat.

2) I like silence. I almost never have the radio on in the car. It really interferes with my thinking. Since I spend a lot of time in the car driving around my kids this is also when I unwind my brain.
3) I prefer to not go places by myself. I think this has something to do with growing up in a big family and someone always being around. Maybe this is why I also can get alone time even while driving around five kids. Probably some sort of big family self defense mechanism.

4) I really, really want to know everything worth knowing. I mean everything. It is a bit of an obsession. While I know that it isn't possible I sometimes get really frustrated with how much there is to learn and how little of it I know. I always joke with my kids that this is why I have to make it to the Celestial Kingdom. I could never be happy without the opportunity to keep learning.

5) I am not very good at giving compliments, or showing emotion. I can cry watching a sad movie, but I rarely cry when sad movies are playing out in my own life. I especially hate filling out the yearly brag forms for my kids teachers at school.

6)I hate every olive but standard black. I know this is a pretty weak quirk, but I am really drawing a blank and Finn currently has fingers full of olives which made me think of it.

I tag Bronwyn , Tressa & Samara.

Hubby Tag

My friend Laura tagged me with this Husband Tag so here goes. Sorry I have been a slacker on my blog. I will post more soon. Here is a picture of us in Victoria a few years ago.

What is his name? Norman Barry Simmons (I know Norman, weird)
How long have you been married? Just about twelve years.
How long did you date? That depends on whether you count the mission. He already had his mission call when we started dating. He left about 2 months later for his mission. I dated while he was gone, but never found anyone I liked better. We got married about two months after he got home. So I guess about 4 months. I was actually dating someone when he got home. I went to see him the day he came home and he came out in the yard when I drove up to say hello and he gave me a hug. That is when we both knew for sure we found the one.
How old is he? That would be 33, he is about six months younger than me.
Who eats more sweets? Clearly that would be Barry his family has an unquenchable sweet tooth. I tend to indulge with more savory foods that I enjoy.
Who said I love you first? Barry although I couldn't tell you when or where. I will have to check my journal.
Who is taller? Barry he is around 5'10" and I try to say I am 5"7"

Who can sing better? For sure Barry, I try to not be heard singing although I do enjoy it.

Who does the laundry? Laundry, who does laundry? Johanna does all the laundry around our house that is her chore, which she does quite well usually. Aldus does all the dishes. Having teenagers does have some advantages.

Who pays the bills? That stressful job goes to me. Barry really prefers to not have to worry about such things. One of these days I am going to not have time though and he will have to take over.

Who sleeps on the right side of the bed? Me again we keep trying to switch but I always want to be on the side closest to the bathroom. (I have been pregnant a lot)

Who mows the lawn? Usually Barry, sometimes Aldus. I actually like mowing the lawn. My mom says that you should never do jobs around the house that your husband does or it will be your job forever. So I never touch the lawn.

Who cooks dinner? I usually cook dinner although Barry is a good cook, and he cooks some great meals once in while.

Who drives? Barry, I refuse to drive with a co-pilot.

Who is more stubborn? This is a good question. Barry and I both come from a long line of stubborn people. This was really fun in the beginning, but now we kinda have certain things that we both are stubborn about, and we let everything else go. I think our kids are way more stubborn than us and Finn especially is wearing me down. I hope this next baby is mellow.

Who kissed who first? Barry kissed me of course, I certainly encouraged him though.

Who asked who out first? Barry asked me out. I dated his friend first and he picked me up for my first date with his friend. He was coming home from Olympia and they both lived on the Gig Harbor side of the bridge. It didn't take me or his friend long to figure out I liked Barry more.

Who proposed? Barry, in his parents garage, which doubled as his bedroom and the boys music room. Three days after he got home from his mission he looked over at me and asked if I wanted to be his forever wife, we got married seven weeks later.

Who has more siblings? Does anyone have more siblings than me? I have 4 sisters and 6 brothers. Barry is the middle of 5 boys.

Who wears the pants? I would have to say Barry, although he might disagree.

I tag:

Bronwyn

Ida

Samara