Happy BIrthday Nehemiah

Today is Nehemiah's 8th birthday.  It's hard to believe it was that long ago that I was trying to ignore contractions while I headed up my last Sarah's Daughter meeting as President.

I'll never forget Scott flooring the car on the way to the hospital when he discovered I was having contractions every 3 minutes.  And we were still 45 minutes out.

Nor how God providentially had him born in water so his shorter and wrapped umbilical cord would not cause him any harm at birth.

How can we forget the strong and powerful voice God has blessed our second son with.  Someday he will use it for something...we hope!  It was a blessing to hear him use it for the Lord the other night in church as he sang Jesus Loves Me.

He is a blessing to us and we are ever so thankful for our 5th child.

Happy 6th Birthday Nehemiah!!!

Nehemiah hanging on the chain of the bridge in the historic district of Colonia del Sacramento.

It's hard to believe Nehemiah is 6 years old today. Six years ago today I was told by my midwife that before the end of the day I would be in labor. After asking me if I had plans that day, Pam, was quickly informed, by me, that I most definitely had plans. The last Sara's Daughters meeting was that afternoon and as president I had to be there to preside over the meeting. She didn't think I would make it, but since I wasn't having any contractions yet I kept my plans.

I headed home and packed the older kids bags and picked up my things for that afternoons meeting. Then I headed over to WalMart to pick up the gift from my officer team to be given to Mrs. Comfort. While I was there I had a few contractions but thought nothing of them. I was already running late when I ran into my friend Susan in the parking lot and, swearing her to secrecy, arranged for the kids to stay with them that night.

When I finally got to the college I was early for the meeting but late for when I typically arrived. I planned on just going about my business and heading for the hospital, which was an hour away, after the meeting. However, because I was late Mrs. Comfort was concerned and so I had to tell her about my crazy morning and early afternoon. Naturally her first question was to ask if I was having contractions. She would have to ask! "A few, but not very strong!" I said. "I'll be right back." replied Mrs. Comfort.

Upon her return I was told that I could stay for the meeting as she made sure the school nurse stayed at the school but if I had contractions less than 15 minutes apart I had to go. I also had to let the ladies know I was in labor and may have to leave at any moment.

I did make it through the meeting and by the time we left the school I was having contractions every three minutes. How fast do you think Scott drove up the mountain? I won't divulge that information but suffice it to say when he found out my contractions were so close his foot pushed much harder on the gas pedal. We didn't know Jim and Susan's car had so much get up and go.

Our midwife was pulled over on the way to the hospital because she was speeding. I guess finding out your patient, who is pregnant with her 6th child, is having contractions 3 minutes apart makes you rush.

Well we got there with plenty of time to spare and that evening, Nehemiah Joel joined our family. Eight days after he was born he attended his first Sigma awards banquet and joined in the celebration of Chi Alpha's win (the team we led) by crying. He went on his first missions trip to the North East USA when he was just six weeks old.

Scott and I are thankful for Nehemiah. We pray he will become a man of character like his namesake. That when there comes a time in his life where God calls upon him for service he is willing and ready.

Cumpleaño feliz, Nehemias!

Yesterday was another great day for our family, Nehemiah turned 5! And now the question of the day is about when he gets to go to school. Always in a rush to grow up. One of the biggest thrills for him was to be told happy birthday in Spanish. On Sunday night the church sang happy birthday to him in English.

A few years ago we started a tradition with our children, on their birthday they get to pick the restaurant and Scott and I take the birthday child out for a birthday dinner. Since the majority of restaurants here don't open for dinner until after 9 PM it isn't feasible to make little ones wait that long so we slightly modified the "dinner" routine into a birthday lunch. Nehemiah picked La Pasiva and he had a bacon wrapped hot dog. Of course we don't have fast food, Mexican, Chinese or seafood restaurants here in Colonia so our choices are limited but the food is great.

After lunch Nehemiah joined us for our language class. He certainly added a new dimension to learning a new verb conjugation. He did great though and even showed off a little of his Spanish. After class we had a little party for him and he opened his presents. He went to bed a very satisfied new five year old.