early weeks at home

Anytime our friends send us pictures of their newborns, I take the opportunity to share our congratulations as well as to encourage them to "enjoy the precious early weeks" with a new baby at home.  I've always remembered that period as a unique opportunity to really slow down, spend quality time with loved ones, soak in the reality of the miraculous new life in our midst, and take the time to adjust our schedules and our lives to include our newest member.  And now with Jacob's arrival into our family, we've once again had the chance to cherish this special time ourselves.

There's just something about those first few weeks at home when everyone in the family is getting to know the baby

and the baby is getting to know everyone as well.

And of course there are so very many changes in the baby himself in the first few weeks.

It always means a lot to be able to share this wonderful time with extended family.  My parents' retirement last summer has freed up their schedule in a way that we've not experienced with the birth of our other children.  It's been a source of much joy to watch them enjoy their grandkids in such a meaningful way.  We look forward to spending time with my husband's family in the coming months as well.

And somehow my usually very busy and world-traveling sisters were both home at the time of Jacob's arrival, so they, too, were able to spend some great quality time with our whole growing gang. 

I think that having so much support has made the transition to a family of six easier not only for me, but for the kids as well.  I've been astounded at how readily all three "big" kids have warmly welcomed baby Jacob into the fold.  Every day each of them clamors to have a turn holding the baby.  They are fascinated with Jacob and ask questions that often stump both my husband and me ("will his eyes stay blue or gray?"  "how far can he see?"  "what is he thinking right now?").  And while they all love him dearly, Caroline is our child who expresses her affection and admiration most clearly.  Several times she has exclaimed with such beautiful sincerity that "I'm so glad we have this baby in our family!  I just love him SO much!"

And while I know from experience that the months and years will continue to fly by faster than I can imagine, for now we will try to slow time down.  We'll take lots of pictures and sit in amazement at how (much more) rich and beautiful our lives have become with Jacob's arrival.  We'll relish the sweetness of this tiny person who has been gifted to us from above.  We'll appreciate with wonder how each child in our family shares so much in common with the others, yet at the same time is so incredibly unique and distinct.  

And every day we will thank our Father in heaven for the gifts of life and of family and of amazing grace that we have never and will never be able to earn on our own.

From the fullness of his grace we have all received

 one blessing after another.

John 1:16

presenting with joy

Jacob Christopher Powers

born August 19, 2012

at 11:17 am

9lbs 2 oz

Everything went very well (and very fast), and we give tremendous thanks to God for Jacob's healthy and safe arrival.

We are abundantly blessed.

sweet summertime: part 1

Because the original plan was for us to head to Africa sometime this summer, the fact that we are still here has made our summertime enjoyment even sweeter than usual.  After over five months of living on the West coast, it has been so nice to be back in the South (much of our time was spent in Louisiana with my parents), reuniting with friends and family, and just relishing the lazy days of summer.  Since this is the closest I'll likely ever get to scrapbooking (and I do want to preserve some of these great memories), and I've got a slew of pictures that I want to share from these past couple of months, I now present without further ado...Summer 2012, the Unexpected Edition :)

One of the kids' favorite places to visit when we are at my parents' home in south Louisiana is a fun kids water park that is filled with all those fountains, water dumping systems, and sprinklers that provided a much-needed respite from the heat and (intense!) humidity.  So much joy to watch them enjoy––both the water, and each other.
 

While not a usual experience during our summer breaks, the opportunity for the girls to participate in a cheer camp just a couple of minutes from my parents' home provided a fun distraction for one week.

 

Of course we also spent as much time as humanly possible enjoying the great pool in my parents' backyard.

 

 Some weeks before the summer Olympics were even on our radar, there was an early entry for synchronized swimming.

...and perhaps, "rhythmic water dance," or something...

And, of course, more meaningful than all else was the wonderful quality time that we have all enjoyed together, especially with my family of origin.

 Caroline baking up a storm with Aunt Shell

So much fun on the iPad with Appa

A little afternoon yoga session with Amma

Even some surprise moments of quiet joy among siblings

And, oh-so-much cooking and eating my parents' wonderful food.  One day, the kids helped them create one of our favorite Indian snacks, a fried savory treat called murku.

And while we missed the time with Daddy while he began work in Houston, we relished our reunions with him.  And now that we are settled in Houston, we give much thanks for the chance to be within an easy drive of Louisiana after all these years. 

Ahhhhhhhhh, summertime!

summer, homeschooling, and pregnancy update

As is often the case, I looked back at this little ole blog and was stunned at the realization that I've not made an entry in over a month.  I guess I shouldn't really be too surprised––this is exactly how my infrequent entries into my own journals over the years have begun: "Oh gosh, I can't believe how long it's been since I've written!  Oh well, better late than never I guess."  Anyway, for the one or two of you who still checks in here, I thought I'd post an update.

We've all (the five of us) been back together in Houston for about three weeks now.  My OB asked that I not travel past 34 weeks...I pushed the envelope a bit and stayed in Louisiana until 35 weeks.  I know, such a rebel.  This summer has been an incredible treat for our kids, who had close to two months of time relaxing and relishing in the love of my now-retired parents.  They swam, they read, they slept, they ate so very well, they helped out around the house, they were cherished and hugged and given space and time to simply enjoy the gift of this unexpected summer in the states.  I'm really not sure who (the grandparents or grandkids) enjoyed the time more :).  Meanwhile, I was given the gift of rest and freedom to enjoy this last trimester without the worry of making meals and being solely in charge of our energetic gang as my husband began his new and busy job.  I also spent a lot of time––like a lot––researching various options for homeschooling.  This also, should come as no surprise to those who know me (and in spite of the obsessiveness and perfectionism, love me anyway).  But seriously, who am I to suddenly be in charge of the education of these three bright little people?  What if I didn't cover "it all?"  What if, despite their enthusiasm to give this thing a try, the kids would up end up sort of hating all this time together and with me?  What if I picked the wrong curriculum?  And, of course, the internet is absolutely riddled with opinions of the "best" approach to homeschooling, the "best" curriculum, the "best" value, etc.

In the end, after scores of hours spent scouring various websites, frantic emails to friends with homeschooling experience (thanks to each of you who not only tolerated my wordy requests but then so generously shared your sage advice), and plowing through more homeschooling forums and sample PDFs than I care to remember, I finally did what I should have done all along.  I remembered to be still.  I prayed through all of these unfounded fears and doubts.  I accepted the fact that it will be the time that we spend together on this homeschooling adventure that will grow and stretch and nourish us.  I realized that facts are facts and I'm not exactly the first person in the world to forge this path and we're going to be just fine...really.  And––shocker––I've been surrounded by a much greater peace ever since.

So last weekend, I went to a homeschooling conference nearby, armed with much more confidence and knowledge than I had at my first such conference last summer.  While there, I attended a couple of workshops, chose our curriculum, and purchased a few educational and fun items for the kids.  And I walked away trusting that if it doesn't add up to the perfect homeschooling experience, then it would be perfect for us right here, right now.

And you know what?  We are one week in and it's going pretty well.  We've begun slowly but steadily, doing a few hours every morning and then having the freedom to enjoy our summer afternoons.  We've managed to stay on a reasonable schedule, with everyone pitching in with a few chores (especially as this mommy's mobility, agility, and speed steadily decrease), and by nothing less than the grace of God,  all three kids have individually expressed (totally unprompted) how much they are enjoying this new phase of their education.  Madison even asked if we can keep doing this upon our return from Africa!  Holy cow.  While I am fully aware that we will have plenty of tough and draining days (weeks, even), I am most grateful for the early gift of validation from my people.  And lest you ask why I would dare start this process so soon, when schools in the south don't open for another week or two and there is still so much swimming and vegging and sleeping to be done, let me tell you that we wanted to get started now so that we can all take a little hiatus when baby brother decides to make his appearance.  Which brings me to the next and final update...

I will be 38 weeks along tomorrow and am so ready to meet our little guy.  This pregnancy has gone along just fine, but as has always been the case, these last few weeks are taking their toll on me.  Sleep has not come so easily--most nights I find myself awake for an hour or two at a stretch, usually between the hours of 2am and 4am.  As I told my husband this week, I don't mind waking at night for a baby, but this insomnia before the baby is for the birds.  I've also had some back discomfort that thankfully has been almost completely alleviated by the use of a most unattractive but very functional pregnancy/back support band.  And to be completely honest, I am a little fearful of just how big this baby is going to be.  My now-skinny little Caroline was my biggest baby, weighing in at just over 9 pounds,  and all signs seem to point to this baby being close to that size.  And since I know he is full-term now, and we are pretty ready in terms of baby things and prep, and especially since everyday that he is here allows him another day to grow before we depart for Africa, I am rather anxious for him to make his appearance sooner rather than later.  So I was most excited when my dear OB told me at my check-up late last week that he would be willing to consider induction once I reach 39 weeks!  While I am not a big fan of induction for convenience sake, I have got to admit that this news was music to my ears.  I am thrilled to know that there is light at the end of the tunnel and cannot describe how great it is to have a potential birthdate approaching in a little over a week!

I must also admit that all of this time spent trying to get back to sleep every night has afforded me one unexpected gift.  It's given me some serious quiet time, time to ponder the wonder of creation that is going on inside of me, time to thank God for His generosity and love in all things, but especially in the gift of this precious life that will soon be a member of our nutty little brood, and time to relearn and acknowledge all over again that this life is not about me or my plans or my wants or my desires.  It is about waiting on our God, and giving Him glory for the endless blessings and challenges that make up our lives, and for giving thanks when my plans and need for control are sidelined...because the reality is that His plans are always, always, greater than mine.  

He says, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted

 among the nations, 

I will be exalted in the earth.” 

Psalm 46:10

the eagle has landed...with deep gratitude

We all recognize that familiar phrase, "Houston...the Eagle has landed."  But how many people are actually aware of its origin?  Extra points for you smarty pants who already knew that this famous phrase was first uttered by none other than Neil Armstrong during Apollo 11's landing on the moon, much to the confusion (see the section under "landing") of mission control back in Houston.  Anyway, there's a point to this title...

After a whole lotta searching and option-considering and prayer, the Powers clan has settled––landed, one might even say––in Houston for the next six months or so.  As you know, this pregnancy caught us a bit by surprise, and has required a higher level of flexibility and reconsideration of "firm" plans than we have been asked of in the past.  And so as we weighed the various options, and my husband started looking for temporary employment to sustain our little brood as we waited for baby #4 to make his appearance, we kept hitting brick walls.  The locum tenems company (which places doctors in temporary assignments) that he was working with kept coming up with either unreasonable or rather undesirable offers, none of which seemed to match what Chris was requesting.  The length of time required to simply obtain a medical license in another state was becoming prohibitive, as his search began in February and he was told that the process in many states could take up to 7-8 months, never mind the lengthy credentialing timeline at most hospitals.  And so we wondered, what are we going to do?  And it turned out, as our heavenly Father keeps telling us, that it wasn't that we had to do anything––we just had to ask.

My husband's choice of pursuing a fellowship and career in pulmonary/critical care medicine was primarily the result of his interaction with and tremendous respect for one man, and that man is a pulmonologist at the Texas Medical Center where Chris and I did our residencies.  Don't get me wrong––Chris had an interest and innate talent for this field, but he will be the first to admit that this teacher and mentor of his has had a profound impact on his (and therefore our family's) life.  And so, as his job search kept hitting dead ends, Chris finally decided to pick up the phone and give his old mentor a call.  I'll spare you some of the details, but suffice it to say that within 24 hours of that phone call, Chris had a job offer (soon followed by a contract) for a position in one of the premier hospitals in Houston, doing exactly what he wanted to do, on exactly the work schedule he desired, with full disclosure that this was a temporary deal and with absolutely no strings attached.  (And since we retained our Texas medical licenses, hospital credentialing would not be an issue either.)  All because of one phone call to that beloved teacher.

And that alone would make a great story of faith and letting go and following our instincts and trusting in a God who provides above and beyond what we ask and certainly more than we deserve.  But that is not all, folks.  Oh no, that is not nearly all.

When my husband next spoke with his mentor, Pat, to thank him for whatever magic he did to produce such a perfect opportunity, he offered us the use of his home for us to live in while we are in Houston.  What?!?  "Look, Chris," he said, "our two kids are in college and it's just my wife and me in this four-bedroom house.  Please just plan to stay with us."  And so, yes, this is the part where I step in and say, are you kidding me?  We can't accept that!  We are a family of five, soon to be six!  I am planning to homeschool these kids in the fall--we'll be in the house much of the day!  We're expecting a newborn soon!  What are these people thinking?  Don't they realize the intrusion and inconvenience that they are welcoming?  For six months???

So we accepted their kind offer as a temporary measure, you know, until we found a rental place of our own.  But as soon as we relayed that message, I received an email and phone call from Pat's wife, Kathi, in which she stated in no uncertain terms that they were both fully on board with this offer--and it was for us to remain with them for the duration of our time in Houston.  She saw this as an opportunity to "be of help in {our} journey and mission," and said that she was thrilled that they could be a part of our experience.  She went on to talk about the fact that they are fairly busy in their respective careers and so we would be welcome--and expected, in fact--to totally take over their house.  And oh, by the way, since she had foster children for several years, she could certainly obtain baby clothes, strollers, playpens, etc., as needed for when our little one arrives.  And since my parents live only a short drive away in south Louisiana, then they, too, would be warmly welcomed to stay in the house upon the baby's birth.  And if I needed any advice on homeschooling curriculum, Kathi is available there as well since she has a masters degree in teaching and is currently pursuing a PhD in curriculum.  Oh yes she is.

So what do you do when confronted with this kind of generosity?  When you feel the hand of God right in the midst of your stress and confusion and uncertainty?  When you come to realize that saints don't just exist in the Bible or in faraway holy places and times?  That, in fact, saints live right down the street from Houston's medical complex, and they open their home and hearts and lives...just because "it's what {they} do."  Not for praise or honor, but for the simple fact that they love, and they live that love, and they give so very freely that it is humbling simply to witness their generosity...not to mention receive it.

And so we did what we thought was the right thing--we said a tremendously grateful and humbled and awe-filled yes to their crazy-generous offer.  We said that we appreciated them more than they could know.  We said that we would help around the house in any way possible, that our kids really aren't all that disruptive, that we were accustomed to living in community after our mission formation time, that we did not want to upset their routine in any way.  And they, characteristically, would have nothing of it.  You must live in this house, they said.  Your kids must feel like this is their home and run around and be kids!  We don't expect anything from you but that you make yourselves totally at home here, they said.  This transition may be harder for you than for us, they said.

So here we are now, months later, having completed our mission formation classes in Los Angeles, and having lugged our kiddos and our (not so many now) earthly possessions back across the country.  We are settling quite nicely into Pat and Kathi's beautiful home, in their beautiful neighborhood full of parks and sidewalks and an amazing water park and tennis courts and quiet, and access to more than we need or want.  I sit and type in our adorable bedroom, with our sweet babes sleeping very comfortably in their new bedrooms, while Chris takes call at the hospital as he begins his second week of work as a hospitalist.  We have landed in a place that is not just full of comfort and convenience as we await our sweet little one's arrival (I'm 33 weeks along now)...but we've found ourselves in a place where we are constantly reminded that God is right here--in the many acts of kindness that surround us everyday, in the challenges of transitioning to a new phase of life, and in the simple truth that we serve a God who cannot and will not be outdone in generosity, if only we take the time to see it.

“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.  For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened."  

Matthew 7:7-8