All in a day's work?

October 23 started like a typical day.  Enjoying the extra few minutes in my cozy bed, not having to think about school and waking up sleepy children.  Listening to boys play not-so-quietly in their room as the house wakens.  Big Saturday breakfast.  Laundry, washed and hung on the line.
David leaving for our team's cleaning at the House of Prayer.  Oh, and the not very normal contractions.  Not enough of them to make a call to the midwife, yet, but enough for us to know something was happening and today just might be the day! 
So David again leaves, cell phone close to him, just in case.  He is going to have the title on the new-to-us van transferred and make it really ours.  He wonders if he should wait on the van, but I assure him to go.  We had been praying for this van and God's provision as a family daily for over a month.  We were all rejoicing that God again proved faithful and now we have another everyday reminder of His goodness, His listening ear, His meeting of our practical needs.  David returns. 

The kids are enjoying the fall day, jumping on the trampoline, playing in the golden leaves that fell from the maple in the front yard.  I'm taking pictures and enjoying the relaxing day. 

A neighbor asks David to help with some yard work, and I tell him go ahead and do it cause this might be the day and we don't know if he'll be able to help later.  More questioning glances after the work is done.  Still the same.  Should I cook dinner?  Contractions don't stop hunger, so I pray through dinner preparations that His timing is perfect and I wait for Him.  More questions, what about Kids worship?  I'm supposed to teach.  Maybe that wouldn't be such a good idea.  Don't know when contractions will speed up and baby will likely come quickly when they do. 
David takes the kids to worship to give us some quiet.  We take a walk to see what will happen, Silas, David and I.  Oh, now they start coming more quickly and we head home.  David goes to retrieve the kids, hoping to get the boys in bed before the house becomes a bustle of activity.  I call the mid-wife and she starts her drive to our house.  Seems strange to just hang around the house and not pack a bag for an overnight stay.  Comforting to be at home.

Abby sighs that this baby may not come quickly enough for her to still keep her birthday just to herself.  A good friend arrives to keep the girls company while they wait in the new place of mom birthing at home. 
Contractions get closer and harder and I know it will not be long now.  Wow, how did it happen so quickly?   I call the midwife again, just to put some urgency in her blood.  Lying in my bed, awfully uncomfortable, but thankful.  David encouraging and staying near-by.  Birthing pool filling, but is it filling fast enough?  Midwife arrives and I am glad because it is almost time.  Warm water, husband supporting the throbbing back, a very present Life-giver giving new strength, and a tiny new life arrives in my own bedroom.  Girls rush in, wondering if its a girl or boy.  My answer, "I don't know!"  I am praising God that it is over, and that baby is safe and this miracle has happened for the sixth time in my life!  Tears flow as I hold this precious one in my arms for the first time.

Then I lift the new one up and discover he is a boy.  "God, help us!" I exclaim.  How can we possibly raise another boy?  But God knows, and God will provide, just as surely as he provided the van that very morning.  We are on a journey and trusting in His strength and His wisdom and walking in His joy and peace are essential.  We have walked so far that there is no other way.  We trust Him in a real, daily, heart-leaning way or we fail.  There is no middle ground.  It's overwhelming and joyous all at once!  It's a huge responsibility and a tremendous privilege !  And it's all in a day's work!