The Miracle of Life!

I was privileged to witness the birth of a baby this morning!  One of our battalion wives delivered her 4th child at the Naval hospital at 1:19am.  Her husband is in Iraq with mine, and fortunately, he was able to speak to her by phone about an hour before the birth, and 30 minutes afterwards.  Not the same as being there, of course, but I know she was glad to hear his voice.  This was the first time I was present at a birth.  It was fabulous.  You would think, after having 9 babies myself, it wouldn't seem so fascinating, but it is way different when it is someone else!  I videotaped (from over her shoulder, nothing graphic), and of course cried when the baby was born.  I am glad for her that her labor wasn't incredibly long, and she had to push only 4 times before her baby girl was born.  Her two other girls, 13 and 6, were there, but were watching TV when all the action was going on.  We have five more local ladies due in the next few weeks/months.  Most will do this without their husbands.  I am glad we live 5 minutes from the hospital, and I hope I will be able to be there for some of them.  I was thinking about this today.   It occurred to me that I never asked her if she wanted me there - I just went because I wanted to.  I sincerely hope that no one would be embarrassed or uncomfortable to have the "CO's wife" there.    I do hope they would be honest if they didn't want me to come.  Perhaps next time I will call first....

The miracle of life is a wonder to behold.  And there is nothing like a new baby to bring hope and joy to a sometimes troubled world.   What a gift!

I'm a Cow

OK, clothes shopping is definitely not my favorite thing these days!  I refuse to buy anything larger than the largest pre-pregnancy size I wore (don't ask, I won't tell...).  I hold pants up, in that size, and say to myself, "these should fit - surely my rear is no bigger than that!"  Oh, but it is.  And then some.  Not only that, but apparently the rest of the pregnancy weight is not just melting away, either.  I have begun working out in earnest, and have been eating healthier, so I feel pretty good.  And, when I stand sideways and suck in my gut, as long as I pretend the post c-section belly hang is not there, I think "Not too bad for a mother of 9".  Then I remind myself that I used to say that I didn't want to look "good for having so many children", I want to look "good" period.  Between bearing and nursing 9 children, I am pretty sure I won't ever be in the shape I was in at 25 years old.  I guess I am OK with that, as long as I am in the best shape I can be.  I am not nearly there yet!  But I am working on it.

Oh, and I have now been called "Grandma" twice.  Both times I was out with my oldest daughter, and the baby, and the assumption was that the baby is my daughter's.  Now, my daughter refuses to hold her when we are out in public! 

I took my oldest daughter today to replace her ID card and her driver's permit, which have been missing since she lost her wallet awhile ago.  She actually is eligible to get her driver's license, since she has had her permit for over a year. But, I haven't allowed her to drive since she lost her wallet because I didn't want her to get pulled over and not have her permit with her.  Also I must admit that I am in no hurry to start paying the increase in insurance when she gets her license.  I don't understand the reasoning, but in NC, your premiums don't increase until the child has an actual license.  Which is a good thing, since she's already had an accident which totalled the car she hit and caused $3500 damage to our van.  I am sure that our premiums will reflect that when she does get her license!  We are still trying to decide how we are going to handle that.  Driving is a huge responsibility.  I was not allowed to get my license or drive until I could pay my own insurance and gas, and buy my own car.  Which I did at 18.  I feel like she might be a more careful and responsible driver if she is paying her own way.  On the other hand, especially while Tim is deployed, it would be helpful to have another driver in the house to do some of the errands and the kid shuttling.  I think the deal we will probably make is that if she is doing 50% of the driving to help me, I will pay for 1/2 the gas and 1/2 the cost of the raise in our insurance premium, and she will pay the other half.  However, if it turns out that she is working full time, and primarily using the car for her own needs, then she will pay for her own gas, as well as insurance.  None of this will happen till she gets a job (she is applying at Ben and Jerry's), and gets her license.  Again, I am in no hurry for her to get her license! I realized today that as much as I say I am not a worrier by nature, I definitely worry about her driving!

Happy Father's Day

       

Happy Father's Day Daddy!  Stay safe.  I can't wait to meet you!!!

XOXOX

From a Fallen Warrior's Mom...

This email came today from the mother of one of our Fallen Warriors: 

"Thanks for sharing the article with me.  Sounds like Ben was having a little fun over there too.  I really appreciate all that has been done for us. Ben told me he wanted to be a Marine because they were the best.  I definitely agree - Marines are the best. 

 

Ben truly received a heros welcome home.  People lined the streets - saluting and waving flags.  There were fire trucks on every overpass on the expressway - with firemen/policemen saluting and waving. It was overwhelming.

 

I want you to know our "CACO"? officer - Gunnery Sgt. Roy Jackson has been sent by God.  No one could have done a better job for us. I just cannot say enough.  Keep the rest of Ben's brothers safe. I am continuing to pray for each and every one of you."

 

God Bless,

Brenda Desilets

Proud Mother of Cpl. Ben Desilets

 

I spoke to this woman on the phone last week before the memorial service.  As hard as it was to initiate that phone call, I felt better after our conversation.  She is an amazing woman - so strong, so brave, so gracious, and such an inspiration.  To suffer the loss of a child is unimaginable to most of us.  I am not sure that I would be so strong.  I do know the Marines of his battalion are better for having served with Ben.  I know I am better for having had this encounter with his mom.