Speaking of vacation, we spent eleven days away from home at the end of April. We started with Bob's 20th VMI reunion, then to a waterfall hike on the Blue Ridge Parkway, stayed overnight with my dad and stepmom and celebrated Noah's second birthday, a week in Floyd at the cabin with my mother, stepdad and the Hylton family, and finally to my sister's house in Richmond. We were so very blessed with sweet fellowship and basically smooth sailing from one destination to another. It was a logistic miracle! I was 32 weeks pregnant, unable to do the luggage shuffling that is required on our vacations, uncomfortable in the van if we traveled more than 2 hours at a time, and unable to sleep for the first two nights. However, everything else was wonderful!!! We are still in awe of God's answers to our many prayers regarding relationships and fellowshiping on our trip. God is at work in everyone's life and we are amazed at Him!
This was taken at Falling Water Cascades. The falls went on forever! I don't think we ever saw the bottom. The sound was overwhelming and so peaceful! The Bible says that God's voice sounds like mighty rushing waters...I could've stayed there forever! 
This was taken at VMI at the end of the parade ground. It was so exciting to have been there together 23 years ago: while we dated, and were engaged, then to return with (nearly) NINE precious children and twenty years of marriage behind us! 
Mother's Day was sweet. We sent flowers to our two beloved mothers. And our family spent the day at church, out for lunch and dessert, and playing in the yard until supper time. I really enjoyed being the honored mom for the day. It was such a beautiful day and I took photos of all the children in the yard. Bob was refinishing Kelsey's hope chest, so when he joined in the photos they became comical rather than picturesque!
I'm 34 weeks along and still feeling better than ever! This morning my chiropractor gave me more tips on how to deal with some of the sore muscles that tend to accompany these last weeks. What a blessing she has been in keeping me well nourished, educated and in the best possible health for delivering these precious ones. This time we are going to try some natural treatments for starting labor. I've been induced everytime starting with Number Three, Isaac. Pitocin and breaking the sac are okay. But I'm certain that stimulating my body naturally would be best...We'll start around week 36 and see how it goes. My doctor likes to induce women like me (who've had lots of babies) at 38 weeks. Maybe we can beat him to it.
Bob's naming the baby. This is as it should be. But it is new for us. It's usually a husband/wife, family discussion, or a spiritual insight through me. We are excited to see how God will continue to lead us into the role of husband and wife that He has for us. We're also planning to refuse another one of the hospital dictated medicines and vaccines: Vitamin K. We have found a source and proper dosing for Vitamin K given by mouth to newborns. So hopefully our baby can join the world without eyes covered in goop, needle sticks in his sweet little thigh, and other unnecessary one-size-fits-all brand of newborn techniques. Also for the first time, we are planning an eighth day circumcision. The gyn in our area who performs this procedure in his office is the local Jewish mohel. Thankfully he helps Gentiles too! This allows our baby's prothrombin levels to be at the best and Dad and Mom to be present to pray and bless our baby on this special day of dedication. Best of all, we won't be sitting around the hospital for 24 hours waiting for this procedure. Maybe we can come home right after the delivery! That would be awesome!
I do love having a pregnant belly, so I will miss it, and I hope to preserve the memory of it. I never know which one will be my last. We have an assortment of mostly unattractive photos at this point but we'll keep trying and I'm going to post some here for my personal archive. : ) Isaac, Noah and me after lunch on the parade ground at VMI.
This was taken at the falls before the big hike back UP!
Kelsey and I are like-minded when it comes to walking in creeks. You can see she's already been in. I had to watch from the bank. The rocks are too slippery for a pregnant momma.
Kristy and me in the cabin kitchen. She is the daughter of the family who own the cabin in Floyd. She is a new mother and wife and is such a great learner. It has been my pleasure to share the many resources that God has sent to me over the years!
I am so thankful for the exercise that I started last year at this time. Although I am atleast 28 pounds above my starting weight I am much stronger and healthier than ever! I had determined to prepare a safe place for our "next" baby by restrengthening my abdominals and pelvic floor muscles. We used some alternative therapy called Frequence Specific Microcurrent with massage to "rezip" up that gap in my abdomen. That was followed by months of water exercise focusing on core strengthening. And I've learned to exhale when straining to lift, push, or potty. Never strain. Strengthen and use my legs more. Continue to remind my worn out muscles to do their job, my chiropractor helps alot with this. Taking care of that psoas muscle holds my back/neck in better alignment, keeps my baby's weight off of my bladder and bowel, and I feel great! I hope to professionally write all that I've learned in an article and be able to share it with everyone I know.
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