tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-51761974785667902662024-02-18T19:09:09.856-08:00Remaining WestBeautiful and before God, my life merged with another on a beach in Hawaii the first June afternoon of 2002. That is where our adventure began! Here it continues...remainingwesthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03958434344494135441noreply@blogger.comBlogger323125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5176197478566790266.post-101775918352508032021-02-17T17:13:00.004-08:002021-02-17T18:58:11.049-08:00Day of Ashes<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO9lPg4L4bGTDEizvXykXS1SYJRgdyKoaxspPjVcQp8dzlcQUYCjoVBciUiX6eEJOgf3gl3oPSm6GCVCvyGA0Hhf0f9uG7EDaJANKDRmD4AUADwzpohsOZeqza0PvvUCmZdegaotNvmaA/s2048/IMG_4977.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO9lPg4L4bGTDEizvXykXS1SYJRgdyKoaxspPjVcQp8dzlcQUYCjoVBciUiX6eEJOgf3gl3oPSm6GCVCvyGA0Hhf0f9uG7EDaJANKDRmD4AUADwzpohsOZeqza0PvvUCmZdegaotNvmaA/w640-h426/IMG_4977.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;">My.....that was quite the long fast. The uniformity of leaving my blog at the beginning of Lent three years ago, and picking it back up on Ash Wednesday, today, is very harmonious, like a melody. A familiar tune. I am blowing the dust off of these keys once again. Coming out of hiding. There was so much life to be lived and so many words to be said. The balance was not there. I made a sacrifice. I sacrificed the publicity. I lived life fully, privately for a while and I loved it. Still, I missed this release and have felt compelled to return more than once. Surely there is a balance to be captured in all of this. Maybe.....that will be my pursuit.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">We are in such a time of darkness. We, collectively. Even if you do not see, it is around very corner. It is not difficult to enter into this season with mourning. We are losing much at such a rapid pace. However, will those who chose to observe Lent, enter into it with repentance? A near forgotten virtue. I recently read several social media posts by a friend I attended church with, that blasphemed the Holy Scriptures, stating that it was not inerrant, but instead inflammatory, exclusive and becoming less relevant. Perhaps, I would not necessarily disagree with the Bible's exclusivity. All will not enter through the narrow gate. As the world turns to culture, relevance, and various societal hierarchies as their compass, its also turns its back on the Word of God. The world is not humble or remorseful.....it is not kind. The world's love is not love. The world has tried to change the definitions of foundational principles. Yet, nothing can change if we do not comply. "Be not conformed by by this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind..." Romans 12:2. The Author of all Creation also compelled Paul to write of being "....living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to the Lord." Romans 12:1 Lent is about sacrifice, although with the appropriate posture.....a humble state of the heart. How will you enter into this season? Will you even? I choose a contrite heart. Brothers and sisters, stand firm.</p>remainingwesthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03958434344494135441noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5176197478566790266.post-59646058199130758482018-03-08T11:14:00.001-08:002018-03-08T11:16:08.806-08:00Lent <div style="text-align: center;">
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Lent is the season spanning from Ash Wednesday until Resurrection Sunday, or somewhere in Holy Week for some denominations. The focus of Lent is to prepare for the celebration for the beautiful celebration of the sacrificial death and glorious resurrection of Jesus, the Son of God and Savior of the World. In order to get a more in-depth sense of the gift that was given, the magnificent gift of Holy Week and power of our Savior, many believers focus on the mourning of sin and our constant nature to veer from our God in search of other things that gratify the flesh. </div>
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That was a mouthful, right? Fancy wording that is common in the Christian world but many times is nothing more than a bunch of gibberish to some that are not accustomed to this lingo. Lent is a time to focus on evil....sin. It is in all of us. And, many take this time to really focus on what our hearts would be like apart from a loving God who has redeemed. Lent looks different for different believers who worship in different ways and even hold different beliefs. On Ash Wednesday, when Lent begins, some believers actually wear ashes on there foreheads as a symbol of mourning as was done in Old Testament days, before Christ. During this season, Christians commonly focus more intently on prayer in an effort to draw closer to God. Some fast from certain foods and drinks, and a lot of people sacrifice certain other things that they can identify within themselves, personally, as taking their focus away from the Lord. </div>
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Jesus went into the wilderness or the desert, depending on what version of the Bible you are using. They mean the same here. He fasted for 40 days, completely relying on the Holy Spirit to lead Him. Staying close to His Father in heaven, when He was approached by Satan with three different temptations, He never fell. He used scripture each time to defeat the attempts of the devil to derail His mission. In likeness of our Savior, this is why we choose to fast. We want to join in the sufferings of the Lord. This is merely one way.</div>
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My particular experience this year has brought some surprising revelations. Last year I participated in a sort of guide during Lent, where those who were following it sacrificed different things throughout the season. Some of the things that we"fasted" from were certain food such a meat and sweets. We also fasted from social media, certain music and television. Sunday was set aside each week a fest days, where we could indulge. Taking part in last year's fast prepared me for a more intimate fast this year. I became aware of some things that I really longed for when I fasted from them. </div>
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This year I gave up refined sugar, but allow myself natural sweeteners such as fruit, honey and 100% maple syrup. I also gave up social media, Facebook and Instagram. I am still on the blog, which is my outlet. Going in to this fast, I knew I liked sweets and found myself scrolling through social media frequently; a little too often for my liking and I was always left with a gross feeling coming away. So, twenty-one days in my feelings are many! I now have a much better awareness of my desire for sugar and when I desire it. I never knew I was a stress eater, but clearly I am. I have found myself craving sugar when I experience times of anxiety. Instead of praying first, I reach for something sweet. That sweet taste usually made me feel better, thus the urgency to pray dissipated. Instant gratification at its best, and my prayer life was suffering. I have been met with a number of challenging events, one most stressful is my dad's recent health concerns. Many of you know that my dad has Parkinson's disease. We are feeling the effects of this disease more and more as we witness his decline. My sister and I have had to make decisions that are hard ones and tensions are rising. We have dealt with numerous sicknesses, most recently the stomach virus that struck 7 kids total, 5 consecutively within 15 minutes of one another. These things added to having recently having a baby and not getting a full night's sleep and busy schedules drawing us in different directions. I have had a hard time with the sugar fast. being perfectly honest, I messed up my coffee. Those that know me know I love coffee. I feel like it is a saving grace for me. A functional necessity. Initially I tried to drink coffee without sweetener and no matter what I did, it always tasted like dirt water. I have tried honey in the past and it did not work. I have been leaning on my 100% maple syrup (not Mrs. Butterworth's) to get me through. I do not want artificial sweeteners. I just feel, FOR ME, that would be cheating the whole fast and they are not healthy. I have not missed social media, but I had to be careful not to get legalistic about it. Last year I deactivated my Facebook account so that it would not tempt me to click my app. This year my account has stayed open and I have gotten onto my account for messenger, to check times and addresses for events that I was attending, but no scrolling, no picture looking, no gross feelings. Facebook, FOR ME, is so very toxic. It is a place where bullying is overlooked and disguised as advocating for a cause. A platform for the party, the trend, the belief, the movement that we individually think is best. It is an apartment of division. It is a place where we only put our best face, best dressed kid, funniest joke, perfect everything, leaving some to think they are alone in this mess called life. Or, on the polar opposite end of the spectrum, we dish every single bit of dirt in our lives. Each extreme is for the almighty comment to their post. Everyone wants to know who and how many really notice them, all while the One who does notice them and loves them beyond compare, really goes unnoticed. </div>
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I have had more time with my kids, more time to read, and not quiet as much time as I had liked to blog. I still have 37 unfinished drafts to complete. I am still not very good with balance. I am either too busy blogging to enjoy life or too busy living like to blog about it. I have a few personal posts that I have been working on for some time, but they are too hard to spend significant time on them. As God works of my heart through this season, and believe me, HE IS, I feel confident I will get to a place where completing them happens. In a recent conversation with my dear friend Ebony, and she asked the question "Why does God use the classroom of pain to teach us?" My reply was to sear the lesson into our memory. I tend to remember the painful lessons the most. In her wisdom she has shown me that He also uses pain to draw us to Him. He wants us in fellowship with Him, not just some times. He wants us all the time. He wants us to want Him all the time. And, if I can be candid, hopefully without judgment (because I loathe judgment, for those of you who want something personal), I do not always want time with the Lord, or fellowship with the Lord. I want the blessings, I want the healing, I want the revelation, the wisdom, the discernment. I want what He can bring. I do not want to be this way, but I fall into the trap of instant gratification. And, my pride can grow enormously before I know that is has happened and I am humbled on my knees. What a good God that keeps pursuing me and drawing me back to Him. And, while I am still in the midst of mourning and self examination, and God continues to reveal what is truly there, I have hope.....Sunday's coming! </div>
remainingwesthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03958434344494135441noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5176197478566790266.post-75345116858209353992018-01-25T12:34:00.000-08:002018-02-01T12:35:23.758-08:00Jasper: 2 Months<div align="center">
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Wow, a lot can change in a month! Mr. Big is two months old! He is tipping the scales at over 15 pounds now. He nurses every 2-2.5 hours, but sleeping longer stretches at night. He is smiling at all of us, which makes us fall even more in love with him. He has developed a little personality. He naps better during the day and travels well. He is still a cuddlebug and everyone's favorite baby at home. He loves to be talked to and is growing out of his size 2 diapers! He is perfect in every way! </div>
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remainingwesthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03958434344494135441noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5176197478566790266.post-39813201795925184092018-01-19T21:34:00.000-08:002018-02-27T13:04:54.780-08:00Dashing Through the Snow<div align="center">
If it has to be winter, if it has to be cold outside....we need a little snow to make it all better. I choose to look over the pile of wet snowsuits and muddy boots and embrace the fun and beauty of the blessed snow day. We had our first really good snow, which continued to fall for a couple of days. Temps remained low enough for the snow to stick around for many days. Lottie had the entire week of from school. There was a continuous supply of hot cocoa, the dryer was utilized to its fullest capacity daily and there was so much fun had by all! Look at all of those faces!</div>
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remainingwesthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03958434344494135441noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5176197478566790266.post-78373528425672740402018-01-15T15:03:00.000-08:002018-01-15T15:05:18.918-08:00New Year, New Word, New Mercies...2018<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Here we are again, embarking on a new year and all that will come with it. New victories, new challengers, new failures, new trials. Recalling the past year, I grew further in my relationship and knowledge of the Lord. I have been blessed with so many graces. Jasper was the most brilliant of those. My favorite grace that I never saw coming. We were able to go on our first family vacation in five years. We continued in our ministry of Faith Walk and we were even able to bless others through it. We continued renovating Nell, learning new skills and life lessons along the way. I hope we all became a bit wiser in addition to another year older. I watched my kids grow, kissed their boo boos, and celebrated their accomplishments. I read books more than I watched television. I invested more heavily into friendships, making time to meet regularly with some for spiritual accountability. I prayed more intentionally, specifically for others. Prayer for one of my closest friends made me a target of some powerful spiritual warfare. I new she was special! "Consider it pure joy, my brothers, when you encounter trials of many kinds, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance." James 1:2-3. I made it through strains, wounds, stitches and contractions. I celebrated 15 years of marriage, which was the best year yet. Hoping that year 16 is even better. The secret? We got serious about placing our marriage second only to our relationship with God. Below our kids, below our careers, and below our own selfish desires. We made time to talk regularly about what was going on in our lives; 8:30 pm bedtimes for the win! We got serious about date night. We made more time to make memories with our kids. We invested in things that would last instead of things that merely gratify momentarily. 2017 was good!</div>
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As 2017 was coming to a close, I knew the new year was dawning. Along with the new year, I began to anticipate what the new year could hold. I also began to envision what I would like the new year to be like. I began praying for God to reveal my word for 2018. I am not really sure how "successful" I was at embodying my word for 2017. It was balance. Balance is not easy for someone like me. My personality is quite black and white. It seems like the balance between the two would be gray. I am not a gray thinker. Although I feel like God has certainly shown me areas of responsibility, passions and convictions that I tend to favor over others. I am a work in progress just like anyone else. As I prayed for the word for 2018, I also found myself throwing out words to God. I know, pretty audacious right? Then He gave me the word <strong>New</strong>. New? New what? Adventure? Trial? Success? Heartache? Are you sending me somewhere new? Perhaps a new friend? Probably all and more. Part of me would love to just know ahead of time what this year will include, specifically the ugly parts so that I can prepare. Self preservation has been my go-to mode. Although, that part of me is growing smaller. I trust my God. He has never let me down, never failed me or shown up too late. That does not mean that I have always gotten my way. It means I bent to His will. I swallowed my pride. I surrendered. Surrender is not a one-time gig. It is a daily discipline. Luke 9:23 "And he said to all, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me." </div>
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I reflected back on 2017 as I looked forward into 2018. I thought about my successes an failures and set goals for the new year. I am not a fan of resolutions. They are too rigid; goals are more flexible. Goals for me allow for the Lord to change my plans. "The heart of man plans his way, but the <span class="sc">Lord</span> establishes his steps." Proverbs 16:9. Over the years I have more and more "okay" with that. I know that I know little. I am just a sheep, but I want to stick close to the Shepherd. I found a great tangible tool for my goal setting in Jennie Allen's Dream Guide. You can find it <a href="http://www.jennieallen.com/new-year-new-dream-guide/">here.</a> It categorizes your life goals into Spiritual, Relational, Personal and Work. So, here are a few of mine....</div>
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1. Spiritual: pray daily, read scripture daily, continue with my accountability group, mentor where led by the Spirit, lead bible studies with woman online and in home </div>
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2. Relational: make time for outside relationships (female) regularly, regular date nights with the hubs, hug each child daily, read scripture as a family, get to know neighbors better, host other families</div>
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3. Personal: blog regularly with one personal post per month, get back into shape physically, eat cleaner, finish 12 books this year, allow indulgences for myself (new make-up, an outfit, a mani or pedi, a Starbucks etc.) </div>
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4. Work: Allow graces in homeschool schedule, artistic ventures for school, plan and study for midwifery apprenticeship, keep up with family budget, pay off one large debt item, continue renovations on Nell, KITCHEN REMODEL.</div>
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This is a good idea of the direction I am heading. Where are you heading into 2018? Do you have a plan? Goals? I will share if you will!</div>
remainingwesthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03958434344494135441noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5176197478566790266.post-17721563695423683492017-12-30T22:07:00.000-08:002018-03-27T13:07:45.851-07:00Eva turns 9<div align="center">
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Our incredibly beautiful, head full of curls, ever so quirky girl turned NINE!! We celebrated with the family and had a small party with friends and a piñata. She was pampered and celebrated! We hope she knows how loved she is and how grateful God gave her to us. We are the blessed ones to get to watch her grown and transform before our eyes into the work of art God is creating. We see everyday just how special she is. She is artistic, funny and loves fiercely! <br />
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Happy Birthday, Eva Lou!!<br />
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remainingwesthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03958434344494135441noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5176197478566790266.post-1839388859551824712017-12-25T20:36:00.000-08:002018-01-17T12:47:05.215-08:00Jasper: 1 Month<div style="text-align: center;">
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Jasper is one month old! We are celebrating our sweet baby, even as we celebrate the baby Savior. This gargantuan child is over 13 pounds now. He nurses every two hours, due in part to his massive appetite and in part to the sweet relief it brings his reflux. Poor guy! (And poor Mama!) He does sleep a 3-3.5 hour stretch at night, so I get a bit of good sleep. He is not smiling just yet, but we are working on getting him happy and pain-free, so we can enjoy those sought after smiles! He just catnaps during the day, but we are taking sleep when we can get it. He loves to cuddle and sleeps better when he is on his Mommy. We love our sweet, perfect 10! </div>
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remainingwesthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03958434344494135441noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5176197478566790266.post-69926682719107020692017-12-25T18:30:00.000-08:002018-01-18T12:33:56.365-08:00Merry Christmas 2017<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
We started singing Christmas Carols early this year. We just could not wait for December. Although we may not have known exactly how much, we really needed to get a jump on Christmas tree searching....and good thing we did! We had a baby the very next day!! I do not foresee this becoming a Christmas tradition for us, but one never knows. We went to Ward's again for our tree. Our growing family still fits in the mule-drawn wagon! After thoroughly inspecting several "not its" the kids choose the perfect tree. It was cut down, shook really good(in case any loose limbs or critters were hanging on) and wrapped up for us. We all piled in the cute little cabin for hot chocolate as Daddy paid. We loaded our tree into Daddy's truck and the big kids rode home with the tree and I drove the little home. After setting it up in water and letting it acclimate, it was time to decorate. We also bought a Christmas tree for the boys room and the girls room upstairs. This I year I got to decorate my beautiful mantle; something I had been longing to do! </div>
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We enjoyed our usual traditions of candy and ornament making. This year we made some new things (peanut clusters and divinity) and some of our favorites (pretzel turtles and peanut butter fudge). All hands are on deck for this part of our holiday. Little fingers love adding, mixing, baking and especially tasting our sweet, yummy treats. They seem to disappear quicker than we make them, but they sure are delicious! The kids used popsicle sticks, hot glue and paint to make sleds, snowmen and a snowflake. The big kids also got together and helped the little ones make burlap reindeer. They are super cute on the kids will have so many ornaments on their tree next year!</div>
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We continued our nightly tradition through Advent, beginning December 1, of reading Ann Voskamp's family devotion, Unwrapping the Greatest Gift. I have come to treasure our beautiful tree that Marcus crafted out of pallet wood. I especially love the downtime that we share snuggled together reading God's promises we each other. Christmas is such a busy season; we so need this time to refocus.</div>
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We broke our tradition of procrastination wrapping! Hallelujah! We had most of our gifts wrapped before Christmas Eve this year, so we wrapped a few things, stuffed stockings and enjoyed our new tradition....watching Die Hard....because its a Christmas movie!!! Christmas day was a sweet day! We always start the day with our final devotion, Christ's birth. Then we unwrapped gifts, ate our traditional Christmas breakfast of biscuits and gravy with Christmas tree cinnamon rolls and enjoyed our day. I cooked Christmas lunch for our family again, purchasing our smoked ham from Birth Choice. It has been such a blessing spending Christmas day together in our pajamas instead of rushing from here to there all day! </div>
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Wishing you a very Merry Christmas!</div>
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<em>And the angel said to them, </em><br />
<em>“Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all</em><em> </em><em>the people.</em><br />
<strong>Luke 2:10</strong> <br />
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remainingwesthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03958434344494135441noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5176197478566790266.post-51850017446980658432017-12-12T21:56:00.000-08:002018-06-30T15:56:59.366-07:00Eli turns 13<div align="center">
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Attention ladies and gentlemen, we have a teenager in the house. As we celebrate our oldest child, we also wave goodbye to childhood and look toward a different venture. He was a breeze as a baby, a joy as a little boy and now comes the hard part....the beginnings of manhood. I have no doubts that he will be up to the challenge. Son, you are a gift. You are a gift to our family and bring compassion, patience, and quiet strength to this table. We love you and we are so very proud of you! </div>
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remainingwesthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03958434344494135441noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5176197478566790266.post-22515764078107191252017-12-07T19:52:00.000-08:002018-01-17T12:55:34.836-08:00Jasper: Newborn<div style="text-align: center;">
Heidi Lipford has done it again folks! I do believe she has actually outdone herself. She has captured the most precious photos of our baby boy. Here are some of our favorite shots from Jasper's newborn session. If you have not visited her on Facebook, do it now! <a href="https://www.facebook.com/heidilipfordphoto/">Heidi Lipford Photography</a></div>
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remainingwesthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03958434344494135441noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5176197478566790266.post-22703834126205143282017-11-25T20:35:00.000-08:002018-01-30T15:20:19.386-08:00Samuel Jasper West<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
A conversation with a dear friend really got my to thinking about why I choose birth at home and why I chronicle the events. The topic came up as she recalled another friend who chose to birth at home, on her front porch in fact, and chronicle it as well. My friend wondered why people wanted a whole room full of people at their birth, watching and staring. She said, the fact that people were now photographing their births made her feel as though she should have done all of these things years ago as well or that her birth was somehow wrong. I wonder if she felt judged a bit, or regret maybe. Birth culture has changed a lot through the years. Pregnancy is no longer a shameful thing to hide, but to celebrate! Birth is not a one-size-fits-all event and should not be treated as such. Women are now becoming aware of the vast choices that they actually have for their births. Women are educating themselves and making decisions that they feel are best for them, instead of letting another person, whether that person be a doctor, a nurse, a midwife, a husband, a mother etc. We can do research! We can make decisions! We can choose to not be ruled by fear, by the "what if...". I love that I have freedom of choice in how I birth, where I birth and whom I choose to attend my birth. Birth is sacred. Aubrey Smith discusses in her book, Holy Labor, the cultural surrounding birth in the West. By many, birth is viewed as a dangerous medical condition that needs to be controlled. It is quite unheard of to be surrounded my support people who are not trained medical personnel. Although, that is how I choose to birth, surrounded by my husband and women who love me dearly and have been on their own birth journey. Aubrey says "In this way even those who are with a woman in her labor can be transformed as they learn to wait with others in their trials, as they have an opportunity to forgo food, sleep and comfort to support someone who is vulnerable-actions that are done as for Jesus Himself." We surrender our rights to others in fear, trusting that the worst thing possible will be prevented. I believe in God's design. I believe in the body He created and it's ability to birth. I believe in taking care of my body. I believe pain has a purpose. I believe in my highly skilled midwife. More than any of those, I believe in God's guidance, His will and His grace. Brene Brown put it well when she said "I thought faith was an epidural, taking away the pain and discomfort. But faith is more like a midwife-- a nurturing partner who leans into the discomfort with you and whispers 'push and breathe, it's supposed to hurt.'" Here is Jasper's story....</div>
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We have welcomed our 9th child! Wow. 9! Never in my wildest dreams. We were certainly not expecting this little one on this night. It was 8:45 pm and we had just sent the last child to bed. I was lying on our bed, finally soaking in some much needed rest and a wonderful massage. Suddenly I felt a pop......then nothing. I told Marcus I felt a pop. He immediately asked "What kind of pop?" repeatedly, as I sat frozen, waiting for something else. I knew that pop. But nothing happened. So, I shifted my weight and rolled to the opposite side and my water began to literally pour. I stood quickly as to not soak my sheets and mattress. Water literally gushed for what felt like forever, soaking my pajamas, the floor and two towels. I could not move, trying my best to figure out what to do. This had never happened before. In seven other births, never had my water done this. Maybe a trickle. This was worthy of the movies. Finally I got changed and the floor cleaned up. Marcus began inflating the pool and I called my birth team. A birth team is simply who you desire to attend your birth. My midwife was first, of course, and I got her voicemail. Then I texted a faithful home birthing friend who has attended three of my previous births, my accountability partners (and dear friends) and my photographer (<a href="https://www.facebook.com/heidilipfordphoto/">Heidi Lipford</a>). I finally reached my midwife a half hour later and she hit the road. My photographer and friends arrived at about 10:30 pm. I labored a while outside the pool, then felt the need to further relax. I labored in the pool as it was still filling, for about 15 minutes before my midwife, Lynda Hoskins CPM and her assistant, another midwife Brittany Villondo CPM, arrived at approximately 11:00 am. She checked the baby's heart rate with the Doppler and then let me labor quietly. They both checked the heart rate every 30 minutes to an hour throughout the rest of my labor. My contractions were getting much more intense and I knew it would be time to push soon. Mentally I was not ready and I believe I prolonged my labor by at least an hour as I remained still and breathed through each contraction. After much prayer and surrender to the process, Samuel Jasper West was born at 1:44 am. He took a lot more effort than any of my other babies. He weighed 10 lbs!!! He was 21 in long and his huge monster noggin measured over 14 cm!!! He is the squishiest, most wonderful, little (big) thing ever! There is no greater joy. WE ARE TOTALLY IN LOVE!</div>
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remainingwesthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03958434344494135441noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5176197478566790266.post-16831667296892912332017-11-20T18:26:00.000-08:002018-02-27T13:27:21.485-08:00Happy 63, Papa!<div align="center">
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We spent the afternoon celebrating my daddy's 63rd birthday! Isn't he handsome? Some of the hardest days that I experience are the ones that I get to see my daddy. That being said, I am so grateful that I still have my daddy. There are days that he does not know us and then there are days when he does remember. He suffers from Parkinson's Disease, which is a debilitating disease that affects his physical mobility and his cognition. He experiences disorientation anytime the structured environment where he lives, is disrupted. We are most times a disruption for him and it causes me to debate whether we should even go. I never regret going, although it breaks my heart each time. I also find it difficult fielding the questions from my little ones. "Did Papa know who we were?" "What did Papa mean?" "Why did Papa say_______?" My biggest kids will understand and somewhat do already. I hate that they will never know the man that I knew. What sweet memories I hold dear of this man and how he loved his girls. Happy birthday, Daddy!!</div>
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remainingwesthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03958434344494135441noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5176197478566790266.post-22162011588599080482017-11-19T15:34:00.001-08:002017-12-31T21:14:53.783-08:00Hay 2017<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Hay 2017</div>
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remainingwesthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03958434344494135441noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5176197478566790266.post-68536987430055228222017-10-31T21:33:00.000-07:002018-01-01T12:03:32.375-08:00Halloween 2017<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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So glad I got my kiddos together before we left for the festivities. We were a house divided. We must be entering a new season. Eli went to a Halloween party. Mia chose her love of ballet. And Eva ran off with friends as soon as we arrived at Trunk or Treat. We did get a few photos of the five that stuck with us in the chilly, misty weather. I know I am biased, but I think they must be the cutest kids out tonight!</div>
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<br />remainingwesthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03958434344494135441noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5176197478566790266.post-831604292259588662017-10-22T15:40:00.000-07:002018-02-27T14:10:36.744-08:00Pumpkin Patch 2017<div align="center">
I used to be severely caught up in capturing the "perfect" picture. However now I love how photos can capture personalities so perfectly. We love our yearly tradition of going to Green Acres farm and choosing pumpkins. The kids immediately start dreaming up creative ways to paint or carve pumpkins that they see. There are so many different colors and shapes that send their imaginations in all different directions. I love watching the bigger kids introduce the smallest ones to the tradition, sharing memories and excitement with each other. We enjoy having a safe, family-friendly place to bring our kids. They grow so fast, this will all be over one day. </div>
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remainingwesthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03958434344494135441noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5176197478566790266.post-16406345696641335002017-10-20T15:34:00.000-07:002018-03-14T13:22:12.089-07:00Cotton 2017<div align="center">
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remainingwesthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03958434344494135441noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5176197478566790266.post-46293184026694425192017-09-09T15:28:00.000-07:002018-03-15T19:01:51.702-07:00Camping at Natchez Trace 2017<div style="text-align: justify;">
We needed a quick get-away! Life was threatening to take us away. So what do the West's do when things get hairy? They go camping! Lucky for us, Natchez Trace State Park is only a half hour drive from our house. It feels like we are a long way from life, but really we are only around that corner. Close enough in fact, one could run home and get a couple of forgotten necessities and a much needed binkey. We love the smell of stew cooking over an open fire and fresh fallen dew in the morning. I hate to be cold....and let me tell you, we have frozen our tushes off at night on a few camping trips....but the brisk morning air at about 50 degrees and a hot cup of coffee from a french press in the woods is unmatched. We took a nice hike, letting the little ones lead us on the trails, and stopping to admire critters and flowers, plant life and the winsome scenery. Dad took the big kids on their first canoe excursion and they were naturals. They loved being out on the open water. Camping is one of the single, most worthwhile things we have decided to do as a family. </div>
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remainingwesthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03958434344494135441noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5176197478566790266.post-28273075314272956972017-08-24T15:27:00.000-07:002018-06-28T09:45:27.159-07:00Mia turns 11<div align="center">
My sweet, mature, lovely, striving, compassionate, graceful, beautiful eldest daughter is 11! She is far more mature than the average eleven year old. She has a quiet strength and jumps in to serve where needed. She is a natural leader and a fierce temper. She loves the Lord and is learning His ways of self discipline. She loves her friends and the social scene. She loves to be girlie. She loves painted toes, styled hair and has her own fashion sense.<br />
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We love her so. I don't know what I would do without her. <br />
She is a light that shines brightly.<br />
Happiest of birthdays, Mia! <br />
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remainingwesthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03958434344494135441noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5176197478566790266.post-14928101198403329002017-08-22T15:26:00.000-07:002018-06-28T09:49:45.573-07:00Jude turns 3<div align="center">
He was just a baby in my arms and now a rambunctious toddler running wild and free. Today he is three. He is so sensitive and loving. His love languages are physical touch and words of affirmation and they scream loudly. He lifts me up with kind words and shows us his deep dimples when we reciprocate those kind words. He has a stubborn streak and the select hearing of every toddler. He loves learning and reading. He loves animals and nature. He loves the dirt and the water and sometimes both at once. He is a joy wherever he goes and never meets a stranger. He always has a story to tell and a hug to give.<br />
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We love you Judah Boo! You are such a precious gift.<br />
Happy birthday, baby boy!!<br />
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remainingwesthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03958434344494135441noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5176197478566790266.post-28791453714203420282017-08-16T15:20:00.000-07:002018-03-14T13:28:44.245-07:00Our 3rd ballerina<div align="center">
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Following in her big sisters' footsteps! </div>
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remainingwesthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03958434344494135441noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5176197478566790266.post-42387468714424106842017-08-15T22:13:00.000-07:002018-04-04T10:16:36.005-07:00Eclectic<div align="center">
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Shiloh has a specific sense of style that is all her own. This is her in her element.</div>
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remainingwesthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03958434344494135441noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5176197478566790266.post-43012603857922393032017-08-14T18:59:00.002-07:002017-08-14T18:59:45.679-07:00I Refuse to Remain Silent<div style="text-align: justify;">
It has been too long since the fingertips have tapped these keys. I have tried to live a life of intentionality and that does not permit a lot of time to unload. Now I must bring my intentionality here....to my personal space....and to this public space. There is a heavy load that is being held right now. As the news broke of the movement in Charlottesville, Virginia this past weekend passions began to rise in all directions throughout our country, throughout our cities, throughout our neighborhoods, our churches, television, social media, faces, hearts. The Alt-Right formed and participated in a highly organized "Unite the Right" rally, that attracted White Supremacists, Neo-nazis the Ku Klux Klan and those in support of the evil by which these groups stand. Men and women stood together spewing hatred like vomit. Violence broke out between protestors and counter-protestors, leaving one woman dead and many injured. Hate breeds hate. White nationalism is hatred. "No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other." Matt 6:24 This scripture passage does speak of God and money, but it absolutely applies to race or nationality. If it is our master, if it is what we worship, we cannot love another. If we worship whiteness, we cannot love blackness, brownness or any other color. After the events of the weekend, an eerie hush fell across the nation by the majority. When our President finally spoke, it was lukewarm and met with scorn. Deitrich Bonhoeffer said <strong>“Silence in the face of evil is itself evil: God will not hold us guiltless. Not to speak is to speak. Not to act is to act.”</strong> I put this quote as my social media status, but I know that is not enough. Those are not my words, although I feel they are perfectly fitting. Silence speaks volumes. I have prayed "God give me ears to hear You, eyes to see You." I am compelled to use my own words which exhibit my true heart. ALL have not been silent. Some have spoken out. The brave of this nation, of our communities, in our church, were willing to take a stand against the hated and evil. My church was a place that allowed the voices and lent our listening ears to those of the minority. One of our pastors Matt Marshall and church members, Alma Hernandez, spoke what was on their collective hearts. There was immense anguish and rage. It was intense and it was painful to hear. But, we listened. We heard. </div>
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I have never been so close to this issue as I am now. As I pray that God would draw me closer to Him, I never took into consideration where He was. Where He would draw me. What that would look like. God is not merely in the safe places. He is with the marginalized and the hurting. He is with the oppressed and the lonely. That is where I have found more of God. He has drawn me out of an uncomfortable comfort zone. He has placed me in an unsafe, safe place. I am in a place allowed to have feelings, a place where we are allowed to look different, a place where diversity is welcome and thrives, where we all do not have to agree to love each other, but we do just that. We love each other. We stand beside each other and we bear each others burdens. I stand in opposition to any form of white supremacy and nationalism. I call it evil because it evil. I was made in the image of God just like every other human being on this earth. I am so glad my Jesus was not a white man. Everyone person of color, light or dark or medium, is intrinsically valuable. We cannot give that nor take it away. It is God-given. </div>
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As I am challenged to go further than an insignificant, regurgitated quote on social media, I struggle to know what it looks like to stand with those who are being targeted with hate. What can I do? How do I respond appropriately? How do I overcome my own ignorance? How do I let my brothers and sisters of color know that I love them? First, I am listening. I hear your voices. I hear your hurt. I know it is real. I do not have to have mobs carrying torches, flags and signs cast in my direction to know this is painful. It is painful to witness. I refuse to be silent. I refuse to tell anyone to get over it, ignore it, that they are blowing it out of proportion. I have heard these statements. If you have stood by and said nothing, you have said so much already. Stand up and say something. Defend your brother and sister, less you impart power to the enemy. Blow up social media in defense of many. Call evil out. Love your neighbor well. </div>
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remainingwesthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03958434344494135441noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5176197478566790266.post-12562787370729244172017-08-14T15:24:00.000-07:002018-01-02T11:43:01.691-08:00New School Year 2017-2018<div align="center">
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And a new school year begins....</div>
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remainingwesthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03958434344494135441noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5176197478566790266.post-23724925490713328402017-08-11T15:22:00.000-07:002018-04-04T10:09:38.989-07:00SB<br />
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It isn't every day that you run across a person as special as our friend SB. SB is short for something we cannot pronounce. He is from India. We met SB through some friends from church. He began coming to our house group, and our family became fast friends with him. Shiloh has developed a special bond with SB, and he loves her as well. I have never met anyone that loves in the way SB does. We have only known him a few short months, but feels like a lifetime. He loves our group, loves our family and was eager to come help us paint our house this summer. He has taught us to not take life or ourselves so seriously. The way he loves us makes <em>us</em> want to love with a more fearless kind of love. </div>
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We are saying good-bye to him today. He is leaving to visit his family in India, then back to Michigan to finish his degree. We will miss you, friend!!!</div>
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remainingwesthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03958434344494135441noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5176197478566790266.post-14979187969453988112017-07-30T15:51:00.000-07:002018-06-30T15:51:49.469-07:00Homeschool Buffet<div style="text-align: center;">
My mother-in-law gave me a buffet as they were moving to Florida a few years ago. I decided to give it a new look. I wanted it to be a little bit funky to go in our classroom to hold books, organize craft supplies and other homeschool articles. I gave it a good cleaning with degreaser I had left over from remodeling our first kitchen. Then I applied a sanding solution we bought from Lowe's. It is supposed to remove the sandpaper step. Next I chose an oil-based paint color, Bird of Paradise.....or something equally tropical. I applied two coats of paint with several days of drying in between. Oil based paint takes much longer to dry than latex, but I wanted the pain to stick! Then I distressed it pretty heavily. I applied a coat of Polycrylic for protection. I bought new knobs and pulls from Hobby Lobby and VOILA! I love the way it turned out. The bright pop of color is just what our classroom needed. <br />
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remainingwesthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03958434344494135441noreply@blogger.com0