Miscarriages are labor; miscarriages are birth. To consider them less dishonors the woman who womb has held life, however briefly. The physical pain from miscarriage can be as intense as that of a full-term birth.

All the comfort measures that ease the pain of a laboring woman may help with the physical sensations of miscarriage: heated blankets, hot water bottles, warm baths or position changes. She needs to be held and allowed to cry. She needs someone to acknowledge that her loss is real and powerful. One shouldn’t downplay length of gestation or offer biological facts in an attempt to minimize her grief. [Emphasis mine]

— Kathryn Miller Ridiman, excerpted from “Supporting a Mother Whose Pregnancy Has Ended,” Midwifery Today

Sometimes I feel like others look at me and
think “shes just a mom, nothing special” Even though I know in my
heart thats not ture. So this is to all the JUST A MOMS out there (enjoy)

A woman, renewing her driver’s license at the County Clerk Office
Was asked by the woman recorder to state her occupation.

She hesitated, uncertain how to classify herself.

“What I mean is” explained the recorder, “do you have a job or are
you just a……?”

“Of course I have a job,” snapped the woman. “I’m a Mom.”

“We don’t list ‘Mom‘ as an occupation, ‘housewife’ covers it,”
Said the recorder emphatically.

I forgot all about her story until one day I found myself in the
Same situation, this time at our own Town Hall.

The Clerk was obviously a career woman, poised,
Efficient and possessed of a high sounding title like,
“Official Interrogator” or “Town Registrar.”

“What is your occupation?” she probed.

What made me say it?
I do not know.
The words simply popped out.
“I’m a Research Associate in the field of
Child Development and Human Relations.”

The clerk paused, ball-point pen frozen in midair and
Looked up as though she had not heard right.

I repeated the title slowly emphasizing the most significant
words.
Then I stared with wonder as my pronouncement was written,
In bold, black ink on the official questionnaire.
“Might I ask,” said the clerk with new interest,
“just what you do in your field?”

Coolly, without any trace of fluster in my voice,
I heard myself reply,
“I have a continuing program of research,
[what mother doesn’t)
In the laboratory and in the field,
(normally I would have said indoors and out).
I’m working for my Masters, (first the Lord and then the whole
family)
And already have four credits (all daughters).
Of course, the job is one of the most demanding in the humanities,
(any mother care to disagree?)
And I often work 14 hours a day, (24 is more like it)
But the job is more challenging than most run-of-the-mill careers
and the rewards are

More of a satisfaction rather than just money.”

There was an increasing note of respect in the clerk’s voice as she
Completed the form, stood up and personally ushered me to the door.

As I drove into our driveway, buoyed up by my glamorous new career,
I was greeted by my lab assistants — ages 13, 7, and 3.
Upstairs I could hear our new experimental model,
(a 6 month old baby) in the child development program,
Testing out a new vocal pattern.
I felt I had scored a beat on bureaucracy!
And I had gone on the official records as someone more distinguished
and indispensable to mankind than
“just another Mom.” Motherhood!

What a glorious career!
Especially when there’s a title on the door.

Does this make grandmothers
“Senior Research associates in the field of
Child Development and Human Relations”
And great grandmothers
“Executive Senior Research Associates”?
I think so!!!
I also think it makes Aunts “Associate Research Assistants”.

May your troubles be less, Your blessings be more

And nothing but happiness comes through your door!

AMEN!!

The entire room was covered in baby powder (Fortunately for our lungs it was the cornstarch kind, not talc). It took us quite a while to figure out how to even clean it up. At least he was a hilarious sight and we were able to laugh about it so the 45 minutes devoted to vacuming, wiping, changing sheets, blankets, pillows, etc. was made less annoying by our amusement. The baby powder has been in a cubbard that he’s had access to for months and it never crossed my mind, I’m usually good about keeping things way out of his reach. You can bet I’ll be even better at it from now on.

There was a time in my life after losing two pregnancies I had many doubts and wonders about ever becoming a mother. Would God have me be childless? The thought was too much to even handle, it left me breathless in agony. How many more times have these women might have wondered the same? How much longer have they had to wait on God for his answer? How much more then will they even value motherhood? They are both going to be amazing mothers. These children who are right now in a womb, are incredibly blessed. Their parents love them beyond imagination - but what is more, they love Jesus. And their lives are a testament to it. What they’ve endured to this point has made them different, more like Jesus, I believe.

Thank You LORD, for your faithfulness, for not forgetting us even when we feel forgotten, for listening to us when we ask for the same thing over and over and over and over again. Thank you God for blessing these couples with a child of their own. I lift them up, God make them the parents you want them to be, use them and their children to bring glory to Your Holy Name. Praise You!!!

In the last month I’ve had 2 flat tires. Totally flat. The first was when we pulled out of the garage on our way to church, got 1/2 way down the street and realized we had a problem. Large screw right in the middle of the tire. So we had to pile out and cram into the truck & deal w/ the flat later. Which was actually rather painless, as Sams Club fixed it for free. We didn’t even buy the tire there - sweet huh? So we went back there yesterday b/c this time I had a flat when I came out of the Dr.’s office. Though I’m sure I caused the leak when I hit the bricks while trying to avoid hitting Charlie’s truck when I was pulling out of the driveway. (I’ve hit the truck before and this was a better option!) Anyway, thank you Toyota for giving me a spare that is exactly the same as my regular tires b/c no one seems to have the right kind in stock right now, but once again, Sams helped us install the spare for free, and even advised we buy a spare elsewhere b/c it would be cheaper.

Before the the flat incidents we had another close call. We all went out to the car only to find it completely dead. This caused more anxiety than the usual, oh we just have to jump it annoyance, because we own a hybrid. Who knows what you do to get a hybrid engine recharged? We do now. And it happens to be the exact same way you do with a regular car. Jump it. phew! Thank you Toyota again. Though we did have to figure out how to get the care out of the garage first - did you know there is a secret gear shift override button? There is. I must admit what you can learn from these annyoing bumps in the road helps make up for the frusteration they cause. Can you tell I’m an optimist?