Last week was a very wonderful, and very bittersweet week for me and my family. I left early early on Saturday morning to go to Salt Lake City to see Daniel off before he reported to the MTC. There were a lot of fun, wonderful memories were made, and many tears were shed. We spent Saturday at Mr. Mac getting Daniel his new suits and ties. Daniel looked awesome. He has lost about 90-100 lbs since beginning his weight loss, and we found that he looks very dapper with grey and navy blue. On Sunday, we went to a morning Christmas concert in the Conference Center that showcased Deborah Voigt, and John Rhys-Davies. Yes, folks, Gimli was there, reciting scripture, and flying through the air as he retold the inspiration for "A Christmas Carol". It was fantastic. Daniel and I had just seen The Hobbit: Desolation of Smaug the day before, and it was fresh in our minds. Later, we spent the day with family and enjoyed our time together. It was a busy busy week, and Daniel and I laughed and had great memories, quoting movies, and making jokes until our poor parents could hardly stand it any longer.
When it came to taking him to Provo, life suddenly seemed to fast forward. So fast, too fast. Suddenly we weren't just eating lunch, we were driving towards Provo. Suddenly we weren't just driving through Utah, we were getting off of the freeway exit to Provo and we were only five minutes away. Daniel and I were trying to decide which movie was worth being the last quote we said to one another. We went from Kung Pow, Galaxy Quest, James Bond: Casino Royale, Joe Dirt, and then back to Kung Pow. It was wonderful, and so fast. Then we were at the Provo temple, saying our last goodbyes, hugging, smiling, taking pictures as a family which included my mom accidentally recording me instead of taking pictures, making Daniel touch my tummy in case my little guy moved one more time for him, and then we were pulling up at the curb at the MTC. We gave our last goodbyes, and then watched as Daniel walked away, embracing his future, excited beyond imaginable belief to be FINALLY going on a mission, and that is when I began to cry. I'm even crying now, as I write.
His journey has been so long, and so rough, and there have been so many times when he could have turned back and nobody would have thought any less of him, and he could have resumed school, gotten a job, or given up. No, he never did those, he prayed, he fasted, and then he got back on his feet and got back to work. The Daniel who started the journey of weight loss and mission prep and the Daniel today who is serving a mission in the MTC are so different in such a beautiful way. He is such an inspiration to me, and so strong. I couldn't be prouder of the man he is becoming and for his dedication to the Lord and his determination never to give up what he knew he needed to do to be the man he wants to be. He is doing so well now, his letter to us said that he was loving the MTC, his lessons, and his companion who is very shy. He is where he needs to be and he is so happy, and so excited. So many prayers have been answered in his behalf and even though he can't read this and won't see what I have said, I know that he, my parents, my brothers, and I want to thank you all for your support to him and your encouragement in his behalf, and your love. He needed it and it has meant so much to us and to him.
*wipes eyes and rubs tears away smearing mascara* This is going to be a long post, I hope that everyone still reading is okay with moving forward! Today, Ben and I met with our new doctor, and got to see our little boy again. When we first moved back to Rexburg, I was very much caught up in the hubbub and joy of pregnancy research. I recommend that every mother get carried away in research because you learn a lot about yourself, and you learn a lot about what is out there. I did research on natural birthing, I met with midwives, I watched "The Business of Being Born", I joined the newslist for "Mama Natural" and thought that even though I have always professed to wanting a C-Section and to be knocked out, I could change and be Mother Earth in a bathtub with candles, Enya, and Ben in a swimsuit helping me push, naked, while everyone watched and cheered me on. I saw so many naked women birthing in bathtubs I wasn't weirded out anymore. Then I realized that I needed to step back use the research I had gathered, and the knowledge I had from my nursing courses, and let the Holy Ghost guide me to what was right for me and our son.
Now let me preface this next part by saying that I am making this opinion for myself, and after researching many options and prayerfully considering what would be best for me, my son, and our family. I think that whichever you choose, whether it is elective C-Section, Natural Labor with some interventions, natural labor without interventions, Induction, Epidural, Water Birth, Hypnobirthing, Hypnobabies (yes they are different), home birth, birthing center, hospital birth, eating your placenta, not eating your placenta, breastfeeding, or not breastfeeding you have the right to choose whichever, and I will never judge you, I will just hope that you have done your research, you have considered your options, found the right doctors, midwives, doulas, birthing coaches, and that you are happy with your decision. I don't care, all I want is for you to and your baby to be okay.
Ben and I decided after meeting with both sides, and learning about possible health complications that run in the family, to go with a doctor, have a hospital birth, and if I have the time to do so get an epidural (even though I don't know if I will have the time, apparently really fast births runs in the family, yay on one hand, holy ouch on the other). We met our doctor, and we love him. He was awesome, and we got to do a surprise Ultrasound. We got to confirm again after a lot of joking, that we are having a boy, still (once again, he was not shy, I may have a budding nudist in my hands come April/May) and he looks wonderful. No abnormalities were detected, and he is even a little bigger than we thought meaning that my due dates may be off, so we may need to shift the due date a week or two :) All is well, and we are thrilled. He was so beautiful, and I love that I got to see him :) I feel his kicks over and over, and I know with each kick he is doing well. He loves music because he moves around a lot with it, and I feel this warm fuzzy feeling when I listen to something, especially Christmas music (I'm not a big Christmas music person so I know it's not me) and primary songs, and when I sing. More and more, he looks like Ben as a baby, but he always has my nose, and I am so thrilled as I think about what he will look like and smell like, feel like, sound like, and be like. Each and everyday, I fall more and more in love with this little boy that is an answer to prayers and my dream come true.
Sorry for the odd angles, my computer wouldn't let me get a better shot of our picture. This is our son's face :)
Lastly, I want to finish with the joy of Christmas and family in this Christmas season. I may not have a hugely decorated tree with lots of tinsel, holly, and mistletoe, and we may not have many presents under the tree, but we are so excited for celebrating Christmas and the birth of Jesus Christ. As I listened to "Away in a Manger" during Sacrament meeting yesterday, I couldn't help but marvel in the joy of the birth of a Savior who would love and serve and atone for the sins of all of God's Children. I love that there is more service rendered, and family is more valued during this time of year. I wish that this spirit would continue throughout the year with all people, but I love that each day I can remember Him, His life, and rejoice that He lives, and has overcome death and sin for us all, that He has shared His love and life to each of us if we but seek Him out. I testify that He lives, and that He is our Savior and Redeemer, and that He came to Earth to live for us, to teach us, and to show us the way to be able to return to our Heavenly Father. All is well with Him in my life and I love that I can celebrate His life and His gift to me, my family, and to all of us in this Christmas season. I wish you all a very Happy and Merry Christmas. Whether you have family or not, I hope you have friends, and loved ones with you at this time. I hope that you know you are loved and appreciated for all you do, and I hope for you to have the best Christmas and Holiday season imaginable.
Have a Merry Christmas.
Love,
Liz, Ben, and Baby Finch (yes, the name is changed)
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