Dear Mom,

My first Mother's Day is coming to an end. Just hours away from it being another Monday. I've purposefully spent the day not posting anything because just throwing something up on Facebook didn't seem right to me. There's too much going through my new-mom head that now telling you, "Happy Mother's Day" doesn't feel adequate.

Here's the truth. I have learned being a mom is hard work. Being a woman is hard work. Being a working mom is hard work. It is down right hard work all the way around! A lot of times (not always though) these positions are unappreciated, under valued, non-glamorous, dirty, tiring, and frankly mind exhausting. The greatest roles I'm now playing don't pay a dime. They don't come with a vacation or signing bonus. They don't come with a training course or a step-by-step manual. The most all-encompassing job for any mother and wife is strictly Learn As You Go 101. They are two jobs that are meant to be structured on years of watching, learning, and praying.  Daily, I'm recalling memories that I thought I had long forgotten of things that you have done as a mom and wife that have helped me be a better mom and wife. 

That's what a TRUE mother does. You, the matriarch of the family, lead us. Teach us. Care for our wounds both visible and invisible. Offer your stored up wisdom and quietly send us on our way. Maybe faintly whispering to yourself, I have done my very best, now go and grow. 

And grow I have.

Being a mom has made me a better wife. The love I have for my son is a feeling I never thought possible. I only want the best for him in all things, and I realize that if I feel this way about my son, Polly feels the same way about Shawn. She would only want the best for her baby boy, and that's what I want to offer him. 

Thank you for loving us kids. Thank you for volunteering for less sleep, more headaches, and endless chores. Thank you for coming home from a long day of work and still cooking dinner. Thank you for making birthdays special, achievements memorable, and Quality Time a family practice.  Thank you for fueling our goals and dreams with confidence. Thank you for showing me what really is important, what not to worry about, and recognizing the difference. 

Thank you for being an example of a God centered mom and wife! 

Thank you, God, for giving my mom to me!

Long story short....

I am what I am because you love me.

 

My Son's Birth Story

“I have died every day

Waiting for you

Darlin’ don’t be afraid

I have loved you for a

Thousand years

I’ll love you for a

Thousand more”

Many people have had questions and inquired what it was like.
And so this is how my home birth story happened:

Saturday, February 7th at 7:30am, I was awoken by some uncomfortable cramping. By the 3rd feeling of menstrual cramps I decided to get up. I didn't want to lay there feeling like I would just be enduring them. So I decided to get up and start my morning. Shawn slept in a little longer and while he slept I wrote a few more 'thank you' cards for baby shower gifts.

It was a quiet morning. I sat in the living room writing, thinking, writing, pondering: I've had these cramps before, but could this be it? Could THIS be the day? Could it? Just COULD IT? I'm 40 weeks and 2 days along. I mean if it isn't today, then when? ....I continue on writing, wishing, and writing.

About an hour later Shawn woke up and made us breakfast. His delicious sausage gravy on toast. It's so delicious because we say it's made with love. (Awww...)

I used the restroom before breakfast and when I did, I discovered fluid. WE HAVE FLUID! Not much fluid like my water had really broke, but fluid nonetheless. This COULD be the day!!! We immediately called our midwife to tell her, and even with her excitement Shawn and I remained calm and knew that this could still be a false alarm; no need to get worked up just yet. She asked us to just keep her posted, calling her back around 1pm.

As we ate breakfast, we knew we should probably eat substantially because we could have a very long day ahead of us, not knowing just how long it would end up being. We small talked calmly, patiently, and made a plan for the day. If this is it, then we definitely needed a plan. We would walk the property. A lot. We would do some light cleaning and make Caleb his birthday cake. It sounded like the perfect day for us! Perfect for our family! 

As we made several rounds on the property the contractions were definitely coming. Not painful but all encompassing of my belly. We kept them charted; some 4 minutes apart while others would be 20 minutes. No rhyme or reason but they were there. Without saying it to eachother, I think we both knew that this was the real deal. The last day as just Shawn and Sarah. The last as a family of two. We knew our son was coming.

By Saturday afternoon my mom, dad, sister, and midwife were here. My midwife confirmed that I was in labor. Hearing those words, my heart starts to flutter- I'll be meeting my son in a matter of hours. We are down to hours! It was so nice having the afternoon to be able to still talk, laugh, and walk with my mom and sister around the property, even being in early labor. Contractions still all encompassing but very manageable. It was a warm winter day and we all were happy that our family was growing and changing and would soon be different again, and for the better.

This early labor lasted for hours longer so everyone decided to head home and get rest, while Shawn and I were still doing great on our own. 

It was 9pm when Shawn and I went to bed. The house was quiet and empty again, and Shawn and I were still just two. We had such a nice time relaxing in bed just talking about how the day went. This would be the last time we would go to bed just the two of us in this house. At 9:30 I told Shawn we needed to start timing the contractions again. They were getting stronger, quicker, and they were running from my sternum down into my thighs. I stayed in bed for a couple of hours just meditating and trying to take in this experience. I didn't want to run from it. I wanted to soak it in. I wanted to feel what my body was doing. I wanted this.

Around 11ish, I told Shawn I wanted to get in the shower. The hot water running over me felt so good and really eased each contraction. As the labor continued on into the next day I would be in and out of the shower several more times. Tread, one of my best friends, even jokingly made the comment that no one could use the bathroom with someone always being in the shower. LOL! I was so glad when she showed up around 1am. Even though by the time she arrived I was in and out of focus, exhaustion, and moaning, I was grateful to have her. She keeps life light hearted!

By 5:30am my midwife shows up and checks my progress; 7-8cm. YES!!!! I am already so far along!!! Just a little bit longer and Caleb Henry will be here! Just a little longer!!! YEAH!!! ....then I stall....and stall....and keep stalling....for HOOOOUUUUURRRRRSSSS. 

The rest of the laboring goes as follows: contractions every 2-3minutes, in and out of the shower, in and out of the birth tub, laying in bed napping, sipping on Coke, moaning, the house full of laughter and then silent as though it were empty. Lots of food was eaten by everyone thanks to my mom. The birth tub was continually heated by pots of hot water from the stove, the main breaker being tripped, and Tread coaching me into transition positions to get this baby out! The day was long for everyone!

Approximately around 4pm, Tread's sister, Erin (another home-birthing-mama) arrives, high fives my husband at the front door and heads straight to my side. She takes over on the coaching and cheering, and is a major boost to my spirit. My moral had stalled with my progression and she was what I needed. Reminding me to relax my jaw, relax my glutes and to open my hips. After a short talk with me and my midwife we decided to break my water. I remember my midwife saying once my water is broke "there is no going back". And immediately after the gush of water came, I knew what she meant. The hardest contraction yet and my first uncontrollable urge to push.

The pushing urges came and there was relief in each push. Yes it was intense but it was bearable. I could feel my baby coming through the birth canal. I felt him working and my body working, in sync as one. Each contraction, another urge to push. I've heard women talk about that pushing urge and now I got it. You can't stop it. I'd push until the contraction was over. Sometimes the pushes felt so hard that if I didn't release air through a scream or grunt my head would explode. I could feel how close his head was to coming out and then it finally did. FINALLY his head was out! I remember my midwife saying the next push would get him out. After 34 hours it came down to my last contraction. My last push. This would be it! The last break between contractions seemed the longest. Just waiting for it seemed abnormally energizing, too. I whispered softly, "I can do this. I'm designed for this." I can still hear my mom saying to me, "You ARE doing this. You ARE designed for this. I'm so proud of you."  I needed that long break for the hardest and what seemed like the longest push yet. 

Then he was out. HE'S OUT! 

Caleb Henry breathed his first breaths. He cried. Others cried. I was soaking it all in. Him. What just happened. The day. The people standing around me. Soaking it up. Speechless.

Love. Oh my Great God, love!  

Lord, I am not worthy that You should enter under my roof,

but only say the word and my soul shall be healed.

Thank you, Lord, for entering....

Caleb Henry Pendergest

Born February 8, 2015

5:16pm

10lb 4oz

21 3/4 in

Birthday Month

February. The month you will come into this world as your own. With all your fingers and toes, squishy arms and legs, and your unique personality, you will be here THIS month. It seems so surreal. We don't know if it'll be today, tomorrow, or next week, but it will be this month!  

Your papa and I have planned, prayed, and anxiously awaited for your arrival. We feel ready and prepared. We feel confident. A little exhausted from all the planning and prepping, but oh so ready to meet you! 

This has been a long 40 weeks for everyone. I now see why God makes it so long...there's a lot to do for an expected new bundle!! As first time parents, and being you'll be born at home, there's a lot more to be done. I guess God does know what He's doing after all. We couldn't get this all done in a shorter amount of time. 

The past several months have been a celebration of you, and soon, we will be celebrating you entering this world! 


We love you, Son.
Mama & Papa

A Blessing

God has poured out his love into our hearts. 

Romans 5:5

Bordering my computer screen are pictures of little people, and I get asked frequently if they are my kids. No, they aren't mine, but I do love them so dearly. They are my nieces and nephews. Their little hands, feet, noses, smiles, and ears are garland for my screen. The pictures change periodically and for years I've had to continually say, no, they aren't mine.

Now there is a new picture that blankets my desktop. A picture filled with hope, excitement, a little fear, but all LOVE. And it is mine. Mine and Mr. Pendergest's.

I pray you are happy. I pray you feel our love for you. But, most of all I pray you will continue to be a light to the world as you have already been to me. You have already become our whole world. We love you and can't wait to grow with you.

Gettin' Dirty

They say that if you don't use it, you lose it. And it is true in some circumstances, but somethings are burned so deep into your memory, that forgetting them would be like forgetting your name.

My Summers through college and even a year after college, were spent working for my dad's lawn care company. My first Summer working for them, let's just say....boy, oh boy. I was lower than the lowest on the totem pole. I didn't know ANYTHING about ANYTHING when it came to lawn care. My dad has been doing this for as long as I can remember and I never once, up until day 1 of work, paid any attention to those stripes in the yard.

 I can honestly say I thought to myself, 'How hard could this be? Riding a lawn mower all day.' By mid-morning I remember thinking, I need a break, or water, or lunch, or a shift change. ASAP!

Without saying, it was not the most glamorous of jobs for a 19-24 year old girl. I was naive to the idea of heat, allergies, scalp sunburns, and using a filthy dirty sleeve to wipe the sweat from my face before eating lunch.  I was unprepared for the look-there's-a-girl-doing-the-same-job-I-am stares from some very small minded men in other companies. And, good luck finding a bathroom!

But, I am SO grateful that he hired me.

Here's why.

Tonight, I got to do something I haven't done in a few years now. I did yucky, labor-some yard work. Raking and leveling out dusty gravel, lopping off tree limbs, throwing heavy logs and limbs in the brush, and clearing a path in the woods for the Bobcat to do its thing.

It was tiring and hot. But as I was climbing the hill back to the house, I thought to myself, I miss this work.

After that first Summer of working for my dad, I went back to school with a knowledge that no other female friend of mine had. I learned how to start and run a commercial zero-turn mower. I learned how to re-string a weed eater and sharpen blades. I learned how to drive a truck and trailer, a dump truck, and how to back them both up. I learned how to change the oil in trucks. I learned how to leave a yard looking great and not spending all day to do it. I learned how to use chain saws and hedge trimmers (and learned to keep them away from my knees, too). I learned to drive a Bobcat and a tractor. And, I learned the value of water-proof boots!

Really, what my dad may not be aware of, is that he taught me skills that if I had to do use them today on my own, I could. He built confidence in me that can NEVER be taken away. He opened my eyes that this is a tough job, but some of the toughest lessons are the one's you'll learn the most from.

Wouldn't mind a day, or two, doing it again....


....but I sure do love my access to indoor plumbing...

Long Over Due

I know we have all used that line, "Time just flies by," and I'm going to use that now. TIME JUST FLIES BY!!!

No, I didn't not want to write. I just didn't make the time, or maybe I had blogger's-block. Whatever the reason, I am back! :)

I don't have a huge following of readers, but I do have loyal ones and because of them, I had stored in the back of my mind, "Sarah, you better write something!" So, I received a couple of request of blog topics: Chicken Salad and The Slowness of Summer.

Two seemingly un-challenging topics, so maybe, just maybe, I can combine the two.....here goes nothin'!

Chicken Salad:
This request came from my dad. Now, I'm suspecting this idea came from a humorous (maybe a little twisted) thought. See, about 2+ months ago, Fred and I became chicken guardians. 6 hens now call Fredsland Ridge home.

Their names are Shirley, Toby, Tuxedos, Georgia, Franco, and Haley. Interesting creatures, chickens are. Well, our chickens will be for eggs only. That is unless, one of them doesn't produce or ends up being a chicken-cannibal then we will delight ourselves in some, should I say, chicken salad.

But the on-going joke between my family and I are that every time we eat chicken, I am asked, "Did one of your chickens not produce well?" or "Did you kill this chicken this morning?" So, do you see where I think the 'Chicken Salad' request came from?

Here is my tried and true recipe for Chicken Salad. Yes, I know everyone has their version, but I like mine....Sorry no measurements...I eyeball and make-to-taste everything.

Homemade Chicken Salad

Chilled Cooked Chicken Breast (Make anyway you prefer. I like mine seasoned and grilled. Others will just boil)
1 part Miracle Whip with 1 part Real Mayonnaise
Grapes, halved
Celery leaves and celery heart chopped (I like these because they are softer and don't have too much crunch but still have the same great celery flavor)
Generous amount of salt and pepper
Combine all ingredients. Chill for about 30 minutes. Enjoy!

Now that you have your chicken salad, a glass of sweet iced tea in a mason jar, and your sunglasses, lets enjoy the slowness of summer! (request from my mom!)

Even, the word 'summer' has a laid back sound to it. It's the easy-peasy season. I'm sure I'm not the only one who reminisces about long Summer vacations, the care-free attitude of life, and ride-with-your-windows-down kinda style. I think the one's who explain it best are DJ Jazzy Jeff and Fresh Prince in 'Summertime' Go ahead. You know you want to listen to it. Hell, play it a couple of times. Let your friends enjoy it. Have a mini-dance party at your computer! It's Summertime!

"Summer, summer, summertime. Time to sit back and unwind."

Chicken Salad and Summer....what a perfect pair! ;)

Snow Baby!

I just can't help it. I. Love. Snow.

Period.

End of discussion!

Here's why:
1. It is a buffer for noise. It makes the world much more quiet.....awwww....silence.....
2. Life slows down. No one wants to get out in the cold. Forget about driving. We are staying home.
3. Two words: Snow angels.
4. Throwing snow balls for Captain. He can't find them. (because they're white on white)
Hi-lar-i-ous!
5. Playing with the dogs. While I make snow angels, 3 dogs trample me.
6. We live in the country which means many photo ops! Please see below.

Our boys!

Rosemary still thriving through the cold.

(I think I can say my pepper plant is done.)

My piggy bench.

Happy Winter Everyone!