Noah Benjamin Hester

At 1:41 pm on Thursday, October 26th, 2006, Noah Benjamin Hester was born. He weighed 7 lbs. 4 oz., and was 21 inches long. He is wonderful, perfect, beautiful...so precious. We are all doing well and Emma and Caleb seem to enjoy him as well. Thank you all for your prayers, we are so blessed!

Pitocin is from the Devil....

Okay, I know that many times my friends who have had to endure the wrath of pitocin have joked that it must be from the devil. I personally haven't had to have pitocin...Emma was induced, but cervadil and breaking my water was enough. Caleb, well, I didn't even have an IV or anything with that kid...we just went to the hospital and he came!! But this child has (his introduction will be my next post) proved to be different from the beginning. For the last month I have had contractions...ones that get stronger and closer together, and then go away all together. After being a week overdue, our doctor said it really was no longer our choice to wait for the baby to come. He was going to induce. The many jokes and horror stories of pitocin came and haunted me...but I just had to trust that the risks of waiting longer for the baby to come were greater than inducing my labor. (Or helping it along, anyway...)

Well, we got to the hospital at 6 am. Then we waited for a long time. At 9am, the doctor came and broke my water, which Ben and I were hoping would do the trick!! At my request, the doctor gave me a couple of hours to see what would happen. Sure enough, within an hour I was having regular contractions at a good intensity, coming 2-3 minutes apart. YEAH!! I was so excited...then the nurse came in and said that the baby's heart rate was dipping with my contractions, so she had me get in bed and lay on my side. And much to my disappointment, my contractions completely went away. Now, even though this had been happening to me all month, it was really frustrating now because I thought, I will have to start all over again!! Anyway, the doctor had left instructions to start pitocin at 11am, so shortly thereafter the medicine began to drip...Of course I noticed a difference very soon after, and the contractions were stronger and more intense...but the medicine did what it was supposed to do! So just over 2 hours later, our little miracle joined us, and we all survived. Now, trust me, I would not argue with anyone who says that pitocin is from the devil...it's surely not pleasurable!! But just this once, I may have to say that surely the Lord was watching over us, and that His perfect gift to us came in the dreaded form of pitocin. I have to be thankful for it, because without it I might STILL be having contractions that go away and do not accomplish their purpose.

A new cousin and some stitches...

Well, on Thursday evening (my birthday) Scott and Cher-ami went into the hospital to be induced. On Friday morning, October 13th, she gave birth to a beautiful baby girl named Jackson Rae. Mommy and Baby are doing well, and my brother I think has met his match!!! I had had contractions all day myself, but, alas, they went away and our little guy has decided he is not ready to come yet.

This morning (Monday) we had many errands to run and things to take care of, but wound up spending the morning at the Emergency Room instead. Yes, for the second time, Caleb has had to get stitches. He fell off the piano bench, and about 3 of his teeth made their way through his lip, so he got two stitches. He did very well, and we took the kids for ice cream and play time at the park as part of the recovery! Poor guy...but he is tough!

Caleb's New Words

Caleb has become quite the chatter box!! Here are my personal favorites:
Upon noticing the reflection of several things in the lamp next to my mom's bed, I repeated after him, "Oh, you see mommy?"
And he turned to me and said, "No, I am talking to my grandma."

He gently rubs my belly and tells me, "Oh, baby's getting so big!" (as if I hadn't noticed). And then, "Baby's coming out soon?"

And then he was running around the backyard today saying, "Swiper the Fox! Swiper the Fox!"

Doctor's Appointment

Okay, so I saw the midwife today...she says I am 1 cm dilated (which is nothing much to speak of) and "soft" (I can't remember what that means either), and the baby's head is way down there. This all of course could mean nothing...
She asked if I wanted to go over to St. John's tomorrow and have things moved along a bit, since she seems to think it wouldn't take much to just get me going. However, I wasn't really comfortable with that idea...I would rather have this little man come on his own. So, I said no thanks...
My next appointment is Tuesday at the Oxnard office, where the Dr. will probably want me to just go over to St. John's since it will be convenient for him...The midwife says that if I make it to Tuesday, I can deliver at St. John's, if I deliver before then, it will probably be at CMH. I'm okay either way, but I think it will be nice for the baby to come on his own timetable!!! I haven't had any contractions at all, just really crampy the last two days. So, we'll see!!

I have two sisters-in-law that are preggo-Kelly, who is due in March, and Cher-ami, who is due about 1-2 weeks after me. Well, Cher-ami is now on bed rest because they think she might be in pre-term labor!! Yikes! So, I have been trying to help out with Ethan as much as I can...it will be interesting to see what happens, but we have joked about trying to just give birth at the same time so our families can be there!!

P.S. I took Caleb with me this morning and we enjoyed a lovely IHOP breakfast together. It was so fun to be out just us two--it felt so special, especially since I'll have another little guy soon. Caleb was so sweet, he kept telling me he was "so excited for breakfast!" And when I told him I love him, he said, "I love you too, mom." Emma enjoyed making fresh orange juice with grandma...I am so blessed!!

Little bursts of laughter

Emma (to Grandma): I don't think mommy should go to work with you guys. Mommy stays home and works all the time. She washes my clothes for me, and gets me a tissue for my yogurt and she tells me what time it is for snack.

Upon reading the title of our new book...
"Froggy Plays Soccer."
Emma, "And so do I!!"
Caleb, "Me too!!"

Caleb, "Mom, I got stinky poo-poos..."

Pee-wee Soccer and other stuff

So, this Thursday Miss Emma starts pee-wee soccer. Now Ben played soccer in high school, and yes, even I have some dusty old soccer team picture burried away from my elementary years, but let me just say...There is not much cuter than a tiny girl burried beneath pink shin guards practicing her "super soccer kick." The shin guards are of course pink, because as Emma says, "Pink is for girls, so I have to have pink ones."

Caleb loves to copy EVERYTHING big sister says...so I often get to hear everything two times. This morning, since Grandpa brings home donuts on Sunday mornings, Emma announced (and Caleb repeated) that "Grandpa brings home all the GOOD stuff."

And of course, in response to my mom's cut on her finger, Emma told her, "Well, you have to be VERY careful. My mommy is always careful."

And Miss Nikki in the nursery at church informed me that after several drinks of pretend hot tea, Emma told her, "Oh, whatever, I'm sure it's okay to drink by now!"

And at the gymnastics class we went to on Thursday, Caleb was practically running across the balance beam, with my finger of course. He even did a summersault on the beam with mommy's help. Emma walked across the beam by herself and did "flips" around the bar. They had a great time...I was busy trying to run in two different directions and didn't see or talk to anyone who I had planned to see and talk to. But I left with happy children. Then at Wendy's (fast food), my worn out little boy threw such a tantrum that he fell asleep on the floor. Wendy's must have been good, because as we passed the one in Ojai Emma said excitedly, "There's Amy's!!"

Un-answers...and lessons in faith

So, we are moving back to Ojai. I can't exactly tell you when, although I think I've already moved, technically...The kids and I are here, as well as all our clothes (well, at least the ones that still fit my largely protruding belly) and Ben is in Crestline with a house of furniture and other stuff that we must not really need since we are without it and getting along okay. There are so many things that have brought us to this decision...so many that I wouldn't even know where to start. It's hard when people ask why or how or what made us decide to come back to Ojai, because how do you condense 15 months of things you don't really understand into a simple answer that would satisfy? But God is ever so faithful...answers I do not have, but I have oh so much more. Like a husband who is willing to make sacrifices in order to take care of his family. Like two beautiful, perfect, ornery children who light up my life. Like a healthy, large (at least he feels that way!!) baby waiting to come make our family into something it's never been before. Like parents who are willing to revisit the years of unending questions, late night wake-up calls, and waiting in line for the bathroom...with no promise of a quick end in sight. Like a God who is so faithful and so patient, who provides all that I need. And so these days, I am short on answers...I don't have the answers about what happened in the last 15 months, or what really went on in Crestline (except for a few important life lessons), and I don't have the answers about what lies ahead for us...Ben's job, what we're going to do with the house in Crestline, when the baby is coming (although that could be soon...). But I have a faithful God who is most worthy of my faith, my trust, and my confidence.
"Without faith it is impossible to please God, and anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek Him."
"Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see."
"According to your faith will it be done to you."

Without Internet

Okay, so a few people have asked, since it's been so long since I posted. Well, we've been without internet (and still are technically). So, I haven't been very good at returning e-mails or keeping everyone up-to-date. A lot can happen in a month!! We got moved into our house and discovered some plumbing and electrical problems. After some drama and a little trauma, all those things are fixed and working. Anyway, after much prayer and a few crazy situations...we have decided to have the baby in Ojai. So the kids and I are staying at my parents house. I have five weeks until my due date, and I am only about 2 1/2 weeks away from when I delivered Emma and Caleb. So, we are here, awaiting the arrival of our little boy, who, by the way, still doesn't have a name. I think that's as much catching up as I can do for everyone right now. Thanks for loving us and praying for us!

Mealtime prayers...

Miss Emma's prayer for lunch today:

Thank you God for this day, and thank you God for our toys, and thank you God for our new house, and thank you God for our bed, and thank you God for my ladder, and thank you God for our table, and thank you God for mommy and daddy and Caleb and Emma and the new baby, and thank you God for the trees and the sky, and thank you God for our paintings that we did today, and thank you God for our food...in Jesus' name we pray, Amen.

I knew Veggie Tale's would pay off one day!! =)
"Cuz a thankful heart is a happy heart...I'm glad for what I have, that's an easy way to start, for the love that He shares, cuz He listens to our prayers, that's why I say thanks everyday!"

The Big Move

So...we are in our new, teeny tiny house!! I call it that affectionately...it is absolutely a miracle that somehow, the Lord enabled us to buy a house on one income...especially a camp ministry income. We are still working on finding a place for everything, and hoping to garage sale a bunch of stuff soon. But slowly and steadily we are becoming more settled in our first little house. We are so thankful for all the help and prayers and love of our family and friends and we will see what adventures lie ahead in our new little place...

It might be time for a vacation...

Well, Ben has been working really hard...long hours at the camp, then his Paid Call Fire Academy on Saturdays. Anyway, this Saturday is his last academy and then he will have his "graduation" on August 15th, where he will receive his pager and start responding to calls when he can. This week is the last week of program for summer camp, so hopefully that will mean no more super late nights, although I'm sure his days will start earlier. And, in a week and a half, we will close escrow on the house and move for the third time in 13 months. I think everyone in the Hester house is a little tired, and I know that we are all wishing for a little down time.

When Caleb woke up from his nap the other day, he was crying, "My daddy!! My daddy!!" When I came in the room he looked at me and yelled, "No my daddy at work!!"
I guess someone is really missing Daddy...

This might be jumping the gun...

Okay, now, I do not mean this in any way to put down people who work in a coffee shop. Because really, the camp coffee shop is not at all on the same level as Starbuck's or anything...there's only like, between 200-400 campers per week, and this week is high school, so trust me, not many of them are jumping out of bed before 9am, even for coffee.

But I told Ben...it's been at least 3 1/2 years since I went to work (with the exception of Forest Home Ojai Valley, here and there). And yet I seriously have worked harder every day of those 3 1/2 years than I do at the coffee shop. Which I guess is a good thing, I think. I mean, getting up early I was already doing. Having to use my brain the minute my eyes are open, I was already doing..."Mommy, what are we going to do next?" "What's for breakfast?" "What am I going to wear today?"

And, I am so spoiled because the campers and counselors that come in are so amazing, and I love hearing their stories or just seeing that they are enjoying their time here at camp.

Now, check back in a few weeks, and the early mornings might be starting to catch up with me. But so far, I am really enjoying it. And hey, my first day on the job one of the summer staff came in because she bought me a maternity shirt and wanted to bring it to me. And at about 8am, Ben brings the kids in to visit me (and get a "special drink"...an inch of hot chocolate, with some milk) and for the first time in their lives they are excited to see me because they've been awake for about an hour and a half and I'm not there. So, thank you God for something new and fun!!! Less than two weeks until my first payday!!

My new job

Well, tomorrow morning I will start my new job...I am going to work in the coffee shop here at the camp. Now seriously, I am thinking, why did this idea just occur to us? I am up very early anyway, and Ben is home until about lunch time. So it works out pretty well. It will only be for a few weeks (obviously), and it's only for a few hours a day. But, it will be a chance for me to get out of the house, a chance for me to interact with some of the campers and the other staff, a little break from the kids, and oh yes....a paycheck!! =) So, all around, it seems like it will be a good deal. So, bright and early tomorrow, I will put on my LARGE Thousand Pines shirt and start something new. Wish me luck!

Emma's First Prom...Well, Caleb too

Tonight the staff at the camp had "prom." I don't exactly know how it all came up at first, but I know that they took the idea and ran with it. The even decided to take donations for it to benefit Invisible Children, a Christian organization trying to raise awareness about the horrible conditions for children (starting with Africa).

We have had a long week, so we had a hard time deciding whether or not to go. But, we decided to throw caution to the wind and have some fun. So we got the kids and ourselves dressed up (as dressed up as you can be at 7 months pregnant!!) and went to prom. We even taught Caleb how to hold out his arm for Emma, and we enjoyed ourselves on the dance floor...not to mention the punch, cookies, and strawberries!!! We had such a great time with all the staff, and the kids felt so grown up with the strobe lights and loud music.

All in all, it was great. Now this was a prom I can handle them going to. Maybe Ben and I will have to go to all their proms. =)

Also, for more information about Invisible Children, you can visit their website at
http://www.invisiblechildren.com.

El Capitan Theatre

Well, needless to say, with no close friends or family here in Crestline, it makes it a little difficult for us to get out. But, all the summer staff was going to the El Capitan Theatre to see Pirates of the Caribbean 2. There is a really nice lady named Joyce who works in the kitchen, and she had sort of volunteered to watch the kids on a Saturday since her husband works nights. Well, Ben reeled her in and she came over to watch the kids last night. So Ben and I drove two of the other summer staff down to Hollywood and saw the movie. We didn't get home until 2am!!! Poor Joyce!! And of course, I didn't notice until later since it was so late, but she mopped our floor, cleaned our stove, and probably did at least two loads of laundry!! So, the Lord provided a little date night for us, and the kids did great. Emma came downstairs this morning and said, "Where is Joyce? I didn't want her to go..."

Homeowner's Insurance

Okay, buying a house is a lot more complicated than I previously thought. But, the only way you really learn all of this is by doing it, I guess. So, while we are still working through all of this "stuff" with the loan, etc...we are simultaneously trying to figure out a homeowner's insurance policy. So, our car insurance is with AAA, so I thought I would start there.
They ask me what year was our house built: 1932
Gasp!
Has the plumbing been redone: (uh, I'm not sure..., maybe) yes!
Has the electrical been rewired: (uh, I'm not sure..., maybe) yes!
Has it been retro-fitted for earthquakes: Huh? No.
Sorry, we can't insure your home.

Okay, so, now we only call insurance companies up on the mountain, because they are the only ones who will insure mountain homes. Lesson learned. The quotes range from $600 to $1700 for the year...some with requirements (like installing some sort of gas shut-off emergency valve, etc.)
Anyway, I'm sure we will figure it out, but it is just one of the many new territories we have ventured into lately.
Isn't it amazing that anytime you purchase something nowadays, you have to buy insurance for it???

Too Good to be True

You know how they say that if something sounds too good to be true, then it probably is...well, that's sort of where we're at. This lending company promised us a certain rate, payment, etc...and within 24 hours they have changed their story twice. And it turns out that one of the other offers we received is better than what they are giving us now. SO, we are back at square one, trying to get our loan all figured out. It is frustrating and scary...but the Lord knows what is best for us, so we will just have to wait on Him. Please pray for us that we will get our loan stuff figured out since we're already "in escrow." And we will just all have to wait and see what God will do.

Swimming Lessons

Today was our first day of swimming lessons for the kids. Now last year, the kids went to the lifeguard training as guinea pigs, so to speak, as they were training all the lifeguards on how to teach swim lessons. They both clung to me for dear life...we had only been in Crestline a week, they didn't know anyone, and they had just left the only home they'd ever known. Ben was so busy, there was no way I could take two little kids to swim lessons all by myself. So, we skipped them.
What a difference a year makes!!! Now the kids are so much more familiar with the camp and the staff...so of course, while a few of the other kids were screaming the whole time, mine were happily swimming and I was just praising the Lord that they were enjoying themselves. Not only was Caleb jumping off the side of the pool and diving for rings (with daddy's help), but both Emma and Caleb were blowing bubbles, floating, and practicing "big kicks." It was great. And, it totally wore them out so they had pretty good naps and are in bed (7:40pm).
Swim lessons are a great idea!!

The War of the Lenders

I am totally new at all this mortgage, lender stuff. I have no idea what I am doing. However, our realtor has a lender that she frequently works with, so she kind of hooked us up with him and he is here locally (right behind the realtor's office, actually). Now, this guy has been so great to work with, he has really worked hard on our behalf, and provided the pre-approval letter for us when we made the offer on the house and everything. It just so happens, however, that I had gone on to lendingtree.com before we started looking at houses just to see what they would say. So we had at least a couple of other companies contacting us here and there. Well, let me just say how that works to your advantage. We didn't mean to make all these people work so hard for us, and we certainly didn't even mean to work them against each other or anything because, well, we're just not that smart. But, it worked. So, we have chosen our lender...and let me just say to our local lender's credit...that when he saw the deal we were offered, even he said to take it. He just said that if it didn't work out to come back to him. So, hopefully it will work out because it looks like we will save almost $150.00 a month on our mortgage payment, not to mention about $1,000 in closing costs. Yeah!!!