Wednesday, February 22, 2012

Getting to know you...

Are you ready?

How would you feel about sharing something that our little blogging group wouldn't know about you...nothing crazy, unless you want to...I'll go first:

You know I have five (5) children, but did you know I had  three (3) of them at home? Yep, I was a hippie (not really, but my kids say I'm was) in my former life. It was my way of having some sort of control over my body and the birthing process. My oldest is 33 y/o, and in the 'olden days' you were pretty much locked into bed, no good pain control meds, and it was VERY uncomfortable. So I opted to give birth at home. I had a midwife who was also a family friend. I walked, soaked in a tub and did as I  felt during my labors. I was fortunate all went well. I had really good experiences. It's not for everyone, and I don't recommend it...it was just my choice.
...now your turn:

19 comments:

  1. Wow - thats very brave of you. I only have a lot of bad stories and bad memories to tell - so maybe I won't LOL
    Have a great day :-)

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  2. I went to an all girls middle and high school, and there were 100 girls in my complete high school. I was the editor of the year book and pitcher on the softball team :)

    I had all of my children at the hospital, but my middle child was a VBAC with a doula and midwife. My first and last were both c sections, so I've been on both sides of the spectrum, but always at a hospital. Which was good, because I bled a lot.

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    1. Would you recommend an all girl/boy school to anyone? Did you have a good experience?

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    2. Loved it! I've heard that boys schools aren't good for them, though, because they aren't as focused without girls in the classroom. I felt very supported and encouraged. And I actually met my husband during high school, so it wasn't a deterrent for a social life at all.

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  3. Hmmm...this could be interesting! So many fun things to share! Let's see, I was a cheerleader in H.S. (big deal now) People thought I was "stuck up" but in actuality, I was quite insecure in myself. I have LOVED growing to love me. Anyway...my first marriage was to my college boyfriend when I was 20. He was going to go play baseball in another city and you definitely could not "live" together back then. We married instead and he played at a local Christian College. He was drafter into professional baseball in the 15th round in 1977 and blew out his shoulder at the State tournament. He was the catcher, so that was a big blow to play professionally, but continued to do well locally. I also continued my college at that school, but then I had my oldest son Grant who will be 33 in June. We sadly separated 6 months after my son was born. Temper issues...I loved bad boys! The BEST news...it was a generational thing and yet my Grant does not have 1 tendency towards being that way. The cycle was broken!!! Yay!

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  4. That's okay, Rosalie {{{HUGS}}}. I had to disown almost my entire family because of abuse of every kind, so it's my wonderful hubby, kids and I. I do still keep in touch with one of my sisters though because we felt the same way about our family's situation and both of us disowned our family. Both of us are strong headed about what's acceptable and what's not, and not putting up with things that are not. I guess I've always been that way even when I was a little girl. Two members of my family, and a family "friend", tried to m*lest me (on separate occasions) when I was a very young girl, but I stubbornly refused to allow it to happen and got away, unharmed, on each occasion. Somehow, even at such a young age I KNEW that what they were trying to do was horribly wrong and there was no way, if I could help it, that I was going to let it happen. So, now, it's just the two of us, my sister and I, and our own families that we each have since getting married and having kids. We are each other's family now. I know that might sound drastic to some, but I'm strongly convinced that everyone has faults that can be put up with and then there is a line that is crossed where the faults cannot be put up with. I would never allow a stranger to treat me in such horrible ways, and would not let them near me or my family, so why would I allow that with a family member, just because they're "family"? To me, real charity is standing up for what is right and true, and expecting people to be the best they can be in their imperfections, even if you have to use tough love with them. Sometimes in situations like that, people have to lose everything and hit rock bottom before they respond and make a change. If they are never allowed to hit rock bottom because others are always "lifting" them up, how does that truly help them? How is that charitable? Just my opinion...

    Hugs to all of you from someone who escaped an abusive household growing up but is not a bitter or angry person because of it. Instead I am happy, caring, wiser, realistic, and grateful for the family and life that I now have, and I know that it not wrong/uncharitable to STAND UP AGAINST evil...it is what it is.

    Sorry, Jeri, if you didn't intend for anyone to go in that direction, but I felt compelled to after Rosalie's comment (not that I'm assuming anything about your life, Rosalie, just so you don't feel alone is the struggles of life). If it helps just one person to stand up against current abuse in their life, it was worth sharing.

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    1. Wow, can I just say I admire you for doing the right thing for you and your family.

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    2. Thanks, Beth. Sometimes is really hard doing the right thing, but we have to do what's right no matter how hard it is. I love the saying, "Courage is fear that has said it's prayers." That thought helps me to stay focused on doing what's right no matter what.

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  5. I just realized that my comment may sound like I was addressing just Rosalie, but that wasn't my intent. I was talking to all of you in a general sense, but since I addressed Rosalie initially, it sounds like I'm talking just to her throughout that whole ramble. Sorry, Rosalie, I hope you didn't feel like I was telling you what to do. I wasn't...just sharing my opinion with everyone.

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    1. I know I spend more time 'talking' to you all-rather than most of my family. I think it's enlightening to get to know each other better. All that being said, I hope no one will feel uncomfortable because they don't feel they want or need to share. Sharing can be whatever you like...FYI I ate pickled pigs feet when I was a kid!!!! Now that's crazy!

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  6. Jeri, I sold pickled pigs feet in my grandparents store when I was little. They sat on the counter in a jar. I think those would be right up there with mushrooms in my dislikes!
    @ Minichick, Survival of every situation is an amazing accomplishment. I am very proud of you for your courage!
    @ Jeri, you were a hippy;) And you are still married to your forever hippy husband!
    @Dawn, going to an All Girls School is pretty darn cool:)
    @Rosalie, being strong and holding memories in sometimes gives them more power. I say that as I have a hope chest full of journals that I can never read, but never part with either!
    This was a cool idea!

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  7. Jeri, this is kind of neat.
    Let's see something to share that you don't know about me....I grew up with two brothers and no sisters and then after I married I had four boys. I have no girl cousins my age either, so I have spent my whole life with boys! This is why I like superhero movies more than romantic comedies I guess. Oddly I don't like sports unless someone I actually know is playing. I've always thought it would be nice to have a sister though and always wished I had one. I think that's one reason I like the company of you girls so much!

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  8. Those brothers prepared you for raising boys no doubt.

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  9. I got married at 16 still in high school and have been married for 30yrs and yes to the same man. It is hard to believe that my daughter is almost 29 and gave me the most beautiful granddaughter.

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  10. I'm way behind on this one, but it's been a busy week. Let's see..something you wouldn't know about me...have I kept anything a secret?? I am a blabber! I have three boys and all of them I delivered in a hospital but totally naturally without medications. Except for the Pitocin since I had to be induced with each one due to increasing blood pressure. That was no picnic!Induced labors are fast and hard with no gradual increase in contractions like natural labor. People find this funny because my husband is an anesthesiologist and they are usually the drs. that everyone wants when they are in labor, I was also a delivery room nurse as well before I stopped working to be a stay at home mom!

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  11. Hi,
    One thing that no one know about me... I met my husband when I was 17 and we dated for four years, got married, 4 years later had kids. We have been married for over 34 years AND he is the only man I have ever slept with.......

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