Eleven years ago....

Eleven years ago today, I went into the doctor's office feeling a bit discouraged.  You see, I was 21 days past my due date with my 5th child.  Everyone I knew who was expecting in the same time frame as I had already given birth and had their little ones cradled in their arms.  And I was still waiting.  Even my sister who was due in April had had her baby boy the last week of March!!  We kind of swapped months.

At 9 am, I went in for my appointment.  My doctor asked if I was feeling the contractions I was having.  I wasn't.  Craig asked if we could induce labor.  (We lived 70 miles away and were staying at this point with my parents until baby was born).  The phone call was made to the small hospital and we were told to come on over, there was an open room.  Instead of starting out with pitocin, they decided to use another means to induce.  My doctor, on the phone with the nurse, told her he didn't know why we were even trying induction as it had not worked on me before!  We chuckled but trusted the Lord would allow this baby to be born.  I started feeling the contractions after awhile.  The hospital gave us a "leave" time of an hour to go get dinner.  This meant that I was still a patient and still was occupying the LDR room, but we could leave the building for an hour.  I can't even imagine a hospital doing that now!! When you are induced in any manner, you are strapped to monitors and NOT allowed to eat anything at all until baby is born!!!

We went to a place called, T Paul's cafe, a small restaurant that a friend we went to school with owned.  We ordered sandwiches and the labor kicked in.  My friend kept saying that she couldn't believe that I was in labor at her restaurant!!  She was very excited!!!  (BTW, if you are ever in Astoria, OR, I highly recommend this quaint cafe!!!)

Well, soon the hour was up and we were once again at the hospital, in very active labor.  Nathanael Craig Houston was born late that evening.  Weighing in at 8 lbs even!!  (My smallest boy)  It was love at first sight!! He had a head FULL of black hair, more than any of my other children (until Abby that is!)  I can remember this all as if it had just happened.  But that was 11 years ago.....

Today, my son celebrates his 11th birthday on the 11th day of April, 2011!!! What a special day today is!!  He had his party on Saturday, with air soft wars and a taco bar.  Today's menu ordered by this amazing young man:  homemade biscuits and gravy with scrambled eggs for breakfast, turkey sandwiches for lunch, and home fried chicken with asparagus and potatoes for dinner.  He has great taste!!! ;-)

Another exciting aspect for a Houston boy who turns 11, is the official joining of the boyscouts!!!  Yes, I now have three boyscouts in the home!!!

Nathanael is an amazing boy!  He has brought much joy to our home.  He is loving and compassionate, and loves the Lord with all of his heart.  He enjoys life and almost always has a smile on his face!!  I love you, son!!! HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!