Introducing.....me!

I have no idea if anyone will read this. I really don't consider myself much of a blogger....I just have some thoughts now and again and it's nice to have some place to write them down. And if they help someone....well, that's just a bonus.

It seems like introducing myself is the logical place to start. My name is Amy. I live in rural Oregon (on the liberal side of the mountains) with my sweet husband and four children. I have three sons and a daughter ages 17, 16, 12, and almost 7 (in three days!). We have a little chunk of earth in a rural area and we like to fancy ourselves homesteaders but that's pushing it. I really enjoy learning to live "off the grid" as much as possible but I also like some conveniences (like actually flushing toilets, electricity, satellite tv, you get the gist). 

I have two kids with neurological differences so I've had to learn about IEPs, advocacy, and therapy. They are my oldest kids so that means I don't have any built in babysitters. 

I work as an assistant to a wonderful homebirth midwife, whom I love very much. She's amazing and so patient with me. I often feel like a bumbling idiot but she tells me I'm making progress. 

Birth work is a calling, especially out-of-hospital birth work. It's hard work. It's renegade work. It's risky work (in more ways than you might think). And it's deeply rewarding work. But it's definitely NOT easy work. We are on call most of the time. We pack up and go at the drop of a hat, even if that means missing birthday parties or family holidays. The birthing mama always comes first. It's a sacrifice we make because we believe that nothing is more important that a gentle, peaceful birth. We serve and we are so deeply honored by the families who choose us to provide their care

As traditional birth attendants, we realize that birth is a deeply spiritual event. As a Christ follower, I believe that childbirth is sacred. We women are uniquely blessed with the honor of carrying a precious new soul in our own bodies and we are responsible for giving that new being the best start possible. During pregnancy we are more spiritually open and emotionally vulnerable than at any other time in our lives. We are partners with Divine Creator God in the creation of a brand new eternal soul. For this reason, it is imperative that we thoughtfully and purposely approach pregnancy and birth with reverence.

For me, attending a birth is an act of worship. I am lovingly choosing to serve the motherbaby dyad, at the moment they need me, at the expense of my own freedom. I am supporting, loving, witnessing, and waiting. I get dirty. I get tired. And I get up and do it again. I love it.

So these are the things I will write about. I am a verbal processor so it helps me to talk or write thoughts out and then consider them again. I won't promise to be eloquent or thorough. My goal is not so much to teach you as it is to process what I am learning. If you find that interesting, then welcome. If you wish to challenge a thought or give a different perspective, I welcome you.

Blessings, Amy