Bedrest with children

Well, this has been a new experience for our family, but one for which we are thankful knowing that God has allowed it and has much to teach us through it. It hasn't been easy and we've had to continually choose to "bring into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ" ( 2 Cor. 10:5). At times, we get frustrated or worried or upset, but the Lord is so good to renew our minds through His Word as we ask Him to help.

I am so thankful for Daniel as his plate is already so full yet he joyfully serves and helps in all he can here now. The children have been such good helps and so far haven't complained about the extra work at all. The biggest challenge is the little ones (mainly the 4, 3, and almost 2 year olds) :) They do well with much supervision and mommy working along with them...but they tend towards being little disaster makers when left on their own. It's been good for us to see areas that we need to work on in training our children! :)

The mornings run about the same. Daniel changes Eliseo and I feed him here in bed. Yesterday Elijah and Benjamin made the family french toast and eggs. Every morning after we pray over our breakfast, the children always all say, "Thank you mommy!" "This is so good" "I am sure hungry!" But yesterday, I heard Daddy lead in prayer and then a chorus of "Thank you boys!" "Good Job Elijah" "Yummy eggs Benjamin" :) It was so cute.

Daniel brought a table over from the church and set it up in my room so I can teach the children from bed and watch them as they study and do their work. This takes up a good part of the morning and early afternoon which I love.

In the later afternoon, Daniel has either taken the children with him to go visiting/preaching or has spent a time working with them on the laundry and housework. I enjoy helping fold some things on my lap for the children to put away. While they are busy away or at work, I made a list of things I can do to keep busy:

*Organize photos

*Read

*Sew

*Practice my mandolin

*Listen to preaching tapes

*Work on the children's baby books

*Answer emails

So the time is passing much more quickly than I thought it would. I've been bored a few times which is funny since I don't think I've felt bored for at least 5 years :)

Of course, there is always cuddling with Eliseo which I love, reading to the children, and tonight I told the boys I expect all their work done, showers done, and them in here by 9pm for a Boggle game :)

Thank you so much for all the sweet comments/emails and especially for the prayers. Yesterday I felt really good, but today I've been having more pain, so I'm just laying down taking it extra easy. The doctor prescribed me some medicine to relax the uterus which seems to help with the discomfort.

Please keep praying! We read Proverbs 15 for our family Bible time this morning and it said at least 2 times how God loves to hear the prayer of the righteous. He is so good!

This little guy keeps me company all day :) He's so content and happy to just lay by mommy and smile

My night stand- The girls brought me their lotion to use :)

My bedside table...Daniel brought me a mexican baked potato for supper....my favorite! The funny thing was that Nehemiah got ahold of what I didn't finish in the middle of the night and had himself a midnight snack....in our bed! I didn't know it until the morning when I woke up next to my potato with pieces all over the bed and a little sleeping boy with the evidence all over his face :)
Somebody loves his daddy :)

Josiah and Eliseo joined me for my morning quiet time...there on my Bible is the u/s of our little baby. We all prayed for him/her right after we took this picture.
Josiah helping to get Nehemiah's wild hair combed.
Isaiah and Abigail going over their lessons on our bed.
Teaching from bed