Endings and Beginnings

I think it's time that I shared here something deeply personal that's going on in my life. Many of you who are local have probably already heard the news: Paul and I are getting divorced. And you know what? It's not the end of the world. I have always regarded divorce as pretty bad news, but I am seeing our divorce as part of each of our personal growth and commitment to living authentically. We are not the same people we were when we were 20 and 21--well, we are the same people, but those two people have grown and changed and grown and changed some more. I always said that it's amazing that we've always grown *together* when we've grown and changed....and that was true, until it just was not true anymore.

We still love each other and plan to remain very close friends. We will be co-parenting our children. We will still be sharing life to some extent. Paul calls our new relationship "rearranging". And it's true: we are rearranging our lives, but we will still be close.

The kids are doing all right. They took it hard at the beginning but are doing all right now. I move out on Friday and I expect it will be hard on all of us for awhile.

Paul plans to continue to be the priest at Holy Trinity. But I will no longer be presvytera (title for a priest's wife). I am planning on taking a break from parish life for a time, as I don't think anyone there needs me in their face right now. But I do hope to go back at some point. I think we all can learn from each other and help each other along the path.

I will be sharing bits and pieces when I'm ready of what this journey is for me. I hope you will travel this path with me.

Doula Services

I'm hanging out my shingle to let you all know that I am offering doula services now. And if you're one of my first five clients, you'll get those services for absolutely free! No, there's no catch or gimmick. I am currently a student doula and working toward my certification, so I need to attend five births before I'll be qualified for certification. So help me out! If you live in Portland, OR (or the vicinity) and need a doula, or are curious about a doula, and you're pregnant, give me a holler! Please email me at elizadoula@gmail.com.

I'm on track to attend midwifery school in the end of March. One of the prerequisites to entering the program was a labor doula workshop, so I thought it would be a good idea to begin to work in the field now. I'm so excited about my classes! I sent off my registration yesterday.

Breastfeeding is Normal

Recently I've been outraged to hear of the Facebook policies that say that pictures of women breastfeeding are "obscene." There is nothing obscene about this very natural way of feeding babies--milk begins to be produced as soon as a baby is born. And we should ignore this natural resource? Not a chance when it has been proven over and over that breastmilk is the absolute best thing for babies to eat. Formula does serve a purpose, but we should be holding high this very natural and beautiful way of feeding babies. (I think I'm preaching to the choir though!)

I was just made aware of this youtube. It's a snippet of Sesame Street, from 1977. That Jim Henson! We were very pleasantly surprised when re-watching Muppet Shows with the kids (like the "Why Can't We Be Friends" sketch) at his prophetic nature for the times he was writing. Here you can see a very simple explanation--and demonstration--of breastfeeding.

Carissa

Have I told on here that Hibiscus no longer wants to be called that? She is going back to her birth name. Which I am not unhappy about!

We went on a little hike today with our homeschool co-op and a friend caught Carissa on camera. Just had to show off what a gorgeous young lady she is growing into!

Announcing!

I, Elizabeth, on my 40th birthday, have been accepted into the midwifery course of my dreams! Whoopie! I am so excited! What a GREAT birthday present!

A Couple of Great Youtubes

What can I say. It's my 40th birthday, so indulge me!





There's a bunch of other great videos from Advent Conspiracy on Youtube but I'll let you find those yourselves if you are so inclined. :-)

Happy 2009, everyone! I'll be eating New Year's Cookies tonight for my birthday.

Christ is Born!

One thing I've always loved about the icon of the Nativity of Christ is the midwives down in the right corner. :-) They are bathing the infant Jesus. Of course Jesus was born in the presence of midwives--that's how most babies in the history of the world have been born.

And yes, there are two Jesuses in this icon. Orthodox iconography has never felt the need to portray life as a photograph. There are many moments in time all wrapped into one icon here. The central figures, of course, are Mary and Jesus, lying in a manger (with cattle looking on). And then there is Joseph in the left corner, doubting the virginity of his bride, those doubts being fostered by the devil, who is portrayed as an old man. In the center left the wise men travel to find the baby, and to the right and top the shepherds are amazed by angels telling of the newborn king. So, you can see the whole story, here in this one icon. Pretty brilliant, huh?