Eclectic Green

My Life's Current Interior Design

Woodland Wedding

When we got married in my parents’ woods, I was adamant: I am getting married outside - rain or shine. We wiped dew off of wedding chairs and the sun dawned a beautiful day, shining through the variegated greens of the trees. We celebrated our 6th wedding anniversary this month, and the words of our first dance song rang true. And whatever the season, Well, we'll keep on breathing, 'Cause we'll have each other to hold.

It’s been a crazy season with a new baby, property rehabs and work projects, and Luis was gone the weekend of our anniversary for an out of town wedding. The resentment started to creep in at being left at home with three littles and sleep habits in process. We had to have some honest conversations and do some heart surrendering, but I’m thankful to keep growing with this man. The weekend after our anniversary, Luis planned some family activities for us. We had a craft & movie night at home and then went to a strawberry festival, where we got soaked thanks to a quick summer shower. Well, I'll be your rainy day lover, Whenever the sunny days end, And whatever the weather we have each other, And that's how the story will end.

Phone a Friend

Exodus 1:15-21 (The Message) —

“The king of Egypt had a talk with the two Hebrew midwives; one was named Shiphrah and the other Puah. He said, “When you deliver the Hebrew women, look at the sex of the baby. If it’s a boy, kill him; if it’s a girl, let her live.”

But the midwives had far too much respect for God and didn’t do what the king of Egypt ordered; they let the boy babies live. The king of Egypt called in the midwives. “Why didn’t you obey my orders? You’ve let those babies live!”

The midwives answered Pharaoh, “The Hebrew women aren’t like the Egyptian women; they’re vigorous. Before the midwife can get there, they’ve already had the baby.”

God was pleased with the midwives. The people continued to increase in number—a very strong people. And because the midwives honored God, God gave them families of their own.”

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“You are the first person on my call list if my mom or my birth photographer can’t make it,” I told my friend Jodie later in my pregnancy. She has been such a mentor and friend in creating space for women in the perinatal period. Consistently showing up with tender care.

At 6:22am, she answered my desperate call, showing up in her green birth center shirt approximately 20 minutes later. I love the pictures my birth photographer snapped of her: Holding my oldest daughter’s hand cutting the cord. Smiling at my bedside as she brought a cooling ice pad. Checking baby’s latch as I nursed. Carrying my toddler into the room to meet her little sister.

There is something to be said for women holding space for other women and for life. I have been meditating on Exodus for some time and love the mention of midwives in chapter one. Not only did they usher life in, but they protected babies from being killed by the regime. During my births, I have been held and cared for by other women. My mom. My midwives. My nurses. My friends. The sacredness of Sisterhood.

Whimsical Romps

Our photographer snapped family photos of us in a grassy grove of trees as the sun started setting along the creek bed. The girls in their pastel clothing, twirling and running barefoot. Luis and I snuggled on a colorful, tattered patchwork quilt. Luis as the perfect girl dad, lifting them high into the air and then holding them gently to his strong chest. We don’t often do family photos but there is something pretty magical about these ones in the spring sun and with big smiles. My oldest daughter’s ringlets bounce perfectly down her back. The mischievous grin of my middle daughter peeking around our legs. The alert chocolate eyes of my newborn staring out from the safety of nestling against my shoulder.

Cool Linen Dress

I had roughly 15 minutes to stop into my favorite thrift store and try to find a dress for a tea party I was attending. I got all the girls out of the car and we hustled in, as one cried, one slept, and one tried to pick out clothes for herself. I quickly searched through the racks, grabbing about 10 dresses to try on. I left the girls outside of the dressing room by bribing them with a fashion show. The first dress I tried on was a NO. The second dress was a crocheted floral dress, perfect for a tea party. Check. I decided to try on the deep green nursing dress I had also picked up. It fit perfectly. It was comfortable for heading into summer. And it was $40 cheaper than buying it online. I hung the remaining dresses back on the return rack, nursed the baby quickly, got the girls Dum Dums at the counter, and got everyone back in the car. I had a mini internal party at finding two cute and functional dresses in the limited time I had and while shopping with three littles. Catch me in this dress for the next two seasons, and maybe winter with black stockings and a sweater.

Take a Breather

My parents came up this weekend so the guys could power wash our deck. My mom had brought me up a cute green lamp that she was getting rid of. I couldn’t think of a spot I needed it right away, but then on a whim I decided to rearrange our living room and dining room (which is really just one giant room). We moved all of our bookshelves to the opposite wall, reconfiguring them to get a cute spot for the lamp by creating a reading alcove by the small window. Three days in and it’s already become my favorite spot to sip a shaken espresso and read library books to the girls, write, and spend quiet time.

Neglected Pothos

I keep forgetting to water the pothos plant on the one book shelf. Her leaves are turning a little yellow now in a silent plea to be watered. I don’t have pets or sourdough starter for a reason. I’m pouring all of my energy into my children. Maybe I’ll remember to water her when I get home.

Turn Down The Lights

Bedtime has easily been the most difficult time of day this postpartum. One has often skipped a nap she needs and her wild eyes match her wild curls as she exhausted-rages. One simultaneously wants to be snuggled in the gray corner chair and be independent as she fights to turn off the light. One vacillates between peacefully sleeping in her bed and crying to be nursed. All the needs. I stare at the sage walls of their room as I take deep breaths and sometimes yell back. At the end of the night, my own room’s green walls envelope me as I sink into my bed and pull the blankets up to my chin, praying for a night where 2/3 children stay in bed the whole night.

Family Walks

We’ve been hiking and walking among the state parks lately and sometimes the cracked sidewalks of our neighborhood that hug the mountainside. It’s the green space that gives us room to run and breathe. Luis and our oldest race on the paths, carefully avoiding roots. A holy curiosity as we flip rocks to look for bugs and catch ants in jars (no, we can’t keep them as pets), mix mud and wilting flower petals into mason jars and pies in the mud kitchen. We pick tiny flowers to press in the old red dictionary. We pile tired kids into the stroller and carriers and make up silly games to keep them walking back to the house. We romp and ruckus because nature gives us space to squeal and holler and belly laugh.

Coniferous Conversations

I named my doula business after a fir tree for a reason. It is evergreen work, this supporting women and families. I’m slowly delving back into birth work as I have three births on the schedule for the end of summer. I love this space holding for women: these conversations processing hopes and dreams, difficulties and traumas, preparation and healing. Talking about nesting parties and things that actually are helpful in the postpartum. This passion pours out of my heart, past my business, and spills into my life and the conversations I get to have with clients, friends, people I just met. I want the things that last - heavenly things - to color all the conversations that I have. Holy Spirit, lead me.

“Please read prayerfully what I'm about to write. When God puts a passion in your heart, whether it be relieving starvation in Africa or educating children in the inner city or making movies with redemptive messages, that God-ordained passion becomes your responsibility. And you have a choice to make. Are you going to be irresponsibly responsible or responsibly irresponsible?”

― Mark Batterson, Wild Goose Chase: Reclaim the Adventure of Pursuing God

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Lyrics from “Forever Like That” by Ben Rector

Paint Samples inspired by Jenna O’Brien.

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This post is part of a blog hop with Exhale—an online community of women pursuing creativity alongside motherhood, led by the writing team behind Coffee + Crumbs. Click here to view the next post in the series "Green."