Marylou Grace Galbraith

I don't really think about it while it's happening, but when I do take a moment to look back I'm always amazed at everything surrounding the birth of our children, especially my wife.  She always chooses to do this.  It's not a surprise, it's not a mistake, it's her choice.  She chooses to fulfill her part of the plan of our Father in Heaven, to give life, and I honor her for the great sacrifice she makes each time she pairs a spirit body with a physical body and brings forth a child; she is an elect lady, a virtuous women, a righteous mother.

Our friend Sara Lester took pictures during the birth and captured some of the defining moments.  Amber posted this first picture to facebook with the title "Team Galbraith".


Marylou Grace Galbraith was born 31 May 2013 at 7:01am at home. She was 8lbs-11ozs, 21" long, has a 14" head and was all covered in vernix. She cleaned up beautifully and I caught a picture while Lucy was dressing her...

There were a lot of people helping, including three of our girls, our midwife Amber and her mom, and our friend Sara Lester.  I love this picture of cutting Marylou's umbilical cord. Here's a new person just finishing the process of coming into the world, surrounded by people who love her, helping her to make a good start.

As usual we didn't know our time table (I suppose no one does) but the Lord handled the details beautifully.  Amber was delivered and clean up had begun when the children started waking up. Aurora was caught up in the magic of the moment and Sara captured her as she discovered her new baby sister with all the innocence and curiosity of a two year old.


I'm not sure if you've heard this story before so I'll tell it now.  When I was 14 I helped my parents as they worked together to bring my little sister Ruth into the world.  The midwife wasn't going to make it in time and so it was just the two of them working together and me doing the running as needed.  Watching how my parents worked together I began to understand what it means for a husband and wife to be one.  They had a perfect focus on a single goal; they gave everything they had to fulfilling that goal; and they held nothing back.  It was beautiful and it changed me forever.  I determined then and there that my life's ambition was to be a husband and father. My perfect focus is just that.  In all that I am called to do, I am a husband and father first and everything else is only a supporting role.  Maybe you can see that in these two pictures.

Amber and I have now brought eight children into the world together.  Four at home and four in hospitals. No offence to the hospitals, but having babies at home is what works for us.  There is a palpable calm in our home when Amber is laboring and I believe that is because the veil is very thin when babies are born.  During all of our home births I have been aware of the spirits of family members passed on in the room with us. There to help, strengthen, guide and encourage.  It's hard to feel that in a hospital with all the hustle and bustle, bells and whistles.  But we couldn't feel that way without help, without having confidence that everything supporting us was being quietly done in the background.  Our midwife Amber Walla does just that.  As Amber and I work together to bring a baby into the world, Amber makes sure everything else gets done.

It's now five months since these events.  I wanted to capture a few moments before the details fade.  There are a lot more stories to come as Marylou's life unfolds, that's the case with all our children.

Job Hunting According to Nephi

I wanted to capture this article Job Hunting According to Nephi - Ensign Feb. 2013 so that I can refer to it again in the next few weeks and months (if needed) to find gainful employment for my family.

There is of course something very personal about searching for a job that lays bare a mans soul and measures his value in the eyes not of those who know him but in the eyes of those who do not.  It is a hard measure of a man. And when his greatest aspiration is to raise his family and be happy, it seems an intimidating precipice.

However, I know that "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me." Phil.4:13 Remembering order and diligence (Mosiah 4:27).

Called and Chosen

I was thinking today about what it means to be called and chosen, pondering the scripture D&C 121:34 (34-46 inclusive) "Behold, there are many called, but few are chosen. And why are they not chosen?" and also thinking about Nephi in Helaman 10:4-7 4 "Blessed art thou, Nephi, for those things which thou hast done; for I have beheld how thou hast with unwearyingness declared the word, which I have given unto thee, unto this people. And thou hast not feared them, and hast not sought thine own life, but hast sought my will, and to keep my commandments. 5 And now, because thou hast done this with such unwearyingness, behold, I will bless thee forever; and I will make thee mighty in word and in deed, in faith and in works; yea, even that all things shall be done unto thee according to thy word, for thou shalt dnot ask that which is contrary to my will. 6 Behold, thou art Nephi, and I am God. Behold, I declare it unto thee in the presence of mine angels, that ye shall have power over this people, and shall smite the earth with famine, and with pestilence, and destruction, according to the wickedness of this people. 7 Behold, I give unto you power, that whatsoever ye shall seal on earth shall be sealed in heaven; and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven; and thus shall ye have power among this people." It occurred to me that being chosen what happened to Nephi. He was called and was faithful with 'unwearyingness' in doing the will of the Lord. In fact there is a check list of sorts in verse four: 1. Declaring the word of the Lord 2. Not fearing man 3. Not seeking or own life or will, but to seek the will of the Lord 4. Keeping the commandments Because of all this Nephi was also chosen of the Lord. Being chosen of the Lord is to be given permission to use the priesthood fully and completely because ones will is aligned with the Lord's will perfectly. It is to be told by the Lord: I trust you fully and I choose you and give you full authorization to do my work.

The really good ever so happy completely awesome day

Today was one of those days that satisfies the heart and soul. It was a slow, luxurious morning, sleeping in and breakfast as a family including our daily practice of holding hand around the table for the prayer. I find this particular practice very fulfilling. Then we went and participated in the baptism of some close friends, hanging out afterwards to visit and enjoy the moment. Our friends were prepared to receive the gospel for a long time and the moment to join the church turned out to be now. We have been part of teaching them and they have made our life better. I rejoice in their progress and in their joy. This evening I went to help fix a vehicle for some other friends and it came together beautifully. It made me realize how wonderfully guided I have been in my life to acquire skills and develop talents that bless my family and so many others. I am grateful for the many times I have been called upon to use these in blessing others and in doing the Lord's work. I want to recognize the hand of the Lord in my life, I am blessed, I am most often content, and I am happy.

Deer Hunting

I don't know what it is about deer hunting that I love the most; being outside for long periods of time, spending time with my gun, or actual hunt, but I love it! This year I'm hunting with friends: Duane Lester and Jamie Allen. We haven't seen anything yet, and we haven't talked much but it's good to do something I love with people I enjoy being around.

Hopefully we will see something soon, or better yet shoot something! But if we don't I will have had a good time.

What a week

After being gone from home for a full week at scout camp, participating in a Professional Developement workshop for two days and sleeping about four hours per night, I'm ready to go home.

I only had two ticks this week, pretty good for for out in the woods 24/7.

It's sure going to be good to see my wife and children and to sleep in my own bed. One more night.

A new perspective

Today I visited the LDS Employment Center in Independence MO and attended the Professional Developement workshop.

I started the day confident in my self and my skills and ended the day with a new appreciation for how much I can improve both.

I need to work on a new 30 second me statement, achievement statements and answering a number of interview questions.

It's going to take time and effort but I will with a little help make a better m, ready to face the world with confidence and purpose.