God's Child...

"From the fullness of his grace we have all received one blessing after another..." 
John 1:16 NIV 

Eva's baptism, Daddy's birthday: October 23, 2011.

Eva's Godparents, Aaron and Kendra (Luke's cousin and wife).

Eva wore the same dress beneath her gown that Marie wore when she was baptized.  The gown was worn by my father, myself and my siblings, and all our girls.

Now she is God's child...

These first days...

These first days have been such a blessing, such a gift.  There has been a lot of rocking, and cuddling.  Lots of kissing a brown little head.  Sisters have been in awe of this tiny sister, they call her "Littles" which is what Josie called Sarah when she came.  We have been enjoying the joy of it all...  It has been so different from Sarah's birth and that makes me a little sad.

We have been home, we haven't left.  Eva's first official outing was church yesterday morning.  We have been spoiled by wonderful friends bringing meals over.  We have been smiling, and sighing, and crying just a little.

This is so wonderful.  I look at Eva in awe, it's hard to believe she's really here.  The months of hoping, praying, carrying her and she's arrived safely.  Praise God!

On Thursday I got sick and had to go to the doctor.  I delivered Eva with the stomach flu and my defenses were down, recovery is tougher this time.  Thursday I had a fever and the doctor said, an infection.  Thanks to the antibiotics I am finally beginning to feel like myself.  It's been hard to not feel good when I want to just enjoy this blessed little window of time before life really picks up again.  I want to savor each and every one of these first hazy baby days.  And of course they have been bittersweet.

She is so beautiful, and she looks just like her sister. We prayed.  Josie prayed, and I prayed before she was born.  "Lord, let her look a bit like Marie".  Maybe with dark hair.  so that Eva in the coming years will have something to tie her to her sister.  She can say, I wasn't here when Marie was but I look like her.

And God answered the prayer, as He always does.  Eva looks so much like Marie my heart catches in my throat sometimes when I look at her.  What I wouldn't give to see them together... and I will.  I just have to wait for Heaven first.

Marie, March 2007

Eva...

We are just taking it easy, getting to know this new girl and enjoying this all as much as we can.  I don't know how it happened but I am just incredibly humbled by how much my Father has blessed me. 

The blonds...

Little monkey...

His arms are full...  Bittersweet. We wish that chair was more crowded.  There's still room for Marie there...

Evangeline...

"Look how she lights up the sky
Ma belle Evangeline
So far above me yet I
Know her heart belongs to only me"

October 8, 2011. 2:34pm. 8 lbs, 14 oz. 21"

Evangeline; Latin.  Meaning the good news, the Gospel.

Lucile; Latin.  Meaning: light.

Our new blessing... 

"To someone as beautiful as she
Who loves someone like me
Love always finds a way, it's true
And I love you Evangeline".  

                      Ma Belle Evangeline.

Indian summer...

"See that you do not look down on one of these little ones. For I tell you that their angels in heaven always see the face of my Father in heaven."
Matthew 18:10

Fingerprint Friday... Photos.

Please continue to pray for Abigail!  Her mom Clarissa posted an update.

There is a song by Steven Curtis Chapman that says: 

I can see the fingerprints of god
When I look at you
I can see the fingerprints of god
And I know its true
You're a masterpiece
That all creation quietly applauds
And you're covered with the fingerprints of god

So look around you and see where YOU can see God's fingerprints. Is it in nature? Kids? Animals? Where do you see them? Visit The Rusted Chain to join. 

My fingerprint this week is just pictures... Where we are at the moment.  And what's a blessing is in thirty years I will be able to look back at the pictures and it will kick start all these memories...

Child labor...

Sisters...

Beautiful...

39 weeks, 1 day...

Beautiful memories...

Silly girl...

Her eyes...

"I think it is right to refresh your memory as long as I live in the tent of this body..." 2 Peter 1:13 NIV

39 weeks... the hard way.

Today it is official.  I am one week from my due date.

And I haven't had much time to think about it.  Last week Josie brought home a nasty head cold.  Friday Sarah really seemed to catch it and by Sunday evening we knew something was up.  A long night Sunday and a doctor appointment Monday and it was confirmed Sarah has croup.  I have been up nights with her and busy days with her just trying to get through it.  I've never had a little one with croup before.  Her cough is better now, not as barky, but the steroid pills they put her on are terrible.  She's cranky, they taste terrible, I'm tired.  It's not a great combination.  She's still really not feeling good but we are seeing some improvement.

Luke worked 15 hours yesterday.  He was literally not home at all.  He's trying to get all the wheat sown way up north.  They just finished section 11 and Tolstrip... on to Barnika's today and back to the farm place tomorrow.  As soon as he's done with that it's time to start picking up the millet they swathed the beginning of the month.  There are three and a half fields, or another three days of work there.  He hasn't been home since Friday when they were able to start sowing wheat again.

We are a little overwhelmed.  I don't like this journal because it sounds like I'm complaining.  Really I'm not, we're blessed.  Blessed to be expecting, blessed that Sarah is strong enough to cough hard and fight this virus, blessed that Luke has work and we are provided for.  The truth is though that we have a lot going on!

Josie is struggling.  Anxiety is something she deals with all the time but lately it's been worse.  She has a hard teacher this year.  Last year she had a very sweet teacher who mothered her, this year her teacher is really pushing personal responsibility.  It is hard for my sensitive, anxious girl some days.  So there's been that too.  We really just need to get through the year with this teacher... and there's a lesson in it for her.  About how it's not always easy with other's in this world.  I just hate to see her worry over school.

 I am so glad that I don't have to worry about Marie getting this virus that Sarah is fighting.  She just couldn't cough.  Then I feel guilty about  being relieved about that because it means she 's not here.  And I miss her and wish she was here but I am so grateful for Heaven...

So we've hit 39 weeks but the last week has been hard. My next doctor appointment is Monday and my due date is Wednesday, the 5th.  I will talk to the doctor about our options for induction if/when I go over my due date.  I have had to be induced with all three of our girls so far as my labors don't progress.  After going nine days over with Sarah I am going to ask they not let me go past 41 weeks this time.  Poor Sarah was starving at birth, her skin was cracked, and there was meconium in her fluid so her lungs were compromised.  She just baked too long and I would like to avoid that with this little one if I can.  That and the hospital is an hour and forty minuets from here so it would be comforting to have some sort of plan. 

Please continue to lift Abigail up in your prayers as she is still fighting pneumonia...

Prayers for Abigail...

Please take a moment of your day and say a prayer for sweet Abigail...  She is sick and fighting the beginning of pneumonia.  Please pray that she do well with treatments, this does not set her little body back, and can avoid getting any sicker. 

Marie was hospitalized for pneumonia and they were some of Luke and I's scariest days.  Thank you so much!!!

38 weeks...

I have been terrible about writing lately.  I am 38 weeks, halfway to 39.  It is amazing to think that soon there will be another baby in this house, soon our family will change again.  This change will be good. 

It has been a hard road.  My emotions have ruled me and I have grieved through this pregnancy even while I have rejoiced.  And soon she'll be here.  I can't wait to meet her.  I am so excited to see what God has in store for this little girl, what she'll look like, how she'll fit in with her sisters.

Luke is back in the field sowing wheat after a weeks break from the rain.  We are hopeful that he can get all the acres in and some spraying done before our new girl arrives.  I don't think we'll get the millet picked up before she gets here though.

Josie and Sarah fought a tummy bug last week.  This week it is some strange cold with a yucky cough.  I hope all of this clears up soon.

We're just busy with day to day.  Busy and excited waiting for our baby.  Laundry, cleaning, making meals, running after little ladies, it all seems to occupy my time so much more these days.  I am blessed by the busy, blessed by the work.  And always, Marie is in our hearts and on our minds.  She would have loved these cooler days... 


This is how God spoke to me this week...  The Resurrection Body...  




But someone may ask, "How are the dead raised? With what kind of body will they come?" How foolish! What you sow does not come to life unless it dies. When you sow, you do not plant the body that will be, but just a seed, perhaps of wheat or of something else. But God gives it a body as he has determined, and to each kind of seed he gives its own body.  All flesh is not the same: Men have one kind of flesh, animals have another, birds another and fish another. There are also heavenly bodies and there are earthly bodies; but the splendor of the heavenly bodies is one kind, and the splendor of the earthly bodies is another. The sun has one kind of splendor, the moon another and the stars another; and star differs from star in splendor. So will it be with the resurrection of the dead. The body that is sown is perishable, it is raised imperishable...
1 Corinthians 15:35-42 NIV

Mitochondrial Disease Awareness Week

Mitochondrial Disease Awareness Week is September 18-24. 

Mitochondria are:

• Tiny organelles found in almost every cell in the body.
• They are known as the "powerhouse of the cell."
• They are responsible for creating more than 90% of cellular energy.
• They are necessary in the body to sustain life and support growth.
• They are composed of tiny packages of enzymes that turn nutrients into cellular energy
• Mitochondrial failure causes cell injury that leads to cell death. When multiple organ cells die there is organ failure.

MITO HAPPENS!  IT IS NOT AS RARE AS YOU WOULD BELIEVE!

About one in 4,000 children in the United States will develop mitochondrial disease by the age of 10 years.

THERE IS NO CURE FOR MITOCHONDRIAL DISEASE.

All families can do is treat symptoms, and try to slow the progression of the disease. 

Marie had Leigh's Disease, it is one of the most severe forms of Mitochondrial Disease.  She fought hard and we are so proud of her... still, there are so many children and adults who are fighting.  It is hard to loose someone to a disease no-one knows about or understands.

Please, in memory of our Little Mama pass along the information about Mitochondrial Disease this week.

You can learn more by visiting MitoAction.

On Wednesday join us in Light a Light for Mito and light a candle in memory of all of those who have fought Mitochondrial Disease and were called Home. 

Every day we miss our Princess... Please join us in the HOPE FOR A CURE!!!

Marie, wide eyed at the Downtown Aquarium in Denver, CO August 2009...

Princess Sarah turned two...

Here are a few photos from her party.  It was a beautiful day and she was surrounded by a lot of special people to help her celebrate.  She was also spoiled rotten...

You can download, print, and make the banner yourself here.

I say it all the time, but we really are so blessed to have Sarah Kate in our lives.  Her white blond hair, infectious smile, quick hugs, fiery spirit, and roll with the punches attitude have been such a comfort to us.  God made Sarah Kate something special indeed!