Life along The Way with the V's

Why did God make Chimper Wigs??

I recently had a funny conversation with 6yo T.  She came to me asking a *great* question.  Why did God make "chimper wigs"?  I laughing asked what was a chimper wig?  She explained messing up her face, "you know, the little things with the tweezers that are all crispy and brown and when you step on them they turn all black..."  Now laughing harder I said I didn't know what a chimper wig was.  D jumped in knowing exactly what they were, explained "You know mom, a wig with tweezers..."  Oh!!  An ear wig...  Wow that was good!  Then she also let me know that she saw the most pretty "bird pecker" that was all blue and red...it was very beautiful!!  God has made some really interesting creatures, I am SO happy that our kids are noticing!!

Blessings

J

Spring Fever!!!

I have got spring fever BAD!!  Today is a bright, mild sunshiney day!!  We had a huge dumping of snow.  I have to admit it looks beautiful.  As beautiful as it is I am SO ready for spring.  I need some fresh air and sunshine to play in.  I am trying to ready myself for the nice weather.  I am planning a veggie garden.  I am also determined that this summer we will have an enjoyabe back yard and so I am looking forward to fixing up the backyard so it is pretty.  The little boys will be big enough to enjoy some fun play time in the yard.  Oh I am just itching...

All is well otherwise.  God is good and even in the midst of testing He brings forth the sunshine and the rain in our lives produces fruit if we allow it too.  I have had some rainy times recently.  Some days have felt pretty dark, however I can see the sun starting to poke through. 

Many blessings all,

J

Baby smiles and toothless grins!!

Well our sweet little man is so happy.  He smiles and coos all the time.  There is NOTHING like it in the entire world.  I love babies so much, no let me correct myself, I love our babies so much.  I could have a million babies.  They are just so delightful.  :) 

T lost her first tooth.  She is thrilled.  She feels rather grown up and is showing everyone that she has a hole in her smile.  She looks SO cute.  My babies are all growing up.  One minute I am talking about drivers permits and the next, thrilling myself with a tiny smile.  They are all growing so fast.  I am just so thankful that we have so many children.  I can't imagine not parenting any longer...by the time we have "empty nest" we should have grandbabies that I can snuggle and kiss.  God is so good to have made our quiver so full and blessed!

Blessings all. 

J. 

Derek Simon's Birth story, LONG...

Derek Simon’s Birth story

I woke up around 5:30 am Thursday morning having contractions.  These contractions were different than the ones I had been getting for days.  They were stronger and longer.  They were coming fairly regular every 10 mins. 

Rien got up to go to work.  I told him I didn’t think he should go to far due to the contractions.  He took his time getting ready and we decided that he would go as he had an appointment that morning and if anything changed he would turn around and come home.  I was a little stressed about this however nothing had changed or gotten more strong so I agreed.

The kids were put in charge upstairs and I stayed downstairs in our room.   By lunch the contractions had stopped.  I was so sad.  I had called my midwife and let her know what was happening.  I had been spotting and had a show so I knew this was real labour.  Rien came home around that time as well.  My midwife called and suggested I take some herbs to help get things going again.  I took them around lunch and went to bed for a sleep with Elias.

I woke with strong regular contractions again around 2:30.  My midwife called and suggested we ship the kids out as that was likely distracting me enough to keep me from better labour. She said she would come and check on me in an hour or so.  I called my mom and had her come.  As soon as I made that decision my contractions changed and really stepped up.

Kathy came around 5 and checked me.  I was 6 cm and almost completely effaced.  I was encouraged as usually by 5 cm I am in transition and everything happens quickly there after.  Rien got the pool ready and I hopped in.  It felt like heaven.  My contractions slowed down and I started feeling discouraged again.  Kathy reminded me that things were still happening I was just more in control and able to handle them.

Labour continued this way with long durations in between contractions.  Kathy continued giving me herbs to keep things going.  She was a little concerned about the way things were going in such an irregular way.   She got me out of the pool to climb the stairs.  This seemed like torture.  Rien helped me through the contractions, which had strengthened considerably.  At one point we stopped and he prayed.  I got back in the pool.  Rien kept encouraging me and telling me that he was praying.  I reminded myself that I could do all things through Him who strengthens me. 

By 8pm I was 9 ½ cm with a small lip left.  I had to breath through what seemed like a million contractions trying my hardest not to push  because of the lip. Finally Kathy pushed this out of the way which was awful.  I started to push.  It felt like forever.  Finally the baby’s head was out.  I reached down and felt it.  I started to push harder but he just wasn’t coming out.  I couldn’t stop pushing.  Kathy stepped into the pool and tried to gently pull the baby.  He wasn’t coming.  She stepped right into the pool then had me put my knees to my ears (or so it seemed) and put her hands inside and pulled the baby while I pushed.  I felt like she was going to pull my internal organs out.  Finally he was out and I was holding him on my chest.  It was amazing! 

I had only a very small 1 degree tear which needed no stitches.  Derek Simon was born at 9:23 pm weighing 10 lbs 10 oz and 21 ½ inches long.  He has a nice bit of dark hair.  He was born on the anniversary of Rien proposing to me 16 years previous.  I told Rien I won any future or past gifts given for an anniversary.  :)  He agreed.

It's been a while...welcome with us our newest blessing!

Well I have a good reason for being absent for so long.  We had a beautiful baby boy on December 6th at 9:23pm after about 7 hrs of labour.  His name is Derek Simon.  We are calling him Simon however.  We named him after a man we hold very dear to us and view as a spiritual father, Derek Prince.  Someone who has helped mold our christian life so profoundly needed to be honoured this way.  :)  He weighed 10lbs 10oz and was 21 inches long.  I didn't know I could bake em' that big!!  I have a whole new appreciation for women who say they had a 10lb baby, wow!  It's not easy birthing something that big!  He is beautiful.  He is so sweet natured and such a joy!  We are thrilled.  He was born at home in our bedroom in a beautiful water birth.   Things became a little frightening at the end because he was so big.  He did get stuck and my midwife had to literally pull him out.  That aside it was my best birth yet.  I was able to handle the contractions well.  R was fantastic and reassured me throughout the labour that I could do this and that he was praying.  I reminded myself of scripture when I was starting to feel that panicky feeling.  My midwife was fantastic.  She helped me to stay calm and focused.  She assured me that things were okay.  It was a very beautiful experience in every way.  I felt connected to R and to God through the whole thing.  I will post my birth story officially later.

For now we are trying to stay caught up in school and house and all the rest.  Some days the house is falling apart and some days I am but considering having just had our 8th baby we are doing remarkably well.  :)  Thank God for His mercies!

Blessings all!

J