I Have an Amazing Husband

You may be thinking, what did he do, bring her flowers, take her on a weekend getaway, clean the house, take her out for supper? Is it his birthday, is it 'Love Your Husband Day'? Not this time, this time it's just because of the little day to day things! Sometimes I just look at him and say 'I have an amazing husband!'
Take last week for example, he pulls this old truck out of the bush and was going to make a dump trailer for hauling manure. I look at this old beat up truck and ask, 'How are you going to do this?' 'Oh, I'll just take the cab off, put a hitch on and put some hydraulics on it.' He made it sound so simple. And guess what, he made it look simple too! The girl's and I looked out the window at his progress and said 'He is amazing!' And within a couple of days he had his trailer done! I wish I would have taken some before and after pictures so you could really appreciate what I am talking about! Amazing!!

Another thing is the way he relates to his family. To me, he always makes me feel beautiful, whether I am 9 months pregnant, in my 6 week post partum state, full of dirt & grime from helping in the field, ready for church, just woke up or whatever state I am in, he has never made me feel less than beautiful. To our children he relates to each one in such an amazing way! So many times I just sit back & watch and marvel. From a 17 year old son, to 2 teenage daughters, to a 12 year old daughter, to 4 boys, to 2 little girls, he goes from each one, loving them, teasing them, making them laugh, comforting them, talking to them, training them & making them feel like they have his undivided attention. He seems to know what to say and when to say it! Amazing!

His love for God and wisdom of His ways is also amazing. So many times I have been captivated by his interpretation of the scriptures and he makes the most complicated verses seem so simple. He is not afraid to think outside the box, and wants to be the person God wants him to be and lead our family where God wants us to go. He cares more about what God thinks than what people think. It has not always been the popular or easy road, but he has faithfully lead our family to the places that God has called us to. Amazing!!

He relates well to people in general. Whether it be a perfect stranger on the street, a long time friend, a fellow church goer, family, in the workplace, young, elderly, teens, adults, whoever it is, he can carry on a conversation and make that person feel God's love. Amazing!!

He is so FUNNY! He makes our home a light hearted place to be as there is often a joke, pun or one-liner on his lips. He can make the most stressful situations seem light. Amazing!!

Well I could go on & on but I think you get the picture.
I have an AMAZING husband. Thanks hon for being you!

Tell me about that amazing person in your life!

CHECK IT OUT!

Hey (for you Penner's!) We've started a recipe blog. So if your interested in what goes on in our kitchen (well not everything that goes on!) then check it out. http://quivercooking.blogspot.com/

It's a boat, It's a car, It's a......

BOX!

Jennifer got a new keyboard and as soon as the boys saw the box their imaginations were running wild. First it was a box, then it was a car, today Nate even used it as a bed. The simplest thing yet it made for such fun! Hurray for big boxes, they make the best toys!

TOO FUNNY AND TOO SAD

I had an interesting experience the other day. I met a lady who looked at the 3 children I had with me that day and said, "You have three, I only have 2 and I can't handle them. I don't know how you do it!" Caught a little off guard at this comment seeing that I didn't even have 1/3 of our children with me, I just smiled. But as she went on and on about how did I do it, I just had to say something! So I said "You wouldn't believe it if I told you how many more we have!" To this she threw up her hands and exclaimed, "I don't even want to hear it!" and she got in her car and drove away. Even though this was quite humorous, it is also sad at the same time. Is this really the general feeling of society today? Two is even too much? Now those of you who know me well know that I love having a big family and I wouldn't trade it for anything. I love being a mom to 10 kids! One day another lady was talking to me about our family and made the comment that I shouldn't have had so many children. I turned to her and said. "Which one do you suggest I shouldn't have had?" To this she was a little lost for words, but really. Why would anyone wish their children away. Yes they take energy, patience, lots of love and forgiveness, but why do we tend to focus on the negatives? I don't even let thoughts come into my head of when I was single or just married and had all the time in the world to do my things. That's counter-productive. God has given me these children, and my job, my privelage is to love and care for them. No self pity, no grumbling, no wishing is going to change that. Mothering is hard work, I will never deny that, but what are the rewards? A part of you that will be there as long as God wills, someone who will always come to you for advice and a little lovin'. I am tired of the attitude that children are an inconvenience and mess up our life. The Bible says children are a blessing and a reward. So if you have children, give them an extra hug today and thank God for them, whether it's one, two, three,.....or 15 (yes, I know people who have that many!) and rejoice in being a mom.

First Pregnancy

This is one of the blog surrveys going around. Let's see if I remember that far back :-)


1. WAS YOUR FIRST PREGNANCY PLANNED? Yes, by God


2. WERE YOU MARRIED AT THE TIME? Yes, for 7 mths


3. WHAT WERE YOUR REACTIONS? Very excited!


4. WAS ABORTION AN OPTION FOR YOU? Absolutely NOT


5. HOW OLD WERE YOU? 18


6. HOW DID YOU FIND OUT YOU WERE PREGNANT? In those days (boy that makes me feel old) you went to the good 'ol clinic and got a test done. That's what I did!


7. WHO DID YOU TELL FIRST? My amazing husband


8. DID YOU WANT TO FIND OUT THE SEX? No


9. DUE DATE? Jan. 4/90


10. DID YOU HAVE MORNING SICKNESS? Yes, but nothing real bad.


11. WHAT DID YOU CRAVE? Chocolate Swiss Rolls


12. WHO/WHAT IRRITATED YOU THE MOST? My husbands boss because he made him work so much (we were on a farm)


13. WHAT WAS YOUR FIRST CHILD'S SEX? A boy


14. DID YOU WISH YOU HAD THE OPPOSITE SEX OF WHAT YOU WERE GETTING? No, we were thrilled he was a healthy red headed boy.


15. HOW MANY POUNDS DID YOU GAIN THROUGHOUT THE PREGNANCY? Very little, I think under 20 (wish I could have kept up that trend!)


16. DID YOU HAVE A BABY SHOWER? Yes


17. WAS IT A SURPRISE OR DID YOU KNOW? I knew.


18. DID YOU HAVE ANY COMPLICATIONS DURING YOUR PREGNANCY? Yes, high blood pressure (which I have had every pregnancy since and found out it is the 'white coat syndrome' meaning it goes up just for the doctors :-)


19. WHERE DID YOU GIVE BIRTH? Morden Hospital


20. HOW MANY HOURS WERE YOU IN LABOR? Induced 1 week early because I had high blood pressure. Mild labor for approx. 2 days before he decided to make his appearance.


21. WHO DROVE YOU TO THE HOSPITAL? My husband


22. WHO WATCHED YOU GIVE BIRTH? My hubby and the Dr. and Nurses


23. WAS IT NATURAL OR C-SECTION? Natural


24. DID YOU TAKE MEDICINE TO EASE THE PAIN? Demoral, but I would never do it again. I felt so out of control of what I was saying (something about the pelicans at Pelican Lake :-)


25. HOW MUCH DID YOUR CHILD WEIGH? 7lbs 8 oz.


26. WHEN WAS YOUR CHILD ACTUALLY BORN ? Jan. 1/90 (New Year's Baby)


27. WHAT DID YOU NAME HIM/HER? Joshua Mark


28. HOW OLD IS YOUR FIRST BORN TODAY? 17 years and 4 months

This is me just a couple days before Joshua was born.

Looks like I had to stick my belly out so it would show!

I don't seem to have that 'problem' anymore!!

Reflections

I have been a mom now for 17 years, 4 months and 10 days.
Over those years I have learned a few things and continue to learn them every day.
In the occasion of Mother’s Day I thought it would be a good time to reflct on those things.

Money can’t buy everything
It can’t buy the miracle of birth
It can’t buy the look of a ‘full tummy’ on an infant
It can’t buy the look of accomplishment in a toddler’s first steps
It can’t buy the funny things a 2 year old has to say
It can’t buy the look of pride on a child when they learn to ride without training wheels
It can’t buy a child’s look of wonder at God’s amazing creation
It can’t buy the inquisitiveness of a 3 year old
It can’t buy the adventure of teaching a child to read
It can’t buy the elation of a teenager getting their license
It can’t buy the tranquility of a family around a campfire
It can’t buy the drawings of children
And the list goes on and on…..

The Joy of the Lord is My Strength
If I can’t laugh, I wither.
There are so many things everyday in life that you can choose to
frown or choose to laugh at. I have failed to laugh many times
when I should have. Laughter is a choice..

Trust
I can spend all my days fretting about my childrens health and safety
or I can choose to trust. I can’t be everywhere at once. I can’t control
the health of my children, but my God can, and I need to choose (there’s
that word again) to trust in Him. That He knows and loves my children
more than I do, and will take care of them better than I ever could.

Children Grow Up Fast
When we had our first 4 children ages 5 and under people used to tell me ‘enjoy our kids while they are young because before you know it they will be all grown up.'
I remember thinking, “That is easy for you to say!!! I can’t wait until they grow up and can feed themselves, change themselves, get themselves a drink, are potty trained ect.”
Now today as a mom of both teenagers and little children I realize that what those warned me is true. So enjoy your kids all the stages that they are in, because they do grow up so fast. What you think you will never get through now, will be just a memory in a few years.

Relationship Matters
When my children are grown, it won’t matter

if they wore the nicest clothes,

if they had the best education,

if they had enough friends,

if they drove the nicest car,

if they…..

What will matter is their relationship with their heavenly Father

and with Mark & I. If I work more on getting them things now
rather on the relationships that I have mentioned, I have failed miserably.

Those other things will pass away, our relationships will not.

Our Children’s Holiness is More Important Than Their Happiness
There are hard choices we have had to make as parents in the holiness vs. happiness category.
We all want our children to be happy, and sometimes we let it take the place of their holiness.
It is hard to see our children disappointed or even angry at the decisions we make,
but we need to be careful not to substitute their happiness for holiness.
When we stand before God and give account of our lives, He is not going
to ask us if we made our children happy, He is going to ask us if we taught
them to love Him with all their hearts, soul, mind and strength and to live a
holy life before Him.

Being a Mom is a Ministry
Over the years I have found that there is so much pressure from the church
to be ‘involved’ in the ministries of the church. I was once in the ‘involved’ trap
and trying to be a good mother at the same time. I had so many areas that I wanted
to serve in, Sunday School, Senior Ministry, Youth Ministry, Worship, Drama and
the list went on and on. And I kept doing more and more until one day God got my
attention and said ‘What are you doing?’ “I am serving You God.” I said.
“No, you are serving man“, He replied, “if you were serving me you would devote
your time and energy to your husband, the blessings I have given you and your home.”
Over a period of time I began to realize I did not have to go outside my home to serve God, it was all right here. And when I began to see my children as my ministry, my attitude toward them began to change. They were no longer an inconvenience to MY ministry, they WERE my ministry.
I was amazed at how this changed my perspective. And I came to the point where I

was satisfied being a mom and felt there could be nothing I would rather do. And now I do not view my children as in the way when I have to miss some things like ladies bible study, when I have to be in the baby room instead of in the church service, when I can’t shop whenever I want, when I am so tired I can hardly think, when my children are sick and I have to miss something I have looked forward to for a long time, when I am once again pregnant and don’t have the energy……..Because I now know that I am right where God wants me to be, a MOM.

A Clean House Is Highly Overrated
My house will never be as clean as when I didn’t have children.
And that’s okay. I cannot measure myself according to other people,
but I need to measure myself according to God’s standard, and this includeds
our home. If there are no health and safety issues, if my husband is happy,
if our company feels comfortable, then it’s all okay!

Self Pity Sucks
There is no place for self pity in my role as a Mom.
If I pity myself then I see life through my lense instead of God’s.
I will have valleys, but in them I need to know that I know that God is faithful
and that my view of His faithfulness should not depend on my circumstances.

Teenagers Are Wonderful
The world view, and even someimes the churches view is that the teenage years are to
be dreaded because they will be full of rebellion and heartache. This simply is not true.
We believe and have experienced God’s grace in this as we have been thoroughly
enjoying our teenagers (we have 3 in our home right now). We have always had this
belief in our hearts, but the thought was always in the back of our mind, 'but we have never had teenagers, can we be confident in this?'

Well now our oldest is 17 and we can with confidence proclaim,

“TEENAGERS ARE WONDERFUL”

Are their hard times? Yes, but if we have our children's hearts, if our

parenting years have not been just do's and don'ts, but instead,

do this because this is what God says,

if they have been taught to obey out of a love for God and us as parents,

then the teenage years will be a blessing!

Now on the Less Serious Side
Toilets draw kids like magnets, some even use them as swimming pools.
When everything is quiet, find them!
Butter really does fly.
It’s impossible to listen to 5 people at once.
If you want any chocolate you have to hide it!
If kids walk in the garden first thing in the spring, they will loose their boots.
Peanut butter takes gum out of hair.
Diaper rash ointment is very hard to wash off of a kid plastered with it.
Fat sticks to just about everywhere after you have a baby.
Some kids prefer to jump in the tub with all their clothes on.
Potty training tests your character.
Infants can smell when it is meal time and prefer to eat then too.
Teenagers ‘wake up’ around 11:00 pm
and last but not least, you can never get too many kisses from a toddler.

If you are a mom, be encouraged, it's an amazing calling,

one that will impact generations!

Just to let you know.....

We're Done Seeding!

Yeah!

p.s.. No, these photos were not staged.

What makes you think so :)

Our New Friend

Every since Mikaya was born, she likes to be held...

And held, and held, and held......You get the picture!

At night we put her down and she sleeps just fine,

but doesn't like her bed during the day.

That's okay, I would rather it that way than the other

way around.

The first month was fine, there was always someone

to hold her, but now there is so much to do with yard

work and exta stuff that we needed a way to hold her

and be mobile at the same time.

So I bought the amazing MamanKangaourou (from Quebec)

wrap off of ebay.

And we love it! It has been so handy and she is in

it most of the day.

It is one size fits all, so my girls can wear it too.

There are 5 different postitions to carry them (including

the nursing position).

Your hands are free to do what you need to do.

It is easy to put on (once you get the hang of it)

and you just throw it in the washer to clean it.

It folds up nice and small for throwing in the

diaper bag.

You can use it from newborn up to 35 lbs.

So I say, 3 cheers for MamanKangourou.

You have made our life a little easier!

Here's their website http://www,mamankangourou.com

Here is my lovely model Kerri demonstrating

our new friend!

Quote of the Day

Children are not expensive, lifestyles are!

Dear Mikaya

You are one month old today!

It seems like just yesterday that you were born.

We have enjoyed cuddling you, rocking you,

kissing your baby cheeks and admiring all your cute baby faces.

You are very loved, all day long your siblings are telling you how cute

you are.

You and I have spent many hours in the wee mornings,

when everyone was fast asleep, talking, crying, and just being close.

Even though somewhat tiring, I have savored those moments knowing that

soon you will be running around and I won't be able to cuddle you like this.

I have found out you don't like chocolate near as much as I do!

Thanks, you knew I needed to cut down!

You don't like your soother very much and can't understand why we would

try to stick that thing in your mouth when you could just nurse from mommy. Jennifer seems to have the most patience with you and your soother!

You have given us a few little smiles. It lights up your whole face,

you are so cute!

Brooke can't stand it when you cry and quickly comes to tell me 'The baby

is crying.' You already have her wrapped around your little finger.

Your daddy is busy in the field these days but every chance he gets he

holds you close and talks with you.

Your brothers ask all day long if they can hold you.

They have affectionately nick named you 'Kaya'

Your sisters cuddle you often and even take care of you when I have a

much needed nap.

I can't imagine what life was like when you were not a part of our days.

We all feel very blessed that God has chosen us to be your family.

I love you little one.

Here is a verse for you;

'May you be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth and length, and depth, and height; and to know the love of Christ, whcih passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fullness of God.

Ephesians 3:18-19