To Mikaya,

March 25th came and went, I am 40 weeks pregnant, carrying you inside me, a little miracle.Even though this is our 10th pregnancy, every moment of it has still been an adventure, wonder,a testimony that our God is amazing. From the time we knew you were coming into our family until this point, we have been excited to meet you. Today the anticipation of our family rises as they wonder when that day will be. But today is not the day. So we will wait.

March 26th, 27th, 28th, 29th, 30th ....We are still waiting. I have had contractions all week that have gotten stronger near evening and many times we thought this would be the day, but God said 'Not today'.We are trying to be patient, knowing that God's timing is perfect. We trust and rest in Him. I feel good, probably one of the best pregancies I have had yet. So we will wait. Your brothers and sisters look at me with that question? Today? But, not today!

April 2nd. We got a call from Marla, our midwife today. We made an appointment for tommorow to have a stress test done to check you and make sure everything is still alright inside there. You are very active so that is good. We are wondering if you will be born on your brother Nathan's birthday. If you are a boy we could celebrate your birthdays together, but if you are a girl? Tea parties and car themes don't seem to go together. We will cross that bridge when we come to it. I still feel verygood, anxious to meet you, but not anxious to get this pregnancy over with.
9:00 p.m. I am starting to feel some slightly stronger contractions, and they don't stop when I lay down! I think this is the time, I tell Daddy and we decide to try to get some sleep. I wanted to be rested as much as possible for when we finally meet you.

April 3rd. Well I was able to get some sleep. The contractions kept up all night, so we let Marla know that things were moving forward. I was supposed to go to the hospital today and get a stress test done.We were able to cancel it, I was glad about that. Grama Rowley called, she was very excited to know I was in labor. We said our good byes to your siblings and told them that Lord willing, next time they saw us we would have a new baby in our family. We went to town and met Grama & Grampa Rowley to give them milk.Grama prayed with Mommy, for a safe delivery and that everything would go fine. Then off to Winkler we went. I did what I like to do best during labor. Shop, shop, shop. It keeps my mind off things, and I think the walking around helps everything go faster. We had lunch at Boston Pizza. We got settled into the room you would be born in. Then we had a visit with Marla. Everything seemed fine, We told her we would keep in touch. Then we did some more......you guessed it....shopping. We went back to our room throughout the day and rested a bit. By late afternoon things were starting to get more intense.

Your Birth
At 5:45 pm we talked to Marla and decided we would call her over when contractions were 5 minutes apart, and 1 minute long. Marla chose to stay at the office to be close by for when we called her over. We decided to get some supper so that I could eat before things got too intense. We brought supper back to our room. After eating I got in the tub to relieve the pain of the contractions. They are getting stronger all the time. I try to focus on the end result, a precious baby that we will meet very shortly. My love for you grows stronger, the reality of seeing you for the first time brings more emotion every minute. After a couple of contractions 5 minutes apart Marla called and we decided that she should come down. She arrived at 9:20 pm. By then things were really moving fast and by 9:30 I was 6-7 cm dialated. Marla called our 2nd midwife Karen, and in the meantime got everything set up. We had worship music on and that helped me focus on God's strength. I kept repeating the scripture, 'I can do all things through Christ who give me strength' and that 'children are a gift from God', and I thanked Him for this precious gift that He had given us.By 10:10 pm I was fully dialated and you were ready to begin your decent into this world. I focused again on meeting you, it would be so soon! At 10:15 I started pushing, Marla said your head was coming down, then your head was out, and by 10:28 pm you were in my arms.
I held you close, you cried right away. At this point I still didn't know if you were a boy or girl, so I checked, a girl, a daughter, a sister!Wow, you are here, in my arms, my love for you is overwhelming. What a precious gift from God. We called your siblings at home. They were suprised you were here already, they expected not to hear from us until morning.We tried to get you to cry into the phone, but you refused. They would have to wait until they met you face to face. After you and I were checked over and Marla and Karen felt we were all good they packed up and Daddy, you and I cuddled and tried to get some sleep. You are here, we have finally met you, you are beautiful. I said to Daddy, it is so amazing how you can't remember the exact pain, even minutes later, after you have a baby. You remember there was pain, but the joy is so real and overwhelming that anything else pales in comparison. The 10th time I have birthed a baby, and it is remarkable everytime. God is so good!

Life Is Good

Things are going really well.

I am a little sleep deprived, but it sure is different

when I have my girls to help out in the day.

Mikaya is a very hot attraction around here and

barely gets put down.

She doesn't seem to mind the attention!

Thank you to all of you for your prayers, e-mails and phone calls.

Here are a few new pictures of Mikaya

meeting some of her family.

I will try to post more soon.

Caleb & Mikaya

Big sister meets cuddles little sister

Proud big brother Zachary

Brooke admiring 'her baby'

Meeting Grama & Grampa Rowley

Meeting Grama Pauls

Nate thinks she's 'cute'!

BABY HAS ARRIVED!

Just a quick post to let you know our little bundle has arrived.


It's a girl!!


Name: Mikaya Anne


Born: April 3rd, 2007 (a couple of hours before her big brother Nathan's birthday.)


Time: 10:30 pm


Weight: 8 lbs. 4 oz.



Height: 20"





“Here is a little mouth to kiss; here are two more feet to make music with their pattering about my nursery. Here is a soul to train for God, and the body in which it dwells is worth all it will cost, since it is abode of a kingly tenant. I may see less of friends, but I have gained one dearer than them all. Yes, my precious baby, you are welcome to your mothers heart, welcome to her time, her strength, her health, to her most tender cares, to her life-long prayers! Oh how rich I am, how truly, how wondrously blest!”
Elizabeth Prentiss - Stepping Heavenward

STILL WAITING!

It's a good thing that God's timing is perfect!

We are still waiting to meet our new little blessing.

Every morning my family looks at me

with a question in their eyes, "Not yet?"

The gramas keep calling, "Not yet?"

People at church yesterday said, "Not yet?"

NOT YET!!!

I have been having slight contractions all week

and by evening I am sure it will be 'the time'

but I go to sleep and everything slows down.

There is one thing for certain, "This baby will come!"

We have been getting lots accomplished though,

new counter top, fixed plumbing and other odd jobs.

Nathan's birthday is on Wednesday.

Maybe we will be celebrating 2 together, like Jesse and Zachary.

We'll keep you posted!

No Baby Yet!

No, we haven't had the baby yet. Many of you have been asking if I am usually early, late or on time. So...Here are the specs. Joshua- Induced 1 week early because I had high blood pressure. Mild labor for approx. 2 days before he decided to make his appearance on Jan.1st. Jennifer- 2 1/2 weeks overdue. First contractions 2:00 p.m. July 28th she was born around 8:00 a.m. July 30th Megan- 3 days overdue. First contractions 9:00 a.m. Oct. 1, she was born 1:00 a.m. Oct.2 Kerri- On due date. First contractions evening of Feb. 9th, she was born around 8:00 am Feb. 11th Caleb- On due date. First contractions morning of Oct. 26th, he was born around 7:00 am Oct.27th Zachary- 2 days early. First contractions in morning of Oct. 15th. He was born around 7:30 am on Oct. 16th Jesse- 2 days overdue. First contractions afternoon of Oct.16th. He was born around 5:00 p.m. Oct. 18th Nathan- 5 days overdue. First contractions afternoon of April 2nd. He was born around 1:00 a.m. on April 4th. (04/04/04) Brooke-1 day early. First contractions around 5:00 pm. on July 6th. She was born around 8:00 p.m. July 7th. So there you have it folks. Could be early, could be late, or even on time!! Guess we'll just have to wait and see!

The Countdown is On!

I just realized that I really haven't posted much about this pregnancy. That's mostly because it has went by so fast. I have been feeling really good. A few aches and pains, but nothing compared to some of my previous pregnancies. I have lots of energy some days and other days, ZERO! I have appreciated our older girls more than ever, they have been and continue to be such a huge help to me. Everyone is excited for the baby to come. Jesse loves to feel it when it has the hiccups. Yesterday we took out the 'little' baby clothes and the boys couldn't believe how small they were. We also watched a home video that happened to be when Zachary was a newborn. Caleb wanted to know why he couldn't laugh yet! I think they will be anxious for this baby to grow up! Brooke just wants to dress her doll. So three more weeks and counting down. I know it will go very fast for me, and the baby will be here before we know it. So for now I will: try to get all those little projects done, calving, get some fresh air, finish up our parenting classes, homeschool, get out the cradle, pack my bags, enjoy my family, waddle, waddle, waddle, and get some SLEEP! AHHHH....

Review of February

This month went by extremely fast as most of it was spent working on Mark's parents house in Morden. As you can see from the picture below we have been sleep deprived and are quite tired!

Our two little muskateers figured out they like Bob the Builder and have were delighted to get matching pj's.

Our Kerisco turned 12 on the 11th of this month.

What a delight she is to our family.

She adds humor, love, joy and a little bit of goofiness all of us.

We have marveled many times at how she delights in playing with her

younger brothers by choice and can keep them entertained for hours.

Our prayer for her this year is that as she grows physically, her love

for the Lord will also grow. We love you Kerri!

And here is our little Brookie. What you see here is what she is like most

of the time. She says too many words too mention and you can almost have a conversation with her. She is starting to tell her brothers what to

do and what not to do, and the character training has definitely begun.

She has been a lot of fun though!

Agape Love vs. Phileo Love

"Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also love the church, and gave himself for it." The word love used in this verse is 'agape'. The Greek word 'agape' refers to a self-sacrificing love. A love that gives to others even if nothing is given back. But in the Bible when women are instructed to love their husbands a different word is used, 'phileo'. Phileo love is a tender, affectionate, brotherly love. I always thought the love men and women were instructed to have for each other was the same, but obviously not. A man's love is to be a protector, while a woman's a nurturer. In our society today we have lost much of the protection and respect of men. Much of it, I am sure, because women have pushed to be of equal status. But in the 'old'in days' it was not uncommon for men to tip their hats at a woman walking down the street, or to open a door, or give up their seat, or refrain from using crude language around a lady. The other day I came up to the checkout in a store and a man came up the same time as me. I was going to let him go first, and he said 'No, that's alright, ladies first.' I complimented him on how we don't hear that phrase much anymore. It felt nice to be treated like a lady. Where has it gone? It should be the norm. So a side note to those who have young men in your home, teach them to be a gentleman and just in that simple act they will be a light to the world. I have had a hard time with this, mostly because I am an 'I can do it myself' type of person. I have a hard time letting others do things for me. But in a way this is feminism. Not wanting to be the 'weaker' vessel that God has created me to be. And in saying weak, I don't mean a push-over, wimpy type person, but a person who knows that in my weakness, Christ is strong. I can be protected, I need to be protected. What would marriages be like if the men were the protectors that they were called to be. I don't think the divorce rate would be so high because women would not be viewed as objects to be used and then discarded. What if women felt honored to be protected and respected, instead of seeing it as a threat. What if they had 'phileo' love for their husbands. So what do we do? First of all, repent for any feminist beliefs we have had toward God's design of marriage and being a woman. And then ask God to help us in the fight against our flesh. Then we need to know what God expects of us in His word. What/who are we called to be as daughters and wives? For me, this means looking at the Word differently than I have before. Not through the clouded lense of society, and even the church, but through God's eyes and the original intent of His words to me. And thirdly we have to encourage our men to be men by being godly, biblical women. Start with your family. Start with your relationship with your husband, modeling the true character of God to your daughters. Pray for repentance among men, sons, wives & daughters. One person at a time, one family at a time. "Lord change our hearts, renew our minds, restore families to be who you created them to be, so that we may be a generation that will be a shining light for You, and help the world find You."

Created to be a Helpmate

A woman was created to be a helpmate. This statement alone makes many women put up their defenses. So much that we almost don't dare talk about it. When is the last time you have heard a sermon or message about being your husband's help meet? Me, a help meet. What about my life, what about my wishes, what about my dreams? Remember in Genesis when God said about Adam, "I will make a help meet suitable for him. The Hebrew word for help meet is ezer (aid; help) which is derived from the root ezar whcich means to 'surround'. When I looked this up I thought, "What a beautiful picture. I want to surround my husband with help." We were created to help man. Man and woman together reflect the image of God. God didn't have to take Adam's rib to make Eve. He had created someone out of dust once, He could have done it again! So why did He do this? Was it for the word picture, that because we were created from man, we would have an inner desire to be restored to the side of man? To be dependant on him? We were created to be a helper for man, it's part of our natures. The relationship between man and woman is a picture of Christ and the Church. (Eph. 5:23) Women need men, wives need husbands, daughters need fathers, the way that the Church needs Christ. So then the infamous question. So does that mean in God's eyes, women are inferior to men? No, we are equal in God's eyes (see Galatians 3:28) But this doesn't mean that our roles are the same. Just as a pastor is just as important in God's eyes as a mother who changes diapers all day. But the roles are different. So why do most women strive so hard to be the same as man, and have the same roles? Adam was created to be the leader, Eve his helper. Eve let herself be deceived by the serpent. Adam didn't protect Eve. They both stepped out of their roles. And interstingly, "in Adam all die" (1Cor.15:22), not in Eve. Because Adam couldn't escape his responsibility as leader nor Eve in her role as a helper. Trying to be independent of man goes against the very thing that God created us for. Some women spend all their lives trying to attract men, there are feminists who convince themselves they don't need men (but even Betty Friedan, one of America's first feminists spent her whole professional life advancing the agenda of Karl Marx) and there are other women who understand that submitting to God means submitting to the authority God has placed over them. Where do you come in? Do you (and your daughters) understand why God created you? Are you more influenced by the image the world offers on a woman's role or the role that God gives us in the Bible? I challenge you today to search your heart, and the scriptures to find out!

So Much More

Jennifer & I have been reading a book together.

It is written by two sisters Anna & Elizabeth Botkin, who were 17 & 15 when they started writing it.

We are only on the 4th chapter, but it has been a real challenge and a blessing. One of those books you wonder where it was when you were growing up!

Lord willing over the next little while I will highlight some of it. But I strongly encourage you to pick up a copy if you have daughters. So many things I wish I had been taught growing up, that would have made the beginning of our marriage so much more fruitful and godly. You can get it from www.amazon.ca

I believe, as the girls mention in their book, that many girls (and women for that matter) are confused about what womanhood is about, and don't know who to look to for godly, feminine role models. We have also seen how the world (and sometimes even the church) has turned into an anti-family world, where being a daughter who respects her father's wishes, or being a submissive wife and even a stay at home mom is looked down upon.

As they point out in the first chapter, many of the ideas in this book could make some uncomfortable. But many of the 'ideas' in this book used to be the norm among Americans. The role of woman in their families and in society is on an onward downslide as we see feminism on a climb. I believe we need to take a stand and re-evaluate what it is that God expects woman to be to their fathers and husbands.

Submission ( a very Biblical mandate)is seen as such a threatening, misused word, that many women threw it out of their vocabulary a long time ago. And since then, we have, I believed, strayed from God's design for woman. For me, I need to change my way of thinking and my actions. God has been dealing with me in this issue of honoring and submitting to my husband, not just in my actions but in a real heart way. It's hasn't been without many struggles and failures, but thankfully I have a forgiving God, not to mention a patient husband. Mark has been there for me on this journey, but has never demanded, or expected me to act a certain way. I praise God for him and his forgiving heart. I guess that is why I want to train our girls to honor and submit to their dad, so that if/when they get married someday, they won't have quite the struggle I have had, as many of the same issues can come up in a marriage. Not that there won't be struggles, because like with anything else, our flesh likes to rise up and try to take over. But at least if they can learn these principles and have them be part of their hearts, I know it will be very helpful for them no matter what path God has for their lives.

This road takes God's strength, a denying of our own flesh and a love and passion for God and His Word. Sometimes I feel like we are such a minority, how can we even make a difference in this fallen world. But God is faithful, and though it may be only one spark at a time, I believe we can be a light in this and the following generations until the Lord returns to take His bride.

KITCHEN MANIA

Our kitchen has been pretty cramped these days!

Our little male cooks have been very interested in the art of cooking,

and many times not 1, not 2, not even 3 but sometimes 4 little men are

learning the ins and outs.

My girls have been having some 'character building' in this as sometimes

they can hardly move and are tempted to kick them out of the kitchen.

I remember having to learn this as a new mom, it may be slower,

it may be inconvenient, but hey, they are learning!

I still have trouble myself somedays, remembering this very important

thing: If we train them now, someday they may be doing it themselves!

Maybe we will have 4 little chefs, I highly doubt it, but hey, one can dream!

But this is one of the many upsides to our girls being raised in a family with many little siblings. They are learning so much about having little ones around, that took me months or even years to learn. They will be so used to having little ones under feet that it will be second nature to them!

All this to say, "Praise God for family: a safe environment to learn so many things"

Happy Belated Birthday to My Markus

Well, because of problems logging in and being busy doing some renovations and a broken camera, this post is very overdue.

Happy Birthday Mark!

You are the best husband & dad that we could have.

Here are just a few of his many impressive qualities:

Discerning Leader

Greatest Laugh

Quick to Sacrifice His Time

Great Cuddler

Handy Man "to the Max"

Great Dad

Wonderful, Wonderful Husband

Goofy, Goofy, Goofy (which we all love!)

Super Scrabble Player

Marvelous Math Mind

Best at One Liners

Handsome, Handsome & did I say HANDSOME!

Anyways, to my man.

You're the best, we love you, have a great year!

Happy Birthday Joshua!

Our New Year's Baby turned 17 this year.
Wow how time flies!

God has been so good to us in giving us a son like Joshua.

Joshua has had to have lots of grace as he was/is the one who

gets the brunt of all our first time parenting failures!

We are so thankful for all the help in

pulling the weight of a grown man on the farm.

I love to watch him wrestle with his brothers and

play games with his sisters and love on little Brooke.

Besides daddy, Josh is Brooke's 'hero'

She walks around the house the days Mark

and Joshua are gone and says 'Daddy, Josh'

To share a room with your 3 little brothers is not

always easy but he has rarely complained.

We love you Joshua and we pray that

in the coming year you will experience

God's love and that your passion

to know Him will increase.

Here are some memories of today and long ago.

Joshua and his first 'catch' at a Father/Son Retreat this fall

Mark and the little bundle

Article in the Morden Times

Christmas Decorating

Since we don't have a Christmas tree this year

Caleb's sisters decided to decorate...

HIM!

I guess that's what you put up with when you have big sisters!!

TA, TA FOR NOW!

OUR RINK IS DONE!

Today our kids had fun playing hockey on our newly completed rink.

So this is an invitation to bring your skates and come on down!

Cousins Brooke & Zaya Having a Tea Party

"You can complain because roses have thorns,

or you can rejoice because thorns have roses"

EVERY DAY WE CHOOSE...

TO LOVE OR NOT TO LOVE!

HAVE YOU LOVED SOMEONE TODAY?

read Gary Chapman's book

'The Five Love Languages'

for more inspiration on showing others love

She's Working on It!

I realize it's been awhile since we have posted, but Brooke has been feverishly working on something. I hope it'll be worth the wait!