Happiness

We didn’t get to go bowling or mini golfing like Declan wanted to for his birthday- maybe we can do that another time- but he had a great birthday! A mine craft cake, balloons, a few presents and family is all he needed to have a great day. In the middle of the day, he came up to me and said “Mom, thank you for a nice birthday!” It was so sweet and direct! Of course there were some tears like there always is on days like these but he had a great day!  6 Things about Declan: 1. He loves reading his Pokémon catalog type book and acting out all the Z moves! 2. He likes to read his own bedtime stories. 3. He loves to eat ramen for lunch. 4. He plays so hard he rarely eats a morning or afternoon snack. 5. He loves saying hi to Rosie all day!  6. He is tender hearted and sweet and fun!

COVID-19 has been a blessing for us! We’re mostly healthy, we have enough supplies and food, Josh is working from home, the kids have their chrome books to do online school and I have been able to snuggle Rosie in the mornings and evenings.  It’s been great for the kids to spend time together. When they’ve finished homework assignments, they play card games together or build things out of packing peanuts that Declan got for his birthday. Declan loves to spend time with his older siblings and watch what they do. We’ve been greatly blessed and for that I am so very thankful!!

Our school did a car parade to say hi to all the kids! Everything has been pretty crazy around here! Right around the birth of our littlest one, the world was shutting down- grocery stores emptying their supplies into the hands of worried shoppers, people getting sick, missionaries sent back to the USA and schools closing down due to the Corona Virus. Rosie was born just at the beginning of all of this- our Pandemic baby! We never thought her first months would look like this. We are all healthy and well and in the midst of this darkness and worry, I have seen numerous shooting stars!: Josh is working from home on Parental leave and has been a great help- staying  up at night with a fussy baby and watching her while I cook dinner- and even doing the dishes!! Elizabeth is a baby whisperer and has watched Rosie more times than I can count. The kids are home and have been getting along really, really well. We think they’re becoming friends for life! R...

Here are some more pictures of Rosie. She is a sweetheart! She sleeps most of the day and gets a little  fussy at night. I'm cutting out dairy to see if that helps. After her fussy period, she sleeps for two four hour periods. Hooray!

Rosalind Grace was born on Saturday, March 7th at 11:58 am weighing 7 lbs 6 oz with lots of blonde hair. She is such a sweetie and we are SO glad to finally have her here healthy and well!  The kids love her and have helped out a lot! Josh took the time to write down her birth story so I will share it here in the future so that we can always remember it!

We will be headed to the Hospital to meet our newest daughter! I have never had an induction before but this time around, circumstances require it. Nervously, I prayed about the decision and felt that all would be well if we went through with an induction. I have been using these few days- and weeks- beforehand to get everything ready. We’ve washed clothes, repacked my bags, set up the crib, bought a new battery for the new-to-us baby rocker and even painted my nails (a tiny detail)! I’ve been trying to eat clean and healthy, go for walks in the fresh air, spend extra time with my little one Declan- and my big ones too- and drink lots of water. Birth day, here we come!!

Looking forward to 2020, I picked the word Miraculous for my word of the Year. We have a beautiful little girl coming to our family in 2020. I’ve been waiting for her since October 2014 when we decided to try for another baby.  Oh, there have been many ups and downs- a foster care application and phone call and visit and emails. There have been positive pregnancy tests with no babies at the end. There have been prayers where I have given my will to the Lord- knowing His will is the best for our family. There have been times full of research and testing. And doubt.  And then there have been the Miracles. This baby coming so soon after we had lost a pregnancy. This baby being a girl after 4 precious boys. This baby coming at a time when we are financially secure with two jobs for my hard working husband. This baby coming at an age when it is so hard to conceive. I am grateful for this tiny, bony miracle that struggles for life within my womb. She is precious. The Lord...