Saved by God -- through his Dog

Baby sleeps. I am in the kitchen. High pitched screams come from the corral, where the children are helping their cousin with the cattle. I wonder why the screams. Again. I look up. This sounds wrong! I see Daniel's worker come hurrying to the house. I see Jessica come running, screaming something as she comes. I grab my cell phone and hurry toward the corral, as fast as a woman two weeks after a c section is allowed to go. Thoughts tumble through my head. Who is hurt now??? A few days after baby was born Jessica cut her finger, then Timothy developed an infection on his arm, and what now?

"The cow kicked Joseph!" she screams.

O dear God, no! Why now? How bad? Even before I reach the corral, I fumble with my phone, dialing the ER number. I just had the feeling it was that bad. I call Daniel too, who had just gone out for a moment. I get there, and there he lies on the concrete inside the corral, dirty and pale, and having a hard time breathing. I call to him through the fence. He looks at me. Good. I talk to him, he responds. Very good. I tell him to stay still, try to relax and keep breathing. "Keep your eyes open". In just a matter of minutes the first emergency responder arrives. Is it just coincidence that he was visiting the neighbor who lives next door from us? I like to think not. He is a family friend and knows Joseph very well, so this is wonderful. He checks his vitals and says they are good, and is able to keep him calm. But his painful breathing and hurting ribs tell us we need to have him taken to be x-rayed. I walk close to Joseph, take his hand and tell him I am very proud of him. He is a good and tough boy, and to remember that whatever happens to him, mommy loves him very much. Within what feels like too long of a time, the ambulance arrives. At this time I go to the house, getting this instinctive feeling that I need to check on baby, who screams at the top of her little lungs so I pick her up, trying to calm her down, or letting her calm me down as well. I hold her close as I look out the window, knowing there is nothing else I can do for my boy except pray. I see him being carried on the stretcher to the ambulance. It hurts. It makes you wonder why things like this need to happen. It makes me want to appreciate him so much more all of a sudden, and realizing what if it is too late?.... Perhaps this is why moments like this happen; to make us realize how precious the short time is that we have with our children. It could be the last anytime.

Daniel accompanies him to the hospital, which is about a 20 minute drive. 

I ask a dear friend to come over and spend the time with me, as I fear it will be a long evening. She comes and is a big comfort to me. It does not take too long for us to hear good news: no broken bones, and he is coming home! I thank the Lord. He has been so good to us once again.

Now for some more details. Joseph stands close to a door in the corral, and there is one cow in that area. He does not see the cow coming on, but all of a sudden feels the head in his stomach, pushing him against the boards of the corral. The cow does not let go, but continues for a while to 'knead' him, pushing all breath from him. He tells me at this point he had thought he was just going to die right there. Then, his dog barks fiercely at the cow. Little did we know when we got that little pup for him this year, that he would play such an important part in this event. This deterred the cow, and allowed our cousin to grab through the fence and pull Joseph to safety on the other side. He worked with him to get him to breathe, as it was a struggle at first. He has some bruises on his back that he received from being forced against the corral, and he still has some pain as he moves out of bed. We are watching his appetite, and need to keep an eye on him just to make sure there are no serious internal issues.

I asked him if he had been ready to die, and he said yes, he is ready all the time. ARE WE??? O to have the faith of a little child! For now, I appreciate him a little more, and am so happy I have the chance to tell him that--again. 

(See a photo of him with his dog by the corral)

The first two weeks

 The first two weeks have gone by. Time does not stand still. I am trying to adjust amidst all the poopy diapers, night feedings, and sore nipples. That sounds terrible, but it really isn't. I am enjoying every aspect of mothering all over again! (Except for the sore nipples, that is) Here are some shots of what has transpired during those first two weeks of blissful mothering...

 For the first time, I was out of the hospital in just over 24 hours after major surgery. Once home I thought it was a bad idea because of the additional pain, but as soon as I crept into my own bed that first night at home I knew it was the best idea ever. No three days at the hospital like I was used to. I went up to our bedroom, and that is where I stayed put for 4 days. It felt wonderful to be served by some very willing servants, who really enjoyed doing errands for me. Here Jessica serves me breakfast, and below Timothy shares special snack time with mommy.

That food tasted awful good those first few days, like it always does after a new baby. We have been so blessed to have been showered with meals and baked goods for these first two weeks; one realizes what a wonderful community we live in, and how wonderful it is to have family around...

How I enjoyed a romantic meal for two, when Daniel joined me in our bedroom! He was so ready to make me the sweet tea I so enjoyed. I tried to eat with him or with one of the kids most mealtimes, just to make everyone feel included. My baby sister was here to look after the children when Daniel was unavailable. She was also a huge help in keeping the house clean. Thank you Nancy!

Friendly room service, always appreciated.

 Guess who ended up lying in bed with me for a bit! My big helper cut her thumb and needed a few stitches so she was exempt from doing dishes for a week. thankfully she is all healed up by now...

 No words necessary here! I love this new daughter of mine, a whole lot!

 

 I have lots of fun dressing her in clothes Jessica used 9 years ago! I never could part with them, and they sure come in handy now.

 Fresh flowers were brought to me out of love. It made me feel special indeed.

Big sister has waited so long for a baby sister, and although we could never promise her one, God has answered our prayer for a little sister for her. Thank you God!

So, there you have it. I am thoroughly enjoying motherhood all over again, and am so happy God saw fit to make me a mother one more time!

Meet Victoria Hope

 Meet our new daughter, Victoria Hope, Born on May 14.

7 lbs 13 oz.

She is such a joy to have. We are blessed beyond measure.

All siblings are doting on her, delighted to finally have her here. As are her mommy and daddy!

I know many of you have been waiting to hear news of her birth and how it would turn out. Let me just say a few things but give you the details later! She was born via surgery in the hospital after about 5 hours of laboring at home which was monitored by a certified midwife. The surgery was necessary, and we are so thankful for the medical world that is ready to handle complications like ours. As I said, we are blessed beyond measure, and thankful for a healthy baby and safe birth.

Our Sunday

 We had a great Sunday! First of all we went to Rosa's for breakfast. I love that place for breakfast. They serve  Belizean,  Mexican, and American breakfast there. They have some great foods for other meals as well at great prices, so its well worth a visit...in fact, I took Joseph there yesterday for a cherry coke float and a chocolate cappuccino latte blizzard. How does that sound for Belize?

 After that we had planned to go to Cahal Pech Maya Ruins in San Ignacio, but then it rained. Blessed first rain after the dry season! So, we went back home and enjoyed some games. After lunch it had dried enough that we figured we could still go, so we did. I was hoping all that climbing would help bring on labor, but then, I wasn't feeling very mobile at all! I feel like the clumsiest lady in the world. I still had fun.

How come you can't see how fat a belly is on a photo??? I am sure I look worse than that in real life!

The children had fun; what better place to explore than all those spooky  vaults and tunnels and stairs to climb...