Our long weekend staycation

This April long weekend we wanted to do something special. Something fun. Being a little careful where our money goes lately, plus having a one and a two year old that can make a vacation extra busy, we decided to stay home. It was the best idea ever. We had so much fun I would do it again in a heartbeat!

I tried to capture some of the special moments. We have proved again that it does not take spending lots of money to make our children happy. just some careful planning and spending time together is all they need.

 Watermelon slush. Whats better on a hot day.

The most time was spent finishing up my lil museum. It got done enough for me to move in! Update coming soon...

A trip to the field to see how the beans were doing was fun too. Almost ready for harvest.

Some time was spent working at our land. Landscaping is taking place!

Those watermelons!

Someone gave us a bunch of pumpkins so we did this too...

We had a picnic outside under the tree. I had planned for special meals that I prepared for as much as possible before the weekend.

What I did not take photos of is a time of swimming at the river. It was certainly a highlight for the kiddos.

Birthday Baby

  We celebrated our miracle baby's first birthday last week. We are very thankful the Lord has brought us through that first tough year.

 

  As usually, we try to get some nice shots from the one year mark.

 She started walking! Took 4 steps on her birthday.

Reunion & Life...

 Finally, a small update. My parents and sister are here from Canada; they came for a reunion. Otherwise, what keeps me busy? Running after this little busybody who tries all her limits! I love her! She's almost one...

The following are shots from the reunion. Some waffles being cooked on my outdoor stove...

(Hi Glendon!)

 Cousins sitting in circles in groups, like old times.

 Back in the beautiful pasture was a zipline from cotton tree to cotton tree. I still need to go back and have me a zip!

 Fun for the littles...

And some good ole music. What a great family we have!

Belize Stamp exchange

My daughter has the hobby of stamp collecting. She recently became more serious about it and hopes to receive letters, covers and/or used stamps in the mail. She will be happy to answer letters or trade Belizean stamps with stamps from other countries.

If you are interested, have a daughter or know of someone else who would be interested, we would be happy to hear from you!

You will see my email link on this page.

 We were delighted to find this British Honduras cover with stamp among my old things.

Linked to The Shabby Nest

Family photos

 

 The most recent family picture.

 Our baby is doing pretty well. Still not where we want her to be. I made another trip to a new Dr yesterday, and got some great help I believe. I am still waiting for the day when it will all look completely healthy with her. Now I have renewed hope!

 Joseph received a glass chess game recently. He loves the game.

This sweetheart has been sick for a few weeks around New Years, but now is her usual cheerful self again. It is precious to have healthy children.

Million dollar smiles

 I live in an old house. Its not ours. I don't have a dryer so my wash is hanging all over the place on a rainy day. My boys dress in raggy pants and shirts. 

But you know what? I do not  envy the lady who has all she can possibly need but no littles to fill that empty place in her arms. No smiles to greet her with. 

A friend from Germany visited us and told us how many of the german couples there do not want to have children.

Maybe next year I will have a dryer, or maybe I will someday have a new house to live in. But what I know is that I have 5 of the sweetest blessings any woman could ever have, whether she believes it or not.

 

  I am rich, very rich.

6 Months!

Yesterday marked the 6th month of Marianne's life. What a lot has happened since the birth! And what a change for the better she is showing lately. We are ever so grateful!

It was the toughest 6 months of my life. There have been tears, prayers, worries, and those all many times over. Many Drs checkups that were not always very helpful. Lots of exhausting short nights. Trying to get enough milk into her with a syringe so she would get enough. Wondering at first if she would even make it as weak as she had become once we realized that something was wrong. I had to stay home much longer with her because she needed so much time to eat. There was no time and energy left for anything else.

So many people have helped. So many people have prayed! How I thank everyone for doing what you did for us! I wish there was a better way of thanking everyone personally, but I know that is impossible. I just hope these photos are a small reward for you! God certainly answered many prayers.

At 6 months she has reached the 30th percentile again and almost doubled her weight. Its still a ways away from the 85th but it is much better than it was. She is a vibrant,  excited little girlie doing everything that the book says a 6 month old should.

She can almost sit. She rolls over every which way in bed and is starting to push up on her knees when in bed.She laughs, cries and smiles. She gets excited when daddy comes home. She loves it when her older siblings play with her; she loves playing with toys. She gets upset if we take her toys away.

 

 She is our little miracle.

 Are her troubles all over? We certainly don't have the answer to that, but we are forbidden to be anxious for tomorrow.

I never knew how much love I had in my heart to give until God gave me 

A special child to love.

-Pioneer Mom