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

Growing Up

It seems like just yesterday when these two were still in their diapers. Now they are both in their saddles on their own horses. One in grade 6 and the other in 4. It is with bittersweet joy that I watch them grow up. For now, I treasure these days to the fullest.

 The good thing is, I still have one in diapers! And three not officially in school yet.

Jessica Faith

Joseph Kyle

Timothy Earl

Victoria Hope

Marianne Joy

-Mommy and Daddy love and treasure you more than you know.

Yes, God has blessed us abundantly. 

Thank YOU Lord!

Transformation taking place

I wish I could say exactly what happened to make this baby start gaining lbs again, but it seems like a bit of a mystery to us, one that we are just enjoying! I have added some coconut oil and cooked egg yolk to her diet. That might play a role, and perhaps she is also stronger on her own to nurse like she should. Whatever it is, its a joy to watch her not only get heavier each week but also make her way up the chart again. Now at 5 months she has passed the 15th percentile on her way up!

She still has a ways to go to catch up to big sister, but no worries! If she gets there or not doesn't matter, we are just happy with the way she is going now.

She has gotten much stronger as well. She still does not have the grasp in her hands that other babies her age do. For that I have started exercising her plus putting her on the tummy -- a lot. I believe we'll get there soon, with lots of love and patience and some extra attention! She is such a special little gift to our family. We all adore her, and she is so loved!

(the pink dress was a homemade gift from a friend; very special)

Trip to the ER

For a change we took Victoria in to see a Dr this week. She is two and in the stage where she loves getting in trouble, or so it seems! So one afternoon this week I found her in the pantry where she had managed to pull her high chair through the door and then got on it and was able to reach my medication. I know, this is not good! I asked her what she was doing and she proudly showed me the empty vitamin E bottle. it was almost new and I had not taken out much more than 15 out of a hundred if even that. I quickly picked up the pills I found and then off to google to see what happens in a v e overdose. I didn't need to read much past the words: in case of overdose seek emergency medical attention. 

I called Daniel and told him what had happened and that we needed to take her in. I also called the local nurse, who contacted a ped for me and then called me back and said I needed to make that child vomit. I had never done such a thing before, but by then Daniel was home so he held her while I stuck my finger in her throat. She threw up a blob of the stuff, but we still felt we needed and were encouraged by the nurse to take her in. You don't let a child eat 80 or more v e's and not do something about it! I also looked in my chart to see what to do in case of vitamin overdose. It said to give charcoal and milk so that's what I did.

Off to the nearest hospital we went. It was one hour after ingesting the pills that they suctioned out her stomach. It must have been the most horrifying experience for a little girl, but one that needed to happen. She showed no negative side effects so we believe she was spared the worst. I am so thankful I caught her in time. The Lord is merciful!