Here is Esther's Story - from her exciting birth through her difficult first few months. The joys and the pains. Her story isn't finished and her adventures are note worthy, so read her story and check back for updates!
OK, so I am not getting time to blog everyday...that's just not realistic for me right now...so I'm going to post occasionally what I am thankful for during this month of Thanksgiving! I'll post some random photos between my thoughts on what I am thankful for this week...but I reserve the right to post more often than once a week ;)
Elizabeth fell asleep reading Calvin and Hobbs... wonder what she dreamed of that night???
I am thankful for a church that believes in the inerrancy of Scripture - Christ Alone, Scripture Alone, Salvation by Grace Alone...and doesn't pussy foot around the truth to tickle our ears...
Esther loves her rocking chair and reading!
I am also thankful for God working in me and through me to minister to other women...speaking the truth in love, having empathy for trials they are having that I have gone through, and a God who hears our prayers for others and always answers them (maybe not the way we expected, but He always answers them)
Did I say she loves looking at books?
I am so thankful that God has blessed us with 11 wonderful children, all sovereignly chosen for me by my loving Heavenly Father and brought into our family in His perfect timing. I am so thankful for my friends who were willing to speak the truth to me in love about God's sovereignty and trusting God for our family planning so many years ago - in my weak, frail and finite human understanding I could not have imagined caring for, teaching, feeding, and loving 11 children, but I would not now want to live without any one of them! Placing my trust in Him was a huge turning point for me - one of peace knowing that I didn't have to "worry" about planning our family anymore...you just can't understand this until you do it...do I struggle at time with leaving it in God's hand? Yes, but that is when I lose that peace that God gives when we place ourselves in His loving hand to do with as He wills.
Esther loves board books, can you tell?
I am thankful for days that I do not have to leave home...more time to love on my kids, cuddle with Esther, enjoy watching Jessica's horse graze in the front yard, enjoy my morning coffee slowly (had to nuke it I took so long)...and have friends over for coffee, knitting and great conversation!
Did I say she loves to sit in her rocking chair? She looked a little hippy yesterday, but it was just too cute! And her hair - it's getting so long!
I am thankful that God gave me a blessing I would not have chosen for myself or our family - a child with trisomy 21...yet He gave us exactly what we needed...a blessing in disguise! She is the light of our home, and laughter in our ears, and the hugs around our necks...I can not imagine life without her!
what can I say? Our kids are a little goofy at times! Reuben is always ready to make us laugh, that is for sure!
This is what I get to do every night - check on sleeping Esther, make sure she's snuggled and warm, and just love the sound of her soft breathing!
What are you thankful for that you would not have requested from God? Something to think about!
This post is inspired by Ruby's Mom! 1.Esther is loved by God, and made in His image. 2.Esther is loved by her ten siblings, two parents, three grandparents, and lots of uncles, aunts and cousins! 3.Esther's Daddy knew she was going to be a special child even before she was born. 4. Esther Heavenly Father blessed her with an extra Chromosome that made her special before she was born. 5. Esther spent 11 of her first 16 weeks in in the hospital. 6. Esther had a VSD and an ASD that were repaired when she was just 3 months old. 7. Esther has low thyroid, and has trouble with aspirating liquids when drinking, but we thicken all her liquids and she does great now! 8. Esther loves unconditionally 9. Esther loves to laugh! She also love to make others laugh 10. Esther learned to sit up at 8 months. 11. Esther learned to crawl just past 1 year of age 12. Esther learned to walk just last week (she is 25 months old) 13 Esther LOVES to read books! 14. Esther loves to push things around the house while walking behind them! 15. Esther loves it when we clap for her accomplishments 16. Esther can do most of the motions for "Itsy Bitsy Spider"! 17. Esther loves to give hugs (she pats you on the back - it's so sweet!) 18. Esther sucks her thumb. 19. Esther loves music...especially when falling asleep! 20. Esther loves ice cream 21. Esther loves to climb the stairs...up and down...up and down...up and down....
We have a robber who keeps stealing from us! I've seen his foot prints, we see him running off when we come home, and he disturbs the peaceful tranquility of our cats...but he's just to stinking cute!
This was taken around 5:30 am earlier this week using my Iphone...
I have always loved Racoons, and I just love watching them...their hands are fascinating! Their foot prints looks like little baby feet...just to cute! Too bad they can be dangerous or I would love to have one as a pet! We try always feed the cats in the morning, so there isn't any left by evening, but I think he checks every night just in case...Jessica found a hole dug under her dog kennel gate, so we think Bandit was going for the dog food there...the cute little stinker is getting more creative!
I just found this photo again, sent to me by my friend, Nicole...her daughter was taking photos at the picnic:
Elizabeth and her new-found friend at the Christian Heritage Picnic (Photo by Jessica P)
And I finally got around to taking photos off my phone,
so here's some things we have been doing in the last month or so!
The girls with Amy Vest at the Pure Heart Conference!
Jessica with her new horse, Celine...isn't she gorgeous? (I meant the horse, silly, but you are right, Jessica is beautiful, inside and out!)
Esther was being so cute - goofing off with Jason...she loves to make him smile!
And this is me and my girls...they love to cuddle when I am in my recliner. While posting these photos, Esther is sitting in my lap and totally enjoying the photos, laughing and pointing and waving...she especially liked the one with Jason - she was waving at Jason. She's such a fun baby!
And one last note - can you pray for my friend, J., she had a beautiful little girl this summer with Down syndrome and she was diagnosed with a rare cancer...pray for God's peace in the midst of this storm...
