MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas! May we ALL remember the reason for the Season! Jesus Christ was born on this day to save us from our sins! Thank you Lord!!!!

12 years ago..

12 years ago a tiny little girl was born:) Daminika Carol entered this world on her due date 10/14 at 10:14am after 10 hours and 14 minutes of labor!:) The day before my due date I went to the Dr and he checked me and said I was losing my mucus plug and was dialated to 3cm and was very soft. He told me he figured baby would be coming very soon. After the appt. I went shopping with my mom and sisters. That evening I remember rocking LaKaysha to sleep at Mom and dads(we visited there alot) and thinking"nope,no baby today"...well we headed home ,got kids into bed and once I got into bed it was 11:55pm...I layed back and closed my eyes..then a contraction came,I looked at the clock..it was 12:00 midnight. They came every minute lasting 30-40 seconds so after a hour I called my mom and she said you probably better go in so she brought my younger sister Clarissa over to stay with Felicity and LaKaysha. I remember having a lump in my throat as I headed out the door and my mom telling me that it would be over with soon. When we got to the hospital I was only 4cm and I was so disapointed because pains we coming close and pretty hard. At 7am I got a epideral and then sadly my labor stopped. The Dr came in at 8am and broke my water and said if labor didnt pick back up he would have to put me on the "pit"(I was still only 4cm) Things picked up after that and the Dr said'if you are like your mom it won't be long" which was right...Daminika was born at 10:14am and as she was being born the phone rang and Leon handed me the phone...it was my mom and she asked how things were going,I said"baby is coming out right now" and she said"now?, call me back"...she later said she felt so bad that the nurses patched her through but for Leon and I, it is something special to us now that Mom is no longer with us :) Daminika had blond hair blue eyes and weighed 6 lbs and was 18 inches long:) A tiny little thing:) Happy Birthday Daminika Carol! We love you VERY much!! May God bless you all the day of your life!

Daminika Carol :) at 10 or 11 years old...(couldn't find one closer to now)

10 years ago..

10 years ago I gave birth to beautiful baby boy! Our first boy after 3 girls!! We were soo surprised and so very excited!! His pregnancy was another hard pregnancy but not as bad as Liberty's. I spent time in the hospital and also got a IV put in and would go back and forth to the hospital for IV fluids. My futire SIL Debby was living with us so she helped keep the house up when she was off work and my mom and lil sister Clarissa came some to help also.  Our oldest who was 5,did the dishes and would keep the other two girls quiet while I slept. She has always been mature beyond her age. Guess God knew I needed that. When I was 3 months along they decided to try Zofran for my vomiting. It WORKED!! Zofran was just approved for pregnancy so I had never had it with my other kids. I don't know if cause it was knew for my body or if it was because I was 3 months along but it helped soo much with the vomiting. I called it the miracle pill. (it didn't work that way with Liberty's PG though). I carried him higher then my girls so my mom told me that I was probably having a boy. I really didn't think I was. I figured it was another girl. After all I had 3 so why not one more?? On the 31st of August labor began at 4am and was mild,very mild. Just tightening of the stomach. After a few hours I called the Dr to see what they thought. They said come right in,they were afraid I would have the baby at home because the day before I was dilated 4cm and 90%soft. So at around 10am we left our house. When I got to the hospital I was still a 4 but my bag of water was buldging so they had me go walk for 2 hrs. During that 2 hrs I felt tightening about every 2 minutes or so with a mildly painful contraction about every 15 minutes. We went and ate lunch and walked. I wasn't sure I was even in labor. There wasn't much for pain.After 2hrs they checked again and I was 6 cm. So they admitted me and then we walked down to visit my SIL Amanda who had just given birth to my nephew 3 days before via c-section. I still was having a hard time believing I was in labor. Then the Dr came in at around 5:30pm and broke my water and I was 7cm then. Everything seemed to be going slow but I still wasn't having any pain. I talked to my mom and she said "oh it wont be long though and it will be over". The Dr told me to go walk some more but I didn't want to. At 6:25 pm I looked at the clock and thought there is NO WAY I am having this baby tomorrow so I decided to go walk. When I sat up I felt the baby "fall" and then the contractions began to HURT. I still tried walking down the hall but couldn't walk really since the pains were coming without much for breaks. We went back to the room and my FIL called..I answered because Leon was using the bathroom. He said"no baby yet?" I said no but then a pain came so I threw the phone at Leon and said get a nurse. So he called for a nurse who checked and said that I was still 7cm. But then the DR came in and asked how things were..the nurse said she is still a 7 but the Dr said "nope,just look at her she is ready to push" So after 2 pushes and at 7:09pm our one and only little boy entered this world. The Dr said it's a boy and Leon and I both cried. Oh how excited we were to have a son after 3 girls! Shortly after his birth(about 10 min) Leon ran down to tell his sister he had a son:) Chancy Lyle weighed 7 lbs 1oz and was 18 1/2 inches long. Had blond hair and blue eyes..looking just like his daddy!!

 

7 years ago...

7 years ago I gave birth to a dark haired blue eyed baby girl....Oh what a long awaited blessing she was....Liberty Ann was born after only 3 hours of labor and delivery but a horrible pregnancy that I thought might never end. She was also born after a 3 year space..our biggest space. My mom was suffering from brain cancer and breast cancer when we found out we were expecting baby #5:) We were so very excited...I was worried that I would get too sick and not be able to help out at my moms. All of us sisters and SIL Debby were taking turns going to my moms to clean,bake,cook and help care for my younger sisters. I  had very sick pregnancies before this with all 4 other babies but nothing could of prepared us for this pregnancy. By the time I was 6 days past my missed period I was vomiting many times a day..by the time I was 8 weeks I had been in the hospital MANY times, by 9 weeks I was admitted into the hospital for a 3 days stay that hooked me up to TPN.( I also took Zofran for about 7 months) I was then fed  by TPN till I was about 5 months along...vomiting many times a day and night,blacking out,so weak I couldn't walk or talk above a whisper. Our oldest was 7 years old and she cared for all the other kids while Leon was at work and fed them and washed clothes. A lot for a 7 year old to have to do. Prior to TPN my SIL Amanda took my kids when I would go to the hospital or Leons Aunt would. Leons Aunts and my Aunt came and cleaned too along with one of my cousins. Once I got the TPN my sister  Clarissa came and stayed for 2 weeks during the days to help out.The hospital wouldn't discharge me unless I had someone home with me. Thank you Clarissa from the bottom of my heart for coming and staying!! Thank you Amanda and others for your help too!! We were greatly blessed!! Many others helped too by bringing meals too but I can't remember all who did. It was a very hard dark time for me and I think also for my kids and Leon. Our oldest suffered with anxiety really bad once I was better,took along time to get her to relax. At the time I couldn't believe I would get well or that there really was even a baby in me...I felt soo alone and empty. I remember my mom telling me that when I felt so alone and sad to remember that was when God was the closest,caring me. It meant soo much for her to tell me that. I was sick the entire 9 months...so when the day finally came for her to finally be born we were soo excited and thankful!! She has been nothing but a joy since!! we love you Liberty Ann!!! May God bless you all the days of your life!!

Liberty Ann :)

Changes...

Change for me has always been real hard. When I was little I never even changed my clothes unless my mom made me. I slept in a old John Deer tractor T-shirt of my dads until it was so full of holes my mom had to throw it away. When my little brother Jeremy had heart surgery and my mom and dad were gone at the hospital for a week I wore the same dress everyday to school.My grandpa Warnke tried getting me to change by going up to our house and getting a clean dress ,but nope I refused. I never changed my room around on my own(I was sometimes forced to and I would cry for days),I still have blankets and such that I had on my bed when I was living at home.They dont have holes in them so why change and get ride of them?? Now as I have gotten older I have had to accept change in many ways.Moving away from home after I got married(yep that was hard),moving 7 times after I got married(never moved as a child,dad and Sue still live where I was raised),mom getting sick and losing my best friend,she was no longer able to shop,talk on the phone or just laugh and have a good time like before)...she was one of my greatest friends!!,Losing both my Grandmas(my Grandma Warnke.. I was very close to and she passed away 6 months before my mom),losing my mom,my sisters growing up without a mom,dad remarrying......God has been with me through it all and has NEVER let me down.He has always strengthened me and helped me accept the change. I now know that change has to happen..and I try be better with it...but right now I feel overwhelmed with change...Leons boss MAY BE shutting down his business and moving out of the state...for the first time since Leon and I have met he may be without work...we put our house on the market..we all LOVE living here and do NOT want to sell but feel it is best to prepare to possibly being without a job(get ride of our mortgage payment) and now to top it off Leon has left to work in Idaho...our first stay away to deal with since we have been married...17 yrs! I know We have been greatly blessed!! I try stay focused on that but as I said change just doesnt sit well with me...I hate the thought that for 3 months I wont be getting Leon off to work,making his breakfast or lunch,that he wont be eating suppers with us and his chair will be empty....like I said I know we have been blessed and I am so very thankful he does have work...I know others have been here but it is something new for us...so it is hard! Hard on my kids too...Chancy and Liberty are taking it the hardest....Please say a prayer for us.. I want to be positive and strong!

prayers needed..

Asking for prayers for myself and my family. We are going through some changes in our lives right now and it has been hard. Pray that I can be positive and keep joy for my families sake and pray we can accept God's will!! Thanks!

Civil War Re-enactment

On July 2nd we went to a Civil War Re-enactment. It was a lot of fun!! Thanks to our dear friend Linda who invited us:) So here a few photos..

All the gals who dressed up..(Emily,Kimberly,LaKaysha,Linda,Daminika,Marita and Marissa)

Our dear friend Linda who provided all the outfits and invited us all there :)

We went and visited Abraham Lincoln and boy was he an interesting man. He knew his history very well :)

Confederates during a battle..

The Union during a battle...

Union Field hospital..

Confederate Camp Texas 4th..Linda and her son Landens camp..

Linda with her son Landen..he is a drummer for the Confederates..

It was VERY fun going to this and I would love to go again :)

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DAD!

56 years ago a cute little blue eyed blond haired baby boy was born....Happy Birthday Dad! I love you!

My dad at our family Fall Party...dressed has his Dad:)

My Dad with my oldest,Felicity(His oldest granddaughter)..

Dad and Sue at Bob's Red Mill on our field trip with the kiddos:)  Thank you Dad for ALL you have done and still do! I love you!

Happy Earth Birthday Mom!

Remembering my Mother today...

My Dad and Mom in 1988...Christmas after her brain surgery:)(Dad was 33 years old and Mom 32 years old)

Mom on a trip to YellowStone Park a year before she passed away..She loved the outdoors and when I spend time outdoors I am reminded of her

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Marissa and Marita with their dear Mother at YellowStone Park....

This beautiful photo of my dear Mother was taken (I think) ten days before she went home to Glory...she is holding her Dads hand...she loved him dearly and was so happy to see him when he stopped by to say Goodbye.
I think of you everyday Mom,but today I do so even more.You were the best Mother a girl could ever ask for! I will love and miss you forever!!!

Confirmation..

On Sunday our oldest, Felicity was confirmed. What a mixture of feelings I had watching her be confirmed...proud to see she is growing up and maturing into a very nice young lady...having Jesus as her guide but yet my heart was a little sad..because it won't be long I will have to let her go...go out into this world and I can't put a bubble around her, like I would like to. But I do send MANY prayers heaven ward that Jesus will always be with her(and all my children) ,never leaving her and always being her best friend! My youngest sister(and God daughter) was confirmed too...that made my heart sad also..mainly because my mom wasn't here to see her baby growing up in our Lord. And I knew Marita wanted Mom here....I also have prayed MANY prayers on her behalf and I know I have to let her go as well....trusting our Lord! My nephew Colten(and God son) was confirmed too..and I am proud to say he is becoming a very mature young man...Handsome too :) May God be with them all as they continue on trusting in Jesus....going out into the world but not being a part of the world! My prayers will always be with them! I love you all dearly!

Now I will share some pictures from their special day :)

Leon and I with our oldest,Felicity :)

         Felicity Marie :)

  Felicity Marie and Marita Evelyn :)

Felicity , Colten and Marita :)

with Grandpa Warnke/Dad :)

The Class: Colten,Marita,Katy,Felicity and Nadia :)

The Class with Pastor Gary :)

Felicity with Pastor Gary Geer :) WONDERFUL man :)

Pastor Gary Geer and his sweet wife Sandy:) These two people have been a HUGE blessing in our lives!!

After church we had potluck at Hockinson Park and Donna Weisser brought this cake :)

Gary and his Class going through the food line :) He is wonderful with kids :) we just love him!!

May God be with our youth and Bless them!!

Last Week of School..sorta;)

This week will be our last week of school...Sorta. Even though we will be taking a break from books my plan is to continue learning with just our lives..I have all kinds of fun stuff swirling around in my head for the summer that we can all do but is educational too. Three of the kids got tested yesterday. LaKaysha acted the most nervous about it(tests have always made her nervous) but I still think she did fine.It does sound like we might need to try a new approach to math.I would really like to do Math-U-See next year(we wanted to a few yrs ago but didn't have the money then),we don't have the money for it at this time but I am praying that if God feels it is what we need that He will provide a way...if not then we will trust He knows best:) Felicity is down to her last 2 electives in Penn Foster High School. I am very proud of her and how she works so hard....BUT we are not at all happy with the Penn Foster curriculum ..it is NOT Christian based and teaches evolution along with some other really odd stuff. Also it is VERY easy,Felicity really hasn't learned anything knew. Yes,she will be getting her Diploma very soon but we feel all we did was pay $1200 for a legal diploma and she didn't learn much. So with much prayer and thought we will be considering teaching our other kids just our own High School program. I am both excited and nervous:) Also with Felicity we are hoping to continue her education with real life stuff and also maybe some online college programs.She is 15 years old but I believe she will do just fine with being done with her "formal" education..she is interested in floral design,photography,writing and editing along with desiring to someday be a wife and mother.  So has summer break begins I have a prayer in my heart that we will continue learning with a lifestyle of learning approach and that we have a blessed summer!! My prayer is also for you...that you all are blessed this summer as well:)

Florida Pictures

The condo we stayed in and truck we drove..(truck is Marty and Nancy's )

Leon eating KFC for supper after arriving in Florida:)

Alligator we seen everytime we walked at Lake Osborne...

turtle at the lake

I finally went to Cracker Barrel for the first time :)

I loved their rocking chairs..they also made me think of my mom..she loved them too:)

We went and toured the Flagler Mansion..it was awesome and I would recommend it to anyone:)

me on one of the stairways :)

The master bathroom

Leon and I soaking up the sun by the pool:)

one evening we sat outside on the back patio and drank Dunkin Donuts coffee and enjoyed the warm evening air:)

Leon with his Grandpa and Grandma:)

The morning we swam

Leon swimming

me swimming in the warm Atlantic Ocean for the first time...after I got over my fear it was fun:)

Leon and I at the ocean to watch the sunrise

Leon watching the sunrise

Me with sunrise in background:)

me walking the beach one day..

Leon walking the beach...it was warm out but cloudy:)

So there are a few of our 700 pictures we took...hope you enjoyed:)