Sunday, September 27, 2009

Our Firstborn Girl is 40

Julie was a beautiful baby. She was born in the days when they didn't let fathers into the delivery room. It was a painful time waiting for her birth. At last I heard a baby cry. Julie was here. The nurse had to carry her by me on the way to the nusery. She turned away and would not let me see the baby. This was getting a little much for me. I didn't know Mary had told her not to let me see that we had a girl. She wanted to tell me. At last I was able to see this beautiful gal with lots of dark hair.
Julie was always on top of things. When she was about Malia's age (her oldest girl), she was watching our gas gage on a trip to Colorado. She started to warn me that we were going to run out of gas. Guess what, we did! Julie you have been a joy. We are grateful to God for trusting us with such a special girl. HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

Tuesday, September 8, 2009

GOD BLESSED US

Our firstborn, Roger, turned 41 yesterday. You will be amazed how fast those years go by. Mary had always said she wanted a dozen babies. I really hadn't thought a lot about how many children I wanted. I know we were both committed to having the children God purposed for us. When John was born(#6), we believed our quiver was full. We have been so grateful for our wonderful children.

Over the years, we had our share of criticism for the size of our family, but we were more interested in God's plan for our family.

Mary was blessed in her pregnancies by not suffering morning sickness. She also was not limited much in physical activity. The night before Roger was born, we walked/ran to the bowling alley a mile away. On the way to the hospital in the morning, we drove around the block several times. We were so new at this and Mary didn't want to be sent home. She looked so "unpregnant" that when we walked in at 6 a.m. they wondered what they could help us with. When she said, "I think I am ready to have a baby", they went into action. Son Roger was born at 11:57 a.m. (just in time for lunch)

He has been such a blessing to our family. He has also been a good role model for the 5 siblings that followed him.

We were very happy for his arrival but he sure changed our life. He was colicky and always hungry. This was a new kind of living.

We are forever grateful for our children and consider them a gift from God. One's family should be the centerpiece of one's ministry.