All about Joel!

I am not totally MIA after all hey? I have been so busy with school and life that I have not had the chance to come on and share it with the world! So here goes a little bit.

First of all, Annabelle and Joel are sick. they either have seasonal flu or H1N1, not sure which. Fevers, cough, chills, runny nose, tired, headaches. Joel is pretty rough tonight but over all such a good sick kid. Throw on a good Christmas movie and all they need is Advil and water. . Annabelle is on the mend now. We will be staying home from church tomorrow to reduce the spread of this but Adam will be taking Joshua and that will be a great time for Joshua, just to be with Daddy on his own.

My baby turned 5 years old this week!!! He is so amazing. I love that boy more than I can even say. He has been such a blessing in my life. I had the honour of presenting his VIP presentation at school where I talk about his baby days and younger years, show pictures, go through his baby book, and bake cookies for the class! That last one is just something that I love to do, not
something that is part of the presentation. What a great time that was!

Joel- God is willing and Jehovah is Lord! When Adam and I first talked about children, Adam wanted 2. I wanted 4. I prayed that God would either take the desire away from me to have more or put the desire in Adam's heart to have more. After Annabelle was born, while we were still in the delivery room, Adam leaned over and said, "You're made for having babies, we should have another one!" I was overjoyed. We both prayed about it after Joel and felt that 3 was our family. We had such peace with that. We were absolutely decided on calling Joel, Joseph until about 2 weeks before he was born and we both felt that was not what God would have us name him. As we went through the name books trying to figure out the most meaningful name, Joel gave us both peace, it was right. We also had a girl name chosen in case. We didn't find out the gender of any of our children as we love surprises and what better surprise is that?

So, it was about 5am, on November 19th, when I felt the first contraction and excitedly got out of bed to start timing. Being the third baby, I figured I had better be ready. After the third contraction with them timing 10 then 9 then 8 minutes apart, I called our babysitters, Henny and Moriah. They were to the house in about 15 minutes to watch the older two kiddos. While I waited I called my awesome friend Christy who was coming to watch baby be born and be a support for me. I also called my parents.

Adam and I left our house at about 6am. Had to get coffee for Adam, that was a pretty early morning! While we were in the drive thru getting the coffee I knew that it was not going to be a long labor. Adam hurried us off to the hospital where they checked me and found I was in active labor- over 4 cm dilated- so I was aloud to stick around. About 6:30 I walked the halls of the hospital supported during contrations by Christy and Adam. After about 15 minute I couldn't do that anymore and by 7:29 Joel was born. It was the most relaxed and peaceful labor I ever could imagine. I remember everything, had no medication, was alert and excited and the baby was born healthy and strong.

From that point on I was bonded to Joel. He is my third, just as I am the third in my family and Adam is the third child in his. Joel is a wonderful mix of Adam and I.

This year my baby started school. He loves it!!! He is learning well and making great friendships that I hope will last a lifetime. I love the school the kids go to! They will be with the same group of friends till the day they graduate!

Joel is a love. He loves cuddles and kisses. He is also a talker and has a great sense of humour! This summer Joel asked the Lord into his heart and he definitely understands what that means. I am so thankful! When he grows up he wants to be a worker (carpenter) or a tractor driver.

Joel chose 6 boys he wanted to come over for his birthday and he had a wonderful time with them. I still can't believe that I am 28 years old with kids, 5, 6 and 7 years old. Time is flying by and I am just trying to enjoy every wind that blows! I am learning what it means to cherish one another and to take time out for "moments" of love that will last a lifetime. Letting the rougher moments pass without breaking me and letting the great moments remain in my thoughts and heart. I am feeling pretty great about letting each season slip away and embracing the next and I feel blessed that God has given me each season to remember.

I feel as though a chapter has closed. I have no more babies, but now growing warriors in the kingdom of God. Lady and men who are being equipped to fight every battle and they are enjoying every minute of it.

My dream for Joel is that he grows strong spiritually and that he understands the "race" he is running and runs with all his heart!