Introducing the planet's newest 13-year old!

In a week peppered with loss I am so thankful to be posting about something sweet and light and joyful!

My daughter, Abby, turns thirteen today.

Her full name is Deborah Abigail, named after two amazing women of the Bible, two of my favorite women of all time.
Deborah was the only female judge of Israel, she was a wife, a mother and a godly, wise woman.  She could understand the heart of the Lord and the hearts of men.

When I was praying and waiting and hoping to have another baby I was at a conference in Kelowna, BC and they revealed a painting that an artist had rendered of Deborah.  The Lord had whispered into my spirit that I would have a baby girl and she would have the eyes of her Father, just like Deborah.  I purchased a reproduction of that painting and about two years later that word came to pass.

My prayer for my girl is that she would see what her Father sees.  I pray that she would be wise and compassionate and about her Father's business.

Abby is on the right, showing off Christmas presents made by her friend Esther.

Her second name is Abigail.  I think Abigail is one of the more interesting women that I've 'met'.  She broke a lot of rules in order to save her household, keep the peace and honor the soon-to-be king.  She went against the wishes of her husband, approached a man, took from her household to feed the soldiers and spoke against her husband.  She was savvy, smart and the Bible says she was beautiful.  I hope my girl will be that, too.

Getting her hair done at her birthday party when she was about 8.

Deborah means 'bee' and Abigail means 'fountain of the Father's joy'.  Her name means be a fountain of joy, and she is...most of the time.

At the quilt show with mom.

This sweet girl has been homeschooled for most of her education so far, mostly because she chose that for herself.  She works diligently, most of the time.  She wants to work in an orphanage one day.  She wants to adopt children from around the world (just like her daddy).  She loves music and dancing and art and a great pair of shoes.

Birthday gifts at 11.

She cares about her friends and her family and is excellent with children.  She's been on several missions trips and wants to go on more.  She is a great comfort and help to me in times of trouble.

Contemplating the changes coming her way...

Happy Birthday sweet girl, I'm so thrilled to be your mom.

Deborah Abigail - Christmas 2012.

Happy Birthday Lizzy

Seven years ago today I stayed home from church because I wasn't feeling so great.  Kelly took all five kids and came home with none, they had all been dispersed to friends for the afternoon.

Over lunch we decided to head up to see our friend's new baby, Laina.  Before lunch was over I had had a couple of contractions but thought they were just Braxton Hicks since I was five weeks away from my due date.

Such a little dolly!

First steps!

We cleaned up lunch and headed off noticing that these contractions were pretty regular and rather strong.  We never made it to see Laina that day.  We figured we should get things checked out...I got admitted.  Six hours later the contractions had stopped and they were going to send me home, we let the doula go and then had to sit and wait for the doctor to come back and release me.

That dress was made by my mom, for me!! (with our German daughter Kathrin)

Unbeknownst to us another set of friends were in having their baby, our doctor was with them doing an emergency C-section.  By the time they were squared away I was back into full labour and we decided to proceed with having a baby.

Rockin' the tutu!

My family freaked out because it took about 12 hours for Elizabeth Johannah to show up, about seven hours longer than normal!!  Our preemie looked too big in the NICU, she had a few issues that cleared up fairly quickly.

photo shoot with my girls!

praising God for the canola - it got wiped out a few days later!

Since then that sweet girl has been such a joy to us.  She lights up our days, loves to dance and spin and make music.  She is petite and blonde and blue eyed and we love her creative spirit.  Learning is her delight and the teacher has to work to keep her challenged.  We almost stopped having babies after #5 but the Lord whispered in my ear that we weren't finished yet.

Birthday party with Grandpa (my dad) who turned 79!

Elizabeth Johannah - Beloved Promise of God. Three months before she was placed in my womb by God's grace we went through a devastating miscarriage and the Lord whispered to me then that He had a gift for me.  Her she is my sweet girl.  Happy Birthday darling girl, I hope you enjoyed your breakfast in bed today.

breakfast in bed, served up by Sasha

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