Camping

Well we're off tomorrow for "Family Camp" It should be pretty fun, but also looks like it will be pretty cold too. Oh well it should make for fun times around the fire huddled under tarps!

In case you've never been around a campout that involves any Wiebes then I'll fill you in. We love our tarps! When Dalen and I were first married we were in Kelowna for a friends wedding and we decided to camp (we both LOVE LOVE LOVE camping) The first thing we did, even before setting up our tent, was to set up our tarp. It covered our entire site, that's how big our site was ;) When we were leaving to go into town the man at the office was laughing at Dalen and making fun of him because "When you camp in the Okanagen you don't need a tarp!" Well as we were pulling away the sky literally opened up and poured for about and hour or two. When we returned all of our stuff was dry and everyone else around us was soaking wet.

Anyway as I was saying, Wiebes are natorious for their tarps... it doesn't matter what kind of campsite you are in or how many trees you have, where there's a Wiebe there's a way!

I've also decided that I'm going to bring out craft supplies this time. I'm going to buy some party hats from the dollar store and bring a plethera of things to cut and glue. We'll see if the kids have any more fun.

Well It's time to keep packing. I am determined to take more pictures this time so hopefully I will follow through. See you in four days!

Ephrim's Surgery Pictures

This is Ephrim the night before his surgery. I had to scrub him with this super sanitizer.This is what he looked like when I saw him right after the surgery. I was allowed to go in as soon as they knew he was going to wake up... that's a really scary feeling. Even once you know they're okay they still look a little too dead for comfort. His little Rudolf toe. That's is an oxygen sensor on his toe.

This is Ephrim once they took the oxygen mask off. That black thing coming out of his mouth is his tongue stitch. It's exactly what it sounds like. They stitch the tongue to the bottom of the mouth so their tongues don't roll back while they're operating.
Here he is in his room. Because he had a cold sore we got to stay in a semi private room. We didn't even have anyone with us the first night and day. The cold sore was fine but God provided in a way that was more important as I got sick. He slept pretty much the whole first day and night. When he was awake he had to be held or he would just scream, it was really hard as he came off the morphine and anastetic.
The first food he ate.Jello. That's all he ate on the second day. He also spent most of his time with Daddy so they are totally best buds now. That's his little straight jacket. You put tongue depressors in the sleeves so they can't bend their arms, so as to keep things out of their mouths. He was able to stop wearing them today. Anyway that's basically how it went for Ephrim. Have a good night!

The Water Park in Kelowna

ok so I'm really bad cause I never take enough pictures of anything. Oh well, this is what we have.

Driving Pictures

And my personal favorite!

D'Wiebeville

Well here we sit. Home, with a mostly clean house (thank you Momma), meat thawing for dinner, fed kids and laundry going. Wow what a miracle! I feel like it should be at least nine o'clock and I should be going to bed. I can't believe how hard this is on me. I think I recovered better from my c-section with Emma!

Here in lies the problem, I have no energy. None! Natta! I can't believe it. The kidney infection seems to have nearly shut my body down and now I feel like I've been hit by a semi. My days are very long and I don't have much in me to do any cleaning. I did go through my fabric, which was much needed. Now I sit here after eating some soup and I want to go to bed. I still have dinner to make and then we're going to the inlaws for the evening to visit. Maybe I'm lacking chocolate? That really must be it ;)

So what do I have to do in the next week? Finish the house. Clean out the basement and set up the school room. Then I need to pack for camping, get groceries for camping and go camping for the weekend. Once that is done I need to pick and freeze carrots and pull up potatoes. And please don't ask me where I'm at with my sewing!!! Should be a sinch!

So pray for me.
Thanks!

Highlight number 2

Okay highlight number 2! This is the most exciting one!
THE STANLEY CUP!

Dalen came into Ephrim's room at the hospital and was like, "Guess what's gonna be here tomorrow?! THE STANLEY CUP!"
Andrew Ladd of the Carolina Hurricanes came with the cup. He signed pictures and took pictures with everyone with the cup. He was born in Maple Ridge and is really and A+ guy. All the kids had canucks shirts and stuff on and he'd ask them "Are you a hockey fan? Oh yeah that's good... like the canucks? Yeah that's okay, I did too."

Ephrim became freakishly friendly while in the hospital, he would just walk up to random people and try and get them to hold him, it was good though because we got to know a lot of people that way and even minister a little.

Well he walked right up to Mr. Ladd and wanted up, everyone was very impressed including Mr. Ladd. So then we got this picture which I love and will forever cherish!

That's my boy with Andrew Ladd, and yes that is the Stanley Cup he's sitting in! How awesome is that! It was soooooo cool.

Anyway it's time to start getting ready for church. I will post more pics of the trip soon!

Ahhh home!

Well we made it.

The trip home was actually really fun! We sang LOTS and LOTS of songs and talked lots and just had a great time. I love travelling with Dalen, I always learn something interesting about him! It's amazing that our husbands will tell other people stuff and just think we always knew it!

I'm not going to blog about the entire trip but I will add some highlights.

Highlight number 1. BABY SETH!!!!!!! Oh he was amazing. He was as aware as a two month old and looked it to me. Accept that his hands and feet were almost the same size as Ephrims who is nine months old.
He had to be the best baby I had ever seen! He never fussed just slept and ate and hung out with every one. He loved being in the wrap with me too. It was really really cute..

I know it looks like an optical illusion, but his feet really are this huge. It's freakish, he's going to be a giant! Okay so I have pictures of the girls too but I just realized I didn't get any of Ava... bad aunty!

There's my Sissy girl. She is an amazon! And they cut her hair off. She loves it though. She loves to sing and wants to skate board. We had so much fun together, making dinner, sewing! I'm praying that next summer they'll let her come visit us for a few weeks!

And Enaiyah, well as you can see she is all Trei! This little wild child is quite the girl! And boy has she got Daddy figured! They are best friends and they go everywhere together.

I know I'm really sorry there are no pictures of Ava, just didn't work out!

On the road again.

So we're going to head home today. Please pray for special mercy as we travel with a recovering baby and momma. Please pray for Dalen. He has been so amazing this last week and I know it's been really really hard. Anyway I'm gonna keep it short. Talk to you all in two days!

Not so well

OKay so in the last post that Starla made she told about this infection. Well it was a lot worse than they thought. When I went into emergency on Monday morning they gave me breastfeeding friendly antibiotics for a UTI (urinary tract infection). Then over the last three days I felt fluish, fever, shaking, freezing cold, then hot and sweating, my head has been pounding and I haven't been able to move. Needless to say all was not well. Dalen had to be at the hospital the whole time to care for Ephrim as I was unable to function, which meant the kids were here at Aunty Lisa's. Praise God for her she has done so much for our family. We were discharged this morning and from the time it took to leave the hospital and get home (1 hour or so) I was completely wrecked. I was shaking uncontrolably and freezing cold. I could move at all. When we got here my fever was 102.5. I was really sick. I just got into bed and tried to calm down. I finally managed and after sleeping for 2 or 3 hours I was feeling better. Once I got up we headed down to the clinic. I was really done with it all and though that I was reacting to the antibiotics because the last time I took them I got headaches.
The Doctor was great and really thurough. I'm glad Dalen was there because I could remember anything, I felt comatose. Anyway the antibiotics the Doctor at the ER didn't work. The infection spread into my Kidneys and he told me that if I got any worse in the next 24 hours they would admit me to a hospital for IV antibiotics.

Tonight I'm feeling better. It's been tough not being able to care for Ephrim. He's not nursing and my milk is pretty much gone. Now with the antibiotics I can't nurse him. It looks like it's over... it's really hard for me. He's the only baby that I've nursed solidly. I may look into taking something to get my milk back up when this is all over. We'll see.

Ephrim is doing pretty good. He's sleeping by himself which he hasn't done in the last two nights and his appetite is picking up. I really haven't seen him, it's so sad. Tomorrow should be better.

Anyway I'm going to sign off.. please continue to pray for us. Hopefully we'll be able to get home soon.

OH I saw the Stanley cup today. and Ephrim got his picture taken sitting inside of it. How cool is that? I'll post picture when we get home!

All Is Well

I got a call from Sirena this evening. The surgery went well and Eprhim is doing good! He was in for a little longer than they thought he would be but there were no complications or anything. They will keep him in the hospital about 3 days. She said he's okay for pain as they have him on tylenol and codeine. He wants to be held all the time but I don't think Sirena minds all that much. So tonight she will be staying in the hospital as Ephrims primary care giver and Dalen went home for the night to be with the kids. It was a long day for them all especially because early this morning sirena came down with an infection. She is doing fine now as the doctor gave her antibiotics and pain killers, but it was definitly not something she needed to deal with this week, or today. God is faithful to bring us through hard days and thankfully this day has all but come to a close and they have only thanks to offer up to God.

They are hoping to head home this weekend sometime but it depends on how Eprhim feels. If he continues to need to be held then it could make driving a near impossibility. They are prepared to give him the time he needs.

Dalen and Sirena both want to thank everyone that has praying for them today and over the course of the last week and the week to come! What a blessing to know that you have the support and covering of the prayers of family and friends! They apperciate your continuing prayers as Eprhim heals and they make the drive home.

May you guys have a speedy drive (without speeding too much), may the kids be well entertained by the blessed dvd player and movies, and may you find yourselfs in the comfort of your home soon! We all look forward to you getting home! God bless!

Hello from Heney!

Okay so I'm in Haney, which is kind of Maple Ridge, which is kind of in Vancouver. We have finally made our way here after being in Kelowna for about four days.. I think... they were kinda hot and blurry! It was great though to spend time with Jeff and Trei and the girls, I guess I'll have to say "the children" now. Baby Seth is beautiful. He has freakishly huge hands and feet though... they're almost the same size as Ephrim's and Seth is only two and a half weeks old. I hit up Value Village and got some amazing baskets and some work out clothes, I actually found a pair of LuLu's but the were too tight. I also hit up a fabric store today and bought a wack of maternity patterns and lots of fabric to make slings and purses, I think I'm going to try the whole selling stuff on ebay thing.

So finally I am at Aunty Lisa and Uncle Richards, this place feels like home to me, they are our family away from home, we can relax here and I can know that it's okay if I don't wear a bra... hehehe

We'll find out tomorrow if the surgery is going through for sure so I'll update again in the next day or two!

Blessings on you!

Off They Go!

(sirena and adon)
The Wiebe family is on their way! This is Starla writing for Sirena. She was too busy packing and getting ready for their trip to blog about it so I am filling in for her.

They left early this morning to head to Vancouver. The main reason being that Ephrim is scheduled to have his cleft pallet surgery, and while they are there they are going to Sirena's cousins wedding. I have it on good authority that they will be squeezing in a visit to a discount fabric store (apparently sirena likes to sew) and a few other shopping destinations, and of course some catching up with good friends. Sirena was particularly excited about stopping in kelowna to visit our good friends Jeff & Trei and their beautiful children (3 gorgeous girls and a beautiful brand new baby boy)! I know sirena was a little concerned before they left because Ephrim had another breakout of.....well their not sure what it is anymore. He keeps getting this sores on his face, they thought it was staff infection before and now they are looking at other things. This is particularly stressful because the hospital will cancel Ephrims surgery if they think the sore could inhibit quick surgery recovery and other things. They checked with their doctor in Terrace and after some praying decided to go ahead with their trip and trust in God. So For all you prayers out there, the Wiebe family is asking for you to keep them in your prayers. God bless their traveling, their visiting, and especially baby Ephrims surgery!

I know this trip is going to be difficult as it is a long way to go with three young children and no parent finds it easy to watch their baby go through surgery, but we have a loving, faithful, powerful God who is their rock and strenght in this time and I trust that they will come home feeling not only relieved to have the surgery done but also refreshed from having some time together as a family!

So, remember to lift them up! And post your encouragment and prayers on here as i'm sure sirena will find a computer in their travels and will be encouraged by your words!

Party at the D'Wiebe's!!!

That's right folks you heard me! Party at my house! Come on over tomorrow night (permitting you aren't a strange pervey internet stalker) and join us at 9:00 pm for food (consisting of marshmellows and hot chocolate), fire, and fireworks. We've got a prime location! If you don't know where I live you can e-mail me. If you don't have my e-mail or don't know anyone that does then you're probably an strange pervery internet stalker and I won't tell you!

See you tomorrow!

Cute sayings anb mile stones!

Well yesterday Ephrim started playing peek-a-boo. It's very fun and made that much more funny because he doesn't actually cover his face he just puts something on top of his head and then drops it down.

Today when I was putting the kids down for their nap Ephrim was crying (as usuall) and Emma said "It doesn't matter Ephrim, Mommy is here and God can see you, he'll take care of you.

Then yesterday Adon was looking at his Lego magazine (he's infactuated) and Emma asked who Jabba the Hut was and the proceded to talk about "Shabba da dut" I had to laugh, I couldn't help it, and you don't want them to feel self consience but I just couldn't help it. It was like the time we were at speech therapy with Adon and Mrs. Pretto was getting him to say SPOT and he kept saying SMOT with extreme excitement. I burst out laughing, what a nice mom hey. It's really sad, poor guy seems to have come through okay!

Finally an entry for all the men! (or tire biters)

Okay boys here it is! This blog will be picture diary of our journey with the Black Beauty (the kids named the truck) leading up to now.

In the beginning. There was the black truck that made me gaagaa and the big booger that was lots of fun to get stuck. Also there was old siding on Ed and Jane's trailer which is much more updated now (it's for sale by the way)
Then there were the 8.8's.

And some more 8.8's

Oh look an 8.7!

It had been enough! 8.8's just weren't exciting enough, he wanted more!What could he ever do?
He could push some stuff over with a really big machine? Nope that didn't do it. How about a wack of children? Nope there was still something missing.

Build a bathroom (or two)? Nope, none of these things could fill the void, not even the love of his amazing race loving tire biter of a wife...

Part 2

Then one day while he was pondering

It came to him, like lightbulb went off in his head!

Look at cute little baby Adon... ahhhhhh. Okay sorry

TURBOS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

And now I'll post all the pictures that you guys will really enjoy... the commentary was fun for me though!

This is the truck before.
All the stuff... and Shane's fridge/smoker... and all the stuff in the smoker!

Part 3

Round 1.. oops, unfortunately these are not made of rubber. Try again.

Sorry I don't have any pictures of round two. Camera battery was dead.

Round three! Third time's a charm!

As you can see things are a little tight...

Part 4

So there were a few things that I learned while watching the guys work on the truck (sorry I don't have any pictures of Sheldon, he was there too) The first thing I learned is that Dalen really doesn't like having his picture taken.... at all.