Blessings 2007

Thank you to the following 49 babies and their families for having us attend their birth:

Kaitlynn Leigh, Martha Ellen, Nancy, Ella Ruth, Helen Faith, Joely Fair, Anya Grace, Leona Mae, Hannah Valerie, Lexie Joy, Antonia Chiara Maria, Naomi Kathryn, Eliona Rain, Leslie Anna, Grace Kathryn, Tylee Marie, Emma Grace, Jordan Lynee Elizabeth, Zoe Faith, Luann Marie, Kaylee Primabella, Madelyn Grace, Betty Ann, Sophia Joy, And Hallie Isabella,

That’s 25 girls…

Felipe Miguel, Caleb Matthew, Braden Lake, Aiden Keith, Casey Sanders, Eli Everett, Josiah Shalom, Judah Alexander, Eric Christopher, Gabriel James, Benji Andrew, Anias Rae, Elijah William, Andrew Joseph, Stone Justice, Joel David, Gannon, Samuel Elijah, Luke Jamison, Aron Conoley, Brady Douglas, Ezra Robert, Brogan McClure, and Alvin: That’s 24 boys.

We had  12 families having their first baby and  10 families having their first baby at home. There was not one emergency

transport this year, praise the Lord!

We had 8 water births, 4 VBAC’s, and 19 repeat families having their second, third or fourth babies with Blessings.

Our largest baby was 10 pounds 5 ounces and the smallest was 6 pounds 10 ounces. The longest labor was 50 hours and the shortest was 48 minutes. We had one breech baby this year.

This is the part of the letter that makes me tired, trying to recap the year. January was busy with 5 births, Jennifer celebrated her first year of marriage and was expecting her first baby the end of May. Our annual “scrapbook weekend” retreat was in Fairview. The girls all go for 3 days and catch up on our scrapbooking with no interruptions. We have a great time! (You are welcome to join us next year!)

February and March were the calm before the storm.

In April, Jennifer had her first baby. She went into labor before 36 weeks so we had to go to the hospital, Dr. O’Donnell was out of town, so we had Dr. Nason. It was a horrible experience and I would not want my worst enemy to have him for a doctor, but Jennifer came through it OK with a sweet baby boy, Josiah weighed 6-11. She had her gallbladder out when he was 6 weeks old so she couldn’t help me for a while.  I had 9 births in May and June while she was on leave. Talitha Mills helped me, what a blessing she was!

We bought a pop-up camper in June, so the whole family, all 17 of us, went camping. What a great time we had. My mother and step-dad went too. The 4 oldest grandchildren played in the woods, explored caves and rode bikes. The little ones just kept us on our toes trying to keep them out of mischief!

There were 9 births in July and August and several more camping trips. I didn’t get to make my trip to Kenya that I was planning for July, but the Lord knew I didn’t need to be there. My “son”, Christopher and his wife Grace were expecting their first baby, but Jerusha Yvonne was born at 29 weeks and she only lived a few hours. I wish I could have been there.

My mother passed away in September after a short 2 week struggle with cancer. I’m thankful she didn’t suffer long.

The end of the year was very busy!  In October David and I took a 4 day motorcycle trip around the state with some friends. It was a nice little get away. There were lots of babies due when I got back, we did 4 births in 5 days the week before Christmas. Josiah has been to 26 births with Jennifer! By the way, Jennifer is expecting baby number two, due in May 2008.

We decided this year to rent cabins for Christmas so we could all be together. We stayed at Barren River Lake in Kentucky. The park was closed so it was very quiet and relaxing. The grandchildren all enjoyed playing games and the adults enjoyed watching! Overall, it was a year full of blessings that I can be very thankful for. It wasn’t always easy, but it was always worth it!

If I don’t have a birth story from you, it’s never too late. I always appreciate stories and photos. My daughter has updated the web site and it looks great! Check it out if you haven’t seen it lately!

I’m planning a long trip to Kenya next year, so if you find out you need our services, please call me early so I can get you on the calendar!

Blessings,

Kathy, Jennifer, and Shannon