Spring in Saskatchewan

 

 

 

We are experiencing the most unusual spring.  Temperatures have been well below normal.  Last week we reached -38 C with the wind chill!  It's been snowing and blowing.  Winds have reached up to 80+ km/hr.  This has led to roads being snowed shut and as a result buses have not run the past 2 days.  Last night we finally headed out to take a look. 

 

This is along our drive, which amazingly has been drivable.  The spruce trees are a good 6 ft.  So thankful these trees have done their job to keep the drive open.

 

This is our main route to our nearest town.  For the past few weeks this road has often been down to one lane and it is impossible to see cars coming when driving around a curve.

 



 

This is the intersection at the highway and our main road.  The signs are barely visible!

 



It is actually a beautiful view.

 



You may wonder how we are coping...

 

We're doing just fine!  I would love for spring to arrive, but there is no point in getting all ornery and frustrated...last time I checked my bad attitude has no impact on changing the weather.  lol!

 

Instead, we have been treasuring these days...with hot chocolate, waffles, movies, and all things family!  I've been sewing like a maniac and will post pics soon.  I am grateful to have this weather to get things done...without all the extra work spring mud brings!

 

Earlier this winter Morgun's ski trip was cancelled due to cold weather.  The alternate date was set for March 25th.  I laughed...thinking there was NO way we would still have enough snow at the end of March.  The school choose not to cash any cheques...obviously doubting the trip would actually happen.  So...on Monday I will be joining the boys on a skiing field trip...at least if it's not snowing so much that visibility is reduced or the roads are icy. :)

Poor Baby!

My poor baby is sick with chickenpox.  She has a fever, aches and pain and of coarse, lots of itching! The poor girl has chicken pox everywhere...in her mouth, ears...everywhere.  So much so that she keeps complaining "Mama, I have a wedgie!"   She has been crying at night, and for the better part of the day.  Except when she is watching TV.  So, she has been watching a LOT of Dora. 

We have tried everything to keep her comfortable.  An oatmeal bath seemed to help the most, along with Tylenol.  The Epsom Salt bath only resulted in more tears.  Tomorrow we'll go back to the oatmeal bath.

 

The anti itch cream seems to help as well.  However, at first the poor girl cried and cried as I applied it.  It was so very cold and her whole body was full of goose bumps.  I think it must literally have hurt. 

 

I have been trying to keep Raina away from the mirrors, because when she sees herself she cries even more and says, "Mama, my face no pretty!" or "Mama, my face yook weird!"

 



What's In A Name?

 

 

 

We have finally decided on a name.   His name is Jackson Marcus Chen!

 

We all love the name Jackson and it is very fitting that it means "God has been gracious/God has shown favor".

 

The name Marcus was not a name that was on our official list.  As we searched for names, we thought it would be kind of neat to have a name that reflects the word that God gave me during this adoption process..."Defend".

 

With every adoption God gives me a word.  During this adoption process the word has been "defend".  I'm not exactly sure what God is exactly trying to say.  The words I had during the process with our girls totally defines their personalities and who they are in our family.  This word has me a bit stumped.  I'm not sure if God gave me this word to show that our son will be a defender for all that is godly, or if it is a reflection of what this process has been for us.  Never before have we had to defend our choices in expanding our family as much as this time.  "Defend"  also happens to be in the verse we choose for the dog tag Stacy, at Jubilee's Jewels... http://jubileesjewels.com/adoption-fundraising/defend-necklace  designed for us for our adoption fundraiser...Deuteronomy 10:18 "He defends the cause of the fatherless and the widow, and loves the alien, giving him food and clothing."

 

Marcus means "a defense".  And the added bonus is that it gave us the opportunity to name our child after his Uncle Mark Hyde, who happens to be an awesome role model for our kids!

 

The last name, Chen is actually Jackson's given last name.  It is important to us to keep at least part of our kid's given names.  Chen means "morning" or "great" in the Chinese language.  In Hebrew the name means "loveliness" or "grace".  It can also mean "pure or true man".

 

I suppose all these meanings could be interpreted as our son having a lot to live up to.  For us, it is our prayer that our son would be all of these things...which quit honestly is a simple reflection of someone who loves God with his whole heart...and that is our prayer for each of our children.

 

And last of all...yes we are aware that his name can, and will, at times be shortened to Jackie Chen!  Jackie Chen happens to be one of Martin's favorite comic relief characters!  :)

Meet Our Newest Son!

 

I am a bit stunned and COMPLETELY thrilled!  We have a proposal!  Meet Chen Wenlong, born May 8, 2011!

 

 

We are still trying to decide on an English name and will post it as soon as we're sure.  We have some ideas, but with 3 other kids thinking they must have input...well, let's just say, we'll let the name we want grow on them for a bit.  ;)

 

 

Chen Wenlong was born in Taiyuan, Shanxi.  It is a more northern province. 

 

According to our documents our newest gem is living in a foster family and has been since he was 5 months old.  Wenlong has a repaired (unilateral) cleft lip and palate. 

 

He likes foods with strong flavors, is beginning to talk, and his favorite toys are cars.

 



We expect to travel sometime in June.  I can hardly wait!!

 

NOW...

 

...it's time to get a room ready and do some shopping!  FUN! FUN! FUN!  :)

 

...And to pray some more. To pray that everything will fall into place.  It will be interesting to see everything come together...cause I know it will!  It always does!