Year two...and counting

Dad here again. First time in whats felt like a year or so since Ive done this. Nicki asked that I write one for Melanie's birthday, so after a little bit of wincing and negotiation, I thought it might not be such a bad idea.

I went up to Melanie's bed, gave her a kiss goodnight, and.....well, that was it! I came downstairs. I didn't have to go to the parking garage to find where I lost my car, and didn't have to drive home and wonder the whole way home about the health of our baby girl. Didn't have to remove the 'healthy' sticker from my shirt or the orange wristband that labeled me as a dad, and didn't need to worry where to put that white rectangle parking pass so I would remember to take all 30 of them out when I cleaned the car out.

I reflected for a few minutes there about how this little fart (we call her Miss Mellers, or trouble, or various other adjectives that refer to her very strong willed personality) two short years ago surprised us with her special, very nerve racking birth. As I kissed her, for a moment, I reflected on the monitors, the breathing machines, the surgeries, the rooms, the uncertainty, the tears, the smiles, the alarms, the phone calls, the doctors and nurses, the "box" she lived in, the families we got to know, and the unbelievable strength that God brought to us during that time.

As I reflect now, I think about the families who's children didn't survive. There are families that left that hospital completely different than we did, and now, as I reflect, I think about how much having this little fighter in our house is such a true blessing. As parents, we go through the typical rolling of the eyes, the frustration of children not listening, the fighting with siblings, the talking back, and the interruptions during all of our conversations. And for now, all those selfish thoughts went away as I reflect. Some of those parents would beg for the opportunity to 'deal with' the typical parenting complaints that we have, and I never gave it a thought since leaving that hospital til now. Not much explanation, just flat out selfishness on my part. I'd like to say that since I just thought of it, I'll do better. But, just as a small child says 'I'll be good, I'll remember", Jeff and my sinful nature will forget this as early as tomorrow...or maybe even tonight if one of them wakes up crying.

I think about all the memories that this young two year old has given us, and praise God for allowing us to go through those long 76 days in that hospital. I pray it is something that we never forget. I also pray that we take none of our children for granted. Yes Miss Melanie is two, and yes, very much still a fighter. We laugh a lot just looking at her personality and how it didn't change even in the slightest since she has been born. Maybe, she'll be our little fighter forever, and she'll remind us through that strong will, that God has richly blessed us with the birth of that 3rd daughter.

And looking at her now, God in His sovereign will, has chosen to have no lasting effects on Melanie, other than maybe her inability to cry or laugh really hard (We wonder if that is because of the tubes she had down in her throat for so long). This, however, doesn't bother us too bad, especially when she cries. I find myself chuckling at times when she gets really mad and her cries aren't any louder than her talk.

But now, all I can think is this:
Melanie....you are two, and someday, maybe you'll know what stress you put on your parents when you decided to come out 14 weeks premature. Someday you'll understand how amazing the lung surgery that the doctors 'tried' was. Someday, you'll understand how that heart surgery was so scary for mom and dad. Someday, you'll know how so many people checked this very website, often several times a day, to get an update on a baby they had never met. And someday, maybe, you'll sit in awe in front of a computer, just like your daddy is, and marvel at how powerful a God we serve. It was only through His grace that you are with us today. And daddy, will try to not take for granted all the blessings that you and your sisters have brought to your mom and my life. I pray that God will continue to keep you in the palm of His hand from now to eternity, just as He did those first handful of scary days of your life. Mom and Dad pray that you too, don't take your life for granted, just as we shouldn't do so with our own. God places each and every one of us on this earth to praise Him in what we say and do, in whatever calling He gives to us. You are a beautiful child and HAPPY 2nd BIRTHDAY!!

Love Dad

Illuminations: Activities

Illuminations: Activities

Perfect Fall Day

We have had some BEAUTIFUL fall weather these past couple weeks. I have a feeling it has come to an end, but we sure enjoyed it while we could. Wednesday was our last day of temps in the 70's with full sun. The Westra household soaked up every minute possible (outside of doing school for a bit in the morning) ;) It was a perfect day for playing in the leaves. I've never raked leaves as dry as these. It was tons of fun which was a good thing cause we raked a TON of leaves, and then re-raked them, raked them again, and then again. The kids could hardly wait till they were piled up to jump into again. There were LOTS of crumbled leaves left on the ground once we took away the piles. Proof of the fun we had during the day. Jeff surprised me with a beautiful bouquet of flowers....purple ones at that. They are gorgeous!! When he got home from work we hauled the leaves to the pasture. The girls thought this was great since they got to ride in the wheel barrow. Melanie however didn't like riding, she LOVED picking the leaves up (usually one-by-one) and putting them into the wheel barrow or trash can. Picking up is one of her favorite things to do. I now know if she's being trouble in the house just send her outside with a pile of leaves and a bucket and she'll be occupied for hours. Too bad all the leaves blew away this weekend. Once the leaves were off the lawn we went out for a quick supper and then to the park to enjoy the last minutes of daylight (and the first 15min of darkness). The kids had a blast playing rough with Dad, mom had a blast watching everyone laugh and not having to cook, and I'm pretty sure Dad had fun playing with his girly's!! So many precious memories.

Our picture computer cannot connect to the internet so I had to post the pictures through a video. I added a song so you may want to scroll to the bottom of the blog and pause the music or just mute your computer to watch without any sound.

Make a video - it's fun, easy and free!
www.onetruemedia.com

A Most Precious Visit

Grandpa and Grandma Hoksbergen were able to come to Michigan and visit for a weekend before continuing on their way for a color tour out east. We had SOOOO much fun with them while they were here and only wish they could have stayed longer. We all went out for supper and ice cream Friday night and then back to the hotel to swim.
Miya and Jayden then got to stay overnight in Great G n G's hotel. This was such a special treat for them. A night in a hotel (one of their favorite things to do) and time alone with Great Grandma and Grandpa. I guess they woke up and had two breakfasts with swimming in between. I'm sure that was Grandpa and Grandmas' idea:0)
Jeff and I patiently waited at home with Melanie for them to come back so we could go fruit picking.....we'll they didn't come home till around 2. They ended up visiting an aunt in a nursing home and then spoiling the girls with Burger King. After a quick nap it was off to one of Jeff's customers to pick some raspberries and blackberries. It was good time picking and in between the spouts of rain we enjoyed some blueberry doughnuts and coffee to warm up. It turned out to be a beautiful evening once the rain stopped.





Then it was off to Crane's to pick a few apples. Being the first weekend to pick Honey Crisp, it was BUSY. So we quickly loaded up and ventured to Fenn Valley for a little wine tasting. Since we were in the fruit picking mode, I thought maybe we could pick some grapes. NOT the right kind of grapes to pick for eating....just for wine making. The wine sure tasted good though!! After an afternoon of fruit picking it was time for supper. And what to do you do after supper on a beautiful Saturday evening? ? You head to the beach of course!! We trekked out to oval beach to look at the view, and then the girls wanted to get out and run on the beach. Why not add some sand to the mud that's already in the clothes and van? It was a beautiful night on the beach (just a little chilly).


Once Melanie warmed up to Great Grandpa and Grandma, she had to be by "Papa's" side the rest of the weekend. She had to hold his hand while walking, sit by him at meals, and he was the only one who could carry her if the need be. She enjoyed playing with Great Grandma too, but Grandpa could never be far else she'd cry for him.
Sunday was much more relaxing. Melanie thought she had to sit by 'papa' during church. She actually did very well and sat on his lap throughout he whole service, she even took a little nap cuddled up in Great Grandpa's arms. After evening church we headed to the hotel for a little snack and to say goodbye. My secret pal left a basket of fall goodies that were just perfect for that night (thank you to my wonderful secret pal). It was much more delicious then the crackers and soup I had packed along. After visiting for awhile it was time to say goodbye. It's always sad to say goodbye, but we are so thankful they are able to come visit and treasure the memories they are making with us and the girls. We love you both! wish this picutre wasn't so dark :(