Winnipeg here we come! Yesterday we had the joy of going and visiting our little grandson Andrew again. This means a trip to the city which is a 2 hour drive from our place. But these trips don't seem very long when you think of who there is waiting for us at the other end. Josh and Rebecca are very happy to see family come out to pay them a visit. Life in the city is foreign to them and something they are not used to.

Yesterday we got to the city around lunchtime,went out for lunch together and just spent sometime visiting with Josh and Rebecca. At 4 AJ was due for his feeding so we spent 1 1/2 hours at the hospital. Rebecca changed his diaper,while I tried to hold his soother in so he wouldn't cry to much. ( I even touched is soft skin.) The nurse handed him to Rebecca and has if he knew his mother's touch right away. Andrew settled right down and was so relaxed to hear and feel his mother's tender touch. It was so touching when Rebecca wanted to put Andy back to bed,he cried. It is so good to know that Andy recognizes who his parents are.

It was yesterday that I realized how small Andy really is. We went shopping and when looking even at the smallest clothes there are for newborns they are ways to big. Some of the smallest shoes we saw,well his feet would fit in there three times! He is very cute , that's the reason we keep coming back!

Some of the city sights near the hospital where Andrew is.

We also want to thank everyone who has been praying for us. We are so thankful the way things have been falling into place for Josh and Rebecca. We are especially grateful for the missionary couple who took Josh and Rebecca in and are allowing them to come and go as they need. We also need to remember this couple in our prayers as they are going through a very difficult time with their grandaugher. She is under going treatments and is in a lot of pain. She is only 2 years old and cannot understand why she has to suffer so much.

Happy Birthday Rita!

Another Nov. birthday! Our family has now got 4 birthdays to celebrate in Nov. Little Andrew added another one by making his appearance early and joining his 2 aunties and one uncle in the month of Nov.

So here we are with Rita's 14 th. birthday on Nov. 8. The years have gone by so quickly. As you can see I am already one week late with posting for her birthday. I wish that sometimes we could just make time stand still and we could keep things the way they are for awhile. But that is not the way God intended it to be so we have to cherish each moment that we have with our children to the fullest! The joys of raising and training your children are so rewarding,I wouldn't trade them for any other job in this world!

With Rita in the house their is never a dull moment! She knows how to get us to laugh at her funny ways. Then sometimes there is no Rita around at all. She likes her quiet times where she will go outside and take a stroll in the pasture just talking to herself as if there are other people listening. Rita loves old fashioned stuff. Dressing up in a cape and bonnet and going out to be with the horses. Sitting face to face and talking to them. Another thing that Rita loves is driving the oldest and slowest machinery on the farm. That way she doesn't need to drive so fast and try to catch up with the others in the field. She loves taking her time. Rita has a great passion for little children and loves her younger siblings. We are so glad to have you in our family. Your ways have taught us alot about life. You have taught us to enjoy work and not just rush through and see how fast you can get it done.

Rita we love you and hope you have a wonderful year ahead. May you enjoy what life has in store for you and hold on to Jesus who is the authour and finisher of everything we do.

Here are some photos of what Rita loves doing.Being with her horse, eating, crafts, friends, outdoor fun and just simply standing and thinking

Love Dad,Mom and your family

Happy Birthday Ryan

Nineteen years ago on Nov.2 our first son Ryan made his small appearance into a big world. He came to be with us 8 weeks before his due date. Ryan had his ups and downs the first year of his life where he was in the hospital over a month when he was first born,and also two times after that. Since then he has done alot of growing in more than one way. Growing up on the farm gives lots of opportunity to learn different things. That is just what Ryan did. He never did care much for school books,but did we give him something that needed to be fixed or figured out Ryan was always ready to try his expertise at the job. It has always been so handy to have a handyman around the place who is willing to try and fix.

Ryan loves to keep his sisters on their toes with his teasing ways. His younger brothers love to spend time with Ryan and are always ready to go along with him when he drives the farm equipment.

Ryan we appreciate you in our family and feel it more and more when you are helping out your uncle. We pray that you will continue to make the Lord your choice in your life. It has been a joy raising you as our son!

Here are some photo shoots of Ryan doing what he does best,working, having fun,playing,thinking,cooking and eating! We love you and wish you many more happy years!

Sorry this is so late but I have been trying to get into the Grandma routine.

We are still here !

Sorry about not posting lately. We have been very busy with THINGS! And also our posting pictures has not been working to produce a blog. But Rebecca has been updating her blog about baby Andrew so you are welcome to go there. We hope to post soon.

Update on baby Andy

Yesterday my family went to visit Joshua,Rebecca and Andy at the hospital in Winnipeg.
So here are some pictures of our day and my little nephew Andy.

Rita was sure to bring her yarn and the blanket that she was planing on knitting for Josh and Becca's,now that the baby was early she's been working at it in every spare minute(like on the way to Winnipeg to see Andy.) This is the St. Boniface Hospital,were Andy will be staying for about 5 to 6 weeks.
While we were visiting with Josh and Becca in the hospital room Rita was busy kniting again. :)

(we are all hoping she'll finish it yet.)

Josh and Rebecca just about ready to go see thier tiny son.
And this is sweet,sweet Andrew.

Rebecca holding him and enjoying every minute of itNow I think Josh looks like a VERY proud and happy Daddy.

As you can see in the picture he is a very tiny little guy.

His tiny feet.

I'm saying tiny about everything I know,but as you can see it is true. I haven't seen him yet but I already think he is the sweet'est most adorable baby,

Don't you think?

WE ARE GRANDPARENTS !

Becoming grandparents is an exciting thing,especially since we had never experienced it before.

The experiences we went through was a little different than what we would have planned in our human eyes but God had His very own timing as to when this precious little bundle should arrive. Seeing Rebecca went into labour 10 weeks early she was sent to a city hospital. As parents we decided that it would be nice to be there for our children as a support and encouragement.

So Monday late afternoon together with Josh's parents, Mark and Rosalie we headed to the city and spend time together with Josh and Rebecca. This also allowed us to be together as soon to be grandparents. It was so nice to be able to share our thoughts and feelings together with someone else who was going through the exact same thing we where. After all we would become grandparents the same second Mark and Rosalie would! We were able to share with one another in such a wonderful way.

Tuesday we spent most of the day with Josh and Rebecca,talking through different things that could take place with a premature baby. On the 2 nd of Nov. it was 19 years ago that I delivered a son born 8 weeks early. So for us it felt like we were reliving that whole time again,it sure brought back many memories.

Wednesday morning Josh and Rebecca let us know that things were going to be happening sometime throughout the day. So as parents we both decided that we would stay away from the hospital and let the soon to be parents go through this day on their own. So we spent the day shopping,not knowing for sure what we needed or wanted in the store anyway,but it kept our thoughts occupied on something!

Then when we did get the message,IT"S A BOY! at about 5:26 pm, the two new grandpas had a very hard time catching up with the two new grandmas. We could hardly get out of the mall fast enough! There was no more shopping left in us. During the day we kept on saying if only we knew what it would be we could buy this or that,but the funny thing was once we knew it was a boy we thought that the gift had some time yet! So we made our way to the hospital. When we got there we could see Rebecca but there tiny little baby was taken from them right away and they didn't get to see him till several hours later when they had him stabilized. At about 8:30 to 9,only one grandparent at a time, we were able to take a look at little Andy. How sweet he was!

After that we left the hospital for home where we hadn't been since Monday. Our children been gone to spend the two days with Josh's siblings and together there had been a happy house full of children. We were so happy that they were able to be together through this whole ordeal. There were many happy aunties and uncles! So once at home I got to go to sleep with a very new Gramps!

We want to thank all our friends from far and wide for the many prayers they sent heavenward for Josh and Rebecca,little Andy and us as Grandparents. Josh and Rebecca were so much at peace while going through all this. We have been richly blessed by your care and support through this whole experience. Thanks again and may God bless you for this.

To Mark and Rosalie we want to say that we have really enjoyed becoming grandparents together with you. It was so special to be able to be with you and experience your sweet friendship while going through this whole ordeal.

We want to especially thank our Heavenly Father for the peace that He sent when things were not going the way we would have planned them with our human eyes. But we have the assurance of knowing that His ways are not our ways,and that He helps His dear children in every difficult situation if we put our trust in Him.

He's Here!

Praise the Lord!

Today at 5:10 a precious little miracle came to us Andrew Joshua Pauls,very tiny but priceless,

He is 3 lbs. 2.5 oz and 15 inches.

Thank you all so very much for your prayers.

We love you so much Andy.