Sara, Josiah, and Jesica (aka our February "babies")

Josiah has been waiting to have this picture taken. When Cara was a baby, he had a picture similar to this taken. He wanted to recreate it with Sara.

Josiah is introducing Sara to the Game Boy. Thankfully she has no idea what he is doing!

Jesica and Josiah with Sara. Jesica has been very camera happy lately. Thank you to whoever thought of the digital camera! If we still had to worry about film, we'd be in debt with all the pictures Jesica takes!

Sara is usually a very good and peaceful sleeper. It is evident in these pictures!

Pinewood Derby

This past weekend our chidlren took part in a pinewood derby car race. This was our second year and we had a lot of fun. Daniel and Justin worked on the cars together, with Justin doing most of the painting. We had a tough time getting them finished - it's not like we had a lot of time with the birth of Sara and Daniel starting his new job. These are the cars we made this year.

Cara's cross and Mathias's #9 truck

Josiah's hummer

Rebecca Seven's and Ashly's 15 passenger vans (Ashly's is the white one)

Justin's race car

Brad Seven, Justin, and Kyle Emrick showing off their cars.

There are some very talented and creative people that race their cars. Here are some of our favorites from this years race. Remember that these are just made from blocks of wood...

Great-Grandmothers

Our children are very blessed to have 3 great-grandmothers still alive. All three of them will be turning 90 in the next few years. The past 2 weekends we had the opportunity to visit with 2 of them. They were so excited to be able to hold a new born baby again. We will see the 3rd great-grandmother in July when we go to the annual Ryken Reunion in Iowa.

Sheri's Grandmother with Sara, who is great-grandchild #30

Daniel's Grandmother with Sara and all the children.

Eclipse

Here are some pictures from the eclipse on February 20th. We had a fun time eating ice cream and watching the earth shadow the moon.

Josiah is 8!

Another milestone has been reached. Josiah is now 8 years old. He has been waiting for this day for so long. When we first found out that we were expecting Sara he prayed that she would be born on his birthday. I think he was a bit disappointed when she was born on the 9th. Not sharing a birthday with her means another day in February for eating birthday dessert! That is something we all enjoy!

As I think back to 8 years ago, I am reminded of all the difficulties we went throught with Josiah's pregnancy. He was due February 28th, 2000, which was a Leap Year. He was induced 11 days early, much to my relief.

Josiah hates change and doesn't deal with it well. We have gone through lots of change in the last 8 years, so life hasn't always been smooth sailing. Still, Josiah has been such a blessing to our family. His sensitivity carries forth into other areas of his life. He also is very intelligent - even if he dislikes doing his school work!

Turning 8 is a big milestone for our boys. It is the year that Daddy buys them their very own pocketknife. Lately I have been giving him more "manly" chores to do, instead of calling for Justin. Josiah has taken on the challenges and has exceeded my expectations in them. It is wonderful having 2 young men being able to help Daddy out.




Here are some pictures from his parties this weekend.

God is good

God is good ALL the time!

I have been learning this alot this week. Sara and I have had some very difficult moments, but through them I am learning to continually cry out to God who hears our every request.

Nursing during the last few days have been very difficult for Sara and I. She loves to sleep and can be difficult to wake, my milk let-down is slow, latching on is difficult and painful, and Sara's sucking reflex is not very strong. Last night I just broke down in tears and was so discouraged. My baby wasn't getting the nutrients and was hungry. So I pumped and fed her with a syringe. This morning's feeding was just as bad. Her best feeding have been in the bath, so that is where we headed. A nice warm bath with soothing herbs and lavendar oil was sure to do the trick. It didn't. However, I do have good news. Her feeding at Noon was awesome! She only nursed on one side, but the latch on was strong and she fed for over 15 minutes! Now if we can accomplish the same thing on the other side during the next feeding, I will be thrilled - and she will have a full belly!

Sara is also very jaundice. Yesterday we tried to sun her, but the day was cloudy and snowy. Today is a beautiful sunny day. So here Sara and I sit, in front of the window, staring out at the snow, sunning ourselves. Here Sara is - so relaxed......


Last night my husband blessed me with some flowers. Today their sweet fragrance is filling my bedroom. Aren't they beautiful?


This morning, while Sara was sleeping, I was able to play around with some of the settings on my camera. Here are some of those pictures.

More pictures of Sara

Here are some more pictures! Sara is such a sweet baby and everyone is just loving her! What a wonderful addition to our family.

Sara sucking her thumb

Dad and Sara

Mom, Mathias, and Sara

Justin (14) and Sara

Jesica (13) and Sara

Ashly (11) and Sara

Josiah (8) and Sara

Cara (6) and Sara

Mathias (3) and Sara

Sara Elizabeth - 3 days old

391 years of marriage

Here is an article from the Indy Star on a family of 7 sibling who collectively have nearly 400 years of marriage between them. What an inspiration!

Family shows love, marriage endure

Sara Elizabeth Ryken has arrived!

Psalm 127:3-5

"Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD,

The fruit of the womb is a reward.

Like arrows in the hand of a warrior,

So are the children of one's youth.

Happy is the man who has his quiver full of them;

They shall not be ashamed,

But shall speak with their enemies in the gate."

Here is Sara's birth story....

Daniel and I went to bed around 10pm and I actually fell right to sleep. Around 11:15 I woke with a start because it felt as though the baby had totally flipped - similar to when I had a breech baby. I got up to use the washroom and a slight trickle of fluid came out. After about 10 minutes I woke up Daniel and told him what was happening. Since the contractions were about 12 minutes apart and not lasting longer than 30 sec., we decided to take our time and finish setting up the room. That lasted about 3 contractions. After that they started coming every 3 min., but still only 30-45 sec. long - very manageable. So we called the doula, and the practice emergency number. The dr and doula were about 1 hour away and the midwife was 30 minutes. I climbed in to the tub and worked my way through the contractions while Daniel finished setting up things. About 30 minutes later the midwife arrived and my contractions were getting to the point where I was in serious pain. I got out of the tub, had a contraction....Walked 20 feet to the bedroom, had a serious contraction....climbed in bed, the midwife listened to the heart beat, had another contraction.....quick check and I was 8 cm 90% effaced, had another contraction, gave 1 push and there she was! 2 hours from breaking of water to delivery.

Here are the statistics for the polls: Sara arrived 10 days early, weighed 8 lbs. 12 oz., and was 20 inches long

This was our first home birth and I think that my husband was more in awe of it than I was! No more hospitals for us unless it is medically needed. In fact God's hand was evident through all this. My husband spent yesterday in Bloomington, which is 2 hours from here. He would not have made it in time for the birth. If we had to go to the hospital, we probably would not have made it, unless we left the children alone. God is good!

Our Quiver

Jesi turns 13 years old

Yesterday (Feb. 4th) Our oldest daughter, Jesi, turned 13. This means we now have 2 young adults in our home. For those of you who do not know Jesi very well, she is a sweet young lady who loves the Lord and her family. She also loves to challenge her father and I with deep theological questions. Over the years she has come up with some real deep ones!

Jesi recently started playing the violin. She also plays the piano, but finds that the violin is easier and more fun. Justin and she like to play duets from "Lord of the Rings". Also in her free time she loves to crochet and sew. Although she does follow patterns, she also likes to make up her own designs.

Here are some pictures from the little party we had yesterday:

38 weeks and counting down

38 weeks....2 more to go...hopefully less...

Our check up today went well. I'm 1 cm dialted and the baby is already at -3 station. For those who don't know what that means you can check out this website. So things are starting to happen. When the labor will kick in is anyone's guess. The dr. said he may or may not see me next week. I am seeing the other dr. at next weeks visit, but hopefully I will see one of them in our home before then!

After some discussion we have decided to have a doula present at the birth. We weren't sure if we wanted to have another person here, but decided that with the possibility of Daniel in Bloomington when I go into labor, it would be a good idea to have someone experienced here to possibly coach me. If Daniel does happen to be here, then she will be available to talk the girls through what is happening with the labor and delivery. She will also be the go-between for Daniel and the dr/nurses.

Overall I am just feeling yucky. My back is achy and I have been having a lot more contractions. Some of them are painful and wake me up during the night. They aren't regular yet, so we know they are just working to prep me for the real thing. Everyone here is ready for this new little blessing to arrive.

Sledding with McDonalds

On Saturday we drove to Peoria and spent the night at the McDonalds. That afternoon the Dads took the 14 children sledding. I wasn't there to take pictures, but Tiffany did an awesome job! If you go to her BLOG, you can see all the exciting pictures!

Thanks for a great weekend!

Poll is closed

Thank you to everyon e who took the time to vote on the statistics on our soon-to-be-here baby. As soon as we can we will post her statistics and pictures!

Please pray for a safe and speedy delivery.

image provided by Snapshots of Joy

"Unemployed"

Yesterday was Daniel's last day at DeVry. Last night he came home without a cell phone or laptop. He said it felt so strange. For me it is wonderful! So until Monday morning, my husband remains "unemployed". We are continuing to be so excited with all the changes that our family is going through.

With Sadness....

I am part of The Patriarch's Wives email group. Today one of the dear women, Heather, that I have come to know through that group lost her husband and six beautiful children lost their father. (To the left is a picture of the family.) We are comforted to know that Eric no longer suffers from health problems, but has a perfect body and is in the presence of his Lord.

Please pray for Heather, the children and the rest of the Davis family as they deal with their loss. To read more about their family, visit their blog at Lazy D Ranch.

37 weeks and counting...

We have now reached the 37 week mark! YEAH! My Dr. appointment was uneventful and I was pretty much in and out. Weight gain was practically nothing, BP was fine, swelling in my legs was fine, the baby's heart rate was 150. So here we sit trying to be patient for the day to come. Keep watching this blog and we'll post when something exciting happens!

Upcoming week

This week is going to be a hard and busy week for all of us. Thankfully we do not have many outside commitments.

Wednesday is Daniel's last day at DeVry. He has been employed there over 7 1/2 years and has many friends there. On Thursday he will be driving to Bloomington to attend a meeting and meet some of the people he will be interfacing with at State Farm. Friday he will be home taking care of a few things that need to be finished on the house before we can sell it.

While Daniel is saying "Good-bye" to DeVry, The children and I are going to take the week off of school work and pack up some of the house. Prospective buyers like to visit a uncluttered and depersonalized home. That way they can visualize their possessions in it. So that is our goal for the week. I also have my 37 week appointment and that usually takes a whole morning.

This coming weekend we are heading to the Peoria again. We are hoping to look at another house and see the house we are really interested in again. This may be the last time we are down there before our baby arrives.

Prayer requests for the week:

• Daniel ending his employment at DeVry
• Sheri and the pregnancy - especially the discomfort and not being able to sleep at night. An early delivery would also be good :)
• The Children's adjustment as we go through all the changes.
• Packing would go smoothly and efficiently
• Safe travels as we go back and forth between here and the Peoria area.
• That God would lead us to just the right home.

Thought for the day

Image provided by Source of Joy

My Beloved

Last night Daniel and I had a date. He took me out to dinner at Wildfire. This restaurant has probably the best prime rib I have ever had. Last night was no exception. For dessert we had chocolate molten cake ala mode. Prime rib and chocolate. Can life be better?

After dinner we went shopping. The baby is due in about 3 weeks and during that time we have 2 birthdays - Jesica is turning 13 next weekend and Josiah turns 8 on the 17th. We were able to find almost everything for Jesica and a few things for Josiah. It feels good to have that almost finished and not hanging over our heads. Next year at this time we will have 3 to shop for. :)

I just love going out with my Beloved. Especially on snowy nights when he is so protective of me not slipping on the snow/ice. I feel so loved and cared for. He also held my hand through all the painful Braxton Hicks contractions that I had from all the walking. I feel so blessed.

"Yes Sir!"

Daniel and I have been working on teaching Mathias to say "Yes Sir" and "Yes Ma'am". He's getting really good at answering, but for some reason can't remember the "Yes Ma'am". So all day I have been hearing "Yes Sir". Looks like we have some more work to do...

Our weekend and week 36 update

Saturday morning we got on the road nice and early to begin our house hunting adventure. We were to meet the realtor, Mary Ann, at 10 am in Congerville at the first house. This was the first time we had met or spoken to Mary Ann and she is such a delightful person. She has been working very hard to find us just the perfect home. Unfortunately the houses we looked at Saturday were disappointing. On the Internet a couple of them looked at though they might work. Not the case.

Wearily we went to check in to the hotel, only to find out that the pool wasn't open yet. However.....they did have a deal with the local fitness club. So we changed and drove over to the club. We were not disappointed here! They had a pool for the older ones to practice their diving and a smaller pool, with a small water park, where I was able to watch over the little ones without them hanging all over me. The water in this pool also felt like a nice bath, so baby and I were very comfortable. Back at the hotel we feasted on pizza and relaxed.

Sunday we worshipped with the members of Providence Church. This will be the church we will join once our move is complete. We enjoyed a nice fellowship meal and time of catechism training. The older girls also were able to learn parts of the Virginia Reel. They really have enjoyed that! Now they just need to convince Justin to learn it with them!

Monday brought another day of looking through listings and walking through houses. One of the houses we have had our eye on for quite a while. We were very disappointed, but glad that we we saw it. The other house was very nice and is our short list for now. We are going to keep looking, but this may be the one. God knows for sure and we are trusting Him to be our guide.

Today I had my 36 week check up. 1 more week and I will be cleared for homebirth. Once I hit 37 weeks I can deliver her here at home. If I were to go into labor before then, we would need to go to the hospital. Everything is going well. Just the usual complaints of swelling and not sleeping. The receptionist says that I am moving slower than normal, so she thinks the time is coming soon. That is music to my ears. Our biggest concern now is that Daniel will be working in Bloomington when I go into labor. We will trust in the Lord to plan that all out.

So, things are moving along. We have started decluttering and depersonalizing the house. We don't know when the move will take place, but we'll be ready when it does.

The Stick-Together Families
Edgar Guest

The stick-together families are happier by far
Than the brothers and the sisters who take

separate highways are.
The gladdest people living are the

wholesome folks who make
A circle at the fireside that no power

but death can break.
And the finest of conventions

ever held beneath the sun
Are the little family gatherings

when the busy day is done.

There are rich folk, there are poor folk,

who imagine they are wise,
And they're very quick to shatter

all the little family ties.
Each goes searching after pleasure

in his own selected way,
Each with strangers likes to wander,

and with strangers likes to play.
But it's bitterness they harvest,

and it's empty joy they find,
For the children that are wisest

are the stick-together kind.

There are some who seem to fancy

that for gladness they must roam,
That for smiles that are the brightest

they must wander far from home.
That the strange friend is the true friend,

and they travel far astray
And they waste their lives in striving

for a joy that's far away,
But the gladdest sort of people,

when the busy day is done,
Are the brothers and the sisters

who together share their fun.

It's the stick-together family

that wins the joys of earth,
That hears the sweetest music

and that finds the finest mirth;
It's the old home roof that shelters

all the charm that life can give;
There you find the gladdest play-ground,

there the happiest spot to live.
And, O weary, wandering brother,

if contentment you would win,
Come you back unto the fireside

and be comrade with your kin.

From "Just Folks", The Reilly & Lee Co., (c) 1917

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Pregnancy update and home births

Yesterday was our week 34 check up. Cara and Mathias went with and enjoyed meeting the Dr and hearing our baby's heartbeat. They were both surprised that it made a whooshing sound instead of a thumping sound. The heart rate was alot faster than Cara thought - around 150 beats a minute.

Overall the appointment went well. I gained only 1 pound, which was shocking! I was very pleased though. I have gained the least amount of weight with this baby, only 26 pounds so far. The swelling in my legs and ankles is still an issue. Thankfully my blood pressure isn't. So now I need to up my water and protein intake along with making sure that I salt my food enough - but not too much.

My 3 hour glucose results officially came back. According to the scale the lab uses, I failed the test for hours 2 and 3. Using the scale that Home First uses, I only failed hour 2. A person needs to fail 2 of the 3 hours to be considered diabetic. So according to my Dr's scale I only failed 1 hour. So I will not need to be on a special diet. He did say I need to be careful with my sugar intake just to be on the safe side. That usually isn't a big problem - chocolate is my only weakness.

Things here at home are pretty much ready for the baby. The clothes are hanging in the closet, car seat is ready, most of the birthing supplies are ready or ordered, the diapers are in the drawer...We are using cloth diapers with this baby. Do you realize that parents spend a minimum of $3000 per child on disposables that just end up in a landfill?

Many people have been curious about a home birth, and rightly so. Just like people assume you have to send your children to a brick and mortar school to be educated, people also believe that babies have to be born at hospitals. Since i haven't yet experienced a home birth, I can only tell you what I have learned from other and from our Dr. We happen to be having a Dr from HomeFirst attending our birth. Midwives are usually more common. Each state though has it's own rules on how midwives can practice. HomeFirst provides us with a box that has all the usual supplies needed during birth. They also arrive in a vehicle fully stocked with other supplies. So if there is an emergency, they are prepared. I did have to order/provide some of my own supplies such as towels and other items usually found in the home.

Several people have asked about the mess. When the water breaks there is a lot of it. There also is a lot of blood. The recommendation is to make the bed with normal sheets and then put a plastic barrier such as a plastic backed sheet or shower curtain on the bed and then make the bed with older sheets. Plastic backed tablecloths or similar material are good for covering the floor.

The question asked the most is about pain relief. No epidurals, no IVs or IV drugs. Home births are medication free. That sounds very painful doesn't it. From the women I have spoken to,who have done both hospital and home births, home births are less painful. Not painless, but less painful. This results in no need to have the pain medication. Being at home allows you to relax in you own surroundings, get up and walk around when you want, shower or have a water birth, and basically manage your own laboring. Recovery is also much easier and can be quicker. No nurses taking you baby in and out of the room or waking you up and ungodly hours of the night to take your blood pressure and sleeping in your own bed with your own surroundings, pampered by family. Bonding with the baby also is quicker.

So that is what i have learned about home births so far. I am very excited to be having this baby at home. We all are! Lord willing we will have any future babies at home also.

Chopsticks

Anticipation of what's to come in 2008

2007 is now gone and we are 2 days into 2008. The past year was one of the most difficult our family has experienced. Despite all the trials we faced, we look forward in anticipation to what our great God has in store for us in the coming year.

After the difficulties of the past year, we are praying for a "calmer" year. With the events that we have planned, I'm not sure that is going to happen. We pray that God's hand will be on everything we do and that He will guide us through whatever may come.

We don't know God's exact timing in some of these events, but these are a few of the things we are looking forward to in 2008:

• In August, Daniel and I will celebrate 17 years of marriage (I love you, dear!)
• Our children will turn, 15, 13, 12, 8, 7, and 4. Daniel and I will also turn a year older, but we aren't going to share our ages!
• February will bring the birth of our fourth daughter. Plus we look forward to our first home birth.
• At some point early this year (all in God's timing), we anticipate Daniel starting a new job, a move to the Peoria area, making new friends, joining a new church and finding a new home school group to possibly be involved in.
• Continued spiritual growth

Proverbs 16:1, 9 "The preparations of the heart belong to man,
But the answer of the tongue is from the LORD...
A man's heart plans his way, But the LORD directs his steps."

Here are some prayer requests for the coming year:

• Safe delivery and a healthy baby.
• Wisdom and discernment in regards to Daniel's new job and our move and that the transition would go smoothly.
• Daniel would be encouraged and supported in his role as the head of our family.
• Sheri would also be encouraged and supported in her role as helpmate to Daniel.
• As parents, we would make biblical decisions in regard to the training and raising of our children. Also that we would keep the hearts of our children turned to our family.
• Our children would continue to grow spiritually and in godly character.
• As a family we would be a light to those around us.
• Sheri's health would not be an issue and that the whole family would remain free from colds and other illnesses.
• The education of our children would continue to be God centered and that we won't feel the pressure of comparing them to other families.

Another year is dawning, dear Father, let it be
In working or in waiting, another year with Thee.
Another year of progress, another year of praise
Another year of proving Thy presence all the days.

Another year of mercies, of faithfulness and grace
Another year of gladness in the shining of Thy face
Another year of leaning upon Thy loving breast
Another year of trusting, of quiet, happy rest.

Another year of service, of witness for Thy love
Another year of training for holier work above
Another year is dawning, dear Father, let it be
On earth, or else in Heaven, another year for Thee.

Words: Fran­ces R. Hav­er­gal, 1874. She wrote these words as a po­em for her New Year’s greet­ing cards. The hymn was sub­se­quent­ly in­clud­ed in her Un­der the Sur­face, 1874, and Life Chords, 1880.

Music: Aurelia, Sam­u­el S. Wes­ley, in a Se­lect­ion of Psalms and Hymns, by C. Kem­ble, 1864 (MI­DI, score).