C-H-A-N-G-E

Life has been a crazy blur since the birth of Hope. Most of you know we found out two days before Hope was born that we had to move from our current house (yes, the one that we just moved into in January). God worked it out that another farm house was available right around the corner in an even better setting than we are currently at. However we still need to pack up and move which is what we are doing this week. We move Saturday into our new home! Hopefully we can post some pictures of our new house and our beautiful new daughter soon! You can pray for us as we adjust to yet another transition. I guess it is true that the only constant thing in life is CHANGE!

Happy St. Patrick's Day....

In honor of her name and her heritage here is Hope in her St. Patty's Day outifit....

Sisters

And then here is Moses in full St. Patrick's Day gear!!! There is never a dull moment in this house!

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

A Season of Hope...

Well it has been a week now since we welcomed Hope into our family! The transition to four kids has gone well so far! Mark has been a huge help with the kids and the house and we have blessed with an abundance of food by family and friends. Thank you everyone!

It is hard to believe a week ago yesterday she was born. We were on our way home from a celebration at Matt and Missy's house when Moses told us that "we're going to Grandma's, yep, the baby's coming tonight" - we promptly dismissed his declaration and went on with our evening. We were cleaning up dinner and getting the kids ready for bed when I started having contractions. I had been having contractions off and on for the past month or more so I was not too concerned. We put the kids to bed and I decided to take a shower and lay down to see if the contractions would die down. Meanwhile Mark had suspicions that I was in labor so he called my mom to give her a heads up just in case. I got out of the shower and decided to pack my bag for the hospital when my water broke. All three of my other kids were born within an hour of my water breaking! My water had never broken at home though...we did not have much time. As soon as my water broke I started having really strong contractions. We ran around trying to get a bag ready and get into the car. We left the house around 9:00 and by the time we got to the hospital around 9:15 I was already 8 cm dilated. They rushed me back to a room and Hope Ireland was born less than a half hour later! We named her Hope because it seemed to fit with what God is to doing in this season of our lives and Ireland means "vibrant" and is also a tribute to her Irish heritage (on my side). So her name means "Vibrant Hope"!

We have been blessed by the addition that Hope is to our family. She brings peace & hope to those around her. Thank you Jesus for a season of Hope!

Three day old Hope

Tiny footsteps


Dreaming sweet dreams...

Sarah is a great big sister and a big help to Mommy!

Silas showing us that his new little sister has a nuk too!

We love you Hope!

Hope Ireland

We are very proud to announce the arrival of Hope Ireland Buckwalter into our family. We love you Hope and are excited to share our lives with you. Mommy and Hope are doing well and Moses, Sarah and Silas can't wait to welcome her home. Thank you everyone for your prayers and support. Hope is a beautiful little girl-she is healthy and resting peacefully. We praise God for a fast and healthy delivery!

Misty Morning

I love sunrises. Last thursday there was a bit of fog hanging around and a light glaze of ice on the cars when I went outside. I decided to skip going to the gym and take a walk instead. This is what I found.

New Danville Mennonite Church

Pine View Farm

Stoney Lane


Spring Lawn Farm - The Garber's next door

my favorite tree at sunrise.

Haircuts and Bellies...

Blame it on nesting but everyone got haircuts this week including Sarah. Up until this point Sarah has had her hair trimmed only once so it was kind of a big deal for her to get about 6 or 7 inches cut off her locks. I also got my hair done this week and got a morning out to myself which included a trip to the doctor and the hair salon. It was a very relaxing morning and they were even giving free hand massages that day at the salon so I came home feeling pampered and refeshed. With less than a month to go I am defintely feeling ready for this little one to come!

Here are some before and after pictures of our little princess!

Before

After

Mommy & Sarah with thier new do's!

Showing off the belly! Sarah is showing off hers as well!

Happy Valentine's Day...

Mark and I got the chance to have a night out to ourselves for Valentine's Day. We went to dinner and a movie and just enjoyed each other's company. These nights away from the kids have been few and far in between so we always cherish these times.

It was seven years ago on Valentines's Day that we first got engaged and what a rollercoaster ride it has been. Seven houses, six pregnancies, four kids and many ups and downs later our love is stronger than ever. I love you Mark and I am excited for whatever this next season holds for us. I know God has good things in store!

P.S. Thanks Mark for the roses....

Bunk Beds & Cardboard Cutouts...

This is Heather posting. It seems that Mark has taken over the posting duty since we have moved back home. The weeks have been flying by as we have been getting settled in and adjusting to life here in Lancaster. Besides unpacking and setting up the house I have also been in "Nesting" mode which means organizing, repainting furniture and fixing things around the house in preparation for the baby who is arriving in a month. I know some nesting is good but I also know I can go into control mode during this time when my body, hormones and life all feel a little out of my control. So I am learning to try to find balance in the midst of transiton and learning to relax and enjoy the ride.
The kids help me to not take life so seriously sometimes. The boys were in need of some new beds as Moses (5) was still in a toddler bed and Silas (2 1/2) was going to be passing the crib onto his new little sister. My parents blessed us with some bunkbeds and the boys were delighted. Here they are awaiting their arrival.

Oh goody...I can hardly wait for my new bed!

(maybe next year we'll get new jeans:)

While Grandpa and Daddy set up the bunkbeds Grandma got creative with the cardboard boxes and created life size Moses, Sarah & Silas cut-outs. They were a great hit with the kids. It made me laugh and the kids are still playing with them!

Stay posted for pictures of the bunk beds!

Great Grandma and Pappy

As Heather and I planned to move back to Lancaster from North Carolina one of the things we were most excited about was the opportunity to see both of our families more often. We have had great times connecting with our parents and grandparents since we have been home. Last week we took the opportunity to visit my Grandma and Pappy Buckwalter. Grandma provided a feast that Moses is still talking about and we all had fun swimming with Pappy. Thanks Great Grandma and Pappy we love you.

Sunrise

I love to watch the sunrise and set. Here is the start of another day at Pine View.

Enough said.