An update on Maternity Leave

I just thought that I would do a little update on my maternity leave. Finally this week Mike and I found out that I got it. We didn't get any notice of what was happening, but we received the money in the bank this week. It really isn't that much, but it will help out because something is always better than nothing. I was super relieved to find this out, things have been stressful around here for the last few weeks and it was really nice to have some good new.

A little something else, tomorrow Mike is getting his diploma in Biblical Studies. Mike is always on the hunt for a youth pasturing job and thought that a diploma would help. I'm super exited, please keep our family in your prayers as we are on a constant hunt for the right job that Mike will fit in and that will fit our family. Please pray that we keep praying that Mike gets a job where God wants him to be.

Thank you everyone who prays for us on a regular basis.

Quinlan James Bjorndal

Quinlan James Bjorndal was born on Monday March 22, 2010. He weighed in @ 9lbs. 7oz. and was 22" long. He decided that he wanted to keep us up all night and was born @ 4:24 am. We weren't @ the hospital too long though, my water broke @ 8:20pm and we went to the hospital right away and they kept us there until Quinlan was born.

It was a happy day to have our little family home together on Tuesday. It was short lived though, Quinlan didn't feel like eating for the first few days so by Thursday our midwife sent us to get blood tests because she thought he had jaundice and he did. He was in the hospital for Thursday and Friday. On Friday evening we came home and he was so much happier because he had a full time each time he ate. So today was the first day that Ben, Quinlan and I were home together without Mike. It was a good half day and nice to have us all home.

Here is our little family together for the first time. Grandma and Grandpa brought Ben for a little visit. He was happy to meet his little brother @ last.

Here is Quinlan in his little sunglasses under the lights. It was so warm in there that I was wondering if he would be able to sleep @ home that I cranked the heat in our room last night and it was almost too warm for Mike and I to sleep.

New Changes

Right now it may seem like the biggest change in our lives that we are thinking about is our new baby soon to arrive, but there always seem to be other things that our changing and challenging us. Our news biggest challenge is that I might not have enough hours for maternity leave. So times in life it just seems like your doing the whole one step forward and two steps back. Mike just got a new job this week, which he loves and pays better, but then one of his co-workers told him that when his wife tried to go on mat. leave she was short hours. The thing is we looked it up and Mike went in person and asked how many hours I would need and I got enough for that. Mike's co-worker said they did the same thing and you need 300 or more hours then they tell you, you need.

So when we finally felt okay about how much $ we had coming into our home things changed again. I was just thinking that I would send out this little note for all our family and friends that read this so that all of you could pray about our situation. We need prayer so we know what to do next. God has always provided for our family, but we would love to work hard as well as leaning on Him for our needs. This is a hard time to figure this all out and we need prayer that (well I do especially) that we don't freak out about this and react, but spend time in prayer and discussion to find a solution to our problems. This set back may really change our lives and I know I need prayer so that I won't become bitter and will feel comforted no matter what we have to do to get through this hard time.

I really appreciate all of the prayers, love and support we get from all of those who read this.

God bless, Renee

Play dough

Today is the first time that Ben has played with play dough. I know that is really sad, the poor guy has been deprived for so long. I had just never gotten around to making it and never even thought to buy it. So today I finally made some play dough. Of course Ben is just loving it. He is starting to play pretend so it is so cute to see him pretend what he is making out of play dough. Already he has made cookies and bunnies. I think there may have been a bear in there as well. Everything looks the same, but hey, he is learning so much by just playing and pretending.

Today has made realize that I really need to put a little more effort into his play time. He just @ an age where he could grow sooo much if I just give him a chance to explore different ways to play and learn. I hope that I remember this in the business that is about to happen in our lives.

Finger Paint

I was wondering what to do with Ben today and finally I remembered that I have a lot of crafts for preschoolers. So we got out the finger paints and made the littlest mess that we could with finger paints. I don't mind some messes, but today I had just cleaned the house and didn't really want to make more mess.

Ben would have painted all day. He didn't want to stop and I had to find a reason to end the fun, so we had lunch shortly after this.

I wanted Benard to take off his shirt so it won't get dirty and he thought he needed to take everything but his diaper off. The kid just likes a reason to take it all off.

Here is one last picture before all the places where the paint touched will be red tomorrow. He most likely have a rash tomorrow.

Mom's Torch Run

(here is mom receiving the flame from a former Olympian)

The last few days were long but really exiting. Mike, Ben and I haven't been on a vacation in a really long time so we decided to stay an extra day. We ventured to Vernon on Monday with mom and dad to see mom run in the torch run for the Olympics. Tuesday was the day of the run and it was so nice out, it was warm and the sun was out. Here are a few pictures of our adventure and mom's run.

(here is mom waiting here turn)

These pictures are a little mixed up so I'll have to explain them all. Sorry about them being mixed up.

After mom was all done we went out for lunch before everyone took off. It was like mom was a celebrity, there were other people in the restaurant that wanted to take her picture with her torch. This is mom with grandma and grandpa Kehler, who also came out for the big day. They all compared the experience to a horse show, you wait and wait and wait and then it is all over in a flash.

There were a lot of us there to support mom and her in a lifetime experience. Here are Auntie Eileen and Grandma Friesen. I love that the torch is all burnt, it just makes to so much more real forever.

This is mom passing off the flame the Velma. We were close to the end of mom's run so we heard all about Velma from her big crowd. She is a Zeller's employee in Abbotsford.

Here is mom proudly displaying the torch as she runs.

There was a little party @ the park before hand and we went to check it out for a very short while before we ran off to find mom.

Here Mike and Ben are enjoying the celebration. The ground there was either icy or muddy, what fun times.

Here we all are gathered together @ the park.

Some random person with an 88 Olympic jacket.

I might get in trouble for this picture but it was really muddy from the trip up. The weather was really great to travel in but there was one spot that was mucky.

Here is Addison with her Olympic outfit on. Ben only wore half of his because he had to wear warmer ones. We also saw other kids wearing them too, it was just so cute.

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas everyone!

We just wanted to say Merry Christmas to all our family and friends. We are so thankful to have all of you in our lives. We have truly been blessed this year and thank God for all of you.

Love,

Renee, Mike and Benard