Sorry, it's over 6!

Went over to JP's and Julie's last night and was corrected on Miss Aaleigha's weight - she's over 6 pounds and pushing to 7!

She's also settling into more of a pattern that's distinguishing her days and nights. What a blessing that is for mom and dad who are...pooped!

Such a little sweetie she is!

Andy returned safely yesterday. He and a school bud traveled, by themselves, to the Twin Cities. This is the first time either one of them has driven in any kind of big city. They've never driven to Fargo or St. Cloud to say nothing of the Twin Cities! There were a lot of prayers going upstairs and a lot of praises sung once they called home and said they'd arrived safely.

Of course, as a parent, I would never admit that to him. I was encouraging saying I knew you could do it but, what can I say? I'm a mom. I worry. I pray. And the Lord lifts me through these moments.

The two, Andy and Zach, visited their fellow classmate Torry Brue. And they attended the Twins game on the last of the Twins opening stand. The Twins lost but the three can say they went to the Metrodome during the last season any games will be played there...now they can plan for a trip next year to the new stadium. new stadium. New open stadium. At this time of year? It'll probably snow!

Over five pounds!

Tuesday and Thursday nights are special times for me. It's my time to watch Aaleigha Mya as JP has business meetings and Julie attends water aerobics at the Y.

Last night was a sheer joy for me especially when I learned she's well over five pounds, has been dropped from one of her medications and has changed formula! All steps moving forward. Her body is adjusting to the changes but she's looking great and is awake more now and looking around the room. Such a trooper that little one is!

Julie is probably delighted that Aaleigha is off the other formula. It made the little one quite, um, gassy shall we say. But dad was quite proud of the effects it had on her. He said she, well, passed gas like a Stender! I guess that's a guy thing in the realm of things to brag about!

And now she will celebrate her first Easter. And I believe it's our Kian's first Easter, too, come to think of it! We had such an early Easter last year...Two little celebrations there. Fun and such blessings they all are.

Andy and Jose are on the Hillcrst Spring Break. They have break for two weeks and already a half week has gone by. Jose is also preparing for his confirmation April 26.

We are also watching the flood forecasts for our neighbors to the north and west. Fergus Falls' elevation is high enough where we don't face the floodwaters like Breckenridge-Wahpeton and Fargo-Moorhead do...And we still have a foot of snow on the ground from our storm we had last week. Yuck! I love traveling south to do stories at this time because I can see fields drying out ready for planting. That' won't happen anytime soon in our neck of the woods! But forecasted warmer temps will be welcome...for us but the forecast isn't that great for those in the Red River Valley. Means greater snowmelt and increased flood waters coming through the system.

Ahhh. Spring!

Flood them with prayers

This morning, Hillcrest buses and vans, loaded with high school students and many from staff, will leave the campus here in Fergus Falls and travel to Fargo, N.D. to help in the sandbagging effort.

I ask for your prayers as our neighbors to the west battle floodwaters.

This flood is near if not, in places, above historic 1997 levels.

At this time I recall a friend's battle with floodwaters from 1997. Her property that included her residence plus an upstairs apartment she rented out, was in an area that had been heavily sandbagged. There were sandbags along the river and surrounding her house. One night the city engineer in Wahpeton came to her and said, "Pat, I'm afraid you will have to leave your home. We've done all we can and you need to leave for your safety." The ground around her home was very soggy and it looked as if the river would win this fight.

She prayed and told the Lord, her home was in his hands and whatever his will was for her at this time, she would accept it. And she left to stay with a friend.

Within hours, she received a call from the engineer. She could return home because, miracle of miracle, the ground around her home was now firm. There was no leaking anymore of sandbags.

What an awesome God we have!

There are numerous school cancellations for the Red River Valley area. Roads are closed. And while all the attention is placed, right now, on the cities of Fargo-Moorhead and Wahpeton-Breckenridge, there are also numerous small towns and farms in the valley dealing with overland flooding and flooding from the river.

Again, please keep these people who live in the area and our school in your prayers.

They're home!

Julie, Nancy and Miss Aaleigha arrived in Fergus Falls Friday, March 6 about 5 p.m.
We had an opportunity to meet the new addition about 8 that night, when she was awake for her feeding.

Such a precious peanut, she is! She's captured our hearts and we welcome her with open arms into our family!

It was such a difference, though, holding Kian just hours before and then holding Aaleigha. Kian is almost a year and a solidly built boy who is soooo ready to take his first step! And then to hold Aaleigha who tops the scales at 4 pounds 10 ounces...well, what a difference! Pretty eyes!

Welcome to our family, Aaleigha! Soon enough she'll be battling with the boys! She may be small now but she'll catch up fast enough!

She's now met both sets of grandparents and uncles and aunty Nancy.

Nancy and Julie had great travels on the way back although they tell of some interesting travel experiences. Unique stories they will tell for years to come and share with Aaleigha as we all tell her of our first meetings and the joy and light she is in our family, as are all our kids, spouses and grandkids!

She seems to be adjusting okay to the Minnesota weather, also. Julie said the hospital staff in Houston were preparing Aaleigha with blankets and warm clothes. She reminded them that we DO have babies in Minnesota, too, and they do quite well! Well, little button has acclimated nicely. And, like the rest of us, is bundled against the cold.

We're supposed to get another snowstorm today so everyone is hunkering in for a daylong blizzard. School is closed and the boys are, of course, sleeping in! Must be nice!

On their way home!

Julie and Nancy are on their way home with little Aaleigha Mya.

Their first trek took them from Houston to Dallas and the second leg to Topeka, Kans. Aaleigha wasn't a happy camper about all the miles and they are playing each day by ear as to how far they go with Aaleigha.

I think the girls are enjoying the trek together and Nancy is such a great mom and is helping Julie with all the things we moms were learning as we started our parent journey. Blessings to them on their travels.

JP is back in Fergus Falls working although, because of the storm on the east coast, he couldn't come home as early as he'd originally planned. He ended up coming home after midnight on Monday (technically Tuesday) after he had to go to another airport in Houston that flies directly to Mpls. and blessings on Tim Jensen and his son who went to pick him up!

Meanwhile, I am watching the little ones for Wayne during the day (where DO they get that energy!).

And the saga continues with our family. While we've been thinking of, praying for and eagerly waiting news from the travelers, Andy sprained his other ankle at a basketball game on Monday. It's an upper ankle sprain and maytake him out for the season. He's learning new moves on crutches!

Jose helped Andy clean up at work last night. Thanks Jose.

I have been asked to judge the McLeod County Dairy Princess contest March 21 in Plato! Am looking forward to that. And Andy and Doug are planning a trip with a Hillcrest mission group to Chicago.

How come Doug gets all these trips to cities I would LOVE to visit?! I get to go to Plato. Don't get me wrong. Nice town. But they are going to see some great sites in Chicago!

The trip, seriously, will give these students a good worldview and some great discussions and Bible studies to and from Chicago.

They leave the day before my (Ah-Hum) birthday so another strange birthday for me. Last year we were in Mexico so I didn't get to see any family on my special day.

We will be celebrating my Aunt Adeline's bd on the 26th. She turns 80. Happy BD, Adeline. Blessings to you.

And blessings to our travelers.

Please keep them in your prayers for protection, guidance and wisdom with weather and travel conditions as they make their trek. They should be home Friday!

Texas travels for some

Nancy is heading south! 

She will be going to Texas at the same time JP will be flying to Mpls from Texas on Sunday. And, as JP starts his work week back at his Fergus Falls office, Nancy and Julie will start making plans for their travels to Minnesota. 

Julie has posted a note on Facebook that Aaleigha is on medicine to help with her reflux. She also has to sit up for 20 minutes after eating and will have to have a monitor (mini version) from three months to a year until she grows out of this reflux thing. She says on Facebook that it will take some time getting home because of her feeding schedule every three hours plus the 20 minute sit up thing, but the important thing is they will come home!!!!!!!

We are all excited! Finally this family can be home and start their new chapter together. What a blessing! 

I'll be with the boys while Wayne is at school during the day and we all will be there to help, if he should call, for the evening. I think some suppers with everyone who is around home, is in order! And maybe some meals sent home for when everyone is back, too, as everyone settles in. 

So, great news. A bit more adjustment, perhaps, getting used to monitors and feeding schedules, but how great to have everyone just home! 

Thanks, Nancy, for traveling to be with Julie on the ride home.

God's blessings on your travel and on J.P.'s as he makes the return trip to Minnesota and also on Wayne as he drives his brother back to Fergus Sunday night. 

Bradys and it has nothing to do with the bunch

There have been questions about Bradys, the episodes that little Aaleigha Mya has...I have received more information on this issue from JP so here goes...

Bradys is when the heart rate drops. JP said he'd understood it to be common in preemies. The hospital will now be giving her medication for reflux. As in this is usually caused by acid reflux. Who would've known. I told JP she's just like a Stender..like her Grandpa Stender, anyways, dealing with things like acid reflux but who would've thunk a wee one like that would have a rapid drop in heart rate because of acid reflux? And that they would name it Bradys?!

So they are starting her on medication and if she can go about five days without an episode, Aaleigha Mya can start the journey home about Tuesday or Wednesday. We're working out the details as JP has to return next week for work so either Nancy or I as of this time are set to fly down and drive back with Julie and the babe.

All are excited about this event!!!

If Nancy is able to go, I will take over watching the boys plus a little boy named Griffin that Nancy watches during the week for a friend. I think I need some strong vitamins! And excedrin! Just kidding.

For sure, whether I watch the babes in Fergus or fly to Texas to be with Julie and Aaleigha on the drive home, I will take next week off from work. Of course I have to finalize those plans with the boss but he's not at work today because of the storm.

In a way, I'd look forward to a trip to Texas. Anything to get rejuvenated with some warmer weather after all this snow and all this cold!

Will let you know if we get more news which I am expecting to receive tonight from Julie's messages on Facebook.

And any Stenders and extended family interested in joining our circle on Facebook? If you have questions, just e-mail me!