DECEMBER
2017
Merry Christmas!
God has given us so much this
year – so much of His peace and reminders of His goodness, for even when there
is challenges, He is good. I
actually don’t like writing “God is good” after a wonderful experience…because no
matter how positive a situation is, does not
fully determine His goodness to us.
If the result of some kind of test is discouraging, that hard news doesn’t mean
He is in anyway “less good”. He is God, and thus, He is good. We just need to
have our eyes opened to what that goodness looks like every day.
Late last year we found out we
were expecting #6! Very excited, and very tired, the year began! We went down to South Carolina for a week of
family holidays to see some sunny days, during what felt like a long winter for
this pregnant mama. It was a wonderful time of just us- swimming, playing in
the sand, and enjoying the rented condo. The kids did great on the 16-hour trip
– our secret being that we travel through the night, which James is amazing at
doing.
My parents came for a week in
April – and it was nice just to do daily life with them around. Jared &
Breanne stopped by in March for a few days, which was fun for us all to catch
up again. Cousin Jonathan also was able to stay a couple nights on his way to a
friend’s wedding which was a treat! We also went down to Ohio as a family to
visit Mom and Dad Heikoop, as well as for Dad and James to go to a Christian’s
Leaders Conference in Cincinnati. James
and I had a getaway for a weekend to Kinston (the kids being at William &
Amanda’s – our Christmas present from them!) celebrating our Anniversary – so
much fun being just together, and doing crazy things like going out for pizza
at 11:30p.m.
The summer’s special event was
having Nelly get married to Peter Cerqueira– missionary in Portugal. The last
of the Heikoop siblings wedding! It was a crazy fun time, and I was able to shoot
their wedding pictures at 36 weeks pregnant. Anne-Marie was able to come for
the wedding and we are able to do some summery things when she was around:
swimming, beach day, ice-cream, and lots of fun.
On July 29th – Jason
Mark was born! So excited to have a second boy!! We did have a rough start with
him – he has Down’s Syndrome, and had some complications that landed us in the
local hospital for a week right after birth. Then a couple days after returning
home, he began screaming, and wouldn’t eat -so back to the hospital where they
figured out he had a perforated bowel, and was going into septic shock. A few
hours later, we headed by ambulance to McMaster Children’s Hospital in Hamilton
and he went into emergency surgery. We were so close to losing him, but God
brought him through. He had an ostomy bag for 4 months, and just last week, had
the reversal surgery to remove it. So, we are back to dirty diapers – and how
thankful you get for the little things in life when they are taken from you! We
definitely got used to hospital life, as in the last 4 months, he’s been in 6
times, with two viruses, and the two surgeries, and the week after birth. I’m
so thankful for the incredible nursing staff we’ve had, and for all the aunts
and uncles that have dropped everything to watch the kids after he was born (including
Mom and Dad Heikoop who took Leanne for 3 weeks to Ohio!). My parents also did
an emergency trip back here for a week, so that all the kids could finally be
back together in our home, during the last bit at the hospital after Jason’s
first surgery. We feel very blessed that they would make that sacrifice for us.
Family is such a gift.
Jason brings such joy to our
lives, and even though I worry about the future and what it could be like for him,
I know that God is in control and has his and our best in mind. At this point
he is meeting all the milestones of a typical kid, which I’m thankful for. And
I know God is using Him to work in my heart, and pray that His life will be
very useful to the kingdom – as I want for all my kids! It’s like a whole new
world has opened to us in the special needs department, and I pray that we
learn lots and encourage others in this. Especially in this age, where so many special
needs kids are aborted, the sanctity of all life needs to be honored.
Another blessing of this year was
that dear sister Anne-Marie, took a leave of absence from work so she could
help us during these first few months with Jason. She’s been doing school with
the kids, and it’s nice to have another adult around, for all these appointments
I’ve had to take Jason to. She’s been so patient and giving – and with her
going home right before Christmas, we will have a big adjustment to make!
In September, right after one of
our hospital stays, we were able to make it to the annual Heikoop Cottage week.
It was such a lovely week of calm, being together with everyone, and making
more good family memories.
Then brother Andrew and Rebecca
and their 6 kids made the 40-hour trip to come visit us (bringing us
Anne-Marie, as well as take in a wedding and visit another friend) and stayed
for over a week. We had a blast – 12 children 11 and under in our home. The
weather was amazing at the end of September; we were able to get in some great
swim days and bike rides with all of us. Very special to have them here all to
ourselves.
Leanne 1 ½ - our very determined
girl. This year has been pretty challenging for her; so many changes with me
& Jason being away at the hospital for longer periods of time. She did take
being with Oma and Opa (and away from us) like a little champ. She is saying
lots of words now, and loves being the clown of the family-and the kids, love
celebrating her.
Amy 3- This little girl is the
one who loves to hold Jason the most. She handles him like a mini mom, and it’s
so nice to have all these extra hands to love on him. She is working on her
reading alongside Laura, and is often mistaken for Laura’s twin.
Laura 5- Sweet and sensitive
heart still describes her. She loves our homeschool gymnastics, and is often
doing a handstand on the couch. We are working on reading as she is in SK. She
is my little helper, and loves to do jobs. Her heart is sensitive to God, and
we are very thankful for that.
Erik almost 7- He played soccer
again this summer with Katy, and did really well. This guy has an incredible athletic
ability, and a mind that can understand the logic behind things and
communication. He has done well in Grade 1, and am very proud of the young man
he’s becoming.
Katelyn 8- Our organizer and big
sister. She and Leanne have developed a special bond, which is becoming a great
help during this busy season. She and Erik are both in MYC (Music for Young
Children) again this year – her third year, and is doing very well in piano. Katy
has also been working on her cooking and baking skills. She loves making
lunches – which will come in super handy! This spring she also chose to ask
Jesus into her life – which is the best news to hear!!
We still have the amazing Emily
Wielinga come in a few times a week to help us out and keep the house sane –
though she is getting married this coming January to a special guy, so we will
see how long we can keep her. 😊
James has continued in sales work
with Whitebird this year. We are in our 4th year of homeschooling
the kids, and so far, it has gone really well. I definitely love being home,
and the extra photography this year (though not as much with Jason) is a fun
outlet. I’m learning to simplify more, and concentrate on the important things in
raising this family. Sometimes it feels like absolute chaos, and then it can be
so calm that you wonder who’s missing. Our church continues to be such a huge
support and encouragement to us – God has given us such a dear body of
believers to fellowship with – and we all continue to learn what it means to
love and serve each other.
May this coming year be an
encouraging one, where we will know and recognize the peace of God, and realize
that in every situation that He is Good…. His mercies fail not…Great is His
faithfulness.
