Wiersma Family Blog

WIERSMA FAMILY BLOG
A glimpse into our lives as a family with micro-preemies. Our twins boys (Lovingly referred to as our Miracle Men) were born almost 16 weeks early.

Our journey continues when our son Max was diagnosed with cancer at the age of 3. This is his story....


Friday, March 27, 2009

Unbelievable

Last night was one we will never forget. Kate's contractions started picking up again last night, and this time, they became increasingly painful and longer in duration. There was no stopping it this time. After a whirlwind couple of hours, Maxwell James was born at 1:51 a.m. and Wesley Michael was born at 1:52 a.m. on 3/27/09. They have survived their first 7+ hours of life. Max was born weighing 1 pound 10 ounces and was 12 inches long. Wes was born weighing 1 pound 9 ounces and was 11 3/4 inches long. Wes is currently breathing with a limited ventilator system and he is breathing regular "atmosphere." Max required more attention for his breathing and is currently on a full high-frequency ventilator system. We don't know too much right now...just that these boys have a very long road ahead of them. We covet your prayers for lung development, for brain development, for wisdom for the doctors and nurses, but most of all that God will show up. I will keep adding posts as I get more information, but if you would take it upon yourself to pray for Max and Wes, we would be forever grateful. Pray that God hold these little boys tightly in His grasp. He has numbered their days as He has numbered yours and mine. Our prayer as new parents is that those days will outlast ours, but God is in control and we will follow His path in faith knowing that His plan is perfect.

54 comments:

  1. Praying for Max and Wesley. May God's hand hold their tiny bodies and sustain them with God-Given life. To God be the Glory and Hold Fast.

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  2. We are praying for all of you! Love, Dave and Sara

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  3. Praying for all 4 of you Mark! Congratulations!

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  4. Congratulations you guys!! We are praying like crazy for Max and Wesley- I love the names by the way!! God is holding them and you guys tight in his grasp- and it is strong enough for anything!!
    Love,
    Ross and Krista Brower

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  5. Congratulations on the birth of your beautiful boys!!!! We are praying HARD!! Lean on Him! We love you guys!
    Chris and Kevin

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  6. Congratulations on your two little guys!! We are praying hard for all of you!!!

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  7. Congrutulations Mark and Kate! I'm guessing you're not feeling the joy you were hoping to feel on the day your babies were born. I am saying prayers of thanks that they were born this week and not last week. I am also lifting up their bodies, minds, and souls to the LORD. He is in control. Kate - you are amazing and both of you will be great parents.
    Joel and Sarah

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  8. CONGRATULATIONS! We are definitely praying for you guys as well as your beautiful little boys. Thanks for the updates... keep them coming! You have tremendous faith! God promises never to give us more than we can handle... lean on that truth!
    Chad and Kim De Jager

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  9. THANK YOU LORD that they are alive and we will pray for God's mighty hand to be upon them and that they will live long with no negative effects from such an early start in life! Nothing is too hard for the Lord! Congrats...you are PARENTS!!! :)
    Holly

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  10. Congratulations and praising God for new life! Love the names and am praying that God will continue to keep these babies growing strong! And congrats to you guys as a new mommy and daddy! I know you will be the best parents for these little guys.

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  11. Congratulations to the new Mommy and Daddy! I know your boys are beautiful and loved, loved, loved! God is good!

    We'll be praying for those little boys and for you!
    Mark, Michelle, and Jack

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  12. Congratulations, We are saying some extra prayers for all of you! May you feel Gods presence surround you!

    The Schrotenboers

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  13. Wow... it's hard to believe that you are now proud parents of 2 precious miracle babies. Congratulations!! Deep down I feel that Maxwell and Wesley have a great purpose in this life and will blow away the doctors and nurses by their ability to gain strength and fully develop day by day all with the touch of their Creator's Hand. Praise God for providing 24 weeks in the womb! I know that He has great things in store for the Wiersma 4!!

    Looking forward to meeting these precious gifts you were given! Praying for growth and development and asking for Jesus to take the wheel. He is able to do MORE than we could ever think or ask for!!

    xoxo,
    Tony & Cara

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  14. p.s. Here is a great quote that came from a friend's email.

    "Trust the past to God's mercy, the present to God's love, and the future to God's providence."
    - - St. Augustine

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  15. Our prayers are with your family in whatever happen in the days, weeks, and years. It seems this experience has not only strengthened your faith, but through this blog you have encouraged faith in God for many others as well.

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  16. Prayers extend from us all the way out in Montana to you in Michigan. Weston is pretty excited about the name Wesley. He says it is good and strong. We pray that God will wrap his arm around these boys and bless them each day. Congratulations from both of us. We got a call from papa Bill this morning, he is in denver now with my mom visiting Ad, and just wanted to keep us posted on your family.
    God works in amazing ways---hugs and kisses. Karley and Weston

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  17. We thank God for giving the boys the strength to survive these past few hours. We'll continue to pray for their strenth as well as yours. We love you and can't wait to meet the boys!

    In his grip,
    Rob, Tiece, Madisyn & Landon

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  18. Congratulations on the birth of your boys!
    Our prayers are with all four of you. We thank God for the strength he has provided for those precious little ones, and we will contunue to pray daily.

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  19. Mark and Kate,
    Many congratulations! We will continue to pray for you and the boys.
    Nagelkerke family

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  20. Congrats! Praying for all of you today and the days to come! May God richly bless you all!

    The VanderZwaag Family

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  21. Mark, Kate, Max & Wes,

    Congratulations!!! LOVE the names:) Many, many prayers are being said for your new family of four!

    I keep going back to Psalm 119:73 and have been praying this passage over your family... that you would feel the Lord loving you and holding you tight RIGHT NOW!!!

    "With your very own hands you formed me; now breathe your wisdom over me so I can understand you. When they see me waiting, expecting your Word, those who fear you will take heart and be glad. I can see now, God, that your decisions are right; your testing has taught me what's true and right. Oh, love me - and right now! - hold me tight! just the way you promised."

    We are holding tight to God's promises for each of you!

    Jason, Mary & Bella

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  22. Congratulations, Kate and Mark! We are praying for you both as well as your new sons. God is great and is holding you all in His hands!
    ~Bethany (VanderVliet) Mulder

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  23. Congratulations Mark and Kate! We will continue to pray that those sweet baby boys get stronger each day! Love their names:) The Lubbers Family

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  24. Congradulations guys!!! Praying for you to enjoy every minute. Praying God's mighty hand CONTINUES to protect each of you.

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  25. Congratulations Mark and Kate on two amazing little boys who are so fortunate to have you two as their parents! Ben and I are praying for you four and are looking forward to hearing and seeing God's hands at work. ~ Much love, Ben and Nat

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  26. Congratulations on the birth of the boys! We are praying praying praying that these little guys are doing well today and we pray for their development and strength. We are praying for everyone involved!

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  27. You guys do not know me but I found you through Leticia Dykema's blog. Our family is praying for your you and your little boys and pray that God lifts all of you and your extended family up during this time.

    Aaron, Katie, Kylie and Ava Gulliver

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  28. What an amazing story! God is using your family in some incredible ways. Your two little men have touched so many before they drew their first breath. I am praying for all of you that God will continue to show himself as the boys continue to grow. We serve an amazing God.

    In Prayer,
    Heather (Schaap) Hoffman

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  29. lifting you all up today. Praying praying praying!-Ryan and Megan DeVries

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  30. Congrats Mark and Kate! We can't wait to meet your two precious miracles! We'll keep praying for those two... for strength and endurance as they comtinue to develope. Kate, we pray that your recovery goes well too! Hope you're feeling ok after your body had a few rough weeks! Love you guys and we'll keep sending up prayers for all of you!
    Jeff and Heidi

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  31. Congratulations Mark and Kate! Those two precious boys are a miracle and a blessing. And what beautiful names you chose! We actually had Maxwell James (seriously, that exact combo) on our top five list for Jack! We are praying for God's protection over each breath they breathe and strength for you two in the days ahead. I hope you know you are lifted up on cloud of prayers and pray you feel wrapped in a blanket of God's peace!
    -Deb Langeland

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  32. We're praying for all 4 of you! To God be the glory for the gift of life!

    Aaron and Lacey

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  33. Congratulations....God is good! May he continue to offer strength, hope, clarity and wisdom to all of you. We will continue to pray for your entire family.

    The Chadwell family

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  34. Double Congrats on the birth of your two little guys! We pray earnestly for these two to grow and develop strength with each passing moment! We also pray for emotional and phyisical strength for you and Kate!

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  35. Congrats on the birth of your two little boys!! We will be praying for strength for all of you in the days ahead.
    The Driy family

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  36. Mark and Kate, Congrats on your two little miracles. We are praying for strength for all four of you
    Romans 8:28 (NIV)
    28.And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him.

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  37. WOW!! What a miracle! Congratulations Mark and Kate! We are going to be holding you all in our prayers, as this will be a long road, but one that we can join you on in prayer! God bless you 4!!

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  38. Mark and Kate, we are praying for your sweet little boys, and for the both of you....may God give you peace, hope and encouragement as you journey forward. Love, Dave and Joy Koning

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  39. Congratulations on the birth of your precious boys! We'll continue to pray for all of you! 'In the name of Jesus we speak life to Max & Wes!!' Remember, that whatever we ask for in prayer in Jesus' name according to His Word, believe that we have received and it will be ours. We will continue to Praise God for the work He is doing through your family!

    Jason & Jami

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  40. Mark & Kate,
    Praise God for those precious boys! Your family remains in our prayers. We love you so much!
    The VanderVeens

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  41. Mark and Kate-
    Found your blog through another friend who posted your address and prayer request...
    praying for all of you--may God's strength sustain you!

    Tracy (Hekman) VanOpstall

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  42. Congrats Mark & Kate on the birth of your sweet little boys! We'll continue to keep all of you in our prayers- may you continue to feel God's presence and the love of others surround you!Rick & Deb Huizenga

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  43. Congratulations, Mark and Kate! You guys are in our prayers. May God surround you with his peace and rest as the next leg of your parenting journey begins.

    The Lowes

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  44. Mark & Kate,
    Congratulations on the birth of Max and Wes - they are a living testament to being "fearfully and wonderfully made"! Our prayers are with you all as they continues to so courageously take in and let out each tiny breath.
    Justin & Nicole Visser

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  45. Congrats on the birth of your boys! Your new family is in our prayers! Thank you for the continued updates. God Bless!
    Bryan, Renee and Dakota Breuker

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  46. Mark & Kate, Congratulations on the birth of your precious twin boys! As you know, we are constantly praying for all of you. We pray that God will give all of you some much needed rest and strength for each hour. You have been given a precious gift x 2, and we praise God for His good and perfect gift of Max and Wes to the both of you. Blessings, Aunt Allie, Uncle Bob and family.

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  47. Congratulations to both of you! We will keep you all in our prayers!
    Lindsey and Ryan

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  48. Mark & Kate,
    Congratulations.....we have not stopped praying for all 4 of you and will continue to do so, we trust that God has a plan for the lives of these boys that is FAR greater than we can imagine! We'll pray for wisdom and guidance for all of the Dr's and nurses as they too help care for little Max & Wes. You've just recieved in my opinion one of the most AMAZING gifts from GOD......CHILDREN, treasure every single moment with those boys!! -Brian, Kathy & Jackson Busscher

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  49. Mark and Kate,

    We just heard the news! Congratulations on the birth of your precious baby boys. We will continue to pray for you two as new parents and for health and strength for the boys. May God richly bless you as you start this new chapter in your lives. Love, Josh and Jill Goote

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  50. Wow - What an amazing gift, enjoy every moment together! You are in our thoughts and prayers!!! Thanks for sharing your faith, your thoughts, and your news with all of us!
    God bless your family!
    Julie Doll

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  51. Mark & Kate~
    We've been praying for you and your boys and will continue to do that...thanks for sharing these special moments with us so we can pray more specifically. I love the scripture your friends quoted, especially..."O, love me--right now, and hold me tight, just the way You promised." May our faithful God do just that and give you all you could possibly need and desire. Love, Bob & Lynda

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  52. ...and congratulations! Can't wait to meet Max & Wes!! Bob & Lynda

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  53. Mark and Kate -
    Congratulations! We are praying for you all and pray that God will continue to wrap his arms around you 4 and especially Max and Wes.

    Love,
    Joel and Leslie Leegwater

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  54. Dear Mark & Kate,
    Congratulations on your new arrivals! We are praying that the boys are growing stronger every minute. We will keep you ALL in our prayers. . .
    Mark & Sande Quenneville & family

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