2016 Newsletter

It’s natural to reflect one’s past as the New Year approaches, and with so much having transpired in the short  1 1/2 years of our marriage, we thought a Christmas letter was appropriate to commemorate all our adventures and thank you for your part in them.

So what has happened in that time?

It all started June 6th, 2015 when we vowed before God and our many witnesses to have and hold each other for better or worse, richer or poorer, in sickness or in health. Our adventures commenced immediately with our surprise honeymoon to Hawaii and Southern California, which truly was a surprise to me (Sarah), since I found out our destination when the blindfold came off at the airport and I was handed my plane ticket. :)

In late July we found out that we were expecting a baby, and how joyous that news was! In early September, we bought a beautiful home in central Coeur d’Alene and immersed ourselves, Sarah’s family, and all available friends in giving it {a lot of} TLC.

October came and with it brought a late night scare with the police and the SWAT team calling us out with our hands up, thinking that the previous owners still lived there…fortunately, it ended peaceably with a good night sleep, until the next day…when the {wanted} previous resident appeared at the door and tried to get in the house. For the next couple months, we learned to ‘be wary but not weary’ and trust in the Lord even more. The former occupant, who was wanted for several felon charges in the State of Idaho and Montana has since been arrested, jailed, and released one year later, as of October 2016.

My pregnancy brought some craziness too, with threatened miscarriage early on, extreme weight restrictions, and a torn abdominal muscle—not desirable ever, but even more so when you’re trying to renovate a house, move in and organize it, and prepare for a baby coming!

In November, our sweet little niece Ivy was born, and Sarah was there a bit helping, while Alex continued working long 6 day weeks between his USPS Rural Carrier and Delivery jobs. December was crazy as usual at the Post Office with the package scurry, and we well remember that night we {elves} took our suburban  crammed full of outgoing packages to the Spokane plant and came home past 11pm. [Don’t forget to thank your mailman this year!!] Special memories!!! 

January came, and we finally got the last of our boxes moved into their appropriate rooms. Then…..we hit a moose late one dark night…or rather, unbeknownst to us, the car 1/4 mile ahead of us hit its neck with their roof rack. We, being good citizens, saw their flashers and moved over to the other lane…where we promptly hit the moose and pushed it 30 feet before flying through the air and sliding on our our side for 100 yards. We landed on my passenger side which sent the side mirror through the window and in the process broke my arm. 

Praise God, baby was okay, and I got my elbow-to-fingertip cast off 3 1/2 weeks later…1 day before I woke up in premature labor. Turns out, I sustained a seatbelt injury (it was either that or being beheaded if I hadn’t worn one), which caused a delayed placental abruption (which is when the placenta starts detaching from the uterine wall), and 5 hours later, on February 3rd 2016, our tiny 4 lb 2 oz, 17 3/4” long, 8 week premature son was born. Perfect, whole, alive.

After 2 days, we finally got to see his face and named him - Alexander David - “Beloved Defender of Mankind”. A fighter he was: against his lungs which didn’t have enough surfactant to open, against bacteria, against jaundice, against bleeding, and against the tubes in his mouth. :) We transported him on Day 3 to Deaconess Hospital (best  Level 3 NICU in Spokane!), where he remained for 6 weeks, and I with him at the Ronald McDonald House. All through this, Alex was the exemplary husband—cooking, cleaning, helping in every way he could when I couldn’t even crack an egg because of my arm. He was the perfect support through labor, and the best dad a preemie could want. With his rigorous work schedule, we didn’t get to see each other as often as he still lived in Cd’A for the most part. That was REALLY tough, but it almost felt like we were courting again with those late night phone calls. :) 

Baby Alexander came home on St. Patrick’s Day, at 6 lbs. 8 oz. and we became a united family. It was amazing. That same day, Alex ended his time at his one delivery job, which left us time to figure out our new routine and bond as a family. God has perfect timing!

Since then, Alex has been working USPS, doing graphic design and other projects on the side, dabbling in cars, doing house projects, teaching Alexander to say ‘Da-Da’, and changing diapers.

This summer, I became a consultant with L’BRI—the natural, nontoxic Aloe Vera-based skincare and makeup line that I’ve been using for 5 years which cleared up my rosacea and Alex’s bad acne. God truly did make plants for our healing! If you’re curious, you can find out more here: www.facebook.com/GotHopeWithLBRI 

Alexander is now 10 months old, 20 lbs, 1/2 my length, is crawling, has been wearing 9-12 month clothing since he was 8 months old, says Dada, climbs up or over everything, walks along furniture, loves food (loves Mama more), is almost always happy and laughing, knows ‘No’, and is our miracle baby.

We want to thank each and everyone of you for your prayers, encouragement, support, food, gifts, help, and love during the many transition periods since our wedding. As some of you know, we haven’t finished getting our wedding thank you cards mailed, and I apologize for that. In my defense, the document I had it all compiled on disappeared when my computer hard drive failed a year ago, and miraculously appeared late this Spring amongst other files on my backup drive.  Please know that you each have our deepest heartfelt thanks and appreciation for your wedding gifts and each has been put to good use in our home. Please accept this note in lieu of a separate card.

Looking forward to 2017, we don’t know what’s going to happen, but we know that God has everything in control, and we’re really enjoying living life day by day, trusting God, and asking for Him to continue enlarging our borders and blessing us how He sees fit (1 Chronicles 4:10).

May God bless you as you seek to know and serve Him more in this coming year!

Alex, Sarah, and Alexander Henkoski

"And that ye study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you; that ye may walk honestly toward them that are without, and that ye may have lack of nothing."

- 1 Thessalonians 4:11-12 -

Another Exciting Chapter

Wow...so, I started writing this on August 25th. I can't believe I didn't post it! (I think I was waiting on photos)...anyway, I can't believe it's been so long since I've posted!!! So much for catching up!! Yes, I'd still like to, but it might be a while.. :)

Just for kicks, I'm going to share what I wrote then, and then update on what has happened since then. :)
"...I've been distracted.... MAJORLY distracted. Like, distracted with all these weird feelings, sensations, and symptoms of the longest flu out there!!!! The nice part is: I haven't thrown up.
Yep...I've caught it--the 9-month flu. Except, in my case, it's more like mostly tiredness and ravaging midnight hunger at this point.... ;)

How we announced it to our family and close friends--3 days after we found out. (My symptoms were so dramatic so immediately, that there was no way we'd have been able to hide it from my family even if we'd wanted to, while living in such close quarters. :) )

This was actually taken right about 9.5 weeks (which is when we announced it on cyberspace)

We're 9.5 weeks along right now, and let me just say, I've got the best husband ever! See, at 6 weeks, not only was it a crazy week pregnancy-wise, but I ended up being on crutches for a week due to dislocating my ankle! He's been great to make some of his own breakfasts (much to my chagrin), let me sleep in when he has to get up at 4:30am, and get me things sometimes...oh, and cuddle. I need that sometimes--something about feeling safe and secure, ya know?"

13 weeks

Well, now here I am, many, many weeks later. Now at 24 weeks - 6 months!! Much has happened since then. We threatened to lose our little "Hershey" (as we affectionately call him, or her? We don't know) around 6 weeks, and I have to pace myself, otherwise my uterus can get a little too active ;), but other than that, I've had a pretty smooth pregnancy for which I'm very grateful. I did throw up twice at 10 and 11 weeks, not from morning sickness but car sickness and spicy food!! :)

15 weeks (yes, I was really that big! I have almost no space between my ribs and hips, and so  it makes my pregnancy even that much more an adventure!)

We decided to wait to find the gender until birth, and so we opted to get an ultrasound at 15 weeks just for fun. Boy, is our little one active!!! :) And, at 6 months, let me tell you, BOY, IS HE ACTIVE!!! (Yes, we say 'he', because Eve came out of Adam, and it just makes sense, since we're definitely NOT having an 'it'!) ;)

Our little "Hershey" at 15 weeks

God answered our prayers, and in September dropped a house almost right in our laps, literally right before we signed our first rental agreement. Talk about amazing! Also an answer to prayer, I finished my 1st trimester 2 days before the house closed, which was super important to me, because tiredness was one of my biggest symptoms.

Early September 2015

So, we got a little bit of a fixer-upper for a FIRST home!!! And though renovations and settling in has been a little slow, between Alex's crazy work hours, my energy and weight restrictions, and a crazy, amazing fall, our house is finally starting to look even more like a home.

17 weeks Pregnant

19 weeks Pregnant

21 Weeks Pregnant

22 weeks pregnant

Thus, pardon my absence, but now you know what has been taking it!! :) Gotta end this by saying that I married the right man. Hands down, no doubt. I'm so glad for him, so immensely grateful for his Godly character, his leadership, his hard work, his integrity, his humor, his holding me tight when I have an emotional, exhausted moment, and his creativity.

Thanksgiving 2015 - 22 weeks Pregnant

And with that, my dear readers, Merry Christmas! May Christ be your Reason for the Season!!!

"For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given: and the government shall be upon His shoulder: and His Name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The Mighty God, The Everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.

Of the increase of His government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his Kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with Judgement and with Justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this."

~ Isaiah 9:6-7 ~

Married and Loving it!

Hey guys! I'm back! I can't believe I've been married now for OVER a month! Wow! Where did all the time go? I guess having a 2 week honeymoon is where most of it went..but still! Funny, cuz at the same time, I feel like we've been married longer than a month.

The gorgeous mini roses Alex got for our 1st Monthiversary! Such a sweetie!

So....I'm SO looking forward to back-posting for the last 4 months, but you'll have to bear with me.... Besides setting up our sweet little home, I don't have all the wedding photos back yet, and my computer needs a complete cleaning because I'm out of space (seriously right? 35,000+ photos, assorted music, and tons of ranch stuff can do it to you, I guess! ...and that's not even including our formal engagement or wedding photos!) 8-O

So. Here's my update for now. Our engagement was a dream (crazy, because it was only 61 days, but nevertheless a dream), and our wedding was magical. It was everything I ever wanted, was mostly stress-free, and went smoothly (for the most part--forget about the 4-tier cake melting, or my cathedral length veil catching on our concrete textured stairs! ;) Haha....but really, those just made fabulous memories, and the weather was even cooler than expected! (Mid 80's instead of early 90's!)

Prayer with my parents beforehand

Waiting to walk down the aisle! 

The leaning tower of awesome Lemon Poppyseed Cake!!) Thanks Lauren for being it's support!

My husband and I

Alex took me on a total surprise honeymoon. I didn't know where we were going for almost all of it. We ended up staying at the Resort for the first night (which was my dream), and then through a long string of events, involving a partial kidnapping, and romantic picnic lunch (more on that in a future post), I found myself at the airport, with a destination ticket to Hawaii!!!

Sunsets!!

One night it started raining cats and dogs, while we were waiting for the bus...so we took the opportunity to.... ;)

We spent a week in Kona, at a timeshare that my parents and aunt and uncle so thoughtfully got for us, and after catching up on sleep, and having adventures there, Alex packed us up, and shocked me by taking us to Southern California (where he was raised), for the last week of our honeymoon!! That was super exciting as except for the LA airport, the furthest I've been in CA is Sacramento!

It was SO good to relive his childhood with him in places like his Grandma's house (we spent 4 nights there!), San Clemente (where he grew up), and Legoland!!! We also decided to go to Disneyland and Knott's Berry Farm, because...well, I suppose you could say we're kids at heart and I LOVE roller coasters!! =D hehe

Disneyland!!

Legoland!!! :)

A picture with Mr. Surfer Dude =D

Last dinner with Grandma Barb & Aunt Liz

We came back in time to start temporarily settling into my parent's basement (as our rental fell through for unavoidable reasons), which has actually been a huge blessing in disguise!! Not only do we get to save more money, but all of our wedding stuff is in the garage, as are all the boxes we aren't unpacking until we really get settled! My parents and siblings are amazing, and it has turned out to be a perfect situation for now.

We are really trying to take to heart 1 Thessalonians 4:11-12:

"And that ye study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you; that ye may walk honestly toward them that are without, and that ye may have lack of nothing."

Thus, I'll post when time and computer space allows! And that my dears, is all for now!!

Last Day As A....

Today is my last day of being a single woman. Yes, I know I haven't posted in months...I'm sorry. There is so much I want to back post too....life, the proposal, our whirlwind engagement lasting just 61 days, and ever so much.
But that will all have to wait. Until after tomorrow. The first day of the rest of my life.

Yes, on April 5th, 2015 - Easter Sunday, Alex asked me to marry him - overlooking the gorgeous Hayden Lake. Pictures were amazing, and so were the memories....

And the way he did it? By digging out a rock he'd had my brothers engrave, asking me to marry him. It was perfect. And tomorrow, I marry him!

Much more photos to come...after we marry. After we honeymoon (the place, I know not which, for it's a surprise!). After we settle. But, Lord-willing, it will come!

Take a peek, at www.weddingwire.com/henkoski

We're even hoping to have Live-Stream there, which will be posted on the page there. So you can tune in, if you are, and make sure to drop us a note if you do, so we can enjoy it with you!

Only 1 day, and 7 hours. Praise God, I'm blessed!!

"For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of eivl, to give you an expected end."

~ Jeremiah 29:11 ~

Engagement Story

It's April. I can't believe it's been so long since I've posted. I have so much I've wanted to write, so MANY pictures!

Yes, probably most if not all of you know...Alex and I are engaged. If it weren't that we decided a 61-day long engagement sounded great, I probably would have posted earlier, but there are a LOT of decisions you have to make!! :)

Easter morning, April 5th, 2015, I didn't really think he was going to propose... Sure I wondered, but then, as Alex says, "Sarah's always wondering". haha And so, I suppose I am. There were a few things that were just enough different that I chose to write them in my journal the night before--just in case, but if you read it, you'd say: 'That's a bunch of nonsense that doesn't point to anything'...and you'd be right.

Still, I did paint my fingernails a sparkly transparent color before church, because I've read a lot of places that that was one thing all the newly-engaged girls wished they'd done since the did show their ring off all day!

Alex was smart, and waited for ME to bring up the idea of going to the Sunrise Service (he was already planning to propose then), but I did have to wonder when he said he was going to wear my 'favorite blue shirt' and that I should match him...but then asked me to dress up 'like a princess' the night before, because....after all, it is Easter!! :) There was nothing conclusive to it, and really, that wasn't a hint for me..but I did think it was funny.

We had talked about types of proposals before, and I knew he was going to do it when we were alone and figured that he'd do it somewhere else than our house--which because of our busy schedules pretty much only left Sundays. So, in my mind, I guess I figured that he'd propose after church on the way home, by way of a park or something. It really NEVER crossed my mind that he'd do it RIGHT AFTER the Sunrise Service on Honeysuckle Beach--after all, we had to go to the breakfast at the church, right??

Alas, Alex is way too good at surprises. My brothers were his cohorts, and David photographed and videoed everything. We took a walk around the dock where my dad and Alex pretended to 'baptize' James...and then instead of just going to the car to drive to church, Alex decided he wanted to take a walk. We informed my folks, and started on our merry way.

At that point, okay, I wondered, but it wasn't until we'd started down a little path winding between trees with the marsh on one side and Hayden Lake on the other, that I thought "I think he really is going to propose!" While we walked, enjoying the beauty and chatting a little bit, I felt like I was in a Jane Austen movie... "How are you supposed to feel when you're going to get engaged?" "Can this really be happening?"

Finally, after a good ways, he decided we should go 'all classy' and take off our coats. I humored him, and we laid them on the side of the road. NOTE: Yes, it was 27 degrees outside. ;) We continued walking and finally we paused looking out over the lake. He started praying, and then I prayed, and he asked God for wisdom for the future. I felt his heart beating fast, and knew he was going to propose (though outwardly, you would have never known). Still, I didn't really think it was going to be then.

 Just as soon as I opened my eyes, he was scuffing the ground with his foot, and then kneeled to dig something out of the dirt. Curious, I watched. My first thought was that it was a sewer cap. Haha. But when he picked it up and blew it off, I saw it was a rock, and then he handed it to me.

Him digging out the rock

Suddenly, reality hit me, and after reading the words, I looked back at Alex and he was holding out a ring box (that he had made!) with the most beautiful ring I'd ever seen. He asked me to marry him, and I said yes. And then, it took 10 minutes to process that I was now, {finally} engaged. To Alex. Unbelievable. This man, my man, my Alexander. I cried, we prayed, hugged, and talked.

Asking me to marry him

Presenting the ring

Early on in our walk, I noticed a bird house in the distance, and where we were now, I saw it was just on the other side of the path. It looked like something was in it, and upon looking closer, I realized it was a camera!! Alex had set up 3 video cameras---2 in home-made birdhouses, and 1 in a tree, and had disguised David in a gillie suit to take the rest of the photos!!

After some more time together, my parents came and gave me flowers, hugged and prayed with us, and then left us to have some more time. After more talking, photo taking, and packing up all the gear, we walked to the car, and headed to church to eat breakfast.

Right after the proposal, Alex showed me this other ring he had gotten for kicks--a HUGE faux diamond solitaire, which we then proceeded to have LOTS of fun all the day long--getting hilarious responses out of our viewers when they'd ask to see my ring.

We had a really sweet Easter dinner at my house with Alex's parents, grandparents, and my grandparents too, and then that evening, my parents put on an impromptu engagement party. It was so precious, priceless, memorable, special, and amazing.

This is a GIF showing my reaction to him telling me about David in the Gillie suit.

What's your love story?? I want to know!!!