Brand new

We have been anxiously anticipating a new arrival in our barnyard.  Our Kinder doe named Iona was due any day and looking rather large.  Kinders often give multiples, but this is her first freshening so it was hard to tell how many might arrive.  One?  Two?  Three?  Possibly four?

She was looking to me like she had two.  Sure enough.

I had the children checking on her throughout the day as we noticed signs that told us our waiting would soon be over.  Evening arrived, the goats were tucked in for the night, fed and watered and settled down.  Sadly, Eric had to work late.
Our usual after dinner activities ensued, then I heard that distinct tiny cry from the barn.  I called out over the running water, "The babies are here!"  {I felt like Nanny scurrying around in 101 Dalmatians,  "The puppies, the puppies are here!"}

It's always so exciting to see new life ushered into this world, so I didn't even take the time to change into barn clothes or take off my apron.  I just slipped on my rubber boots and hurried down to see. 

I looked over the barn's Dutch door and greeting me was a little brown babe with white on its head.  {Like chocolate with whip on top!}
I am always relieved when I don't need to intervene, mostly because I don't really know what to do.  That's not true - I do know what to do, but then I second-guess myself - my knowledge, my abilities, my stomach.

Mama was lying down in the corner busy licking her new little gift.  It bleated loudly, still wet and wobbly, not able quite yet to stand up, but trying to.  Then I noticed it - another sac, but it was wedged between Mama and the barn wall.  I hurriedly went inside the pen.  I prayed frantically,  "Lord, what do I do?"   I don't want to do something that will hurt Mama, but I've got to save the kid.   I pulled on Mama's collar to get her to stand up onto her feet.   Gravity would help me, but she didn't want to get up.  I yelled up to the house for help.  Matt quickly came down.  I pulled her collar again and he lifted up her back end.  The sac came out.  Inside lay a motionless kid.  The sac is rather thick and I had a hard time breaking it open.   Finally, it opened, gushing fluid to the ground along with a limp, lifeless baby goat.   We wrapped her in a towel and rubbed and rubbed, but to no avail. 

Because they were ready for bed, I had told the Littles to wait in the house. I'm glad I did because they usually come along.  Disappointed, they anxiously awaited the news.  How many did she have?  Were they boys or girls?  What color were they?
It was hard to tell them that we lost one.  It is a natural part of farm life, but it isn't easy.

"The Lord gives and the Lord takes away.  Blessed be the name of the Lord." Job 1:21

We are thankful for the new, little one, and that Mama is doing well.

Bright and early this morning, the rain and cold not deterring them in the least, the children headed to the barn.

"Oh! It's so cute."     

 

"Oh! It's so little."

"Can I hold it?"

 "Me too?"

"Me too?"

Now, for our tradition of choosing a beach name....
I think we've settled on naming her Kaanapali, {Pauli for short}...especially after having taken such a special trip there last fall.

It is tender that the Lord has allowed us, through this event, to ponder death and life. I find it poignant that we are thinking on Christ's death and life this Easter week as well. 
We are rejoicing over the new little life - and we are rejoicing over Christ's resurrection and VICTORY!