Questions and Life

I tend to wonder why about a lot of things in life, things that I may not ever get an answer to, things that are completely out of my control. These are questions that are at times all consuming.
I have had lots of times that I have struggled with the fact that we moved away from Steinbach 5 years ago, why we left our families, why we left so of the best friends you could ask for. Last year I began to question why we left Arborg, the first house we bought ( that is still ours), the place where both our children were born. i have realized that life has many ups and down and eventually you will make a new home and find new friends. Evan and i spent the first year in Calgary dealing with many hurts, when Evan was promised a job out here I wouldn't need to work and we wouldn't need to worry about money. We lost a lot of money when his first boss went on drugs, Evan had two horrible job after that, at one point I was babysitting out of my home, working night shift at Tim Horton's ( Friday and Saturday), and delivering papers every morning. We were always wondering if we would have enough money for food, we always ate, even if we have to get food hampers . God was so gracious to us, we are starting to see why we stuck it out and are starting to reap lots of benefits. We have found a wonderful church, Evan has a great job, I have a great job ( only Friday evening and Saturday during the day), we have made some wonderful friends and re connected with some old friends.
To sum it up, I am truly thankful for my life, for old and new friends and new beginnings.
Sorry about the rambling, it feels good to realize how thankful I am for my life and I just wanted to share that.

NEW Beginnings.

Micah at 22 1/2 months has decided that she doesn't want diapers any more, so we are potty training.
Hurray for us, It has not been as easy this time as it was for Emmanuel. well see how it goes.

runs in the family

Just thought i would share this picture of the kids. They are starting young following Evan and I in our motorcycle obsession. Micah also walks around the house looking for pens. If she finds one she will try to "tattoo" her arm( no joke ). One sure fire way of avoiding a temper tantrum with Micah is letting her look at my tattoo magazines. We definably have some things running in our family.

I've been tagged

As I sit here and wonder what is interesting about my life that I can blog about I realize that I have been tagged Carissa for a meme. So here it goes, I hope it is slightly less boring for you then how it feels in my brain. What were you doing 10 years ago? Well, I was only 14. I was most likely babysitting, wishing I could drive, and hoping for the day I would be cool. The sad part was it took reaching high school and my group of friends went from 2 to no less then 20. What were you doing 1 year ago? My husband had moved to Calgary 2 months earlier and I was at home with a 2 1/2 year old and a 10 month old. I was trying to find renters for our home or sell it ( what ever came first), clean the house, start packing, take care of my two kids and not miss my husband to much ( the kids and I moved to Calgary to join Evan the second week of July. Last May - September were months that I truly would like to pretend never happened. Five Snacks you enjoy Frozen Yogurt anytime of the day Fruit salad Original Lays Chips Smarties Watermelon Five Songs which you know all the words A little drop of rain -Lullaby I started singing when Emmanuel was born. Evan's mom sang it to him when he was a baby. Shine On-Barlow Girl Suddenly I see-KT Tunstall I'm Broken-Evanessence and Seether I've always loved you-Third Day Five things you would do if you were a millionaire? I would go to an all inclusive resort with my hubby at least once a year. Take our family on vacations. I would defiantly put away enough money so Evan could get his teaching degree, we could retire and travel and our kids could pick any post secondary school they wanted and not worry. Anything left over would go to an Orphanage in Congo. That is more then five but what does it matter. Five Bad Habits I worry way to much. Especially about things out of my control. I play with my hair all the time, more so when I am nervous. I am stubborn and hard headed. If I want it my way or think I am right I wont listen to anyone else. I really should change that. I stay up way to late. I let my dishes sit for sometime a week. One last thing, I always need to feel in control. Five things you like doing Playing with Emmanuel and Micah, swimming ( watersides), rock climbing, spending time with my hubby and a good movie. There is so much more I could say , I also really love my job. Five things you will never wear again Bubble gum jeans, neon colors, bikini or anything that shows my baby belly and stretch marks, stick on nails, slouch socks. Five Favorite toys Our digital camera, a volleyball, my kids little people sets, any kind of Car tracks, and cabbage patch babies

Our Family Vacation

Evan, Emmanuel, Micah and I just spent the weekend in Edmonton. Evan and I had decided that after 4 years it was time for a family vacation. We had planned on going camping all weekend but after hearing the forecast we were quick to change our minds ( what are you going to do in a tent all weekend with a 3 1/2 yr old and a 1 1/2 yr old). We chose the next best thing, spending the weekend in a hotel with continental breakfast and a pool. No cooking or cleaning for the entire weekend, only pure relaxation ha ha. Sorry had to laugh the kids had a totally different plan. After looking past all the tears, I want to go homes, sleepless nights (Micah) and general craziness we had a great time.


walking down the stairs of our hotel to Breakfast. We spent the entire weekend eating out the least we could do was take the stairs.

Evan with the kids at the Sea Caverns in West Edmonton Mall. There are crocodiles in the tank behind them.

The kids and I petting Sting Rays. So cool

Evan playing in the pool with the kids. We had a great time in the hot tub but the other pool was far to cold.



This is last last picture I will share on this blog( more will come later). I wanted to show Micah's little head twist to the side. Almost every time we bring the camera out she cranks her head to the side, It is almost like she is saying Everyone look at me, I know exactly how beautiful I am. Super cute.

We had a blast, I throughly enjoyed my time with Evan and the kids and I defiantly learnt a lesson. Just because it is call a vacation , with kids around doesn't mean you get a break :)

More stories and pictures to come.

Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr

I aways thought that life when Emmanuel was two was on the best of days hard and trying. Who wants to be saying no all day long.
Well, now I have a 3 1/2 year old and a 22 month old. I love my kids more then words can describe but to hear "Mommy play with me" all day long gets incredibly tiring. If Emmanuel is not begging me to play with him he is off torturing his sister.
While Emmanuel is being the boy God created him to be I am trying to deal with a 22 month old that has a attitude the size of a13 year old and the body the size of a 12 month old ( we just hit 22 pounds :) )
Now that all the explaining is done, fast forward to today. I write this as I hang my head in exhaustion.
I just got over a nasty flu on Tuesday, the symptoms are gone and the exhaustion is raging in full force. On top of that we are leaving for Holidays tomorrow and I have done NOTHING. Evan also works long hours so he isn't much of a help at the moment.
7:00a.m Emmanuel jumps on me, all I can hear is Mommy play with me. My response Waiting until after breakfast.
8:00 Micah please eat your cereal NO. We do this until the bowl gets dumped on the floor. Micah has a time out and screams like it is the end of the world.
9:30 Micah is screaming from the play room, "Emmanuel Hit me" Emmanuel's response No I didn't. Emmanuel goes for a time out. When I ask him why he hit her his answer was " Because I wanted to".
10:00 Micah throws herself on the floor screaming, what brought it on? I haven't a clue.
10:30 Micah throws herself on the floor screaming, what brought it on? I haven't a clue.
11:00 Mommy come play with me. I was just playing with Emmanuel but it is never enough time for him.
12:00 Micah eat your lunch NO. Plate of food and cup of juice on the floor. Micah has a time out and screams like it is the end of the world.
2:00 Micah is sleeping and Emmanuel is watching Tree House, the house is quiet and I am ready for a nap.

We won't talk about the water that was poured on the floor, the biting and the tears that took place between 12:00 and 2:00. I LOVE nap time.

I can imagine how many moms are out there right now totally understanding what type of day I have had today and sadly that thought is not making me feel better.
What does make me feel better is knowing that everyday is not like this and getting huge hugs a wet kiss for my two wonderful children.
Sorry that I have been all over the place with this post, just trying to get my thoughts out.
I will try and Blog when we return from our holidays on Monday.

Mel's Latest body Art

Evan and the Kids surprised me with a tattoo for mother's day. I have had an idea for a long time but never would have gotten it done because of the money it would cost. Evan decieded it would be a great mother's day gift.
I took a couple picture with our web cam, when the total tattoo is finished I will take better pictures and post them.


There are 5 cherry blossoms, one for Evan and I and the kids. On the inside of my forearm there is one closed cherry blossoms for a baby we lost. I am super excited and can't wait for it to be all colored in.

Family Update

Sorry for the recent silence over on our end. Life just keeps moving and I am constantly running about 3 steps behind. Evan is keeping busy with working and also his side business, He does framing, dry walling and mudding with Jer Hiebert. I am work at Smuggler's Inn on Fridays and Saturdays. I also Clean the house, make meals and run after 2 kids.
We are now settled into our new house and loving it. We have so much more space for the kids to play.

Emmanuel is a typical pre-schooler who loves to torment his younger sister. He also thinks that it is very funny to take credit when Micah farts :)
Micah is just about 2 and is entering the terrible two's stage. If we tell her not to do something she will look us in the eyes and say NO, then proceed to do it while looking at us. She always keeps us on our toes. Micah will have an apt. with her Cardiologist in the beginning of Aug, this will determine if and when she will have her heart surgery. Micah is also having problem's with her eyes that started about 3 months ago. When are waiting to hear from a pediatric Ophthalmologist, her family doctor is concerned about the intensity of her eye pain and the wait to get in to see a specialist that he is recommending that we take her into Emergency and the process will speed up.

That is a very quick update on our family, I will be more diligent at updating the blog every couple of days.