Sunday, 26 August 2012

15:54 - No comments

Donald Turned 9

This was a busy weekend for us. First off Wednesday night we went swimming as a family. It was lots of fun, and our upstairs neighbor in Calgary came with us. While we were there Donald took in some water. He was fine until we left the pool. Then he started coughing really bad. I started getting worried about secondary drowning. It can happen within 24 hours of a near drowning incident. So I took Donald to the hospital to get checked out. We were there for a long time. So long that Donald started his birthday while we were waiting for the Doctor to see us. It was neat thing for him to be in the hospital that he was born in the very minute he turned 9. When we finally saw the doctor, they checked his lungs and got an X-ray and discovered he did have some fluid in is lungs. I am so glad I took him in. He got taken care of, and all I well.

So them it goes to Thursday. Donal turned 9. We went I shakers and did some go karting, and laser tag. It was a fun day.

On Saturday was his birthday party. Some of his closest friends came. Everyone dressed up as their favorite book character. Donald was dressed up as Fone Bone, Taylor was sleeping beauty, and Donal was Manny from diary of a wimpy kid. I was dressed as manny's mom. There was a pirate, vat man, Peta from the hunger games, and one of my favorites was Maxwell dressed as Dr. Doolittle. We played capture the flag, and water balloon blanket. I think the kids had fun. I know I did. He got some very cool presents, and we got him a rock tumbler.

Wednesday, 15 August 2012

13:25 - 1 comment

A Birthday, Anniversary, Parade, and a Reunion

The last 2 weeks had been a  very busy crazy week, as you can tell from the title. So I thought I would go in order on the title.

A Birthday:

On August 9, Doug turned 32. The kids were excited to celebrate a birthday. Doug is not one to make a big deal out of birthdays, and he would actually like to avoid them, but not me. I made him waffles, and I made sure I told every one I say that day about it. Yes it drove him crazy. We had his parents over for supper, and I made him an amazing layered angel cake. It was a big hit.

An Anniversary:

On August 10 we celebrated a very important anniverary to us. I have now been cancer free for 3 years. It is not a time in my life that I would soon forget. The lessons learned, and trials over come, and frienships developed. I am so happy for the past 3 years of being healthy and in the clear. Doug and I were able to go out on a date that night to celebrate. We had dinner, and went to the range to shoot our bows (yes I find I like shoot the recurve bow.) This years brought on more news as well. Since my last surgery 3 years ago, I have under gone genetic testing. Getting cancer in my 20's was very unusual, so they wanted to determine if genetics was involved, and to determine if our children were at risk. In January I found out that genetics were not involved. We are all very relieved to know that our children are not predesposed to have cancer. Even though we may never know what caused my case, I am glad that our children can live a healthier life.

A Parade

On August 11 was the Heritage Days parade. I love that our house is on the parade route. Doug and I got up, and enjoyed sitting outside in our chairs. We got to wave at cars driving past, and getting some funny looks from people thinking we were waiting for the parade to early. It was a pleasant time. The funny thing is just before the parade, is when our insurance adjuster came to look at our house to see the damages on our house for the parade. They were substantial, but they were 100% covered. They stayed to watch the parade as well. Daniel and I sat on a blanket for about an hour before the parade watching everyone get ready. Donald and Taylor went to their friends Molly, and Zoe to watch the parade for their birthday part. Taylor came back before the parade to watch. Daniel had a blast picking up Candy on the road.





A Reunion:

This weekend was the Kunkel Family Reunion. Every year for the last 10 years they have had their reunion at the Great Canadian Barn Dance. Well this year it was some where else. We got this letter stating the reunion would take place at the Steville Bridge Campground, and on Monday we would canoe down the river to Dinosaur Provincial Park. In the letter they said to find the location of Steville Bridge Campground do a search on Google. We had no such luck. The only reference I could find on the place was a blog that talked about the campground, but not the location. It wasn't listed on any map, and our GPS on our phones couldn't find it either. So we decided to head to Rosemary, and hope for the best. So Sunday after church we left, and got to Rosemary around 7:30. There were no signs, and we couldn't reach anyone. Doug saw this car, and asked for direction to Steville Campground, and he offered to guide us there. It was thanks to this man, that we were able to find the reunion. On Monday we canoed down the river, and had a blast. It was great to see family, and reconnect. On our way home Tuesday we stopped by Calgary to borrow my brother in-laws truck to transport a Piano that was given to us. We got home last night in the rain with the Piano in the back of a truck covered in Tarps, and thanks to Bill Peavoy, and his friend Jim, Ian Lewis-Russel, and Todd Wolsley I now have a Piano. Now I just have to learn to play it.

All in all it was a great couple of weeks. And a big congrats to my Friends Lindy, and Dustin for the birth of their 4th son William who was born Sunday. Congrats you guys I am super happy for you.

On a different note, I forgot to post a video of when Daniel learned to ride a bike. So here it is.  Until next time. Have a great Summer



Monday, 30 July 2012

16:27 - 3 comments

Big Storm and Summer

This week I made the decision to leave facebook. There are many reasons why I decided this.  No nothing tragic, but it does come down to TIME. I have a lot going on in my life. And I found that when I wasn't on facebook, I was thinking about it. I already struggle with a media addiction, so I made the decision to leave. So I have taken the last couple to days to gather emails, and say good bye. So now I can use my blog for what I have been wanting to use it for. To keep my family and friends posted on what our family is up too, and in a way keep a family journal for future generations. To me this is a small way to do my family history, which is good. So it came down to facebook or blog. So I made my choice.

It has been a very interesting weekend. On Thursday about the time I arrived back in Calgary, a really bad Hail Storm hit Cardston. Our van was already in Calgary, so It was unharmed, but we have some house damage. Thank goodness I have great friends, and awesome neighbours. Thanks to the Peavoy's, Lewis-Russels, and the McKay, and the many people who stopped by to check on my house while I was away.




Other then the hail storm (and my mother breaking her knee), my summer in Calgary has been amazing. I got to be reconnected with a dear friend, and my kids and I have spent a lot of time at Heritage Park, and the Public Library. We are also staying in Forest Lawn which is where I went to high school. It brings back a lot of fun memories that I have been able to share with my kids. I drove them around the city, and showed them where I went to school (elementary/jr high/high) The kids liked seeing places where I grew up.

I will be home for the next 3 weeks, so I am happy about that as well. And Doug will be on vacation in a week, so we will also get to have some summer memories at home as well.

Wednesday, 30 November 2011

07:27 - No comments

Strong Wind

Well we have had a very interesting few days. As most of you know there has been some very strong wind in Southern Alberta this weekend. This is not new, and I felt like I was actually used to the wind by now. But Sunday was bad. I was begining to feel agitated every time there was a wind gust. It felt like my whole body was being blown about. If only that was all. Doug would go around the house checking to see if anything blew off, and so far we were unharmed (or so we thought). Monday came, and we were walking back home from my moms, when we noticed the SW corned of our roof had the shingles blown right off right to the wood. We didn't know what to do. Doug was flying back to work Tuesday morning. Normally someone in this situation would climb a ladder to the roof, and patch the job, and be done, no more worried. But have you seen our house. I haven't seen a ladder long enought to get to the roof. It was already Monday night, and we were starting to panic.

Well just as we got home, our Home teacher came over to visit. He saw us looking at our roof, and calmly told us that he will notify the Elders Quarum to get this fixed for us. He visted with us, and gave us a good message, and off he went. We are not the type of people to sit back and wait for service so Doug ran out, and got all the supplies we would need.

The next morning we called a guy named Ray Stanford who had a lift in town. We got his voice mail, and left a message. Then the time came when we had to take Doug to the airport. After I got home, I tried calling the guy again, and got his wife. She gave me his work number. I talked to him, and found out that Wednesday was forecasted for snow. He told me he would stop by after work to do the job for me, and if there is anyone else who can join him the job would go faster. It was then that that Elders Quarum contacted me, and we got it worked out to have Clayton Foster come by to help after work. But there was still a big problem. After work the wind was too strong to go on my roof. I was beginging to panic again. At this time, my visiting teacher came by to see me. We talked for a bit, and then one of my visiters shared an experience about wind, and prayer. So after they left I sat down with my kids, and we had a family prayer. We prayed that the wind would die down so that our roof can get fixed before the snow, so that there would be no water damage to our house. After the prayer my daughter Taylor asked if Heavenly Father said yes or no. I told her I didn't know yet, but everything will be okay if we put our faith in him.

The wind did die down about 7:30pm. And with it being Winter I figured it was too late to work on our roof. So I told myself that aslong as the roof was fixed with the next day or too, even with snow it should still be enough time before water damage. But then the phone rang. It was Ray Stanford. He told me he was on his way to come fix my roof. I was amazed. So I contacted Clayton Foster, and he told me he would get someone here.

By 8:00 Ray, and Clayton were on my roof with lights, and the shingles do the job. My home teacher was on the ground with his son, helping with my kids, and supervising the job. I was so amazed that people in this community would bend over backwards to help someone in need. I am so incrediably thankful to Ray, and Clayton for coming in the dark to help, and for our home teacher Kevin for the support he gave to our family. For my visiting teacher who brought comfort, and the reminder to pray. I am thankful for a community that strives to provide service, and I am thankful to be a part of that community. I remember having family scripture and prayer with the kids, and hearing the hammering. Donald asked what that I was, and I said it was the answer to our prayer, and Heavenly Father had said yes.

Monday, 14 November 2011

06:46 - No comments

Whisper/Cubs/Concert

Last week I got very sick. First I got the flu, and then when I started to feel a little better I completely lost my voice. I notice my voice going Friday morning. By Saturday all I could do was whisper. I couldn't even squeak. Well It made parenting very interesting. I was worried taking care of my kids without talking above a whisper. Something amazing happened. The softer I spoke the more my kids heard me. They listened more, and were more obedient. I was amazed. Children really do respond better to a softer voice, then a harder one. Now that my voice is slowing coming back I am noticing similar struggles coming back. Hmmm are the kids the problem or is it me? So I have made the goal to try this out longer. I am going to talk softer to my kids, and see how that goes. It’s harder now, because I can talk louder. My hope is that my children listen better, and look back at their childhood and remember a happy soft spoken mother.

Some family news. Donald was invested as a Wolf Cub on Tuesday. Here is a video of the event. He is such an excited boy about cubs. I can see the excitement he has about being apart of the cub group. I look forward to seeing the badges he earns. His grade 3 teacher Mrs. Rowe is the lady who invested him. He was pretty excited about that too. He really likes his teacher this year.




To go back in time a little bit, On Saturday October 29 was my first concert with the Lethbridge Community Gold Band. I think it went very well. The hall wasn't packed but the applause was very encouraging. I had a couple friends attend. Thanks Lindy and Corrine for making it out. I was nice looking into the audience to see familiar faces. The concert was based on literature. We played some Wind in the Willows, Romeo and Juliet, Man of La Mancha, and my favourite piece The Witch and The Saint. I can't seem to get a sample uploaded for you. I will post one as soon as I can



Wednesday, 26 October 2011

12:29 - 1 comment

Taylor's Big Step


Today is a big day for Taylor. Every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday I get together with a couple of my friends at the church. We let our kids run around the gym while we exercise. The church was occupied this morning for the 5th ward Halloween Carnival. So we decided to let the kids ride their bikes in the Church parking lot. I was watching Taylor ride her bike, when I noticed Taylor leaning to one side of her training wheel, and then to the other side to her other training wheel. The first thought I had was she can control where she goes, she doesn’t need training wheels. Then the thought came to me, I had better get these off before she become too dependent on them. Whatever the reason, I decided to go for it. We got the training wheels off, and at first she kept leaning to the left. She was getting frustrated, and I was getting frustrated. I knew she could do it, she just had to know that too. So I stopped, went to the front of the bike, and gave Taylor a big hug. I told her that I know she can go this. I knew she was scared of falling, and if she could only get past this fear. So we said a prayer. I asked Heavenly Father to bless Taylor to know she can do this, and that she can be brave. She got back on her bike, I held onto her jacket and off we went. Then I let go, and she was off, for about 10 seconds. When she realized what she was doing she stopped in a panic. But she had done it, and she knew it. After that she just kept going.
This also got me thinking about life. How often do we do something and stop suddenly because we are scared. How many times have we put the brakes on just as we got going? I know I have, and this experience has taught me to be brave, to do what I know to be right without fear. This experience also taught me to be patient and rely on pray when I am teaching my children.
She is really close to starting herself, but she is not quite there yet. She can ride her bike without training wheels, and that’s another big step for my growing little girl. Congrats Taylor, I am so proud of you.

Thursday, 13 October 2011

09:13 - 1 comment

Nine Years In Eternity

Nine years ago yesterday, Doug and I were married in the Cardston Temple. I can’t help but reflect on our time together, and our marriage. I can’t believe it’s been that long. Where did the time go? We sure have seen a lot over the years. We have seen happiness, and pain. She have struggled, and stood by each other.
One of our anniversary traditions is to look at our marriage. What are we doing right, and what can we work on. We make new promises to each other, or reconfirm old ones.
As I look back I can see why we still love each other so fiercely. We both still have strong testimonies of the Church. Because of that we are constantly striving to remain close to the spirit. Love is stronger when the spirit is there. We are completely devoted to each other, and are each other’s most important best friend.  There is no one I would confide in first. He is there for me to rant my troubles, and to share my excitements. We also have fun. We make time to have fun with each other. It isn’t just work, we are still dating. We are always trying new things together, and sharing our hobbies with each other. Yes that means that I have sat at the shooting range watching Doug shoot his bow, and he has watched me swim, and listened to me play.
We have survived many things, and are still ticking. We have survived cancer together. I don’t know how I could have survived having cancer without the love and support of Doug. I remember when I first got diagnosed, we were scared. But we made a decision to be happy, and to have fun. I was walking down the stairs one afternoon, when Doug jumped out from a corner, and screamed.  I jumped back and screamed as well, I was scared out my mind. Irritated I asked why he did that.  He said he was trying to scare the cancer out of me. I couldn’t help but laugh. I survived because of Doug, and the love we have together.
Here’s to us Doug, and for many, many, many more anniversaries to come.
Heather

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