Tuesday, 16 October 2012

07:44 - 1 comment

10 Years In: The Best Is Yet To Come

Friday October 12,2012 Doug and I celebrated our 10th wedding anniversary. We both wanted to make it big, but with a lot of craziness going on little planning was available to us. So we decided to get a group and go paintballing, and then have a potluck at our house after. Doug got home from work that night around 6, so when I got home from the temple he was there. And on our bed was a ring box. So after we put our kids to bed we exchanged gifts. I got him a new Joseph Smith Eternity ring (that was his original wedding ring) and a painting of the Saviour at a well teaching a woman who I believe to be Mary. The painting was from Simon Dewey. Then I opened the ring box, and saw a key ring. Now there is a story behind this.

When Doug and I got engaged, he didn't have a ring yet. We had fun looking at rings, but he would not let me be with him when he got it. I picked out my favorite 3 and left it at that. So one night while we were talking on the phone he told me he got my ring. I was so excited that I told everyone at work the next day. He felt so bad that he had to tell me the truth. He didn't buy the ring, he was playing a prank on me, an had found a ring box while moving a friend and decided to put a key ring in the box, and give it to me. I was so embarrassed that he didn't get me the ring yet (and that I had told everyone at work) I began to cry. He felt so bad he went out that afternoon and spend his food money for the month and got me my ring. Needless to say I took him out to dinner numerous times that month. So when I saw the key ring I began to laugh remembering that story. So I asked him where my real ring was, and he told me it was hidden. So I started looking around the house. He told me it was near something aluminum and pointy (apparently the 10th is the aluminum anniversary). On my keys I found a pointy aluminum self defense tool, with my ring next to it. It's a very beautiful, and elegant ring and I love it. It is so nice having a wedding ring again (the originals disappeared a couple of years ago, possibly because of Daniel). After that we had a toast, watched a movie and went to bed to get ready for paintball.

So on Saturday October 13,2012 we had our party. What a day. The weather was great, the people who came had a blast. We got back to our house around 4:00pm and got ready for the potluck. We had a great turn out. Most of the people who I wanted there was. There were some who couldn't make it due to illness, and others were out of town (we missed you Lamb's, and McKay's). And my siblings, and their families couldn't make it, but it was still a great time. There was great food, and good company (and about 17 children). It was great. I brought out the cake topper for our original wedding cake, and remember that wonderful day 10 years previous. Thanks to all my friends who were able to make it to celebrate with us.

My mother in law stated the neatest thing to us at the party. It only gets better from here. I believe that to be true. Doug and I have taken the last 10 years to build our foundation, and it is strong. Now we get the joy of building the rest, and I truly believe that if we work even harder the best is yet to come. Here's to you Doug. I love you very much

Thursday, 20 September 2012

14:07 - No comments

Taylor's Sister

Taylor recently had a birthday, and she had a wonderful party. We got her an easy bake oven, because she had been really wanting to learn to bake. I thought she would love to have some of her own tools. She has been loving it. She had already made cookies, cake, pretzels with cheese sauce. She has been asking me almost every day the last couple of months (pretty much as soon as her cousin Tina went back home) when she was going to have a sister. All the kids know that I cant have any more, but the concept of adoption taking time seems to be over their heads, and we haven't even started yet. So one afternoon she came up to me with one of her ratty almost broken dolls (that I was about to get rid of) and said that this was her sister. Umm okay, what do I do with that. So I played along, and she really seemed to enjoy it. After we were done playing I asked her if she would like a doll, that was from the being always her sister. She said that would be great. So while I was walking down town yesterday I stopped into the Bargain Shop, and saw a cabbage patch doll. There was a blond one, and a brunette. I bought the brunette with Taylor's birthday money from her Oma, and Opa. She was with me, when I picked up Taylor from school. Taylor looked at the doll, and adopted her right away. Taylor loved that she came with a name, and adoption papers. Her name is Gia. I told Taylor that Gia is very special, and will never get bigger. So she needs special care from her sister. When we got home, she got a wooden doll bed out of the storage, and set up a bed for her in room. She even asked Donald to take care of her, when I took her to dance that night. We got back home, and Donald was on the couch holding Gia in his arms. I didn't think much of the game other then how happy Taylor was, but when I was at the bakery my friend Tess mentioned something she read in the ensign about a mothers heart. Taylor has it. My motivation was not to give Taylor a mothers heart. I wanted Taylor to have a little sister to love. It seems that something so simple could make lasting impressions on my little girl. My hope now is when she looks back to her childhood, she will remember loving parents, and grandparents who loved her so much they would play with a doll with her, and let her call it her sister. I see this little doll giving my daughter an opportunity to develop her mothers heart, and then passing it down to her own daughters.


I love you Taylor, and I hope you had a wonderful birthday.

Thursday, 6 September 2012

08:40 - No comments

Campbell's and Public School

This has been a very busy week. School has started, and I have 2 children in Public school now. For those who know me, I am a big supporter of home school. For the past few years I have fasted, prayed, contemplated, and even made a long pro con list. And it came down to Public School. So how do I accomplish my family goals, when my children are gone during the day. And I found my answer. GET INVOLVED!! My children are most precious. So I get involved. Last year was easy because I already was friends with Donald's teacher. We were comfortable discussing, and working out what Donald needed together. The challenge I face this year, is I don't know Donald's teacher. So I am going to have to swallow my fear, and get involved. I hoping to go on a field trip with Donald's class next week, and I volunteered as a parent helper. I also joined the parent council. I plan on knowing the teachers and them knowing me. This way I will know what's going on in the school, because I am there. I am still a huge fan of home school, but with children in public school. It's going to be a good year. I am going to make sure of it. Here are some pictures from the first day of school. Daniel wanted to go to school too, so I packed a backpack for him.

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.

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