Then There Were 4

On Saturday we went to visit our good friends as they just welcomed their second and probably last baby, into the world. I have to admit that it was a little different seeing the 4 of them on the couch and again I am reminded of the miracle of life and of.... family. Jo is so beautiful and tiny... just a perfect bundle of joy and Abby is the perfect big sister. Just like Kynan at times and a little too affectionate, but if that is the only worry who is complaining. Jen looks incredible. One of those moms who looks like she didn't even give birth. She is radiating with happiness. Speaking of radiating, Jordan is too. He is definately a proud daddy. The Clan is overjoyed for our friends and wish them lots of snuggles over the coming weeks.

Living Away From Your 'Comfort Zone'

Someone asked me to do a post on living outside my 'comfort zone', so I thought I would share some of my feelings I have had since we have moved to the prairies.

The very first emotion I had was dread, nervousness and sadness. When Dana and I were talking about moving, I put a smile on my face and told him I would support whatever decision he made. Secretly thinking that he would come back from la-la land and we would start looking in Summerland. But that never happened and I will be honest, his excitement, enthusiasm and positivity rubbed off on me.

So then came the excitement, after we bought our house I was so excited to get here and start the new chapter in our lives. I knew I was leaving some wonderful things (family, friends, community), but I anticipated what awaited us on our new journey.

Soon after arriving, I felt lonely. All of these cool and exciting new things happening to us and no one around, really, to share them with. *Side bar: Jen and Jordan have been great in welcoming us here and have really helped me ease into this change** But none the less I still felt lonely for my family, the people who know me the best.

As we started changing our house to what we envisioned, I began to feel excitement again. I love doing projects with Dana and we really do make a good team. Team McCallum bands together to conquer... dreams.

Miller came, more excitement. The familarity and comfort of a true blue friend was sooooo incredibly nice to have here for almost a week.

Miller leaving, sadness. Sadness for many reasons. The realisation that we are not on vacation and will not be returning to the beautiful paradise we once called home. Instead we are here, in a different kind of beauty, that will become our home.

Bought laminate, again excited about making our house a home.

Threw out my neck..... extreme pain and missing my mom immensley as her and my dad would totally take care of me and the kids. Watching Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and eating yummy long johns.

Which brings me to now, and my overall feelings on the subject. There are extremely hard days and moments I miss my whole family I want to cry, market tuesdays with my mom, my dads delicious bbq, emo walks with Carleen, Kaili & Jaia, Beanery visits to see Uncle Rob, sharing in the joy of Sha and Phil's new home, girly lunches with Margaret and Trish, and random, but awesome visits with Shane and Greg. Not to mention all the Great Grandparents, and my Aunts and Uncles that all lived within 40 minutes of us. Even just writing about these found memories brings tears to my eyes. But those things, as precious as they are, will always be apart of me. And when we go to visit, we will cherish them even more.

Now we have a new adventure, a mystery waiting to be unfolded. I fall in love with our new city everyday. And as I sit here waiting for Abby and Jen to come over, I know the promise of new friendships is in store for us. And most importantly, we have each other. And Kynan, Ava, Dana and I have never spent as much 'quality' time together as we have the last few weeks. Lots of visits to the Y and the library. Family dinners around the table with loads of laughter and giggles from Ava. And knowing in 9 months I do not 'have' to return to work only to have someone else raise my children. I have found a new found joy in my kids and everyday they unfold a new blessing to cherish. There are hard days, but we have also had some pretty amazing days.

So in answer to living outside your 'comfort zone', as we grow and expand as individuals, so does our comfort zone. And we have to keep growing and experiencing, otherwise, what are we living for?

Love goes out to my family and many thanks to them and their support, because this move has not only been hard on Dana and I, but more so on them. We love you so much.

Don't Say GoodBye... Just Say So Long

Welcome to the prairies, Miller. We are so happy you came to visit. It was so nice to have someone here that we knew, that got our twisted jokes, that laughed with us... got scarred with us.... got emotional with us.... well maybe just me. I cannot tell you enough how fantastic it was to have you. Thanks Chels for giving the gift of time. You are the best.

This was on our way back from our lazy day in Regina Beach. It was soooo hot out and we didn't even bring our bathing suits, but we got some great pics.

Kynan was pertrified of being on top. He just sat there trying to balance himself and then when I went to go take the picture he started to scream. What can I say, we're great parents.

Miller being modelesc. Thanks for being my muse.

This is one of like 50 shots that Dana took of me while we were playing 'I'm too sexy'. He was pretending to be a photographer and I couldn't stop laughing.

The whole Fam Damly.... Kaili, that saying is addictive.

Peaceful Ava... for like 5 minutes.

Kynan trying to suck the jam through the package. No we weren't having toast. He is just a jam addict thanks to some Grandparents I know... just kidding.

Lovin on Miller.

Being Silly.



Ok I got Dance Revolutions for the xbox and tried it out on Sunday night. I think I lost 10 ibs trying to keep up with those stupid little arrows. This is my exercise plan for the winter. Wish me luck.

The boys... by a fountain. They make a great couple, don't you think?

Miller. We had so much fun with you, showing the city, talking, laughing, getting you scarred with our driving. You are the best and we look forward to May!

And to my readers. I try and post several pics so that family can keep up to date with us. Does anyone (aka my family) read my blog. Just curious....

She Laughs at Skyscrappers...

Jen and I went for a walk in Cathedral with the kids last week. She asked how I was adjusting the city and I told her that I am learning to love all the skyscrappers. She laughed and then asked... "sky-scrappers??" At that moment I felt like a country bumpkin. I know Regina is no Vancouver, but I do feel that it is larger than Kelowna... and there are definitely sky-scrappers.


Kynan lovin' on Ava.

The cutest Joe shoes. I love them. Every girl needs ruby slippers.

Discovering the city....

Two Lovers, Bath Time & the 'Eye'

Abby chasing Kynan down the slide.

Jen introduced us to this amazing park not too far from where we live. It overlooks a very adorable pond, there are tennis courts, a water park, and a bike trail that circles the entire city. The part I love the best is that the ground is a soft rubber. No gravel or sand to get caught in shoes or push strollers through, just this awesome rubber that softens your falls and hugs your feet as you walk on it. AND the play structure is very kid friendly with almost everything on it accessible for Kynan. Thanks Jen for showing us this hidden playground haven.

Abby being just so adorable.

On his tummy... a new discovery.

Peek-a-Boo, I see you!

I love this picture... Kynan looks like a monkey and Abby is lovingly gazing at him.

Ava loves her bath. She could be down right grumpy, but if you strip her down and plunk her in the bath or any type of water, she calms right down. Yesterday was a great example. No matter what I did, I could not sooth her so we jumped in the tub. She lights me up.

The only time she will go on her tummy, when it's on mommy.

Ava's giggle are priceless.

Kynan's funny face. I think he is trying to pull a Grandpa Hoblak trick. Too funny.

Me today. Yesterday, I woke up with a sore eye, but continued my day as if it would go away. By last night my whole eye was so puffy I could barely see through it. Dana insisted I go see a doctor, so I went first thing this morning to see an optometrist and my suspicions were confirmed... I have a sty. I hate that word. It sounds so unhygienic. It kills, but the doctor says heat compress and washing it out 3 times a day will make it go away in 3-4 weeks!!!! WHAT!!! I have to love with this ugly, painful, disgusting STY for 4 weeks?!?!?! So today I have been compressing the hell out of it and it actually seems to be going down quite a bit. With my luck, I'll get rid of it in a week. Here's to hoping. Like my very sexy, model quality pic? I know... I'm sexy.