On My Mind...

So many things on my mind lately, but this is sticking out tonight. Why blog???? I get caught up in the stress of it all. I haven't posted any real photo's in a long time, I really should do that. What did that person mean by that comment or post? And the list of all the other insecurities I have in the blogger realm. I have even thought about following suit with Kaili's latest news and stop blogging or invite only certain readers, but then I think about what my blog does for me. Truth be known, I sometimes don't even think about who is reading this thing, or of anybody does. I sometimes log in and just write. I love to journal and this is a way for me to "let it all out". I have been stung for my honesty and had some stuff that I have said on this blog come back to bite me in the tush. But I have also had this amazing emails and comments from people I don't even know in the real world saying that they love my honesty and can relate alot to what I have to say. That blows my mind, that a) someone actually reads my blog and b) they appreciate what I have to say. I feel like God create's purpose in everything and what if my purpose was tied up in this blog. What if I was to say something on it that would change, help, encourage, inspire, or whatever.... someone else. Isn't then it all worth it???? That is a question that has been going through my mind as of late.

The other thing plagueing my mind is how to respond to people saying "WHAT?!?!? You're moving???". Usually said in an obnoxious tone of voice as if accusing us for being irresponsible. Alot of these people we don't even talk to on a regular basis. And I get that it is shocking to many. After all, we just moved back. I usually say something untrue like, "What can I say we're crazy. Slow. Can't make up our mind." and then awkwardly laugh. But what I really want to say is that we are finally following our hearts rather than a buck, an opinion, or whatever else prompts us to make life decisions. I feel so good about this move and I am so excited to be returning to a place that has come to feel like home to me. We finally feel like we are on God's path and it feel fabulous. Again, I get that it appears that Dana and I are flaky or wish-washy. I get that some people would say that we haven't given it enough time. And I get that there are hurt feelings, but what I don't get is that when someone says to you that they are just following their hearts, doing what they feel is right for them. They can't explain it, but it just feels right. How can they argue with that???? Wouldn't you want to respond with love and compassion? Encouragement and support???? Don't they get that it is hard on us too, after all we are the ones living it????? Arggggg...... Sorry for the vent, but that is what I have been feeling lately. Raw and out there for the world to see.

I am excited about this decision and I feel like Dana and I walking towards something great. I feel like we are fulfilling a destiny. I don't know why I feel this way and way I didn't feel that way about Summerland. But all I can say is that it is what lies in my heart. We are certain. We are at peace and ever so faithful that God will lead us to where we are suppose to be.

The McCallum Bulletien

I only have a few pictures of Kynan as it seem like lately he doesn't like getting his picture taken. He is way too busy playing! Here he is waiting blow some bubbles.

Ava on the other hand has turned a new leaf and loves getting her picture taken. She usually asks to see it once we are done. She is growing so fast and I am sure before I know it she will be a little princess girl running after boys, giving her dad a heart attack.

The leading story for this bulletien is that we found an apartment! So our official move date is Sept 29th. We have poccession of our new little (and I mean little) abode as of Oct 1st, but we were thinking of detouring to Drumeller on the way there for Mr. K! Last time we stopped at the Calgary Zoo and he LOVED it. We are hoping to rent for a bit while we house hunt.

I am stressed, slightly- LOL, so I have been breaking out like crazy lately. And I mean zit factory over here. I am so frustrated because my brother's wedding is in a week and a half and I don't want to introduce myself as "Hi, am Pizzaface, Greg's sister". I also got a bad cold am in bed right now feeling achey and snotty. Is this painting a wonderful visual for you??? I'm sorry, I'll stop.

We just got back from the coast and had a wonderful visit with Mike, Suzanne and Jared. We also got to have dinner and a swim at Aunty Dorthea's place. And squeezed in a quick, but pleasant visit with Aunty Dot and John. It was really nice to escape for the weekend. Played some wii with Jared. I kicked his butt at bowling, but then he punched me out at boxing. I say we were even. Had super yummy angel food cake for his birthday and the kids got to go to Castle Fun Park for a bunch of games. We had a wonderful visit with great talks and loads of laughs.

That's it really in the news department. As the next two weeks unravel with all the wedding stuff, I am sure I will be pretty busy.

Oh, yeah! On the 28th, we all said so long to a long time blogger buddy, Kaili. She will be missed and her words will echo in our hearts forever. I'll still see her and talk to her often, but I loved reading her blog and she was the reason I started blogging so there you go.

A Miracle

I posted a while back about the power of prayer, and last night we got some amazing news about my brother, his wife, and their coming babies. We were told that one of the babies had two heart defects, a hole in the heart and a missing artery. The hole in the heart is fairly common, and has a much larger survival rate. The missing artery was the real scary one, that would have required immediate surgery with a good survival rate, just not as good.

My brother and his wife are down on the coast now, until the babies are born. This week they have tons of appointments. Yesterday, they had another ultrasound to check up on the little ones. And they discovered the missing artery!!!! I know that may sound weird, but I guess the last ultrasound, they couldn't see it. But it's there, clear as day now.

So what this means is that the baby boy (one with the defect) can come home with his baby sister! The hole is still there, but won't need surgery until later. This chopped my brother's stay in Vancouver from six months or more to only three! We are so happy. And thrilled that both babies and mom should be fine.

I guess the power of prayer really works!! Side Note: This is a picture from their 3D ultrasound. Pretty incredible hey?

It's About the Journey

Well, after some praying and some serious consideration, Dana and I have decided to post something on my blog. I have been debating it because I am not so sure I am ready for the feedback that may (or may not) come, but Dana and I feel solid in this choice so we decided to share it.

For those of you who may be following our lives, we recently moved back from Sask to our hometown, to be closer to family, to build a house and for Dana to progress with his electrician ticket. When we made the decision to leave Regina, it was very difficult. Harder than any thing I have ever done. I can't explain why, it just didn't feel right. However, we missed our family and this amazing opportunity to build with my father-in-law. But ever since we have been back, we have felt a pain in the pit of our hearts. Whenever someone would talk about the prairies or Regina, or thought about our home there, or even listened to a song about home.... our hearts ached. For months now, we have been trying to ignore these feelings, thinking that we just need time to settle into our new lives here, but truth be known, our hearts are not in it. I have wrote about how we felt like we made a mistake when we moved from Regina. That our time was not quite done there. And now we are following our hearts back there. Yes, we are moving back to Regina.

This has been very hard on us and on our family. We wouldn't make this choice if we weren't 100% certain it was what was best for our family. We truly believe that we are stepping out on faith and truly trying to follow God's purpose for our lives. True we may take the long way to get there, but so often I have been told "It is not the destination, but the journey."

So there it is in a nutshell. Everything we have been dealing with the last two weeks and thus the reason for my sparse entries. We are hoping to be back in Prairie land by the end of September. We don't know where we are living, working, or when this will all go down. But I actually feel ok that we don't. I have faith that we are making the right decision and so then I have faith that the Lord will provide for us. I don't mean to sound "religious", but this is just what we are feeling.

The Power of Prayer

There is so much I can post right now. Our lives seem to be full of new news, but today I just want to talk about the power of prayer.

For those of you who don't know what is going on with my brother and his wife, they are expecting twins come December. This is very exciting and we are all excited to welcome them into our family. However, about a month ago they found out that one of the babies has a heart defect that requires immediate surgery upon delivery. Because of this, Shane and Margaret and my niece Lorelei are having to move to the coast as soon as next week. This is good. It is so that the doctor's can keep a closer eye on Margaret and on the babies. But along with this came so many uncertainties. Where would they live, how could they afford to run two households, and of course the health of the babies. Today some prayers were answered and they were accepted into an apartment complex that helps families in their situation. Also, they were contacted by a representative from a few service clubs who assured them they would have financial support. This is HUGE. Now my brother and his family can relax and just focus on the health of their babies, and while that is still unknown, they now have at least a home for the next few months. Please pray for my brother and his family as they are going through this difficult time. Pray for the health of the babies, and that a miracle happens.

In addition to all of this, we have some good friends in Regina whose daughter was just diagnosed with Leukemia. She is just 2 and a half. I don't know much, except that she started chemo and is responding well to it so far, but there is a long road a head. Her spinal fluid is clear, which is positive. So please pray for their family, and the little girl. Every little bit helps.

And as for us, Dana and I are making some more big changes in our lives and we could always use some prayers thrown our way. What we are going through is not as BIG as my brother and my friends, but it still will be a transition. We appreciate all the support and LOVE we have gotten so far and hope that the future will bring much more.

Prayer is amazing and I truly do believe in miracles. I believe that no matter what, we always have faith.

Lily of the Valley

Can I just take a moment to talk about this amazing little flower that is growing up right before my very eyes. This little girl who, with every passing day, seems to learn more, grow more and gain more. Here is Ava Lily at my cousins beautiful vineyard wedding. You would have thought she was the bride, the way she strutted around the yard in her little white dress. She is not only walking, but almost running. She idolizes her big brother, trying to mimic everything he does. Even it means scaling a wall, she will try it. He eyes are breathtaking. She looks so much like Dana, it takes my breathe away. She is the sweetest little girl, but with a big attitude. If she doesn't get her way, watch out. She gives dirty looks, and sticks out her big bottom lip. But 99% of the time she is smiling big and letting lots of giggles out. She is talking SO much. New words include please, thank you, luv ya, mommy, dada, papa, baba, grandma, more, all gone, tree, there, bird. And of course she will copy whatever word you say. She is always pointing at everything, as if to say, check out all these amazing things. The other day she was extra cuddly because she was teething and I just soaked in it. I was holding her, dancing with her, loving on her. This amazing little girl is truly amazing and my heart booms with love for her. We are so blessed by her and oh my how she enriches our lives.

Lately, I have felt so tense. I never seem to be relaxing or even breathe. I have been running from one thing to the next. Yesterday, I took one of my 'healing cards' (cards with little sayings of focus for the day). I like them because it gives me something to focus on. I pull one out, read it aloud, think about it, pray about it, and then start my day. Anyways, yesterday mine was "Time". It read basically to let time go and stop scheduling. Just enjoy moments, enjoy people, enjoy the time we have given to us.

I tried, really, but it is very hard especially running after Ava. She has entered the stage where she is mobile and ready to discover. She is determined to get into everything, which is wonderfully challenging (oxymoron, eh?). I love her will to discover. She is learning so much everyday, it's amazing. Did you know this kid says please and thank you??? Her other new words are puppy, papa, luv you, mommy, k (for Kynan), tree. She points at everything and loves chasing after her brother. Sorry, getting off topic...

I did try, but everything seems to be pulling me here, there and everywhere. I don't even get to all the places I need to go. I am emotional. Being excited one minute and almost in tears the next. Yesterday, we went to Kelowna to get my phone fixed (yay) and look at some appliances for the house. The kids didn't stop screaming in Sears and looked at Dana, all weary, and said "Let's go". I don't think the kids phased him too much, but everything seems to be overwhelming me lately.

That's pretty much it. We are done house sitting tomorrow so hopefully you will see some pictures up soon. Dana and I are going to our lot tonight to officially toast our new property and pray over it. Check out A Modern Life for our building updates.

Happy Long Weekend