3 Cheers for Ottawa

Birthdays

Nicolas Piping for my Dad

Nicholas and Mitchell

Nicholas and Matthew in their matching sweaters (Matthew picked it out for Nicholas' b-day)

Well, after my last post... I needed to make time to write something positive. Birthdays to me, are more important than any other holiday. More important than New Years for resolutions. A time to sit back and take into account where you've come from... where you are... and where you are going. A time of year to appreciate life, especially when they are my children's.

Last Wednesday, Nicholas celebrated his 11th birthday (as noted in an earlier post on Facebook). Each day I am reminded how lucky I am to have such wonderful, stable, loving children, but each year on their birthday I make it a point to reflect on how much they bring to my life.

Nicholas, my little piper, determined against all odds to play the bagpipes started almost 3 years ago on his chanter. His first public performance was to play Amazing Grace at my Nana's funeral. I have never been so proud of him as I was that day. To stand up in front of a room full on strangers, and heartbroken family, and play his heart out in honour of my Nana (and Papa that had gone on before her) My Papa never got to hear Nicholas play, but being the stubborn Scot that he was... I'm sure if possible... he's moved hell and high water just to be present enough to be a part of Nicholas' piping. Actually in honour of this family legacy, my Aunt Diane bought Nicholas' first set of pipes, so that he could fulfill his dream.

We had dinner at my dad's Saturday night and I honestly didn't realize that my dad hadn't heard Nick on the actual pipes before. Nick got them out and started playing... and I mentioned that he wanted to go play at the graveside, and Nicholas started playing Amazing Grace on the pipes for my dad. Well it was a little to overwhelming and my dad started to cry...

Nicholas, with the sense of humour too much like my own, my cool kid... who is everyone's friend... who is confident... yet so compassionate and loving. The world is a better place because he is in it!



(Oh... and Caileigh and Joel...don't worry, you will get your Birthday Blog too ;) )

And it's March...

I have to say... that I had the worst night last night... I know I shouldn't be shocked, I of all people know that bad things can happen to children. 13 is still a child right? I think so, Joel is 14, and as much as he is maturing, he is still my child.

There was a 13 year old child that came into emerg to confirm a pregnancy. 13! THIRTEEN! I know it happens, I know that, but my heart is broken for that girl... and for her mom. I was way too young at 19... even though I was finished high school... this child hasn't even begun.

One of her friends parents brought her in, and they were trying to arrange to keep it from her parents... I don't know what is happening, what will happen, but I am sick, SICK about it...

Every emotion, every fear, every devastating reality hit tonight, and all I can do is pray that my kids do not go through the same thing.

Wow... this is quite the downer post I'm sorry, and it has been so long since I've posted anything really, but I will try later to put some new pictures up, and catch up on everything since my return from PEI.

I guess all I can say is hug your kid today... they grow up too fast... apparently whether they are ready to or not...

Well... Home again...

Mei-Lin making faces

Mei-Lin and Babe (her Grandma)

It's been a heck of a weekend! Getting home was a challenge! About an hour before I was to leave for the airport, I received a call from my mom. There was a huge accident on the 401, and Dave couldn't come pick me up from the airport as planned. Here is a link to the news footage of that accident. To view photos, go to http://www.nesphotos.ca/1_mulit_vehicle.htm

http://www.nesphotos.ca/Newswatch_401Accident.WMV

It has snowed every day since I've been home! And everyone is sick! I should have stayed in PEI! haha

Rory and I... my last day... completely exhausted... and yes!!! NO MAKEUP

Effie (far right) at daycare with one of the Summerside Capitals

Oh well! It feels like a dream... time went too quickly. Now the countdown is on for summer!

Just sitting here studying for a test I have tomorrow, and thought I'd take a little break. Tomorrow is a busy day, class in Peterborough, then working nights in Emerg. Hopefully it's a quiet night!

First Visit With Mei-Lin!!!

I will write more later... but I wanted to get some video footage on here so that you can see/hear for yourself what a sweetheart Mei-Lin is!!!


Photo Sharing - Upload Video - Video Sharing - Share Photos


Photo Sharing - Upload Video - Video Sharing - Share Photos



Photo Sharing - Upload Video - Video Sharing - Share Photos

I'm Here!!!!

Flying over Ontario Power Generation - Pickering... Hi Dad!!!

Well I have to say... I love it here! I know it's been a while since I've posted, but it has been hard to find the time... Well I guess it is more appropriate to say the Internet Connection!

Currently I am picking up a wireless signal... from who knows where... but its working... so I'll try to get this done as quick as possible before I lose it.

On the way to the airport last Thursday, we passed my Mom on the highway... honked... waved... and hurried on our way... then about 5 mins later, THE CAR BROKE DOWN!!! Thank God Mom was behind us... because true to form, she swooped in and saved the day! I arrived in time to check in and get on board my flight to Charlottetown.

My cousin Tracey and her friend Crystal picked me up and took my to my Aunt Ethel's house! All I can say is... it's so good to be here!

Friday night, I went to Tracey's mom's (Babe) for a girls night with a few friends, and my cousin Natalie (aka: Babe's daughter, Tracey's sister, Mei-Lin's mommy... are you following??? I know it's hard... everyone is related here!!!) Tracey wasn't sure if she could make it, but when she did we decided to mark the occaision with a temporary tatoo... ala moi!

Saturday I spent the afternoon with Tracey and her children, Natalie came out and we all went out to a party at another cousins' home... (To make it easier... we are all 3rd cousins... Our grandmothers were sisters)

Natalie smiling after taking the secret footage... lol!!!!

Sunday... recoup and study. Then today, Tracey, Ethel and I went on a road trip to Tignish.

I am so exhausted! Tomorrow, I finally get to meet Mei-Lin! Short and sweet on the info... I'll add pictures to this post, and fill in more details... but for now I just thought I'd give a little update!

As much as I am having a fantastic time... I miss my dog!! (haha and my family too!!! Just teasing!!!) (but I do miss my dog too!!!) Love you guys!!!!

One week to go!!!

Well... One week and 18 hours from now I'll be in PEI. Trying to figure out how I am going to manage to write a test for my Anatomy class while down there... I'm hoping for an extension of 2 days... if not... I'll be taking it when I'm on holiday... How fun is that??? Oh well. It's all worth it in the end.

Looking forward to some homemade bread and molasses! Mmmmmmmmmmmmmm

We just had a blast of winter, a dumping of ice and snow, I'm just praying that it is fine the day I leave, and that I am not kept from going by old man winter!

I'm a little to tired to blog tonight... but thought I'd share my excitement...

WELCOME!!! To Annie's Little Filly

Don't have a lot of time to blog... just running out the door for work, but I thought I'd share with you all the beautiful new addition to the family!

Going to play on the island!!!

Caileigh and Effie at the Family Reunion

Joel walking the plank in Summerside

Nicholas milking the "Cows" Cow

Well there you have it! Tickets are booked! Jan 25th I will be in PEI! I can't stop smiling! As you can tell with the excessive exclamation marks I am very excited!!!!!!!!

I have to work every day before hand to get the time off, but I'll manage! Just to get there. Have you ever had a place... where you know you should be... that is home. Well PEI is that for me. Don't get me wrong... my home is in Ontario, with my immediate family, but if i could transplant them there... Until that day, I will have to make due with my yearly trips. But this year, I just couldn't wait that long. It's been a rough year. Too much going on, a lot of extenuating circumstances causing stress. It seems to have all come to a head and now it's time to start again. Back to school, back to the gym, time management, jobs, teaching, and most important my kids.

For most of my life I had my Nannie to talk to, to vent to, to just be there when I needed to her. She passed away in 1992, and I hadn't been back since until 2004. 12 years!!! Well since I've been back, I can't stay away. The reasons I stayed away before, are the reasons that keep pulling me back. Everywhere I looked before I could see my Nannie... hear her voice. Now, when I go, I have her sister, my Aunt Ethel, not to take my Nannie's place, but the connections the same. It's hard being so far away.

This summer was my best visit yet. My cousin Tracey and I reconnected after way too many years, and again... the connection is INSANE! ha ha ha I had been compiling information on our family tree... and My cousin Edwena took me all over showing me places that were important to all different members of our family. So much in fact that it was information overload... and I forget half of it! ha ha But I am looking forward to doing more research and providing my own children a sense of belonging... knowing where they came from!

Wow... what a babbling fool tonight! Feast or famine i guess! Minds just a racing, and I am typing as the thoughts fly.

Lets wait and see........

So... looks like i might be going it alone to PEI! My cousin can't make it... and I already took the time off work... and I really want to go... SO I'm going alone!



Should be a great time... I do have to take my school work with me... blah! But all in all, I can't wait! I get to see Mei Lin, and spend time with my Aunt, and cousins... especially Tracey! Look out PEI... here I come! You know it's going to be fun when she had to give hubby 3 weeks notice... haha... Lets just hope the ghost dog stays at bay this time!



School started for me the same day as the kids... Anatomy and Physiology, Biology, ASL, and my personal training... what was I thinking???? Oh well next year at this time I'll be nice and buff!

I should take some before and after photos... NOT!

Below is a picture taken at Cousins' Shore this past summer. It is my Auntie Ethel. Can't wait to see her!

Happy New Year!!

Well as you can see... I wasn't wrong in thinking I would be a horrible blogger! It has been exactly one month since I started. The new year is starting out great though! Wonderful family! Great friends! Nose Pierced!!! Oh yeah... OUCH! and finally back to school tomorrow for the kids and myself as well.

There is the potential of a road trip to PEI... my cousin Laurie and I might make the trip at the end of the month. Why PEI in January??? Well honestly... it doesn't matter the time of year, when you have the greatest family around! I can hardly wait, and even the possibility of the trip has made my week better!

Kids are away in Ottawa with Dave visiting his sister and family. Should be some fun stories when they get back. I'm off to work now, but I thought I should make the effort, seeing as it had been a whole month! The picture above is of my friend and coworker Allison, and me at our Christmas dinner. You won't see too many pictures of me... I am not photogenic, but this one is a fluke!

Here's a start...

Nicholas, Joel holding my nephew Matthew, and Caileigh on Auntie Ethel's porch in PEI

Well this is my first post... it will be short and sweet. It seems that I never have time (or make time) for the ones I love most, and miss most. With so many family members living so far away, it is hard to find the time to keep in contact individually. Some I see pop up on msn, and just seeing them online makes you smile, knowing that they are there.

I was inspired by my cousin, who faithfully blogged the adoption process of her beautiful daughter. Together as a family we checked religiously and shared the ups and downs, and shed tears of sadness and shared in the joy and excitement along with them even though we are miles away.

The kids wanted to share their daily lives with the rest of our family, in some small way keeping in touch, making the distance seem smaller between the friends and family we miss so much.

So... I will attempt to try...