Well, our celebration of the magnificent Mikayla has begun. It will be a few days of adventure as the Ontario’ins arrive this Friday!
It began with yummi oatmeal with exactly 1 teaspoon of sugar for Mika. Then onto her gift of a mini trampoline! What fun! The girls were both bouncing away all morning. We then hopped over to the Forks with the lovely Jaclyn and Kaitlin (who is in town for the week!). Much to my surprise, we ended up skating the whole morning! With a little peer pressure, they managed to convince me to rent skates as well. Mommy and Mika were both learning to skate today! This was pretty much Mika’s dream, to finally skate on the river! And so…dreams really do come true (especially with great aunties like she has).
The pictures tell it all. She was an amazing trooper. Perfect age to learn this wintery wonderland skill. Something her Klassen Mom and Aunties failed to learn. But since she is a winter baby, perhaps she is more inclined for this sport! She was super excited and loved wiping out, for fun!
Iona wasn’t as peachy keen. We were hard pressed to get her to crack a smile but overall a great time. Perfect weather for a 4 year old. I have decided this is definitely the best way! Have a birthday filled with family and adventure and then save the party for the weekend!
Only one glitch…
Mika says at the end of the day, “It’s okay to pretend it was my birthday today right?”
We say, “What do you mean?”
Mika says, “Well, we didn’t have cupcakes. So it wasn’t really my birthday yet!”
We’re countin’ down. It’s going to be a great week. Our dear friend Kaitlin, whom we lived with at Flatlanders for a year is coming in to Winnipeg for the week of Mika’s birthday! So we get to spend great times with her and then on Friday, Mom, Rose and Maelle are joining us! We’re planning a great big party here in our cosy home. Lots of food and creative explosions. I wish so much that I had more time to make more garlands, more dresses, more girly food and write more thoughts on how much I love this girl. All my journalling days are shortened to little tid bits here and there. If I could, I would record so much more. But then I wouldn’t actually be living it! And really, there isn’t much choice. God must have made it that way. Just live your life and one day there will be time to reflect, look back and relish the memories. Perhaps in heaven we will get to look back at our life through new lenses. For now, it’s really good. These girls are just becoming more and more who they are. Their hearts are growing closer together and they are learning to love each other. We all are…
Well, I never thought it would actually happen to me but I have made a huge discovery that has started to change my life. The food I have been eating all my life has actually caused me great grief. I found a book this new year that really started my thoughts to turn. It is called, “Wheat Belly”. It’s an extreme look at the impact our modern day, genetically modified wheat and how much it is contributing to our western rising obesity and diabetic epidemic. Actually, it is not limited to N. America. China and Europe, both typically “healthy” nations are really suffering with the same things. Highly processed foods are becoming the norm in our diet rather than whole, plant-based foods.
I have never been on a diet in my life (33 years). Which is quite remarkable since I have always struggled with my self-image. I guess it was never modelled for me and I guess I really tried hard to find peace with who I was. But after 7 years of chronic pain in all my joints, something actually clicked. Maybe my diet is contributing to this?
A few people had some big impact on me regarding lessening processed sugars and now I’m doing an 8-week challenge with my Mom and sisters! What a journey.
The effects on my kids have been quite dramatic as well. Taking sugar out of our diets has made our home a much calmer, happier place. Way less drama and tantrums! Way less crashes for mom and anxiety feelings during a sugar high. It’s crazy what this stuff does to our system!
Now, I tend to have a problem with things I learn. I want to impose them on everyone and everything! I tend to think this is the b-all, end-all to every problem ever found which is totally not the truth. Nathan is my ever reminder of this. He is not as gung-ho but is willing to go on the journey with me and see how it changes me and the rest of us. He has little to no struggle with his health. He is only 25! But still, I envy him and others who gain no weight and basically stay even-keel in all situations. How is that possible?!
So, the creativity has just begun in the kitchen. We have discovered muffin-bread (Spelt bread that is crumbly). We have discovered salad-pops! I decided to blend leftover carrot and apple coleslaw, add a bit of yogurt and freeze. The girls loved it! Can you imagine? We will have successes and flops. I am so thankful that I am not alone on this journey and that there are so many options out there for us. I have not embarked on the “local/in-season” part of this journey yet. Grace!
Liam and Mika in from minus 30! “Can we have hot chocolate pleeease!”
I love this shot
Pink walls and lace garland from Auntie Rose
Girls’ room…brightest room in the house!
I made a stew with a few special ingredients. Wine and bacon! Who knew?
Eating Avocado Pudding! Mika said, “I don’t like avocado” but she loved the pudding!
A lot has happened since last post. Christmas has come and gone. Epp family of 28 with two gatherings in a row was amazing. Flight to Ontario on my own with the girls was a “right of passage” in many ways! I can entertain a 1.5 year old on my lap for 2.5 hrs without any tears!
Two weeks in beautiful, mild St. Catharines with wonderful family surrounding us was full of warmth and sadness to say goodbye (pics to come soon). Coming home was, as always, a mix of emotions. Both excited for more adventures in our new home, building relationships with folks we love but also leaving such amazing relationships at home. How do we live two lives?
First week home was difficult. Huge drops in temperature set my emotions to plunder, never mind the normal female hormone changes.…It’s never easy coming home. But this time we got to see Nathan’s amazing work. The big gaps in the walls and ceiling are now drywalled, and our bedroom floor is painted and fresh. What a difference!
Our dear niece, Cherish came for a day-and-a-night while her parents were out of town for a while. The girls were IN LOVE with her and she was the celebrity in our home with so much fun to be had!
This week is feeling much better. Reconnecting with friends and simply getting better sleep for all (I can’t imagine the time change for you Kathy). We are still finding it really difficult to get outside in frigid minus 30 weather. But somehow, people here in Winnipeg do it. My husband for instance, trecks out at 8 in the morning and walks up the Disraeli bridge to catch his bus and does not mind it. He is totally fine wearing 3 layers and fighting the winds of Winterpeg. Where am I?!
With health food on my mind, we are entering a new era for the Epps of less carbs, less sugar and hopefully more exercise. This started before the new year and so, is not driven by hyped-up resolutions. I desperately look forward to a new way of life that lessens the joint pain throughout my body and gives me more energy and less weight! 8-week challenge here we come!
A few traditions are ensuing in our home. Some of which were our idea. Some just happened. Others didn’t happen…which is just fine.
Cutting our own tree (with family)
Going for a drive and looking at crazy houses decked out with lights (one was even synched to music)
Doing the Mary and Joseph Christmas play with cousins (I am currently rummaging together costumes for this)
Making Christmas decorations and cards
Inviting friends over throughout the month of December, some of which we are still getting to know!
Drinking nice (alcoholic) beverages
Telling and retelling the birth-story of Jesus and then continuing the story of Jesus growing up throughout the year (this is my hope)
Going tobogganing and skating (if there was ice)
Baking (this did not happen much this year)
And of course, spending time with our family here and in Ontario! (only 5 more days)
A few more that haven’t happened as of yet, but I am hoping still happen… singing carols, sitting by a warm fire and reading books, doing a puzzle, eating new years cookies!
Hi Everyone! This is my new blog! I am definitely following the crowd on this one. But, alas, my husband designs webpages in wordpress so, I have an advantage for learning new software. He is my teacher.
This weekend was a definite highlight in the season so far. We started it off with a few drinks with a good friend after a long week. The next day was a bit difficult as Nate worked at the church doing sound for the whole afternoon. But the girls and I discovered a really amazing Nativity Performance at the Forks (free) with live animals and warm fires to stand by. It was such a treat. I explained to Mika that the baby Jesus was pretend and that these people were actors, a difficult concept for young ones!
I really feel like we are getting off to a great start on the true meaning of Christmas. After watching the video Sue posted from the New Zealand kids production of the Nativity, I was really struck with the beauty of the birth story. The absolute craziness of it all. No room in the inn? How can it be that our King was born homeless?
We have our kids nativity set up and both girls are really getting into the role playing action. So much so, that Mika’s little baby is now named Jesus. You have never experienced such cuteness!
Today, the best of all, was our adventure to the tree farm! We actually found one, thanks to Marlese and Mom. And so, along with Mom, we drove an hour to find what we could find. We couldn’t have asked for better weather. Slow falling large flakes lightly descending the whole day! Overcast and cozy. Kids in sleds and warm woollens on, we headed out to find the perfect tree. Well, at least we looked through what was left. Apparently the selection was less than abundant after the first advent. Tree found, 8ft tall and big and round. It almost looks like a big square. Most comical! Then into the barn to warm up by the fire with hot chocolate. Am I making the experience sound good yet? Yes, it was. Hot dogs, tractor rides, santa handing out PINK candycanes… the works. It was just what the doctor ordered. My goodness. Winter is fun in Winnipeg. So many things to see and do, if you’re dressed for it.
The girls were overjoyed by it all. I think we have stumbled upon a new tradition. Funny how we didn’t find it until we moved into our own place. Why is that? Why do we feel more settled in a house? It must simply be the familiar…
Now that the craft sale is done we are adventuring into new crafting territory. Decorations for our giant tree and stockings of course for Santa to fill. I actually have discovered a “no issue” with St. Nick this year. He’s another character in the drama of Christmas. He’s a generous, fairy-like man. He’s an example to us of giving. Don’t we all need more demonstrations of this?
We just watched Finding Neverland (with Johnny Depp:). It was splendidly whimsical and magical. Another beautiful depiction of sorrow leading into pure, extravagant play. Learning to be like a child again. Learning to play without a care in the world. Oh how I need to learn this more each day. I struggle so often with letting go. Letting my children lead me. Letting myself enter into the moment. Even the flakes of snow falling this afternoon. I’m sure I didn’t just stand there and stick out my tongue like I would have as a kid. I desperately want my kids to really enter into their childhood. To experience the magic fully. I feel like I did as a kid, but I grew up much too fast. Loosing Jesse and all…
The beautiful thing is we are given a lot of chances. Everyday! Clean slate. Fresh like snow…
Happy hunting!
p.s. I am loving Sufjan Stevens Christmas Album. Especially #9, Put the lights on the Tree
