November 2017, Part 1

We have had cold after cold pass through our house the past few weeks. I guess that's the hazard of having the kids back in public school. I think John's the only one who really hasn't been hit by it.

Brettley asked one day if I could make him play dough. I got more creative than usual and made him chocolate play dough. He loves it!

We got the kids' school photos back and they look awesome!




Our November 7 started and ended very sadly. In the morning, our former family pet (Rogue the hamster) passed away. Later that night, we were awoken by the kind of phone call that you never want to get. Our brother-in-law in Edmonton had been in a fatal car accident. He was up north by Grande Prairie for work and his vehicle hit a moose. We were in the same ward as them for over 11 years and it has been a heartbreaking couple of weeks. How blessed we have all been to have the knowledge that we are an eternal family. We have been asking our family and friends to please keep John's sister and six kids in their prayers at this time as they move forward from this. I shared some thoughts about Mike on Facebook that I'd like to put up here as well:

"I have had thoughts swim through my head over the past few days that I would really like to share about my brother-in-law. I first met Mike before John and I were even a couple. Mike had come to Grande Prairie to visit John for August long weekend. In the years after he always liked to tease me that he had known before John and I did that we would end up married.

Mike loved his family, his Heavenly Father and his Saviour above all else. He prioritized making memories with his wife and children. He was one of the most selfless people I've ever met. He was always willing to help anyone in need and served whole-heartedly and quietly in his callings. I remember seeing him carry a whole auxiliary on his shoulders without a single complaint. Mike was a shining example of self-reliance and humility.

Mike was and is family that I love and respect very much. He will be an asset to the spirit world in teaching souls there about the fullness of the gospel that he loved so dearly. I am so incredibly grateful at this time for the knowledge that the family is meant to be an eternal unit and to know that through temple marriages our family will remain family with Mike for eternity. We love Mike and pray for his work in the gospel to continue to be amazing on the other side of the veil."

So many things have been put in to perspective for us this month about what's truly important in life. The things I'm learning are:
1) Take more photos as a family and of our candid moments
2) Take videos of each other that include our voices
3) Focus more on making memories together as a family
4) Work on being more selfless and humble
5) Give your very best to each calling you hold
6) Love everyone in spite of and because of the differences between you
7) Learn to let the little things go
8) Keep in touch with friends and extended family better
Among others...

Belated Birthday Post aka Nikki Turned 33

So I feel like I'm not blogging often enough. This is the only journal I keep for myself and our family, unless you include things like Facebook and Instagram. I realized that I did fact about Caleb and Ty for their birthdays, but I didn't do facts for me about mine (probably because I was in a medication fog at the time). So I'm doing them now. My belated 33 facts about myself for my 33rd birthday.

1) Growing up, my favourite colour was blue. In the past 10 years it changed to purple, as that's the colour for pancreatic cancer awareness. Plus, purple is awesome!

2) My state of mind is almost always directly related to how clean or organized my house is.
3) When I was upset about something as a teenager I would deep clean and rearrange my room.
4) I don't really like chocolate, never really have. Most of it gives me toothaches.
5) I have a slight obsession with Dr Pepper. Okay, I'll own it, it's more like an addiction.
6) I have acquired a cat since moving to Magrath. It was sort of a family cat before that occasionally showed up here, but now (especially since it's snowy and cold) he's over here hanging out more often than not. His name is Webster and I love him.
7) I am severely terrified of mice. Like, whenever we've had mice in the past (thanks, town homes) I left home until it was 'safe' to come back. This might be one of the reasons I love having Webbie around so much.
8) I joined The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints when I was 19. I am deeply grateful for the perspective that being an adult convert gives me.

9) I am currently growing my hair out. It has been short for years, but it's too hard to maintain it as short as I like it and the wind down here demands the option of a ponytail.
10) I love sour or salty snacks. Miss Vickie's Sea Salt and Malt Vinegar chips are probably one of my favourite snacking foods of all time.
11) I reached a huge milestone this year. I have accepted and embraced my current weight and size. It has lifted a huge weight off of my shoulders and I wish I'd done it years ago. Nevertheless, I'm grateful to be at this point now.
12) I currently hold a position on my boys' school council.
13) This summer I went to my first concert ever with a good friend.

14) I have an incredibly diverse taste in music. My playlists include everything from classical to alternative, country to punk, gospel to metal, and several other genres.
15) I love baking, I just am not a fan of doing the dishes afterward.
16) I have made homemade perogies, pickled beets, nylysnyky, cabbage rolls, sausage and sauerkraut. I love my Ukrainian ancestry.
17) I find quads boring because I grew up driving a trike and I miss being able to steer that easily.
18) I have driven a combine and harvested canola before.
19) I have always be a pretty good shot with firearms. My uncle was so sad the day I declared I wouldn't hunt when I turned 12.

20) I am incredibly allergic to canola pollen. I have to take Benedryl every night and alternate between daytime allergy meds during the days to be able to function when it's in bloom.
21) I was a cheerleader in grade 12.
22) I don't eat anything that lived in water. Fish, shellfish, seaweed, any of it.
23) I am very sensitive to the smell of pineapple, particularly if it has been canned.
24) I started reading at the age of 4 and have loved reading ever since.
25) My favourite book, contrary to what most people think, is not a Harry Potter book. It's To Kill a Mockingbird.
26) My favourite movie is Lord of the Rings: Return of the King, Extended Edition.
27) I am not good at auditory learning. If I don't see it happen or read the words, I have a hard time retaining what was said to me. It cracks me up that I love music so much and am so good at understand the lyrics, because it totally goes against how this usually works for me.
28) My favourite food is bacon. I LOVE bacon!

29) I have 2 people from mine and John's first primary class that I still keep in touch with. They have become dear friends and like family to me. They are now 18 and have become amazing young adults.
30) I intentionally don't put my kids in activities outside of church ones because I hate the idea of being an over-scheduled family. Our lazy evenings and weekends are precious to me.
31) I love reading books that help me learn more about the gospel. This year I've really been enjoying the books written by James L. Ferrell.
32) I had a Cabbage Patch Doll while I was growing up. Her name was Winifred and I called her Winner. I saw a Cabbage Patch Doll identical to her on a TV show this past week and it made me super excited. I think John wasn't sure what to do with me.
33) I love playing Dungeons and Dragons. We had an amazing group we played with in Edmonton. We still play together online, but I sure miss gaming together in person and having yummy treats along with it.