It's official

Finally...but totally in God's timing. Mike has officially been confirmed with the RCMP. He leaves on July 16th for training in Saskatchewan. It has been a huge roller coaster ride for us. With the baby and the possibility of him going before then....now it has finally been settled. With Alethea here and now having a couple more weeks with him- it's perfect. Thank you for all your prayers. Please keep us in them still. We need to find a suitable place in Regina for us to stay when we come out in August. We are still praying in faith that God will provide an already furnished place whether that be through a connection or something else. Thanks again.

...Sheena

Alethea

Alethea Jane Sarah

June 24, 2006

6lbs. 11 oz.

By now everyone knows that Mike and I are all about the meaning of names. Alethea is the greek word for "truth". My name is gaelic for Jane, which means "God is gracious". Sarah of course is for my best friend and twin sister.

Yet another good delivery. Mind you she could have come before bedtime. God is so good. Our prayers were answered- Alethea breast fed right away with no problems, I had a great delivery, and she was a healthy baby girl. Here's a picture of her cuddling with me right after her being born. She calmed down right away when I started talking to her.


My boys holding Alethea. Hosea is such a good big brother. He is very gentle with her and loves giving her kisses and talking to her. Isaac thinks she's funny. He laughs when we try to teach him to be gentle. I think he thinks it's a game.

Mike was great. It takes forever for me to get to the end in labour, but when it does come, he is right there for me. I don't know what I would do without him there. I thank God that he wasn't sent before then. The minute Alethea heard his voice, I could tell she recognized it. She just stares at him and he can calm her right down. She is totally going to be "daddy's girl"...

...Sheena

Update

As of May 16, the background investigation was completed and sent to "Sherieena", Mike's contact who is in charge of his file. Funny how are names are so close. The man who had done the investigation part had left us a nice message letting us know he had completed it, that it was very positive, and wished him well. We now await a phone call letting us know that everything is all clear (medical results, CSIS/interpol) and what day he will be gone. Sherieena said that she would have his file wrapped up by the end of May and would call him then. It's crazy how so many things are up in the air just because of this call as to when he would leave... birthday plans, baby, work schedule, etc...Just pray that we don't have to wait too long and can have a few weeks notice.

Just last weekend I had a baby shower put on by my sister, Sarah. It was such a nice day out and I received some really great baby girl stuff. It is so nice to have family and friends who are so giving and thoughtful...I appreciated the whole thing so much, especially Sarah, who planned the shower. She even thought to do it before the baby is born because of how busy things will be in a couple of months (health, healing, and packing). Only 4 weeks left till the due date and boy do I ever feel it. I am up in the night at least 3 times and can't seem to find one comfortable position. So I toss and turn literally all throughout the night. Mike prayed over my sleep tonight-so miricle, come my way!

...Sheena

P.S.
I had to put this picture in here. The other week Mike and I found Isaac sleeping like this and thought he looked so cute and precious.

Isaac & Nana's Birthday

Here's Ikie with his nana- their birthdays only 8 days apart. Sorry Mom, I couldn't hold off any longer than 5 days! On April 15, Isaac turned "1". Time goes by so quick. We celebrated their birthdays together on my mom's birthday, April 23. We had a barbeque and some delicious "Death by Chocolate" cake from Crumbs Bakery. Mom got a pair of tickets to see "Il Divo" in concert in July from Dad. That sounds like it will be so much fun...enjoy Mom.

I baked Isaac his own little birthday cake for him. It was such a fun & beautiful day- one that both of them deserve to the fullest.

Isaac enjoying his yummy birthday cake.

Here's Uncle Derek and Auntie Sarah with Isaac on the deck. All the kids were outside in the backyard playing & having fun in the nice weather. I love when the sun is out. It is my favourite time of the year. Something kinda funny happened just after that picture was taken. We were just about to open presents so I went to take Isaac from Sarah. When I did, he looked back at Sarah and squirmed in my arms towards her. He actually wanted to be with her!! He's done that a couple of times before and I'm not sure why...he may think she is me or it could be that he just likes being held by her. I was totally not upset by it, but it sure puzzels me.

Just an update on Mike's progress with the RCMP...

On a Saturday morning (Isaac's birthday), Mike gets a call informing him that his background check is starting and that he passed the polygraph. They have told him he could be sent to training the beginning of June. Mike has talked to them about holding it off till the baby is born, which they understand and will try their best to do. We are praying that he will be sent the last week of June at the earliest. Please pray for us. Thanks.

...Sheena

Spring Break Holiday

Wapato Point Resort
Lake Chelan
Washington


It was so beautiful there! Each morning I had the privilege of having this breath taking view. We went along with all of Mike's family for a week long spring break holiday. All made possible by the generosity and giving hearts of Dan & Jeanette. They booked every family with a suite of their own. Each consisting of 2 bedrooms, 2 full bathrooms, a kitchen with everything (dishwasher, microwave, fridge/freezer, coffee maker), dining room/living room with a fireplace & TV/VCR/DVD, and a patio with a barbecue and patio set. I loved our place... it was so much fun.

Mike and the boys walking down to the beach and park area from our place at the top of the hill- about a couple minute walk. Whenever the stroller was out, big brother, Hosea, enjoyed pushing Isaac.


Hosea's favourite thing to do at the park was to climb up the big slide and go down it over and over again.


Isaac enjoying the baby swing at the park.








The view from our unit... We had a nice big field in front of our patio. We, along with Mike's parents were at the top set of units. The next "level" of units down was where Dan & Jeanette and Ron & Jodi were. We could see down to their units from our place. Mel & Duane were just down the road to the left of them. The view from their patiois all lake and mountains!

A dinner night held at our place.


Ron showing off his biceps. All the guys that night were competing to see who could do the most push ups. It was one active night. Dan won by the way. I have to write this for Mike's sake, seeing that he is my husband and all- just for the record, Dan won by only 1 push up to Mike's total. It was quite the competition- it usually is with those boys.

There was lots to do. Tennis, swimming, shuffle board, tether ball, the park... and much more. One day (the rainy one) we all went bowling. It was Hosea's first time and he looked so cute in his little bowling shoes. The highlight of my week though was SLEEP! I got to have a much needed rest mostly every day for an hour or two. All in all it was a great holiday and we couldn't have asked for a better time.

Thank you Dan & Jeannette.

...Sheena

The Ultrasound and a Phone Call

Our ultrasound day was almost not an ultrasound day... Of all days, we were running late! We called just to let them know that we would be about 10 minutes late, not thinking there would be a problem. The lady said that if we were 15 minutes late, the apt. would be cancelled and rescheduled!!! Boy was I ever panicking. I was not going to go through this bladder thing all over again- thoughts of peeing my pants were going through my head. We got there 8 minutes late. Thank the Lord! Poor Mike... the minute the car stopped, I got out and told him I'm not waiting for him to pay for parking and rushed into the office. I told the lady that my bladder was too full. She, thankfully, let me release a cup full. It made all the difference in the world! If that stage of where my bladder was at is what was deemed okay, then why would they tell you to drink so much??? I had the same problem with Isaac and took a cup less this time! Next time I'll take only 2 cups. Okay, okay... I leave the best for last. We are having a girl! Mike and I are excited and looking forward to a new experience and to her little life. I have to admit, I secretly bought a little outfit a couple months ago...

Another thing is Mike got a phone call from the RCMP and his interview is this Friday! Please pray for him.

...Sheena

It's been so long

The view from our backyard, but sadly not for much longer...

It has been so long, I don't know where to begin. Life has been a bit busy the last couple of months. I'll start with my sister...

Sarah had a baby girl!
January 19, 2006 Syndey Nicole Julie Taylor- exactly 8lbs, beautiful as ever! For the last week I've been meaning to do a blog on her, but I haven't been able to post a picture from one my parents sent me through email. How silly of me to forget to take a picture with my own camera! I will, however, post one up the next time I get one. The whole family is doing well. I had the privilege of being in the room when she was born. It was quite emotional and special for me to be there with my twin sister as she gave birth to her 3rd baby. She did amazing as usual. She is one of the rare women who handles labour pains and delivery extremely well. You wouldn't even be able to tell that she was fully dilated and ready to push.

Mike's birthday was on the 1st of February. I'm going to take him out probably next week for his present from me. The last couple of weeks Hosea and now Isaac has had some sort of virus that is affecting their bowels. So we've been dealing with that and still Isaac has it a week later.

My Grandma has also been having mini strokes and she is in the hospital right now. Things seem to be looking up. She is able to talk to a certain extent and she can move her hands, but she still hasn't been able to hold herself up yet. Until she can be more consistent with movement, eating, talking and standing up, she will stay in the hospital. I just pray that she can regain everything back, but the doctors want to prepare us for the idea that her time could come soon. It would be sad to not have her here, but it would also be wonderful to know she is with God and her husband (that became a believer on his deathbed).

Mike has been informed when talking with the recruiting office that he should get a call hopefully before the end of February. They had already looked at his package and accepted it about a month ago and said it might take up to 4 weeks more for the other booklet. At least we know a time frame of when his interview might be. Even if things don't pan out with the RCMP, we still only have till November or December at the latest to move somewhere bigger. If it does work out, the children, Jill and I will go out to Regina to be close by Mike for that time. So either way, we will be savouring every moment in this beautiful place we've called home since being married.

Tomorrow I go for my 3D ultrasound where we will find out what the baby will be. A girl or a boy? If anyone reads this before I write about it next, leave me a comment on what your guess is.

...Sheena