Pre-school!!!

Next Monday my big boy starts pre-school! And the day after, it would be my little M's turn.

Seriously, where did time go?!

I am happy for them! Marc and I truly think that they are ready for it. If we didn't, they wouldn't be going.

Karate-do Shotokai!

Yann started his first class of kds karate yesterday. We were all quite excited! He did so great, it got me patting my own back for submitting his registration form in.  I ordered his uniform (gi) through his club, Taber Martial Arts Academy, and cannot wait to see him in.

I grew up in the world of boxing and kickboxing, etc (martial arts). I was in heaven yesterday watching my son and reviewing with him the things he learned. Marc wanted to go and be with the other kids. I cannot wait to register him for next year.

The kiddos are growing! I want them to do some extra curricular activities but just a couple of them each or even just one that they really like. I want it to be fun for them, not just enrolled them in sports because it looks cool. I am not willing to bully them into something they do not want to do. We asked Yann about karate and he said yes so karate he is doing. They both want to do soccer too, so I have to remember to register them next year, remember being the key word here since I forgot to do it last year.

It's so much fun to see your kids growing!

Did you make anything?

Here's that other question people have kept asking us since last month. Did you make money on the sale of our house? How much money have you lost? Etc, etc... Well here's my response to you: "NONE of your friggin business!!!" HAHA, just kidding! I thought it sounded fun to say it that way. But honestly, it's none of your business.

We didn't make the amount of money we thought we would when we first listed our house but we STILL made money. Recuperating every penny we invested in our home and more. We would be grinning when we see our bank account. The end for this post.

How we did it!

As I mentioned it previously in this post, we have often been asked how we were managing having to pay a mortgage and rent and all the bills related to our house on top of groceries, gas, car maintenance, etc....

When we first moved to Taber, we were fortunate enough not to have to pay rent in the farm house, just the utility bills attached to it with the water that was delivered in every couple months. For eight months we did this, and in July of last year, we decided to move to an apartment right in town where we only had to pay rent.

After Marc was offered the job in Taber, we reviewed our finances, crunched a few numbers before ever deciding whether or not we would accept it. We wanted to be sure that we had at least two years worth of saving that would help cover paying all the bills mentioned above in the event we didn't sell our house right away. And how happy we are to have done that. Marc and I budget everything! Every penny we spend is recorded manually in what we call our budget book (B.B) and we have done this for many years now. Don't get me wrong, I don't think we are the best at budgeting but the peace of mind it bring us is worth all the troubles.

A few years ago, we heard one of President Gordon B. Hinckley's talk about debts. He counselled members to live within their means, to be self reliant, to discipline themselves in their spending and purchases, to avoid debts and/or pay them off as quickly as they can if they have them.  We heard him loud and clear and have strived ever since to live that way. There would always be something that would require you to spend your hard earn money, right? Being wise with your finances is a great stress relief.

We live our lives quite modestly and love it that way. We tell ourselves, sometimes, it would be nice to have this or that but when we seriously ponder about it, we just smile knowing that this or that is not necessary to live a good life. We spoil ourselves with the things we need and not necessarily with the things we want. But we are happy and hope to continue to live happily that way. We do splurge here and there but never excessively. So here you go. That's how we did it! It wasn't without worries. Seeing our saving account deplete was not a fun thing to see but Heavenly Father carried us through it all, and continued to bless us.

Turning the page!

On June 28, 2007, Marc and I moved into our new house in LLoydminster! It was a happy day for us! We made so many memories in, worked so hard fixing it, had many fun times with family and friends, and brought our sons from the hospital to this home of ours.

After over a year and a half of trying to sell it, the house finally sold. It was a happy day for us as well!

We are finally closing this chapter of our lives. While we danced our happy dance after hearing the house sold, and jumped over the moon because of the excitement and relief we felt, we wouldn't do anything any different. This trial has confirmed to us that we are living the way we should be. I will explain this later in another post.

It was sad to see it all empty, with no trace of us having ever lived in. We slept in our house all the days we were there, and enjoyed our last breakfasts and lunch there before turning the keys in and saying goodbye to our beautiful home. We were happy to leave behind an empty canvas for this new family to paint memories in, that will last them a lifetime, like it did for us.

The Fyfes came to help us with a trailer to finalize the move. We were once again grateful for their friendship and their help with this. Our friends in Lloyd lent us their muscles to load the trailer, and their homes to seat, eat and relax. It felt great to know we had these great friends. We've missed each one of them so much.

It's my home away from home that we sold! It was my happy place, an anchor for me who came to live in this country. It wasn't just a shelter, it was a safe haven where I planted my roots as a permanent resident.

When we moved to Taber and having had to pay a mortgage and rent at the same time with all the bills related to our home, people would often ask us how we did it. And as soon as people heard that we we have sealed the deal, one question seemed to always come up. Did you make any money?
People are so curious to know things that do not concern them HAHA.

Back on track!

When my friends came, it was hard to keep a balance diet. I have lost twenty two pounds all together  before they arrived which, I was happy with but, with our busy schedule and the amount of time I indulged eating treats, I ended up gaining two pounds which, of course, I was disappointed about.

However, now that they are gone, I am able to be more diligent and eat better balanced meals. Just with tweaking/watch what I eat, I lost the two pounds I have gained and am starting my regular workout again.

I really want to succeed with this weight lost thing so here I am again. I hope I can do better this time.

Tom Baker Appointment!

An old one but I like it. I don't post a lot of
picture of me so here's 2 for now.

August eight marked my six months (well a bit over) appointment since I was diagnosed with cancer.

I was to see the oncologist at twelve forty five at the Tom Baker Cancer Center (T.B.C.C), so we left Taber in decent time to get there.

I had to do an x-ray in July to check my lungs before the appointment in Calgary so I made sure that I did it.

Once at the center, I had to check in at the front desk. I received my cancer patient card to use every time I'll be going to the center. I have to say, I felt really sad receiving such a card. As if getting to such a place wasn't bad enough.  Keeping the card in my wallet will remind me that I am a C- patient every time I see it.  All those feeling I had when I first heard my doctor tell me months ago I had cancer came back all at once. Walking down the hallways of the hospital felt overwhelming. I was trying hard not to cry.

Before getting in to see the doctor, I had to do another x-ray for my lungs. After a long wait, we finally got to see Dr Mack. He told me the results of both x-rays looked good. What a relief!
He look at my scars and touched to feel any bumps or lumps. He felt a bump, the same one I have been feeling in my thigh for the past couple months, so I am to monitor this as often as I can. He thinks it is just scar tissues from when they closed the wound together. Since there were no trace of metastases in my lungs, I shouldn't be too worried. Of course, I monitor this thing often. It doesn't seem to grow so that's a good sign.

I am still grateful for my blessing with this journey. I am blessed for not having had chemo and radiations and hope it continues that way.
I had a discussion with my sister a couple days ago about life and the trials we face while we are here. I am grateful for my life and the cards I was dealt! It shapes the way I do things and see things. Every cards dealt was a lesson learned and definitely a character building experience. Life is beautiful! I love mine!

Here's a quote from Randy Pausch I like: "We cannot change the cards we are dealt, just how we play the hand." My faith is my strength and how I deal with my trials. Life is so good!

Fun times and friendship!

The past couple weeks were quite exciting, busy, fun and tiring all at once. With my friends visiting from our island home, we spent a lot of time driving, eating, visiting, shopping, cooking, and laughing until our eyes and guts hurt. A lot of late night were had, and a lot of indulging in treats as well.

I met Gaelle, our first day in high school, and we have been friends ever since. She came with one of her co-worker and her son which I was happy to meet and get to know during their stay here. I got to chauffeur them around, cook for them, and discover new places at the same time than them.

Gaelle!

 After a first relaxing day, I decided to take them to Waterton on their second day here. We briefly stopped in Cardston hoping to grab some things at the distribution center but it was closed. We had so much fun in Wateron, admiring the always stunning place that it is. We had such a great time, we didn't make it back to Taber until eight thirty at night.

Gaelle!

Mere!

Jude!

The Musketeers!

The next day (Friday), we went to the Nikka Yuko Japanese Garden in Lethbridge. It was my first time there too so I was equally excited as my friends. I am glad I read about this place before we even went to visit it. I loved it there! It was so quiet, so peaceful. The place was beautiful, so authentic. My friend's knowledge of the Japanese culture was refreshing, and instructive. She amazed me even more. She surprised the workers there with all that she knew about Japan and its culture. I was impressed! I would recommend not taking kids there if you want the full experience of the beautiful serenity of the place. After our visit was done, we went for a picnic at Henderson Park so the boys could have some fun kids time.

Gaelle is a master of taking sefies!

Superboy/pirate and his sidekick!

The boys and tatie Gaelle!

We followed this turtle in Henderson park.

Jude and Yann!

My handsome boys!

Mother & Son!

On Saturday, I decided to make the day about the boys. We packed our cooler and off we went to the Henderson swimming pool. The boys were in heaven and so were we. It was relaxing, beautifully sunny, and the driving portion of the day was really short. It was another great day! We went home feeling a bit tired but what great tans we got, as if we needed to get browner :).
 Sunday morning,  I picked up my friends at their hotel, we had breakfast at our place then we dropped Mere and Jude back to their temporary home. Gaelle, my family and I rested a bit before heading out to Church. Sunday was, of course, a low key day which was quite welcomed. With late nights, not much sleep, and parading here and there, we were all happy to have such a treat. Once home, Marc finished up making supper while I visited with my friends and uncle D and aunt Celia. D got to practice his Tahitian while I helped my sweetheart with dinner.

Monday, we all got up early, had breakfast, and headed to Calgary for my appointment at the Tom Baker Cancer Center. I will write a post about it later. It was so good to have friends with us. They looked after the kids so Marc and I could talk to the doctor without kids interrupting. Once that was done, we grabbed some lunch and off we went to Edmonton. On our way there, all happy, and smiling, we had to pull over the road because we had a flat tire. Now that was fun! After Marc put on the spare tire, we went to the Costco by the CrossIron Mills mall, and got the van in the shop to get two brand new tires on the back of the vehicle. Meanwhile, my friends and I decided to do some shopping in Costco. Once the tires fixed, we continued on and made a quick stop in West Edmonton Mall for supper, before checking in in the hotel. We put on our bathing suits and went for a quick swim. By eleven thirty, a few of us were getting hungry so we went to Denny's to grab some food. I was so tired yet so happy that I didn't sleep until a few hours after leaving our friends room.
 Tuesday! Well, it was shopping day for our friends, mostly! They shopped like pros! By the end of the day, they all had a brand new Samsung tablet in their hands. HAHA. Gaelle bought a lot of things for her nieces back home. How spoiled they are going to be when she goes back to Tahiti. The drive back to Taber through Calgary was mostly entertaining! I was so glad my sweet high school friend was here. We had so much catching up to do. Our friendship was definitely strengthened! I am so grateful for my friends. The new ones I made in this Country and the old ones I made back in my island.

Wednesday, we stayed home! We all needed a break from seating in the van, and walking here and there. What a beautiful day it was as well! We literally did nothing beside laughing, talking, eating, and watch a couple movies. We didn't do anything productive at all, and you know what? That felt so great!!!!!

Thursday, we went to the Hat! Since it was my birthday, I couldn't think of a better place to take my friend than my favorite place in Canada, the butterfly house! We all loved it! I LOVED IT!!!It was as beautiful as my first time there. We stayed for a couple hours then went back home. We waited for Marc to get home then we celebrated my thirty seventh birthday. Marc even found time to make me a cake while he was on his lunch break. How I love him! Dinner was great! The cake was great! The company even greater! What else could I ask for!

Butterfly food!

The green caterpillar I photographed a month ago
became a beautiful Atlas Moth. She was as big as my hand.

A beautiful hibiscus!

I really liked that bird! He was free to fly anywhere.
His cage was open but he stayed perch on his branch.

Curly!

It was too humid inside for my big boy!

Friday, was a not so busy day! We went to Lethbridge! Stopped at Best Buy then Oliver Health Foods and Oliver Book store to get something my dear friend has been looking for since she arrived. From there, we made a quick stop to Superstore and went back to Taber. My newly made friend, Mere, made dinner that night and it was delicious. A dish from home that I love! I was so grateful for her, and the time she took to make supper.

Saturday was definitely a relaxing day for all of us.However, that morning was quite eventful and a bit stressful for the girls. Somehow their credit cards refused to work, so we were all kind of wondering what was going on. With a customer of the hotel, and the lady that was at the front desk, we tried to figure out why it wasn't working. I was on my way out the door to grab our credit card at home when suddenly, the employee called me to tell me she found a solution to our troubles. We were all jumping, and hugging each other after all was done. We ate breakfast, visited, went for walks, spent some time at the M.D park, and checked out a couple stores before just hanging out in the apartment. We laughed, visited, ate, put our feet up, napped, watched a couple movies, ate some more. Laughed some more. I was sad that our fun was coming to an end. We did our night routines with the boys, then put them to bed. Marc joined them after I got mattresses ready for my friends so they could try to catch some sleeps but neither they or I could, so we just watched Netflix. Eleven thirty came around, we jumped in the van and drove to YYC. When time came for them to go, we said our goodbyes, hugged and my friend and I embraced each other and cried for we were not only sad but also truly happy to have had that time to be together again.

Most morning I cooked a big breakfast for all of us. Every morning I picked them up at their hotel and dropped them there every night. I miss that! I miss them! I miss all the fun time we had, and the good laugh! I miss Gaelle washing the dishes, HAHA. I cannot wait for more visitors to come from Tahiti so I can show them this beautiful country. Nurturing friendships is so important. I loved the time we had!

They are here!

My friends are finally here! I have been counting the days ever since I found out they were coming to visit from Tahiti.

They left Tahiti a couple of weeks ago and spent some times in Tacoma (Washington) visiting families and friends. Then they stopped in Los Angeles for a couple days visiting the area and San Diego before joining us In Canada.

Marc took today off so he could help with the drive to the Calgary International Airport last night. While the drive to YYC was tiring, it oddly, was quite exciting. The drive back was quite entertaining! We are so happy to have them with us.

This morning, we had breakfast all ready, well most of it, before I picked them up at their hotel. We ate, visited, then decided to go to Lethbridge for some minor shopping. On our way out, we stopped to grab lunch for the kids and some snacks for us. We visited uncle D so he could practice his Tahitian before coming home for a really late supper.
Marc got his chef hat on and made some yummy burgers and coleslaw for us while I cooked up some corn and made my favorite side mushroom dish to accompany the burgers. Everything was so tasty! After some more visiting and laughing, and Gaelle's addiction of taking food photos and selfies HA HA, they thanked their chef then I took them back to their room. We said our goodbyes and good nights and went our separate ways.

It was a fun, relaxing first day! Tomorrow, I am taking them to Waterton. It should be fun!
These are pics that I "borrowed" from my sweet friend.

Gaelle and her cheri. LOL!

 Supper tonight!

 Mere and her cherries! LOL!

Crazy 24 hours!

Last Friday, we left Taber at 6:36 pm and headed out to Lloydminster for the night, and off to the Vermilion fair the next day.

We ate on the road that night, and stopped at the Cactus corner for, you know what, and also for the boys to stretch their legs and get a treat (which we always do). The ride there seemed to go faster this time. The boys are such great travelers that we never have to worry about meltdowns or anything of that sorts. They usually have one movie on, then the rest of the drive they either sleep or sing with us. Their favorite CD to listen to is the Guardians of the Galaxy: Awesome Mix Vol 1.
Marc did most of the driving and once in Viking, I took over while the boys and papa got some sleeps in.

We made it home around midnight. We were happy to be there! Our house still feels like home even after all that time.  Once in our house, we went to work. We put some laundry in the washer, Marc and I went through the whole house to see what is left to pack which is mostly big furniture, two boxes of dishes and clothing, wall frames and pictures. It should be a quick move when we go back in September and empty the whole house. We then loaded our van with everything we could to bring back here. After that work was done, we put the last load of laundry in the dryer and went to bed. By then it was 2 o'clock in the morning.

We all got up around 8:30 am, had a quick breakfast. Then we filled the van with gas, went to the bank, and did a last walk through in our house then headed out to Walmart where we met the Bennetts and had a nice visit with them. By then it was lunch time so we grabbed so food at Carl's Jr and left to go to Vermilion for some fun.

It was cold and drizzling in Vermilion but we managed to have fun! As tradition wants it, we got mini donuts and cotton candy. This year we didn't go to the burger shack since our tummies were full already, and didn't have lemonade from the lemonade stand either. So sad! We didn't have the heart to go through the displays this year since grandma didn't enter anything in. She always wins a few prizes every year so it was sad knowing that we wouldn't see her winning ribbons.

The highlight of our trip is seeing the joy on our babies' faces while ridding a few rides at the fair. Marc and I got to ride on the Carousel with each one of our boys, even if we really didn't have too. It was free for the parents so we did! I got quite excited about it HA HA. Growing up, my dad always took us to the midway. It was so much fun for the whole family, and at the end of the night, my dad always bought cotton candies for everyone of us and mostly for my mom who loves them. I love that I get to do this with my boys. It's tradition! Looking forward to Cornfest where we get to do it again.
After the rides, we went to the petting zoo. Little M wanted to hold the bunnies but the line was too long so we just watched them. After a couple hours at the fair, we left and headed back to Taber. Marc drove all the way to Hanna then we switched. We got back to Taber at exactly 6:36 pm on Saturday. It was a crazy 24 hours but so worth it!
I forgot my camera at home so that's all we have for pics.