Our Family

Stephen and I were married in 1994.  We have five children.  Mikhayla, 1993; Brody, 1995; Noah, 1999; and twins, Dylan and Liam, 2000.  Stephen and I have been through a lot in our marriage.  I believe that our marriage is stronger now than it ever has been.  We have always worked on our problems and taken the time to talk to one another.  It wasn't always like that, though.  Through trial and error, we have found what works best for us and do the best that we can.  We always have our children's best interest in heart in all our decision making.  We don't always make the right decision, but we are learning.  Isn't that what life is about?  Learn from your mistakes and try to avoid making the same mistake twice?  We operate a grain farm in rural Manitoba, Canada, with Stephen's mom and two brothers.  We bought this acreage along with some land in 1999.   Stephen began to remodel and put an addition on the house as it wasn't much bigger than the one we lived in.  The kitchen was half the size as the one in our old house, and I wanted a BIG kitchen.  Stephen was working on our house when I was pregnant with Noah.  And soon Noah was born.  A baby brother for Mikhayla (6 yrs) and Brody (4 yrs).  Brody was so thrilled that he had a brother.  Mikhayla wouldn’t admit that she was as thrilled, afterall, she wanted a sister.  But all that soon changed as she fell in love with Noah, as the rest of us did.  Still in the small house, we found out that we were pregnant again.  This time, it was with twins.  Whether to laugh or cry was a mystery to me.  Thrilled that there was two, but then oh, my goodness, twins!!  Needless to say, we had to work extra fast to get our new house ready.  We moved into our house at the end of August, 2000.  Everyone would have their own room, except for the twins.  But that was okay, too.  And on October 8, 2000, we had two, healthy, twin boys (Dylan & Liam).

Stephen and Noah at Stephen's mom and dad's 40th wedding anniversary party.  July, 2000

Mikhayla and Noah playing in the snow.

All five of our babies.

Brody and Noah on the deck.

Dylan, Liam, and Noah.

We really love living out here.  There is the peace when we go outside and not to mention the fresh air.  The smell of rain or newly mowed grass is one of my favorites.  We also have the occasional bonfire, which the kids love.  i think the most important thing is the freedom.  The kids have about 5 acres of grass and trees to explore.  Making teepees in the bush, playing hide and go seek in the wheat fields, or just relaxing on the deck and enjoying the sounds of nature.  There is also wildlife that shows up through the yard.  The bunnies hopping around, the occasional deer strolling through the yard, birds of every nature, the odd skunk, raccoons, and even a weasel.  I know country life isn't for everyone.  The kids miss their friends and i even get lonely.  But I would never trade it in for living in the city.

This picture was taken two days before Noah died.  Mikhayla was in the tub with the twins and then Noah jumped in and then Brody says, "Mommy, I think there is room in there for five kids."  And there was. L - R  Mikhayla, Liam, Noah, Dylan, Brody

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Maple Leaf graphic courtesy of Pat's Graphics