Race for Life

It seems Facebook has replaced our need to blog, it was originally created to keep our families up to date with our Canadian adventure. Nowadays we're close enough to see them regularly and the blog has become a little redundant as our Canadian friend are all facebookers. However, I'm under the impression that there are a few people who still check this webpage from time to time, so I have a few things to say.

I will be running the race for Life in June this year with my sister in law, Claire, and my younger sister, Amanda. I've started my training and fundraising this month so that everyone has time to sponsor me before the big day. We will be running 5km / 3miles at Tatton Park in Cheshire on June 6th to raise money for cancer research. If you're able to come along and cheer us on, we'll probably need it! None of us claim to be runners, although Claire has a fair bit of experience, so in my opinion she is really. So far I have raised 30 pounds but I'm aiming high and would like to raise 300.

The reason I'm doing this is one dear to my heart, that affects us all. Cancer treatment has progressed radically in the last few years while I've been studying it and I believe it has improved the journey drastically. As a result I believe in cancer research, I have seen it's effects in action already. Sadly in January this year we lost my mother-in-law to cancer, I also lost a work colleague from Canada. A dear friend of mine was just diagnosed with it along with one of my uncles and that is just this year! This terrible disease affects so many people, everybody knows someone who has dealt with it - thats how prevalent it is! I have decided to start the fight against cancer for myself by raising as much money for research as possible, so that we can improve the journey for those people both now and in the future.

If you wish to sponsor me check out this address: www.raceforlifesponsorme.org/natashaparkin
Thanks for your support and prayers!

Evangeline Rose Parkin

6 days over due and a healthy 8lb 2oz baby Eva entered our world last Friday. She was born at 9.50am after a speedy labour and delivery. If you are at all squeamish or don't like to know details don't read the next two paragraphs! I went in Thursday night after my waters broke and was sent promptly home with some nice pain killers to wait for more pain or some other sign she was on her way out. About 6 hours later I realised the painkillers had worn off and I was more than ready to have someone else decide how well I was progressing, so we returned to the hospital at about 8am.

Gabe was being watched by Aunty Claire who was all set for a long haul. The midwife who admitted us told us we had a fair way to go yet so she hooked me up to the lovely baby monitor on the not so comfortable triage room bed. half an hour later I was ready to push and noone seemed to believe me. One midwife reluctantly agreed to take us to a delivery room so that I could have some gas and air for the pain. She left us alone again in a state of disbelief, she didn't check to see if I was right, she just assumed I didn't know what I was talking about. Two contractions later Ryan was pressing the buzzer and the head midwife arrived to see Eva crowning! She was shocked to say the least...if she'd have taken her time Ryan would have delivered Eva himself. We did get an apology afterwards, so we won't be writing any letters of complaint.

Anyway for those of you who skipped the above paragraphs the highlight of the day was returning home the same day with our little angel in tow. She has maintained her birth weight and is already spending more time awake staring around at any face she can see. We've had a slow week at home adjusting to our larger family. Ryan is back to work next week as my parents are visiting and we'll be moving into our new house in a couple of weeks so he'll be taking another week off then. Life has been quite intense lately and little Eva has been a real angel so we feel quite blessed to have her lighting up our stressful time.

Gabe is slowly learning that his boundaries have changed since she joined us and is doting over her every chance he gets. He keeps asking to hold her and hold her hand, stroke her hair and kiss her. She couldn't ask for a more affectionate big brother thats for sure!

Goodbye Grandma

I'm very sad to report that we have lost a valuable member of our family to a much better place. Ryans Mum, Gabriel's Grandma and my Mother-in-law has entered Heaven's gates. We were blessed to be by her side to say goodbye and to tell her how much we loved her, we held her hands and asked her to stop the fight, so that she could be free to enjoy the rewards of Heaven after such a long battle.

Gwen was a beautiful person with amazing faith and strength, she battled cancer for more than ten years. God healed her many times during those years, so Gabe and I count ourselves blessed to have even known her. She died knowing exactly where she was going and that she wouldn't have to suffer any more. I feel a deep sadness, more for my family than for her, as we will miss her sense of humour, stories from childhood (hers and Ryan's), beautiful singing voice, selflessness, rock steady faith and generosity of spirit in the years to come. She was easy to love and she genuinely loved those around her with ease, her life was full of people who knew her and loved her company.

Ryan and I are due to have another baby within the next couple of weeks and we will be proud to name her after Grandma. There will be a celebration of her life next Friday in Worthing for those of you who knew her.

Kerchow

Gabe had lots of lovely gifts and cards on his birthday, but Auntie Claire wins with the most entertaining card, as judged by Gabe himself. In fact, 20 mins after opening it, he's still opening and closing it, randomly shouting "Kerchow!" (Lightening McQueen's catchphrase).
We're on our way to Cheshire Oaks to visit Nan, Pops and Auntie Grace now and it looks like the noisy card is coming along for the ride!
Thank you Claire!

Happy Birthday Gabriel!

It has been a couple of weeks since Ryan arrived and we're doing well. Life is really good and very complicated at the moment so we have been relieved to spend a day just enjoying Gabriel not focusing on our issues as much. Gabe has been waking up very early since we arrived in the country and today he surprised us by sleeping through til 6.30 am - woopee what a great way to start his birthday! We crept downstairs to see and play with the present we constructed last night, it almost felt like Christmas! The day was filled with presents, family, friends and cake - everything a little boy needs to keep him cheerful!

We went up north to visit my grandparents' on Saturday and had a beautiful day

...here's the crew all well fed and ready to face the windy road home.

Hmm - I think the angle is wrong on this one, but the picture is still lovely, father and son working on a project together.

Here is Gabriel enjoying his new Thomas the tank engine train set.

Gabe chased bubbles happily at Nan & Pops house for ages in the afternoon

...perfect exercise for such a busy little boy!

Gabe showing off his stylish new pyjamas after a feast of pizza and cake!

Gabriel had a wonderful day and he sends his love and Hugs to all his family and friends!

Kitchen

The kitchen is finished at last. Our nightmare room is no longer so unbearable! And so now I get to enjoy it... ...for 2 weeks! The house is up for sale, Tasha and Gabe are back in England and I'm just killing time until my flight in 2 weeks!
Well...here are some pics of the finished kitchen. It's not really that impressive, unless you saw the old kitchen!

Moving one's life

Up until this morning our house has been filled with full and semi full boxes. The shipping company came and took it all away in less than an hour. The house is so sparse now that we're pulling off the minimal look by default! I feel oddly amazing without all this stuff, just living minimally is sweet.
Gabe and I fly home tomorrow, so please pray that all goes well at the border and that they allow my little Canadian residency! They should, but you never know, he might offend them with one of his songs. He's been reciting a handful of tunes of late and it makes very entertaining listening, especially when he slips into a different song altogether part way through...we may have a DJ on our hands!
Anyway here are a couple of photos to keep you hooked until we're back in England have more time to collect thoughts.