Winnipeg sure hasn't given us much of a honeymoon time in terms of adjusting to a new place. In terms of the weather, it has - we had such a sunny, mild autumn and winter here is off to a slow start! But circumstantially, we've had our share of stress. All the same, I didn't want to forget some of the good things that have come our way. We've had many . . .
Monday morning (December 19), an email arrived to say that I'd won a writing contest I'd entered back in November. I've only ever won a book before, so it was fun to win something I'd put a bit of effort into! The entries had to convey how adoption has touched one's life - the joys, the challenges, and whatever else could make for the most meaningful, honest entry in 900 words (!). S was away traveling at the time and it was just after the van accident. One late Friday night, I wrote as a way to focus on what a gift my daughters are in attempt to lift my heart a bit. Thinking of how we came to be family always reminds me of the amazing orchestration of God on our behalf - such care for our needs and desires. So winning two pairs of really nice leather boots for my girls was the icing on the cake. Doesn't sound exciting, but in a place where boots are worn much of the year, how great to have some designer ones that I couldn't afford otherwise! :)
On the note of the van, I thought I should say that on hindsight, I can see God's hand at work in allowing the accident to happen, just when it did. Firstly, it happened on the very rare occasion when I didn't have any children in the van with me. Secondly, the next morning we had an appointment scheduled to mount our snow tires and have our Manitoba Vehicle Safety Inspection done. Before we could be insured by MPI (Manitoba Public Insurance), our van needed to pass this exam. We've since seen items that they check on all vehicles and there is no way our van would have passed. We would have needed to spend at least $1500 for repairs, so instead, were able to put that money towards a vehicle with far fewer kilometres - a 2002 instead of a 1999. It doesn't have the same extra features our old Ford had, so we miss that. But less to go wrong, I suppose? As for my whiplash, it was minimal - I hardly notice it now. I'm still allowed to visit a chiropractor or athletic massage therapist for treatments, once I get the time! And at least I held on to my snow tires and was able to sell them on Kijiji . . .
Last I wrote, our 6 day old used van had leaked all the power steering fluid out on a Thursday night. Meant we were without a vehicle for a weekend, but at least it happened at home, not while I was out with the kids. I signed up with CAA so I could get it towed to the garage and they kindly didn't charge me the extra $40 fee for having immediate service needs. Nor did the mechanic charge us for fixing the van, which turned out just to be a hose that had burst. So while it wasn't a lengthy repair, it was still super nice of him. It's a blessing to have found a kind mechanic in the absence of my Dad! The bonus was that Iz and Ai had a fun city bus ride as we went to pick up our van on Tuesday morning. They were thrilled! As I paid the bus driver, Ai was walking ahead down the aisle shaking hands with the elderly folks who sat facing the aisle, saying, "Nice to meet you." A cute moment for all the grown-ups.
The week leading up to Christmas found us spoiled with a few packages coming in the mail from family and friends. I felt loved and the kids were delighted, especially with all the bubble wrap! Gotta love how children help focus on the simple pleasures of life.
The big blessing of the month is, of course, moving into our house! Its been a bit of an overwhelming month, unpacking and trying to find places for all of our stuff. We have far too much of it! It's so great to be in a house large enough that we're not on top of each other. And its great not to share any walls with people. After the past year in a townhouse, "Shh!" had become the most frequently used word in our household! We still have to use it LOTS, but now only for our own sanity, versus that of our neighbours!
Built in 1894, this house had fallen into disrepair for some years as a duplex (along with much of the neighbourhood). But its been renovated nicely, changed back into a single family home. The kids are so happy to have their own rooms (as are we). Ai no longer is at the whim of his sisters' early morning rising as his room is at the back of the house. He can still be a little 'sensitive', but his bursts of temper improve with more sleep (he takes after me in this department). On a side note, a recent contentious topic in our household has been his insistence that its "Murdoch the Red Nosed Reindeer." I think its a name we'll end up keeping. :) Anyway, while we're still in a process of settling in and will be for a good few months, the chaos is becoming much more bearable as we organize where things go. Soon it will be back to just the regular mess of living and the kids' daily play - much more manageable in comparison . . .
And a blessing worth far more than the house: we feel thankful for our supportive families and extended families, as well as for many dear friends. Despite being away for Christmas and missing various get-togethers, we have felt loved and cared for. As said by author Frederick Buechner (whom I haven't read for a long time but something I hope to do more of in the new year . . . read books!): "You can kiss your family and friends good-bye and put miles between you, but at the same time you carry them with you in your heart, your mind, your stomach, because you do not just live in a world but a world lives in you.”
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