Witness

I witnessed life come into this world...

My twin sister delivered my beautiful new nephew on February 20th. She had the longest labour EVER....and by the third day of contractions was beyond exhausted. Once they admitted her I stayed with her and her husband Johnny while she laboured.

Now...I must say just because I have had my own children, it did not prepare me for this. I'm not going to lie..I was nervous. For me, for Tina and for Johnny...a very, very pale Johnny. I was not right beside Tina, Johnny took charge and it was amazing to see what two people in love can do together.

I was hanging around watching in the background, silently watching my sister kick her labours ass and push Jackson out in 19 minutes...like it was no big deal. At one point I realized that I was sitting on the chair, clapping like a silent and very much brain damaged seal....with the kind of open mouth smile on my face that looked like there should be a laugh coming out....nope.

Once Jackson was born I couldn't hold my excitement in. The tears started flowing and I have never...been so proud! (Tina had 2 c sections before and nearly everyone was against her trying to have a V-back)....She did it!!!

Also - another amazing thing happened in the delivery room. I GOT TO CUT THE CORD!!...That's right, it was so amazing! (Johnny doesn't do cords....makes him squirm) I was so honored that they let me have such a moment, what a gift!

Baby Jackson was born at 3:09pm on February 20th weighing in at 7lbs 10oz. He is perfect.

Tina & Johnny - Thank you for allowing me to be apart of such an amazing and intimate moment in your lives - It truly was a beautiful experience that will be with me forever! I love you.

Nephews

This year Craig and I are gaining 2 new nephews!! So far our niece/nephew count is:

2 Nieces - Mara & Addison
2 Nephew - Loghan & AJ

Craig brother's wonderful girlfriend Amber is expecting a boy in April. They are going to the best parents! They are so wonderful with our daughters, and it comes naturally to them. Craig and I are so, so excited to meet this new little guy. His name will be Brady and he will be beautiful!

My sister Tina and her hubby Johnny are expecting their 3rd baby ANY DAY NOW!!!! I can't wait to lay eyes on him...that's right it's a boy! His name will be Jackson...They have a son Loghan who is 3.5 years and a daughter Mara who is 17 months! Needless to say they will have their hands full.

Tina, I hope everything goes smoothly and you are an amazing person who is a fantastic mom...Jackson is a lucky boy to be joining the Wray clan!

Here's to nephews!

Change the World...

Children are so accepting and are brought into this world complete with no biased opinions of anyone or anything. Just a pure need to be loved and cared for. Perfection.

I have wondered when my children would inquire about someone of a different skin colour. It happened.

Taylor was playing the other day and looked up and said "Dad, some people have brown hands and faces..and feet."

It was so neat to watch her thinking about others and the fact that they look a little different then us - I told Taylor that it doesn't matter what someone skin colour is or what they look like - It just matters what's on the inside. She says "I know that mom!"

She had been celebrating Chinese New Years at school in January, so I'm thinking that's what got her thoughts flowing regarding different races/cultures. Some of our very best friends come from all different parts of the world and they have been our children's lives since the moment they were born, they were in our wedding party and we have grown up with them. We are lucky that our families and their families had open hearts welcoming arms.

It is our duty as parents to ensure that our children leave our homes with open hearts, tolerance for others, knowledge regarding other cultures (if you don't know the answers, find the answers with them) and kind words.

We can change this world one child, one family, one community at a time.

You must be the change you wish to see in the world.
~Mohandas Gandhi