Vanessa and I met in early 2008 shortly after my return from two years of missionary service in Ontario, Canada. Our first meeting was defining for us both. It became clear very quickly that from this something special would develop - and it surly did! In retrospect the ensuing time seems short before our engagement in July of that same year, however, many wonderful and meaningful experiences transpired that led us both to know that we were meant to be together. I for one knew that vanessa was the girl for me and I had better seal the deal before some of her other admirers got the same idea! Our courtship was full of fun, trial, joys, tears, hard work and treasured memories. We did lots together and even took a big road trip out east! An older mentor of mine who has been married for many years once told me that if you want to see if your marriage will work take a long road trip together before the wedding!
We were married on May 9, 2009 in the Cardston, Alberta temple of the Church Of Jesus Christ Of Latter-Day Saints. It was raining that morning as we drove to the temple, causing some bit of concern for the outcome of our planned wedding photos, but we had faith things would turn out well.
We were married on May 9, 2009 in the Cardston, Alberta temple of the Church Of Jesus Christ Of Latter-Day Saints. It was raining that morning as we drove to the temple, causing some bit of concern for the outcome of our planned wedding photos, but we had faith things would turn out well.
The ceremony was serene and peaceful. Simple and beautiful. The spirit of the Lord blessed our presence. In the simplicity of the moment we were entirely focused on nothing but the two of us and the commitment we were making. As we walked out of the temple, the clouds literally parted and sunshine graced the remainder of the day for an enjoyable photo shoot with the family and friends who attended followed by a simple reception to honour our union. All the wonderful details of the day truly made it a picture perfect day right into the gorgeous sunset that welcomed us on our journey to Waterton where we spent a wonderful night.
We poured the bulk of our resources into planning a memorable honeymoon which was done on a western caribbean cruise from miami to haiti to jamaica to cayman islands to the bahamas. Our good friends Tate and Felisha Boehme were married the week before us, and so we actually decided to take the same cruise together. It was so much fun to have friends along to celebrate the occasion!
We lived the first year of our marriage in a little one bedroom apartment near downtown edmonton nearby the two universities vanessa and I were studying at at the time. We took the job of managing the building which was fun and full of learning. We both always wanted to be young parents and have a family soon so we were so exciting when we found out that our first baby would be born in april of the following year. I had always known that I would have a baby girl first - and we both had pretty clear mental images of what this child would look and act like. It all turned out exactly as we thought - our precious daughter Maïshaah Kezia Haylin was born on April 17, 2010. Right before vanessa was to write her finals to graduate her diploma program. :) Vanessa was a real trooper - pregnant, full time student, and working a job to get enough maternity leave hours complete! We moved to the west end of edmonton just two weeks before Maïshaah was born where we lived for the next two years and continued our gig managing for condo boards.
Maïshaah has a kind and compassionate disposition which she has demonstrated on so many occasions as we have watched her grow. She is now nearly two and a half years old and continues to amaze us each day with her joyful and electric presence. When she was nearly one and had just begun walking I recall one priceless moment at church. We were walking through the hallway and there was an older woman sitting on a bench in tears. Maïshaah stopped and walked over to the woman with a look of complete sympathy and concern on her little face. She reached out her hand and touched the woman's cheek and just stood there for a few moments beside her as if to comfort her. Actions like that have been repeated many times.
She has a few nicknames that have stuck from the beginning. Maimai - given by dad. I studied some chinese in university and loved the word meimei which means little sister. I like the sound of the repeat which is common in chinese to soften up meanings. Maimai caught on quick. Her auntie Julie gave her the name MaiPie in a letter she wrote home from Ireland. Mai, Maimai, Maipie, Pie are all commonly used. Her actual name means "life" in swahili. Before we even met and ever talked about baby names, vanessa and I separately both liked that name and had held in our minds to one day name our child. Her middle name Kezia dad named after an inspiring person he met while a missionary in ontario. It is also in the bible in the book of job - one of the daughters of Job himself. "there were none more fair in all the land."I love this photo because it was the first picture that really made me say "wow! She has her mama's smile!"
She was a very strong baby and has remained so ever since - crawling at the age of 5 months and walking by 10. Very solid. You should see the legs this girl has - made for running! She's got some serious muscle and can really run!
From the time she was a little baby, Maimai has been very emotionally sensitive to music. We have vivid memories of how when she would hear emotionally evocative music such as the beautiful trumpet playing of Chris Botti she would have tears come to her eyes and cry. Different instruments she was keenly aware of and would respond to. She has always been at peace with the sound of the acoustic guitar being played. To this day she falls asleep to cds of hymns played on guitar. I would like to attribute that to me playing the guitar and singing to her since she was in the womb :) She has an innate sense of rhythm which she certainly gets from mom. As soon as she could shake it she was shakin' it and she hasn't stopped since. However, she only dances to songs with good rhythm. For real! She picks it out and knows it when she hears it.
Maïshaah has blessed our lives in ways I could never find words to give proper justice. We are so happy to have you in our home dear daughter.
It has been magnificent to see another part of her develop just recently as we welcomed our second child to our family. Our son Jovyn Kade Edward Haylin was born on April 23, 2012 - just 5 days after Maimai's 2nd birthday. She has been so good to him. Even in the belly she had an idea that baby in there and would constantly give kisses to vanessa's baby bump.
When he came along she took a few steps backward in that all of the sudden all those baby habits that we had managed to just recently break came crashing back to her. And she indulged them all she could! It was very cute actually. I spent many memorable nights those first few week after Jovyn was born rocking Maimai to sleep as she cuddled up like a baby in my arms. Tandem feeding became the norm for Vanessa. The cutest thing is to see them holding hands as they feed. Maimai grabbing the baby's hand and him clutching his little fingers onto hers while the look in their eyes suggest they are both in heaven.
When he came along she took a few steps backward in that all of the sudden all those baby habits that we had managed to just recently break came crashing back to her. And she indulged them all she could! It was very cute actually. I spent many memorable nights those first few week after Jovyn was born rocking Maimai to sleep as she cuddled up like a baby in my arms. Tandem feeding became the norm for Vanessa. The cutest thing is to see them holding hands as they feed. Maimai grabbing the baby's hand and him clutching his little fingers onto hers while the look in their eyes suggest they are both in heaven.
Jovyn has adapted the nick name of Jovi right of the start. He was also given the name Gonan from maimai. Thats what she called him for quite a while, along with son and buddy. So we like to call him Gonan in tribute to maimai. The Edward in his name comes from his grandfather. We both liked the name Jovyn after narrowing it down from a list. He was a surprise baby so we had a good list of both girl names and boy names. Jovyn is just a cool name. Should be appropriate for a future musician. :)We also like Kade, so we decided to give him both!
Something very special about Jovyn is the way this little guy smiles - I have never seen anything like it. He lights up the world and will give you a smile every time you look at him and speak. He is so precious. He has been the complete opposite of Maimai thus far - very laid back and content to just be held by his mama. Mama's boy? Vanessa is happy about that. It was quite funny when he was born - you could tell he was enjoying the comfort of the womb because he had a look a sheer frustration on his face when he first appeared. He is nearly four months and giggles a lot when you tickle him or he hears you laugh we will repeat. From about 2 months old he has loved to communicate. It is very clear that he recognizes when you speak to him. He will make his baby sounds to try to replicate what he hears you say. It is cute because he will get this look in his eyes that you just know is the "i want to talk to you look" and then he will go back and forth with the baby sounds.
The following month after Jovyn was born we moved up to the north side of edmonton where we now live. Each baby got a new home to begin life in, haha hopefully that trend won't continue forever!
We just recently returned from Jovyn's first camping trip out to Banff Alberta - both kids have been camping at the age of 3 months. I have to condition them from a young age since mom is not so keen to camp - she wants the big RV.
That's a quick fast forward to the present, we hope you enjoyed getting to know us a little bit more from the past 3 years :)
aww!! so Precious!!
ReplyDeleteWe are so gratfeul to have been present and have been a part of your beautiful journey! We are truly proud to have gotten to know you all. great job on the blog!!