April 2009

April 2009

Change of website

Just to let you know, I have created a new blog. My new blog address is http://www.ameliayap.com/mummy-thoughts. Check out our journey to Georgia, our home for the next couple of months.

I would love if you would read it and leave some comments.
Thanks

Happy Birthday Mummy

May is birthday month in the family and Mum just had her birthday on the 26th of May. Kyle asked her how old she was and she said 37, that is why the candles on the pineapple cheese cake says 37.

Look at that flame!!
Andrew was sick that day so he was already in Bed!
Mum serving everyone as usual!

We all had a good time enjoying the cake. Mum could only have a small piece as she was watching her diet before her surgery the next day. She has a macular hole in her retina.

What is a Marcular hole?
The retina is a thin layer of tissue that covers the back of the eye. The centre of the retina, called the marcula, is the most sensitive part. The macula is responsible for our central vision used for such things as reading. A clear jelly-like substance called the Vitreous Gel fills the central cavity of the eye and is attached to the retina.
The vitreous gel in the eye shrinks with age in many people and pulls away from the retina. In some people the vitreous can cause a hole in the retina when it pulls away called a macular hole. Fluid may leak under the edges of the hole, causing a microscopic retinal detachment. The results in blurring and distortion of vision.

What can be done for a macular hole?

A surgical procedure called a vitrectomy removes the vitreous gel from the eye so it is no longer pulling on the distorting the macula. Any membranes around the edge of the hole that are keeping the hole from closing are removed. The vitreous gel is then replaced with a bubble containing gas. The acts like an internal bandage to hold the edges of the macular hole in place as it heals.

It has been over a week since the surgery and she is doing well. No cooking for her for a few more weeks. Unfortunately, she is still telling me what to do in the kitchen even though she is not allowed to do anything. She just can't let go. Dad on the other hand is not complaining about eating too much vegetables. He know that if he complains he might be making his own dinners. My aunt comes by with food on and off so there is always tons of food! We can never go hungry in the Yap household, that is for sure!

Hair Donation

My hair grows on average an inch every 2 months. Since I shaved it 2 years ago, it has grown 12 inches. So I figured it was time for another donation. Here are the before and after pictures.

Me with my locks

All prepared for Kyle my hair cutter.
After the hair cut!
Hair for donation
The New Do!

Hey if any of you want to donate or are thinking about donating, here are the websites to find more information.
www.achildsvoicefoundation.com in Canada, or locksoflove.org in the U.S. This is a little something that you could do for a child.

Thanks to all of you who can help.

Narcisse Snake Den

There are so many things to do in Manitoba so our first big outing this year is our visit to Narcisse snakes den, The Narcisse Snake Den Area is the world's largest concentration of snakes. In fact, these aggregations represent one of the largest concentrations of any vertebrate species anywhere in the world.



Every spring, the Narcisse Snake Dens are alive with tens of thousands of red-sided garter snakes as they slither to the surface from their winter dens. These snakes are ready to begin their annual mating ritual.


Balls of snakes mating.

Matthew with a tiny

Andrew

Natalie

How do you overcome your fear of snakes? Hold one.

Matthew's First Holy Communion

My Matthew has grown up, he had his first Holy communion on the 26th of April. So funny, before that, he asked me, "Does this mean that I can go for communion every time?". He has learnt alot from the religious classes, we sometimes feel he knows more that us. I am so proud of him!

Family Shot, Erin and Matthew both had their first Holy Communion.

Matthew with Deacon Doug. Deacon Doug also baptized Matthew 7 years earlier.

Matthew (Mary Mother of the Chruch)

Natalie and Amelia (taken by Matthew)

Matthew and Kailyn Louka (his classmate)

My three little angles under Mary Care.

George and Shirley's 50th Wedding Anniversary

Kyle's parents George and Shirley celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary on the 25th of April and how appropriate, it fell on a Saturday afternoon. The whole family was there to celebrate the wonderful day. Even the uncles and aunts.

The proud couple

Most of the family.

The oldest and the youngest.

50 years is amazing, when Kyle and I celebrate our 50th anniversary, I will be 76, hey that is not too old!! My parents just will be celebrating their 46th anniversary in May. Time really flies... Being with your best friend for so long is amazing and great. Kyle and I will be celebrating our 13th anniversary in June, I look forward to many more years with my best friend.