tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-49110763538270928522024-02-06T23:39:00.499-08:00You are my JOYmy journey to JOY despite depression, special needs and health mysteries.FieryCanuck77http://www.blogger.com/profile/16589376653409581240noreply@blogger.comBlogger695125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4911076353827092852.post-57130557483173321772016-07-06T10:53:00.002-07:002016-07-06T10:53:16.091-07:00oh, I'm running (back)This song has been on my mind all week ever since we sang it in church on Sunday. It's one that I hadn't heard in a long time. (it came out in 2010, forever long ago)<br />
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(Forever Reign by Hillsong)</div>
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<i>Oh, I'm running to Your arms<br />
I'm running to Your arms<br />
The riches of Your love<br />
Will always be enough<br />
Nothing compares to Your embrace<br />
Light of the world forever reign</i><br />
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<br />
Oh, it's been so long. Too long. It's funny (but not really) how so much can change without you even realizing it until it's almost too late. Suddenly you notice that something is missing, but you're not too sure what. And when you finally connect it, you wonder how you ever got there.<br />
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Somewhere along the line, not only did I drop off my blogging (I got busy and tired and needed a break somewhere and it's usually the first thing to go.) but I also stopped my daily journaling, and then I stopped my thankful list. And the next thing you know....you're not doing anything that you used to do!<br />
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Why is it so easy to drop a GOOD habit???<br />
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I've been struggling with that. It's so frustrating. I wish I were more disciplined.<br />
<br />
So this song reflects my recognition that things are not as they should be but that I am taking steps to regain all that I did before that was so much better for me. Funny how daily journaling a thankful list can change your heart and outlook so much! Focusing on good, even on the toughest days, brought Joy back to my life! Why did I stop doing this?? *insert disappointed pouty face*<br />
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Oh, I'm running (back) to Your arms. <br />
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<i> My heart will sing<br />
No other name<br />
Jesus, Jesus
</i><br />
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<br />FieryCanuck77http://www.blogger.com/profile/16589376653409581240noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4911076353827092852.post-41434678368182271632015-12-25T11:56:00.000-08:002015-12-25T11:56:06.390-08:00the beautiful gift<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />FieryCanuck77http://www.blogger.com/profile/16589376653409581240noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4911076353827092852.post-9703517419529365962015-12-24T23:53:00.000-08:002015-12-24T23:58:18.819-08:00wishing you a silent peaceful night<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The kids were in their new jammies as we watched A Charlie Brown Christmas before this evening. And that's when it really started to feel like Christmas! After they were tucked into bed (fifteen times!), my Hunny and I tackled the gifts wrapping and enjoyed the (eventually) quiet house together. We don't sit together like this often enough, usually we have distractions of tv or phone as background filler. Tonight was just a perfect evening of listening to favourite carols and resting. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I
have been listening to a lot of Pentatonix lately. I'm not usually a
fan of A Capella, but they do it so beautifully. Most of it sounds like a
choir singing with their mix of harmonies, which I love. Their version
of Silent Night is amazing! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">{You also need to listen to<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ifCWN5pJGIE" target="_blank"> Mary, Did You Know</a>? <<< click here<click click="" here="" nbsp="" span="" there.=""></click></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">And <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0u5UvnKlCTA" target="_blank">The First Noel</a> <<< click here<click font="" here=""></click></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">No seriously...do it! Go now!}</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><click br="" go="" listen.="" nbsp="" no="" now="" seriously...="" to=""></click></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">From my Clan to yours: Have a wonderful Christmas. May it be full of family and happiness as we celebrate His gift to us.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">May your night be filled with peace.</span><br />
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<br />FieryCanuck77http://www.blogger.com/profile/16589376653409581240noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4911076353827092852.post-4647935173231879372015-12-19T23:56:00.000-08:002015-12-19T23:56:04.541-08:00Noel // Come and see what God has done<u><b>Noel </b></u><br />
<br />
Love incarnate, love divine<br />
Star and angels gave the sign<br />
Bow to babe on bended knee<br />
The Savior of humanity<br />
Unto us a Child is born<br />
He shall reign forevermore<br />
<br />
Noel, Noel<br />
Come and see what God has done<br />
Noel, Noel<br />
The story of amazing love!<br />
The light of the world, given for us<br />
Noel<br />
<br />
Son of God and Son of man<br />
There before the world began<br />
Born to suffer, born to save<br />
Born to raise us from the grave<br />
Christ the everlasting Lord<br />
He shall reign forevermore<br />
<br />
Noel, Noel<br />
Come and see what God has done<br />
Noel, Noel<br />
The story of amazing love!<br />
The light of the world, given for us<br />
Noel<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">written by Matt Redman, Chris Tomlin and Ed Cash. This version sung by Lauren Daigle.</span><br />
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So incredibly beautiful. So peaceful. FieryCanuck77http://www.blogger.com/profile/16589376653409581240noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4911076353827092852.post-61219992626353853162015-12-17T01:04:00.002-08:002015-12-22T13:42:00.523-08:00unexpected outcome and our first IEPI met with the Learning Assistance Coordinator at the school and she had bad news for us. Unfortunately the<b><a href="http://fiery-joy.blogspot.ca/2015/11/what-weve-been-waiting-over-year-for-rs.html" target="_blank"> assessment report from Fraser Developmental Centre</a></b> wasn't enough. First, they didn't receive it in time to apply for school support (which needs to be done by the end of September to register with the Ministry of Education) and the short report they got didn't have enough info on it. Second, upon receiving the full report, the LAC and SEC (Special Education Coordinator) went over it carefully and they aren't able to apply for extra help for him when it comes time in February 2016 either (the second time schools can apply).<br />
<br />
So no Aide for Rhys.<br />
<br />
At least for now.<br />
<br />
The wording that I struggled with they did as well. ("You may wish to identify him as having....") The big issue they had with the diagnosis of Complex Developmental Behavioral Disorder (CDBC) is that Rhys doesn't completely fit that description either. He does not have any behavioral problems. That is, no aggression, or self harm, or class disruptions ,etc. And that Behavior is an important part of CDBC. So they didn't feel that they could properly label him that way. Even though as I was told they really wished they could.<br />
<br />
*sigh*<br />
<br />
To say I felt disappointed would just slightly address my feelings. I felt it was a step back after our gains lately. And I was worried about Rhys not getting the help that he needed. But I have been assurred by the LAC that while Rhys may not have an Aide, he will always have an IEP. And they will always have him placed in a classroom where there is already an Aide, who is able to help him as needed. That encouraged me.<br />
<br />
Despite that set back, I do not feel that Rhys will <b><a href="http://fiery-joy.blogspot.ca/2015/05/falling-through-cracks.html" target="_blank">"fall into the cracks"</a></b> like it felt last year. He has such a wonderful teacher (who R and I both love) and the same Aide in the class as last year (who I've been talking with) He also has this report from Sunnyhill and they can't ignore that. But the truth is that Rhys really is doing well. Yes, he is about 1-2 years behind in a lot of ways, but he just needs direction, and he doesn't need that all of the time. So I understand the confliction in this decision.<br />
<br />
When I met with the Learning Assistance Coordinator and his teacher last week for our first IEP meeting (Independant Education Plan) I had a bit of nerves. I wasn't too sure what to expect. And it's funny how despite not knowing for sure, you can always end up feeling as though you weren't really expecting the outcome in the end. The meeting was different than I thought it would be. We started with his strengths (which I think is always a good place to begin) and then his needs, and then delved into the many categories where he needed help. With each heading (Communication, Social/Emotional, Acedemic, Physical/Independance) we discussed areas that he needed to strengthen and the LAC gave us solutions on how to meet those concerns. It really wasn't a surprise, really. Nothing was said that I didn't already know, and thankfully most I had already discussed with the Learning Assisstance Coordinator so it felt more like an 'official recap' for the records. So un-climatic!<br />
<br />
I am going to see Rhys' pediatrician and see if he would qualify for more help elsewhere, as we agree that Speech Therapy and/or Occupational Therapy would benefit him. As his teacher said, learning disabilities don't separate kids too much, but something they see will eventually set him apart, such as his inability to run properly or do simple things like skip. Maybe there is a program that we can get Rhys into that's locally run and doesn't cost a lot. <br />
<br />
I really do think this year will be a good one, though. We are making small steps. He is in the right school, and placed in the perfect classroom, and he is loved by many.<br />
<br />
<br />FieryCanuck77http://www.blogger.com/profile/16589376653409581240noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4911076353827092852.post-71420412628732454012015-12-13T13:55:00.000-08:002015-12-16T23:58:25.413-08:00heavy heart<div class="_6l- __c_">
My heart is overwhelmed. My Opa peacefully entered into the arms
of Jesus this week. As I listened to Christmas Carols on the radio, I
was filled with awe that he was singing them in praise now! What a
reward! I am so thankful for that surety of his life in heaven and can't
help but wonder how those without Jesus Christ face death. I am at
peace, but I also am sad that he is no longer with us (and its hard
living so far from family) but I have that hope for an eventual reunion.
I am so thankful! I will miss you, Opa!</div>
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<span class="_3m6-">My heart aches.</span><br />
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<span class="_3m6-">This is hard. </span><br />
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<span class="_3c21"> ROEPER, Pieter- Monday September 9, 1929 - Thursday December 10, 2015</span><br />
<br />
<span class="_3c21">Pieter Roeper passed away peacefully at the Belleville General Hospital on Thursday
December 10th, 2015. Pieter Roeper, of RR#2 Stirling in his 87th year.
Son of the late Cornelis & Trijntje Roeper. Loving husband of 63
years to Ada (Boulogne). Father of Alice Peters (Stephen) of British
Columbia, Karin Bouma (Fred) of Belleville, Connie Reed (Bob Grzela) of
Rockland, Peter (Kathleen) of Shelburne, Jim (Cathy) of Stirling, Fay
Sarra (John) of Markham and John (Ingrid) of Belleville. Survived by his
sisters Tineke Roeper (Sip Vermey) and Willy Hanskamp (Joop) of
Holland. Predeceased by sisters Alida Bas (Flip), Henny Stark (Jac) and
his brothers Jan (Aagie), Henk and Cornelis (Elly). Dear Grandfather of
Mark, Lori-Anne, Julie, Peter, James, Heather, Francine, Craig, Kyle,
Curtis, Ryan, Tiffany, Erica, Charles, David, Katrina, Nicole, Michelle,
Rhiana, Aaron, Elysha and 22 great grandchildren. Predeceased by
grandson Matthew and great grandson Quinn. Friends are invited to call
at the STIRLING FUNERAL CHAPEL LTD 87 James St. Stirling (613-395-2424)
on Sunday from 2-4 & 7-9 p.m. Funeral Services will be held at St.
Andrews Presbyterian Church, Stirling on Monday December 14th, 2015 at
11:00 a.m. Officiated by Rev. Morley Mitchell. Interment Elmwood
Cemetery. If desired, donations to the St. Andrews Presbyterian Church
would be appreciated.</span><br />
<span class="_3c21">Online condolences www.rushnellfamilyservices.com </span></div>
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</span>FieryCanuck77http://www.blogger.com/profile/16589376653409581240noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4911076353827092852.post-16095430425877484322015-12-11T14:22:00.002-08:002015-12-11T14:22:56.486-08:00Oh LightI love Gungor for their incredibly touching lyrics, breathtaking music and heavenly voices. And this new song is no exception.<br />
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Oh Light / Gungor feat. All Sons and Daughters<br />
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<br />FieryCanuck77http://www.blogger.com/profile/16589376653409581240noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4911076353827092852.post-31555565898226271102015-12-10T16:02:00.000-08:002015-12-11T19:37:27.847-08:00Thankful Thursday<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Welcome back to Thankful Thursday, a feature started by Louise at <a href="http://www.talknerdytomeblog.com/">Talk Nerdy to Me,</a>
where we look back over our week and remember our blessings. It is so
good to see all that has happened, especially if you have
had a particularly tough week. Being grateful is good for the soul. Here
are just a few things that I am thankful for...</span><br />
<br />
<b><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">1. Pretty Nails</span></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Eden found some nail polish and I relented and let her paint her nails. I know. *cringe* And then I let her paint my nails too. *twitch twitch* She got it all over my fingers and it makes my cuticles look even worse, but she was pleased with herself. So we showed off our fingers to everyone and we ooh'ed at how sparkly they were and it was fun!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Don't be jealous.</span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">2. fort bu<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">ilding</span></span></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">The Youngers are getting good at fort building in our house. I love memories like these!</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuhCBfw1T9ZwuRLw_uLUTJW_2XO4gXx3uNyhgrdPd8rIPPmO6B6iVCYLg_8WmCwI1VJ5qrY4xJ3GZnlD-SBv6CxIOLma1qC6Tvq26m2_pVHYmKKCFZxHTSFrW1s-RHDGd_W5Tl1gWETJc/s1600/fort+building+nov+27.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuhCBfw1T9ZwuRLw_uLUTJW_2XO4gXx3uNyhgrdPd8rIPPmO6B6iVCYLg_8WmCwI1VJ5qrY4xJ3GZnlD-SBv6CxIOLma1qC6Tvq26m2_pVHYmKKCFZxHTSFrW1s-RHDGd_W5Tl1gWETJc/s320/fort+building+nov+27.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></span></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">3. this girl</span></span></span></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">seriously. How did I get so lucky<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">?</span></span></span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq1gxq6X7X8fyiLr9mk5ta9WTMHQM2nDkfCRNyVALZtPmnD-CHm4qFmL6ygQuHGozrHZy48-BLoFR6JoLQO8EhLccUQPBtH7lUJ_wQOMIECaeep9zcSTCwhTD-D9yIGBFGFEPz3M3L9t8/s1600/14+years+abi+2015.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq1gxq6X7X8fyiLr9mk5ta9WTMHQM2nDkfCRNyVALZtPmnD-CHm4qFmL6ygQuHGozrHZy48-BLoFR6JoLQO8EhLccUQPBtH7lUJ_wQOMIECaeep9zcSTCwhTD-D9yIGBFGFEPz3M3L9t8/s1600/14+years+abi+2015.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Happy 14th birthday, Abi!</span></span></span></span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">4. </span>oh <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Christmas tree</span></span></span></span></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I love our family tradition o<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">f <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">going to a tree farm (support local!) and finding ou<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">r own special tree! I grew up with a fake one that we pulled out each year on the 3rd of December, which I love and miss that family tra<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">dition, but I love that my own family <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">can have their own. I'm thankful that it wasn't that cold this year for our outing!</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN2j3qJ4ikhZK78R9KIqjv9Gv_fyQsBdHklx8i6zgh6TpBJgcOpoV5xA244NvEUaI6A9XbmFIFYYM86OusRk2LtpCCYtH5GMs8vvxCqkgxBMyYWIsUimSEzOG-vm-9YEmBMes6XnXMQss/s1600/oh+christmas+tree+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN2j3qJ4ikhZK78R9KIqjv9Gv_fyQsBdHklx8i6zgh6TpBJgcOpoV5xA244NvEUaI6A9XbmFIFYYM86OusRk2LtpCCYtH5GMs8vvxCqkgxBMyYWIsUimSEzOG-vm-9YEmBMes6XnXMQss/s320/oh+christmas+tree+4.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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{group hug for our fave tree!} </div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"></span></span></span></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">5. </span></span></span></span></span>strength and covering</span></span></span></span></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">was suddenly thrus<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">t into the role of leading the whole morning with my children's group as my co-leader wasn't able to come, which made me a bit nervous, but mostly confident. And let me <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">tell you that I wouldn't have tha<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">t confidence i<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">f it weren't for<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> the Holy Sp<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">irit. It's one thing to have the talent to lead a group of kids, but it's another to have no worries as you rest in the fact that <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">it's <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">His words that <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">are</span> being said. I am so <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">thankful that <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">even though the kids were restless more than usual, the morning went really well. I<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> had energy and spirit and Joy!</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">6. <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">new-to-her princess dresses</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Eden found a bunch of old dresses that Abi used to <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">wear (and make her brothers wear too, come to think of it<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">!) They're still a bit big on her, <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">but she is so e<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">xcited!</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I let her wear one to bed, along with her new <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">"ha<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">ir pretty" and she giggled while being tucked in, saying, "Mama, I'm in love with you!" S<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">he mel<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">ts me.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">7. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span>beautiful voices in harmony</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I'm not too sure if you can tell or not, but I love music! :) I love choirs. I love orchestra<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">s. I <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">just love be<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">autiful harmon<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">ies and <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">lyrics. <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">My heart was so lifted this week to hear a bit of Abi and the high school choir <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">practicing<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> after schoo<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">l. I am thankful that we <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">are created to sing.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">8. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">sud<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">den visits to my parents</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I am so thankful that I have been able to just suddenly <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">go with my sister this week to visit my parents while my Opa was in the hospital. We don't li<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">ve near our extended family (they are in Ontario), and so it's been difficult, but we have eachother. I am thankful for tea, tears, <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">laughter, and comfo<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">rt.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">9. <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Crafty <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Aff<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">aire</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">T<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">he girls and I had a morning outing which started with a walk around the Crafty A<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">ffaire market in White Rock (<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">support local!) and ended <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">wit<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">h l<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">unch together. And, <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">yet again, I meant to take photos but forgot<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> to. Oops. <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">You'll have to trust me that it was a fun time. It helped<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> that I won tickets for entry through Instagram! yay go me! (I won last year too, but wasn't able to attend as it fell on the same day as <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Kai's bday party.)</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><b><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></b><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">10. <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">almost meetings</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I am thankful for laughter and <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">be<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">ing silly. I was walking through the grocery store with my <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">h<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">u<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">sband when I saw ant<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">her man I recogniz<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">ed. We had already had a strange day of many <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">coincidental <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">meetings with people we knew, so I thought it was <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">another friend. That is until I <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">realized I recognized this man through <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">his wife's</span> blog that I read often! I suppose I could<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">'<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">ve said Hi when I saw the whole family, but I though<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">t it may be st<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">range <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">since they didn't really know me, but now I'm realizing that was silly and I should've<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">! Maybe we'll have another chance encounter....now<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> that I know where she shops! <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">*wink*</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">So that's my week (or two) in a nutshell. How about you? What are you thankful for? </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span> </span></span>FieryCanuck77http://www.blogger.com/profile/16589376653409581240noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4911076353827092852.post-89455218925022239552015-11-26T23:30:00.001-08:002015-11-26T23:30:05.009-08:00Thankful Thursday<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Welcome back to Thankful Thursday, a feature started by Louise at <a href="http://www.talknerdytomeblog.com/">Talk Nerdy to Me,</a>
where we look back over our week and remember our blessings. It is so
good to see all that has happened, especially if you have
had a particularly tough week. Being grateful is good for the soul. Here
are just a few things that I am thankful for...</span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">1 .Fun Mail</span></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I got such a wonderful surprise in the mail this week from a friend in Scotland. She had posted on FB that there was a Doric version of the book Gruffalo, which is a dialect where she lives. I thought that was pretty cool and asked her to record herself reading it. She offered to send me a copy instead. And she did! I wasn't really expecting her to. I was so happy!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I could read the book in my head, but reading it out loud was a bit more difficult! The kids listened, but they got confused. (not surprising)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">("a mouse took a walk <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">in the wood. A fox sa<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">w the mouse a<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">nd the mouse looked good.")</span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> </span></span></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Abi and I had fun reading it, although she sounded more like a pirate to me! HAHA</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS3BAhRHZBMLUkDiEK3rWtUq8pcrIGuKZiKrXsl4tramFMxE2rUlYHw1rdrjawTWx2bjAEU5cs7mQyxOyoaKI8jPMGwQO62CuS9lHmnOrbJVVbwbLGyd3CJtqsAeR3cpG5witI86mBGqs/s1600/doric+gruffalo4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS3BAhRHZBMLUkDiEK3rWtUq8pcrIGuKZiKrXsl4tramFMxE2rUlYHw1rdrjawTWx2bjAEU5cs7mQyxOyoaKI8jPMGwQO62CuS9lHmnOrbJVVbwbLGyd3CJtqsAeR3cpG5witI86mBGqs/s320/doric+gruffalo4.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"></span><b><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">2. rebate cheques</span></b><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I got a letter from ICBC this week (the Insurance Corporation of BC, the company that you have to insure your vehicle with to be able to drive it legally here.) that they had been overcharging me (oops. dang corporation) I am thankful for the cheque they sent though. It is enough for us to be able to rent the uniform Abi needs for her choir performances. </span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">3.International Festival</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></b>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">The grade ones have been studying different countries this unit and have come together to do a few fun events. They had a few soccer matches (or, rather, Football in most of these countries) and ended with an International Feast, where each class hosted foods from their country. Rhys' class studied France, so some parents brought in crepes, croissants and quiche---which was impressive because my mind went blank and all I could think of was French Fries, haha! The other countries represented were Netherlands, Guatemala, and Italy. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">It was a fun afternoon!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"></span><br />
<b><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">4. acceptance </span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I think just about everyone knows by now that Rhys is a huggy boy. He loves to give random hugs to people and he will love and hang on you if he knows you. I think it's great about him as it shows his genuine love for others. But I know that people we don't know may not enjoy it as much. Such as classmates of Abi's. But Rhys still runs up to them and hugs them and wants to hang around them! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I am so thankful that Abi's classmates are okay with that. They not only endure his clinging, but they are so kind that they even encourage him. It warms my heart to see that they don't look down on him, but accept him. I had to pull <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">him off one girl as we were leaving school the other day because he ke<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">pt hugging her leg! She laughed it off th<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">ankfully.</span></span></span></span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">5. balloons!</span></b><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">We got confirmation this week that my niece is now allowed to have latex without having an anaphalactic episode! Woohoo!! After 8 years, she can now play with balloons!!! This is such an amazing gift! We all kind of take it for granted that we can play with balloons at parties or not have to worry about what the rubber balls in school are made out of or avoid certain foods that cross relate. I can't wait to be able to give her a balloon! </span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">6. visits with old friends</span></b><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">And when I say "old", I mean Dear...not OLD<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">!</span> haha.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Shannon and I have been friends ever since we worked together 14 years ago. (gosh, now I feel old!) For a while there we would get together monthly, but she started to full-time work as a nurse and life got busy for me and we weren't able to anymore. After a few <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">cancellations</span>, we finally met this week for tea and a visit. My heart is happy again. (having hugs from her daughters, saying they missed me, helped too!)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> </span><b><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">7. friends </span></b><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">If you were to ask Eden who her best friend is, she'd probably say Joey, our next door neighbour. We are so blessed to have this family beside us. But with night coming earlier now and so many after school events, they haven't been able to play as much; they look forward to the weekend!</span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">8. gaming night</span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">For Kai's birthday party, he invited his friends over for a gaming night. We got him a PS3, and we borrowed an old-school Nintendo and an extra tv, and a friend brought over his Ninetendo 360, so they had plenty to do! We fed them and they played games and had a lot of fun. I had to laugh though that by the end of the night, they were all on the couch with their own devices playing Minecraft together! It was a fun evening! (and cheap!)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">(this is the picture we used for his invitations!)</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">9. extra long weekends</span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">My kids are out of school for two days this week, giving them an extra-long weekend! I love that! As much as I love their school and I love that they can go, I also love those special days where we can relax and sleep in and stay in our pjs!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<b><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">10. Colourful Garden Carrots</span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I am so thankful that we had a bit of a garden this summer that yeilded a lot more beets than expected, as well as beans and these carrots. I love all the fun colours! (I think they were called Rainbow variety, but <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I could really be totally wrong. I<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> don't pay good attention to these sorts of things)</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">So that's my week in a nutshell. How about you? What are you thankful for? </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>FieryCanuck77http://www.blogger.com/profile/16589376653409581240noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4911076353827092852.post-56723449489980230772015-11-24T22:41:00.001-08:002015-11-26T15:47:38.907-08:00Another Specialist, Another Group<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Her first question after we introduced ourselves was, "How important is it for you to have a diagnosis? How much do you need to have one for him?"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">It caused me to stop and consider. What is the right answer she's looking for? What do I really feel? How do I even express it? I answer truthfully. "If searching for answers isn't going to get us anywhere then we don't want to do it. We don't want to waste your time, or our time, and we don't want to put Rhys through more trauma. We just want to know if he has something so that we can help him out in school or when he's older."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The doctor nodded encouragement. She seemed to understand what I was trying to say.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Our goal is to see how we can support Rhys and bridge that delayment gap. But if Specialists don't think there is any reason to continue searching then I guess we'd have to be happy with all that we know now. The <a href="http://fiery-joy.blogspot.ca/2015/11/what-weve-been-waiting-over-year-for-rs.html" target="_blank">Developmental Pediatrician we saw at the Fraser Developmental Clinic</a> said that we had done a good job with getting answers for Rhys and that we had exhausted a lot of routes, and that we shouldn't feel that we needed to look further. I think that she meant to be encouraging but we didn't cancel our appointment with the Specialist at TIDE BC.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b><a href="http://tidebc.org/" target="_blank">TIDE BC</a></b> is the research team based out of BC Children's Hospital that our regular pediatrician referred us to. (<a href="http://fiery-joy.blogspot.ca/2015/05/falling-through-cracks.html" target="_blank">mentioned HERE</a>) I was excited to see them; it sounded promising. They focus on treating and preventing Intellectual Disabilities (ID) through diet and/or drugs. They work alongside the Genetics department at BCCH as well. I couldn't help but feel somewhat hopeful that they'd be able to help us out. Even though I knew that the chances of them even finding anything wasn't high. But hope is an amazing thing.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">We hadn't heard from Genetics yet, at the time of this appointment, but I admitted that it must mean that there was nothing to mention. We aren't upset about that. There's no need to bring us in on nothing, plus it saves us an hour drive in to BCCH, paying for parking, finding childcare, and the drive back home. We can appreciate that. The Specialist at TIDE BC had most of our test results in her file and she confirmed that they were were 'negative' or 'normal'. (no surprise)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Our appointment was short. I was advised by a friend who'd been to TIDE already, as well as the printed handout the clinical nurse gave me, that we'd have questions to answer (mostly background info---stuff we answer at every doctor's appointment, which is frustrating.), they'd do a check on Rhys and we'd be send for a bunch of lab work. (yay) However, it didn't end up that way. Instead, the doctor recognized that we had done so many genetic tests already and that there wasn't much else for them to do. Instead, after a brief look over Rhys, she asked if she could refer us to another group. They are called<a href="http://www.bcchf.ca/blog/causes-clinic" target="_blank"> <b>CAUSES, another clinic based out of BCCH</b></a>.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">This group is still in it's testing phase, but showing lost of promise and answers. They work with Genetics as well, but the biggest and best part of them is that instead of doing multiple tests (which we already have done a boatload), they do only one. Yep. One giant DNA test. Bam! That's it! So no more going back and doing "one more test" and no doctor saying, 'maybe we can look for this..." How awesome is that? It's a huge test and answers our feelings towards wasting anyone's time and/or putting Rhys through more poking and trauma (he already is a huge handful to get labwork done as it is)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I found this about<b> <a href="http://www.genomebc.ca/news-events/announcements/mining-miracles-and-genome-bc-pledge-funds-bc-childrens-hospital-causes-clinic/" target="_blank">CAUSES on the Genome British Columbia</a></b> site:</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b>About the CAUSES Clinic</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The CAUSES Clinic will provide advanced DNA testing, clinical interpretation, genetic counselling, and personalized recommendations for treatment for children with complex, undiagnosed medical</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">conditions.
There are more than 7,000 known genetic disorders, and the CAUSES
Clinic will test for all of these using one genomic test. If advanced
DNA testing identifies a child with a treatable condition, then
treatment can be started earlier. For some children, this will be
life-changing. Obtaining the right treatment earlier will help prevent medical complications and save lives. The CAUSES Clinic is made possible by a $3-million commitment from Mining for Miracles through BC Children’s Hospital Foundation and is supported by the Provincial Health Services Authority and the University of British Columbia. The CAUSES Clinic will ensure that BC Children’s Hospital remains a centre of excellence providing outstanding care to the children and families of British Columbia.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The CAUSES Clinic will:
</span><br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b>Test</b> at least 500 children and family members
within the next three years to identify illnesses that would previously
have gone undiagnosed;</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b>Provide</b> genetic counselling, interpretation of
complex testing results, and personalized treatment recommendations for
children who receive a diagnosis from the Clinic’s advanced DNA testing;</span></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b>Help reduce</b> the number of invasive tests – such as
biopsies, biochemical tests, expensive single gene tests, or MRI scans
often requiring sedation– needed to obtain a diagnosis for children.
This is expected to reduce the average number of tests per child
required for a diagnosis from 10 or more to one, resulting in
significant savings for both families and the health-care system;</span></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b>Help prevent medical complications</b>. In cases where
advanced DNA testing identifies a treatable condition in a child, then
treatment can be started immediately. Obtaining the right treatment
earlier will help prevent medical complications and save lives;</span></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b>Partner</b> with BC Children’s Hospital BioBank to
store biological samples donated by patients, which will contribute to
significant research discoveries.</span></li>
</ul>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The doctor told us that this testing has a 30% rate of discovery. Which is encouraging to hear. That's a lot of families who have gotten answers. But that does mean that 70% of patients don't have anything in the end. She needed us to understand that the results may not yield anything. But I said that even a "normal" is an answer. Isn't it? Having no genetic problems is actually an important piece of our search to know. It'll be definitive, at least.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">CAUSES has a fast response time too. Apparently they take only about 2-3 weeks to decide (as a group with all the Specialists) if you are a good candidate for their program. So maybe we'll hear soon if this is something we'll be searching further. If the decide to look into Rhys' case, apparently they'll contact our Specialist at TIDE, who will then contact the Genetics Counsellor, who will then contact us to set up an appointment date. It's all so run-around-ish, but I was told it also happens sooner than typical.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The funny thing is that a few days after our appointment at TIDE BC, we got a call from the Genetics department. The doctor didn't find anything in his tests, but he'd like to recommend us to a different group for further testing! When I talked to the Doctor's Assistant (I'm not actually too sure who she was, to be honest), I told her about TIDE and CAUSES and she said that was the group that our doctor wanted to send us to! How interesting! I asked what the criteria was for this---what about Rhys was it that made him want to go further? She said that the doctor feels that even though the tests are coming back normal or fine that there may be something else going on with him. So it wasn't necessarily that Rhys was a "special case", but that he's worth looking further into. That was actually good for me to hear. (It's not all in my head!) There's something there, but what? We're short of answers, but maybe there are still options.</span><br />
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<br />FieryCanuck77http://www.blogger.com/profile/16589376653409581240noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4911076353827092852.post-90776742361879267462015-11-22T00:04:00.000-08:002015-11-24T21:46:18.405-08:00Who needs tonsils anyways?<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Day three and five really are the worst for recovery.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Abi went in for her tonsillectomy at the beginning of the month and all has been going well. Better than I had expected. But then again, I wasn't sure what to expect since we weren't given any information. All I was thinking of were the news stories of children who have died after tonsilectomies from bleeding and hemoraging. I know those cases aren't common, but it's in the back of your head that you could be that small percentage where odd things happen. (We do have a strange medical history in this family!) So I kept picturing lots of throwing up and bleeding. Ugh.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Thankfully that has not been the case.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">We went in to her appointment with only the knowledge of where to go (Surrey Memorial Hospital), what day (Nov 4) and what time to arrive (6:30am) That's all. Oh, and that she needed to fast from midnight on. Nothing else. No tips on how to prepare, no info on what to expect, nothing on what recovery is like. It was very frustrating. (it didn't help that I couldn't even get in to the office on the phone. It just rang and rang every time I called.)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">A day after her surgery, I had to laugh as I remembered being concerned about knowing too much. I didn't want to be told what the doctor would do or how. (The idea gives me shivers) I just didn't think that my non-vocalized worries would keep me from knowing anything!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">(this was taken an hour after we arrived at the hospital and were getting comfortable in her room. We had been up since 5:30am...after restless sleep...and were feeling silly and tired! I'm glad that we were able to laugh a lot instead of being quiet with anxiety.)</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Her surgery went well. In the pa<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">s</span>t, I've almost passed out when my kids have been put to sleep. (which sounds horrible...the description that is.) But I had no problems this time. They had the Frozen movie playing in the OR (I guess they do that to distract the little kids) and Abi was relaxed (mostly) so it felt casual, which totally helped. (I'm thinking that having a child fight and cry and thrash and then suddenly fall asleep by medication does a lot to create anxiety in me, which explains the almost-passing out part) We also had a nurse int he OR that I knew; an old classmate of my sister's during their nursing student days. That was so nice to have! It gave me comfort.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">What surprised me is that it is only a half hour procedure. I was barely back in her room when the doctor visited me to say all went well and to give me some recovery tips. Such as no straws, only soft food, and that day 3-5 would be more painful, but as long as we kept up on her pain medication, she should be okay.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">And it has been okay. Abi had made herself cozy on the couch, mostly playing on her Ipod. We would both get up in the night for Advil and Tylenol (I slept the first night on the other couch with her since I was getting up every 3 hours for her) and if she missed her scheduled medication she could tell. For the most part, things have been good and her pain has been low. But when she hit day three, she had a headache, earache, jaw pain and sore throat. (all normal) Her voice has been really weak also, and her throat doesn't like to swallow so dinnertime was painful.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> <span style="font-size: x-small;">(I took and posted this picture with her permission. It makes us laugh. She's tired and sore and bored of the being home and only eating Popsicles and yogurt!)</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I was feeling concerned about her recovery though. We were told 7-10 days and at day 9 she was still in tons of pain and needing to take something every 5 hours. I told a friend that if she was still in pain on day 10, I'd take her to the doctor again. I wasn't expecting her to be any better, and said that it would take some sort of miracle for her to be suddenly healed enough in one night. And guess what happened? She missed her nighttime medication and ended up going 12 hours without! What just happened? I was so surprised! The next day, she was even better! Wow! I guess we got our miracle!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Hopefully with no tonsils to bother her now, Abi will have a healthier winter. Last year ended with strep throat and this year started with tonsillitis, missing 2 weeks of school. Although having your tonsils removed doesn't mean that you won't get strep throat, it is supposed to be a lot less. Hopefully it'll help with her asthma as well. So we'll see.</span>FieryCanuck77http://www.blogger.com/profile/16589376653409581240noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4911076353827092852.post-51104716843606597512015-11-20T11:20:00.000-08:002015-11-24T21:54:28.221-08:00What we've been waiting over a year for: R's AssessmentIt has been almost two months since we had Rhys <a href="http://www.bcchildrens.ca/our-services/sunny-hill-health-centre/about" target="_blank">assessed at Sunnyhill</a>. Or rather, it was done at the <u>Fraser Developmental Clinic</u> in New Wesminster. When we were sent there I was unclear if FDC was a part of Sunnyhill or contracted out and if we went there due to a shorter drive distance or due to S being so busy. But whatever the reason, I was very pleased with our experience. The Fraser Developmental Clinic has a very professional and caring staff of specialists (plus a friendly and fun receptionist). We were there for 8 sessions over a 5 day period. Most were interviews with Hunny and myself, some were just with Rhys, which was hard at first. To not be in the room with him, that is. Other than school (or a birthday party or Sunday school), I have always been with him, being his voice and advocate. And here, he had to see a few doctors without me in the room. It took me a bit to get used to. Handing your child off to people you don't know, whether they are professionals or not, takes a lot of trust.<br />
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At the end of our sessions, we met with all of the Specialists for a conference to discuss the results. (minus Rhys) We met with the Developmental Pediatrician, Psychologist, Speech-Language Pathologist, Clinical Social Worker, Occupational Therapist, and a Case Manager. I was so nervous! What if they said nothing was wrong? What if they mentioned something that I hadn't thought of or mentally prepared myself for? Would I cry? (I thought I would, so I brought tissues in my pocket, just in case!)<br />
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The conference was, to be honest, quite anti-climatic. They didn't say anything that we didn't know or observe on our own. But they give us a few names.<br />
<b>-Verbal Learning Disability</b><br />
<b>-Written Output Learning Disability</b><br />
<b>-Math Learning Disability</b><br />
<b>-Reading Learning Disability</b><br />
<b>-Communication Disorder <a href="http://childdevelopmentinfo.com/child-psychology/children_with_communication_disorders/" target="_blank">(more info on that HERE)</a></b><br />
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That's a lot of Disabilities and Disorders. Which is sad.<br />
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First off, they started by reminding us
of what a sweet boy he is (we know!) and how friendly and caring he is,
and what a fun gentle spirit he has. (we agree!) The Psychologist
talked the most, but she, and the Speech Pathologist and Occupational
Therapist gave the most info. But really they were all so helpful. The
diagnosis they were able to give us were "verbal learning disability"
(he has never been good with verbal and has a poor memory, and learns
better visually) and "communication/language disorder." So no surprise
there. They did not say that we needed to get him therapy somewhere
(although, if it worked for our family, they'd suggest ST) but they were
going to "Strongly Recommend school support" to our principal. That was
an answer I was really looking for! I don't know what exactly that
will mean, or what the school can/will provide for us, but I am hopeful.<br />
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They mentioned how this is a life-long disability, and how he'll have a
hard time in school due to it (academically speaking he'll struggle
with concepts, especially since most are verbal, like math and reading)
but he has other gifts (he is good with fine motor and loves to draw)
and they gave us some tips. His
"executive functioning" was below average. That made me sad.<br />
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The Developmental Pediatrician said that we will probably never know why he is the way he
is, but it looks like we have had every test or procedure done and we
have done a good job. The Social Worker (who turned out to be not as
helpful as we were hoping or expecting) said that it is probably
something passed down in our families (we both had fathers with speech
delayment as young boys); she may be correct. They did rule out it being from the True Knot in his cord discovered after his birth, since he doesn't have
severe developmental issues. (it was good to put that at rest in my
mind) But despite those comments, we have not cancelled our appointments with Genetics!<br />
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These titles should be able to get him the help in school that he needs. This means that we'll get to join the many who have an IEP for their child --something that I hadn't thought of before. I'm not too sure when that'll happen or what it really means, but I am apprehensive as I've heard so many discouraging stories of parents being in tears or frustrated at the IEP meetings since their child's needs aren't really being met. I'm nervous about that. But I'm trying not to think too far ahead.<br />
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Another title mentioned was <u>Complex Developmental Behavioral Condition (CDBC)</u>, which is baffling me. There is very little information about it online. A lot of clinical pages, or ones on getting referred to have it diagnosed, but I'd like personal stuff, like blogs and pages on people it really effects. (which is one of the main reasons why I blog about Rhys' issues... I know that he isn't the only one out there, and maybe someone else will read this and find comfort and support. Hang in there, Stranger! *fist bump*) The other confusing part is how it was presented to us. They mentioned it briefly during the conference, so I was hoping more would be said in the full report. Instead it was added as an extra, saying that the school "may wish to identify R as having CDBC according to the Ministry of Education.....and recommend additional support in the classroom under this diagnosis."<br />
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What does that mean???<br />
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I'm not too sure what to do with this information. Does he have CDBC or not? Is it a diagnosis or isn't it? Don't the Specialists need to diagnose it not the school? Maybe it will help the school in receiving funding for his care and support, but what does it mean for Rhys? Isn't this name a bit more important than all of his learning disabilities? After all, that is an actual name...something that makes sense. It sounds impressive. It says something's going on. It has a label that I can explain to others. Yet it also doesn't explain much at all.<br />
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After waiting for a good two years for this assessment, I'm finding it not as bomb-shell-useful as I'd hoped. I wanted answers, ...and I got some. But I also got more questions! This isn't really the end, but more of a beginning. <br />
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I think I'm going to have to meet with our own pediatrician for more answers. But for now this is a start. A partial diagnosis. I'm happy that along with the really long full report, the specialists at least gave some recommendations for us, which appear to be very helpful. (They also included an extra report for us to give to the school.)<br />
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I remember being told by many friends that doing an assessment or having a label or diagnosis won't change Rhys. They seemed to say it to deter us from searching for something that may not matter. And they were right.<br />
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These names don't change him. But they help him. And that's a good thing.<br />
<br />FieryCanuck77http://www.blogger.com/profile/16589376653409581240noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4911076353827092852.post-74856165099842997582015-11-19T22:23:00.002-08:002015-11-19T22:27:58.730-08:00Thankful Thursday<br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Welcome back to Thankful Thursday, a feature started by Louise at <a href="http://www.talknerdytomeblog.com/">Talk Nerdy to Me,</a>
where we look back over our week and remember our blessings. It is so
good to see all that has happened, especially if you have
had a particularly tough week. Being grateful is good for the soul. Here
are just a few things that I am thankful for...</span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">1. Bi<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">rthdays</span></span></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Kai is 12 now, which is crazy because I thought for sure he's already been 12! He's more of a teenager than a tween with <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">adole<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">sen<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">ce hitting. I am lov<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">ing this new stage of life for him, to be honest. It's so good to see maturity and passion<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> and kindness <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">show up more often.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">2. healing</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">It took <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">her the full 10 days to finally be able to control the pain better, but I am so thankful that Abi is starting to get back to normal again! Her voice is still weak and sore <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">halfwa<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">y through the day, but she's back at sc<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">hool and all feels right!</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><b><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">3. big brother help</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I caught Rhys <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">one morning <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">zipping up Eden's jacket for her as we were leaving for school. <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">How s<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">weet! Sometimes having an o<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">lder brother is the best! </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I am so thankful for his gentle spirit and for hi<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">s</span> seeing a problem and doing his part to fi<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">x it! <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">It made my<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> heart happy.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">4. Remembering the <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">sacrific<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">es made</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Wi<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">th Remembrance Day just past, I am so thankful to consider all of the lives th<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">at were effected to keep us safe in our homes and our country. The soldiers, the doctors and nurses, the families that had to give up husbands and sons and daughters.... so many sacrific<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">es; it's overwhelming.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span> <br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I am so thankful.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">5. warm safe home</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I am so thankful f<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">or hea<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">t and protection and blankets and boots and jackets<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> and warm meals...all the t<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">hings that we ha<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">d to ke<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">ep u<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">s safe and <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">cozy whil<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">e the <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">world was pelted with rain and <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">harassed</span> with wind<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> over this st<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">ormy week. We have it so good! I am thankful for so many things. (*I a<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">m a<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">lso thankful that my parent' power only was out for 12 hours and that they were still able to stay warm despite that.<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> In the same theme...I'm thankful for cell phones so we can still be <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">in contact despite no power!)</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">6. Giving friends</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I w<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">as out for lunch with a friend this past week when m<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">y debit card was noticeably missing from my purse. (which is strange since it is always in this on<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">e spot.<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">) I searched and searched, feeling perplex<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">ed<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">, when my friend offered to pay fo<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">r my lunch so that I didn't have to put the small order onto my credit card. I am so thankful for her quick willing<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">ness to do that. I can't t<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">hink of any of my friends who wouldn't, but still...<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">it is such a blessing to have a friend who does that immediately! I am thankful for her gift. (and I <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">am thankful that the kids found my debit card in the back of the van...af<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">ter an un<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">named <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">preschooler took it out....and<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> that I was able to give back to this friend)</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">7. <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">coffee dates</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></b></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I am thankful for the times that Hunny and I are able to pop out for a quick <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">co<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">ffee date just to spend some time chatting without kids al<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">ways at your feet or dema<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">nding atte<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">ntion or just irritating you with their bickering.</span></span></span></span></span> </span> </span></span></span> </span></span> </span></span></span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJuqx4j9vUlW8C1sOSpxg3QzygQ59iKdC5bs7KFGBoHwwKg64xhNQaqJwJHgMwSJdnNNQ4wQffFyp9T659U4kE-s7_CkcUENGd8NQV9NVZWHuCv0h615Qq0f9pKbgaouxG769jncJMwVw/s1600/starbucks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJuqx4j9vUlW8C1sOSpxg3QzygQ59iKdC5bs7KFGBoHwwKg64xhNQaqJwJHgMwSJdnNNQ4wQffFyp9T659U4kE-s7_CkcUENGd8NQV9NVZWHuCv0h615Qq0f9pKbgaouxG769jncJMwVw/s320/starbucks.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> My Hunny is a Starb<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">ucks drinker, so we often <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">end up at the one near us. (I'm not as picky.<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">) I got my plain red Holiday cup from <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Star<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">bu<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">cks and I wasn't offended. It's a bit b<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">oring this year, but nothing that effec<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">ts me too <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">much. (haha. What a huge waste of time and attention that non-story was this past week!)</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">8. </span></span></span></span></span></span>Upcoming change</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">My Hunny was offered a part time teaching po<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">sition at a local college , starting nex<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">t semester! This job <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">wasn't somet<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">hing he was trying for<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> or something he was thinking he'd end up doing, but it was something that was <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">presented to him about a year ago just as an idea. Funny how God moves <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">things and opens doors you hadn't thought of before! I am thankful that this has come up and that it has brought excitemem<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">ent (and nerves) to my Hunny<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">. I am thankful <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">that God loves surprises too!</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">9. Babysitting Play Dates</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I got to babysit all of my little nephews this week and it was wonderful! I haven't babysat them in months, since they didn't need me anymore. It was fun<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">! It was only for an hour and half, but it was actually enjoyable<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">! I had <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Eden there and the three boys, so four <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">kids aged 4, 3, 21 months and 2 months old! It r<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">eminded me of the days when I had little k<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">ids all around. (<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">never had four in that short of a<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">n age gap, but I always seemed to have a toddler and a<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> baby at the same time, lol ...Or so it seemed.)</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">10<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span>Classes that go better than expected</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I teach <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">a</span> class of <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">3-y<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">r olds</span></span> at my Bible Study group (BSF) and this week our classes and <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Leaders changed, so we weren't too sure how it would go. Instead of me being in a team of 4 leaders, we were now <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">separated into smaller classes so it w<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">as just myself and another woman. I am so thankful that it all w<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">ent well and that <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">we felt confident and that the kids had a good morning. </span></span></span></span>Phew!</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">So <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">t<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">hat's my week in a nuts<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">hell. How about you<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">? What are you thankful for?</span></span></span></span></span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span> </span></span>FieryCanuck77http://www.blogger.com/profile/16589376653409581240noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4911076353827092852.post-63112748424167536182015-11-19T00:12:00.000-08:002015-11-19T00:12:23.702-08:00overwhelmed this week and fighting fear<span class="fbPhotosPhotoCaption" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" id="fbPhotoSnowliftCaption" tabindex="0"><span class="hasCaption">My
newsfeed on FB is full of posts and articles on ISIS and terrorists and bombs
and refugees etc....and it's all so overwhelming. So many different
thoughts but all the same underlying sentiment: fear.</span></span><br />
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<span class="fbPhotosPhotoCaption" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" id="fbPhotoSnowliftCaption" tabindex="0"><span class="hasCaption"> So right now, in
the moments given to me, I am choosing to focus on Him, who holds us all
and is not at all surprised by the turmoil of the world. I am seeking
stability and peace.</span></span><br />
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<span class="fbPhotosPhotoCaption" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" id="fbPhotoSnowliftCaption" tabindex="0"><span class="hasCaption"> Apparently, the Bible tells us to Be Not Afraid
365 times..once for each day. How refreshing the world can look when we
take a moment to think on that instead.</span></span><br />
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FieryCanuck77http://www.blogger.com/profile/16589376653409581240noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4911076353827092852.post-80021652473769922442015-11-16T00:08:00.000-08:002015-11-19T00:09:03.340-08:00#prayforworld<span class="fbPhotosPhotoCaption" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" id="fbPhotoSnowliftCaption" tabindex="0"><span class="hasCaption">It's amazing how much can happen in one day. </span></span><br />
<span class="fbPhotosPhotoCaption" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" id="fbPhotoSnowliftCaption" tabindex="0"><span class="hasCaption"><br />
Our hearts are heavy as we learn more of each situation in the
countries that were effected by violence on Friday, and are holding them
in our prayers.</span></span><br />
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<span class="fbPhotosPhotoCaption" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" id="fbPhotoSnowliftCaption" tabindex="0"><span class="hasCaption">I don't have any more words than that. Just sorrow.</span></span><br />
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FieryCanuck77http://www.blogger.com/profile/16589376653409581240noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4911076353827092852.post-66612615932429023012015-11-05T22:37:00.000-08:002015-11-05T22:49:08.140-08:00Thankful Thursday<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Welcome back to Thankful Thursday, a feature started by Louise at <a href="http://www.talknerdytomeblog.com/">Talk Nerdy to Me,</a>
where we look back over our week and remember our blessings. It is so
good to see all that has happened, especially if you have
had a particularly tough week. Being grateful is good for the soul. Here
are just a few things that I am thankful for...</span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">1. Not fractured</span></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Abi had an incident in PE class where she fumbled a football and it slammed into her index finger. That evening, it was so incredibly swollen she couldn't bend it! We taped it up and told her to be mindful of it and we'd keep an eye on it to make sure it was healing. Then, of course, she went away for the weekend!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">When she returned, it was so incredibly bruised, and still very painful, although the swelling had gone down and she had some mobility return. To be on the safe side, I took her to the clinic where the doctor sent her for an xray. The nice thing is that this xray clinic took all of 15 minutes for the pictures, instead of like an 10 hour wait in the ER. The bad news is that it took the clinic 4 days to get the results back on the xrays, whereas it would be the same day news if in the ER.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Good news is that there is no fracture.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">The bad news is that there is no fracture. (that means she will still have to do PE again.) </span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">2. Sudden Pro-D Days</span></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">The floor in the gymnasium of our high school is being resurfaced (after a leak) and the sealer that they use on it is so powerful that some kids were being sick from the smell. The final sealant <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">went</span> on this past weekend, and since we were told it is 5x stronger than the previous layers, the school decided it would just be safer for all to close the middle/high school. And to keep it fair, they've closed the Elementary/preschool campus as well! Yay another long weekend!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> We had some of the boy's friends over, so there was much computer game playing, computer gamer videos to watch and a big Nerf gun war in the drizzly rain!</span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">3. Safe H<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">allowe'en</span></span></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">We had pouring rain the morning of Hallowe'en, and were told to expect more during the evening, but thankfully it didn't fall and so the kids got to go ou<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">t trick-or-treating in the neighbourhood for over an hour. <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">We even got a burst of <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">sunshine just at dinner ti<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">me too, <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">just to confuse us and bri<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">ghten our day!</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span> </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Abi wanted a theme dress up and most of the sibling<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">s were on bo<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">ard (thankfully <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">so was Grandma Lynn who sew<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">ed most of these beautiful costumes!) <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">so we had Peter Pan, Cap<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">tain Hook, a p<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">irate, Tinkerbell, a Hu<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">nter, a Chopper Jr <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Contestant</span> and a Bandit!</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><b><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">4. Excellent Parent-Teacher Interviews</span></span></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> This week, we had our first ever Parent-Tea<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">cher inter<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">views at the high school. That was different. Instead of seeing one tea<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">cher at a set time, you need to see like 9 of them and stand in <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">line at an open-house-t<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">ype eve<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">ning. I am so thankful that Abi is a good student, a <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">conscientious girl and a<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">n easy-going friend. Her teachers had nothing <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">to report other than that and so each interview was only 5 <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">minutes long! </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">We wer<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">e at the Elementary schoo<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">l the next <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">night, a<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">nd the Middle School the week earlier. I am happy to sa<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">y that those we<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">nt well also! Our kids are doing well, and I am<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> so thankful that they are in th<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">is school<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">! I feel that the teachers they have are such a blessing an<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">d a perfect mat<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">ch so far! </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<b><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">5. Vint<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">age Barn Market and coffee meetings</span></span></span></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Over the weekend, the Vintage Barn Market was held out at the Heritage Barn in Chilliwack. This market is a big one and I've been waiting to go for a while! <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">After I dropped off Abi at a friend's house, I drove out to see my parents (and snagged some pizza for dinner, yay!) and my Dad and I we<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">nt to check it out. It was so amazing! We have so many talented people locally! I was impressed.</span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">After<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">wards, my Dad and I went out to Timmys <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">to discuss the market and go over business ideas. It's been a quiet <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">y<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">ear for us, not one that we had <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">thought <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">we'd have, but we've had so many other things come up, and this is normal for<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> a small business. Next <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">year will be exciting!</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I am thankful for<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> a fun even<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">ing walking around with my Dad. I <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">was laughing as I realized just how much alike we are! </span></span></span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span> </span></span></span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">6. pumpkin faces</span></span></span></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I felt bad that I <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">didn't get to go to the pumpkin patch with the k<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">ids, and I forgot to pick up pumpkins for them as well. But then my parents dropped off <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">two that they weren't going to use, so yay! So thankful for that! </span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Rhys got one when his class went on a field trip to the pumpkin patch, so he carved one, and Bryn and Eden shared a large one and decided on a face to create. They had fun doing that the morning of Halloween! (<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I h<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">elped Rhys carve his.<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> Normally I don't, but he insisted!)</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">The <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">last pumpkin<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> A<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">bi carv<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">ed since Kai wasn't too interested. <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">She printed off some stencils and decided on doing Ariel (the Di<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">sney Princess). It turned out so good!</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span> </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> </span></span></span><b><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">7. Choc<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">olate!</span></span></span></span></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Kai was super excited that they re<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">co<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">gnized his birthday this month (and all November birthdays to be exact) i<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">n the youth group. He was given a card and his fave snack, which is <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> white chocolate!</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ_qPbv-OZk90Q8U5u7m2xV-p2VkLtDSIY_mioSl0b89HaFlBpRBT5H_lcowYlYPYX_iv8S5lRaLXaB1joIY5F3auEd6ubOsMLOOsf1gIO4v8paUfieW7rQnCJ6sTz0WXQZmCaUY1wBRs/s1600/kai+white+chocolate+youth+gift.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ_qPbv-OZk90Q8U5u7m2xV-p2VkLtDSIY_mioSl0b89HaFlBpRBT5H_lcowYlYPYX_iv8S5lRaLXaB1joIY5F3auEd6ubOsMLOOsf1gIO4v8paUfieW7rQnCJ6sTz0WXQZmCaUY1wBRs/s320/kai+white+chocolate+youth+gift.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">It had him feeling <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">p<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">retty <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">happy!</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">8. bday par<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">t<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">ies</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I love it when my kids are invited to birthday parties. Even if it is because the whole class w<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">as invited. I love it when they're included.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">R<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">h<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">ys had a <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">blast playing at Go Bananas for a classmate's birthday (who he plays with in class as well) this <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">week!</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">9. </span></span></span>Team Effort</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I am so thankful for family <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">and friends who helped us out when we had to juggle around rides to<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> preschool and after school a<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">fter a trip to the hospita<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">l. It made things so much easier for us to <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">know that our kids <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">were being taken care of and <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">su<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">ch a wonderful thing to know we have good peop<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">le in our lives.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">10. No more tonsils</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">That's it! They're gone! O<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">ur appointment came up quicker than expected and Abi had her tonsils removed this week. She's still re<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">covering, but she's doing well. Hopeful<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">ly this will mea<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">n a healthier winter for her this year. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">{<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">this is her pre-op, after we'd been u<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">p <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">since 5:30am and she was feeling a <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">bit silly sleepy. I love her smile!}</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">So that's my week in a<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> nutshell. How about you? What<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> are you thankful for? <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">W<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">rite up your list and see just what a <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">good week you had after all! :)</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span> </span></span><br />
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<br />FieryCanuck77http://www.blogger.com/profile/16589376653409581240noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4911076353827092852.post-47066617134061031822015-10-29T22:54:00.000-07:002015-10-29T22:54:08.015-07:00Thankful Thursday<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Welcome back to Thankful Thursday, a feature started by Louise at <a href="http://www.talknerdytomeblog.com/">Talk Nerdy to Me,</a>
where we look back over our week and remember our blessings. It is so
good to see all that has happened, especially if you have
had a particularly tough week. Being grateful is good for the soul. Here
are just a few things that I am thankful for...</span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">1. puddle jumping </span></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I am thankful for sunny days after the rain, for new-found (again) winter boots, for puddles to jump in and for friends to jump with after school.</span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">2. birthday surprises</span></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">It was my birthday this past weekend and we had no plans for any special celebration. (which is strange for me) We had a birthday party to get Bryn to though, so while he was swimming, my husband drove myself and the two Youngers around for a few errands. As we were heading home, I accepted a phone call on my husband's cell from his mother asking if we could help our brother in law, since he had a flat tire. I agreed, so off we drove up to Walnut Grove. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">My husband pulled into the parking lot of Old Spaghetti Factory, saying that he would just call to find out where exactly our BIL was. I didn't think anything of it. Bryn then says that he sees his Grandma Lynn's vehicle, so I correct him to say that no, she wasn't going to be there, since she couldn't, and that's why we were. My loving, sneaky husband turns to me and says, "no, actually she is. We're here for a dinner for you!"</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">What? !!! I was slightly shocked. I may have looked at him quite confused and stunned because I did ask, "what?" a few times! haha. I can't recall the last time he has shocked me like this! It was a nice surprise to have him plan an early dinner out with family for me! </span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">3. youth retreats</span></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">We have joined a new church that is closer to our home and have been going since September. We're really enjoying it, and the kids are happy and we're feeling comfortable, even though we don't really know anyone yet. The Olders have joined the youth group and are trying to settle in, which is such a relief to see.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">This past weekend was their Youth Retreat up at Camp Kawkawa for two nights. I am so thankful that the two got to go on that trip, and that they were safe and had a good time. </span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">4. forge</span></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">My smart and clever and skilled husband has started up his own mini forge in our back workshop over the summer. He's always wanted to learn more blacksmithing. Conveniently, this season a show called Forged In Fire started up, where four blacksmiths compete to build swords for a huge monetary prize. Not only have we been watching it, but our neice has been really into it. So for her birthday, my husband had her over to teach her how to forge her own item!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">It was a pretty cool afternoon! Bryn joined her as well and they made a fancy coat hook. They were pleased with themselves.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I am thankful for creative husbands, for skills that are still important being taught, and for an afternoon to play (safely)!</span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">5. cuzzie leaf jumping</span></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">After forging coat hooks, the cousins piled up our leaves and jumped in them! Isn't that the best part of Autumn?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Sadly, none of these leaves actually made it into the compost bin, but I am still thankful that they could run and jump and play. I am thankful that we have large trees and a yard with our house.</span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">6. safe driving</span></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Driving home from our dr apt on the 99 and we had come to a slow trickle. Instead of it being an hour drive home, it took 2.5hrs; all traffic on every major roadway was being diverted due to a big accident. A police officer had to direct four lanes off of the freeway (one being driven from the opposite direction. You know it's not good when they have traffic on the wrong side of the road) and onto the 91, which was also crazy busy. Ugh! At one time, I was driving with no clue where I was going or how I'd make it back home! Something like that would normally make me all anxious since I get lost easy, but I am so thankful for His Spirit of Peace upon me. It was a crazy drive home, but oddly enough, not a terrible one. Rhys and I even made it to a gas station in time for gas and the bathroom! :)</span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">7. drs appointments</span></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">This is Rhys' "I don't want to be here" pouty face. It makes me laugh.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">We had a good specialist appointment, which I'll update on soon. Once I find time. Blah!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I am thankful for good doctors and appointments that go better than expected.</span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">8. the cutest cowgirl</span></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Eden had Western Dress Up Day in preschool, so I bought her a hat and bandana in her favourite colour, which she was so excited about. We happened to be out shopping before her class began and she found this big stuffed horse in a Christmas section for $3 and had to have it. I didn't realize until we got to her class that she wanted it for her cowgirl costume! How clever is that? </span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">9. lunch dates</span></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Since it has been so crazy busy lately, I feel like I haven't connected with my usual "old" friends in a long time. That saddens me. I was so thankful to be able to visit with a good friend of mine this week and have her over for lunch. Yay for friendships that still survive and thrive despite busy lives.</span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">10. online love</span></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I know that many of the messages may have only been because FB reminded them, but I still love reading all of the posts that friends and aquaintances left to wish me well on my birthday! I love that I still get surprised when I receive some of them. You know how you have a few friends that are there just because they're family or you know them just briefly through church, school or work? I was pleased to see that some took the time to say HBD. I love the love you feel online sometimes!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">So that's my week in a nutshell. How about you? What are you thankful for? </span><br />
<br />FieryCanuck77http://www.blogger.com/profile/16589376653409581240noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4911076353827092852.post-48321348221433690792015-10-22T23:49:00.000-07:002015-10-24T23:01:30.850-07:00Thankful Thursday<br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Welcome back to Thankful Thursday, a feature started by Louise at <a href="http://www.talknerdytomeblog.com/">Talk Nerdy to Me,</a>
where we look back over our week and remember our blessings. It is so
good to see all that has happened, especially if you have
had a particularly tough week. Being grateful is good for the soul. Here
are just a few things that I am thankful for...</span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">1. Everyone loves Eden</span></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> Sometimes this girl is so ridiculously cute</span>.<br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I was snuggling with Eden when she tells me that she loves me. I
respond that I love her too and add that God loves her and holds her in
His hands. She tosses her hair confidently and sighs, "I know. Everyone
loves me!"</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I am thankful for her spunky and fun personality. I am also thankful that she does not seem to have any problems with self esteem! :) </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b>2. Rhys being helpful (and truthful sisters) </b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">As I'm sweeping the floors, Rhys starts to pick up the Lego and says, "
Mom, what I'm doing is Helping." I smile and say, "yes, thank you,
Rhys." Then Eden pipes up from the couch she's laying on, "What I'm
doing is Not Helping!" I just shake my head.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I am thankful for my sweet little helper. ...and my silly girl. </span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">3. new buddies</span></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">We had friends over for dinner and Rhys made a new friend in their oldest daughter, who is in gr 10. She was so sweet and even played Lego with him. She is now his favourite!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I am so thankful for this family of friends who shared a meal with us. I am thankful for this girl who didn't have to spend time with my boy, who is half her age, but she chose to on her own. I love it when people show compassion and interest and attention to my children!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b>4. B cross country</b> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Bryn joined the Cross Country team at school this year! I'm so impressed with him! He loves to run, so this fits, but it's just incredible for me to think of! After all, his father and I aren't runners (I hated PE class!) and his two older siblings tried to avoid things like this too (having asthma does put a damper on things though), so to have a child who actually loves to run and wants to do it for an extra curricular event is crazy! I am so proud of him!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">The Cross Country team consists of gr 4-6 students in our school and they had been running every week this month, finishing off with the big Christian School Bear Creek Run. (several local schools meet together at Bear Creek Park for a huge race between the grades. I hated going as a kid! haha) </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I love that this boy was excited about this event! I'm sad that I missed the big run in the end though, but hopefully next year I can cheer him on in person.</span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">5. surpassing goals and fun teachers</span></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">This year, the elementary school made a goal of raising $2000 for the annual Terry Fox run. If the students made the goal, the vice principal Mr V would get duct taped to the wall. If they made over $2000, the principal Mrs D would be added. In the end, they raised over $2300, so not only were the two teachers duct taped, but the lovely teacher librarian Mrs dG volunteered as well! What a fun group of leaders we have at the school!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEOk5p-qwKmIaSSWRN7p3oEeswuYOpFm7QNial6KSCPD_4Z7FQ44huuVcucX887es8-rphgt-fEgRM8g_WnIMvnskeroBnExHJdW2AHXf9oToZWAvT6-tVpHKPsruKXd4ClpyHCZ5ilkU/s1600/duct+taped+teachers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEOk5p-qwKmIaSSWRN7p3oEeswuYOpFm7QNial6KSCPD_4Z7FQ44huuVcucX887es8-rphgt-fEgRM8g_WnIMvnskeroBnExHJdW2AHXf9oToZWAvT6-tVpHKPsruKXd4ClpyHCZ5ilkU/s320/duct+taped+teachers.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> I loved that the teachers made this fun! I love that the kids were so excited too!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b>6. Optimistically Hopeful</b> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Okay, I'll be totally honest here: the recent elections results in Canada this week were not what I was expecting or hoping for. But after the shock and fear wore off, I decided to be positive about it and change my thinking. So for now, I am remaining Cautiously Optimistic. Sometimes change is good.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span>
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">7. Good Laughs</span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Laughter is good medicine. When I read this, I had to share it!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFRGKMRdMlQX6a6nStgCYWeIspjclFxQozcqQv3ncTkPVK_SGtFP_M-noBLKOddHAELKonz34tW_8ppP1rv_tcMHld6yXsUJuYmpCfM3tduulQssJfrYP4EfyM42NP9rS1yUrZcOatLxg/s1600/safety+dance.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFRGKMRdMlQX6a6nStgCYWeIspjclFxQozcqQv3ncTkPVK_SGtFP_M-noBLKOddHAELKonz34tW_8ppP1rv_tcMHld6yXsUJuYmpCfM3tduulQssJfrYP4EfyM42NP9rS1yUrZcOatLxg/s320/safety+dance.jpg" width="259" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">In case you don't get it, it references the song Safety Dance by Men Without Hats, a great 80's tune I love!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">It's been a crazy busy two months here and some of it where I just got through by laughter, a few moments to catch my breath and lots of prayer! I am so thankful for those things!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b>8. Friendships and opportunities</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">We drive home two school friends of Abi and Rhys' (who happen to be siblings as well) twice a week and so that's been making things a bit busier and carries it's own set of struggles, but I am so thankful for this opportunity to not only build up the friendship between Rhys and this boy, but also the chance for us as a family to offer help selflessly to a family who needs it. We have been blessed in so many ways! How hard is it for us to just offer a blessing to another?</span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">9. Late Start Friday</span></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Seriously, our school starts late every Friday, which means that we get to sleep in an extra half hour! What's not to like? I am very thankful for Fridays!</span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">10. New Friends</span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Both of my older boys made new friends this year...whether it was with a new student to the school or just a new-er one (new the year before but hadn't known our family before).... and it's been so great to see them extend themselves and create new friendships. I am thankful that they have been able to spend time with new friends and that it has worked out with get togethers. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">This is just a brief list even though I have so much to be thankful for. It's been a busy Fall so far with so many new things going on. Our family is still adjusting, but hopefully soon we'll feel more relaxed and find time again for our usual things. (like my TT lists)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">What about you? If things have been incredibly different, or stressful, or busy lately, take a few moments and just start a list of things that you are thankful for right now. It's amazing how freeing it is! It changes your perspective just a bit and turns that stress into moments of peace.</span>FieryCanuck77http://www.blogger.com/profile/16589376653409581240noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4911076353827092852.post-79086178556837691662015-10-21T00:29:00.000-07:002015-10-21T00:29:27.162-07:00Beautiful ReminderJust when you didn't know you needed it, you read something that brings tears to your eyes and reminds you of something incredible.<br />
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I am His.<br />
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He calls me by name.<br />
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His Beloved.<br />
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I am so grateful for Ann Voskamp's words tonight on FB:<br />
<br /><a class="lfloat _ohe" data-hovercard="/ajax/hovercard/page.php?id=324577877554393" href="https://www.facebook.com/AnnVoskamp/posts/1090103524335154"><img alt="" class="_s0 _54ru img" src="https://scontent-sea1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hprofile-xat1/v/t1.0-1/c0.0.32.32/p32x32/12088265_1082634455082061_2325206086879866255_n.png?oh=d8d5e189c8dbbc93d8682cf6a763d8d2&oe=56901811" /></a><span class="mbs fwn fcg" data-ft="{"tn":"C"}"><span class="fwb" data-ft="{"tn":"k"}"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/AnnVoskamp/posts/1090103524335154?fref=nf">Ann Voskamp</a></span></span><br />
<div class="_5pcp">
<span><span class="fsm fwn fcg"><a class="_5pcq" href="https://www.facebook.com/AnnVoskamp/posts/1090103524335154" target=""><abbr class="_5ptz timestamp livetimestamp" data-shorten="1" data-utime="1445389201" title="Tuesday, 20 October 2015 at 18:00"><span class="timestampContent"><br /></span></abbr></a></span></span><span role="presentation"> </span></div>
Lord, when I don't like me, <br /> You still love me, You still like me, You still lavish me with acceptance.<br /> When I am fed up with me, You invite me to Your feast,<br /> W<span class="text_exposed_show">hen I am done -- with me, with life, with everything, <br /> You whisper, "Hang on -- I am making *all things* -- *you* -- new." (Rev21:5)<br />
And when I want to quit, You cup my face: "This great work I started in
you? I won't stop that beautiful work until you are fully, completely,
gloriously beautiful" (Phil1:6, 1Cor2:7) </span><br />
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So this becomes our brave & broken-hearted hallelujah, the one we sing into the dark, even when it's hard to believe: <br /> I am His Beloved, His Beloved, His Beloved... and even now I will be held.<br /> In the name of the only One who loved us to death & back to the real & forever life... Amen. <br /> <a class="_58cn" data-ft="{"tn":"*N","type":104}" href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/sharingprayertogether?source=feed_text&story_id=1090103524335154"><span class="_58cl">#</span><span class="_58cm">SharingPrayerTogether</span></a><br />
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<br />FieryCanuck77http://www.blogger.com/profile/16589376653409581240noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4911076353827092852.post-27580421172369783142015-10-16T00:21:00.003-07:002015-10-16T01:04:16.059-07:00remembering, broken hearts and hard truthsI'm not exactly too sure how to start this post off, to be honest. But it's been percolating in my mind for a week now. Just jumbled thoughts and emotions, but no concrete words. So bear with me.<br />
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Today is October 15th, which is Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day. I lit my three candles for #WaveofLight in memory of my babies.<br />
<br />
It's been an incredible journey, one that I never thought I'd be on. But I am so grateful for the friends that I made through this, and for the love and support I received as I had my two ectopic pregnancies and miscarriage. (<a href="http://fiery-joy.blogspot.ca/2013/10/my-remembering-story.html" target="_blank">You can read about my stories HERE</a>)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtdY7bMOV9Mgchf-nwPwMn5tpBAoNNNKo0NsuWeJeAg31XENnlE7zgXUzE41SKK8sPlI-uF7x_siae-qmB0-zO37KmtZqwRrDmxlFrZvZwvT0CcCQaMWEPZHwRtFgjGKB87NlucgIuFmY/s1600/wave+of+light+2015.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtdY7bMOV9Mgchf-nwPwMn5tpBAoNNNKo0NsuWeJeAg31XENnlE7zgXUzE41SKK8sPlI-uF7x_siae-qmB0-zO37KmtZqwRrDmxlFrZvZwvT0CcCQaMWEPZHwRtFgjGKB87NlucgIuFmY/s320/wave+of+light+2015.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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We still don't talk about baby loss, or pregnancy loss yet, but we're getting better. I still think it is such a personal thing, and it shouldn't be taken lightly. It's not something that we advertise. But I have met many others with their own stories, so it's a common heartbreak. But maybe that's why we don't talk about it. It seems... "common". When really it isn't. Having your heart break into pieces, having a part of you somewhere else, having a child you loved and wanted so dearly not with you....how can that be "common"? Even if it has happened to many of us.<br />
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<br />
I don't know if you saw the amazing photo that<b> <a href="http://www.dmxphotography.com/" target="_blank">DMX Photography</a></b> had posted on FB a few weeks ago. It was done to support and recognize a family who had lost many babies, and it was just beautiful. I hope it is okay, but I copy/pasted the photo and what they wrote (because I'm Old Skool like that!):|<br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>My dear and gorgeous friend Kathryn of <a class="profileLink" data-hovercard="/ajax/hovercard/page.php?id=312092835543880" href="https://www.facebook.com/LittlebMemories">LittleB Memories</a> came to me with a special request for her family portrait. She and her husband longed for a family pictu</i><span class="text_exposed_show"><i>re
that showed their whole family of eight, preserving the precious
memories of the five babies they'd lost due to miscarriage. This is the
final image I put together for her. It took me a few days, this image
weighed heavy on my heart, I can only imagine the suffering they endure
on a day to day basis. My heart breaks for her and her family.</i> </span><br />
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<br />
<i>October is national pregnancy and infant loss awareness month. 1 in 4
is such a heartbreaking statistic...Please take a moment for Kathryn,
her family, and ALL families who are suffering the loss of their
children. Send them all your good thoughts and well wishes, your hugs
and encouragement. They shouldn't have to suffer alone.</i><br />
<br />
<i>“When a
child loses his parent, they are called an orphan. When a spouse loses
her or his partner, they are called a widow or widower. When parents
lose their child, there isn’t a word to describe them. This month
recognizes the loss so many parents experience across the United States
and around the world.” <br /> -Ronald Reagan</i><br />
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Can you think of anything more beautiful and touching to have on your wall? I really had no words. Just incredible. Touching.<br />
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I had got stuck in a conversation on a friend's FB wall where she had shared a photo that said that "abortion is more about escaping consequences than "choice"... it takes away the choices of another human being." Harsh words, but true. For the most part, those who commented were in agreement. Many were sympathetic and carried no condemnation, but generally, they felt that those words were honest. But this one woman commented on how it wasn't "that easy", and that it was very judgmental, and how it felt like an attack on women who can be the only one making the decisions regarding their own body. And her comments were very much what the world wants to keep saying.<br />
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Abortion is also a very private thing. I've never been put in a situation where I have felt that my pregnancies would be better off Not being. So it's easy for me to say that I'd never consider one, but to be honest, I don't know. (I do remember my friend telling me of her teen pregnancy that she thought of it for a bit. And I can totally understand why! 16 and pregnant? That's not something that many girls dream of for their high school years! Not the most ideal situation. She kept her baby and went through a lot of hard consequences, so it was definitely not an easy thing for her to go through with either. But I understand the difficulties of being in a hard place.)<br />
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What made the whole conversation hard was this statement: "Many abortions are performed for pregnancies that are very much wanted but something is very wrong (like an ectopic pregnancy). That woman is getting an abortion to save her life."<br />
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I had to stop and reread it a few times. Was she equating my ectopic pregnancies as to having an abortion???<br />
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That was difficult to read.<br />
<br />
I didn't want to get emotional or spout off words that weren't true, but it stuck with me all night. I even did some google searching on the medication that they gave me in the hospital. I wanted to know what the medical field considered it. But that was a bad move too. Methotrexate is used to stop folate from growing. Does that mean that it stopped the baby's life? It was vague. So I went to bed heavy hearted and praying for the truth and for peace. (I was reminded that a Miscarriage is also considered a "spontaneous abortion" in the medical field, so searching for a clinical term wasn't helpful at all!)<br />
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I had no answers and that was hard. I wanted confirmation! I wanted something concrete. I wanted some release.<br />
<br />
What I got was the reply my heart begged for.<br />
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"With all due respect and compassion, an ectopic pregnancy is not an abortion at all! That pregnancy would never result in a live birth under any circumstances, and would kill the mother along with her baby who already has no chance of survival. That's a medically necessary life-saving procedure." I am withholding the author's name due to privacy, but I believe without a doubt that she spoke God's words to me in that comment. She was a blessing to me that night, and I shed many tears over that.<br />
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After two ectopic pregnancies that took two babies and my left tube, to even consider that I had an abortion to save my own life was very hard for me to read. I would give anything to have those babies back! (I can not think of ANY woman who have had ectopic pregnancies that they would consider their procedures an abortion! And I have talked with many!) I remember that when I first was given the shot of medication, that when my heart was breaking right there on that hospital bed, that I felt like I had just killed my baby. (I mentioned that feeling in <a href="http://fiery-joy.blogspot.ca/2013/10/my-remembering-story.html" target="_blank">my original post on my losses</a>.)<br />
<br />
But I was reminded that when I was having that powerful drug, and when they were preparing me for surgery, that those babies that I was supposed to carry, the dreams that I had held briefly, did not have heartbeats. That's what the problem was. They had ceased to live. They were just black masses in my broken tube, along with my broken heart, and that wasn't safe. My life was at risk and the medication was done to break down what wasn't a viable life anymore....not due to the medication, but due to the placement of the pregnancy. These babies had no chance. There was nothing wrong with them, but in where they ended up, but sadly there is no way to fix an ectopic pregnancy yet. Maybe one day they will be able to transplant the baby to the womb safely, wouldn't that be amazing!<br />
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But an ectopic pregnancy is not an abortion at all! I didn't chose my life over my baby's. My baby's had already ended. And an ectopic pregnancy is not like a miscarriage either. They are both handled differently and you go through different emotions regarding the loss. I grieved my miscarriage, and the baby that could have been. Somehow telling myself that there was "something wrong" with the pregnancy didn't make it feel any better. But my ectopics had more fear.<br />
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When I struggled through the whole memory of my EPs, I was surprised at how deeply it effected me. Deep inside I still ache over these losses. I am very much able to go through life without thinking of these things, and I don't spend a lot of time remembering, and I'm not dealing with depression over them anymore, and I recognize the many many ways that my life is fruitful. But this month, I have been brought back to tears and painful memories.<br />
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Strange to think that they would be almost 15, 11 and 5 years old. How different life would be! I look at the beautiful family I have now and I wouldn't trade in any of it! A bit less pain would be nice, but I can confidently say that God does give beauty from ashes! (<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isaiah+61%3A3" target="_blank">Isaiah 61:3</a>)<br />
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I am praying that if you have loss in your life that you do not feel alone, but that you feel and know that you are cared for and loved. I pray that your heart will heal as your body does, and that you find beauty amungst the pain eventually too. <br />
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<br />FieryCanuck77http://www.blogger.com/profile/16589376653409581240noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4911076353827092852.post-69650051954596149092015-09-30T23:00:00.000-07:002015-09-30T23:00:01.813-07:00you matter<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />FieryCanuck77http://www.blogger.com/profile/16589376653409581240noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4911076353827092852.post-3248336446197896102015-09-28T11:18:00.000-07:002015-09-28T11:18:00.041-07:00I will trustThere has been a new song on<a href="http://www.praise1065.com/" target="_blank"> Praise</a> that I love called<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RbWQV3OiRqA" target="_blank"> "First" by Lauren Daigle</a>. When I searched for it (the truth is that I didn't know what the title was and couldn't tell that's what she was saying, so I googled the lyrics and found it!) I found many more songs of hers. Currently, this is my newest favouritest song and on repeat.<br />
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<b>Trust in you </b><br />
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Letting go of every single dream<br />
I lay each one down at Your feet<br />
Every moment of my wandering<br />
Never changes what You see<br />
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I've tried to win this war I confess<br />
My hands are weary, I need Your rest<br />
Mighty Warrior, King of the fight<br />
No matter what I face, You're by my side<br />
<br />
<i>When You don't move the mountains I'm needing you to move</i><br />
<i>When You don't part the waters I wish I could walk through</i><br />
<i>When You don't give the answers as I cry out to You</i><br />
<i>I will trust, I will trust, I will trust in You</i><br />
<br />
Truth is, You know what tomorrow brings<br />
There's not a day ahead You have not seen<br />
So, in all things be my life and breath<br />
<i>I want what You want Lord and nothing less</i><br />
<br />
You are my strength and comfort<br />
You are my steady hand<br />
You are my firm foundation, the rock on which I stand<br />
Your ways are higher<br />
Your plans are always good<br />
There's not a place where I'll go You've not already stood<br />
<br />
I will trust<br />
I will trust<br />
I will trust in You!<br />
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<br />FieryCanuck77http://www.blogger.com/profile/16589376653409581240noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4911076353827092852.post-30990359422968772872015-09-24T13:08:00.000-07:002015-09-26T23:31:22.874-07:00Thankful Thursday<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Welcome back to Thankful Thursday, a feature started by Louise at <a href="http://www.talknerdytomeblog.com/">Talk Nerdy to Me,</a>
where we look back over our week and remember our blessings. It is so
good to see all that has happened, especially if you have
had a particularly tough week. Being grateful is good for the soul. Here
are just a few things that I am thankful for...</span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">1. BTS</span></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Yay! What's not to be thankful for? </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I have a child in each of our school's campus' this year: preschool (Eden), elementary (Rhys gr 1, Bryn gr 4), middle (Kai gr 7) and high school (Abi gr 9) It's so strange!</span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">2. preschool</span></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Yes, it's time! My little spitfire is going to preschool! She is so ready! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">She was so excited and loves to go, and I am so happy for her! I sure hope these teachers are ready for her! (she wasn't too happy that I got to stay when we had preschool orientation, so now she asks every time I drop her off for class, "you're not staying, are you?" haha)</span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">3. cross country</span></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Bryn joined the cross country team at school. Now that he's in grade four, there are more clubs available for him to be in, so he's happy! I think this is great, the kid really does love to run and jump. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">We have some practices and meets already this month. I can't wait to see him out there running! </span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">4. specialists</span></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> From Kai and Abi's awesome pediatrician, to the many specialists we saw for Rhys, to even the paramedics, nurses and doctors during<a href="http://fiery-joy.blogspot.ca/2015/09/our-fears-come-true-asthma-at-school.html" target="_blank"> Abi's asthma attack</a>, I am so grateful for the specialists who are knowledgeble and trained and who have helped us out.</span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">5. fun hair</span></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> The kids found some small temporary coloured hair gel and had fun playing around for school one day this week. I thought they all looked great!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> I am thankful for fun hair colour and styles and that they go to a school that doesn't mind them playing around some!</span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">6. new friends</span></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Kai made a friend already so early into the school year and got to hang out with him at his house. Not only am I proud of him for making new friends, but I am so pleased that it is a new boy to our school. I remember how incredibly hard it was for me to move across the country to BC when I was 10. I had a hard time making friends, and when I did make some they weren't nice to me in the end; I still carry a lot of hurt of those years. So I try to impress upon my children to do what they can to include the new kids. My kids have the advantage of being in this school since kindergarten so they know everyone, but these new ones don't have anywhere to start from. A welcoming smile is a good thing to see!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I am thankful for new friends, and I am thankful that my boy is the one who is including new classmates</span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">7. safety and healing</span></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">This goes without saying but I am so incredibly thankful for Abi's health after<b> <a href="http://fiery-joy.blogspot.ca/2015/09/our-fears-come-true-asthma-at-school.html" target="_blank">another asthma attack sent her to the hospital via ambulance</a>.</b> I am thankful that she is healing, she is safe, and that she had so many people helping her.</span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">8. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Meet the Teacher nights</span></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">This week, we got to go check out the teachers for the middle and the high school. (last week was the elementary but we weren't able to go. I find those teachers easier to connect with though, so I wasn't worried about missing out) I am excited about their school year! We really are so blessed to be able to go to our school!</span>
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<b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">9. Baby Cohen</span></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I am so excited about this little guy!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> My newest nephew was born a week before his due date, but just at the perfect time as it happened on an evening (and was swift) when I was able to be a part of it! I am so in love with him and his squishy cheeks, and so proud and happy for my favouritest sister and her man/my friend! </span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">10. Rainbows</span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">My day was filled with a few ups and downs so when I saw this bit of
rainbow falling out of the sky this evening, I was brought to tears and
reminded of God's covenant with us.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> "You will be secure, because there
is hope; you will look about you and take your rest in safety." Job
11:18</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> I am so thankful that He let me see that tonight! What a beautiful
reminder!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">So that's my week in a nutshell. How about you? What are you thankful for? Please share your list in the comments (there's a little button at the top by the title!) I'd love to celebrate with you!</span>FieryCanuck77http://www.blogger.com/profile/16589376653409581240noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4911076353827092852.post-40644100499905512282015-09-20T02:05:00.001-07:002015-10-24T22:57:11.402-07:00our fears come true (asthma at school)It happened again. I wasn't prepared for it and to say I panicked just a little bit would be an understatement. But so understandable.<br />
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I was in my Bible Study group when I saw that I had missed a phone call from the Older's school and had a voice mail. I didn't know if I should check it (it seemed awfully rude to go on my phone when our Teaching Leader was talking; especially since this was my first meeting) or just hope that if it was important that they would contact my husband. As we were breaking to start something else, I see that there are some text messages from Kai but from Abi's phone.<br />
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Abi was being taken to the hospital by ambulance after suffering an asthma attack during PE.<br />
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My world stopped.<br />
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<b>Memories of<a href="http://fiery-joy.blogspot.ca/2015/03/when-she-almost-died.html" target="_blank"> the day she almost died</a> three years ago</b> assault me and I can't breathe either. Of course, as I'm trying to explain to my own Leader, I'm crying. So much for being strong in front of people you don't really know; people who don't know your story! I felt a bit silly. But mostly I felt so afraid.<br />
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I got a hold of my Hunny on the phone; he was on his way to the hospital, sounding totally calm. He said that he talked to the Paramedic and that Abi was doing okay and there was nothing to worry about. He said that I didn't have to come. Are you kidding me? I was definitely coming and I felt I had a lot to worry about!<br />
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Not that I didn't believe him either. I appreciated his calmness, and I don't think I truly thought it would be <a href="http://fiery-joy.blogspot.ca/2015/03/when-she-almost-died.html" target="_blank">a repeat of what happened</a> in our house three years ago-- I didn't think she'd pass out or that she was going to stop breathing; it sounded like things were under control. But I also couldn't calm my feeling of panic.<br />
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There was a verse that God had spoken to me earlier in the week and I tried to repeat it to myself on the drive to the hospital. <i>"When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought me joy." Psalm 94:19 </i><br />
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I didn't find that I received joy, but I did find strength and I did have focus. Instead of thinking of my fears and the 'what ifs' or the painful memories in the past, I chose to remind myself of the calm my husband had, and the knowledge that she was being taken care of, and that there were women praying over Abi (and myself) in my Bible study group.<br />
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When I arrived, I cried at the parking meter since I didn't have enough money in coins and my credit card was missing. (forcing people to pay for parking at a hospital is just a terrible idea!) I offered a scruffy looking older man my $5 bill if he just had $1.50 for me, and when he just gave me the money without wanting mine in exchange, I cried some more. *sigh* Oh, so it's going to be one of those days, is it? But despite all of my anxiety and embarrassing emotions, I was so relieved to see Abi looking some-what normal!<br />
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Other than the bright red cheeks, the fast breathing, and the face mask of oxygen, that is. But she looked calm, just tired. And I could handle that!<br />
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She said that she was in PE and their teacher is trying to teach them all to run a 5K by the time school is over. I thought that was a mighty big goal, an impressive one! The idea is that none of the kids are allowed to walk, but have to keep up a steady pace. However, just three minutes into the run and Abi's chest is starting to hurt and she's having a hard time breathing. She tried to push herself further since she had barely even begun, but she soon realized that it was getting worse, not better. Her breathing became panting, and when she asked to retreive her inhalers from her locker, the teacher suggested she take some friends along for support since she didn't look good. That quickly turned too as her panting, walking and attempts at talking made her weak and dizzy. (her friends were freaking out, she said!)<br />
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Unfortunately, her inhalers were empty and she forgot her refills at home. Thankfully, they were able to have Kai sent from his class to borrow his inhalers. But by that time, her attack had been going on for too long without any proper relieving medication, so his inhalers didn't help despite being the same dose as hers. That's around the same time another teacher (or more) got involved and looked over her (and that's when she could see the way he was looking at her eyes and studying her that she said to him, "I don't have a concussion, you can stop checking!" It's the exam she sees her Daddy do on the kids whenever they get hurt! The teacher laughed, but kept caring for her. I think it's a good sign that she could make silly comments like that. So much like her Mom!) And that's around the time they called for an ambulance. Thankfully the hospital is just a few streets over from the school, so it wasn't a long wait. Soon enough, there were 8 or 9 paramedics in the school, getting info, checking over my girl! She was well taken care of!<br />
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Her hospital stay actually was brief. Only a few hours. She moved from oxygen through a mask, to the nose prongs to room air within two hours. Then she was allowed to go home just after lunch! It was all rather surprising and we weren't too sure how comfortable we felt about that, but she really was doing better with her breathing. Her chest was sore, and she was very tired and weak and didn't have the strength to speak loudly, but that was okay. I expected that, but the idea of leaving the security of the hospital so soon after an attack that brought you there seemed scary! <br />
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The whole thing was so incredibly different than the <b><a href="http://fiery-joy.blogspot.ca/2015/03/when-she-almost-died.html" target="_blank">severe attack that happened three years ago.</a></b> Other than the obvious points where she didn't pass out and have blue lips and cheeks, or that it wasn't us who called for an ambulance. There was the fact that this time she didn't panic and hyperventilate (I panicked! But had I been there, I probably wouldn't have.) I am so happy to say (and sad) that experience is a teacher; she knew not to freak out, she knew to keep focused, she knew she had to push harder (especially since her own support group in the school were getting scared and she had to instruct them!) I was so proud of her. Not hyperventilating obviously helped!<br />
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Her recovery has been different too. The first time, she stayed at the hospital overnight. This time only three hours. The first time, she seemed to bounce back by day two. This year, it has taken four days. (she missed the rest of the week of school, since she was too weak to do much of anything. She has finally gained enough energy to make it out of the house for a bit.) They had given her 15 units of ventolin instead of the usual 2, so she was so dizzy and shakey all the way until 8pm that night, 10 hours later! She's also had a headache all week and hearing sensitivity and some more asthma flare ups, which I don't recall three years ago. And this year there is no follow up. But apparently this recovery is all normal.<br />
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So what caused her attack? Her morning was just fine at home. No problems breathing, no wheezing, no cold or illnesses. So this really was out of the blue. However, there were a bunch of small things. First is that she forgot to take her allergy pill and she forgot to pack her new inhalers. Second is that there were a few factors in what could've triggered it: the grass that had been cut (she is allergic to grass; it makes her itchy and when it is mowed it can make breathing difficult), the air was chilly that morning (cold air is harder on asthmatics), and she was running. (PE was her first class that day.) Not having her own inhalers didn't help. Taking too long to get a rescue inhaler from her brother wasn't good either.<br />
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I'm not too sure what that means. I don't think she should avoid PE, as much as she would love to! (She does need physical activity and keeping active is good for the lungs. I know that the teacher is trying to get them up to a 5K runner, and that he wants them to not walk, but her father and I have told her that if she needs to walk, she does. And if the teacher gets upset with her, we will back her up! However, after this incident, I don't think he'll push her too much!) I guess we just make sure that she's got her inhalers with her and they are current and full and that she doesn't forget allergy pills in the morning. I'm not too sure about the chilly air....maybe wear a scarf? (haha) We will adjust things as we go along.<br />
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I am just so thankful that she was about to be level headed (although she said that at the beginning of school, she had this 'weird' feeling, like a regretful feeling, but she didn't know why. Another funny thing is that a friend of mine said that when she dropped off her daughter to the school, she had a 'bad feeling' about PE too, but thought it was a worry for her girl's own asthma! Strange!)<br />
I am also thankful that Kai was able to help her out. It may have been a bit too late for his inhalers, but I am grateful that he could offer them, especially since she has been the one to rescue him a few times last year! Hey, they may have actually helped give her more time before the ambulance arrived with sirens on!<br />
I am thankful for the friends who stopped what they were doing right then and prayed for her (and our family) when they heard. God heard and He answers! She got the help she needed and in time, and I had found strength despite my fears.<br />
I am thankful that the school acted swiftly in calling for outside help, and that they were able to contact my husband when I didn't respond to their calls (I was in a different room than my cell phone at that time)<br />
I am thankful that she is healing. Even if it is a lot slower than we anticipated. She has been so weak and sore, and breathless, but she has not gotten worse, and we didn't need to have a prescription for meds at home and she didn't need to return to the ER.<br />
It was a lot less dramatic this time and I am so thankful.<br />
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One of our biggest fears was that there would be another major asthma attack when Abi wasn't with us (and I know her fear was to have one at school) and it happened. And we survived. And we realized that things could be okay. Not having it happen again would be great though.<br />
<br />FieryCanuck77http://www.blogger.com/profile/16589376653409581240noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4911076353827092852.post-28479562041907481622015-09-09T16:11:00.000-07:002015-09-09T16:11:00.105-07:00He is so good<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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