oh, 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)

(Forever Reign by Hillsong)

Oh, I'm running to Your arms
I'm running to Your arms
The riches of Your love
Will always be enough
Nothing compares to Your embrace
Light of the world forever reign


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.

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!

Why is it so easy to drop a GOOD habit???

I've been struggling with that. It's so frustrating. I wish I were more disciplined.

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*

Oh, I'm running (back) to Your arms.



 My heart will sing
No other name
Jesus, Jesus

wishing you a silent peaceful night

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. 

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!

{You also need to listen to Mary, Did You Know? <<< click here

And The First Noel <<< click here
No seriously...do it! Go now!}

From my Clan to yours: Have a wonderful Christmas.  May it be full of family and happiness as we celebrate His gift to us.

May your night be filled with peace.

heavy heart

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!

My heart aches.

This is hard.

 ROEPER, Pieter- Monday September 9, 1929 - Thursday December 10, 2015

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.
Online condolences www.rushnellfamilyservices.com

overwhelmed this week and fighting fear

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.

 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.

 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.

Thankful Thursday

Welcome back to Thankful Thursday, a feature started by Louise at Talk Nerdy to Me, 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...


1. Everyone loves Eden

 Sometimes this girl is so ridiculously cute.

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!"

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! :)

2. Rhys being helpful (and truthful sisters)

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.

I am thankful for my sweet little helper. ...and my silly girl.


3. new buddies

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!

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!

4. B cross country

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!

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) 

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.

5. surpassing goals and fun teachers

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!

 I loved that the teachers made this fun! I love that the kids were so excited too!


6. Optimistically Hopeful

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.

7. Good Laughs

Laughter is good medicine. When I read this, I had to share it!

In case you don't get it, it references the song Safety Dance by Men Without Hats, a great 80's tune I love!

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!

8. Friendships and opportunities

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?

9. Late Start Friday

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!

10. New Friends

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. 


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)

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.

I will trust

There has been a new song on Praise that I love called "First" by Lauren Daigle. 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.

Trust in you

Letting go of every single dream
I lay each one down at Your feet
Every moment of my wandering
Never changes what You see

I've tried to win this war I confess
My hands are weary, I need Your rest
Mighty Warrior, King of the fight
No matter what I face, You're by my side
 
When You don't move the mountains I'm needing you to move
When You don't part the waters I wish I could walk through
When You don't give the answers as I cry out to You
I will trust, I will trust, I will trust in You

Truth is, You know what tomorrow brings
There's not a day ahead You have not seen
So, in all things be my life and breath
I want what You want Lord and nothing less

You are my strength and comfort
You are my steady hand
You are my firm foundation, the rock on which I stand
Your ways are higher
Your plans are always good
There's not a place where I'll go You've not already stood

I will trust
I will trust
I will trust in You!

hello September

I can't believe it's already September!  But I think I say that at every month change!

Actually, after our wet and windy weekend, it's feeling very Autumnal! And I love Fall, so I'm okay with that.

I'm sad that Summer feels officially over now, yet I am also so ready for the change. In less than a week, the kids head back to school, and really they've been ready to go back for a few weeks. Secretly. They won't admit it, but they're restless and starting to get bored and rely too much on the computer for entertainment.  I'm happy that with our rain, it's been dark and cloudy, making it not too hard to convince the kids to head to bed on a more proper time. (the Olders need more convincing though)

It'll be nice to start up a new schedule again, with regular things (like school and Bible study group) as well as new opportunities (like a chore schedule, and preschool and even new teachers) I always feels that Autumn holds more promise of New Beginnings than January 1st does. Then I feel Easter is your second chance to start anew, with thoughts on the reason behind the holiday, and with Spring approaching.

Yay for new seasons that give hope and fresh change!

Summer Storm and preparedness

We survived the Summer Storm of 2015. It was no "Great Storm" or "Storm of the Century" or "Zombie Apocalypse", but it was unexpected.

I admit that even though it was predicted that we'd get an "entire summer's worth of rain" (that was the Vancouver Sun's headline, mentioning how we were to get 80-140mm of rain between Friday and Monday. I can't find the article online anymore though.) I had mixed feelings. A part of me was pessimistic. After all, we've had so little fall this summer, that the idea of a huge dump sounded dubious. I also felt torn between being annoyed (I was planning a yard sale this weekend!) and being relieved. (yay, rain!) But we did get the rain. It fell all Friday early morning, so I cancelled our sale (no one wants to walk through squishy grass) and was happy to wake up to pouring rain on Saturday. I don't know how much fell, but the campfire ban was lifted for Metro Vancouver. Woohoo! We could roast weinies and marshmallows---if it weren't so wet outside!

What no one was expecting was the wind. And it was crazy windy! With gusts up to 80 km/h. Leaves were blowing around the yard and the kids had fun running outside in them, but I felt uneasy. I love a good thunderstorm and I like rain, but wind I could do without.

Our power went out at noon, which wasn't a huge deal. We "rough it" when we go camping, so this wasn't anything worrisome. That is, until I heard how large of an area was effected. I couldn't believe how many people had no power! BC Hydro wasn't anticipating it to be back up until the next day at noon, but I imagine they like to over-estimate, just in case. The problem is that I like to blow things out of proportion, you know, just in case! In my mind, I was picturing three days.

 We have a generator, but it needed gas, so Hunny and I set out on a journey. And that was an eye opener. The power-outtages covered a larger area than it stated on BC Hydro's webpage. (which kept crashing anyways) Plus there were so many branches and trees knocked down across the roads. I think that every business we drove past was closed due to no power! We got hopeful when we saw a Chevron gas station that was busy, but were disappointed (along with many others) to realize that even though the pumps still appeared to be on, they would not work without power either. It was a crazy trip. In the end, we found gas from our neighbour, so the trip could've been so much shorter and faster if we had stayed! (We are so blessed to have some awesome neighbour friends)

My emergency-end-of-the-world-preparedness thinking went a bit overboard though. I started to think of how long would it be to restore power to everyone we saw. And I considered that there were no grocery stores or gas stations open, and no one could take money out of a bank machine without power, add in that people's cell phones and internet connections would eventually lose battery power--- it would be chaos! How long before that happened? That people started to panic? It's a good thing that my Hunny could be a survivalist (he's never been dropped into the wilderness with a cameraman, but he'd know what to do if he was)   He made up a huge batch of chilli on our campstove and slow cooker, while the kids watched a movie (generator FTW), which he shared with our neighbours. (When the power goes out, you can usually order dinner from somewhere close by, but it was out everywhere, so many people were stuck)

We spent our evening hanging out with our other neighbours in their carport, roasting marshmallows over their propane firepit, and listening to music by their generator, and watching it pour. It was a fun way to spend a summer night. The kids snuggled up on the couches to sleep since it's less scary in the dark when you have others around you.

Our power returned at 3:30am, but I hardly noticed. (I woke up briefly and heard our fan was on, but didn't even think of it) It was an interesting 15 hours. (there are still so many without power though. But at least there are options to eat out or visit friends with power. But not having hot water and possibly losing food in your fridge and freezer suck.)


We did really well, but it wasn't a challenging 15 hours. We had some branches break off a tree in our back yard and land on the neighbour's trampoline (thankfully it wasn't damaged and no one was hurt) and our pool overflowed and collapsed overnight due to rain (it looks so pathetic right now! There goes the end of our summer pool) and we had the fastest take down of our gazebo due to it blowing around in the yard, but it really wasn't too bad. Partially due to our camping skills, but mostly due to how short it lasted. Our power returned and the wind died down the next day. But it really has me thinking about our emergency preparedness. How ready are we if the Big One happens? (there were two small earthquakes in Abbotsford and Mission this past week) or for the Zombie Apocalypse? (which I actually don't believe in, but it's fun to say) We'll need to have gas stored, as well as water, and emergency cash. Plus we'll need to buy a new can opener; ours really wasn't up to the challenge of opening a can of beans yesterday. (so disappointing and so frustrating) A generator sure is nice. Maybe we should start putting things aside for if that day comes, or in case we're stuck with another storm this year.

 A good book to read is How to Survive the End of the World as We Know it. by James Wesley, Rawles. (of course my Hunny has it) It has many good survival skill tips....as long as you don't get your mind too panicked. (I can get pretty imaginative!)

I'd love to hear your tips of how to survive a power failure. What do you do if you have young kids? What if it's longer than a day? Are you prepared for a natural disaster? Please share in the comments!

four.5 hours of sleep

I don't think I could possibly stress enough the importance of sleep! I truly can see what inadequate sleep does to my body, especially since I already have to deal with daily fatigue from my dumb broken thyroid! (lack of sleep effects my heart rate and gives me chest pain and makes it hard to breathe as my main symptoms.) My nights have always been very scattered, and being a Night Owl doesn't help; I used to blame it on being a Mom and having to go to kids in the night, but as they are mostly sleeping through the nights now (hooray!), I realized I couldn't say that anymore. (boo!) It turns out that I just can't fall asleep easily, and I can't seem to stay asleep for long.  

Last week I was dealing with insomnia of sorts--- I don't think it was a true case of it, as I would eventually sleep, but I would be up until 3:30am some nights, willing sleep to come. It's not that I had my mind filled with thoughts or worries either; I had a blank mind! It was frustrating!

Imagine my delight when I finally slept last night! A whole four and a half hours!!! 

In.A.Row.

With dreams!

 
I am one happy mama again!!!

Thankful Thusday

Welcome back to Thankful Thursday, a feature started by Louise at Talk Nerdy to Me, 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...

1. Friends who gather

We were invited for a family bbq over the weekend to  a friend of Kai's. We didn't know them very well, but this was a great opportunity to get to know eachother better. They have four children (their youngest will also be in preschool with Eden!) and seem to have a lot of similar thoughts and lifestyle as us. It's so good to meet people who you can connect with! I am thankful for new friends,...and that it was such an enjoyable time that the kids didn't want to leave!

2. My book readers

Some of the kids joined the Summer Reading Club at our local public library this year. I don't know why we haven't done it before! This week ended their seven weeks of reading, so they got their medals. They boys were pretty excited about that!

I am thankful that they love books! 

 
3. Art Recognition

Abi entered the drawing contest at the library and won! This was for last months' contest, but we were finally able to go down and get a picture of it hanging on the wall!  I was impressed!  I love Abi's chibi drawings!

4. Birthday Fun

Rhys was so excited; he has been waiting for three weeks (since he first heard about the invitation) and the day finally arrived: he was going to his friend's birthday party! Yay! It's so nice that he is able to go to parties now and that I can actually drop him off and return later!

5. clearing the air

I was worried that a friend was upset with me and it was all so silly. It was just my own worries over nothing, but the more I wondered the more it felt real. When I saw her this week, I was nervous how it would be again, but to my delight, it was perfectly fine! She showed no signs of feeling indifferent towards me, quite the opposite actually! I am thankful that there was no need for me to convince myself that she wasn't happy (but when is there a need to do that?) and I am so thankful that she still loves me and wants to get together soon! What a weight off of me! Dumb imagination of mine!

6. sister bonding time

Abi and Eden were in Abi's room, colouring pictures and hanging out together "bonding", Abi said, when she took this selfie! It makes my heart happy.  I am one lucky mama!

7. Bear hug

There are still a lot of wildfires going on in BC (and plenty all over the place. A friend of mine in Oregon is dealing with the smoke of fires now too) but I am so thankful for all of the work and efforts of the man brave firefighters.

8. Stress Test

Kai had his annual cardiology appointment this week at BCCH. Along with his usual Echocardiocram and ECG, he also had a stress test done. He's never had one done before, so this was new! He did well, considering!

Good news is that his heart is good and there is no change. That is, it is still enlarged (it's approximately 1 year bigger than it should be), but it hasn't gotten bigger, and his test results look good and he is showing no concerning symptoms. I am so thankful for that!

I am thankful for his Cardiologist and the Cardiac team at BCCH. We've been going now for 10 years. That's incredible to think of!

9. Invites

Abi finally got together with her group of friends this week! (well, almost all of them. There are 13 in the group, and a few couldn't make it of course) I love this group of teens! I hope they stay close and continue to grow together as they enter high school in a few weeks.

I am also thankful that the host of this gathering also included younger tween siblings. So Kai got to go, along with his friend. That was so nice and unexpected! I don't know how many things he'll be invited to with Abi and her friends, but I remember the few opportunities I had with my older brother when we were teens, and it was so cool!

10. cozy evenings

I'm thankful that this week, my Hunny and I have been able to spend more time with eachother. Yay!  We've just been sitting together watching HGTV after the Youngers have been put to bed, but still, that's a big step. I was surprised actually at how much more happier I was, and how I viewed our relationship in a better light, just after spending an evening together in the same room!  (he likes to watch tv and I like to write or waste time on Pinterest, and we're often in different rooms)  I am thankful for small things that help.

So that's my week in a nutshell. How about you? What are you thankful for? I'd love to hear your list and celebrate with you!

I {heart} Books

Abi and I were out shopping this afternoon and came across the perfect shirt for her at a thrift store!  I mean, seriously, how perfect is this shirt for a book-loving girl?

It was awesome timing too since today was National Book Lovers Day! 

I love it when you score on deals and items that work perfect! It was a fun day! Abi found herself a collection of suspenders, some earrings, and a tiara (she has a love for sparkly things!) and I found a super cute dress, bracelet and earrings for myself! Woohoo!  And even Rhys didn't complain too much when he walked around the mall with us. I did have to bribe him with a candy apple from the Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory though. All in all, it was a fun time!

recovering

This is just a gentle reminder to myself, and to anyone else with chronic pain and illness.

I understand.

Some days will be rough and you'll be on the couch resting, trying to breathe, and that's ok. Don't beat yourself up. Some people will understand (hopefully you've surrounded yourself with more of those people) and some won't (hopefully you've disregarded their words and realize they are from those who just don't get it.)  


Good days will come again!

Thankful Thursday

Welcome back to Thankful Thursday, a feature started by Louise at Talk Nerdy to Me, 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...

1.  free slurpees

Who doesn't like free slurpees on the eleventh day of the seventh month at 7-eleven?

2.  berries

We went berry picking this week as a family and came home with full buckets and full tummies!

3. no cavities

Rhys' dental cleaning and check up went well. No cavities! And he has new molars coming in!

4. castle fun  park

This week, my parents met the kids and I at Castle Fun Park in Abbotsford. It's a family amusement park that I went to a few times as a teenager too!  It's neat to be able to take my own kids to it now, even if it does make me feel old! haha.  I find that I'm having more fun now though, as there is more to do and more that I am willing to do!  This year, I tried out the bumper cars (seriously fun! I want some in my house...you know, when we build our dream house with the huge games' room!) and the go carts!  The kids had a blast playing the arcade games and playing mini golf!  It was such a fun afternoon!

5. rain!

 I am so thankful for rain this week! It wasn't a lot, and to be honest, we needed a whole lot more, but it was something. I didn't realize this before but we hadn't had rain since sometime in May! Wow!

It's been cooler the past few days as well, so I'm hoping we have more rain coming.

6. Forest fire update

I read on the BC Forest Fire Info FB page that the Dog Mountain fire is 100% contained! So wonderful to read that!!! I don't know where that is, but it's good news!


7. water fun

With the few hot days we had here, the boys were being creative and dumping buckets of water on their heads for challenges!

8. cousins playing

I have been babysitting my nephews for several months now; everytime my Favoritest Sister gets off of night shift (she is a NICU nurse) It's been a fun time! The Younger cousins have fun playing together, and we don't get together nearly enough!

Sadly, this past week was my last shift for them.  :(  

They won't be needing me as jobs have changed and now their Daddy will be home with them in the daytime! Yay for them, but too bad for me!  When my new nephew arrives in the Fall, maybe I'll be able to sneak over for Auntie snuggles anyways!

 

9. Cards and gifts

We took some friends of the Olders camping with us this month, and to say 'thanks' we received a lovely card with a Starbucks gift card inside! Sweet!  How thoughtful!

10.  A good walk and some swings

I was so frustrated. angry and hurt one day this week, and I just needed to get out of the house by myself.  So once dinner was ready, I told my Hunny I was going for a walk and left. I am so thankful that I can do that, and that we have a good neighbourhood. I am thankful for the park nearby that I could walk to and for the swings that I could go on. Swinging makes me feel free to just think and pray and clear my mind. (I'm not thankful for the sore hips and legs that I had after I got off the swing that was obviously made for school-aged children, but that's neither here nor there!)

So that's my week in a nutshell. It's been so long since I've written a TT post; I've been busy lately! It's good to write one out again!  What about you? What are you thankful for?

not a morning person

 Actually, I'll say "sort of" or "I guess"!

Gandalf said it first..
"Do you wish me a good morning, or mean that it is a good morning whether I want it or not; or that you feel good this morning; or that it is a morning to be good on?"

cardiology update

After being late for my Cardiology appointment last month (I thought for sure that it was at 1:30, but when I arrived just before that time I learned that it was actually at 1 and I was considered a No Show. Oops. My bad.), I finally saw my cardiologist this morning. (that is, after he was an hour late. I thought he was getting me back or just forgot about me, but it turns out he has a 3rd year student doctor with him today and she didn't appear to be too bright)  He said that my latest ECHO shows a "normal" heart. The percentage was 65, which is perfect ("like an Olympic athlete.", were his words!)....not that I know what that means when I relay it back to someone, but it made sense in the office! 

My Mitral Valve Prolapse is still considered "mild" and my regurgitation (where the blood falls back out past the valve) is "Mild to Moderate." He still can't hear the "click" when he listens to my heart, which is also good. (MVP is usually diagnosed by an Echocardiogram, as in my case, or by hearing it on a stethoscope. Your heart will sound like this: thump..click-thump. I thought that sounded musical!) 

As for the fatigue, chest pain, lightheadedness, numb or tingly fingers or toes, or flip/floppy heart palps and breathlessness that I occasionally get, he just said that it is hard for me being a mom to 5 kids. Which is the excuse my own doctor gives me as well. Argh! It's so frustrating hearing that! Funny, how I never use that excuse!

 My BP is a bit high, so he is putting me on a med called Coversyl (the box say it's Perindopril Erbumine if anyone knows what that means) and is going to get me a free BP machine. I see him in 6 months to see if there is any change!

So that was that!  I ended up leaving feeling good, despite not getting any real answers on my other symptoms (which he asked me if I had). I am going to rest on the fact that this specialist says that my heart is doing well, is considered normal, that I had this since birth (it's in the family; my Opa has this as well) and that I will continue to have this. According to his tests and reports, I am doing well. So I guess that means I continue to keep my anxiety down with breathing exercises and Bible memory and prayer, which seems to help so far.

this is why I suck at small talk

Thankful Thursday

Welcome back to Thankful Thursday, a feature started by Louise at Talk Nerdy to Me, 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...

1. trees to climb

2. dinner with friends

 I am so thankful for the friends that we have and that we could go out and enjoy an evening together, and that our kids play well and that it is just like being among family.

 3.new sunglasses

 {I'm Batman}

4.  swings that make you fly

4. texts that give you hope again

 I received a message from a friend that I hadn't heard from in such a long time that I had just about given up on our relationship; she just wasn't responding to me and it hurt.  I don't know what will happen in the end, but I am thankful that she sent something. 

I am thankful that even though friendships change, He is always faithful.



5. sparklers

 {yay. sparklers.}

{that's better. that's the spirit!}

6. music that makes us move

This is currently Rhys' favourite song:  Build Your Kingdom by Rend Collective.  (he also loves their song "Lighthouse")  He will play it over and over and sing and dance, and it is so wonderful to see!  I love his spirit!  (and, seriously, how FUN is Rend Collective???)

7.  front yard visits with neighbours

We live in a really good neighbourhood and have been blessed that the people who live on either side of us are great people. We have known eachother for 12 years and our kids have grown up together and we have shared in each others' lives!  It's nice to be able to sit in our yards and just visit!  I am thankful for the women I live by!

8. water to splash in

9.  rest

I am so thankful that after several busy days, when my body is fatigued and I feel overwhelmed, that He gives me rest.  I am given a day of quiet, where I can rest on the couch without the kids needing much. My body needs this every so often!

10.  laughs at the dinner table

My Hunny was teasing Abi about something and told her to "suck it up, Princess!" Eden stood up on her chair and pointed her finger at Abi, hotly telling her father, "She's not a Princess!  I'm a Princess!"

What a funny girl!  Apparently there can not be two princesses!


So that's my week in a nutshell. How has your week been?  I'd love to celebrate your Thankful list with you: share it in the comments!

Happy Birthday Canada!

Happy birthday, Canada!  Just 148 years young!!

I am so proud to be a Canadian! (heck, I'm so proud, it's in my user name!) It is an incredibly beautiful and diverse country. I love it here and couldn't think of any more perfect place to live!

Have fun celebrating! And be safe!!!  We'll be by the lake with sparklers and hopefully s'mores!

Evening at the Creek

I love it when my Hunny surprises us!  He called from work to instruct me to have the kids fed and ready to go out as soon as he got home, and that's all he said!

Our evening consisted of going for a walk around Williams Park and splashing in the creek! (which is actually Salmon River, but it's slow and not deep so it resembles more of a creek in some areas)  It was perfect for the kids!

Especially for Bryn, who was first to get into the water, of course!  He's always the first one to get soaked doing something!  I'm starting to pack extra clothes for him.  I need to start to make sure that he removes his shoes first though, as he's not always good at that.

The kids tried to skip rocks, played in the sand, and ran around seeing how deep they could go in the water! My kids are attracted to water, it seems!
 

  {he looks so cute, cuddly and innocent!}

  {Abi looking like an aloof model!}

 There was a fallen tree that the kids had fun climbing.  Abi made it her goal to climb up to the end of it, which stood taller than Hunny at 6'4".  It took her a while, but she did it!

{almost there!  it's a tiring job!}

{woohoo! made it!}

When we finally convinced them to get out of the creek, they played at the playground for a while.  It's a small one, but it's not busy there, so it was great. There was only one other family there with a toddler.

 {to infinity and beyond!} 

 It's funny how I've heard of Williams Park, yet had never been there until this month!  Our school will do things there, and our men's group at church will hold their bbq evenings with the kids there, though. And now since I finally made it out, I've gone three times! It's where we decided to host our family birthday party too. (we will do a joint party for Eden and Rhys for family since they are just nine days apart.) I like this park!  Aside from the mosquitoes at the river in the evenings, it's a great place to go with the family. I have never found it to be busy at all at any time I've been. 

Check it out! It may be your new favourite too!