Michaela has been sick this week, cold, cough...general winter stuff. This morning we went to church and she was feeling okay...her voice was still pretty raspy but she was doing fine. Then a few minutes into worship she comes to me crying so hard...her neck hurt. I thought that maybe she had twisted it and pulled the muscle or something so we sat for a bit and then I decided to take her home.
While I was in the church parking lot I called my sister (she is my go to gal when I need advice). So we decided that I should take her to emerg to have her checked out.
Apparently her glands are swollen and she has an infection, we were in there for 3 hours...it was a busy place for a Sunday morning. But now she is on her medicine and hopefully now she is on the road to recovery!!
Sunday, November 23, 2008
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
I Can't Sleep
Oh my goodness I can't sleep!!!
It is 3am and here I am typing, reading and watching the news....
I should have known that this would happen, I had a little nap today...not a normal thing for me to do. Michaela was sick today so we both stayed home from school and well we cuddled on the couch and there I was napping...never a good thing!
Things have been pretty busy around here, we actually got our Christmas stuff up this weekend...yes that is right!! Outside and inside are all decked out for the season!
I love Christmas, although it is a bit of a bitter sweet holiday for me. In 2001 my mum suddenly passed away from a heart attack on December 21st, it was such a shock to my family because she hadn't even been sick. Then 5 years later on December 22nd Ron was diagnosed with a brain tumor...you'd kind of think that I would avoid this holiday.
It has such amazing meaning to me, the birth of our Saviour means that I will see both of them again. It means that I can assure my daughter that her daddy isn't too far away because he accepted Jesus as his saviour...we will all be together again. How can I not celebrate that. It is a great way to share this with Michaela, we have started traditions that keeps Ron a part of our celebration. Oh yeah and family, friends, food and shopping!!!
It is 3am and here I am typing, reading and watching the news....
I should have known that this would happen, I had a little nap today...not a normal thing for me to do. Michaela was sick today so we both stayed home from school and well we cuddled on the couch and there I was napping...never a good thing!
Things have been pretty busy around here, we actually got our Christmas stuff up this weekend...yes that is right!! Outside and inside are all decked out for the season!
I love Christmas, although it is a bit of a bitter sweet holiday for me. In 2001 my mum suddenly passed away from a heart attack on December 21st, it was such a shock to my family because she hadn't even been sick. Then 5 years later on December 22nd Ron was diagnosed with a brain tumor...you'd kind of think that I would avoid this holiday.
It has such amazing meaning to me, the birth of our Saviour means that I will see both of them again. It means that I can assure my daughter that her daddy isn't too far away because he accepted Jesus as his saviour...we will all be together again. How can I not celebrate that. It is a great way to share this with Michaela, we have started traditions that keeps Ron a part of our celebration. Oh yeah and family, friends, food and shopping!!!
Thursday, November 6, 2008
Getting in Control
Now for the last little while my life has been in total upheaval, I was learning how to be a single mother, dealing with a daughter who desperately missed her daddy and trying to keep it all together.
For a time with Michaela I was letting her get away with things, spoiling her with gifts, basically I was creating a brat! I would threaten her with consequences that weren't going to happen...she realized that.
I have a wonderful close friend who took me aside and told me that I'd better start reining her in because if I let it go too much longer I wouldn't be able to ever gain control. I love friends who can in love tell you the truth, she told me things that were the absolute truth...and I knew it. But not only that she helped me, she let me know what I was doing wrong...also what I was doing right.
Things have really changed, Michaela was longing for boundaries, she needed rules...she is flourishing with her new found limits. I'm so thankful that God has given me friends who can tell me the truth in a loving and kind manner. I'm so thankful that even though it isn't always easy I've been able to keep up with consequences for bad behaviour, and reward for good (who doesn't love being told that they are doing a great job).
While I still don't have it all together (and probably never will), I'm really starting to feel like my life is so much more manageable. I'm getting in my prayer time and studying God's word...that is always such a benefit!!!
Oh yeah and we didn't win the cruise, but that is okay...Tam and I are going to Breakforth in Edmonton...and meeting up with Jen there!!!
For a time with Michaela I was letting her get away with things, spoiling her with gifts, basically I was creating a brat! I would threaten her with consequences that weren't going to happen...she realized that.
I have a wonderful close friend who took me aside and told me that I'd better start reining her in because if I let it go too much longer I wouldn't be able to ever gain control. I love friends who can in love tell you the truth, she told me things that were the absolute truth...and I knew it. But not only that she helped me, she let me know what I was doing wrong...also what I was doing right.
Things have really changed, Michaela was longing for boundaries, she needed rules...she is flourishing with her new found limits. I'm so thankful that God has given me friends who can tell me the truth in a loving and kind manner. I'm so thankful that even though it isn't always easy I've been able to keep up with consequences for bad behaviour, and reward for good (who doesn't love being told that they are doing a great job).
While I still don't have it all together (and probably never will), I'm really starting to feel like my life is so much more manageable. I'm getting in my prayer time and studying God's word...that is always such a benefit!!!
Oh yeah and we didn't win the cruise, but that is okay...Tam and I are going to Breakforth in Edmonton...and meeting up with Jen there!!!
Sunday, October 19, 2008
Menu Planning Monday
Well here I go, I feel so in control this week because I've gotten my menu plan and my groceries done!! I've never had the Beef and Cabbage soup or the Pork Tenderloin yet but I'm looking forward to trying them.
Monday - Beef and Cabbage Soup (slow cooker)
Tuesday - Taco Salad
Wednesday - Homemade Pizza
Thursday - Clams with Tomatoes and Garlic
Friday - Chicken, Potatoes and Corn
Saturday - Whatever we can find
Sunday - Pork Tenderloin with Mushroom Sauce, Rice and Carrots
Oh I think this week is off to a great start with having the most stressful part of it done!!
Monday, October 13, 2008
Winning a Cruise!
I'm entering a contest to win a Girl's Getaway Cruise...wow wouldn't that be amazing!
For the last couple of years it seems like I've been living someone else's life. I will try and explain why a friend and I need a cruise.
When you hear the words from the doctor that your husband has a brain tumor...it can't happen to us, that happens to other people.
When the neurosurgeon says that it is inoperable...you think that it can't be real.
When the oncologist tells you that it is terminal...you think but God is bigger than that.
When God decided to take your beloved home...you are numb.
For the last couple of years it seems like I've been living someone else's life. I will try and explain why a friend and I need a cruise.
When you hear the words from the doctor that your husband has a brain tumor...it can't happen to us, that happens to other people.
When the neurosurgeon says that it is inoperable...you think that it can't be real.
When the oncologist tells you that it is terminal...you think but God is bigger than that.
When God decided to take your beloved home...you are numb.
In December of 2006 when Ron was diagnosed (at age 36) our lives were turned upside down, but even at that point you have no idea what any of it means. We were on our way to a city when he could have treatment (1300 kms from home). We didn't know that our Christmas spent in a hospital TV room would be our last...we were so blessed to be together.
He was so strong and felt really great while he was going through his treatments, when he became critically ill with an infection so suddenly we were in shock. I never left him at the hospital...I stayed by him every night caring for him. When the doctors told us he only had days to live we were crushed, this was only 2 months after his diagnoses...we would never get home together again. The doctors told us they could air ambulance him to the hospital back home for him to die...I wanted to be back home and was so happy for the chance.
God was smiling on us, once we were back home in our small town hospital...Ron flourished. He was in a palliative care room and I was able to stay with him (other than running home to shower and change) all of the time. The doctors and nurses were amazing to us and after a month there we were able to take Ron home, he started to improve so much. He had lost his sight and was only partially mobile, but we were able to sleep in our own bed (he refused a hospital bed at home).
I had home support come in once a day to care for him and let me get out for shopping and such. Otherwise it was our daughter and I caring for Ron, we also had friends and family that would come and spend time with him...his recovery was nothing short of a miracle. Michaela loved to help her daddy, she was always there to help him have a little walk to stretch his legs...or cuddle with him.
Sadly after a couple of months at home Ron's health began to decline. While he had already lost his sight he then lost his hearing and seizures became a daily part of our lives...the doctor decided that Ron had to stay in the hospital again....the tumor had grown out of control.
He was so strong and felt really great while he was going through his treatments, when he became critically ill with an infection so suddenly we were in shock. I never left him at the hospital...I stayed by him every night caring for him. When the doctors told us he only had days to live we were crushed, this was only 2 months after his diagnoses...we would never get home together again. The doctors told us they could air ambulance him to the hospital back home for him to die...I wanted to be back home and was so happy for the chance.
God was smiling on us, once we were back home in our small town hospital...Ron flourished. He was in a palliative care room and I was able to stay with him (other than running home to shower and change) all of the time. The doctors and nurses were amazing to us and after a month there we were able to take Ron home, he started to improve so much. He had lost his sight and was only partially mobile, but we were able to sleep in our own bed (he refused a hospital bed at home).
I had home support come in once a day to care for him and let me get out for shopping and such. Otherwise it was our daughter and I caring for Ron, we also had friends and family that would come and spend time with him...his recovery was nothing short of a miracle. Michaela loved to help her daddy, she was always there to help him have a little walk to stretch his legs...or cuddle with him.
Sadly after a couple of months at home Ron's health began to decline. While he had already lost his sight he then lost his hearing and seizures became a daily part of our lives...the doctor decided that Ron had to stay in the hospital again....the tumor had grown out of control.
Ron and Michaela during Canadian Cancer Society's Relay for Life.
My me and my family joined by a pipe band, during the Relay for Life. Ron said this was the happiest day since he'd been sick.
For the last six weeks of Ron's life I stayed at the hospital with him, most nights so did Michaela...she was so happy to just be with him. I was with him to help him with even the most intimate details of his life and care. To feed him, help wash him...just to care for my husband in the best way possible. While we never stopped praying for a miracle I did have to explain to Michaela that maybe daddy wouldn't be getting better...and may go to Heaven. I don't think I will ever have to say anything more difficult that that.
After Ron passed away (July 28, 2007), I was lost, numb, angry...brokenhearted. I had a hard time getting my life back in order, I just wanted to run away...but I had Michaela to take care of. Thankfully I have an amazing family, group of friends and church who have been with us every step of the way.
I'm feeling more comfortable in my new role as single mum and going on this cruise would be something for just me. To spend it with amazing Christian women, loving the Lord and growing in Him..what a dream. To see speakers that I would never have the chance to see otherwise (and see it all on a luxury ship)...that would be crazy good!!
Now please don't think that through all of this that I did not see the blessing that God gave me, He carried us through all of this. His gifts were very evident through all of the situations and I know that Ron is with our Lord living in glory. I draw closer to God because of the goodness and grace He continues to give me every day.
The hard part is choosing a friend to bring with me, I have been blessed with amazing women in my life...some are sisters by birth and some are sisters in Christ and I love them all.
The woman I would bring is my friend Tamara, she has been by my side every step of these last couple of years. She is my prayer warrior, she lifts me when I'm having a bad day, she will cry with me when I need it and laugh even harder afterwards. We have only known each other for 2 1/2 years, yet I can't imagine my life without her. She will speak honestly to me when needed...but always with love and grace. Her family has become mine and for that I'm so thankful. God knew that I would need her and her family and dropped me in their midst.
I pray for God to lead you to the person who will benefit and be enriched by this cruise, He knows above all who that is.
Thursday, October 9, 2008
Craft Room
Here is my new craft room, my friend Laura came over and we finally got it all together...I love that girl!!
It is great to be a project for her website...when she came to visit with her camera I knew we'd be working!
http://www.orgjunkie.com/
It is great to be a project for her website...when she came to visit with her camera I knew we'd be working!
http://www.orgjunkie.com/
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
Win a New Bedroom
5 minutes for mom is holding a wonderful contest...post a photo of your sleeping angel and you could win a new bedroom suite for them.
Michaela hates when I take pictures of her when she is sleeping...I've promised to stop. She has some pretty funny ones when she would fall asleep is some pretty funny places. Her favourite was our old rocking chair...before she couldn't fit in it anymore. She would climb up with blankie, curl up and have her naps there...oh how I miss naps!!
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