Showing posts with label Friends. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Friends. Show all posts
Monday, November 8, 2010
Rippin' Up The Keyboard
Last post I mentioned that I was gonna tell you something I've been up to lately.
So.........
you might be interested to know that I've decided to take up piano lessons again!
I haven't taken lessons since back around 1979 or so.
I had thought about taking guitar or mandolin lessons, but Blake decided to take these two instruments, along with his fiddle, to college in New Brunswick. So I had to scrap that idea.
Then an opportunity was put before me to take piano lessons from the multi-talented Tony Silvestri.
And, I am thrilled to tell you that I started lessons last month.
I first met Tony a number of years ago at The Milford Fair. My boys were performing with their fiddles and then Tony came on stage with his piano and blew me away with his talent at such a young age!
I've watched Tony perform over the years, and he continues to fascinate me. He and Sebastian Sallans performed together with Fiddlers Found a couple of summers ago in an old schoolhouse, unrehearsed, and it was a great show.
I'm thankful for this opportunity to learn from one of the best pianists I've ever heard. I wanted to show you a video that I watched this week of Tony. Now, I'm fully aware that I won't be rippin' up the keyboard like THIS anytime soon; but it gives you a taste of the talent that this young man has!
Enjoy!
[Before pressing PLAY, please scroll to the bottom of this page and PAUSE the blog music!]
Tony Silvestri's Crazy Piano Video
Fascinating, eh???
Saturday, October 23, 2010
You Asked For Updates, You've Got Updates!
Once again I've gotten side-tracked and not been faithful in making some posts to keep you all updated. I don't know what's been going on lately with me! One would think that I would have lots of time with two birds out of the nest.
But nay-nay.... lots going on. When I make a list of everything I've been doing, I imagine that I could have it all completed in just two full days.... so why has it been a whole week? I don't know. Maybe I just have trouble focussing. All I know is that before I know it, I'm crawling back into bed after a full day and have to wonder what filled up my whole day?
I know some of you can relate.
So because I've been running into many folks who keep asking about how the boys are doing, I'll give an update here today.
I have a bit of time today for blogging because Jared had to miss today's hockey game. Jared fills in on one of the Bantam league teams because there were not enough Bantam-aged kids to form teams. Midget players were brought down to help fill in and build up the numbers. (Some Peewee players may have been brought up to play as well; I'm not sure about this, though.)
Yesterday at the highschool's soccer playoff game, a Moira player's knee connected with Jared's front thigh, and down Jared went. He hobbled around for a bit and was able to finish playing, but after the game the leg was pretty sore. He was in a lot of discomfort last night and this morning, so he decided it would be too painful to play hockey. (Sorry about that, Coach Clark!)
That boy gives his all when he plays. It amazes me. In fact, I've told him to STOP playing so hard! He doesn't care if he gets hurt! I will tell you right now that he did NOT inherit that trait from his Momma! He's had more bumps and bruises and cuts and skin ripped off his body. He has sat with his leg up some evenings after a game and we have watched his leg, where the skin has been ripped off, literally ooze!!!! It's not pretty, folks!
The boys on the PECI Panther teams (Junior & Senior) have done an excellent job on the soccer field this season. I am so proud of all the players (even the opposing teams) who go out to play soccer (or any sport!) to support their school. I'm glad we have programs like this. Thank you to the teachers and the coaches (that's you, Dave Mather!) who volunteer their time to these kids. It is greatly appreciated.
So Jared will spend today relaxing to rest his leg, and hopefully he will feel better for the Midget hockey game on Sunday evening. My goodness, I'll go through withdrawal if he can't play! I'll have to just go to the arena anyways and watch his teammates play! haha.
As many of you know, Jake has been working in Georgetown with Jon's friend who is a landscaper. As soon as Jake graduated from high school, he was outta here! He has enjoyed his time up there; but 'tis the season for him to move on. The landscaping work pretty much comes to an end this time of year.
He could've stayed on to do some snow plowing, but since you never know how much snow you're going to get through the Winter, Jake has decided that he would like to truck with his Dad over the Winter. I told him I thought it was a great idea; however, we are of the understanding that he'll be returning to the landscaping business in the Spring. He assures me this will be the case.
Jon and Jake are just now leaving South Dakota with a load of pork and heading to Toronto. They seem to be having a good trip together. Jon says that just having Jake with him feels like he received a blood transfusion. I told Jake to ensure that Dad doesn't sleep in the bunk while Jake unloads the trailer by himself! haha. They just finished updating their Facebook statuses, so I think they're good to go!
Poor Jake must return home this week in order to receive a root canal on one of his teeth as well as a wisdom tooth extraction. He's been in a lot of pain, but the antibiotics have been doing their job and settling the discomfort in his mouth. He was bet and bound, though, that he was going with Dad in the truck! I expect to see them return home some time on Monday.
As Tuesday rolls around, we will breathe another sigh of relief as we anticipate Blake receiving his next dose of Remicade in New Brunswick. Things are all set up for his meds to be administered in Saint John.
His discomfort has been quite minimal, although he did have a bit of pain and fatigue a few days at the end of September or beginning of October. He missed classes one morning and I believe there was another day where he laid down for an afternoon nap and slept through his class. (But he felt better after the nap!)
He was home for Thanksgiving weekend, which we were thrilled about, and he seemed to be feeling relatively well. I was talking to him on the phone the other morning and he asked me to hang on as someone was at his door. I overheard the conversation; and when Blake returned to the phone, he clarified to me that the person was someone from the maintenance department who had very kindly taken the time to make Blake a crockpot of homemade soup! Blake said he'd been talking to her about a month ago when she asked about his health situation, and then she shows up with all this soup for him! What a blessing! Oh how New Brunswick reminds me of Prince Edward County! People are so kind.
So Blake's friend, Aaron, will graciously drive Blake to Saint John early Tuesday morning for his infusion. Blake said that he was supposed to have an exam that day, but his Professor is kindly letting Blake write it the next day. (Thank you, Mr. Professor!!!) Thankfully Aaron has no classes scheduled until later that day, and since Blake's appointment is 8:30am (I think), then there shouldn't be any problems in getting back to the school in plenty of time.
Blake has conveyed to me that his workload is extremely full... overloaded....; however, he says the work comes quite easy to him, he understands it very well. He says, "There's just a LOT of it!". It's apparently very time consuming, along with the hours that he is required to put in at the library. He works 8 hours per week. Now add the fact that he cooks his own meals and must do his own dishes and cleanup and add some laundry in there...... and don't forget about chat time with his sweetheart (Hi Anelyse!), it gets to be a jam-packed schedule. I think he's getting enough sleep; but I also know he's like his Momma and if that sleep time gets broken or cut short, look out! hahaha.
So overall, he's doing well. I so appreciate the school that he's attending. They are a very caring bunch of staff and students and community, and I would recommend Bethany Bible College to anyone!
So, what's up with Jon? Pretty much the same-old-same-old. Jon is still enjoying his life in the trucking industry. He's happy out there doing what he does best. These shorter runs ('shorter' meaning that he's gone 5-7 days as opposed to 10-12 days) seem to be working out really well for him. If he does come home tired, a good night's sleep seems to suffice; whereas he used to come home and sleep and would never truly get caught up.
Jon is thrilled that Jake is travelling with him for the Winter, and I think they'll have a good time. Jon is a hard worker and gives his all.... good attributes to pass on to his children. He has more love for me and our boys in his big toe than many have in their whole heart. He never gives up and he's willing to help anyone who needs it. I am hoping the boys forget our bad habits and traits and are able to focus on these good ones. I am a very fortunate woman to have Jon in my life.
And speaking of me and my life, it certainly has been busy lately. I am very happy that much of my time is spent with or for my boys. I thoroughly enjoy heading to all of Jared's sporting events (even like yesterday when I was bundled up with three sweaters, a winter coat, ear muffs, gloves, boots, a blanket AND a sleeping bag on the soccer field sidelines! It was c-c-c-cooooold!). I am happy to sit in the hockey arena bundled up, sitting on a blanket, and cheering on those kids!
I spent one afternoon this week at a funeral for my friend Linda's husband. Steve became ill early this past Summer and was given only possibly a few short years to live. Unfortunately he lived for only approximately another four months.
Now I know that we're programmed in this world to believe that a funeral is not a good thing. And of course, none of us are happy about someone dying. However, I have attended some amazing funerals where it was a celebration of their life topped off with a parting "see you again one day". If you've never attended a funeral like that, I can assure you that you are truly missing out on an amazing event!
I have attended many funerals of celebration where the service was a testimony of our Lord in their lives. And I left with the assurance that I would one day see them again in eternity. I would leave those funeral services and think "THAT's the kind of service I want when I leave this earth!".
Well, that's exactly what I said when I left the funeral service for Steve. After we heard an "Amen" praise song by two local amazing musical artists, we spent the next 45 minutes or so of the service hearing story after story about Steve. It was non-stop. We heard of things he'd done and said, impacts he'd made on others' lives, his love for family, friends, community, his job..... as well as the love that others had for him! And then the service turned to about ten minutes of God's thirst-quenching presence in our lives. It wasn't "preachy", it wasn't "flowery".... it was to the point. It made an impact. A brilliant presentation of an acapella Amazing Grace was given once again by the two amazing musical ladies, whose voices in that old United Church with the high ceilings and amazing acoustics sounded like that of angels!
Meanwhile, throughout the service, you could just see it was hard for Linda to sit still in her seat. She was itching to jump up and praise Jesus throughout that service. As the casket was wheeled down the aisle to the back of the church, Linda's face beamed with radiance and a smile stretched from ear to ear. She clapped her hands to the song which was blaring through the sound speakers... Life Is A Highway... apparently one of Steve's favourite songs.
Oh, Lord, that I would be able to praise You like that under such circumstances! It's the heart's cry.... Fill me, Lord; mold me; make me; use me....... ANY time, ALL the time...... even at a husband's funeral. What a testimony to the saved and unsaved!
It was truly a celebration. God is alive. Even at a funeral. His presence is everywhere and with us all the time. Even during the dark times when it's hard to maybe sense His presence. He's there, folks. He's always there. Ask Linda. She'll tell you the same thing.
God bless you, Linda, as you grieve the loss of your husband and friend, and know that God shone through you on Wednesday. We love you.
Well, friends, I have more to write about, but I think I'll save it for another post. Jared and I are excited to watch some good ol' Saturday Night Hockey In Canada tonight as we watch the Leafs defeat the Flyers (might want to pray for this to happen because I have SO rubbed this in a friend's face (all in good fun) and don't want to stand with egg on my face or have to eat humble pie! haha).
Trusting that you enjoy some great quality time this weekend with friends and family. We truly do not know how long we have with them. Cherish every moment and opportunity.
Until next time, God bless.
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
Never Let Go
There are moments in this life when time seems to stop,
when your breath catches you,
when you get that knot in the pit of your gut,
and then it turns to a sick churning in the deep of your stomach,
when your heart physically feels like each chamber is breaking, being ripped apart.
Every parent feels it when they hear the news.
It doesn't have to be your own kid because you instinctively put yourself in the parents' position.... knowing in your head, knowing in your heart, that one day it could be you getting the phone call, the policeman at the door, the doctor walking the long hall.... to tell you your life is about to change in the blink of an eye.
To tell you your loved one is gone.
Gone from this earth.
All that's left is the body. In this case, a body that couldn't survive an automobile accident. A now broken body. Another boy tries his best to revive the motionless broken frame that lies limp on a roadside.
As humans, we do what we can. Sometimes we can wrap our mouth around their's and blow life-giving air back into their lungs; sometimes we can manipulate their chest and make the heart believe that it's still capable of more years of beating.
And sometimes we can't.
Sometimes no matter what we do in our mortal flesh or in our spirit's outcry to God above, the decision has been made by our Maker that one's time on earth is finished.
That we will no more walk this earth.
That we now come face to face with God our Creator, Who had our lives planned from beginning to end before we were even created in our mother's womb. Our frame was not hidden from Him, for He knit us together; we were woven together in the depths of the earth. All the days ordained for us were written in His book before one of them came to be.
And October 1st, 2010 was the last earthly day that a young eighteen-year-old boy would live here on earth.
Left behind is a mother and father and sister. Ohhhh, as a mother my heart feels the mother's writhing pain. As I watched them hug their son in his casket, the tears filled my eyes and literally gushed down my cheeks along with others in the sanctuary, hundreds and hundreds of students and friends and adults and family watching.... feeling the pain..... shedding their own tears... feeling their own hearts break.... knowing that this mother's heart could never ever hurt more than at this moment.
Stories are told of a kind boy who wasn't afraid to every day verbally share his love to everyone he knew with three simple words.... "I love you". How those words will be missed from the curly red-haired, freckled-faced kid.
I can imagine his mother telling him those very words as she leaned onto his lifeless body and gave him her last goodbyes.... not wanting to let go.... not wanting to let go of his body, to let go of her baby....
As his casket is closed and driven to a cemetery and laid in the ground, she must feel her arms are empty because she's had to let go of him in the physical sense, never to feel his freckled skin again.
Sometimes we have to let go. We may not want to, but we have no choice. In this instance, we cannot hold onto the body. We must let go.
However....
the memories,
the pictures,
the stories,
the conversations,
his favourite toy,
his favourite shirt,
a video of him laughing and talking......
these things we have in our possession, in our minds, so that we never have to let go. These things stay etched in our thoughts and in our hands and in front of our eyes and in our hearts so that we never have to let go.
We have a Saviour Who never lets go of us. He carries us, He walks beside us and before us and around us. He never lets go of us when we're hurting or sad or in pain. Even when we're happy and content, He still doesn't let go.
He surrounds us and lives in us and lives through us. He is there to lift us from the pits and help us through the valleys. He protects us in the dark shadows. He knows what we're feeling, He understands our pain and even our anger that we sometimes direct to Him in times like this. And He still never lets go.
Friend, I would encourage you to call on Him. Be honest with Him about how you're feeling, about your pain, about your confusion, about your anger, about your hurt. Ask Him to help you. Ask Him to comfort you. Ask Him what you can learn from this tragedy and how you can make a difference to help someone else.
He promises that He will never let go. Ever.
Below is a video with a song called Never Let Go. Before listening to it, please scroll to the very bottom of the page and hit the PAUSE button on the blog's music. Then return to this spot and hit PLAY.
Never Let Go - David Crowder Band
Our very deepest condolences to Kathy (and Barry & Ian), Bill (and Rebecca), & Kaitlyn on the loss of your son and brother. Never let go.
God bless.
*Photo from Ethan Todd's Facebook Photo Album (Thanks, Ethan.)
He Listened
by Joseph Bayly
Written after he laid three of his sons in the grave
I was sitting, torn by grief. Someone came and talked to me of God's dealings, of why it happened, of hope beyond the grave. He talked constantly, he said things I knew were true. I was unmoved except to wish he'd go away. He finally did.
Another came and sat beside me. He just sat beside me for an hour and more, listened when I said something, answered briefly, prayed simply, left. I was moved. I was comforted. I hated to see him go.
when your breath catches you,
when you get that knot in the pit of your gut,
and then it turns to a sick churning in the deep of your stomach,
when your heart physically feels like each chamber is breaking, being ripped apart.
Every parent feels it when they hear the news.
It doesn't have to be your own kid because you instinctively put yourself in the parents' position.... knowing in your head, knowing in your heart, that one day it could be you getting the phone call, the policeman at the door, the doctor walking the long hall.... to tell you your life is about to change in the blink of an eye.
To tell you your loved one is gone.
Gone from this earth.
All that's left is the body. In this case, a body that couldn't survive an automobile accident. A now broken body. Another boy tries his best to revive the motionless broken frame that lies limp on a roadside.
As humans, we do what we can. Sometimes we can wrap our mouth around their's and blow life-giving air back into their lungs; sometimes we can manipulate their chest and make the heart believe that it's still capable of more years of beating.
And sometimes we can't.
Sometimes no matter what we do in our mortal flesh or in our spirit's outcry to God above, the decision has been made by our Maker that one's time on earth is finished.
That we will no more walk this earth.
That we now come face to face with God our Creator, Who had our lives planned from beginning to end before we were even created in our mother's womb. Our frame was not hidden from Him, for He knit us together; we were woven together in the depths of the earth. All the days ordained for us were written in His book before one of them came to be.
And October 1st, 2010 was the last earthly day that a young eighteen-year-old boy would live here on earth.
Left behind is a mother and father and sister. Ohhhh, as a mother my heart feels the mother's writhing pain. As I watched them hug their son in his casket, the tears filled my eyes and literally gushed down my cheeks along with others in the sanctuary, hundreds and hundreds of students and friends and adults and family watching.... feeling the pain..... shedding their own tears... feeling their own hearts break.... knowing that this mother's heart could never ever hurt more than at this moment.
Stories are told of a kind boy who wasn't afraid to every day verbally share his love to everyone he knew with three simple words.... "I love you". How those words will be missed from the curly red-haired, freckled-faced kid.
I can imagine his mother telling him those very words as she leaned onto his lifeless body and gave him her last goodbyes.... not wanting to let go.... not wanting to let go of his body, to let go of her baby....
As his casket is closed and driven to a cemetery and laid in the ground, she must feel her arms are empty because she's had to let go of him in the physical sense, never to feel his freckled skin again.
Sometimes we have to let go. We may not want to, but we have no choice. In this instance, we cannot hold onto the body. We must let go.
However....
the memories,
the pictures,
the stories,
the conversations,
his favourite toy,
his favourite shirt,
a video of him laughing and talking......
these things we have in our possession, in our minds, so that we never have to let go. These things stay etched in our thoughts and in our hands and in front of our eyes and in our hearts so that we never have to let go.
We have a Saviour Who never lets go of us. He carries us, He walks beside us and before us and around us. He never lets go of us when we're hurting or sad or in pain. Even when we're happy and content, He still doesn't let go.
He surrounds us and lives in us and lives through us. He is there to lift us from the pits and help us through the valleys. He protects us in the dark shadows. He knows what we're feeling, He understands our pain and even our anger that we sometimes direct to Him in times like this. And He still never lets go.
Friend, I would encourage you to call on Him. Be honest with Him about how you're feeling, about your pain, about your confusion, about your anger, about your hurt. Ask Him to help you. Ask Him to comfort you. Ask Him what you can learn from this tragedy and how you can make a difference to help someone else.
He promises that He will never let go. Ever.
Below is a video with a song called Never Let Go. Before listening to it, please scroll to the very bottom of the page and hit the PAUSE button on the blog's music. Then return to this spot and hit PLAY.
Never Let Go - David Crowder Band
Our very deepest condolences to Kathy (and Barry & Ian), Bill (and Rebecca), & Kaitlyn on the loss of your son and brother. Never let go.
God bless.
Tyler McConnell
May 13, 1992 - October 1, 2010
*Photo from Ethan Todd's Facebook Photo Album (Thanks, Ethan.)
He Listened
by Joseph Bayly
Written after he laid three of his sons in the grave
I was sitting, torn by grief. Someone came and talked to me of God's dealings, of why it happened, of hope beyond the grave. He talked constantly, he said things I knew were true. I was unmoved except to wish he'd go away. He finally did.
Another came and sat beside me. He just sat beside me for an hour and more, listened when I said something, answered briefly, prayed simply, left. I was moved. I was comforted. I hated to see him go.
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
Howdy from Home!
Our first full day home in over two weeks.
Ahhhhhhhh!
Feels good.
Despite the fact that I really haven't stopped moving all day, and yesterday as well, it is sure good to be home.
Our 2+ week at Kingston General was almost like staying at the Hilton! (How I would know this, I haven't got a clue... I've never stayed at the Hilton.... but you get my drift...) We were unbelievably well pampered by hospital staff, and I must say that it almost felt like a bit of a retreat for me.... excluding the "concerned-about-Blake's-health" part.
But once I got home, and saw JUST how much this family REALLY NEEDS ME...... my body kicked into high gear and I've been non-stop since.
The look of the house wasn't quite as bad as it was when I returned home from a previous hospital stay back in May. It truly was a disaster zone then! But this time, it was a smidget tidier. Jon worked very hard this week on cutting lawns and trimming arounds trees, etc. He laboured quite a few hours on Jake's pick up. They even actually DID do laundry this time, although it was quite caught up before Blake's admission to hospital.
I did find it extremely gross to open my dishwasher and find cups and utensils with mold on them.
Yah.
That's right.
I said mold.
How is that possible, one would wonder??
Well, we have the world's most absolute poorest working dishwasher in the world. You can NEVER put anything in the dishwasher that has any bit of food on it. Even toast crumbs! They're the worst!
So I don't think some boys rinsed their milk-stained cups and egg-yolk-covered forks and coffee-with-flavoured-Coffeemate-creamer mugs before placing them inside the dishwasher. Now imagine them sitting there for over a week in a closed air-tight dishwasher before someone receives the phone call that we're coming home that day from the hospital and then they rush to start the dishwasher.
I couldn't even stand the thoughts of running them through the dishwasher again, so I re-washed them by hand.
Blech!
Gag me.
So I found the counter top...... Yup! Sure enough, it was right there where I had left it! Then I found the design on the kitchen floor after I swept up some dog hair and pieces of grass and some other stuff that I really have no idea what it was.
And the toilet??? Well, Mr. Toity was another story. He basically partnered up with Mr. Dishwasher and made me gag. I mean, you must remember..... we were at the hospital for two weeks. And out of those fourteen days, our hospital toilet was cleaned almost every single day.... sometimes twice a day! So, Mr. Toity here at home got a well-needed bath yesterday!
And the rest of the mess of the house is pretty much the dis-organized mess I left it in.
I changed all the bedding today on ALL the beds. Usually when I do that, one of the kids ends up getting the stomach flu and barfing all over their sheets. So for about ten years now, I usually only wash one bed at a time. Pretty sure it's one of the things on the Murphy's Law List.
Tonight we were extremely spoiled with a fully prepared hot supper, compliments of a dear sweet woman, Norma Smith. I have known her since I was eight years old. She attends the same church I do, and I believe she has prayed for me since I was a little girl. She is the woman who led me to the Lord many years ago at J.M.S. (Junior Missionary Society). She's definitely a prayer warrior! Anyways, we had roasted potatoes and meatloaf and baked beans, and there's a chocolate cake on the counter just waiting for us to inhale it! We're saving the cake for just a little while longer this evening while we watch a movie.
Thankfully, Mrs. Smith could stay and have supper with us before she headed to the church for Prayer Meeting. She is such an encouragement and a wonderful example of a Godly woman. I love her to pieces. I hope we're neighbours in heaven someday!
Thank you for supper, Mrs. Smith!!!! We love you.
One more thing before I update you on Blake. I cannot believe how much things can change in just two weeks. My flowers have exploded! The hollyhocks are coming out beautifully. (Above picture is not my hollyhocks. It's an internet photo.) And I have other flowers around my house that I have not got a clue what they're called, but they're so pretty. Nice yellow ones and pink ones. Some of the hostas are flowering already, and they always smell so nice and perfumy (is that a word?). My grapevine that I am growing up the side of my deck has simply exploded and is bursting forth with life. I need to train the straggly ends to wrap around the beams and go up on top of the overhang, which will provide shade in the hot summer sun, since we have no trees around our home.
The only flower not taking off this year is my yellow-bell vines. I think it's because there were some weeds choking them out, so today I pulled those picky ol' weeds (some that were as tall as I am! How did THAT happen!?) and hopefully the yellow bells will now have a chance to grow. The ones around the stairs are fine, but the ones around the chimney and side of the deck are struggling. They originally came from my Grandma Steenburgh's home, so I want to ensure they keep on growing for many years to come.
OK. Enough about me and my dirty house and my pretty (or struggling) flowers. You want to hear about Blake because....... "it's ALL about Blake!". (Again, family joke! Don't worry.)
Blake is doing WONDERFULLY. He feels really good. His body is still a bit weak, but that's expected. His colour continues to get better and the best part is that there is no pain. Now, I did just realize that I haven't checked his arm all day regarding the cellulitis, so if you can just hold on one second..........
......................
...............
OK. I'm back. The arm looks pretty good. The redness is hardly there. That's a good thing. He's taking Cephalex (I think that's the proper drug name... I'm too tired to go check the bottle) and obviously it is doing it's job.
He was playing XBox 360 and Guitar Hero with Jared this afternoon and it sounded so wonderful to hear him laughing and playing once again. Jared must have slaughtered Blake in the game because I could hear this holler from the rec room, "NOOOOOOOOOOoooooooooooo........!!!".
That's quite a change from the last three weeks when there were times that he would have hardly enough energy to even whisper a word or two to me.
We are thanking God that the Remicade seems to be effective and working to heal Blake's intestines. We are praying that the paperwork will move speedily across the desk of the government officials (with a big of stamp of "APPROVAL") and that everything will fall into place next week for Blake's next dose.
Dr. Hookey (whose name I have been mispelling for two weeks now.... sorry Dr. Hookey!) seemed very confident that Blake will have his next dose in a timely fashion, and we are thankful for his kindness and helpfulness in this area.
Blake heads to the Gastroenterology Clinic on Friday afternoon for a quick check up. I'm assuming we'll see Dr. Depew, but it could also be one of the other two doctors in that office. On Monday, we are to call Dr. Hookey's office and he'll tell us what the next step is, as far as getting the next dose.
I'm just so pleased that Blake is feeling well and responding to the Remicade. Thank You, Lord!
Jake left for the Big City again this morning. He received his Grade 12 Graduation Diploma last night from PECI. Perhaps you'll recall from an earlier post, I wrote how we had rang the cowbell and did some "hootin' & hollerin'" when Blake received his diploma in 2008. Of course, the Principal had announced for everyone to hold their applause until all graduates received their diplomas, but... come on now..... we're hillbillies, for goodness sake!
So, in keeping with a new tradition, once Ms. Moon announced the name "Jacob.Jonathon.Dane.Found", you could hear hand clappers and a loud clanging cowbell, and a pretty darn proud family of parents, brothers, grandparents, a cousin, and some aunts cheering and hollering and shouting "WAHOOOO, JACOB!!!!!". We certainly had the attention of the many hundreds of folks who were in attendance. But for those who knew us, they weren't surprised..... we're The Fraser's, of course. Naturally we celebrate for all to hear! As Principal MacKenzie-Coates handed Jake his diploma and shook his hand, she looked at him with an expression that said, "I am SO not surprised to hear that!". haha
Ahhhhhhhh!
Feels good.
Despite the fact that I really haven't stopped moving all day, and yesterday as well, it is sure good to be home.
Our 2+ week at Kingston General was almost like staying at the Hilton! (How I would know this, I haven't got a clue... I've never stayed at the Hilton.... but you get my drift...) We were unbelievably well pampered by hospital staff, and I must say that it almost felt like a bit of a retreat for me.... excluding the "concerned-about-Blake's-health" part.
But once I got home, and saw JUST how much this family REALLY NEEDS ME...... my body kicked into high gear and I've been non-stop since.
The look of the house wasn't quite as bad as it was when I returned home from a previous hospital stay back in May. It truly was a disaster zone then! But this time, it was a smidget tidier. Jon worked very hard this week on cutting lawns and trimming arounds trees, etc. He laboured quite a few hours on Jake's pick up. They even actually DID do laundry this time, although it was quite caught up before Blake's admission to hospital.
I did find it extremely gross to open my dishwasher and find cups and utensils with mold on them.
Yah.
That's right.
I said mold.
How is that possible, one would wonder??
Well, we have the world's most absolute poorest working dishwasher in the world. You can NEVER put anything in the dishwasher that has any bit of food on it. Even toast crumbs! They're the worst!
So I don't think some boys rinsed their milk-stained cups and egg-yolk-covered forks and coffee-with-flavoured-Coffeemate-creamer mugs before placing them inside the dishwasher. Now imagine them sitting there for over a week in a closed air-tight dishwasher before someone receives the phone call that we're coming home that day from the hospital and then they rush to start the dishwasher.
I couldn't even stand the thoughts of running them through the dishwasher again, so I re-washed them by hand.
Blech!
Gag me.
So I found the counter top...... Yup! Sure enough, it was right there where I had left it! Then I found the design on the kitchen floor after I swept up some dog hair and pieces of grass and some other stuff that I really have no idea what it was.
And the toilet??? Well, Mr. Toity was another story. He basically partnered up with Mr. Dishwasher and made me gag. I mean, you must remember..... we were at the hospital for two weeks. And out of those fourteen days, our hospital toilet was cleaned almost every single day.... sometimes twice a day! So, Mr. Toity here at home got a well-needed bath yesterday!
And the rest of the mess of the house is pretty much the dis-organized mess I left it in.
I changed all the bedding today on ALL the beds. Usually when I do that, one of the kids ends up getting the stomach flu and barfing all over their sheets. So for about ten years now, I usually only wash one bed at a time. Pretty sure it's one of the things on the Murphy's Law List.
Tonight we were extremely spoiled with a fully prepared hot supper, compliments of a dear sweet woman, Norma Smith. I have known her since I was eight years old. She attends the same church I do, and I believe she has prayed for me since I was a little girl. She is the woman who led me to the Lord many years ago at J.M.S. (Junior Missionary Society). She's definitely a prayer warrior! Anyways, we had roasted potatoes and meatloaf and baked beans, and there's a chocolate cake on the counter just waiting for us to inhale it! We're saving the cake for just a little while longer this evening while we watch a movie.
Thankfully, Mrs. Smith could stay and have supper with us before she headed to the church for Prayer Meeting. She is such an encouragement and a wonderful example of a Godly woman. I love her to pieces. I hope we're neighbours in heaven someday!
Thank you for supper, Mrs. Smith!!!! We love you.
One more thing before I update you on Blake. I cannot believe how much things can change in just two weeks. My flowers have exploded! The hollyhocks are coming out beautifully. (Above picture is not my hollyhocks. It's an internet photo.) And I have other flowers around my house that I have not got a clue what they're called, but they're so pretty. Nice yellow ones and pink ones. Some of the hostas are flowering already, and they always smell so nice and perfumy (is that a word?). My grapevine that I am growing up the side of my deck has simply exploded and is bursting forth with life. I need to train the straggly ends to wrap around the beams and go up on top of the overhang, which will provide shade in the hot summer sun, since we have no trees around our home.
The only flower not taking off this year is my yellow-bell vines. I think it's because there were some weeds choking them out, so today I pulled those picky ol' weeds (some that were as tall as I am! How did THAT happen!?) and hopefully the yellow bells will now have a chance to grow. The ones around the stairs are fine, but the ones around the chimney and side of the deck are struggling. They originally came from my Grandma Steenburgh's home, so I want to ensure they keep on growing for many years to come.
OK. Enough about me and my dirty house and my pretty (or struggling) flowers. You want to hear about Blake because....... "it's ALL about Blake!". (Again, family joke! Don't worry.)
Blake is doing WONDERFULLY. He feels really good. His body is still a bit weak, but that's expected. His colour continues to get better and the best part is that there is no pain. Now, I did just realize that I haven't checked his arm all day regarding the cellulitis, so if you can just hold on one second..........
......................
...............
OK. I'm back. The arm looks pretty good. The redness is hardly there. That's a good thing. He's taking Cephalex (I think that's the proper drug name... I'm too tired to go check the bottle) and obviously it is doing it's job.
He was playing XBox 360 and Guitar Hero with Jared this afternoon and it sounded so wonderful to hear him laughing and playing once again. Jared must have slaughtered Blake in the game because I could hear this holler from the rec room, "NOOOOOOOOOOoooooooooooo........!!!".
That's quite a change from the last three weeks when there were times that he would have hardly enough energy to even whisper a word or two to me.
We are thanking God that the Remicade seems to be effective and working to heal Blake's intestines. We are praying that the paperwork will move speedily across the desk of the government officials (with a big of stamp of "APPROVAL") and that everything will fall into place next week for Blake's next dose.
Dr. Hookey (whose name I have been mispelling for two weeks now.... sorry Dr. Hookey!) seemed very confident that Blake will have his next dose in a timely fashion, and we are thankful for his kindness and helpfulness in this area.
Blake heads to the Gastroenterology Clinic on Friday afternoon for a quick check up. I'm assuming we'll see Dr. Depew, but it could also be one of the other two doctors in that office. On Monday, we are to call Dr. Hookey's office and he'll tell us what the next step is, as far as getting the next dose.
I'm just so pleased that Blake is feeling well and responding to the Remicade. Thank You, Lord!
Jake left for the Big City again this morning. He received his Grade 12 Graduation Diploma last night from PECI. Perhaps you'll recall from an earlier post, I wrote how we had rang the cowbell and did some "hootin' & hollerin'" when Blake received his diploma in 2008. Of course, the Principal had announced for everyone to hold their applause until all graduates received their diplomas, but... come on now..... we're hillbillies, for goodness sake!
So, in keeping with a new tradition, once Ms. Moon announced the name "Jacob.Jonathon.Dane.Found", you could hear hand clappers and a loud clanging cowbell, and a pretty darn proud family of parents, brothers, grandparents, a cousin, and some aunts cheering and hollering and shouting "WAHOOOO, JACOB!!!!!". We certainly had the attention of the many hundreds of folks who were in attendance. But for those who knew us, they weren't surprised..... we're The Fraser's, of course. Naturally we celebrate for all to hear! As Principal MacKenzie-Coates handed Jake his diploma and shook his hand, she looked at him with an expression that said, "I am SO not surprised to hear that!". haha
Jaybo, we love you. We are very proud of you "toughing it out" and getting your high school diploma. You're a tough nut to crack. One day you'll grow up and understand where your Dad and I are coming from with many of the things we talk to you about. Sometimes, you're so much like your Dad and me, it's frightening! You have both of our tempers and stubborness, which is NOT a good cocktail by any means whatsoever; but you do have a very caring heart, more sentimental than I realized when you were younger; and you're not the least bit afraid of hard physical labour. I'm glad you inherited those two traits from us for sure. Get rid of our bad traits and genes; keep the good ones, making them stronger and stronger. We love you with all our hearts, more than you'll ever ever know. ("Dat's our story and we're (s)tickin' to it".) We miss you when you're not here; but praying that God is watching over you every minute. Visit often so your Momma Daddy doesn't cry. Love you. XOXO
And on that note, folks, before the tears start rolling, I hear some Chocolate-Cake-a-la-Norma calling my name. Have a nice evening, and we'll chat again soon.
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
Blake's Health Update 2010/06/22
Oh I am in such major trouble with some of you folks for not updating Blake's progress for two days!!!
Honestly, I just do NOT know where the time goes in here.
Firstly, let me begin by saying HAPPY SUMMER. Isn't today the official first day of Summer? Wait, it's after midnight now, so it's really Tuesday! So, Monday was the first official day of Summer, right? (I always hate to say goodbye to the Spring).
I haven't even got a clue what the weather is like outside. It is warm? cool? muggy? I asked a member of the cleaning staff what the weather was like, and she replied, "I don't know, I've been in here all day!" I said, "Oh, well what was the weather like on the weekend?" She said, "I don't know, I had to work the weekend as well!" hahaha. Sooooo, I'm just praying that the weather is beautiful when we finally get outta here.
And on THAT note, I will tell you that we don't know what day we're headed home, but with all hope, Blake will get his medicine Tuesday.
His temperature has managed to stay down and the bowel movements are less frequent, which is a good thing.
[Oh dear! I just heard a patient screaming from her room........ looks like it's gonna be a long night for someone!]
Anyways, Doctor Fowler and Doctor Weymouth (sp?) along with medical student John came in to see Blake on Monday with Dr. Paterson. The plan still remains that Blake should be receiving his dose of Remicade sometime Tuesday. I'm almost nervous about it now. I haven't been nervous at all through this whole process, but now I'm anxious to see if it's gonna work. I pray that it does! Blake so badly wants to feel good again.
We had a very nice visit Monday evening with a nurse named Romney. She came in to talk to Blake OFF DUTY!!!! How sweet is THAT??? When Nurse Don was on duty the other day, he mentioned that there was a nurse on the floor who also has suffered with Crohn's and that she has been in remission for many years. We were excited to talk with her, as she told Nurse Don that she'd pop in, but she must have got busy and didn't get in to see us. Then she called on the phone Monday and said she'd be in that night!
We spent a lot of time talking with her, and she is a sweetheart. Brent will be happy to know she's a Newfie! :o) We talked about everything from soup to nuts (literally... haha) and she told us her own experience with the dreaded bowel disease. Her story and experience is a bit different than Blake's, yet there are many similarities as well; but every piece of advice you can get from others is beneficial.
And it's always a blessing to make a new friend. This woman is like me, in that she can cry at the drop of a hat! If Romney and I had a girlfriend tea time, I think we'd definitely have a box of Kleenex at the table beside our tea and cookies (but they would be homemade cookies, Romney. Not made by me, of course, 'cause I don't do baked goods; but I'd find some homemade ones SOMEWHERE that would be edible... and not processed! haha).
We were talking about a good support system in family and friends, and Blake started talking about his bud, Billy, and how Billy has stood behind Blake so much. Poor Romney started collecting tears and we didn't even have a Kleenex in the room! She had to use the sleeve of her isolation gown!
Romney, thank you so much for taking time out of your busy schedule to see us. You could have been home entertaining your out-of-town England guests, or spending time with your children & hubby, or getting some well-deserved (and likely 'well-needed') sleep..... but you took the time to come back to your place of employment.... to an "infected" room, of all places!...... and spend some time with a boy and his mom that you don't even know. You were a blessing to us, and we appreciate your kindness. We look forward to getting to know you better.
Folks, I will tell you right now, the world needs more Romney's. Go be a Romney! Lend an ear. Offer some advice. Cry on your hospital isolation gown, if need be! [snicker]. Just go out and care for someone.
"The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.' Matthew 25:40 (NIV)
Honestly, I just do NOT know where the time goes in here.
Firstly, let me begin by saying HAPPY SUMMER. Isn't today the official first day of Summer? Wait, it's after midnight now, so it's really Tuesday! So, Monday was the first official day of Summer, right? (I always hate to say goodbye to the Spring).
I haven't even got a clue what the weather is like outside. It is warm? cool? muggy? I asked a member of the cleaning staff what the weather was like, and she replied, "I don't know, I've been in here all day!" I said, "Oh, well what was the weather like on the weekend?" She said, "I don't know, I had to work the weekend as well!" hahaha. Sooooo, I'm just praying that the weather is beautiful when we finally get outta here.
And on THAT note, I will tell you that we don't know what day we're headed home, but with all hope, Blake will get his medicine Tuesday.
His temperature has managed to stay down and the bowel movements are less frequent, which is a good thing.
[Oh dear! I just heard a patient screaming from her room........ looks like it's gonna be a long night for someone!]
Anyways, Doctor Fowler and Doctor Weymouth (sp?) along with medical student John came in to see Blake on Monday with Dr. Paterson. The plan still remains that Blake should be receiving his dose of Remicade sometime Tuesday. I'm almost nervous about it now. I haven't been nervous at all through this whole process, but now I'm anxious to see if it's gonna work. I pray that it does! Blake so badly wants to feel good again.
We had a very nice visit Monday evening with a nurse named Romney. She came in to talk to Blake OFF DUTY!!!! How sweet is THAT??? When Nurse Don was on duty the other day, he mentioned that there was a nurse on the floor who also has suffered with Crohn's and that she has been in remission for many years. We were excited to talk with her, as she told Nurse Don that she'd pop in, but she must have got busy and didn't get in to see us. Then she called on the phone Monday and said she'd be in that night!
We spent a lot of time talking with her, and she is a sweetheart. Brent will be happy to know she's a Newfie! :o) We talked about everything from soup to nuts (literally... haha) and she told us her own experience with the dreaded bowel disease. Her story and experience is a bit different than Blake's, yet there are many similarities as well; but every piece of advice you can get from others is beneficial.
And it's always a blessing to make a new friend. This woman is like me, in that she can cry at the drop of a hat! If Romney and I had a girlfriend tea time, I think we'd definitely have a box of Kleenex at the table beside our tea and cookies (but they would be homemade cookies, Romney. Not made by me, of course, 'cause I don't do baked goods; but I'd find some homemade ones SOMEWHERE that would be edible... and not processed! haha).
We were talking about a good support system in family and friends, and Blake started talking about his bud, Billy, and how Billy has stood behind Blake so much. Poor Romney started collecting tears and we didn't even have a Kleenex in the room! She had to use the sleeve of her isolation gown!
We are so fortunate to have such caring people around us. There'd be no point in counting them all up, because I'd for sure lose count. We are definitely blessed.
Romney, thank you so much for taking time out of your busy schedule to see us. You could have been home entertaining your out-of-town England guests, or spending time with your children & hubby, or getting some well-deserved (and likely 'well-needed') sleep..... but you took the time to come back to your place of employment.... to an "infected" room, of all places!...... and spend some time with a boy and his mom that you don't even know. You were a blessing to us, and we appreciate your kindness. We look forward to getting to know you better.
Folks, I will tell you right now, the world needs more Romney's. Go be a Romney! Lend an ear. Offer some advice. Cry on your hospital isolation gown, if need be! [snicker]. Just go out and care for someone.
"The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.' Matthew 25:40 (NIV)
Friday, April 16, 2010
Mommy, Please Don't Cry...
Yesterday, April 15th, I attended a funeral service for a dear woman of God, Mrs. Pearl McCaw. Her funeral service was held on the day when she should have turned 88 years old.
Can I just tell you that it was one of the most beautiful funeral services I have been to in a long time. Oh the good ol' hymns we sang and the tributes that were read, and the sermon that was preached..... Fan-tas-tic! It was a time of celebration, really. Yes, of course there were lots of sad tears; and yes, we mourn her loss and we are heartbroken for her daughter and son and their spouses and the grandchildren and her surviving siblings......
But we celebrated her life, a life dedicated to the Lord, and we celebrated her home-going.... her heavenly home. I am sure her husband, her dear sweet husband, Rev. Robert McCaw, who I am honoured to say was a dear friend to Jon and me and performed our wedding ceremony, met her as she stepped from this life into the next and into the arms of Jesus. What joyous reunions were happening in the heavenly realms!
Despite the celebrations, I do, however, have a heavy heart today. Yesterday we were able to celebrate Mrs. McCaw's home-going because, well, at almost 88 years old, you expect that one's time on this earth will soon come to an end. She lived a good life. She lived her life as a child, then a young woman, then a wife, then a mother, then a grandmother.... she was a friend, a prayer warrior, a woman of God. She lived a full life.
But tomorrow, April 17th, marks the anniversary date of the death of someone else..... someone taken long before we expected..... someone taken at the tender age of almost eight....
Kristen.
Kristen is my best friend's daughter. She died eleven years ago. She was taken to Heaven quickly and unexpectedly. As far as the Lord is concerned, it was all part of His plan, for He had Kristen's life already planned out when she was knit together in her mother's womb (Psalm 139:13). All the days were ordained for Kristen and were written in His book before she was even created (Psalm 139:16).
In our timetable, Kristen was here not near long enough; but in our Lord's timetable, she was here for just the right amount of time. Do I understand it? No, I do not. And I never will. And really, I don't need to. All I need to know is that Kristen is safe in Heaven with Jesus; that she is a happy little girl, reunited with her older sister Rachel; that one day we, too, will be with them in the Promised Land.
But for those of us here, it's tough. April 17th is a hard reminder of the pain and brokenness we experience here on earth. And my heart is soooo heavy for Taimi (Kristen's mom) and for Kristen's brother and her grandparents and her uncle & aunt. No one should have to experience this pain that they bear, the tears that they shed.
I am reminded of a book that I purchased a month after her passing. It's called, "Mommy, Please Don't Cry" by Linda DeYmaz. I want to share the words of that book with you today.
Can I just tell you that it was one of the most beautiful funeral services I have been to in a long time. Oh the good ol' hymns we sang and the tributes that were read, and the sermon that was preached..... Fan-tas-tic! It was a time of celebration, really. Yes, of course there were lots of sad tears; and yes, we mourn her loss and we are heartbroken for her daughter and son and their spouses and the grandchildren and her surviving siblings......
But we celebrated her life, a life dedicated to the Lord, and we celebrated her home-going.... her heavenly home. I am sure her husband, her dear sweet husband, Rev. Robert McCaw, who I am honoured to say was a dear friend to Jon and me and performed our wedding ceremony, met her as she stepped from this life into the next and into the arms of Jesus. What joyous reunions were happening in the heavenly realms!
Despite the celebrations, I do, however, have a heavy heart today. Yesterday we were able to celebrate Mrs. McCaw's home-going because, well, at almost 88 years old, you expect that one's time on this earth will soon come to an end. She lived a good life. She lived her life as a child, then a young woman, then a wife, then a mother, then a grandmother.... she was a friend, a prayer warrior, a woman of God. She lived a full life.
But tomorrow, April 17th, marks the anniversary date of the death of someone else..... someone taken long before we expected..... someone taken at the tender age of almost eight....
Kristen.
Kristen is my best friend's daughter. She died eleven years ago. She was taken to Heaven quickly and unexpectedly. As far as the Lord is concerned, it was all part of His plan, for He had Kristen's life already planned out when she was knit together in her mother's womb (Psalm 139:13). All the days were ordained for Kristen and were written in His book before she was even created (Psalm 139:16).
In our timetable, Kristen was here not near long enough; but in our Lord's timetable, she was here for just the right amount of time. Do I understand it? No, I do not. And I never will. And really, I don't need to. All I need to know is that Kristen is safe in Heaven with Jesus; that she is a happy little girl, reunited with her older sister Rachel; that one day we, too, will be with them in the Promised Land.
But for those of us here, it's tough. April 17th is a hard reminder of the pain and brokenness we experience here on earth. And my heart is soooo heavy for Taimi (Kristen's mom) and for Kristen's brother and her grandparents and her uncle & aunt. No one should have to experience this pain that they bear, the tears that they shed.
I am reminded of a book that I purchased a month after her passing. It's called, "Mommy, Please Don't Cry" by Linda DeYmaz. I want to share the words of that book with you today.
Mommy, Please Don't Cry
Tender Words for Broken Hearts
by Linda DeYmaz
Mommy, please don't cry...
A beautiful angel carried me here!
I met Jesus today, Mommy!
He cradled me in His big, strong arms.
He made me feel so happy inside.
Mommy, please don't cry...
Heaven is wonderful!
Did you know the streets are made of gold?
Real gold!
I have lots of friends, Mommy.
We run and play, we giggle and laugh.
I can't wait to show you my secret hideouts!
Mommy, please don't cry...
When I fall it doesn't hurt!
There are no tears in Heaven.
I've met a man named Noah.
He told me about his big boat,
all the animals, and the very first rainbow.
Have you heard of Noah, Mommy?
Mommy, please don't cry...
We have lots of parties here;
with streamers and hats,
and the best chocolate cake ever!
When it's time to rest, angels tuck us in.
I never get scared Mommy,
there is no darkness here!
Jesus is the Light of Heaven.
Mommy, please don't cry...
The angels are always singing.
I love to sing with the angels!
You'd be proud of me,
I have a pretty good voice.
I must have gotten it from you.
There is a river, Mommy, in the most
beautiful garden you could ever imagine...
and a huge tree with yummy fruit.
The angels call it the tree of Life.
Mommy, it's so wonderful to
be alive in Heaven!
Mommy, please don't cry...
Sometimes I just like to be by myself.
That's when I think of you.
Someday, Mommy, we will
hold each other tight!
Then you will cradle me in your arms,
and stroke my hair...
And once again, our hearts
will beat together.
Mommy, please don't cry...
I'll wait right here for you.
Kristen....
Rev. & Mrs. McCaw....
and countless others......
Someday, where the charming roses bloom forever, and separations come no more, we will meet you on that Beautiful Shore.
Mommy, please don't cry...
A beautiful angel carried me here!
I met Jesus today, Mommy!
He cradled me in His big, strong arms.
He made me feel so happy inside.
Mommy, please don't cry...
Heaven is wonderful!
Did you know the streets are made of gold?
Real gold!
I have lots of friends, Mommy.
We run and play, we giggle and laugh.
I can't wait to show you my secret hideouts!
Mommy, please don't cry...
When I fall it doesn't hurt!
There are no tears in Heaven.
I've met a man named Noah.
He told me about his big boat,
all the animals, and the very first rainbow.
Have you heard of Noah, Mommy?
Mommy, please don't cry...
We have lots of parties here;
with streamers and hats,
and the best chocolate cake ever!
When it's time to rest, angels tuck us in.
I never get scared Mommy,
there is no darkness here!
Jesus is the Light of Heaven.
Mommy, please don't cry...
The angels are always singing.
I love to sing with the angels!
You'd be proud of me,
I have a pretty good voice.
I must have gotten it from you.
There is a river, Mommy, in the most
beautiful garden you could ever imagine...
and a huge tree with yummy fruit.
The angels call it the tree of Life.
Mommy, it's so wonderful to
be alive in Heaven!
Mommy, please don't cry...
Sometimes I just like to be by myself.
That's when I think of you.
Someday, Mommy, we will
hold each other tight!
Then you will cradle me in your arms,
and stroke my hair...
And once again, our hearts
will beat together.
Mommy, please don't cry...
I'll wait right here for you.
Kristen....
Rev. & Mrs. McCaw....
and countless others......
Someday, where the charming roses bloom forever, and separations come no more, we will meet you on that Beautiful Shore.
Kristen 1991 - 1999
Friday, December 25, 2009
A Blessed Christmas Season
Warmest wishes for a Merry Christmas, folks.
It is Christmas Day and we are gathered here in the rec-room with RockBand blaring! They've been playing for a couple of hours now!
We are blessed to have Anelyse with us this Christmas. She is Blake's girlfriend from Brazil, and she is simply a delight! She's a very lovely young lady.
Jon and I were fortunate to meet some of her family last weekend. We drove Blake to New Jersey to pick up Anelyse and stayed with her Aunt Magaly, Uncle Camilo, and cousins Felipe and Daniel. Her Mom, Damaris, also came to New Jersey. They are all wonderful, wonderful people.
On Saturday, Jon, Blake, me, Anelyse, and Damaris all travelled a few miles to go to New York City. I wanted to see Ground Zero up close! September 11th had a real impact on me when it all happened, and I was so appreciative to get to view it up close. We also drove down "the main drag".... we saw Times Square and Madison Square Gardens and Radio City Music Hall and David Letterman's NBC studio. I have never seen so many taxis in my life. I am NOT a city girl. The traffic didn't scare me at all, but I couldn't imagine travelling in it every day, or even occasionally. I really like my "country living". It WOULD be nice to go back one day and be able to walk the streets and go in the stores.
On Sunday we went to a Spanish church service. Anelyse's Uncle Camilo is the Pastor of the Spanish-speaking service on Sunday afternoons. The whole service was in Spanish, with the excpetion of a few children's songs which were sung in English. A couple of people took turns translating for us.
We did a "family" ministry in music. There was me on the piano, Blake on the fiddle, Felipe on the guitar, Daniel on the drums, and Anelyse, Damaris, Magaly, and Camilo provided the vocals for Angels We Have Heard On High. It was fun to sing and play with such a musical family! They asked Blake and me to provide a fiddle tune at the end of the service. Magaly wanted "the train song" (Orange Blossom Special) and when we were finished playing it, members of the congregation jumped up and started yelling "One more! One more!!!!!" so we played a medley of St. Anne's Reel, Chicken Reel, and Liberty Two-Step. They loved it and didn't want Blake to stop. Usually we choose "church songs" for church, but I think our New Jersey friends wanted the congregation to experience a little "Ottawa Valley" style music.
Everyone welcomed us very warmly. They are a new church, but are growing at an amazing rate. Camilo & Magaly were missionaries in Venezuela years ago, planting churches; and now they continue to plant churches in New Jersey.
Our experience with different languages was amazing! Anelyse and her family speak English, Portuguese, and Spanish. They have Japanese and Italian in their blood as well, but only know a few words, not the complete language. Camilo speaks English, Portuguese, and Spanish, but also speaks Arabic as well. What a treat to hear all the different languages being spoken. Makes me want to learn one! I think I'll try Portuguese, since that's what Anelyse speaks. If she's going to be part of this family, then I need to be able to communicate well with all her friends and family.
I hope to travel to New Jersey again to visit with Magaly & Camilo. I also have hopes of getting to California to visit Jon's family, as well as heading to Oregon to visit my dear friend, Tammie. I've got the passport now....... I just need to figure out where the money comes from. haha. God will get me to these places in HIS time. I just hope it's soon. hahhaha.
Well, I must go and change a load of laundry. I know I shouldn't be doing it on Christmas Day, but the boys are needing some clean clothes! I've procrastinated on the laundry all week. The music from this RockBand is starting to give me a headache, so changing the laundry sounds pretty exciting to me right now. haha.
I trust you are all having a wonderful day in celebrating the birth and life of our Lord & Saviour. I hope you are surrounding yourself with loved ones.
And try not to go overboard on the turkey & dressing! I can't imagine that I will be taking my own advice! hahhahhahaaa.
Merry Christmas, friends.
It is Christmas Day and we are gathered here in the rec-room with RockBand blaring! They've been playing for a couple of hours now!
We are blessed to have Anelyse with us this Christmas. She is Blake's girlfriend from Brazil, and she is simply a delight! She's a very lovely young lady.
Jon and I were fortunate to meet some of her family last weekend. We drove Blake to New Jersey to pick up Anelyse and stayed with her Aunt Magaly, Uncle Camilo, and cousins Felipe and Daniel. Her Mom, Damaris, also came to New Jersey. They are all wonderful, wonderful people.
On Saturday, Jon, Blake, me, Anelyse, and Damaris all travelled a few miles to go to New York City. I wanted to see Ground Zero up close! September 11th had a real impact on me when it all happened, and I was so appreciative to get to view it up close. We also drove down "the main drag".... we saw Times Square and Madison Square Gardens and Radio City Music Hall and David Letterman's NBC studio. I have never seen so many taxis in my life. I am NOT a city girl. The traffic didn't scare me at all, but I couldn't imagine travelling in it every day, or even occasionally. I really like my "country living". It WOULD be nice to go back one day and be able to walk the streets and go in the stores.
On Sunday we went to a Spanish church service. Anelyse's Uncle Camilo is the Pastor of the Spanish-speaking service on Sunday afternoons. The whole service was in Spanish, with the excpetion of a few children's songs which were sung in English. A couple of people took turns translating for us.
We did a "family" ministry in music. There was me on the piano, Blake on the fiddle, Felipe on the guitar, Daniel on the drums, and Anelyse, Damaris, Magaly, and Camilo provided the vocals for Angels We Have Heard On High. It was fun to sing and play with such a musical family! They asked Blake and me to provide a fiddle tune at the end of the service. Magaly wanted "the train song" (Orange Blossom Special) and when we were finished playing it, members of the congregation jumped up and started yelling "One more! One more!!!!!" so we played a medley of St. Anne's Reel, Chicken Reel, and Liberty Two-Step. They loved it and didn't want Blake to stop. Usually we choose "church songs" for church, but I think our New Jersey friends wanted the congregation to experience a little "Ottawa Valley" style music.
Everyone welcomed us very warmly. They are a new church, but are growing at an amazing rate. Camilo & Magaly were missionaries in Venezuela years ago, planting churches; and now they continue to plant churches in New Jersey.
Our experience with different languages was amazing! Anelyse and her family speak English, Portuguese, and Spanish. They have Japanese and Italian in their blood as well, but only know a few words, not the complete language. Camilo speaks English, Portuguese, and Spanish, but also speaks Arabic as well. What a treat to hear all the different languages being spoken. Makes me want to learn one! I think I'll try Portuguese, since that's what Anelyse speaks. If she's going to be part of this family, then I need to be able to communicate well with all her friends and family.
I hope to travel to New Jersey again to visit with Magaly & Camilo. I also have hopes of getting to California to visit Jon's family, as well as heading to Oregon to visit my dear friend, Tammie. I've got the passport now....... I just need to figure out where the money comes from. haha. God will get me to these places in HIS time. I just hope it's soon. hahhaha.
Well, I must go and change a load of laundry. I know I shouldn't be doing it on Christmas Day, but the boys are needing some clean clothes! I've procrastinated on the laundry all week. The music from this RockBand is starting to give me a headache, so changing the laundry sounds pretty exciting to me right now. haha.
I trust you are all having a wonderful day in celebrating the birth and life of our Lord & Saviour. I hope you are surrounding yourself with loved ones.
And try not to go overboard on the turkey & dressing! I can't imagine that I will be taking my own advice! hahhahhahaaa.
Merry Christmas, friends.
Sunday, November 22, 2009
Well, Aren't WE a Crazy Bunch....
Just thought I'd post a few random photos taken over the summer and autumn that included members of this crazy family.
Let's start off with Jake.
Looks normal enough...... a little dirty....
Wait!
Is that cow manure on your face, Jake?
I had to include this photo of Jon's baby. She was born in 1996. Jon loves his baby even more than ME! After taking a bit of a break, he is excited to see her get back on the road.
So Jake and two soccer buddies decide they need to get mullet hair cuts as they approached the season finals. Unfortunately, the mullets were not good luck, as they lost that game which knocked them out of the finals. At least he didn't wear the cow's tail to the game!
Here's a photo of me with my two sisters. Left to right is Wannett, Danielle, and me, Michelle. We were asked to sing a song at the first fundraiser that was held in Waupoos.
Mikey is HONESTLY as crazy as they come. He is 100 percent nuts! crazy! looney! NOTHING is too crazy for this man. He lived here with us this past summer from Monday to Friday while he worked on the construction site and then headed home on the weekends. One weeknight my aunt and uncle were here for a visit. All of a sudden we realize that Mikey is burning our picnic table. And it's not only burning, but HE is on top of it WHILE it's burning.
Let's start off with Jake.
Looks normal enough...... a little dirty....
Wait!
Is that cow manure on your face, Jake?
And what exactly is that on the back of your head? A pony tail?
No, I believe it is NOT a pony tail but, in fact, a COW tail.....
You're nuts, Jake.
Here's a picture of Jared with our "adopted sons" Matthew and Christopher.
The boys were having fun going through the costume box and found these vests. Next thing I know, the boys' beginner fiddles were pulled out and Jared was trying to teach them a song whilst conducting the "orchestra" with a file that is actually used for sharpening the chainsaw!
Here they are from the backside..... they look like a couple of Dutch maidens.
I had to include this photo of Jon's baby. She was born in 1996. Jon loves his baby even more than ME! After taking a bit of a break, he is excited to see her get back on the road.
So Jake and two soccer buddies decide they need to get mullet hair cuts as they approached the season finals. Unfortunately, the mullets were not good luck, as they lost that game which knocked them out of the finals. At least he didn't wear the cow's tail to the game!
This is Jake on the left with his friends Joel (center) and Brandon (right), showing the side view of their new hairdo's.
Here's a photo of me with my two sisters. Left to right is Wannett, Danielle, and me, Michelle. We were asked to sing a song at the first fundraiser that was held in Waupoos.
I must include a photo of my nephews Bruce, Fraser, and Jackson....
..... as well as my nieces, Beulah and Hilda..... I mean, Celia and Abby.
I just HAVE to include this photo. This is Blake when we were at Kingston General Hospital waiting to have the gastroscopy done. We were waiting in the hallway for them to finish up with some other patients. I was standing at the end of the gurney, so as to stay out of the way of other gurneys that were being shuffled around. I felt something touching my hip, and it was Blake's toe brushing back and forth.
This photo is of my sister Danielle and my Mom. It was taken moments before the ambulance transferred Blake from Picton Hospital to Kingston on Oct 2nd. (Thanks, Todd & Chris, for the safe travelling you provided for m' boy.) Dani is giving Blake a wet willy before his ambulance ride.
(PS) - Happy Birthday Mom! (today, Nov 22nd).... 68 years young!
Our adopted son, Billy, wanted to ensure his best friend arrived safely in Kingston, so I told him I would ride with him in his car so he knew where to park and how to get to the right spot in the hospital. He gave us a hard time in getting his picture taken, so I had to use my Mommy Muscles.
Next up is a photo with me and our "adopted son" Justin. Justin lived with us in March and April of 2009 and worked with Jon on a construction site. Hey, Dooley, you clean up reeeeeeeeeal gooooooood. I miss Justin. He's about due for a visit, I'd say.
..... as well as my nieces, Beulah and Hilda..... I mean, Celia and Abby.
I just HAVE to include this photo. This is Blake when we were at Kingston General Hospital waiting to have the gastroscopy done. We were waiting in the hallway for them to finish up with some other patients. I was standing at the end of the gurney, so as to stay out of the way of other gurneys that were being shuffled around. I felt something touching my hip, and it was Blake's toe brushing back and forth.
I thought he was trying to get my attention, so I went up to him and leaned over him and said, "Did you want something honey?" Blake takes a breath and, with his eyes still closed, says, "Iiiiiiii Love Youuuuuu....." I think my heart burst right at that moment and fell out onto the floor. It was so nice to hear him actually being nice to me! (Not feeling well had changed his attitude into quite a grouch, so it was wonderful to hear him actually be kind!) And THAT's why I will treasure this photo!
When Blake was first hospitalized in Picton, before we knew the extent of damage to his intestines, Blake was given a form of morphine to alleviate some pain. Jake decided he could give Blake some "happy medicine" straight from the earth of Prince Edward County..... he took some "grass" (it was actually grass that had been cut from the lawn... so don't panic or report us or anything!) and he rolled it in some paper. Blake was excited that he had his very own "doobie". Jake assured Blake it was for medicinal purposes only; however, we were not allowed to smoke in the building. hahahhahaaa
When Blake was first hospitalized in Picton, before we knew the extent of damage to his intestines, Blake was given a form of morphine to alleviate some pain. Jake decided he could give Blake some "happy medicine" straight from the earth of Prince Edward County..... he took some "grass" (it was actually grass that had been cut from the lawn... so don't panic or report us or anything!) and he rolled it in some paper. Blake was excited that he had his very own "doobie". Jake assured Blake it was for medicinal purposes only; however, we were not allowed to smoke in the building. hahahhahaaa
This photo is of my sister Danielle and my Mom. It was taken moments before the ambulance transferred Blake from Picton Hospital to Kingston on Oct 2nd. (Thanks, Todd & Chris, for the safe travelling you provided for m' boy.) Dani is giving Blake a wet willy before his ambulance ride.
(PS) - Happy Birthday Mom! (today, Nov 22nd).... 68 years young!Our adopted son, Billy, wanted to ensure his best friend arrived safely in Kingston, so I told him I would ride with him in his car so he knew where to park and how to get to the right spot in the hospital. He gave us a hard time in getting his picture taken, so I had to use my Mommy Muscles.
When we were at Picton Hospital for the first stay, Blake received a bib from the Ladies Hospital Auxiliary. They are helpful volunteers who come around to assist those who need help being fed or opening up some of their containers and drinks, etc. They supply bibs, so I made Blake wear it in case he made a mess on his beautifully professionally designed hospital gown. He got silly when I went to take his picture with Jackson and he started drooling on the bib. You can't really notice it, but trust me... it's there! He's such a kook!
Before Wannett headed off to the Toronto airport to head to Kenya, Africa, she popped by for one last visit with Blake. I told her I had to get her picture in case her plane went down. I know. That's morbid. But that's honestly what I thought. I think you look really good in this photo, Wannett; so if your plane had have gone down, you would have entered Heaven's gates looking absolutely divine. Here's Wannett with her youngest daughter Beulah Celia.
Next up is a photo with me and our "adopted son" Justin. Justin lived with us in March and April of 2009 and worked with Jon on a construction site. Hey, Dooley, you clean up reeeeeeeeeal gooooooood. I miss Justin. He's about due for a visit, I'd say.
And THIS is Mikey-the-nice-guy. Mikey has been Jon's friend for about 20 years. They truck together, hang out together, eat together, and literally sleep together. They called me one night from their hotel room at a construction site in Petawawa... the beds were taken by other co-workers, so they shared a cot.... they "spooned". Jon says Mikey has a hairy back. hahahahha
Mikey is HONESTLY as crazy as they come. He is 100 percent nuts! crazy! looney! NOTHING is too crazy for this man. He lived here with us this past summer from Monday to Friday while he worked on the construction site and then headed home on the weekends. One weeknight my aunt and uncle were here for a visit. All of a sudden we realize that Mikey is burning our picnic table. And it's not only burning, but HE is on top of it WHILE it's burning.
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He managed to coax Matt, Jared, and Jake to join in on the "fun". [sigh]
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"OK!!!! I AM INSISTING THAT YOU ALL GET OFF THAT PICNIC TABLE RIGHT THIS INSTANT BEFORE YOUR GOOSE IS LITERALLY COOKED!!!!!"
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You'll notice I haven't put any crazy photos of ME in here... that's because I don't do crazy things...... [a-hem]......or is it just that no one has the camera handy when I DO!??? This photo is of me when we took Blake to the Emerg back on Sept. 13th, before he was first diagnosed with Crohn's. I spent the night in his terribly uncomfortable wheelchair, wrapped in a hospital sheet. My Mom said that "I" looked more like the patient!
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I had to include pictures of Mick and Duke, too. Here's Micky just after Jake and Jared took the cow clippers to him. They decided to give him a Mohawk cut with a lion's mane. Pooooor Mickyyyyyy.
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They decided to give Duke the "checker board" look...... nahhhhh, I'm kidding. It's just the shadow of the lattice on the overhang of the back deck.
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Now most of you know that Blake lost over 1/3 of his body weight with this disease. He went from 165 lbs. to 102 lbs. He was just skin on bones and looked like he'd just walked out of a concentration camp. When we were in the sitting room one evening with Jon and Jake and Jared, we were commenting on the size of his legs. Jared and Jake put their forearms next to Blake's calves. Check this out:
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Can you BELIEVE THAT???? Their forearms are larger than Blake's legs!!!!!! What a shock.
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And for the last photo...........
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JON! IT SURE LOOKS LIKE YOU'RE IN A BIRTHING CHAIR!!!! WHEN ARE YOU DUE???
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ARE YOU SURE YOU NEED THAT MUFFIN?????
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Hope you enjoyed this little photo gallery.
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There's lots more hospital photos that I want to share with you, but I thought you'd have fun checking out some of these crazy shots.
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Yes, I believe we ARE a crazy bunch.
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Thursday, October 29, 2009
Change In Plans - Dose is NOT a 'Go'
We had a little change in plans today.....
We got to Kingston (and got there EARLY, I might add!) and chatted with Nurse Jane (very nice lady), and got some preliminary stuff reviewed and out of the way.
Then the topic came up about not getting an infusion when you have any infections (which we already knew); but when we mentioned that Blake seemed to be coughing a bit and sounded a little "nasally", the nurse decided that we'd better check his temperature.
[sigh]
His temperature was 38.2 degrees. She was not confident that the infusion should take place today. She hesitated, then checked his temperature again, and it still read 38.2 degrees so she made a judgement call to hold off.
[sigh]
She felt bad that we'd come all that distance just to turn around and go home again. I told her not to worry about it.... I said that I would rather she not administer the Remicade if she felt there was any risk in Blake getting worse because of the onset of this cold that Blake is experiencing.
So back to the car we went and Blake suggested we go somewhere for lunch. What a great idea! It wasn't in the original plans, but it works for ME, 'specially since he was buying!
We went to Montana's. You all know that place, right? It's one of those restaurants where you can write on the paper tablecloth!
But she didn't leave us any crayons, so I used pen.
Check it out:
This is SUPPOSED to be Blake with an angry look (because he couldn't get his infusion)..... I think it's just a "hurry-up-and-take-the-stupid-picture" look.
What a nice boy to treat his Momma to lunch.
We got to Kingston (and got there EARLY, I might add!) and chatted with Nurse Jane (very nice lady), and got some preliminary stuff reviewed and out of the way.
Then the topic came up about not getting an infusion when you have any infections (which we already knew); but when we mentioned that Blake seemed to be coughing a bit and sounded a little "nasally", the nurse decided that we'd better check his temperature.
[sigh]
His temperature was 38.2 degrees. She was not confident that the infusion should take place today. She hesitated, then checked his temperature again, and it still read 38.2 degrees so she made a judgement call to hold off.
[sigh]
She felt bad that we'd come all that distance just to turn around and go home again. I told her not to worry about it.... I said that I would rather she not administer the Remicade if she felt there was any risk in Blake getting worse because of the onset of this cold that Blake is experiencing.
So back to the car we went and Blake suggested we go somewhere for lunch. What a great idea! It wasn't in the original plans, but it works for ME, 'specially since he was buying!
We went to Montana's. You all know that place, right? It's one of those restaurants where you can write on the paper tablecloth!
But she didn't leave us any crayons, so I used pen.
Check it out:
This is SUPPOSED to be Blake with an angry look (because he couldn't get his infusion)..... I think it's just a "hurry-up-and-take-the-stupid-picture" look.What a nice boy to treat his Momma to lunch.I know this is blurry, but I had a healthy caesar salad and some potato skins with sour cream.... yummah!!!!!
So, we didn't get the dose, but we had a nice lunch. And then we went to St. Mary's Of The Lake to visit our ol' roomy, Don; however, he was at speech therapy for an hour and we couldn't wait around that long because I had to be back to Picton to pick up Jared from soccer practice. So we left Don a card, because today is his 93rd birthday! Unfortunately, because of his strokes, I don't think he'll have a clue who the names are in the card, but maybe we can stop in to visit him when we go for the next infusion, and hopefully he will recognize our faces.
This is Don when we were at Kingston General Hospital a few weeks ago.
Nurse Jane says that we will likely get the Remicade infusion on Monday, as long as Blake does not have a temperature, so that's good news. I should be getting a call on Friday to confirm the appointment.
I am likely going to head back to Kingston tomorrow morning (Friday) to attend Ron's funeral. (Ron was our other roomy at Kingston General; he passed away October 24th.) Blake was going to come with me to the funeral, but he was pretty tired today, so I'm thinking he might just spend Friday resting. He has a busy Saturday ahead of him with the pancake fundraiser.
Anyways, here is a picture of Ron at Kingston General. He was cat-napping when I took his photo. I am sad that he's now gone, bless his heart. 
After Ron's funeral tomorrow, I will race back to Belleville for Jared's one o'clock championship soccer game.
Go P.E.C.I. Junior Panthers!!!!
Well, that's it for tonight folks. I'm very tired and still have a mess in the kitchen to clean up. I can't believe how busy this week has been; the weekend doesn't look much better; and next week is proving to fill up quickly.
All I can say is, I'm needin' some Calgon!
Chat at ya soon.
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