Its a New Day

This morning my dear opa went home. It seems odd to be writing those words.  I have been very blessed with not only knowing my grandparents but most of my great-grandparents.  Only a few years ago my great grandmother died. But this is opa. It's just one of those sad/happy/holding back the tears kind of days.  Sad that, though I planned to visit him this afternoon, I didn't get to see him one more time.  He didn't know who I was anymore, but just to put my hand in his big hands and tell him I love him and see him smile.  Happy because the last few weeks and months he has been in some pain and very confused.  What a wonderful thing to be able to grieve with hope - knowing that he is no longer confused or sad or tired or restless or sick.  Now he is in his Father's arms. Holding back tears because oma didn't get to see him this last week.  He was in isolation at the hospital because he had some sort of an infection and she had a cold s...

I was just reading someone's blog post about aunts and the blessing that these aunts were to her.  As I was thinking more about it, I know I have a very unique opportunity with my nephews and nieces that I am so thankful for. This morning, as I realized that I forgot to set my alarm and I had missed the morning news, I was awakened to a still quiet voice in my ear "Auntie Jen, can we watch Wild Kratts?" followed by a quick smooch on the forehead and the sound of feet skipping across the floor to turn on the TV.  "Auntie Jen said ok, but we have to be super quiet".  Living with my sister and brother in law and their 5 children may seem like an odd thing for an almost 40 (but not really almost 40) year old woman to do.  I've written before about how I moved in with them, how well we got along and how when I did leave the kids asked me every week when I was bringing my bed back.  It may not be the 'normal' of how most single people live, but I wou...

Just a quick note before I post this one.  It was hard to write, mostly because I'm in that situation.  Being single.  My hope is that folks reading this will be encouraged and sensitive as well.  If you would like to pass this onto someone, please feel free to do so (does that make sound vain... that someone might WANT to pass it on?!?!) but please do not publish it without asking me beforehand (just so I know where it is going).  This was originally published in the ARP Encouragers Newsletter. _____________________________________________ "So, what does your husband do?" "I don't know, I haven't met him yet." It was an innocent question.  I was meeting a minister for the first time and he was tying to 'place' me.  I was so thrilled to have come up with that response right away (it doesn't happen often) and the poor man turned every shade of red and quickly walked away. When people reach a 'certain age", one naturally pres...

"So, was I right?" I glubbly asked the gastroenterologist yesterday afternoon. "I'm not celiac right?" Then there was that dreaded pause.  "Well, Jennifer" he started thoughtfully "your scope was worse this time than the last time.  I was careful to keep the upper biopsies separate from the lower ones but they were the same.  If the upper ones were worse, then it would have been from acid, but they were the same.  That, along with the 2nd batch of blood work that we did point to Celiac." It was not what I was expecting to hear! He then proceeded to tell me that I'll need to have a bone density test (which is basically just an xray) and if my bones are looking thin (there goes the "I'm just big boned' excuse) then it will be a slam dunk.  My non-existent iron levels, black eyes and migraines would all be explained by Celiac. So over the next few weeks I'll be having that test and hopefully will also be able to have...

March 1st is the deadline for the Wee Quilt Challenge submissions for McDougall Cottage here in Cambridge (is it just me or did that feel like a long sentence?)  The theme this year is "This Ald Sod" and as soon as I heard that I knew what I was going to do (and if I didn't get it done in time I had a postcard size picture already done). This is from the picture up at the top of the blog (I had some time to redesign and since spring is coming I thought I'd take away the dark 'winter' colours).  As Hannah so 'kindly' pointed out, there is not smoke thing coming out the top or a window in the roof - well, with the ladies' retreat the same weekend I ran out of time so blagh :)  The finished product is 11.5"x12.5" and the plaid that needs to be included is in the 'grass' and 'sand' near the bottom of the picture.  I was able to use some 'fancy' stitches from my machine to do some of the quilting, but I didn't...

I was thinking yesterday of 'crazy' things and then my computer when into hibernation and some of the pictures on the slide show started.  I was struck with the realization that I might not be the only 'crazy' one.  Looking at the pictures of the kids it is easy to see that the apples don't fall from the trees (of their parents... not me... oh no... not me..). They start so young - the twins in their laying on the floor can't really move stage (how we miss that!!!) Trying to take a picture of the 3 of us - guess who the nutbar is here? It doesn't get better than trying to stuff a chocolate covered marshmallow in your mouth Looking with great anticipation as the ball goes down the lane.  They were like pros - funny stances and all I'd like to have big ears in this picture Aunti Jen The proof of weirdness is in the pudding This is how they are at home - Anthony is a laughing maniac and Blake, well, Blake always has his mouth op...

I'm not crazy...   At least... well... not that I'm aware of.  The strangest thing has happened over the last 2 weeks or so.  I can't get enough lemon.     The other night I even made the filling for lemon pie - just to eat it (not waiting till it had cooled and burned my tongue) and FORCED myself to make it last 3 nights. We looked it up on line and some people think that it is a definciency in Vitamin C or maybe even Magnesium (both of which I take regularly).   I just can't seem to get enough.  I'm drinking lemonade, eating lemon filled donuts, short of sitting and sucking on lemons I just can't get enough!!!   I'm really hoping that it is just because I'm too sweet and need to 'sour up' a bit.      

The other day I realized that today is 1 year ago that my tremors started.  Christmas morning I was getting ready for church and my right hand was shaking.  I thought that maybe I was going to have a migraine, as sometimes my right arm would shake when a really bad one was coming, but nothing came of it.  I went to see the chiropractor, thinking that maybe I had pinched a nerve in my shoulder that was causing the tremor.  Even after a few visits it didn`t seem to be going away. As the days went by it started getting worse till it was going all the time.  I went to see my family doctor to get some prescriptions renewed (they had gotten wet in the flood) and she went into `high alert`mode and she had the student working with her that day do a full nuerological accessment and then did her own.  Two days later, with dear Betty Ann as my second set of ears and questions, I was in the nuerologist`s office (apparently my family doc had called in a fa...

 Last week the kids had a Christmas program and school and then we could go to their classrooms for hot chocolate and cookies.  It was so fun to watch them get up and sing. Tristan singing with some of his class Hannah and some of her classmates    Last night we opened presents with Rachel & Ryan and the kids.  They all did so well sitting on their square on the carpet and so excited to watch everyone open their gifts.  Even the babies loved their balls and toys - Anthony is even interested in opening presents :) Everyone sitting watching daddy handing out presents. Hannah got a new doll - named Mary - that she says is Baby Sister's mommy.  It was so cute to see her 'introduce' them . Julia also got a new doll - Aiesha (some name that she came up with a long time ago), new jammies and a pillow that Tristan picked out for her. Tristan was thrilled to get hockey equipment and lots of lego. ...

 On Saturday, Julia turned 3.  It is hard to believe that she is that 'old' already!  In some ways she is still that little baby that rushed into the world but in others she is well... a nutbar. at the beach - safe in a pail She is a real firecracker in every sense of the word! She is always on the go running and running and stomping (like a lion). She is also very good at playing quietly and if I'm downstairs with a migraine and she is playing, she'll often just come into my room, stand by the bed and whisper "Aunt Jen owie, I smooch you nap".  very excited to be at the Home Depot and do the craft with Tristan and Hannah  The babies LOVE her and she always gets a huge smile and giggles when she plays peek-a-boo with them.  Anthony loves to snuggle her head - even if she calls him Blakey.  She is far from lady-like (if you see her stomp into church) but when she wants to be girlie she is very girlie!  She lets Hannah get her hair ...

Yesterday was a bad day.  I feel like I say that a lot lately.  Since November 6th I've had a migraine of about 9 to 10's (there was part of 2 days when it was down to an 8).  That's a lot of pain meds, chiropractor visits and darkness.  I'm at the point now where I feel like little things - that shouldn't bother me - really do and that I'm slipping into that chasm of self pity again, ready to be wrapped in the warm blanket of loneliness. Yesterday I was having a lovely talk with one of my sisters who is expecting and she was saying that she felt the baby move for the first time - just a little flutter, nothing big - but she was so excited.  I rejoiced with her and talked about how special it was and how much she has to look forward to.  On Sunday we were talking at the lunch table about how many babies the kids were going to have when they grew up.  Tristan said 5 (3 boys and 2 girls), Hannah said 16 (she just wants lots of babies) and Ju...

Saturday started off as a busy day!  First there was breakfast at Fifty's with Erin.  It is always fun to go there and see who you'll run into.  We were waiting for a table, commenting on whether or not we'd see Mr. Park, when I looked behind me and thought I knew someone sitting at one of the tables - but it was that akward moment when you're not sure and if you look back you'll look like a stalker but if you don't and you did know them you'll look like a snob... well, thankfully, Jessica came over to us!  She and Eric were having their "just done working the night shift' breakfast.  Later on we saw the K family who so kindly (though the waitress didn't seem to think it was a nice thing) paid for our breakfast for us.  It was nice to spend some quiet time talking with my dear friend - and see others as well! the girls showing off their work Then when I got home, the twins were awake and Rachel and I took the kids (except for Tristan who...

  There have been just a few things going on lately.  One of the reasons that I moved back in with R&R was to have the 'distraction' of the kids when I had long weeks of bad migraines.  It really has been a blessing to be there and I love spending time with these dear kids.      The boys are growing like weeds!!! Blake is crawling around and getting into lots of trouble and Anthony seems to be content to just sit there and watch him get into trouble. :)   Julia snuggling with Anthony Blake & Julia  The boys LOVE their older siblings and have great smiles when they see each other.  There are lots of smooches going on at our home!  The cutest is when the boys look at each other - there is a special bond there.  They don't seem to mind if the other one is screaming or fussing - they are content to just spend time together. For a while it seemed that Anthony was getting tired just watching everyone run o...

In May, I emailed Rich to see when would work to come for a visit to Winnipeg.  Thanksgiving worked out best AND we decided to make it a surprise for Cher!  It was soooo hard to keep it quiet for so long but so worth it! As the plane landed, the pilot informed us that it was 3 and snowing.  At the beginning of October... snow.  Well, I thought I had planned well ahead and asked what the weather was like and was told "Oh great.  Just bring a sweater - you don't need a coat".  We just walked into the house to Cher's great surprise I was standing behind Rich.  How fun!!! (the pictures that were taken were not great - Cher looked more sick than happy to see me so they will not see the light of day). Of course, in true fashion (or lack of it) Cher thought it would be great to take a picture of me in a wig with the dress that I brought from days gone by shopping at Good Will.  She posted it on facebook and announced that I was ther...