Archive for June, 2011

Updates and TIME

by admin on June 25, 2011 in Bits Of My Personality, Dem Kids Sayed WHAT?, Do I Call It Parenting Advice?, Feeling It (Thankful), The Jogger Within? with 1 Comment
(SUMMER!)

I am not accustom to catch up posts, but with the death of my personal computer I have been left with no choice but to put a little update up and do the best I can with borrowed time on other persons computers.

Things have been up and down in the health department. I am currently finding it a struggle to get into the specialists I need to see, because of how unusual my birth defect is, most doctors don’t seem to understand how it works or what it is exactly. HOWEVER, I have been able to get into the specialist for my families genetic disease and that is a big relief. I can honestly say I have a next step and plan to get things done that need to be done for me and that is a long way from my overwhelmed feelings and dread of the idea that I might have to be a squeaky wheel.

With school wrapping up just around the bend I am so very pumped about summer. We have been finding plenty of excuses to get outside, from meals on the patio more often this year to going to more community events. We just got back from an art sidewalk sale in a near by neighborhood. It made for a lovely weekend afternoon for the kids and I. I had just got back from a run and had more then enough enthusiasm to head out with the kids for the majority of the day.

Speaking of my run… ah it is a lovely part of my life right now. I find I bound out of bed on the days I get to run at the river with my girlfriends. There is so much activity down there, it is so beautiful, it just inspires me to get out more, in our city. Today was special because I have been pretty sick for a bit and couldn’t get out like I enjoy. It felt extra good to get out there. I opened my runners shoe box and smiled. I sighed as I said, under my breath, “I missed them.” The house was all still asleep, or so I thought, Garnet heard me and snickered I am sure… I like my running shoes and so I suppose I am becoming a passionate jogger.

As I was waiting in the back yard for my ride I heard a window open and saw a little face peek out at me from his bed. “What are you doing mama,” my oldest boy asked?

“I am going for my run dear”, I couldn’t get over how cute his sleepy face was.

“Oh yeah. Are those your new shoes” he asked with a wide eyed look?!

“Yes. Do you like them?”

“They are so cool” he sleepily said with a nod.

I was keenly aware of the example I was setting for my kids, thanks to his and my little exchange. Mom being active has become a regular thing for my children now. They expect me to have a long hike or run early every Saturday. My parents where both very active outdoor sportsmen and hard working farm folk so I had an excellent example growing up too. With our city lifestyle I have had to find a very different way to set an example for my crew, but I am glad I have found it. Not that their Dad isn’t a superb example too. He is an avid mountain biker and a dedicated road bicyclist. I hope they will find healthy activities that they enjoy and can make a regular part of their lifestyle.

A little bit by choice, and a little bit thrust upon me, I am thankfully pulling back lately. I find the city life hard, but I am focusing on making it work for me, instead of me working for it… I am learning about how much I need personal space and CALM mom and kid time… like what I had back in the day, when we lived in a small prairie town. I am learning more about myself and my kids all the time… while I take the time… and I am enjoying time NOW!

TTFN

You Shan’t Hear Me Singing “Rain, Rain, Go Away!”

by admin on June 17, 2011 in Bits Of My Personality, Book Flavor, Feeling It (Thankful), Life Keeps Changing with No comments
Or “come again another day!” for that matter 🙂

( The little ones of the house have been lulled to sleep by the drumming of the rain out our windows. )

Thanking my God for rainy days right now. We are in the middle of a water ban, right after I planted my little garden plot, but the Lord has provided and even though my hands are tied about watering the baby seeds, there’s already signs of green life in my patch of dirt.

Oh, I can find many more reasons to be thankful for rainy days. Grey days reek havoc on my emotional state, whether I want to admit it or not, but when the clouds burst forth in rain I feel a weight lifted and I can be heard letting a deep down sigh of relief out. It is pouring so beautifully today that I can hear it all around me, though I sit happily dry and cozy in my living room. It caught us just coming home from more errands. The little ones and I got very wet very fast, giggles came naturally as the water streamed down our noses and through our hair. We laughed all the way to the back door.

Mostly I am thankful for the rain because it gives me a sense of relief… that it is okay to stay home and just enjoy my little house and my kids. I feel like it is a good excuse to just relax and read and drink tea.Today I am indulging in an audio book! I haven’t done this before but I couldn’t find a copy of C.S. Lewis’s ‘Problem with Pain’ in the library system, all they had was the audio book and so I grabbed it. I am actually very interested as to how it will go, lounging on the chaise, watching the rain, listening to the book read to me… I fear I will fall asleep simply because of the delicious comfort and peace of it all… and not because of the literature itself for I always find Lewis engaging. One isn’t forced to keep ones eyes open (or in my case eye) to enjoy the book when it is a recording.

Bits and bites about my years of fatigue and feeling rotten have ended up on my blog but I usually keep it about the weak days… I don’t like to talk about the anxious days. Fact is I seem to burn myself up on my good energy days and then I have a day or more where I just can’t move which is followed by feelings of inadequacy. Rainy days slow me down, give me permission to ignore my ‘go go GO’ mind and this is why I am truly thankful for the rain today.

On a more positive note, the ball is rolling in regards to my health and the health care system. Specialist appointments are popping up and I am relieved. They will likely lead to more and more appointments as we FINALLY work out not just the genetic disease I have, but the good bad day roller coaster I ride as well.

Thank you Jesus for rain, for how it brings me peace and makes my garden grow. Truly I planted the seeds but you made the increase! This daughter loves you so!

“when pain is to be born, a little courage helps more than much knowledge, a little human sympathy more than much courage, and the least tincture of the love of God more than all.”
~C.S. Lewis (The Problem of Pain)

TTFN

Recording Together

by admin on June 16, 2011 in Better Check Out Links, Music Flavor, My Romance with No comments

Lady Mac an Rothaich is what Garnet is calling our newest, updated, version of our first song recorded together; Fairest Lord Jesus. Click HERE to check it out. We have come a long way from our first rough draft of the song and Garnet did a beautiful job. He is very very excited about all the possibilities and I am happy to be doing music with my man.

TTFN

Check Out Adventures

by admin on June 16, 2011 in Dem Kids Sayed WHAT?, Mama Heart Mushings with No comments

My two year old has social skills, a style, all his own.

Yesterday we where at the check out with a weeks worth of groceries. He had been super patient. Talking with me sweetly and pointing out colors while the clerk ran everything through. Finally the clerk mentioned how good he was being and asked my little man how he was today. My son looked at him dead panned and yelled “GREAT!” The clerk laughed and said that was the most honest response he had gotten all day. He then asked what he had been up to today. My boy thought about it, and again with all seriousness burst out, “Been a super hero! Du-du–du–du“, the last bit being a superman like song and he threw his arms in the air in a taking off kinda flying position. I asked what super hero he was and he said “Du-du–du–du! SUPERMAN” with his arms still up in the air!

(Enjoying a mall play area.)

I must mention that the whole time this conversation was going on I had a four year old, in her own little world, dancing in a flow-y flower-y kinda way beside me singing nonstop, and not too quietly, “Float, flutter, FLY! Float, flutter, FLY”! We where quite the show for the clerk and the gentlemen behind us.

TTFN

Check Out Adventures

by admin on June 16, 2011 in Dem Kids Sayed WHAT?, Mama Heart Mushings with No comments

My two year old has social skills, a style, all his own.

Yesterday we where at the check out with a weeks worth of groceries. He had been super patient. Talking with me sweetly and pointing out colors while the clerk ran everything through. Finally the clerk mentioned how good he was being and asked my little man how he was today. My son looked at him dead panned and yelled “GREAT!” The clerk laughed and said that was the most honest response he had gotten all day. He then asked what he had been up to today. My boy thought about it, and again with all seriousness burst out, “Been a super hero! Du-du–du–du“, the last bit being a superman like song and he threw his arms in the air in a taking off kinda flying position. I asked what super hero he was and he said “Du-du–du–du! SUPERMAN” with his arms still up in the air!(Enjoying a mall play area.)

I must mention that the whole time this conversation was going on I had a four year old, in her own little world, dancing in a flow-y flower-y kinda way beside me singing nonstop, and not too quietly, “Float, flutter, FLY! Float, flutter, FLY”! We where quite the show for the clerk and the gentlemen behind us.

TTFN

Beginner Jogger

by admin on June 15, 2011 in Adventure and Me, Bits Of My Personality, Life Keeps Changing, The Jogger Within?, The Pet with 1 Comment

I have avoided calling myself a “jogger” for a long time… I kept saying I am just getting into it… just trying to be active, nothing more… but the fact is I can honestly say I now LIKE IT! I really do! It took the whole winter but I feel confident enough to call myself a jogger… or at least to be open to telling people I jog.

Steps to Jogging Confidence
(these are my steps… you know, what was in my head when I set out to master jogging… going from HATING IT to ENJOYING IT)

1) Proving to yourself that you are disciplined, that it isn’t just a fad and that you are not a fraud…

Joggers have a reputation. They are strong, disciplined and really passionate. I didn’t wanna be a joke and jump into calling myself a jogger too quickly, so this is why proving I had the discipline to keep it up was important to me. Started jogging shortly after getting our dog, Riddick, to keep him well exercised. When I started to see benefits in my health it became something for me too. I got up almost daily and jogged with my dog before the kids awoke (around six). I managed to maintain this for the whole winter. The discipline it took alone to getting up and out there made me feel pretty good about myself.

2) Being willing to be spotted jogging.

Long before jogging myself, I always spotted them. I followed their form and wondered about their style of run and their outfits… So going from early, and dark, morning jogs to doing it during the light of day was stressful for me. Thankfully I was able to start into this stage while still in my frumpy winter gear. I didn’t want to be spotted doing a shot-y job of what is called jogging. What if my running form looks like the funky chicken and I just don’t know?! Daylight brought out self confidence issues in the jogger me, but the harder step was letting the bulky winter wear go and dawning the work out gear for warmer weather

3) Buying and wearing those tight work out outfits.

I like mary janes (a type of shoe, flats) and dresses, big flow-y dresses… not a sporty girl… sooooo the sporty gear sure was intimating and felt so foreign when I started wearing it. I just had to tell myself over and over to stand up straight and suck it in baby!

It was also really hard for me to invest the cash on shoes that weren’t super cute. My very sporty biking husband informed the clerk “DON’T let her pick based on how they look!” The clerk informed him she had a lot of colorful types that no one else wanted and was more then thrilled to pawn them off on someone like me. This made me grin. They are as cute as sneakers can get, I assume, COLORFUL and very comfortable. (Pssst! Did I mention they match the little jogging skirt I had picked up just before the shoe clinic visit?! Don’t tell my husband!)

4) Jogging socially!

I have no idea why I put this off to last?!! Jogging with girl friends has turned out to be one of THE BEST parts of jogging! We have a beautiful river side city to enjoy and company really helps you go longer without getting side tracked. Is this why people get ipods and listen to inspiring music as they jog? I haven’t tried that yet, but since I am not a highly competitive sort I will often cut jogs short, when I am alone, because I get bored or my mind leads me on to other things and pretty soon I feel drawn away from my work out. Anyhow, the girls inspire me. I really look forward to our weekend jogs together! We have a beautiful route along the river and over a couple of the bridges. It doesn’t hurt that this route just happens to lead us to an award winning coffee shop at the end.

(The coffee!)

Well this is all I have for now. Ramblings of everything that has been bobbing around in my head since I started this adventure. I am a happy person in my body and all the more as I continue to exercise regularly.

P.s. Sorry, no jogging pictures of myself or my jogging pals… speaking of confidence… I don’t know about them but I don’t think I am ready for a jogging self photo on my blog yet:)

TTFN

2 Days Ago We Celebrated

by admin on June 12, 2011 in Adventure and Me, Life Keeps Changing, My Romance with No comments

Two days ago we celebrated our eleventh year of marriage. Just last year we had a big tenth vow renewal ceremony in a sweet little church with our children and our close family all around us. Perhaps it has kicked something off in our lives? Before last years anniversary Garnet and I usually found our anniversary a very uneventful day, due to being in the thick of the baby and toddler years. I feel like we have shook off those years with last years celebration. I was finally able to see the good side to baby years being memories and started to get excited about all the freedoms coming our way, as we let our children grow and teach them to be more independent of us.

This year, so many loved ones wished us well and encouraged us to really celebrate again. We where approached by many willing babysitters and a day of childless fun came together. We dined for breakfast, as that is our favorite meal, shopped where we can never normally go with four kids in tow (second hand book stores, hat stores, stores full of exotic breakable items) and then we gardened together. We talked, we fussed over one another and we felt so blessed to know our kids where happy and fine without us… thus we really relaxed and enjoyed the quiet, with only one anothers attention and touch.When my beautiful babies are babies no longer, far from my mothering reach, working on their own paths and life stories, I will have my husband still. I will hold to him, look at him, fuss over him with a bursting heart. It is a blessing to look into your mans eyes and still see your beau. He makes it easy for me; he hasn’t lost his sense of humor through all our hard times, he hasn’t lost that golden smile through the sad times and he hasn’t lost his love for me through my unlovable times.

I love you Garnet!

TTFN

Gardening and Love

by admin on June 11, 2011 in Bits Of My Personality, Foodie Like Me, Life Keeps Changing, My Romance, People In My Heart with 2 Comments
(My DAD and I.)

My parents surprised me with a short visit and a day of shopping for my garden plot. I was so blessed by them paying for my seeds and plants, as well as a few other garden supplies! What a gift! It is like our whole garden is now a living present from my mom and dad! My littlest two and I went out to the green houses with them a couple days ago and it was a lovely morning. It left me eager to get those plants and seeds in the dirt and I was super glad to find the time yesterday.Time to put on grubbies and get our hands dirty. Time to get our garden in for the summer!

What is as romantic as your man willingly helping you with the garden on your anniversary?! Garnet and I celebrated 11 years yesterday and four hours of that kid-less day (kid-less do to help from family) was spent in the dirt. At the end of it all my man mentioned what a great idea a community garden is and he even mentioned his interest in gardening has been peeked because of the community aspect. He found joy in gardening!! WIN:)

Here are all my plants, seeds and supplies loaded up in the bike trailer to be transported to the community garden down the street. Garnet took the dog and met me there. There was a great deal of work to do and I was super thankful for Garnets muscle and no kid distractions or interruptions while we got er done!

It was really special watching others working on their plots as we worked on ours, sharing the tools with neighbors and chatting it up with other gardeners as well as curious passers by!

We had to dig out our path ways (a rule of the garden committees) and then we had to set up our dirt and top soil for planting. We then put the plants in and finally got down in the dirt to get the seeds in. Finished off with a healthy watering and before we knew it it had been four hours of work and we where hungry and ready for supper.

FINISHED!

The advice mom and dad gave us was as valuable as the supplies! This garden was bought and payed for by people who love my man and I… and our kids, planted with the man I love (and who loves me) and grown to feed the kids Garnet and I love!

There where times this spring when I was sure the plot wouldn’t work out for me… I wouldn’t get one or if I did I wouldn’t be able to use it… well we have come a long way now. There is a lot more work ahead, to keep this garden healthy, but I am just so pleased with the sense of relaxation I get from gardening, the sense of community it brings being part of this big garden with many plots and with the love that brought the garden together… for me.

TTFN

Getting a Plot!

by admin on June 8, 2011 in Adventure and Me, Foodie Like Me, Four Little Eggs In My Nest, Life Keeps Changing, The Pet with 1 Comment
(A view of the community garden from the top of our parks sled hill.)

Due to feeling off I missed the official PLOT MEETING where they presented all the garden members with their little pieces of earth. I thought perhaps I had lost my chance to be part of the community garden then but I got an email that if I could find the time to come by for some info and advice they had my spot. It is a grand spot too, 10 by 20 and smack in the middle of the garden. They have water hooked up all around the garden, a shed full of tools for our use and paths around each of the plots that they plan to make clear with wood chips soon. It is so pretty and it is just dirt so far! Can’t wait till it fills out with green plants and FOOD!There where already gardeners filling their plots! Even last night there where gardeners hard at work while we followed our cheerful noses around.

I had a good look around, played in my dirt for a bit and let the kids climb the near by trees. Riddick made friends with some residents of Sherbrook (the building right near the garden, they helped get this all started) and we all had a good look around before letting energy out by running up and down the sled hill a few times. We must have been entertaining to watch.

(Yes those are the oldest three rolling down the hill and my littlest guy doing his best to run without falling head over heals after them.)


After the good run around on the hill we headed to the park as a reward for the kids letting me do my thing at the garden.

It felt good to be out and about in the evening. To be active in our community on a lovely spring evening. I look forward to getting the kids settled in the evenings this summer and running over to fuss with our plot.

Sure hope I have lots of chances to bring the kids and Riddick as well so they can be part of it. If they continue to enjoy the bushes so much I might actually be able to keep them content while I work… gotta try picnics near the garden too and perhaps I will be able to at least get the older three involved in the work. So much to think about… hope I have a chance to get some seeds or plants A.S.A.P.!!

(Riddick and I watching the crew at the park before we headed home for bed time.)

TTFN

Get Going With the Pink Bike and the Trailer

by admin on June 7, 2011 in Bits Of My Personality, Contest, Four Little Eggs In My Nest, Life Keeps Changing, Little Things with 6 Comments
(Photo courtesy of my four year old and her knack for cutting my head of in pictures.)

I was THRILLED about the play date we had booked for this a.m. because it gave me a good reason to set up the bike and trailer and kick off using it this summer. I always wish I had more opportunities then I do each year to get it out! It will not be long before the kids are too big for it! Anyhow, play date was in our old neighborhood. I love this area for biking because of all the pretty cat walks. We had a lovely ride there but on the way back I was in a hurry, the wind was no longer at my back and the trek is up hill back home so I was pretty much warn out when we got back. I love my pink beauty but it sure doesn’t help that it has no gears at such a time.

CONTEST
Speaking of my beautiful ride, she needs a pet name! So I am putting it out there and starting a contest on both my blogs. If I get a good name idea, for my bike, from a reader I will send you a little something.

Align CenterHave a lovely JUNE day!

TTFN

← Older Entries